🤫 Shhh! New speakeasy opening in Madison

🗳️ Ben Wikler Won’t Run For Governor

• Former Wisconsin Democratic Party chair, who recently made an unsuccessful run to lead the national party, won’t run for Wisconsin governor in 2026.
• Wikler said that he’s currently focused on spending time with his family and helping other Democratic candidates. He is working with retiring Gov. Tony Evers and current state party chair Devin Remiker to direct party resources and fundraising behind the eventual Democratic nominee. [News 3]

🏫 UW-Madison Sees Big Drop in New International Students

• The number of freshman students entering UW-Madison this fall dropped by over a third, after college officials warned that Trump administration policies would hurt enrollment.
• This year’s freshman class has 325 international students, compared to 506 at the start of the last school year. Threats of deportation, travel bans and visa delays have led to a nationwide decline in international students.[WPR, New York Times]

👀 Can You Keep a Secret? Madison’s Getting a Speakeasy

• While Madisonians are not usually shy about drinking in public, the new Veil and Vault speakeasy coming to downtown Madison this winter will be a throwback to Prohibition-era stealthiness. The dark and moody bar will have no windows, a false front advertising another business, and the bar will require a password.
• Meanwhile, El Rancho Breakfast & Tacos closed its doors on East Johnson Street after 16 months in operation. Owner Jose Torres said a combination of business and health issues convinced him to focus on the original El Rancho location for now. A new Mexican restaurant, Mi Barrio, is already planning to open next week in the East Johnson Street space.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: We get into the latest about the Madison food scene on the Friday news roundup on the City Cast Madison podcast. We also talk about Kristi Noem’s controversial message to travelers and why it’s not playing at the Dane County Airport, and new plans for the top of State Street. Join us! [Cap Times, 🔒 WSJ, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

Meet Sookie! This adorable Shih Tzu mix is 15 and is feeling her age, to the relief of the squirrels she used to chase up a tree. But she still gets around quite well, and gets excited when mealtime rolls around, chowing down like a champ.