🎉 Your Juneteenth celebration guide

🐶 Ridglan Farms Will Release Rest of Beagles

• Ridglan Farms will release the remaining 475 beagles at its animal testing and breeding facility in Blue Mounds and close down for good.
• Big Dog Ranch Rescue said that 325 of the dogs will be released starting this week to its facilities and rescue partners, with the remaining 150 dogs being transferred during the first week of August.
• The animal testing and breeding facility has been accused of multiple animal violations by advocates for years, sparking protests and attempted breaches by advocates earlier this year. To avoid prosecution, Ridglan agreed to end its breeding program by July 1. [News 3, WPR]

🚨 Independent Monitor: Madison Police Caused Man’s Death

• Madison’s Independent Police Monitor concluded that the death of a Madison man in police custody was not a drug overdose as reported, but was caused by a combination of prone restraint, excessive force, and failure to render aid.
• Richard Lee Johnson died in December 2024, and the cause of death was deemed by an autopsy to be a cocaine overdose. But independent monitor Aeiramique Glass said in her report and in a press conference Monday with Johnson’s family that the conclusion was mistaken and contradicted by an independent medical examiner.
• Madison police officials said they had just received the report Monday and a response would be forthcoming. [ 🎧 City Cast Madison, Madison365, OIM]

🍺 Beer Seized By State Authorities From Minocqua Brewing

• State officials seized over $25,000 in beer from Minocqua Brewing Company’s taprooms in Madison and Minocqua, owner Kirk Bangstad said on social media Friday.
• Bangstad said the seizure was part of an investigation over whether the company paid the fees required to sell beer in Wisconsin that was brewed across state lines in Illinois. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue confirmed that it had inspected Minocqua Brewing’s facilities on Friday, but declined to comment further because the inspection was part of an active investigation.
• Bangstad announced in May that he was running for the Democratic nomination for governor, but the Wisconsin Elections Commission said he failed to provide enough valid signatures to make into onto the ballot. [Wisconsin Examiner, WPR]

Juneteenth, also called Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, is June 19, a chance for all Americans to celebrate the end of slavery. Here’s the origins of what some call “America’s second Independence Day,” and what’s going on in Madison to celebrate the occasion.

On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks about Juneteenth in Madison with executive producer Hayley Sperling, and local marketer Liz Boyd as part of our weekly “Good On Ya!” segment. Also, City Cast Madison is going to be off on June 19 for the holiday, so there will be no new podcast in your feed or newsletter in your inbox that day.

What Is Juneteenth?

A combination of “June” and “19th,” Juneteenth commemorates a very specific event during the Civil War. While President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, about 250,000 slaves in Texas were not freed. It took two years, until June 19, 1865, for Texas slaves to be freed after Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the proclamation.

The first Juneteenth celebrations took place the following year in Texas. As Black Texans moved across the country, they brought Juneteenth with them, and it became one of the oldest African American holidays.

During the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, organizers pushed to have Juneteenth recognized as a federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed legislation making it a holiday the following year.

What’s Happening in Madison?

Black Caucus Juneteenth Celebration (June 16)

The Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus will celebrate in the Capitol Rotunda at lunchtime, with a keynote address from Menomonie Ald. Camden Hargrove, the first openly trans Black man elected to public office in Wisconsin.

Celebrate Juneteenth Fitchburg (June 17)

Fitchburg Senior Center and the Wright Place are joining together to celebrate the day with a mix of musical and spoken word performances, with a keynote address from Dr. Charles Taylor, author of “Juneteenth: The Promise of Freedom.” The event will culminate with a Juneteenth flag raising at Fitchburg City Hall.

Madison Senior Center Juneteenth (June 18)

Over the lunch hour, enjoy barbecue, lawn games, live music, and more at this celebration hosted by the Madison Senior Center.

Black Stars Experience (June 18)

Madison College and the Kujichagulia Center for Self Determination are joining together to present this TED talk-style event at the Black Business Hub, featuring a variety of storytellers, creatives and community leaders.

Majestic Juneteenth Celebration (June 19)

On the holiday itself, the Majestic Theatre is hosting this free late night dance party featuring Flame the Ruler, No Love Monday, Uchi Kinte, DJ Pain 1, and DJ Iron Mike.

Meet Ozzy! He’s an expert fetch player looking for a new home. This 67-pound adult baby is smart and follows commands to sit, shake, and drop it. He loves to play fetch and will actually retrieve the toy and drop it at your feet so you can toss it for him again.

Ozzy walks well on leash overall, and he enjoys receiving pets. He’s looking for a family without small children who will spoil him with fun adventures, endless games of fetch, and lots of love.