365 Amplified

Rob, Stephanie and Omar talk through an election night that was decided early. They cover Democratic majorities in Congress and the Wisconsin Legislature, historic statewide wins by Most Influential alumni David Crowley, Jocasta Zamarripa and Yee Leng Xiong, the passage of the state constitutional amendment on DEI, and the new UW System president. Rob explains what comes next as District Attorney Ismael Ozanne nears a decision in the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz. Omar recaps his day as principal at Cherokee Heights Middle School and previews Gallery Night. Plus, a 608 Soccer Show crossover with Coach Ziggy Odogun about her new low-cost youth club, and this week's question: What does everyone in journalism pretend to enjoy?

On your ballot next week are three proposed amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution. Today, Sinceree Dixon from the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin joins Rob to talk through those and what they would do, if passed. Plus, it's a big day for Madison soccer, as Forward Madison begins a run to their first-ever league title.

Voting info links:

Madison365.org/Vote

Myvote.wi.gov

Vote411.org

Forward Madison 101:

Video

Audio

Madison's Common Council voted 14–6 early Wednesday morning to fire Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique "Meeka" Glass. The vote came at the end of a meeting that ran about 12 and a half hours and drew more than 140 public speakers. Rob, Stephanie and Omar walk through how the night went. They also cover Rob's reporting on police records about the officer who killed Tony Robinson, which Glass had been promised but never got, and debate what "independent" oversight should mean. Then Devon Snyder, the new chair of the Police Civilian Oversight Board, talks about keeping the Office of the Independent Monitor running, the search for a permanent monitor and the first community listening session on Oct. 29. Plus: a recap of the 365 Leadership Summit.

The Milwaukee Bucks open their first season without Giannis Antetokounmpo on Wednesday. Bucks Plus editor-in-chief Monis Khan joins Rob to talk through the trade, new head coach Taylor Jenkins and the players to watch, including hometown guard Tyler Herro and rookie Brayden Burries. Then Sinceree Dixon, communications manager for the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, explains what you need to vote in the Nov. 3 election, from early voting to same-day registration. She also walks through the three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. Plus: the Brewers are headed to the World Series, and a preview of Tuesday's Common Council vote on the independent police monitor.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• See what's on your ballot: madison365.org/vote
• Find your polling place, check your registration or request an absentee ballot: myvote.wi.gov
• Personalized voter guide and candidate questionnaires: vote411.org
• League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (Constitutional Corner toolkit and election observer sign-up): lwvwi.org
• Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
• 365 Leadership Summit, Monday, Oct. 19: 365leadershipsummit.com

On this week's 365 Amplified: the Common Council has introduced a resolution to terminate Madison's interim independent police monitor. Rob, Stephanie and Omar walk through the resolution, the city attorney's memo and the questions about whether the council has the authority. A vote could come Oct. 20. Omar updates the expansion of Improve Your Tomorrow, which helps students of color get to college, and previews a Wisconsin Book Festival title on the women behind the March on Washington. Dannee Livingston-DeTienne joins to talk about Bird Bone Blood, the posthumous third poetry collection by Rene Livingston-DeTienne (also known by the pen name R.B. Simons). Her launch event is Oct. 18, 2–4 p.m., at the Art and Literature Lab, in person and virtual.

Get tickets to the Bird Bone Blood event here (not required, but appreciated)

Join the virtual event here

Get the book here

Madison Common Council members have used a Signal group chat with disappearing messages for more than a year. Rob explains why that raises open meetings and open records questions. Also this week: a Latino pickleball night at Dill Dinkers, Madison's first new library branch in 26 years, nurses at SSM Health Dean voting to unionize, and a look ahead to the ninth annual 365 Leadership Summit. Then Rob talks with Kaleem Caire, the newest candidate for Madison mayor, about property taxes, housing costs, policing, body-worn cameras, and his first 30 days in office.

Rob Chappell, Stephanie Diaz de Leon and Omar Waheed dig into a busy week in Madison policing: Chief John Patterson's new "service excellence and outreach" division, the Madison Community Foundation grant putting body-worn cameras on every officer next year, and the city's ongoing refusal to release police video. Omar recaps the Isthmus panel on AI and journalism and shares Aaron Perry's plan to take his barbershop health clinics on a 200-shop tour through the stroke and diabetes belt. Then mayoral candidate April Kigeya joins to talk housing, transportation, mental health, policing, and why she thinks Madison needs a new leader.

Today's episode is sponsored by Wisconsin Chamber Orchesta and its upcoming performance, Transcendence.

Big things are happening in Madison's art scene! Today, the team gives an update on a proposal to turn the 100-year-old Breese Stevens Field into a state-of-the-art concert venue, a Latina-focused art gallery, a Latino-focused book publisher, and a new locally produced movie that got a lot of buzz at its premier this summer. You can see it for free at a Central Library screening next weekend, and writer/director Rafael Ragland stops by the studio to talk about that movie, his history as a filmmaker and a big project to educate the next generation of movie makers.

Check out the trailer for "Where Scriptures Breathe" here.

April Kigeya becomes the latest candidate to enter Madison's mayoral race, joining a growing field ahead of the spring election. Rob breaks down the ongoing fallout from a Madison police officer's restraining order against Independent Police Monitor Aracely Glass, plus new city council moves to review years of police oversight recommendations. Then, a change of pace: Rob shares the story of Braylin Calhoun, a basketball phenom from a tiny Upper Peninsula town turning heads in the national prep scene who's recently relocated to Milwaukee. Omar spotlights Sultan Ahmed's new cookbook, "Zamin," which reimagines Pakistani cuisine with Wisconsin-sourced ingredients, and previews "Ugly Little Monkeys," a documentary on a youth mariachi group screening in Madison and Oshkosh. Plus: emotional support snacks, and a ruling on candy corn.

State Rep Shelia Stubbs is advocating legislation to require body-worn cameras in all police departments. Will that actually increase transparency? We are skeptical. On the show today, Rob and Omar dig into that, including specific reasons for skepticism. Then, we touch on a new effort to unionize yet another group of nurses, and Omar recaps his visit to the Milwaukee Black Historical Society's exhibit on racist memorobilia. Finally, former Alder Brian Benford stops by the studio to discuss his mayoral bid, truth & reconciliation, and the power of possibility.