👀 ‘Wisconsin’s C-Span’ is back on the air

💰 Funding Shortfall Forces City To Scale Back Lake Monona Plans

• The first phase of a plan to redevelop the Lake Monona waterfront is being scaled back amid concerns about cost.
• Among the casualties to the Madison LakeWay Project are plans for a 4,000-foot skyline pier that would have jutted out from the southwest part of John Nolen Drive, providing views of the Isthmus. Instead, city architects are proposing a smaller 500-foot pier that would bump out into the lake
• Funding for the $13.5 million first phase of the project has fallen about $1.5 million short, with Madison contributing $7 million and Dane County contributing $2 million. [ 🔒WSJ, Madison LakeWay]

👀 WisconsinEye Is Back Online Watching the Legislature

• After being dark for seven weeks due to funding issues, WisconsinEye’s cameras are back observing events in the Capitol, thanks to an infusion of funding from the Legislature that it’s watching.
• The Joint Committee on Legislative Organization voted unanimously to approve $50,000 to keep operations going through February. WisconsinEye stopped livestreaming state government events in December and took down its online archives, saying it needed $887,000 to operate in 2026.
• WisconsinEye has also started a GoFundMe to raise $250,000, equal to about three months of its operating costs, and has so far raised over $58,000. [WPR, GoFundMe]

🌳 Tariffs and Inflation Balloon Cost of Lakeshore Nature Center

• UW-Madison officials say they need an additional $4.7 million to build the Lakeshore Nature Center research and visitor facility. The center on Lake Mendota will be named after philanthropist Jerry Frautschi, who died last month.
• Frautschi gave the university $14.3 million to build the center, but UW-Madison officials say tariffs on building materials and inflation have increased the total cost to $21.5 million. The UW Board of Regents will vote Friday on the increase. [ 🔒WSJ, Cap Times]

Sunday is the day we get around the TV to watch Bad Bunny, expensive commercials – oh, and a football game. If you want to get out of the house to watch the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks face off in Super Bowl LX, here are a few options for both pre-gaming and game time. Also, check out our list of Madison’s great sports bars for more ideas!

🍲 Souper Bowl

For 30 years, Habitat For Humanity has sponsored this popular fundraiser the day before the Super Bowl at West High School. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees can choose a handmade ceramic bowl of their choice and then get it filled with soup, served by a local celebrity. (I’ve been a celebrity ladler in the past, and I can tell you, it’s a great cause and they sling a lot of soup!)

🐶 Puppy Bowl at Underdog Pet Rescue

Who needs Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Drake Maye when you have Anson and Avro? The two Madison-area rescue puppies “played” in the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl this year, and you can meet them at a Puppy Bowl watch party at Underdog Pet Rescue at 12:30 p.m. Beer and brats will be served, and you can even adopt your own adorable pet superstar.

🍺 Bierock

This north side restaurant is sponsoring its eighth annual Puppy Bowl Watch Party, a benefit for the Dane County Humane Society. Ten percent of all proceeds will be donated to DCHS. Watch the pups starting at 1 p.m., and stay for the Super Bowl at 5:30 p.m.

🌭 State Street Brats

Not surprisingly, State Street Brats is going all out for the Super Bowl with an all-you-can-drink special. A $25 ticket gets you bottomless taps, mimosas, and more from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

One cool perk of becoming a City Cast Madison Neighbor is the chance to send out Neighborhood Shoutouts. Our members tell us what nonprofits, businesses, or other cool things make Madison a little better for them, and we share their praises on the City Cast Madison podcast and in the newsletter!

📣 Kate L. wants to praise Sensory Zone! It’s “an indoor activity center where kids can play, jump, swing, or chill in a quiet space. Neurodivergent-friendly – our family feels seen there.”

📣 Shauna K. is a big fan of Teasider! “Want to get more into tea drinking? They're the best place to go. They give excellent recommendations, and the store has super cozy vibes.”

📣 Nikki J. is shouting out Table Wine! “Table Wine on Atwood is a local, woman-owned/run wine shop that has great bottles, fantastic classes & tastings, and a really knowledgeable staff that will help you get an amazing bottle of wine at a super reasonable price.

“Their garden is also a perfect place for a glass with friends when the weather is nice!”

Got a fave you want to give a Neighborhood Shoutout to? Become a City Cast Madison Neighbor and let us know!