🪧 Madison shows up to protest ICE

🪧 What Brings Madison Out in the Cold To Protest ICE

• With the news that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents might be winding down their operations in Minneapolis, Madison is preparing for the possibility that Wisconsin might be next.
• ICE agents have already been spotted in the western Wisconsin towns of Hudson and Baldwin across the Mississippi River from the Twin Cities.
• A couple of weeks ago, hundreds came to the Capitol to protest ICE activities in the wake of the killing of Green Bay native Alex Pretti. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling were there, and on the podcast today they share what Madisonians said about how they’re feeling and why they decided to protest. [Wisconsin Examiner, 🎧City Cast Madison]

💸 Ex-Monona Grove High Employee Accused of $38K Fraud

• An investigation by officials at Monona Grove High School found $38,000 in fraudulent expenses made by a former employee.
• The employee, the former administrative assistant to the school principal, made the purchases between 2023 and 2025, officials said. The purchases were discovered in December after the employee had left the position.
• The employee repaid the money to the school in February, and Monona Police have launched a criminal investigation. [WMTV]

💉 UW Requires Students to Disclose Vaccine Status

• Following a case of measles on the UW-Madison campus, university officials will now require students to disclose their vaccination status for certain diseases.
• By March 12, students will have to provide documentation of their immunity status for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, chicken pox, meningococcal and Hepatitis B.
• The measure does not require the students to actually be vaccinated. It mandates students to share their vaccination records or to confirm they are unvaccinated. Noncompliance may result in a hold on their registration. [WKOW]

Maybe you’re visiting Madison and want to buy a souvenir to take home. Maybe you moved to Madison and want something to celebrate your new home. Or maybe you’re traveling and want to represent your home base wherever you go.

Whatever the reason, Madison swag is big business. Here’s some places where you can buy merch to celebrate your love of Madison, be it sporty, quirky, or outdoorsy.

University Book Store

I mean, obviously. Both the State Street and Hilldale locations are packed with University of Wisconsin swag for literally every fashion sense, plus Madison-focused gear, and other Wisconsin sports teams.

Raygun

This playful Midwest clothing brand opened a location on State Street last summer, featuring many Madison-themed T-shirts like “I Put the ‘Sin’ in Wisconsin” and a shirt bearing the storefront of Paul’s Books, the beloved bookstore that used to exist in the same location.

Anthology

This cozy State Street spot is full of cutesy and clever Madison-themed arts and crafts, including a lot of stickers, greeting cards, and witty posters, like an astrological chart for “Madison Wisconstellations.” It’s also the place to get progressive-themed merch for the #resistance-minded friend on your list.

Orange Tree Imports

This gourmet and specialty store on Monroe Street is a Madison institution. It has a bunch of gifts celebrating Madison that are made locally, including tree ornaments, dish towels featuring Madison zip codes, and candles decorated with sand scooped up from Madison’s lakes.

Meet Saturn! This 7-month old Siberian Husky is an energetic pup with a big heart who loves to run and play. This happy pup also has a big heart with lots of love to give to his new family. Because of his zest for life, Saturn is looking for a home with space to run and play; he’s not a good fit for apartment life. He’s still learning his manners, and is hoping to find a patient family who will help him continue his positive reinforcement training while also spoiling him with fun adventures.