🚧 John Nolen delays are about to get worse

🚧 Northbound Lanes on John Nolen Will Be Closed Overnight Next Week

• Construction has limited traffic on John Nolen Drive to one lane in each direction, and those closures are going to level up next week. Crews will close northbound lanes completely between Olin Avenue and North Shore Drive between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Oct. 27 through Oct. 30.
• The lanes need to be closed for workers to install four storm sewer crossings across the northbound lanes. Northbound motorists will be detoured onto Park Street.
• The work is part of a major reconstruction of John Nolen Drive that will last into summer 2027. Keep track of upcoming closings and other updates on the city’s project website. [City of Madison]

🍺 107 State Restaurant Closes, Citing Financial Issues

• 107 State, the Italian-accented tavern at the top of State Street, has abruptly and permanently closed.
• Owner Nathan Mergen posted on social media that the restaurant had experienced financial pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic that persisted even after diners returned. He also pointed to a failed expansion into Mount Horeb, where his Italian restaurant, Bar Manzo, closed in January after six months. [News 3, Instagram]

🏫 Investigation Reveals Teacher Sexual Misconduct and Broken System

• Between 2018 and 2023, the state Department of Public Instruction investigated more than 200 teachers, aides, substitutes, and administrators who were accused of sexual misconduct or grooming behaviors toward students, and did not tell the public, a Cap Times investigation uncovered.
• State Superintendent Jill Underly has subsequently called for updates to the Department of Public Instruction’s systems for handling educator licenses and to state laws that guide teacher misconduct investigations. Underly criticized the Cap Times investigation but didn’t point out any specific instances of factual errors.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: The City Cast Madison team talks about this troubling news on the Friday news roundup. Host Bianca Martin also interviews Wayforward Resources Executive Director Ellen Carlson about the perilous state of Wisconsin’s food assistance program. Plus, we say goodbye to a Madison restaurant icon. [Cap Times, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

Meet Buddy! This dachshund is almost 15, but he’s still a puppy at heart. And, as you can tell from his Hawaiian shirt, he’s already looking forward to next summer!

🎃 By the way — Halloween is next week and I want to see your favorite floof in their Halloween costume! Send me a photo using the button above or just email it to me at [email protected], and I’ll collect the best ones for next week’s Friday Floof!