🪧 ICE killing in Minneapolis sparks student walkout

🍔 First 7 Tenants Announced For Madison Public Market

• With a soft opening set for March, the Madison Public Market announced its first seven permanent tenants, including a popular burger-and-churro food truck, a wine and tapas bar, and a specialty apparel retailer.
• The much-anticipated space on N. First Street has been two decades in the making, and is designed to support over 130 local businesses.
• Businesses who will be in place for March’s soft opening include Cinn City Smash, Cervato Wine & Tapas Bar, Ancestral Tribe Custom Apparel, ArtWorking, and The Chowpati. [InBusiness, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🪧 Students Walk Out of Class to Protest ICE

• Students from several area schools, including West and East High Schools, walked to the Capitol on Wednesday morning to protest the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent last week.
• The walkout was organized by students and not sanctioned by the schools or any outside organization. Several speakers, including state Rep. and candidate for governor Francesca Hong, spoke out against armed and masked federal agents who have flooded Minneapolis, intimidating and arresting both immigrants and U.S. citizens. They specifically pointed out an incident in which agents clashed with residents and teachers at a Minneapolis high school.
• “We are letting people know that the next generation refuses to live in a world where federal agents can kidnap or kill whomever they want with no repercussions, and where students fear for themselves and their families when stepping on school grounds,” a statement by the student organizers read. [Bluesky, NBC News]

💽 City Council Approves Data Center Moratorium

• A one-year halt on any new data center construction in Madison unanimously passed the Madison City Council on Tuesday.
• The ban prevents zoning approval for any data center project of 10,000 square feet or larger. Supporters say the ban will give officials time to study the environmental and economic impact, such as how their energy use would affect electric bills, and develop policy recommendations.
• David Aguayo, who oversees public policy and advocacy for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, spoke out against the ban during public comments. He said it would cause the city to miss out on investment opportunities in a time of property tax increases and budget deficits. [WKOW]

Italian-Indian cuisine? It sounds like an unusual combo, but Zafferano Ristorante in Fitchburg has found a hunger in the local dining scene for their inventive fusion of two cuisines. So much so that the owners are planning a second restaurant on the Capitol Square, Eloura, that will serve Mediterranean food with East Asian influences.

On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to co-owner Kalyani Venkatraman about their current and future adventures in dining.

One of the most popular dishes at Zafferano that mixes Indian and Italian influences in the butter chicken pizza. But Madison is no stranger to unusual and inventive kinds of pizza. Here’s some of our favorite places to get an out-of-the-ordinary pie.

Ian’s Pizza

It may seem normal to us, but outsiders actually consider mac ‘n’ cheese pizza to be kind of weird! As Verona residents will soon find out, Ian’s continues to push the envelope of pizza creations. January’s special slices include a crab rangoon pizza, a kielbasa mac pizza and a pho pizza!

Molten Monkey Pizza

Johnson Street’s thick Detroit-style pizza is so distinctive that even a plain cheese hits different than other pizza. But Molten Monkey has a range of innovative specialty pies, including the Tik Tik Boom with ginger brined red onions and a tikka masala base, an Umami Bomby with four different kinds of mushrooms, and Not on the First Date with an avocado cream base and a chimichurri drizzle.

Sal’s Tomato Pies

Sal’s Jersey-style pizza is a favorite from downtown Madison to Sun Prairie, and their solid lineup of flavors include the new Ossobuco Royale with bone marrow, lemon mint gremolata and toasted breadcrumbs, and the Joey Bananas with banana peppers, hot honey and fresh jalapenos

Glass Nickel Pizza

Glass Nickel has been a neighborhood institution in Madison for decades, with wittily-named specialty pies like the Portabella Lugosi, the Vegan Pad Thai Pie and my favorite, the Fetalicious. They also rotate in new limited-edition pies each month, such as the Big Mac-inspired (but legally distinct) Special Sauce.

One of the many cool perks of being a City Cast Madison Neighbor is the chance to send a Neighborhood Shoutout! Members tell us what business, neighbor, non-profit or some other neat thing makes their city a little brighter, and we amplify it in the newsletter and on the podcast!

📣 Carrie N. wanted to shout out Underdog Pet Rescue! In particular, she wanted to make people aware of Underdog’s “Street Dog Coalition Free Vet Care Monthly Popup” for pets of people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

📣 Sheila K. says “saluti!” to Nonno’s Ristorante! “Great little spot on the west side to get yummy pasta and the best Cosmo I’ve had in Wisconsin. Staff is always very friendly.”

📣 Erika P. wants to praise Noah’s Ark Pet Center! “Shopping for all my pet's supplies locally while getting unlimited kitten cuddles? Sign me up!”

We also wanted to welcome some NEW City Cast Madison Neighbors! Hello to Andrew T., Valerie C., and Hannah F. Thanks for your support, and we’re looking forward to seeing your Neighborhood Shoutouts!

If you love Madison too and appreciate our work bringing the city a little closer to you, join them and become a City Cast Madison Neighbor! We’d love to have you on board! 🚢