Amtrak, Events at the Imagination Center at Reindhal Park, Job Opportunities with the City of Madison, Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 19, 2026

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Hi there, 

I hope you have had the chance to check out the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. If you haven't, please check out upcoming events at our new library as it's a great way to be in community with others.  

Here are a few helpful resources that you or your neighbor may be able to use: 

$218 Million Secured to Bring Passenger Rail Back to Madison

Amtrak tain

The federal funds will help connect Madison to Milwaukee with stops in Pewaukee and Watertown. Combined with existing service to Illinois, there will be passenger rail from Madison to Chicago and beyond, possibly as soon as 2030. The announcement today will pay for the majority of the final design and construction costs, which will upgrade tracks, improve crossings, expand rail capacity and construct stations in Madison and other cities.   

The City of Madison has supported the process by conducting a passenger rail station study, supporting planning efforts, and coordinating with Amtrak and WisDOT. The city's proposed capital budget includes funding to support the construction of a Madison station.

Read the full press release.

Check out the following job openings with the City of Madison: 

  • CDA Housing Program Policy and Data Analyst*
  • IT Project Manager*
  • Assistant City Attorney
  • Winter Attendant*
  • City Forester
  • Fire Community Education Specialist 1, 2 or 3
  • Engineering Intern*
  • Arborist 1 (Trainee Eligible)*

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 19, 2026

Updates and Notices

  • Farmers' Market Food Scraps Drop-off is Winding Down: You are running out of time to bring food scraps to one of your neighborhood farmers' markets. Get details on where you can drop-off food scraps for free so they will be composted on the food scraps website.
  • Fall Tree Planting Season Starts October 19: Urban Forestry crews will be planting around 1,000 trees around all of Madison this fall. If you receive a tree in the right of way space in front of your home, follow our new tree care tips and keep the tree watered until the ground freezes.

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.

  • Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 6, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include a decision on terminating the appointment of the Interim Independent Police Monitor.
  • Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 19, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include creating Section 28.022-00824 of the Madison General Ordinances to change the zoning of property located at 301 South Westfield Road.
  • Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 21, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include reviewing the City Engineer's report on the impacts of water resources and the necessity of permits for public works construction projects listed in this agenda.
  • President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures: The President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 23, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a discussion on body-worn camera policies of other municipalities

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

Announcements and News Releases

  • South Stoughton Road Service Road Closure at Pflaum Road Begins October 21: Beginning Wednesday, October 21, the southbound South Stoughton Road Service Road will be closed at its intersection with Pflaum Road for approximately two weeks to allow for concrete paving and the necessary curing time before reopening to traffic… [posted October 16, 2026]
  • Flu Season Off to Early Start in Dane County: Flu activity is increasing earlier than expected in Dane County, and Public Health is encouraging everyone ages 6 months and older to get their annual flu shot sooner than later. [posted October 16, 2026]
  • MPD to offer free active shooter response training: MADISON, Wis. – The Madison Police Department is offering a training designed to save lives in an active shooter situation. The next session of the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) will be held on Nov. 9.  The training is free… [posted October 15, 2026]
  • Public Art Installed at Men's Shelter Through Percent for Art Program: Unity, Spirit, Community is a collection of colorful mosaic panels made out of tile and mirror created by artist Laurel True. The mosaics were recently installed to the exterior of the shelter. [posted October 14, 2026]
  • Designing Safer Streets: 2026 Vision Zero and Speed Management Projects: Vision Zero Madison has been a safety initiative in Madison since 2020 and has implemented hundreds of safety improvements projects in those 6 years since the start. These projects focus on Proven Safety Countermeasures like high visibility… [posted October 12, 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

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

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