365 Amplified

This week on 365 Amplified, Stephanie, Rob, Omar, and David dive into a packed episode featuring serious local issues, fun community events, and a deep look at a bold new arts initiative in Verona.

🧑‍⚕️ Janesville Nurses Strike Omar reports on the ongoing strike at Mercy Health East, where nurses are demanding a 7% raise, better health insurance, and basic security protections. Despite making $59 million in profit last year, the health system offered only a 3% raise and refused to budge—even as CEO pay topped $11.5 million. Stephanie reflects on the community impact and priorities revealed by the strike.

🎉 Community Events Preview The team shares previews of upcoming local events:

• Disability Pride Festival (July 26)

• Unity Picnic at the Urban League (July 26)

• Park Street Music Festival (August 2)

🎨 Feature Interview: Art House 360 Rob tours the newly launched Art House 360 in downtown Verona and sits down with co-founders Monica Cliff and AJ Juarez. They share how the former school building has been transformed into a multicultural, multidisciplinary arts space for all ages and backgrounds. Learn about the grand opening August 14 and the “Dancing With the Arts” fundraiser on August 15. 

🎤 Roundtable: Most Useless Facts We Know To cap things off, the hosts swap their most random and useless trivia—from Joe Biden’s proximity to Lincoln’s presidency, to flamingo facts, octopus hearts, and the sibling rivalry that created two iconic shoe brands.

Connect:

• 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.

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🎧 Subscribe & tune in every Friday for the latest insights on local and national news!

This week on 365 Amplified, Stephanie rejoins the team for a packed episode featuring tough conversations about education, equity, and opportunity.

🎓 Sunsetting Diversity at UW? The team breaks down the University of Wisconsin's controversial decision to "sunset" the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA). What does that mean for scholarship programs like Posse and PEOPLE? And what's behind the language choices?

⚖️ Disability Rights Under Scrutiny Rob provides an update on the case of Kitty Trivedi, a visually impaired student who was denied enrollment in a UW precollege program last summer. Now, the university's Office of Compliance has launched a formal investigation into possible disability discrimination.

🏀 Future D1 Star Nick introduces us to La Follette sophomore Nyajuacni Riak, who nearly made the U16 Team USA basketball squad. She's already dominating on the local courts — and calling out the competition.

🚣‍♀️ From Soccer to Rowing Charlotte Barrett, daughter of Dane County Sheriff Calvin Barrett, thought she was done with competitive sports — until Eastern Michigan offered her a Division I rowing scholarship. She's never rowed a boat, but that's not stopping her.

💰 MMSD Faces Funding Crisis Rob sits down with Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard to talk about the growing funding gap in Madison's public schools, the effects of frozen federal dollars, and the looming possibility of another referendum.

"We've never been made whole," Gothard says. "We're having to make decisions based on the amount that goes unfunded."

💭 Roundtable Question: Would you rather be able to pause, rewind, or fast forward through your life — and why?

This week on 365 Amplified, Rob Chappell, Omar Waheed, and Nicholas Garton cover a wide range of stories and conversations, from exploring the outdoors to diving deep into sports and fitness.

• Rob shares his experience at a foraging workshop with Color in the Outdoors, featuring Alexis Nikole Nelson, better known as @BlackForager, and author Sam Thayer. He recounts the lessons learned about wild plants, including how to make sumac lemonade and the surprising spiciness of wild mustard.

• Omar previews the upcoming 11th Annual Unity Picnic hosted by the Urban League of Greater Madison, set for July 26 at the Black Business Hub.

• Nick breaks down the NBA draft and free agency news, including Wisconsin native Kon Knueppel being selected fourth overall and the Milwaukee Bucks' bold roster moves.

• The crew talks about Forward Madison's struggle at the bottom of the USL League One standings and the future of promotion and relegation in American soccer.

• Rob sits down with Marlo Hicks, owner of Fortify Fitness Collective in Waunakee, to talk about the gym's five-year anniversary, the importance of finding your "why" in fitness, and Marlo's journey from competitive rowing to building a thriving fitness community.

• The roundtable question of the week: What's your favorite piece of obsolete technology?

• Connect:

  • 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!

Today, we announce the date and opening of registration for the eighth annual 365 Leadership Summit, the state's premier professional development, networking and community building event. Plus, we wrap up the sixth annual list of Wisconsin's Most Influential Asian American Leaders and share a bit of basketball news. Then, Rob Chappell visits Shakkiah Curtis at the Black Business Hub, where this weekend she celebrates the grand opening of Tailer Nicole, her wine and cupcake bar, and where she hopes to see you this weekend!

Connect:

• 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!

This week, Rob Chappell brings you news and voices from the community while the rest of the team is scattered. Highlights include:

📰 Top Stories:

• The Center for Black Excellence and Culture announces it has raised all $31 million for construction—debt free!

• A Black Lives Matter sign at Crestwood Elementary is vandalized.

• The Girls State Soccer Tournament kicks off with Madison-area teams in the finals.

• Forward Madison celebrates Juneteenth with a special jersey designed by local artist Brooklyn Doby.

🍽️ Main Interview: Camille Carter, President and CEO of the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce, joins Rob to preview the 10th annual Madison Black Restaurant Week, coming up August 10–17. She shares:

• The history and evolution of the campaign, which began with just 12 restaurants and now includes over 40 Black-owned food businesses, including caterers, food trucks, dessert makers, and more.

• New and returning events: the Food Taste Jamboree at Warner Park, heirloom collard greens tasting, and a farm-to-table brunch.

• A look ahead at community voting and the celebratory dessert mixer on Sept. 18.

👟 In the Field with Omar: Omar reports from New Orleans (via time travel) after attending the No Kings protest in Madison. He shares scenes from the massive 15,000-person rally, speakers like Nick Ramos and John Nichols (with a surprise Bernie Sanders call-in), and some striking signs from protestors. Plus, a reminder to keep the momentum going.

👷 Latino Academy Spotlight: Omar also highlights the Latino Academy of Workforce Development's newly revived construction training program, made possible by a grant from the Lowe's Foundation. The first cohort just graduated 15 participants—including one entire family!

Connect:

• 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!

In this week's episode of 365 Amplified, the team dives into the Juneteenth celebrations happening around Dane County and across Wisconsin, previews summer opportunities with the Maydm youth STEM program, and spotlights Madison Night Mares softball team in their second season.

Then, Rob is joined by Anna Gonzalez, Alys Dickerson, and Patty Heaston of American Players Theatre to discuss how the repertory company is expanding access and representation in its programming. The conversation highlights their new contemporary production The Death of Chuck Brown, written and directed by Gavin Lawrence, and a community engagement event hosted at the Black Business Hub. They explore how APT is reaching new audiences through intentional casting, education outreach, and storytelling that resonates across identities and generations.

Plus: a quick preview of Anna in the Tropics, APT's upcoming first Latino-written mainstage production, and this weekend's Big Gay Market.

Connect:

• 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!

This week, the 365 Amplified crew covers a range of timely and thought-provoking topics:

• 🏥 Meriter Nurses Win Contract Fight Omar recaps the surprising outcome of the Meriter nurses' five-day strike, which ended in a new contract featuring an 8% raise over two years and steps toward improved staffing ratios and safety accountability.

• 🏛️ Hospitals Shift DEI Language Amid Political Pressure Rob breaks down new reporting from Wisconsin Watch on how major healthcare systems like SSM and UW Health are altering their DEI messaging in response to anticipated federal scrutiny—raising deeper questions about equity, research, and trust in medical care.

• 🏳️‍🌈 Pride Flags and Politics The hosts react to the Wisconsin Historical Society's quiet decision to not fly the Pride flag this year, unlike many other state institutions. The team digs into what "being political" really means—and what it says when you choose not to be.

• 📦 Local Business Spotlight: JNJ Gifts Wins Big Rob shares an inspiring update on mother-daughter duo Jerina Vincent and Natania Julius of JNJ Gifts, who recently won $10,000 on Project Pitch It. Their story of persistence and innovation is one to watch.

• 🧐 Question of the Week: What Shouldn't Exist? The team closes the episode on a lighter note by pondering: What everyday thing should just… not exist?

👉 Know someone making a difference in Wisconsin's Asian communities? Nominate them for the 2025 Most Influential Asian Leaders list at madison365.org/most-influential-nominations.

Connect:

• 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!

This week on 365 Amplified, the team dives deep into some of Wisconsin's top stories:

• UnityPoint Health Meriter Nurses Strike: Omar reports from the picket line as nurses strike for better pay, safer staffing, and improved patient care. It's the first strike of its kind at Meriter, and we break down the stakes, the support, and what might come next. Read Omar's reporting here and here.

• Madison Mallards Celebrate 25 Years: Nick heads to the Duck Pond to catch the latest in family fun—including a human claw game and zip-line beer delivery—and reflects on the team's community-first legacy.

• Wisconsin's New Legislative Asian Caucus: Rob sits down with Reps. Francesca Hong, Angelito Tenorio, and Renuka Mayadev for a first-of-its-kind conversation about visibility, solidarity, and building better policy for Asian American communities across the state. Read our interview and see photos from the Capitol Rotunda celebration here.

• Plus: A roundtable on personal contradictions and surprising, "off-brand" facts about the team.

👉 Know someone making a difference in Wisconsin's Asian communities? Nominate them for the 2025 Most Influential Asian Leaders list at madison365.org/most-influential-nominations.

Connect:

• 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!

In this week's episode of 365 Amplified, hosts Stephanie Díaz de León, Rob Chappell, and Omar Waheed dive into local news and the real-world implications of artificial intelligence in journalism. Omar recaps his trip to Detroit for the Online News Association's AI Summit and reflects on how media organizations must evolve alongside emerging technologies.

The team also covers local news, including the opening of the Atwood Music Hall and an ongoing grassroots campaign to recall a DeForest village trustee following a controversial fluoride vote and reported harassment of local residents.

Later in the episode, Rob sits down for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Alex Gee and Harry Hawkins at Fountain of Life Church. Dr. Gee reflects on three decades of leading the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development and explains why he's stepping aside to let Harry take the helm. Harry shares his journey from jewelry retail to nonprofit leadership and lays out his vision for Nehemiah's next chapter — one centered on community-informed innovation, transformational leadership, and Black excellence.

Plus, the team wraps the episode with a fun chat about what they wish they had endless access to.

This week's episode is brought to you by Steinhafels, having their biggest Memorial Day sale ever right now.

Connect:

• 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!

This week, the full crew is in the house! Rob, Stephanie, Dave, Omar, and Nicholas share stories and sharp insights from across Wisconsin.

🖌️ A South Side Tribute in Color Dave shares the story behind a vibrant new mural on Park Street honoring South Side Madison legends, designed by the Hip-Hop Architect Michael Ford. Hear how families and community members reacted to seeing their loved ones immortalized in art. Read the story here.

🎷 Jazz, Justice & Mary Lou Williams The crew discusses the upcoming Madison Jazz Festival, including a spotlight on the Mary Lou Williams tribute show featuring Madison legends Fabu Phillis Carter and Jane Reynolds, fresh off a Kennedy Center performance. Get the full lineup here.

🎓 Controversial Honor at UW–Madison Omar breaks down community backlash after former Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner—author of anti-immigrant legislation—was awarded an honorary degree. Read Omar's story here.

🦅 Birding as Healing: Dexter Patterson's Field Guide Rob recaps his conversation with birder, photographer, and BIPOC Birding Club cofounder Dexter Patterson, who's releasing a new pocket-sized field guide to Great Lakes birds this fall. Read more here.

🍓 Off the Trail Café: Indigenous Food with a Mission In the second half, Rob sits down with Apache Danforth and Jamie Betters of the Oneida Nation, co-owners of Off the Trail Café in Green Bay. The new spot serves more than gourmet breakfasts—it's a hub for health, cultural preservation, food education, and community empowerment. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Connect:

• 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!