Events this Week in Madison

A COMMUNITY VIEW | I attended the Candlelight Vigil, the Service at MTZ Baptist Church, read the media reports, the FB posts…but Í remained too numb to comment. I do feel  the pain, loss, disbelief, and anger stirring both inside and outside of our community. The loss of a child is devastating, only mothers who have experienced such a loss can know what that pain feels like. I join our community in seeking the answers to WHY! What I do know is that in Madison, WI, MPD patrol officers do not wear BWCs. What I do know is that BWCs only made it onto the “HORIZON LIST” in the 2026 Budget. What I do know is BWCs for the MPD  has failed to rise to the top of the City’s budget priorities. What I do know is Madison is fast becoming a place where seniors, marginalized individuals and everyday working class fokes can no afford to live here. What I do know is the city is now a place of divided unrest….. Enough of this messaging... Even in the midst of our challenges… this message was sent to ALL ALDERS…A direct quote “I pray that they kill all Jews, Niggers, and Immigrants”.  Is this who we have become? Madison let’s hold up the mirror and look at ourselves. WE CAN DO BETTER!!!

Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney

WISCONSIN STATE & JOURNAL
LETTER TO THE EDITOR America after 250 years remains a work
in progress | Masood Akhtar
May 3, 2026 As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this moment should be more than a celebration. It is a time for reflection, education and renewed civic purpose. Few nations reach a quarter of a
millennium without challenges and reinvention. America is defined not by perfection, but by its enduring commitment to liberty, opportunity and self-government -- even amid
competing ideas and interests.
Milestone anniversaries remind us that these ideals are not self-sustaining. Each generation must learn, debate and choose to protect them. Civic education is essential in preparing young Americans to understand the nation's history and the responsibilities of citizenship. Engaging with the debates and sacrifices of the Founding Fathers deepens appreciation for the
freedoms that sustain democracy.
Today's challenges call for reinvigorating these principles through education. Organizations like We Are Many - United Against Hate promote unity without demanding uniformity, fostering empathy and civic awareness through
dialogue and storytelling. As an immigrant from India, I came seeking freedom and opportunity. As America turns 250, may this milestone inspire not only pride, but also responsibility and a renewed commitment to one united republic for all (not us
versus them).
Masood Akhtar, Madison

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The Death of Corey Ruiz Demands Our City To Confront a Painful Pattern.
There is a sickening and recurring nightmare that many Madison residents experience whenever another fatal police shooting occurs. For many, the death of Corey Ruiz, a Black man reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis, evokes painful memories of Tony Robinson Jr., the 19-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by a Madison police officer in 2015. Although the circumstances of each case are different and the investigation into Mr. Ruiz's death remains under investigation, both tragedies have reignited questions about how our MPD responds when residents experience behavioral issues or a mental health crises.
Body Cameras Are Long Overdue
One reform should no longer be delayed: every Madison police officer should be equipped with a body-worn camera.
Body cameras cannot prevent every tragedy, but they can provide an objective record of critical incidents, strengthen public confidence, protect citizens and police officers from false allegations, and provide investigators and the media with valuable evidence.
Building Community Trust & The Need For New Leadership
The 2027 mayoral and City Council elections present an important opportunity to elect new city leadership committed to restoring public trust through greater transparency, MPD accountability, and effective public safety reforms.
That commitment should include comprehensive, ongoing de-escalation training for every Madison Police Department officer, along with the full implementation of body-worn cameras. These cameras must be governed by clear, transparent policies that protect citizens' privacy while ensuring appropriate public, media, and governmental access to recordings, consistent with Wisconsin law and established oversight requirements.

Public confidence in law enforcement is earned through public transparency, professional training and MPD accountability. By electing new leaders who prioritize these values and investing in modern policing practices and de-escalating training, Madison can rebuild trust between our community and the Madison Police Department.
 — A.J. Nino Amato, UW-System, Criminal Justice Adjunct Professor & Emeritus UW System Board of Regents
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July 24 update from Chief Patterson

Our department has asked for a full, transparent and independent investigation, which is being done by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in accordance with Wisconsin law. I continue to be in close contact with DCI as the investigation progresses. There currently are no substantive updates to share. It remains an open and active investigation that continues to progress. I will continue to check in with DCI daily, at a minimum, and pass along any information that I am able to share with our community. DCI may also provide updates directly. I continue to ask for your patience as we all wait for this process to complete.

View full news release

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of July 27, 2026

Updates and Notices

• August Moving Days Fast Approaching: If you or someone you know is taking part in the annual August moving days on the isthmus, make sure they are aware of the rules, opportunities, and responsibilities during that time. We have a  round-up of August moving days information on our website.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, July 27, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving a revised 2026 Resource Recovery Special Charge rate of $5.40 per month beginning on September 1 through the remainder of 2026.

o Meeting Details

o Meeting Agenda

o Register for Public Comment

o Watch Online

• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, July 27, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 2, 10, 14, and 15.

o Meeting Details

o Meeting Agenda

o Register for Public Comment

o Watch Online

If you would like more information about becoming a member of the City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Transportation Commission Meeting (Virtual), Wednesday, July 29: On Wednesday, July 29, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. to review and discuss proposed new and updated service standards, processes for making service changes, and processes and standards related to placements of bus stops, shelter, benches, and other amenities.

• Milwaukee Street Reconstruction, Thursday, July 30: The City is planning to reconstruct Milwaukee Street (Starweather Creek to W Corporate Drive). A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., July 30, 2026, via Zoom. Registration prior is required. 

• Public Information Meeting - Warner Park, Thursday, July 30: As part of the Warner Park Southeast Recreation Area Development Plan, we identified the need to reconfigure the athletic fields located in the southeast corner of Warner Park. 

Announcements and News Releases

• Williamson Street Closure Remains in Place Until Further Notice: To ensure community safety, the closure of Williamson Street and South Baldwin Street will remain in place due to the ongoing public gathering within the intersection. The closure will remain in effect until further notice. Please see the attached… [posted July 24, 2026]

• Sanitary Sewer Work to Begin on Section of W Johnson Street: Starting on Tuesday, July 28, and continuing until approximately Friday, August 21, RG Huston will be conducting sanitary sewer installation for the private development project at 306 N Brooks St. The work will occur in lane on W Johnson Street…[posted July 24, 2026]

• Postponed: Community Listening Session in Response to Officer Involved Shooting: Sincelearning there is a vigil tonight at 5 p.m., Council President Sabrina Madison has decided to postpone the Community Listening Session in order to attend. There will be an update when a new date and time is… [posted July 23, 2026]

• Announcing Mooveapalooza!: A Donation & Mattress Recycling Event: The City of Madison Streets Division and the Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables is happy to announce the first ever Mooveapalooza! This is a one-day event at Alliant Energy Center where anyone can donate usable items like… [posted July 23, 2026]

• Mayor Rhodes-Conway's Response to Officer-Involved Shooting: I am angered and saddened by what happened today. My heart breaks for those who have lost a loved one, those who witnessed the shooting, and everyone impacted. [posted July 22, 2026]

• Community Invited to Celebrate Outgoing Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence: The Madison Arts Commission and the Bubbler at Madison Public Library are inviting the community to an event marking the end of Jennifer Bastian's term as the artist-in-residence at Thurber Park. [posted July 22, 2026]

• Metro Transit Public Hearing Scheduled: On Wednesday, July 29, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. to review and discuss proposed new and updated service standards, processes for making service changes, and processes and standards related to placements of bus stops, shelter, benches, and other amenities. [posted July 22, 2026]

• Street Closure for All City Swim Meet 2026: Starting at 8:00am on July 25, N Yellowstone Drive will be closed between Inner Drive and Shenandoah Way for the annual All City Swim Meet event. The event will go through the week with the street reopening by 5:00pm on August 2. [posted July 21, 2026]

• New Men's Shelter Scheduled to Open September 1: The new shelter not only brings improved physical space, but its opening will also fundamentally alter how the shelter functions. [posted July 21, 2026]

• Opening Date Set for Imagination Center at Reindahl Park: Save the date for the opening of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park hosted by Madison Public Library, City of Madison Engineering, Madison Parks and Madison Public Library Foundation. [posted July 21, 2026]

• Secure Drop Boxes Are Now Open: Madison's secure ballot drop boxes are now open for the August 11, 2026, election. [posted July 21, 2026]

• Applications Being Accepted to Fill Alder District 1 Vacancy:District 1 residents are invited to apply to fill this vacancy for the remainder of the current alder term.[posted July 20, 2026]

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.

Events

• Learn to Kayak, Monday, July 27: Learn to Kayak with Madison Boats! Register online for this free class offered at Wingra Park. All ages are welcome and most appropriate for ages 10 and older. Anyone under 18 must have a guardian present and may need to be in the kayak with child.

• Lakeside Kids! Madison Capoeira – Grupo Capoeira Brazil, Tuesday, July 28: Join us for another exiting summer season of Lakeside Kids! – a free interactive series featuring science, culture, arts and entertainment. Designed for kids ages 4 and up. Lakeside Kids! provides hands-on fun and learning in an engaging and dynamic setting.

• Grateful Dead Night, Wednesday, July 29: Join us for an evening of great music, drinks, and fun at our Grateful Dead Night from 5:30–8:00 PM!

• Goodman Pool 20th Anniversary Celebration, Friday, July 31: Join us as we celebrate 20 years of the Goodman Pool! We'll have music, games, prizes, food carts and fun! The first 500 people will receive a Goodman Pool yellow duck! Free leis while supplies last. 

• Live at The Glen | Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Band, Friday, July 31: Wisconsin's premier Latin Jazz Band for over 20 years, Tony Castañeda(external) and his band have been honoring and keeping alive the music of what some call the Golden Age of Latin Jazz.  Winner of 14 Isthmus Madison Favorite Jazz Band annual awards.

• Adapted Swim, Saturday, August 1: Open to all individuals with disabilities and their caregivers and families. Pre-registration is not required.

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.