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Author: Nathan Steagall

Metallica playing Camp Randall Stadium in Madison for ‘M72 World Tour’

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin Metallica fans – “The Bell Tolls” for thee.

One of the most influential metal bands of all time is making its way back to Wisconsin to wrap up the “M72 World Tour.” Visiting 26 countries since 2023 that have hosted 99 concerts so far, the tour will wrap up in Salt Lake City June 19, one of 12 final tour stops in North America the band hasn’t visited on this run.

Living in disadvantaged communities accelerates brain aging, MR imaging shows

Radiology Business

“We’ve long suspected that your living environment affects your brain, but until now it’s not been proven at scale in clinical populations,” John-Paul J. Yu, MD, PhD, associate professor of radiology, psychiatry, biomedical engineering, biostatistics and medical informatics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s school of medicine, said in an RSNA news release on the findings. “We’ve shown very robust, measurable metrics that our living environment has an outsized impact on the brain at the molecular and cellular level.”

Pro-life protesters clashed with pro-choice UW-Madison students

The Daily Cardinal

Missionaries to the Preborn, a pro-life Milwaukee based group, held signs featuring bloody photos of allegedly aborted babies on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Library Mall Wednesday while students and Madisonians played instruments and yelled to drown out the pro-life group’s words as a counter-protest.

From Lake America to Lake Mendota: symbolic erasure at UW

The Badger Herald

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Aug. 27 to rename Lake Ontario — which resides on the northern border of New York and Canada —  Lake America, as a symbolic jab amidst increasing trade tensions with Canada. The move, framed by Trump as “Making the Great Lakes Even Greater,” is political theater, but its real cost is cultural.

UWPD hosts open-house during Welcome Week

The Daily Cardinal

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) opened its doors to the Madison community Wednesday, Sept. 9 for an open house during UW-Madison’s Welcome Week event schedule.

Speciality divisions, guided tours, free food and the opportunity to learn more about UW-Madison’s campus police drew a crowd to the UWPD’s Monroe Street office. The event gave students and community members the chance to interact with officers, ask questions and learn more about the department.

UW system may permanently ditch ACT, SAT requirement

Wisconsin State Journal

The Universities of Wisconsin may permanently eliminate the requirement that college applicants submit an ACT or SAT score as part of the admissions process.

In May 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the UW Board of Regents to make college admissions test scores optional at all UW system schools, except UW-Madison, because prospective students were struggling to take in-person exams and to submit scores.

What Wisconsin football spent on flights during its transfer portal frenzy

Wisconsin State Journal

Learning the new starters on college football teams is a longer process for fans now more than ever in the transfer portal era.

The University of Wisconsin football team is no exception this season. The Badgers (1-1) started nine transfers in the opener against Notre Dame and 10 last week against Western Illinois. Acquiring those transfers, and the money raised and spent to do so, were major storylines of the Badgers’ offseason. Getting these players to campus in the flurry of the transfer portal was another major expenditure.

 

UWPD reports dramatically lower numbers in arrests, ejections in football season opener compared to previous years

The Daily Cardinal

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) arrested nine and ejected 14 UW-Madison students during Saturday’s game against Western Illinois, far lower numbers than previous years.

Marc Lovicott, UWPD’s Executive Director of Communications, told The Daily Cardinal the game had “no issues” and “all went according to plan and our expectations.”

New UW-Madison report details 2025 hazing incident

Channel 3000

The UW-Madison Hazing Prevention Coalition released a new report detailing hazing incidents that led to the suspension of one fraternity.

The report shows the University began investigating Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. on February 26, 2025, the same day the incidents were reported. The incidents occurred on or around Feb. 17–20. The university concluded the investigation and alerted the organization on April 14, 2025. The organization was then suspended until July 31, 2025.

Letter | UW must end animal mistreatment

The Cap Times

Dear Editor: As a UW-Madison alum and Dane County resident, I am disgusted by the university’s involvement in research and development for industries that profit from and contribute to excessive animal suffering and environmental damage.

Babcock’s New Flavor Honors Alumni

Q106

A landmark gift of a new humanities building on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus has inspired a sweet new addition to the Babcock Dairy lineup.

To honor the extraordinary generosity of UW alumni Marv and Jeff Levy, Babcock Dairy will unveil a limited-edition ice cream flavor created by the brothers: Levylicious Salted Turtle. The flavor features a salted caramel ice cream swirled with a rich chocolate fudge ribbon and roasted, salted pecans.

WARF invests $160.7 million in UW-Madison research over past year

The Daily Cardinal

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) announced Sept. 10 a total investment of $160.7 million disbursed over the past year to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in efforts to support the university’s research and innovation endeavors.

The largest portion of $115.9 million was directed to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research to fund university researchers and research projects and initiatives.

Wisconsin’s college admissions law has unintended consequences

The Cap Times

Jaidyn Glaus was sitting in her English class at Durand-Arkansaw Middle & High School last fall when she was called to the principal’s office. She had no idea why.

The Pepin County school’s principal and guidance counselor had news: Thanks to her high grades, Glaus qualified for a new program called the Wisconsin Guarantee, automatically granting her a spot at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after graduation.

University of Wisconsin fall enrollment down 1%

The Center Square

There are almost as many students at the University of Wisconsin this fall as there were last fall after the university released its day one student enrollment figures.

“Enrollment decreased approximately 1% across the 13 UWs, which included significant international student decreases. Estimates show fall 2026 enrollment at 163,260 students, a decline of 1,732 students overall, with 1,100 of those being international students,” the university said in a statement.

UW-Madison details hazing investigation that led to frat’s suspension

Wisconsin State Journal

UW-Madison has released findings from its hazing investigation that led to a three-month suspension of fraternity Phi Beta Sigma in 2025, in response to a Wisconsin State Journal public records request.

Over four days in February 2025, the fraternity’s new recruits were forced to do strenuous workouts and stand next to a hot stove for extended periods, according to recently released investigation records.

Universities of Wisconsin sees slight enrollment drop, mostly from international students

Channel 3000

More than 163,000 students chose a Universities of Wisconsin university this fall, a strong sign that demand remains steady,” interim system president Renée Wachter said. “These students and their families are making an investment in their future and Wisconsin’s future.”

Enrollment at UW-Madison remained above 50,000, with an estimated 50,500 Badgers counted on Day One. UW-Milwaukee’s enrollment rose to 23,000, boosted by the campus’ largest first-year class in 17 years.

UW-Madison police investigate video from meat science facility

CBS 7 Wausau

University of Wisconsin-Madison police are investigating after a recent UW-Madison graduate released video he says he secretly recorded inside the university’s meat science facility.

The video involves the facility’s use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs before slaughter.

Ryan Blum said he spent months planning how to get inside to record the process. He said he captured about 83 seconds of video, with less than 30 seconds showing pigs inside what he says is the CO2 chamber.

UW–Madison graduate releases video he says he secretly recorded inside campus facility during pig CO2 stunning

NBC 15

A recent UW-Madison graduate and animal rights activist has released video he says he secretly recorded inside a campus facility while pigs were undergoing carbon dioxide stunning, a process used to render pigs unconscious before slaughter.

Ryan Blum, who graduated in May, told WMTV he spent months planning how to secretly enter UW–Madison’s Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Building specifically to record the process.

Alzheimer’s and dementia doctor touched by disease in own family, recommends early testing

WPR

Dr. Nathaniel Chin was in residency when his father, Dr. Moe Chin, a family physician in Watertown, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2012. The elder Chin retired the next day, ending a 40-year career as a doctor. He died in 2018.

“He saw everyone in his clinic, from young kids to the elderly,” Dr. Nathaniel Chin said recently of his father on WPR’s “The Lee Rayburn Show.” “He was my introduction to health, wellness and providing care for people.”

WUD Wellness Committee event promotes mental health, wellbeing education amidst semester start

The Badger Herald

The University of Wisconsin Wisconsin Union Directorate Wellness Committee hosted a new event titled The Amazing Wellness Race Sept. 24 outside at Union South. The event was a collaborative effort from University Recreation & Wellbeing, Mental Health Services and Badger Recovery.

The Amazing Wellness Race is a participatory, educational mental health and wellbeing fair, with stations focusing on movement and positivity, according to WUD Wellness Committee Program Advisor Morgan Michaels. The event featured various stands with different activities and challenges for interactive mental health education, with different prizes and free food for participants.

WARF disbursed $160.7M to UW-Madison in 2026

In Business Madison

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation announced Thursday that it provided $160.7 million in total support to research and innovation at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Morgridge Institute for Research in the fiscal year ending in June 2026.

The funding includes annual grants for both institutions, supplemental grants for special initiatives and in-kind support for operations, investments and inventors.

Wisconsin donor Ted Kellner calls indoor facility ‘a labor of love’

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

As Ted Kellner stood in front of the athletic center that bears his family’s name, he recalled the conversation with Barry Alvarez that started the whole thing.

“We were going to a football game,” Kellner said. “He said, ‘Tedro’, that’s my nickname. He said, ‘Tedro, I’ve got an idea’. When Barry says ‘Tedro, I got an idea’, I get my wallet out.”

International student loss drives first UW enrollment decline in years

Yahoo News

Enrollment appeared to decline across the Universities of Wisconsin for the first time since 2021, preliminary enrollment estimates show, with that decline driven largely by a drop in the number of international students. Overall enrollment remains relatively steady.

About 163,260 students enrolled in one of the 13 state universities, down 1,732 from 2025, according to university estimates. Of those, 1,100 were international students.

UW Health physician reflects on how volunteering after 9/11 led her to medicine

NBC 15

A UW Health doctor is reflecting on how the events of 9/11 shaped her life’s purpose.

Dr. Lisa Arkin was working in television in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

In the days following the attacks, she volunteered overnight at a nearby trauma center, helping families search for loved ones.

That experience inspired her to leave her career and go to medical school.

UW enrollment holds steady after three years of growth

NBC 15

Enrollment across the Universities of Wisconsin is holding relatively steady this fall after three consecutive years of growth, according to preliminary numbers released Friday.

The Universities of Wisconsin estimate 163,260 students are enrolled across its 13 universities for fall 2026. That is about 1% lower than last fall’s final enrollment of 164,992 students.

Diesel prices are hitting record highs at a bad time for many US farmers

Spectrum News 9 Tampa

The price of diesel is hitting record highs just when many U.S. farmers need it to power combines, tractors and other equipment to harvest two of the nation’s largest commodities, soybeans and corn.

The spike adds to an already tough year for these farmers, who also faced higher costs for fertilizer, seeds and equipment.

Diesel hit a record price in the U.S. on Sept. 4, soaring to an average of $5.85 a gallon for the first time as the six-month war with Iran disrupted the world’s flow of fuel. It has gone even higher since then, going for an average price of $6.05 a gallon on Friday, according to AAA.

Two men plead not guilty for attack, attempted sexual assault of transgender woman

The Daily Cardinal

A Dane County judge ruled that a criminal case will continue against two men who pleaded not guilty for an attack and attempted sexual assault of a transgender woman at Goodspeed Family Pier on Aug. 29.

At approximately 4:10 a.m. on Aug. 29, University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) responded to a call from a bystander reporting a disturbance on the pier. Officers were dispatched at 4:12 a.m., and when they arrived on the scene, they discovered a sexual assault had occured and arrested two men.

UW-Madison students, staff explain what they want in a new chancellor

The Cap Times

Terry Fritter kicked off a discussion Thursday about what community members want in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s next chancellor by commenting on how familiar the process felt.

“Seems like you just did this not very long ago,” Fritter, who’s part of university staff, told members of a search and screen committee during an event at Union South.

UW-Madison student who nearly died in 2024 crash set to compete in Ironman Wisconsin

NBC 15

Hundreds of athletes from around the world are coming to Madison this weekend to compete in Ironman Wisconsin. Among them is Jaxon VandenBrook, a UW-Madison student whose path to the starting line began with a near-fatal crash.

VandenBrook was a freshman at UW-Madison training for the Ironman when his life changed in an instant.

“I love running by the water,” VandenBrook said. “It was late October, but it was a beautiful night out. I reached the light before it turned green, and then the light switched and I started to cross.”

VandenBrook does not remember much after that. A vehicle ran the red light and hit him head on.

Madison Metro Transit cuts could affect early bird, night owl riders

The Cap Times

Regular service along Route C, which runs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison to the city’s far east side, would start in December around 5 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends. Service along Route D from the Dane County Regional Airport to Verona, would begin just before 6 a.m. on weekends. Weekend start times on Route G, which runs along Stoughton Road, and Route H, which connects south and west Madison, would be pushed back by 30 minutes or fewer.

UW is dressed for the new semester

The Daily Cardinal

For ten years, my first day of school outfit was always the same: an annoying navy blue cross tie, a white polo, cardigan and khaki skirt. Having been forced to wear a uniform, the most I could do to explore my style was wear colorful headbands and beaded bracelets.

But when I got to high school, everything changed. On the first day of school, I could swap that bland uniform for baggy jeans, a baby pink tank top and a cable knit cardigan —I was thrilled.

UW research study on Alzheimer’s receives second round of funding

CBS 7 Wausau

A University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health research study on Alzheimer’s has been awarded a second round of funding from the National Institutes of Health, the UW Social Health Sciences and Programs announced Wednesday.

The study, called The Neighborhoods Study, was selected for a $30.9 million funding award. That is the third-largest NIH grant currently held by UW-Madison, UW said.

Promega Art Showcase celebrates 30th anniversary

In Business Madison

The Promega Art Showcase will celebrate its 30th anniversary by showcasing the work of Midwestern artists during the 14th PhotoMidwest biennial juried exhibition.

The exhibition opens on Sept. 17 at the Promega Biopharmaceutical Technology Center, 5445 E. Cheryl Parkway in Fitchburg.

It is part of the 2026 PhotoMidwest Festival, which will take place at multiple Madison venues including the Pyle Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Wisconsin marching band releases statement after passing of Hawkeye band member

NBC 15

After the passing of an Iowa Hawkeye marching band member, the University of Wisconsin marching band released a statement Tuesday.

“The Wisconsin Band is holding the family and friends of Derek Phillips, along with the entire Hawkeye Marching Band community, in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time,” the band said. “Those of us who have been a part of a marching band know how quickly it becomes more than an ensemble. Through long days, travel, celebrations and shared experiences, relationships grow into a family.”

UW-Madison Engineers Develop Drapable Composite to Reduce Lightning Strike Damage on Aircraft

Composites World

A University of Wisconsin-Madison engineering team has developed a hybrid fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite “blanket” designed to reduce lightning strike damage and improve protective coverage on aircraft and other high-flying vehicles. The research was published in the June 2026 issue of Composites, Part B: Engineering.