👀 The mayoral race is getting crowded

🪧 Get Excited About the New Imagination Center: Madison’s first new library in 25 years, the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, will have its grand opening on Sept. 25 with a weekend of fun activities. The city is handing out free yard signs to northeast Madison residents who want to let their neighbors know they’re pumped. [City of Madison]

🗳️ Mayoral Election Gets Crowded: On the heels of former Ald. Brian Benford’s announcement that he will challenge Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s bid for a third term, former City Council president Syed Abbas is also throwing his hat into the ring. One City Schools founder Kaleem Caire told local columnist David Blaska that he will announce his mayoral candidacy in September. [WKOW, WMTV, DavidBlaska.com]

⚖️ Monitor Asks Court to Force Release of Ruiz Evidence: Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass has asked the Dane County Circuit Court to compel the Madison Police Department to release evidence related to the Corey Ruiz police shooting.

• City Attorney Michael Haas said police cannot release evidence while the July 22 shooting is being investigated by the state Department of Justice. Glass has countered that argument saying she’s requested records from MPD rather than the state and is not asking for a full public release, but for her office to have access. [Madison365, News 3]

👋 Shorewood Hills Village Administrator Resigns: Making the ninth staff resignation in the last year, Shorewood Hills village administrator Brian Mooney has quit, citing the village’s “perpetual turmoil.” Multiple departing staff members say ongoing tumult between employees and village trustees has led to an unsafe and hostile work environment. [Isthmus]

💸 Wisconsin Union TIPS Aren’t Actually Tips? Customers who leave a little extra at a Wisconsin Union register for the Thoughtful Investment in the Potential of Staff (TIPS) fund might assume they’re leaving a gratuity for the student who served them. Not so! The money actually goes to a general employee benefit fund, and some student employees say the practice is confusing if not intentionally misleading to customers. [Daily Cardinal]

🚧 Expect Lane Closures On East Wash: Traffic on the section of East Washington Avenue between North Livingston and North Blount streets will be affected between Aug. 31 and Oct. 9 by sewer installation for the new Seven20 apartment development. Motorists should expect lane closures and lane shifts. [City of Madison, Seven20]

The Best New Restaurants in Madison

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].

begonia. (Monroe Street)

The name may be giving copy editors headaches, but the new restaurant on Monroe Street is drawing a lot of attention. Opening Aug. 28 in the former Kettle Black Kitchen space, Sara Anderson and her co-owner and son-in-law, Chef Christopher Lund, are bringing back some old faves while introducing new contemporary Latin dishes.

Lund is on the City Cast Madison podcast today talking to host Bianca Martin and Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about their big plans for the new restaurant.

North Italia (Hilldale)

This Italian restaurant chain has set a Sept. 2 opening date for its first Wisconsin location at Hilldale in the space that was formerly Amara, offering wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and “garlic knot sliders.”

Brothy Bowl (University Avenue)

This new Chinese restaurant opened in the Enson Market on University Avenue, offering build-your-own-bowls with a variety of broths, meats, and add-ons.

Pho Chill (Downtown)

Having its soft opening this week at 203 W. Gorham St., this new restaurant promises authentic pho and banh mi, as well as Vietnamese coffee and lemon tea.