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Here are some of the top stories we covered this week in community, sports, business, and arts.

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365 Amplified: Madison Black Restaurant Week is Coming

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.

• Monona Grove FC fires its only Black head coach, prompting backlash from parents
  Parents are voicing frustration after Monona Grove FC dismissed Ziggy Odogun, the club’s only Black head coach.

• 17th annual Back 2 School Free Haircutz at Alliant Center looks to give out 1,000 free haircuts on Sunday
  The long-running event will provide free back-to-school haircuts and resources for local youth.

• “Spicy and social justice-oriented”: Verona’s Erika Gallagher isn’t shy about empathy in the classroom
  Verona High School teacher Erika Gallagher, named one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian American Leaders, emphasizes equity and belonging in her work.

• Wisconsin to compensate workers with disabilities for wrongfully denied unemployment claims
  State officials agreed to provide compensation after a federal investigation found systemic denials of benefits.

• Monroe immigrant dairy workers strike, demanding severance
  Immigrant workers are calling for severance pay following layoffs at a Monroe-area dairy plant.

• Home Depot says it will raise some prices because of tariffs
  The home improvement giant announced price hikes as new tariffs take effect.

• “Creative CEO, built different”: Eric Lewis, founder of BC Modern, writing book on his unique approach to re-envisioning antique shops
  Lewis shares how his innovative approach is reshaping the antique and design world.

Centro Hispano will host the cast of APT’s Anna in the Tropics on Friday night
The American Players Theatre cast will visit Centro Hispano for a community-centered event.

• Carter Booth, Charlie Fuerbringer named team captains for UW 2025 volleyball season
  Two standout players will lead the Badgers into another competitive season.

• Women’s soccer coming to Madison
  A new women’s team is set to launch in Madison, expanding the city’s growing soccer culture.

And in other news …

• Orton Park Festival to celebrate 60 years of music, community, and tradition Aug. 29–31

• Tariffs are giving parents back-to-school sticker shock

• Trump escalates attacks against Smithsonian museums, says there’s too much focus on how bad slavery was

• US suspends visitor visas for people from Gaza

Keep up with the news by following us on BlueSky , Facebook , Instagram  and Twitter, and watch Madison365.org  for the latest news every day.