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In today’s Week in Review from Madison365:
This week, we’re tracking major developments in local education and community service, including the loss of AmeriCorps funding and Women in Focus awarding 23 scholarships to Madison-area students. We’ve also got updates on the return of the Mad Lit summer series, preparations for the city’s Juneteenth celebration, and fresh stories in sports and the arts — from Shedeur Sanders’ polarizing presence to a new Badger on the basketball team, plus a powerful new art exhibit in Sheboygan.

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DOGE hits Dane County as AmeriCorps program funding terminated

Sudden termination of AmeriCorps funding in Wisconsin has left hundreds of young service workers jobless and disrupted vital services across schools, nonprofits, and community health programs. The cuts eliminated the jobs of 430 active AmeriCorps members in Wisconsin, including 69 in Dane County, and halted programming at more than 300 sites statewide. Read the full story here.

Women in Focus Inc. presents 23 scholarships to Madison-area students of color

Women in Focus Inc. presented 23 scholarships to area scholars at the annual Women in Focus Scholarship Reception on Sunday, April 27, at the Goodman Community Center.

Each year, Women In Focus, Inc. awards scholarships to deserving college-bound students of color who have been selected by the WIF Scholarship Review Committee. The WIF Scholarship Reception, chaired by scholarship chair Donna Moreland, is an annual gathering for the scholars and their families, along with longtime WIF members and sponsors.

At the 2025 Women in Focus Scholarship Reception, each scholar spoke briefly about their educational journey. 2020 WIF scholar Cris Cruz was a featured speaker and spoke of his journey before providing some wisdom to the new group of WIF scholars. More details here.

Resolution to fund 5th annual Mad Lit Event Series passes City’s Finance Committee

Potential budget cuts to the Mad Lit Event Series caused potential worry for the yearly concert series, as a $30,000 shortfall in city funding was on the table to be cut.

Mad Lit, a free concert series created by the Urban Community Arts Network (UCAN), faced a potential shortfall to vital funding for the program. All funds allocated by the City of Madison for Mad Lit were planned to be cut. In wake of the shortfall — and pleas from UCAN, community supporters, and Alder Sabrina Madison — the $30,000 has been granted to Mad Lit using Small Business Equity and Recovery Program (SBER) funds through a unanimous “yes” vote from the City of Madison’s Finance Committee. Omar Waheed has the full story here.

Madison gets ready to celebrate the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth

This year, 2025, commemorates the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth, a defining moment in American history and a representation of freedom, resilience, and the never-ending journey toward justice.

Here in Madison, organizers are excited about that anniversary as they prepare to celebrate the 36th annual Madison Juneteenth, led by Annie Weatherby-Flowers, the longtime chair of Madison’s Juneteenth Day celebration, who describes this year’s celebration as “bittersweet.” David Dahmer has the full preview here.

No middle ground for Shedeur Sanders

The NFL Draft in Green Bay was insane. Fans from all over the NFL world flocked to Titletown to find out their respective teams’ future. 

The draft had a little bit of everything. A blockbuster trade to open the night. All-time great players like Richard Sherman calling out draft picks. A deafening ovation when the host Packers took Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden with their first-round pick. 

But all drama paled in comparison to Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders dropping to the fifth round after being projected as a top ten pick.  Read Nicholas Garton’s analysis here.

Braeden Carrington joins Badgers basketball team

Senior Braeden Carrington has signed with the Wisconsin men’s basketball team, head coach Greg Gard announced Wednesday. More details here.

Mexican artist Gabriela Marván will showcase the Mexican immigrant experience at Above & Beyond Children’s Museum in downtown Sheboygan

Above & Beyond Children’s Museum in downtown Sheboygan, which has hosted its inaugural Hmong heritage exhibit since spring 2023, is transitioning into a refreshed space showcasing the Mexican immigrant experience in the greater Sheboygan community. Get all the details here.

And in other news …

• Urban League of Greater Madison announces 2025 season of The Hub Marketplace

• GSafe to host 29th annual Celebration of Leadership

• President Trump orders Corporation for Public Broadcasting to end federal funding for NPR and PBS

• Filipino Canadians mourn after car ramming attack on their community. Here’s what we know

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