🚨 Police use tear gas, pepper spray on protesters

🐶 Animal Activists Tear-Gassed, Arrested at Ridglan Farms

• More than 1,000 people demonstrated Saturday against a Blue Mounds beagle breeding farm and research facility, and Dane County law enforcement deployed pepper spray, tear gas and rubber bullets when members of the crowd tried to unsuccessfully take dogs from the facility.
• Ridglan Farms has been a flashpoint of controversy within the animal rights movement, and last month 27 activists were arrested, including former “Baywatch” actress Alexandra Paul, after breaking into the facility and removing beagles.
• Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said on social media Saturday that 300 to 400 of the protesters were assaulting law enforcement and trying to break into the facility using saws, sledgehammers and ladders.
• On Monday, activists from Dane4Dogs protested at the Capitol outside Gov. Tony Evers office, chanting "Free the dogs!" [Cap Times, Facebook]

🛍️ Some Vendors Grumble About Madison Public Market Costs

• With the Madison Public Market now set to open this summer, some vendors are complaining about having to spend up to $100,000 to build out their spaces, and not being able to choose their own plumbing and electrical contractors.
• The city of Madison has made $50,000 grants available to each food-related vendor, plus additional funds through the MarketReady program. But some vendors believe they could have gotten better prices by using their own contractors.
• While such arrangements are typical for commercial spaces, the market at 202 North First Street is run by a nonprofit organization with a mission to support a diverse community of small, locally-owned businesses. [Madison 365, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

💰Verona Student Gets $400K Full-Ride Scholarship

• The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County has awarded a $400,000 scholarship to Verona Area High School senior Ja’kylah Powers. Powers is planning to attend Florida Memorial University this fall to study law, with the hopes of becoming an attorney helping people with mental health issues.
• Boys & Girls Club of Dane County CEO Michael Johnson called Powers to give her the good news while she was working a shift at Jersey Mike’s. Powers was selected from among 94 student applicants for the scholarship.
• 🎧 Looking to the future: Johnson came on the City Cast Madison podcast to talk to host Bianca Martin about all that today’s young people are facing, and what Boys & Girls Club does to help. And he brought along another heavyweight guest – Miss Wisconsin Willow Newell!

Movie lovers who went to the Barrymore Theatre to see films at the Wisconsin Film Festival earlier this month discovered what a lot of longtime Barrymore fans already knew. In addition to being a great place to see live music or comedy, the historic theater on Atwood Avenue is also a great place to see a movie.

In addition to serving popcorn with real butter in the lobby, the Barrymore has become home to touring short film festivals that showcase snowboarding, trail running, hiking and even some, uh, indoor physical activities. Here’s some of the short film showcases that come back to the Barrymore year after year:

BANFF Mountain Film Festival World Tour

What started in 1976 as a one-day local event in the Albertan mountain town has become a nine-day festival and world tour showcasing “peak performance” across the globe. This year’s festival plays two nights at the Barrymore on April 24 and 25, featuring stories of cave climbers, slopestyle mountain bikers, and ultramarathoners.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival

The River Alliance of Wisconsin sponsors this short film fest on April 30, with most of the documentaries being centered on Black or Indigenous communities. The anthology includes a “deep dive” into the impact of AI and data centers on waterways, a profile of youth climate change activists protesting uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, and a National Geographic photojournalist training children of color to become the next generation of wildlife photographers.

Bicycle Film Festival

Presented by Madison Bikes, this festival usually rolls through the Barrymore Theatre in the fall. Last year’s films followed youth cyclists in La Crosse’s three-day Omnium ride, and a migrant worker in rural China recycling styrofoam boxes by bike.

Fly Fishing Film Tour

The annual tour, now in its 20th year, screened at the Barrymore last month, showcasing anglers from Colorado rivers to the deep blue sea.

Meet Ferris! This handsome border collie mix was injured when he was found earlier this month, but the veterinarians at the Dane County Humane Society helped him heal. He can be nervous with new people and places, but with patience, kindness and positive reinforcement, he blossoms into a trusting companion.

He enjoys receiving pets, especially ear and head pets. Ferris is energetic and loves to run around and explore the yards, go for walks, and ride in cars. Ferris would do best in a home without small children, but he may enjoy having another dog friend. He’s looking for a patient family who will help him build trust.