Although the school board elections are over, education-related issues still weigh on parents’ minds.

For Suzanne Swift, the president of Franklin-Randall Elementary School’s parent-teacher organization, the issues are the same as they have always been, despite certain ones being used by candidates to "hang their hats on.”

A University of Wisconsin student admitted to starting a fire at a campus residence hall over the weekend, according to UW Police.

UW Police and Madison firefighters were called to Sellery Hall on Johnson Street at 2:15 a.m. Saturday for a report of a fire. The building was evacuated, and a bulletin board was extinguished, according to police. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally lit.

Police said that after talking to witnesses, Brent E. Newman, 19, was identified and, he admitted to starting the fire.

Newman had been disciplined by a house fellow a few hours earlier for allegedly urinating in a female shower stall, according to police. Police believe Newman set the fire in retaliation for being written up.

Newman was arrested on suspicion of negligent handling of burning materials and criminal damage to property.

New images show what a redevelopment of the 500 block of State Street might look like.

The Mullins Group of Madison has proposed demolishing the University Inn on the 500 block of State Street and building a stair-stepping tower of shops and apartments.

The plan would use the lone surface parking lot along State Street, which some call a waste of prime real estate and a space that panhandlers used in the past.

The building would be shorter along the street but would rise in height to a 12-story tower near Gilman and Frances streets, said Brad Mullins of the development team.
The developers are planning on 250 to 300 apartment units, with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. It still needs approval from the city.