Politics, Prom & Plushies

This week, the team is back from a much-needed break and ready to break down the big news in Madison and across Wisconsin. 🧑‍⚖️ Local Elections Are Here (April 1!) The gang discusses the impact of local elections, including the upcoming Madison Common Council races and the statewide constitutional amendment on voter ID. Confusion around election dates? We break down what's real and what's political misdirection. Rob and Stephanie unpack why these "small" elections actually matter—local government = big consequences. Interview: Joanne Pritchett We hear from the challenger for District 9 Alder, on her motivation to run, her advocacy style, and environmental concerns in Madison's west side. Most Influential Native American List Rob highlights Madison365's sixth annual list celebrating influential Native American leaders statewide. The team reflects on how the list has grown and the importance of representation across professions—judges, teachers, CDFI leaders, and more. Encore Prom & Wisconsin's Aging Population Want to relive prom with purpose? Verona's Encore Prom is back—this year's event supports older adult programming amid Wisconsin's aging demographic surge. Read more here. Nerd Bugs Makes the INC. 500 List! Madison's own Dr. Ronak Mehta lands on Inc. Magazine's Female Founders 500 for her educational plushie startup, Nerd Bugs. Omar shares how the company began as a children's book idea and turned into a national health education tool—with cute, anatomically-correct organs. Read the story here. ⚽ Soccer, Shots, and Showdowns Forward Madison advances in the U.S. Open Cup and prepares to host a second-division team for the first time ever. Rob dreams of the ultimate "Jager Henny Derby" and defends his love for Jägermeister. Plus: a surprise sports education moment on "escort parades" for local teams—and what the 365 crew would want to be celebrated for. 🔗 Read More: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. 🔗 Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions: 📲 BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe & tune in every Friday for the latest insights on local and national news!