💸 Madison schools back suit over state funding

🧑‍⚕️ Will UW Health Workers Get Their Bargaining Rights Back?

• Fifteen years after Act 10 took away collective bargaining rights from most public sector workers, Democratic lawmakers want to restore those rights for one group of workers – UW Health employees.
• The Dane County Circuit Court ruled that key provisions of Act 10 violated the state’s equal protection clause and that argument is making its way through the state’s court system. But one of the bill’s sponsors, state Sen. Chris Larson, said essential workers like nurses should be exempt no matter how the court rules. When it was passed in 2011, Act 10 carved out similar exceptions for police and firefighters. [Daily Cardinal]

🛍️ Pottery Barn Returning to Madison at Hilldale

• Five years after Pottery Barn closed its doors at West Towne Mall, the upscale home furnishing retailer is opening a store at Hilldale.
• The store will be located at the south end of the shopping center in the building that formerly housed AMC Madison 6, and now contains Jaxen Grey clothing store and a Sweetgreen restaurant. No opening date has been announced, but construction is underway.
• The new Pottery Barn would be a centerpiece of a proposed expansion of Hilldale to the south, taking over space formerly occupied by BMO bank and the recently-closed Great Dane restaurant. [ 🔒WSJ]

💸 Madison Schools Expect Less State Aid Next Year

• Madison school officials are starting to plan their 2026-27 budget and are forecasting that the district will receive $7 million less in aid from the state than they did this year.
• Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Joe Gothard warned that the district will need to rely on local property tax revenue to make up the shortfall. While expenses are still being determined, a cost increase of between $30.2 and $38.2 million is expected next year, with $14 to $16 million devoted to health insurance increases.
• Both MMSD and MTI, the Madison teacher’s union, threw their support behind a lawsuit filed Wednesday by a consortium of school districts, charging that state lawmakers have chronically underfunded public education. [Madison365, WISN]

Each month, we run down the best new restaurants in the Madison area that have either opened or announced plans to open in the near future. If you know of any that we missed, drop us a line at [email protected].

One of the most highly-anticipated new restaurants coming to Madison in 2026 is Tall Grass, the new venture from chef Elena Terry that will open on the first floor of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Terry about her vision for her new restaurant.

Baked Lab (Atwood Ave.)

Pastry chef Shawn Bolduc opened his first brick-and-mortar space at 2044 Atwood Ave. on Feb. 21. In addition to the baking classes and made-to-order cakes that Baked Lab is known for, the new space will serve snacks and Nordskov Coffee during the day and plated desserts and beer and wine in the evening.

Ba Lao (Willy Street)

The owners of Ahan opened this cozy bar on Williamson Street as a place for folks to wait for a table at their acclaimed restaurant. But it’s a great space on its own, serving cocktails and fun snacks like a veggie summer roll and lao bratwurst.

GM Banh Mi (Campus area)

Located inside the oLiv Building on West Johnson Street, this Vietnamese cafe offers green tea infused with pomegranate and ginger syrups, Vietnamese egg coffee, and, of course, the titular sandwich on freshly-baked bread.

North Italia (Hilldale)

This Italian restaurant chain will open its first Wisconsin location at Hilldale sometime in 2026 in the space that was formerly Amara, offering wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and “garlic knot sliders.”

Cool Sweet Treats (Park Street)

It’s never too cold for an ice cream treat, and this new spot at 405 S. Park Street serves ice cream bars, sundaes, cold drinks, and other goodies. Follow them on social media for daily specials.

📣 Janet C. wants to shout out the Madison Hash House Harriers! “The Madison Hash House Harriers (‘a drinking club with a running problem’) provide exercise and camaraderie year-round with runs every Saturday. Part run, part puzzle, part social club, it’s a great way to get active!”

📣 Lisa C. wants to sing the praises of Out-U-Go! “Out-U-Go pet sitting & dog walking service has provided amazing care for my furkid, Dax, the last few years! Their staff are kind and responsive and they really love critters of all types. I especially love the photos and notes they send after every visit!”

📣 Danielle T. is celebrating Andrea Russell! “(She) is an Ayurvedic doctor, yoga and meditation teacher who also leads international retreats. Highly recommend Andrea to bring balance and wellness into your life!”

If you want to send a Neighborhood Shoutout and let Madison know about something amazing, support our work and become a City Cast Madison Neighbor! Our members get lots of neat benefits besides Shoutouts, including ad-free podcasting, a member-exclusive events newsletter and invites to members-only events!