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Liam Beran

@liamberan.bsky.social

300 followers 210 following 110 posts

Isthmus' staff writer. Daily Cardinal alum and UW-Madison English department grad. Avid runner, photographer and coffee-enjoyer. tips: [email protected] | he/him | 🇬🇧🇫🇷🇳🇱

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Reposted by Liam Beran

Zenz @therealzenz.bsky.social · 1d

Madison Common Council tonight unanimously approved a new Street Tree Ordinance that allows for a possible revocation of permits if developers harm city owned street trees. This was discussed extensively at Plan Commission.
bsky.app/profile/ther...

www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/co...

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 1d

Madison mayor’s 2026 budget: No cuts; funding for new library, homeless shelter

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/ma...

Madison mayor’s 2026 budget: No cuts; funding for new library, homeless shelter

The average-value Madison home would see a property tax increase of around $30 annually under the mayor’s budget proposal.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 2d

breaking: Madison's independent police monitor has resigned, after a troubled nearly three-year tenure.

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/ma...

Madison's police monitor resigns after troubled tenure

The Police Civilian Oversight Board announced Independent Police Monitor Robin Copley’s resignation on Oct. 6.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 5d

Why is the city of Madison spending $14,000 on a ‘regional music brand?’

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/arts/music/w...

Why is the city of Madison spending $14,000 on a ‘regional music brand?’

A local marketing firm will develop a ‘music brand’ for Madison under a proposal the city council passed on Sept. 16.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 5d

We did, yes.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 7d

Inside the City-County Building last night, you could hear chants from protesters demanding alders reconsider the shutdown of the homeless encampment on Dairy Drive.

The council's president says it would be "too little, too late."

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/pr...

Protesters urge alders to reconsider Dairy Drive shutdown

Madison’s city council voted on Sept. 16 to shut down the temporary homeless encampment on Dairy Drive. There’s rising anger from some in the community toward the move.

Reposted by Liam Beran

Jim Malewitz @jmalewitz.bsky.social · 7d

UW-Madison is changing its financial aid process. Here's what to know. (@wisconsinwatch.org / @captimes.com)

wisconsinwatch.org/2025/10/wisc...

UW-Madison is changing its financial aid process. Here’s what to know.

In addition to the FAFSA, applicants seeking financial aid will now complete the CSS Profile, including questions about home value and 401(k) balances.

wisconsinwatch.org

Reposted by Liam Beran

Zenz @therealzenz.bsky.social · 8d

The feds might be shutting down, but Madison Common Council is still hard at work. Tonight a special meeting to discuss plans and funding for the new Men's homeless shelter. Starts soon.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=34_p...

www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/...

Common Council Discusson: Meeting of September 30, 2025

YouTube video by City of Madison Wisconsin

www.youtube.com

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 8d

There is an ongoing protest outside City Hall regarding the vote to not extend the homeless encampment at Dairy Drive. Council is inside and receiving a briefing on the funding outlook for the upcoming men's homeless shelter.

Chants, some naming specific alders, are audible from inside.

Reposted by Liam Beran

Luke Diaz @lukediaz.bsky.social · 14d

Shout out to @liamberan.bsky.social for actually including the roll call vote when covering a local issue. It's critical information and is rarely included in news coverage. isthmus.com/news/news/sh...

Shy one vote, Madison city council approves Dairy Drive shutdown in October

Despite an outpouring of public support, alders pointed to financial constraints in voting against extending operations until April.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 13d

UW-Madison student newspaper The Daily Cardinal
reports that the Campus Area Neighborhood Association is back after going defunct for around two years.

Wilder Gervais via @dailycardinal.bsky.social

www.dailycardinal.com/article/2025...

UW students restart Campus Area Neighborhood Association to advocate for student renters

After two years of setbacks, the Campus Neighborhood Association is recognized again by the City of Madison

www.dailycardinal.com

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 13d

Madison's new homeless shelter will need additional funds to operate 24/7. But state support for homeless shelters is limited and the county isn't planning a "dramatic" increase to its contribution.

The mayor is asking nearby cities to help.

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/ma...

Madison mayor wants nearby cities to step up to help fund new homeless shelter

Alders and members of the press got their first look at the news men’s homeless shelter at 1902 Bartillon Drive on Sept. 22.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 20d

Answering some community questions regarding the amount of beds in the upcoming men's homeless shelter on Bartillon in the below article @isthmusmadison.bsky.social:

isthmus.com/news/news/wh...

Madison’s new homeless shelter is not yet open. Does demand already exceed its capacity?

Some homeless advocates have questioned why the city didn’t add more beds to the upcoming shelter on Bartillon Drive. City officials say it was a function of staffing capacity, funding and security.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 27d

Madison's Room Tax Commission, the city's main mechanism for public support of tourism and the arts, faces an estimated $1.3 million budget deficit in 2027.

More on Madison tourism stats & what's in the 2026 RTC budget @isthmusmadison.bsky.social:

isthmus.com/news/news/bu...

Budget deficit looms over Madison’s Room Tax Commission

Madison’s Room Tax Commission, the city’s main mechanism for funding tourism and the arts, is facing a $1.3 million budget shortfall in 2027.

Reposted by Liam Beran

Jason Joyce @jasonjoyce.bsky.social · 28d

Noise insulation from the F-35 fighter jets that roar over Madison's north and east sides: over 150 homes need it, maybe 8 will get it.

@liamberan.bsky.social has the story: isthmus.com/news/news/ne...

New round of Pentagon funding could cover F-35 noise mitigation for just eight Madison homes

Most residents affected by the booming F-35 fighter jets flying over Madison’s east and north sides will have to wait longer for noise mitigation.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · 29d

NEW: The Pentagon has invited Wisconsin to apply for $1.1 million in noise mitigation funding for homes in Madison affected by F-35 flyovers.

That amount would cover just eight homes — 154 fewer than the state was seeking funding for in a previous application.

isthmus.com/news/news/ne...

New round of Pentagon funding could cover F-35 noise mitigation for just eight homes

Most residents affected by the booming F-35 fighter jets flying over Madison’s east and north sides will have to wait longer for noise mitigation.

Reposted by Liam Beran

Jason Joyce @jasonjoyce.bsky.social · Sep 8

My colleague Judith Davidoff interviewed Audrey Korte, the Wisconsin State Journal reporter who was fired in July for her "unauthorized" use of AI.
“I don’t think the newspaper acted with fairness, transparency, accuracy or accountability,” she says.

More: isthmus.com/news/news/wi...

Wisconsin State Journal reporter fired for AI misuse speaks out

Fired from the Wisconsin State Journal after filing a story riddled with errors, reporter Audrey Korte shares her side of the story.

Reposted by Liam Beran

Isthmus - Madison news & culture since 1976 @isthmusmadison.bsky.social · Sep 5

Miller's book depicts a Madison that’s long gone, a small town looking for community, where the field hosted contests between teams from Gardner Bakery and Borden Dairy, as well as the city’s high schools.

isthmus.com/arts/books/m...

Madison’s ballpark, Breese Stevens Field

A new book delves deep into the history of Breese Stevens Field.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · Sep 5

Humanities, social sciences among most-cut UW programs, per open records request filed by @isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/hu...

Humanities, social sciences among most-cut UW programs

Eighty-two academic programs within the Universities of Wisconsin have been suspended or eliminated in the last three years. University officials say shifting student interest is to blame.

Reposted by Liam Beran

Jason Joyce @jasonjoyce.bsky.social · Sep 4

Issues with homeless people at the Social Justice Center on Willy Street have prompted the city attorney to consider declaring the building a public nuisance. It's an example of conflict between the growing homeless population and others.

@liamberan.bsky.social reports:
isthmus.com/news/news/wh...

When people have nowhere to go

Neighbors around the Social Justice Center on Williamson Street say they’ve had to deal with trespassing, public defecation and more. The center’s board say there are few options at their disposal.

Reposted by Liam Beran

Isthmus - Madison news & culture since 1976 @isthmusmadison.bsky.social · Aug 29

Madison to move forward with test removal of rush hour lanes on Willy Street. @liamberan.bsky.social has been on top of this issue: isthmus.com/news/news/tr...

Rush hour lanes on Willy Street to be removed as part of test

The lanes are set be removed from Willy Street from early September to late October, as part of a test estimated to cost $24,000.

Reposted by Liam Beran

Jason Joyce @jasonjoyce.bsky.social · Aug 29

Bradley out.

www.jsonline.com/story/news/p...

Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley will not seek reelection

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley is not seeking reelection, making it unclear who will face liberal Taylor in the spring election.

www.jsonline.com

Reposted by Liam Beran

Jim Malewitz @jmalewitz.bsky.social · Aug 28

Madison Assistant City Attorney to @liamberan.bsky.social:

“Unfortunately, there is nothing for you to do. (Unless you sue us, which I would never suggest!)” isthmus.com/news/news/ma...

Madison’s independent police monitor ignores records requests, city attorney intervention

The Office of the Independent Monitor, created to be a check on the Madison Police Department, has failed to fulfill records requests from Isthmus and ghosted the City Attorney’s Office as well.

Reposted by Liam Beran

Isthmus - Madison news & culture since 1976 @isthmusmadison.bsky.social · Aug 28

Council VP MGR Govindarajan says he does not support the additional funding and might also consider further cuts. “I definitely would not want to give them the funding that they're requesting at the moment, because I don't know what they're doing with that funding.”

isthmus.com/news/news/ma...

Madison’s independent police monitor ignores records requests, city attorney intervention

The Office of the Independent Monitor, created to be a check on the Madison Police Department, has failed to fulfill records requests from Isthmus and ghosted the City Attorney’s Office as well.

Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · Aug 28

NEW: Madison’s police oversight agency has failed to fulfill records requests submitted by @isthmusmadison.bsky.social and ignored attempts by the city attorney’s office and Madison Police Department to intervene.

isthmus.com/news/news/ma...

Madison’s independent police monitor ignores records requests, city attorney intervention

The Office of the Independent Monitor, created to be a check on the Madison Police Department, has failed to fulfill records requests from Isthmus and ghosted the City Attorney’s Office as well.