👀 Regents testify about Rothman firing

🤷 Regents: Rothman Should Have Seen Firing Coming

• Members of the UW Board of Regents denied that Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman was “blindsided” when they fired him Tuesday.
• Two regents testified before a state Senate committee that they had held conversations with Rothman for months over his performance. They said they fired him because he was slow to address pressing issues like the use of artificial intelligence, took credit for accomplishments that were a “massive team effort,” and feared upsetting policymakers, faculty and staff.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: On the City Cast Madison podcast, host Bianca Martin, producer Jade Iseri-Ramos, and I talk about Rothman’s abrupt departure. We also chat about what’s going on with the men’s homeless shelter and get a little verklempt over the Essen Haus being saved from the wrecking ball.
• ‼️ Also starting this week, City Cast Madison Neighbors will hear a bonus story on Friday’s podcast! If you want to be in the know too, why not join them and become a Neighbor! [AP, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🚌 Five Children Injured in School Bus-Dump Truck Crash

• A school bus containing Midvale Elementary School students was struck by a dump truck Wednesday afternoon on South Park Street near the Beltline, sending five children to the hospital with minor injuries.
• Madison police said the truck ran a red light heading southbound and hit the bus as it was exiting the Beltline. The bus suffered significant damage, and the 77-year-old truck driver was ticketed for running the light.
• South Park Street has become a flashpoint for conversations about traffic safety after 17-year-old Sasha Rosen was struck and killed by a car while crossing the street on February 5. The car’s driver, 51-year-old Kathleen Borgwardt, was charged with second-degree reckless homicide and pleaded not guilty in court last week. [WMTV, News 3]

🍣 Sushi and Coffee Coming to One Social Food Hall

• The food hall on the first floor of the One 09 luxury apartment building on Wilson Street will get two new vendors later this month.
• Mizu will offer sushi rolls, rice bowls, and boba tea, while Social Grounds will sell coffee and desserts like tiramisu, bread pudding, and affogato.
• They join several other vendors already operating at One Social Food Hall, including Señora Machetes and Real Seafood Co. The owners have also added classic arcade games and outdoor games on the food hall’s outdoor space overlooking Lake Monona. [ 🔒WSJ, 🎧City Cast Madison

Meet Guster! Guster is a complete goof (as you can see), but also the most lovable sweet boy ever. He loves his stuffy squirrel, chasing balls, and wading in kiddie pools.