City Cast Madison
📣 DeForest residents want a say on data center
January 9, 2026 · — Rob Thomas
Good morning, Madison! And an extra special good morning to some new City Cast Madison neighbors! Welcome Joan B., Bradley S., and Margaret S.! Thanks to each of you for supporting our work! If you want to join them, we’d love to have you as a City Cast Madison Neighbor.
What's CITY Talking About
🕯️Madison Protesters Denounce ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
- About 20 to 30 protesters gathered outside the Capitol on Wednesday night after a Minneapolis woman, Renee Nicole Good, was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
- The protesters called on ICE and other federal officers to stop its current mass deportation campaign against immigrants. Following the protest, they held a candlelit vigil for Good.
- Also, Dane County Rapid Response Network is organizing an #ICEOUT solidarity vigil at 5 p.m. today outside the Capitol at the top of State Street. [City Cast Twin Cities, WKOW]
🍝 The Hound Closed, Eno Vino West Closes at End of January
- The Hound, a brewpub in Fitchburg formerly known as the Flying Hound, closed this week. And Eno Vino announced it will close its far west side location at the end of January.
- Eno Vino owners Sara and Pepe Granados said the time was right to close its location which has been on Junction Road for over 20 years. The downtown location in the AC Hotel will continue operating.
- The Hound owner Tim Thompson said declining demand motivated him to close the restaurant last Sunday after 11 years. Thompson still owns several restaurants in town, including The Library and Bear & Bottle in Madison. [News 3, 🔒WSJ]
💾 DeForest Village Board Says No To Data Center Referendum
- Opponents of a proposed data center submitted a petition containing thousands of signatures to the DeForest Village Board which would require voters to pass a referendum prior to approval of such a development.
- But the board took no action after the village attorney said that the requirement, which would apply to any annexation larger than 30 acres or developments costing more than $10 million, would be illegal. QTS Data Centers is proposing to build a 1,600-acre data center campus on rural farmland in the town of Vienna.
- 🎧 Dig deeper: On the City Cast Madison podcast, we talk about the latest developments in the data center saga on the Friday news roundup. We also talk about who’s running in the spring elections and all the Badger hockey players going to the 2026 Winter Olympics. The puck drops now! [News 3, 🎧 City Cast Madison]
Friday Floof
Meet Salix and Raphe! These two are the best of friends, spending nearly every moment together. They get into a lot of trouble, but make up for it by being so affectionate with each other.
What To Do
Friday, Jan. 9
- 🎶 Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble at North Street Cabaret
- 🥶 Joey's Song Presents The Freezing Man Festival at The Sylvee (through Jan. 10)
- 🎤 Kat And The Hurricane Presents: Benjamin Rose’s Big Queer 30th BDay Bash at Gamma Ray Bar
- 😆 Oh, My! A Stand-Up & Burlesque Variety Show at Crucible
- 🎶 WI Folk Fest at Majestic Theatre
📰 Extra! Extra! “Hamilton” is back at Overture Hall through Jan. 18! Pretty much only the most expensive tickets are available for each show, although $10 “Ham4Ham” rush tickets are available via digital lottery for every performance.
Wednesday night was the third time I had seen Lin-Manuel Miranda’s historical hip-hop epic, and I think this was overall the best cast I’ve ever seen of the production. The shadow of the original cast doesn’t loom quite as large as it did when I saw the play in 2018 and 2019, freeing the performers to make the roles their own. Tyler Fauntleroy was phenomenal as Alexander Hamilton, as charismatic a performer as Miranda (and, frankly, a better vocalist). And I loved A.D. Weaver as a powerhouse George Washington.
I did wonder how the play’s optimism and inclusive “Immigrants, we get the job done” spirit would play in 2026 America, a country in crisis. But I walked away feeling galvanized and inspired to meet the serious challenges ahead. History has its eyes on us 🇺🇸
Free · Daily