🚙 Willy Street traffic study hit a snag

🚗 Willy Street’s Express Lane Experiment Hits a Pothole

• In an attempt to reduce traffic accidents, city officials closed down the rush-hour express lane for six weeks this fall to see if it made a difference. But a piece of radar equipment malfunctioned, meaning that the study produced no usable data on vehicle speed.
• On some days, the radar said that traffic on the east side street was over 100 miles an hour. While the data is not usable, the city’s transportation will use other data and staff observations to judge the effectiveness of closing the express lanes.
• So what do you think? Madisonians have had a lot of thoughts on this experiment and we heard from you with takes on it all. [Isthmus, 📝 City Cast Madison]

🧮 Schools Look To Revamp Outdated Math Curriculum

• Two plus two still equals four, but a lot of the other things in the math textbooks and lesson plans used by Madison schools need updating. That was the takeaway from a study by the district’s Math Task Force.
• The group told the Madison School Board this week that the Madison Metropolitan School District should purchase new instructional materials for elementary and middle school students. K-8 schools are currently using materials that are at least a decade old.
• In the 2024-25 Forward Exam, 43% of MMSD students tested proficient in math. [Cap Times]

🔎 Investigation Clears Head of Madison’s Civil Rights Division

• Madison Civil Rights Director Norman Davis has been cleared of allegations that he discriminated against staffers on the basis of gender or disability.
• The city hired an outside firm to look into the allegations, which concluded that Davis had a strict leadership style and fostered a “severe lack of trust” with his employees. But while employees complained that his actions constituted bullying, they did not qualify as discrimination. [WPR, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

Want to know a secret? For Madison diners, there’s nothing like having the inside scoop on some secret menu, hidden restaurant, or other obscure gem that the other foodies don’t know about.

The new Veil & Vault speakeasy bar aims to capitalize on that love for the unknown. We know the bar will open this winter on East Wilson Street. But it will have no signage, no windows, and a password will be required to order a drink. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to co-owner Courtney McCarty about her plans for Veil & Vault – at least, the plans that she’s willing to reveal.

Here’s a few other secrets – special menus, secret deals, and other hidden gems – you might not know about Madison’s dining scene. Do you have a restaurant secret you’re willing to share? Email me at [email protected] and spill the beans!

Nattspil

The pizza-dumpling-DJ bar on King Street is a longtime favorite of Madisonians in the know. But don’t call them up to ask what’s on the menu. They’ve never had a phone!

Brunch at Cento

I hate to blow up my brunch spot, but instead of waiting for a table at Sardine or Marigold Kitchen, consider the “Boozy Brunch” at this Italian restaurant when planning your next weekend get-togethers. It’s the best brunch deal in town – $35 gets you an entree, two (!) breakfast cocktails, cannoli, and bottomless coffee.

Too Good To Go

This new app allows Madison diners to purchase baked goods, pizza slices, and other food nearing its sell-by date at a deep discount. It’s hit or miss, but once you’ve taken home three slices of Ian’s Pizza for under five bucks, you’ll be hooked.

Oasis Cafe

Do you know about the coffee shop that serves Russian pel’meni dumplings? This charming Fitchburg spot is owned by Paul Schwoerer of Paul’s Pel’meni, and the menu includes the delicious little dumplings along with breakfast burritos and lattes. You can also find Paul's Pel'meni at the Rotunda Cafe on Atwood Avenue.