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.

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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 make 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.

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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.

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.

• 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.

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  📲 BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

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