Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Madison’s isthmus was cut from a major flood project
Happening soon: Tradition Bearers, Live! on the Madison Patch calendar

Hey there, Madison! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Madison's isthmus was cut from a major flood project
- What would change if One City officially joins Madison's school district?
- How did Madison's housing market beat Nashville and Salt Lake City?
Also on today's calendar: Tradition Bearers, Live! and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Madison Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Madison Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Madison.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 81 and low of 64 degrees.
- Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., temps: high: 80, low: 60.
- Saturday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 80 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Dane County axes Madison isthmus from Yahara River dredging plans (dredgewire.com) — Dane County has dropped plans to dredge the Yahara River along Madison's isthmus after a watershed study found it would barely reduce flash flooding there. Instead, the study recommends new stormwater infrastructure to address sewer backups that have plagued the area since the 2018 floods, while dredging continues elsewhere in the Yahara chain to speed lake outflows.
![]()
2. One City Schools is applying to join the Madison school district (captimes.com) — Madison's School Board has cleared One City Schools to submit a full application to join the Madison Metropolitan School District, potentially reshaping options for hundreds of local students. The charter's leaders seek a faster-than-usual review as they weigh future authorization, finances, and location questions that will go through public hearings and detailed negotiations before any final vote.
![]()
3. Madison ranks 7th in best real estate markets in the country: Report (wearegreenbay.com) — Madison's housing market just ranked 7th best in the nation and boasts the second-lowest foreclosure rate in the country, according to WalletHub. The report highlights strong market fundamentals but only middling affordability, and compares Madison's performance with other Wisconsin cities like Green Bay, Kenosha, and Milwaukee.
![]()
4. Universities of Wisconsin Announce 2-Year Tuition Freeze (insidehighered.com) — If you or your family attend UW–Madison, system leaders are proposing a two-year tuition freeze starting in fall 2027, contingent on $190 million in new state funding. In-state tuition for fall 2026 at UW–Madison is set just over $10,700, with future increases promised to stay at or below inflation after the freeze.
![]()
📸 Around Madison
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Madison
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Tradition Bearers, Live! →
Madison Youth Arts, 1055 E Mifflin St, Madison
5:30 pm - Shakespeare's August Lovers →
Stone Horse Green, 7550 Hubbard Ave, Middleton
6:00 pm - Quebecoise Jam →
Minocqua Brewing Company | Madison Taproom, 2927 E Washington Ave, Madison
7:00 pm - New Educator Days
Madison Metropolitan SD Madison, WI 53703 - Adult Swim: Dog Days →
Madison Children's Museum, 100 N Hamilton St, Madison
5:30 pm - Podcasting kit tutorial
Madison Public Library Central Library - Media Lab
10:00 am - Cuban Sandwich Celebration at Working Draft Beer Co →
Working Draft Beer Company, 1129 E Wilson St, Madison
2:00 pm - The Romeo and Juliet Balcony Battle →
Tyranena Brewing Company, 1025 Owen St, Lake Mills
2:00 pm - DeLuca Walding →
Minocqua Brewing Company 2927 East Washington Avenue Madison, WI 53704
4:00 pm - Broadway Rave →
Garver Lounge, 3241 Garver Green, Madison
8:00 pm - One-on-One Computer Assistance
Madison Public Library Central Library - Study Room 211
12:00 pm - Personal Archiving Lab: Drop-In Tutorials
Madison Public Library 201 West Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703
2:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
📣 Madison Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Madison PatchAM possible:
- Ethical Trade Co — (608) 467-6331
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- This is Monkey and he snuck away from our back yard on near Lincoln Elementary!
If you see him, let me know. He is chipped and sometimes responds to his name. He's a big guy with a very long tail that's usually straight up!… (Nextdoor Burr Oaks) - Dining with Donna.
Every Tuesday I take my 96 yr old ex mother-in-law out for lunch. Today we went to the Glass Nickle. We both ordered the lasagna and $3.00 side… (Nextdoor SASY)
- TJX Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Processor and Stocker Afternoons Part Time in Madison. Apply here.
- Whole Foods Market, Inc. posted a job opening for Grocery Team Member (Stocker, Inventory, Floor Service, Customer Service) - Full Time in Madison. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Madison here.
Ok Madison! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.