365 Amplified

Hosts: Rob Chappell, Stephanie Díaz de León, Omar Waheed Guest: Prenicia Clifton  Episode Overview This week, the team covers the end of SNAP benefits and its impact on Wisconsin families and small businesses, the return of Madison Nonprofit Day, the growing threat of media capture, and a few lighter conversations to close the show — including conspiracy theories they wish were true. SNAP Benefits Ending Nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites are about to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as of November 1. Rob, Stephanie, and Omar discuss what this means for food pantries, families, and local economies. They also highlight that federal workers are unpaid during the shutdown and that the ripple effects extend to small businesses and farmers. LOUD's New Gallery Space Omar talks with Oscar Morales, founder of Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development (LOUD), about opening a new gallery at Next Wave Studios on Madison's east side. The first artist in residence, La Pistola from Oaxaca, led workshops and connected with Madison's growing arts scene. Media Capture and the Importance of Local News Rob discusses a recent episode of the Question Everything podcast, focusing on "media capture" — when governments or their allies take control of the media. Starting November 1, every donation to Madison365 will be doubled through the Institute for Nonprofit News' matching fund. Donate here → madison365.org/donate Madison Nonprofit Day Returns Guest: Prenicia Clifton, organizer of Madison Nonprofit Day, joins to preview the event's return on Friday, November 7 at TruStage. She explains that it's a professional development opportunity for nonprofit professionals, board members, and community leaders — with sessions on funding, collaboration, safety, and leadership transitions. "Professional development is often the last thing invested in," Clifton says. "But we need to develop ourselves to serve our communities safely and effectively." Highlights include: Opening panel with Angela Davis (Madison Community Foundation), Angela Russell (TruStage), Renée Moe (United Way of Dane County), and Shiva Bidar-Sielaff (UW Health) Workshops on fundraising, partnership, and succession planning Clifton's keynote on preventing abuse in youth-serving spaces Social Impact Happy Hour recognizing local changemakers 🎟️ Register: https://seeinisbelievin.regfox.com/2025-madison-nonprofit-day Roundtable Question: Conspiracy Theories We Wish Were True 365 Amplified is produced by Rob Chappell for the 365 Media Foundation, a nonprofit local media organization in Madison, Wisconsin. Follow Madison365 on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.

Hosts: Rob Chappell, Stephanie Díaz de León, and Omar Waheed Guest: Nate Buescher, UW–Madison freshman and star of Disney Channel's Electric Bloom Runtime: 53:38 On this week's podcast, we catch up on a range of news stories from the week, and get acquainted with a new neighbor who's a rising Disney star. 🌟 Leadership Summit Preview The eighth annual 365 Leadership Summit is just around the corner, happening Monday, November 3, at the Madison Concourse Hotel. Stephanie and Rob preview the lineup: Opening panel "Leadership Unscripted" with Henry Sanders, Dr. Sagashus Livingston, Karen Menendez Coller of Centro Hispano, and Chairman Tehassi Hill of the Oneida Nation. Honoring the 2025 Most Influential Leaders at the evening celebration. Presented by UW Credit Union and other key sponsors. "It feels like a homecoming," Stephanie says — a reunion for changemakers across Wisconsin. Register now at 365LeadershipSummit.org/registration. 🔫 Moms Demand Action at the Capitol Omar reports from the State Capitol, where Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action held their annual Advocacy Day, pushing for six common-sense gun safety measures: Banning guns on college campuses Universal background checks Extreme risk protection orders ("Red Flag Laws") Tax-free gun safes Stricter liability for unsafe firearm storage Background checks for gun store employees Stephanie reminds listeners that "the Second Amendment is not absolute," and Rob notes that every proposal sounded "pretty sensible." Read Omar's story here. 📚 Wisconsin Book Festival: Shobha Rao Returns Omar recaps his interview with novelist Shobha Rao, author of Indian Country, ahead of her Wisconsin Book Festival appearance. The book explores land, memory, and identity through a murder mystery lens. Rao recalls her "healing" time living in Madison as a young adult and her love of Wisconsin's own Laura Ingalls Wilder. Read Omar's story here. 🏫 MMSD's $507 Million Plan Madison voters approved a massive school facilities referendum, and the Sherman and Shabazz schools are first in line for new buildings. Omar details plans for larger classrooms, separate libraries, and a 13,500-square-foot gym — all ready by September 2027. Stephanie highlights how basic needs like warmth, air flow, and space "deeply affect how kids learn." Read Omar's story here. 🥫 SNAP Benefits Suspended Rob reports troubling news: 700,000 Wisconsinites could lose access to FoodShare (SNAP) benefits starting November 1 due to the federal government shutdown. The panel discusses who's affected — families, seniors, and the disabled — and pushes back on myths about "lazy" recipients. Read Rob's story here. 🎬 Guest Interview: Nate Buescher, Star of Electric Bloom Rob chats with Nate Buescher, a freshman at UW–Madison and co-star of Disney's new teen series Electric Bloom, now streaming on Disney+. Nate shares: How he landed the role after months of auditions Filming in California and the culture shock from Chicago winters to LA His plans to study biology while continuing acting His lifelong passion for storytelling — from Weebles Wobbles commercials at age seven to now being part of Disney's next big friendship series. "Even though the show's for tweens," Nate says, "my grandma watches it — and she loves it." 💬 The Question: "What's Your Ratio?" In the closing segment, Stephanie poses this week's question: "What's your ratio of pretending to know what's going on versus actually knowing what's going on?" After a wild story about a $88 million jewel heist at the Louvre, the crew confesses to plenty of "confident BSing." Omar admits he's "winging it 70% of the time," while Rob recalls faking his way through a grad seminar, and somehow getting away with it. 🎧 Subscribe & Follow 365 Amplified is produced and edited by Rob Chappell for 365 Media Foundation, a nonprofit local independent media organization based in Madison, Wisconsin. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow Madison365 on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky.

Rob and Omar kick off this week's 365 Amplified with stories making headlines across Madison365: Hmong New Year 50th Anniversary – A preview of this year's celebration marking 50 years since Hmong families began arriving in Wisconsin, emphasizing renewed connections with elders and cultural traditions. Indigenous Business Conference – Omar reports from Milwaukee's Potawatomi Casino, where hundreds of Indigenous entrepreneurs and tribal leaders gathered to discuss sovereignty, new trade opportunities, and economic independence. Funding Cuts for Nonprofits – At Madison's Progress Center for Black Women, Alder Sabrina Madison called on the community to help sustain local nonprofits as public and philanthropic support declines, citing new data on wage and health disparities affecting Black women. No Kings Rallies – A look ahead to Saturday's nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations, the difference between protests and rallies, and the importance of visible collective action in defending democracy. Main Interview: Rep. Francesca Hong The first Asian American member of the Wisconsin Assembly joins Rob to discuss her run for governor and her vision for a state grounded in community care and resistance to authoritarianism. Topics include: Why She's Running: Hong frames her campaign as a movement against fascism and a push for imagination, solidarity, and working-class power. Public Safety and Community Protection: She calls for state action to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and urges residents to report ICE activity through community hotlines rather than social media. Economic and Care Policies: Universal child care up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, paid leave for all, and investment in care workers to strengthen families and local economies. Public Bank Proposal: Modeled after North Dakota's public bank and Wisconsin's existing WEDC infrastructure to provide low-interest loans and grants to small businesses. Healthcare Reform: Expand BadgerCare, hold large hospital systems accountable for costs, and reduce premiums for small business employees. Movement Building: Encouraging Democrats to compete in every district and support local candidates to build lasting working-class power statewide. On Protest and Democracy: Hong calls protest "direct democracy" and urges Wisconsinites to show up in the streets as visible proof that they are not alone in fighting fascism. 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!  

Two big stories to discuss on the podcast today: first, editor-in-chief David Dahmer joins the pod to preview the opening of Bernell's, Madison's first sports bar focused on women's sports. (Don't worry, they'll show the Packers too.) Then, Omar has a recap of the Sun Prairie Area School District, where voters passed a no-confidence motion against Superintendent Brad Saron. Finally, after the requisite mentions of Forward Madison and Milwaukee Brewers, we consider: what's the sound cue you want when you enter a room? 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!

On this week's 365 Amplified, Omar and Rob talk through a tense Common Council session on a new men's homeless shelter that ended in confrontations between alders and protesters. Then, we go over a change at the University of Wisconsin, where the Office of Human Resources has eliminated its Equity, Inclusion and Employee Wellbeing Department, and what that might mean for the university's faculty and staff. Then, new Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne joins the show to discuss her vision for the college, how it fits into the fabric of the community, and how it can empower more students. And she notes two things about Madison that surprised her -- the second of which you will never guess. 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 on 365 Amplified, Rob, Omar and Nick give an update on what we know -- and what we still don't know -- about who's been trying to enforce Madison parks rules with unhoused people on Madison's east side. Next, we've learned a lot about some disturbing allegations that led to the arrest of the Sun Prairie West High School Dean of Students on charges of child pornography and exploitation. There's quite a bit we still don't know -- including whether or not the dean of students ever actually applied for that job.  Then, lots of people have said during the Trump era that they want to leave the country, but not many have actually done it. Longtime Madison residents Jonathan and Karen Brown join the show from their new home in Cuenca, Ecuador, where they moved just days before the most recent inauguration. They share their reasons for deciding to leave the US, the preparations and process, how they've been settling in and why they consider themselves immigrants, not expats.  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 Follow Jonathan and Karen on YouTube 🎧 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, Omar Waheed, and Rob Chappell dive into a wide range of local and national stories — from media censorship and free speech battles to community leadership and grassroots democracy — before welcoming a special guest. Featured Interview: Huma Ahsan Madison attorney Huma Ahsan, candidate for Dane County Circuit Court Judge (Branch 1), joins the show to talk about her journey from immigration law to tribal courts, her work rebuilding a judicial system from scratch on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa reservation, and why she believes Dane County needs a "court of resistance" in the current political climate. Ahsan shares her background, her approach to justice, and what she hopes to bring to the bench. Other Topics This Week: Wisconsin politics: Two new names join the race for governor, plus a landslide recall election in DeForest. YWCA Racial Justice Summit: A preview of this year's speakers and themes, from abolition to ecological restoration. Media and free speech: The FCC threatens ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's remarks — what it means for journalism, censorship, and corporate influence. Community leadership: A look ahead to Madison365's annual list of Wisconsin's Most Influential Latino Leaders. The most important question: Is a taco a sandwich? 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 into national, state, and local news—and sits down with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who has just entered the race for governor of Wisconsin. Highlights from this episode: Political violence and rhetoric: The hosts discuss the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, the responses from both the right and the left, and the broader implications for gun control, public safety, and accountability. Wisconsin politics: David Crowley joins the show to talk about his campaign for governor, his path from youth organizing to county executive, and his priorities for affordability, public schools, health care, and rural outreach. He also shares his pick for favorite Wisconsin-born celebrity. Statewide races: Former State Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa announces her run for Secretary of State, adding to the shakeup in Wisconsin's political landscape. Local reporting: Omar brings updates on Dane County rangers threatening unhoused residents near Yahara Park, and the community response to protect those living outside. Community & culture: Rasta Barista hosts Madison's first-ever Jerk and Jollof Cookoff, a celebration of Caribbean and African food that also raises funds for youth empowerment programs. Sports: This weekend, Wisconsin football has a tall order in Alabama, and it's the Henny Derby between Forward Madison and Richmond Kickers. Fun & reflections: The hosts share childhood beliefs they held onto too long (and air some pet peeves about language and punctuation). 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!

On this week's 365 Amplified: The Dane County Sheriff's Office is ramping up enforcement on school bus safety Milky Way Tech Hub is giving away laptops Urban Triage is hosting its Harvest Festival this weekend and the North Side Festival is coming next weekend Shaunte McCullum from the Northside Planning Council joins the show with more details on that event. Plus, what annoys us most, and the trouble with Rob's new percolator. 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!

On the podcast today, Rob, Nicholas and Omar get an update on the immigrant labor troubles in Monroe, and get a preview of the Wisconsin Badger volleyball season. Then, Joe Maldonado from UW Extension joins to preview the second annual Fathers in Focus confererence, coming up October 18. Read Omar's update on the Monroe dairy workers strike here. Read Nicholas's preview of the Badger volleyball season here. Read Rob's preview of the Fathers in Focus conference here. Register for the Fathers in Focus conference here. Today's episode is sponsored by Steinhafels.

On this week's podcast, Stephanie, Omar and Rob dig into two big stories from this week's news: Workers in Monroe have walked off the job after W&W Dairy's new owners, Kansas City-based Dairy Farmers of America, is forcing employees to reverify documentation status. About 40 workers, most of whom have worked there more than 10 years, are asking for a severance package for those who can't verify. Read Omar's story here. Monona Grove Football Club, a local youth soccer club, has fired a volunteer coach over allegations of "berating" players on one occasion and getting into it with a ref on another; promoting her own nonprofit foundation through the club; talking positively about the club on podcasts and radio shows; and a few other allegations -- allegations she only learned about five days after she was initially fired. The director of coaching resigned in protest, and parents are up in arms. Read Rob's story here. Then we bounce around this week's roudtable question: what's your most Wisconsin thing? And end up planning what sounds like a pretty decent Friday night. 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!

Art House 360, a multicultural community arts space in Verona, officially opened with a ribbon cutting this week, and will host a fundraiser tonight. So we are revisiting our conversation with cofounders Monica Cliff and AJ Juarez from last month about where the idea and inspiration came from, and what the space hopes to offer the community.  

This week, Stephanie, Rob and Omar preview: Madison Black Restaurant Week Freedom Inc's Health Day Africa Fest Then, Rob reports on the event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and why organizers say democracy remains under threat. Next up, the effort to recall a member of the DeForest Board of Trustees has successfully prompted a special election. Alicia Williams, who's running to replace incumbent Bill Landgraf, joins to talk about the recall effort, the campaign and what it means for local governments across the state. We finish up with a question prompted by Omar's obsession with winning a very low-stakes online auction: what's your most toxic trait? 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, Stephanie, Omar, Nicholas and Rob preview Dane Dances and give an update on the Village Board recall in DeForest -- including why it's important beyond the village. Then, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced last week that he will not seek a third term, setting up the first election with no incumbent since 2010. The pundit class has been speculating about who might run, so why not join in? Plus, the roundtable question: what hill will you die on, even if you're wrong? 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, 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. 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, 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!