It's time to Rally

Did Madison Police cause a man's death? Independent Monitor says yes.

Today, we get caught up on a few news items -- including Madison's softball dominance, health advocates heading across the pond, and a young entrepreneur making a difference through totes -- before digging into the Office of the Independent Monitor's bombshell report on the in-custody death of Richard Lee Johnson in 2024. The report says Madison Police are responsible for his death through use of prone restraint, poor communication and negligence. Rob has seen the videos, and gives his assessment of the report and the Madison Police Department's response. Then, Madison Common Council Vice President Carmella Glenn joins us to discuss that case and zoom out to consider the OIM and why she says it must maintain its independence.

Remembering Michael Johnson. Plus: Meet the interns!

It's been a hard week in Madison. Today, Rob remembers Michael Johnson as a mover, and a vocal supporter of Madison365 and its mission to amplify voices and create a more informed community. Then, we meet the Summer 2026 class of Madison365 reporting interns, and hear about the stories they're working on: girls' flag football in Madison schools, the Madison Pubilc Market's soft launch, a youth entrepreneurship event for the Harmony Apartments community and Juneteenth in Sun Prairie. Plus, a big union vote at a Madison hospital. Follow Madison365 on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Blue Sky, subscribe to our newsletter and bookmark Madison365.org to keep up with the latest. Links: St. Mary's nurses overwhelmingly vote to unionize [https://madison365.com/st-marys-nurses-overwhelmingly-vote-to-unionize/] Built from the Block brings youth entrepreneur event to Madison's East Side, offering mentorship and community engagement [https://madison365.com/built-from-the-block-brings-youth-entrepreneur-event-to-madisons-east-side-offering-mentorship-and-community-engagement/] Madison Public Market welcomes shoppers for first "pop up" [https://madison365.com/madison-public-market-welcomes-shoppers-for-first-pop-up/] MSCR kicks off inaugural season of high school girls' flag football [https://madison365.com/mscr-kicks-off-inaugural-season-of-high-school-girls-flag-football/] "A day of joy and liberation." Sun Prairie Juneteenth celebration set for June 19 [https://madison365.com/a-day-of-joy-and-liberation-sun-prairie-juneteenth-celebration-set-for-june-19/]

Two Wheels, One Big Vote, and a 10.7-Second Freshman

It's a special, abbreviated episode of 365 Amplified as Rob and Omar welcome the first of Madison365's four summer interns to the mic. Abi Maxey makes her podcast debut and breaks down her first Madison365 story: Bikes 4 Kids Wisconsin's new "Meals on Two Wheels," an e-bike grocery delivery service partnering with the River Food Pantry to get groceries to neighbors who need them. Omar reports on Urban Triage's young adult transitional home — now one year old — and what it means for kids aging out of the foster care system, plus an update on the St. Mary's nurses' union vote set for June 11. Then Rob shares the jaw-dropping story of Waunakee freshman Ross Kidau, who may have just run the fastest 100 meters by a Wisconsin freshman ever. Plus: a call for nominations for Wisconsin's Most Influential Asian American Leaders. New episodes every Friday. Nominate someone for the Most Influential Asian American Leaders here. [https://madison365.com/most-influential-nominations] Read Abi's story on Meals on 2 Wheels here. [https://madison365.com/pedaling-with-a-purpose-meals-on-2-wheels-celebrates-launch-of-e-bike-grocery-delivery-service/]

Code Words and Common Sense with Rob Dz

Rob, Stephanie, and Omar are back from a little break, ready to dig into a packed week of news before sitting down with a Madison hip hop legend. The crew breaks down the Office of the Independent Monitor's report on the December arrest of Police Civilian Oversight Board chair Maia Pearson, examining the show of force, the circular logic of being arrested for resisting arrest, and why "doing right and being right are two different things." Plus: the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness is moving to a new home on the south side (targeting July 1, with a community fundraising push underway), a preview of the second Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival in Monona, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra's free centennial festival weekend. Then, Madison hip hop legend Rob Dz joins the show. Fresh off a November heart attack and open-heart surgery, he talks about getting back on stage, his upcoming July 1 performance with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra at Concerts on the Square — a collaboration with the Urban Community Arts Network — and a candid conversation about barriers, "handpicked ambassadors," the end of Mad Lit, and why hip hop is so often treated as a code word in a city that calls itself progressive.

It's time to Rally

Madison's new women's soccer team is in preparing for their first match next Wednesday, followed by the home opener the following Saturday. This week, Rob talked to head coach Giuliano Oliviero, goalie Malia Zillman and striker Kayla Budish about the preparations, the demands of a busy season and lots more. Plus, Madison schools are reallocating kitchen staff, which could have real implications for student nutrition. St Mary's nurses are looking to unionize, and say they're getting stiff opposition from management. Finally, the school board in Watertown voted not to allow its band to play a piece celebrating LGBTQ+ hero Marsha P. Johnson. And in our roundtable question: what objectively bad opinion could you defend in front of a jury? Bookmark Madison365.com and follow Madison365 on Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn and Instagram to keep up with the latest news.