Spring Welcome Back - Thursday, January 23, 2025

Spring Welcome Back 2025

A rundown on UW System stories you missed over break

By Gavin Escott & Annika Bereny

CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR & SPECIAL PAGES EDITOR EMERITUS

While the University of WisconsinMadison campus seemed to be frozen in time — and ice — throughout the duration of winter break, the news never stopped to sleep nor admire the snow. Here are four stories you may have missed during this past month off campus.

Wisconsin Foundation leaders maintain they will not make political statements with donor money

One of the main demands behind last spring’s pro-Palestine encampment was for the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA) to divest its money from companies supporting Israel. Part of the deal student organizers reached with UW-Madison in exchange for taking down the encampment included the university administration facilitating access to decision makers at the WFAA.

In a recent interview with the Capital Times, WFAA leaders maintained the WFAA will not make “political statements” with money from alumni and donors.

“We’re not going to make an announcement about it, because we know donors have very different feelings,” former WFAA CEO Mike Knetter told the Cap Times. “We have graduates who work in oil and gas. It’s a big universe of people that invest with us, and we’re respectful of all of them.”

When asked about potential divest-

ment from practices protesters called unethical, such as arms and weapons manufacturing, Knetter said their investment committee is composed of donors and alumni and follows all the applicable laws and regulations in the investment industry.

“Even if we thought about having an exercise where we get people to agree to some criteria that we would follow in terms of investment strategy, the idea of getting agreement from all of those thousands of donors, it’s impossible,” Alisa Robertson, who took over the title of CEO and President of WFAA from Knetter, said.

UW System reportedly paid $51 million to consulting groups even as budget deficits cited for faculty layoffs

The UW System spent $51 million on consulting services from Huron Consulting Group over a period of five years, Madison radio station WORT revealed in a December news report.

WORT said they were tipped off to the contract in October 2023 when UW-Oshkosh laid off 140 employees in an “Institutional Realignment Plan.” One contract, WORT said, shows Huron designed and facilitated a $24,000 “institutional realignment” workshop 2 months before the layoffs.

The information, which covers the period between 2019 and 2023 came from several public records requests at various UW schools, which would only provide contracts between that period, according to WORT. UW-Madison has yet to fulfill WORT’s records requests, WORT said.

Some UW System faculty and union leaders underlined the $51 million spent by the UW System is nearly three times as much as the $18 million budget deficit system leaders pointed to in justifying layoffs at UW-Oshkosh in 2023.

UW-Madison secures final approval for $300 million engineering building

Following a lengthy and contentious process to fund a new engineering building, UW-Madison finally secured unanimous approval from the Wisconsin State Building Commission for the project in early January.

In the past two years, the UW

System has navigated politically motivated budget cuts. In May 2023, Republicans slashed $197 million from the allocated funding, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, telling The Daily Cardinal that the UW System would “never get another nickel out of the Legislature” without cutting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Months later, UW reached a deal with the Legislature for funding in exchange for a cap on DEI hiring for the next three years.

The current engineering building was finished in 1964.

Continue reading @dailycardinal.com

How Wisconsin’s congressional representatives voted on the TikTok ban

By Gabriella Hartlaub SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

After the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law Friday requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app’s American assets in order to keep operating in the United States, access to the app was restricted. The forced social media break was shortlived, however, as TikTok access in the U.S. was reinstated a mere 12 hours later.

Shortly after taking office Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days.

The law banning TikTok passed with strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle citing national security concerns as a driving factor of support. While a 2023 Pew Research Center survey found roughly half of Americans supported the ban, it has remained unpopular with younger Americans who saw the ban as an infringement on their freedom of expression.

Benjamin Rothove and Courtney Graves, copresidents of the College Republicans of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told

The Daily Cardinal they support banning the app if ByteDance does not sell it.

“TikTok is a national security threat and banning it is good for America. President Trump was gracious when he gave the company 75 days to get its act together, but if TikTok does not decouple from the CCP in that time, the ban must be enforced,” they said.

So, how did the TikTok ban come to be?

The app’s brief hiatus marked the climax of a yearslong effort to ban TikTok access in the U.S. over national security concerns related to its China-based parent company, ByteDance.

While TikTok has been a hot topic of discussion in Washington among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle since the first Trump presidency, March 2024 marked the acceleration of real action against the app with the introduction of a bill to ban TikTok unless ByteDance sells its American assets to a U.S. company.

The law, authored by former Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, cited national security concerns about China’s access

to American cell phone data and the potential risks associated with Chinese ownership of what Gallagher said is “becoming the dominant news platform for Americans under 30.”

“TikTok, a major source of news and information in America, is controlled by America’s geopolitical adversary, China,” Gallagher wrote in a Wall Street Journal Op-Ed earlier this month, which compared the situation to Russia attempting to buy American news outlets.

Wisconsin lawmakers split on TikTok ban

Of Wisconsin’s eight-member House delegation, only Democratic Reps. Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore voted against the TikTok ban, citing an impediment on American user’s free speech rights.

Shortly after the TikTok ban went into effect, Pocan wrote in a social media post Sunday that the ban was “Congress and the executive branch at their worst.”

“It’s not about selling the entity. It’s about free speech, which is supposed to be a thing in the U.S.,” Pocan wrote.

On Sunday, in the brief hours during which TikTok was inaccessible, Republican U.S. Rep.

Glenn Grothman’s Fond Du Lac office was set on fire, the 19-yearold suspect citing the TikTok ban and Grothman’s “yes” vote as a motive in the incident.

“I don’t even know yet [what happened] other than somebody tried to set a fire over TikTok,” Grothman told the Fond Du Lac Reporter Sunday.

In the Senate, the TikTok ban was bundled into a $95 billion foreign aid package with aid to Israel and Ukraine and humanitarian aid for Gaza. Included was aid for Taiwan, which had the measure to force TikTok’s sale.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin voted in favor of the package, while Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson voted against it in opposition to additional funding for Ukraine despite supporting a 2023 ban of TikTok on Wisconsin state devices.

In 2023, Johnson signed onto a letter sent to Gov. Tony Evers, describing TikTok as a “CCP surveillance tool.”

At the unveiling of the bill in 2023, Baldwin said she supported “giving the United States the tools it needs to assess the threat of foreign-owned technology and, where appropriate, take steps to restrict access.”

TAYLOR

WORT at 50: Volunteers keep radio alive news

By Jacob Szczap SENIOR STAFF WRITER

In the 1970s, as an ambitious group of Madisonians worked tirelessly to build a community radio station, their final task was to come up with a name. They landed on “WORT,” inspired by the critical component of brewing that gives yeast the ingredients it needs to ferment.

The idea was the radio station would plant seeds of free and unique ideas into the community, letting them grow and ferment in the minds of their listeners, founder Dave Devereaux-Weber explained to The Daily Cardinal. Without wort, beer spoils and without WORT-FM 89.9, Madison loses out on a crucial piece of its community.

Now in its 50th year, WORT continues to embody the name it was founded on. WORT is Madison’s community radio station, delivering non-commercial, listenersponsored radio to southeastern Wisconsin and beyond. The station boasts 80 different programs, including 59 music shows ranging from innovative jazz to classic country and most genres in between. Built on the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, it is a station for the community, from the community.

“The ability to play what we want — you can’t compare it to any other radio station in Madison,” WORT host “The Real Jaguar” told the Cardinal.

The Real Jaguar — whose actual name is Gabreal — is part of

the army of volunteers that make WORT tick. Every Friday afternoon he jockeys “Who Cooks For You?,” a music show featuring an eclectic mix of genres and decades.

The show starts with whatever music Gabreal is feeling at that moment, and as his mood changes, he plays whatever seems fitting. One November show featured everything from Peruvian cumbia to hip-hop and reggae.

“I’ve found that in having that ability and freedom to weave in and out of different styles, genres, decades, then you get these magical moments when music overlaps,” Gabreal said. “To me, that’s what it’s all about.”

Volunteers like Gabreal bring the uniqueness that reverberates through WORT’s airwaves. They give WORT their time and energy, and in turn, WORT gives them an outlet to share their passion for music with the community.

“It’s the passion for the music and the interest in sharing it with people,” WORT’s music director Sybil Augustine said. “That’s what drives [WORT] forward.”

Digital production director Aaron Scholz likens WORT’s volunteer base to a club.

“If you have a lot of time, if you don’t have a lot of time, if you can be at the station, if you can’t be at the station, we can find stuff for you to do,” he said. “It’s a big club, and it’s really easy to join the club. You just gotta show up

and hang out.”

By following this model for 50 years, WORT has become an integral piece of Madison’s music scene. Acting as a messenger between local artists and the community, WORT’s programming highlights countless Madison musicians. The radio station differentiates itself from other area stations by giving artists the space needed to thrive and the community the opportunity to discover local music.

And as part of a promotional exchange process, local venues frequently reach out to WORT to promote shows and give out tickets. In exchange, venues hang a WORT banner on stage. Together, these steps add to the sense of community WORT strives to create, while also strengthening its listenership in a trying time for radio.

As WORT adapts to changing media landscape, human spirit remains the station’s base

Radio listenership has been declining nationwide for decades, according to data from Pew Research. Augustine and others around the station recognize that there is no easy fix for the industry’s struggles.

Still, WORT remains an outlier. Gabreal said the station receives 80% of its funding from listeners and is independent from corporate oversight. And by offering vibrant and creative programming 24/7,

By Mary Bosch COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR

When a native Wisconsinite attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the Bucky Tuition Promise Scholarship in 2022, she thought the university would provide not only her tuition, but also for her basic needs.

Grace, the junior at UW-Madison whom The Daily Cardinal is identifying by a pseudonym due to privacy concerns, soon discovered, however, that her scholarship only afforded her the Go10 meal plan which provides 10 meal swipes a week.

If she wanted to eat three meals a day, this left 11 meals a week unaccounted for, despite what she thought Bucky promised.

Grace would often skip meals, eat only two meals a day or eat low-quality meals which lacked nutrition. Her diet became synonymous with the typical college student diet, a stereotype which Grace thinks brushes off systemic issues of food insecurity.

And things only became more dire when the dining halls closed over winter break. The only grocery stores close to campus are Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s and Capitol Center Market, which are unaffordable for low income students. Junior Joy Rasch said

the only resource she was given was the house fellow’s phone number in case of emergencies.

Frustrated with her experience and a lack of university aid, Grace began an Associated Students of Madison intern project to expand food resources for students staying on campus over winter break. Since then, her project has expanded to include a Basic Needs Student Support website with a page dedicated to Winter Break Support.

“Unfortunately, federal regulations restrict us from considering periods of time when students aren’t enrolled, like winter break, in determining financial aid,” Assistant Director of Media Relations Greg Bump said in an email to The Daily Cardinal Wednesday.

A working group of campus partners began meeting regularly in the spring of last year to find solutions and support students in meeting their basic needs, including combating food insecurity, according to Bump.

Some of these partners include ASM, student-run food insecurity organizations and an array of University offices like housing, health services and the Multicultural Student Center.

Since last year, UW-Madison has expanded the Frozen Meals Program in

WORT separates itself from its peers locally and has become a model for similar stations across the country, Augustine said.

With volunteers as the heart of the station, WORT’s lifelong success runs on a cycle of human spirit. Volunteers give WORT the enthusiastic labor that keeps the station running and the human charm that makes it special.

Despite the station’s charming nostalgia — like the CDs and vinyl records that line its cinder-block walls — WORT is embracing the future, even if it means breaking with the media modem that carried it this far.

WORT streams its content through a variety of modern facets, including its app, website and thirdparty radio apps. On its website, listeners can view both playlists featuring every song played organized by show and fully archived audio content for up to two weeks.

The station has also embraced podcasting and in the future will place an even greater emphasis

on reaching listeners in ways that are more convenient for them.

“The idea is that we need to become a media company rather than just a radio station,” Scholz said. “We need to be able to post our stuff forever and post our shows as podcasts specifically and then target people to download those and listen to those rather than just like, ‘here’s our terrestrial radio station, here’s our stream.’”

But even as WORT accepts these media shifts, its knack for running on human flare won’t. WORT continues to provide the essential ingredients that empower the community by independently broadcasting content other stations in Madison can’t. They’ve done it for half a century, and according to their members, they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Editor’s note: “Cardinal Call,” a biweekly radio segment and podcast run by The Daily Cardinal, airs on WORT-FM.

Has food insecurity improved at UW-Madison?

which unused dining hall food is packaged into frozen meals for students to take.

Students can pick up free reheatable meals from the Office of Strategic Communication throughout the break as well as free loaner microwaves. This winter break, 15 students took advantage of those free meals, with a total of 40 meals given out, according to Bump.

They have also increased informational access to food pantry resources and community meal services by promoting the website on social media and eNewsletters. The website includes a map as well as accurate time information which junior Ashley Hagen said would’ve taken the burden off of her.

“That kind of research involves individually calling each place, which takes a lot of time and energy that I wouldn’t have to spend,” Hagen said.

Approximately 31% of UW-Madison students reported suffering from food insecurity in 2024, according to a Basic Needs survey with 760 respondents which was independently conducted by UW-Madison student government leaders.

Furthermore, 50% of non-white students reported skipping a meal at least once a month for financial reasons, compared to 38% of all students.

Many students who experience food insecurity may not even realize it.

“A lot of people look at food insecurity as just starving and being hungry, but that’s not the reality for a lot of people,” Rasch said. “It’s choosing to buy gas over getting a meal or going out to eat but not getting anything and saying that you ate before.”

Being a low income student also can make it harder to find community in the “typical college experience,” according to Grace.

“When you think about your college experience, it’s about going out to eat with friends and going out for drinks and doing all these things that are very, very expensive,” Grace said. “For a lot of students

who have experienced financial struggles or food insecurity that’s just not their college experience — it can feel very isolating.”

For Grace, freshman year was the worst.

“I struggled a lot more with my academics and finding community as well as stress and anxiety around my basic needs,” she said.

For many students experiencing food insecurity at college, it isn’t the first time.

Grace experienced food insecurity at multiple points in her life prior to college. When she lived with her mom as a child, they received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. “That was part of growing up,” Grace said.

Only a third of the students who are eligible for SNAP will ever apply. The problem is not a lack of resources, but rather a lack of access to those resources and information about them, according to Grace.

“Some people are shocked to find out that they qualify when they’ve been struggling for months,” Rasch said.

More still needs to be done, students said.

Grace wants the university to provide more institutional, financial and administrative support to the overburdened — often student-led — programs that already exist, instead of adding more programs.

The free meal cards handed out by the Office of Student Assistance and Support have been in low supply at the Multicultural Center and University Health Services, according to Grace.

“As far as our knowledge, meal cards haven’t run out. If at any time a department such as MSC and UHS needs more cards, they connect with the Office of Student Assistance and Support,” Bump said.

Because the problem is not always very visible, campus officials “are sometimes unwilling to see that there is a housing or food insecurity problem on campus,” Grace said.

“There are stereotypes around college students eating ramen or couchsurfing, so I think that is part of the overall unwillingness to address it,” she said.

JACOB SZCZAP/THE DAILY CARDINAL

NICK DUDA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Pocan urges support for immigrants following Trump’s inauguration

By Anna Kleiber STATE NEWS EDITOR

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan urged local governments to step up and better support immigrant communities because the federal government “isn’t going to be there to do the right thing” when authorizing potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at a news conference Monday.

Opting to skip the fanfare of Inauguration Day in Washington D.C., Pocan spent his day speaking with communities he said are at risk under another Trump presidency, including LGBTQ+ people, Latinos and lowincome seniors.

“It’s a very eye-opening day… the bottom line: people are very worried about what could hap-

pen, and I don’t know if I have an answer for them right now,” Pocan said at a news conference held at Centro Hispano.

“Part of our challenge right now is making sure that we’re in this together and that we’re going to survive whatever Donald Trump throws at us the best we can.”

Despite Congress being in session for less than a month, Pocan said there have been a number of bills introduced specifically targeting immigrant communities including the Laken Riley Act, which would give states the power to challenge federal immigration policies and require federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes.

Throughout Trump’s campaign, he repeatedly promoted false claims on immigration,

including suggesting migrants in the U.S. who have committed murder did so because “it’s in their genes.” It wasn’t the first instance Trump’s immigration rhetoric echoed Adolf Hitler.

Despite Trump’s claims, there is no evidence that immigrants are more likely to commit violent crimes. Several studies have found that immigrants commit lower rates of crime than U.S.-born citizens and that there is no clear relationship between violent crime and immigration.

“I think it’s more about the rhetoric than the actual practice, and that’s going to hurt a lot of people in our local community,” Pocan said.

There were roughly 10.5 million individuals living in the U.S. without legal status in 2021, or about 3% of the popu-

UW-Madison removes chief diversity officer

By Sreejita Patra

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The University of WisconsinMadison removed chief diversity officer Dr. Lavar Charleston from his position Wednesday, citing concerns about the department’s financial affairs.

“An ongoing internal review of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement’s (DDEEA) finances has revealed areas of concern about financial operations and fiscal judgments in the division,” UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said in an email published by Madison 365 Wednesday. A Legislative Audit Bureau report on the division is expected to be released soon.

The division is now under the author-

ity of Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Charles Isbel, and daily operations will be overseen by him and a four-person cabinet, according to Mnookin. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration will now have fiscal authority over the DDEEA.

“The university will continue to support existing DDEEA events, programs, and services going forward, and we do not expect any direct impact on the students, staff, and faculty served by and affiliated to DDEEA programs,” Mnookin said.

Charleston will return to his previous position as a clinical professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at UW-Madison.

lation, including an estimated 70,000 undocumented immigrants in Wisconsin. Roughly 47,000 of undocumented immigrants in Wisconsin are employed, and the state’s dairy industry relies heavily on undocumented workers.

Pocan was joined by Centro Hispano Executive Director Karen Menendez Coller at Monday’s news conference, who spoke about the work Centro Hispano has done to provide Latino and immigrant community members with health care and support.

“I think over the next four years and beyond, we’re going to need our allies to be there, for everybody to be what they need to do and for us to make sure that when it comes to Madison and Dane County, we’re really equitable and supporting every-

body that deserves it,” Menendez Coller said.

Menendez Coller said Wisconsin’s Latino community is “here to stay” and called on Wisconsinites to continue to uplift and support the community.

“I’m at a point where I want to celebrate our joy, and I want to celebrate our humanity, and I hope the message about our community really centers on that moving forward, so that we can bridge those divides that say that we’re different. We’re not another community. We’re the fabric of Wisconsin,” Menendez Coller said.

In Wisconsin, Latinos make up the largest marginalized population in Wisconsin and one that has grown 7.6% in the last decade. Roughly one third of Wisconsin’s Latino population are immigrants.

Common Council approves grants

By Megan Mladucky STAFF WRITER

The Common Council approved $941,909 in grant allocation requests on Jan. 15 for agencies in Madison supporting older adult services.

Of 15 agencies around Madison, 13 were approved for funding as directed by the Community Development Division, which informed the Common Council alongside the Committee on Aging. The allocations are part of the council’s effort to provide more funding to agencies supporting people of color following results from an outside study that found these groups lack equal access to older adult services, District 4 Ald. Mike Verveer, who sits on the Committee on Aging, told the Cardinal.

“We need to do more for communities of color, and that’s why there was an emphasis on funding or prioritizing those organizations that serve communities of color in Madison,” Verveer said.

Some agencies funded include the Bayview Foundation, Goodman Community Center, Neighborhood House Community Center, Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center, NewBridge Madison, Freedom, Inc and Outreach, Inc.

This set of grants released following a six-month application process and a city council budget amendment allocating an additional $100,000 to the grant package. This amendment arose from testimonies and insights revealed throughout the process underscoring a greater need for older adult services than previously anticipated.

City staff collected and reviewed applications, then an outside panel of experts reviewed them before going to the Committee on Aging through public meetings and testimonies, Verveer said.

The combination of an increased older demographic and limited resources led to unexpected demand for the new funds, Verveer said. The demand exceeded the relatively small amount of resources available, which forced the council to make difficult decisions in funding.

“This is the first time in many years that the city look to provide additional funding for older adult services in our community, and it became quite clear once the application process began that there was way more demand than there were financial resources,” Verveer said.

As older adults become a larger share of residents in Madison and nationwide, Verveer said what funding is available should be used effectively.

The city also incentivized many agencies in the area to expand their programming to include support for older members of the community in order to receive Common Council funding through this grant program, according to Verveer.

Many of the agencies also fund programs for youth and early childhood education, benefitting other age groups within the communities they serve. Most agencies received less funding than requested since the city wanted to allow for a larger number of agencies in equity priority areas — regions that have a higher concentration of individuals reporting 51% low- to moderate-income — to receive funding.

The Madison Senior Center, which serves residents of senior living centers in the area, also received funding from the Common Council on the same night as the budget amendment for this set of grants.

“There’s more need than ever to assist seniors, especially those of lower economic means, and an emphasis on allowing folks to age in a place that is allowing them to be able to live independently in their own homes,” said Verveer.

The Common Council will “rigorously evaluate” the budget for each agency annually, focusing on whether the money is well spent since allocating funds is very “labor intensive,” according to Verveer.

The contracts are expected to continue until the beginning of 2029.

JESSICA CHUDY/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Dane County students report lower levels of anxiety, depression

By Ella Hanley ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

Dane County middle and high school students reported lower levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, according to a 2024 assessment from Dane County’s Department of Human Services.

The Dane County Youth Assessment (DCYA) is conducted every three years for students in grades seven through 12 and aims to capture student opinions, behaviors and attitudes. Over 24,000 students were surveyed this year, the largest population in its 44-year history.

In 2024, anxiety and depression levels dropped back down to 2015 levels, with 24.6% of students expressing symptoms of these mental health struggles. This marks the first decrease in reported depression since 2012, where

rates were at 29.2%.

Anxiety and depression rates in the DCYA are generally higher in female, lower income and LGBTQ students, but these groups reported fewer mental health struggles compared to 2021.

Among female students, 43.8% reported having feelings of anxiety often or always, down from 2021 (53.8%) after 15 years of increases. Anxiety among male students remains nearly the same as in 2021.

The last DCYA administered before 2024 was conducted in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented time for students who experienced limited social interaction while at home. Many experiences measured in the DCYA were impacted during the pandemic, including decreased alcohol and cannabis use and

lower levels of dating and sexual behavior.

However, the number of students staying awake past 11 p.m. increased significantly, with 71.5% of youth reporting less sleep in 2021, up from 59.2% in 2018. In 2024, sleep levels returned to pre-pandemic norms, but students staying up past 11 p.m. three or more nights a week reported more depression, struggled with homework and skipped class more frequently than their peers.

Students also reported lower rates of binge drinking and tobacco use in 2024, but cannabis and illegal drug usage stayed consistent over time.

Wisconsin is facing a shortage of school-based mental health professionals, and in most cases, mental health professionals are shared by more than one school, according to a report from the Capital

State Legislature approves requiring photo ID to vote

The voter identification constitutional amendment will be presented to voters on the April 1 general election ballot.

By Anna Kleiber STATE NEWS EDITOR

In a 54-45 vote along party lines in the state Assembly Tuesday, the voter identification constitutional amendment received its second successive legislative session recommendation, clearing the way for the amendment to be presented to voters on the April 1 general election ballot.

The vote comes a week after the state Senate voted to cement Wisconsin’s voter ID requirement into the state constitution. The photo ID amendment was first approved during the 2023-24 session.

Republican co-authors of the amendment said they are looking to enact it

before a new justice joins the Wisconsin Supreme Court after the April 1 election, arguing that enshrining the voter ID law in the state constitution would make it difficult for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which currently has a liberal-leaning majority, to invalidate the law.

“If we wait on something like this, then [the court] could rule that the photo ID is unconstitutional, and then it would be a harder time,” bill co-author Rep. Patrick Snyder, R-Weston, said. “This gives the electorate the opportunity to make that decision.”

Republican lawmakers passed a voter ID law after they gained control of the state

Legislature in 2011. Making voter ID a constitutional requirement would make it impossible for Democrats to overturn the requirement if they win majorities in the state Assembly and Senate.

In 2024, Wisconsinites saw five statewide referendum questions, the most in a single year since 1982 according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Republican-controlled Legislature placed all five of the 2024 statewide referendum questions on the ballot, three of five which were passed.

“Legislative Republicans are making it clear from the get-go that they care more about the spring election and cementing their control of

the Legislature than the real issues our communities sent us to solve,” Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, said in a social media post after the Assembly vote Tuesday.

The voter ID amendment was the first proposal considered by the Wisconsin Legislature this year. The session began Jan. 6, followed by a public hearing and then Senate vote Tuesday and Wednesday of that week.

Republican lawmakers unlikely to entertain Evers’ proposal allowing citizen initiative referendums, constitutional amendments

The move comes a week after Gov. Tony Evers announced plans to include a measure in the 2025-27 budget that would allow Wisconsinites to enact statutory and constitutional changes without the Legislature’s approval.

Currently, only the Legislature can place proposed referendums and constitutional amendments on statewide ballots. Evers’ proposal would put decisions on issues such as abortion rights and marijuana legalization in the hands of voters instead of lawmakers.

Evers’ proposal would require the Legislature to create a statewide binding referendum process through a constitutional amendment through which voters then could file petitions with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to hold a vote on proposed laws or amendments or to repeal current state laws enacted. Under the proposal, signatures collected would be validated by

the WEC, and a vote would be held at the next general election at least 120 days after the petition was filed.

“Republican lawmakers today are poised to put their sixth constitutional amendment on the ballot in just a year’s time while they oppose my proposal to give Wisconsinites that same opportunity — that says a lot about how much they value the voice and the opinions of the people of Wisconsin,” Evers said in a press release Tuesday ahead of the Assembly vote. “If Republican lawmakers are going to continue ignoring the will of the people and legislating by constitutional amendment, then they should give the people of Wisconsin the power to pass the policies they want to see at the ballot box.”

Republican lawmakers have signaled it is unlikely the proposal will make the cut, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, telling reporters it’s “dead on arrival.”

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, told UpFront on Sunday Republicans plan to strip all non-spending policy items from Evers’ budget proposal.

“Instead of proposing a laundry list of policy items, the governor should be focusing his effort on using the state surplus to address rising costs,” LeMahieu said.

Evers is set to release his 2025-27 budget request in full on Feb. 18. State lawmakers are expected to vote and approve a final version of the state’s spending plan before the new fiscal year begins on July 1.

Times. State Superintendent Jill Underly requested $304 million in state funding to support youth mental health in schools for the 2025-2027 state budget.

ELLIE HUBER/THE DAILY CARDINAL

CAMERON SCHNEIDER/THE DAILY CARDINAL

life & style

How to ease back into academics this semester

The Daily Cardinal

shares tips to help students start the semester strong.

By Madison Moris

LIFE & STYLE EDITOR

Winter break is a great time to spend time with friends and family, decompress from final exams and enjoy the holiday season. But beginning a new semester can be difficult, and the cold weather certainly does not help.

I remember dreading my return to school last year, but as I reflect on that period of my life, there were tricks I wish someone had shared with me to help me transition back into academia and succeed in my studies.

First, do not dwell too much on the fall semester. Whether it was your first or your last fall semester, agonizing over aspects you had hoped to improve or grades you hoped were better will not benefit

you in the long run.

Instead, you can treat this semester as a fresh start.

During my first spring semester, I made new friends which would not be possible if I kept dwelling on the fact I made very few friends my first semester. So, try striking up a conversation with your new classmates. You never know where it can lead.

Similarly, it is never too late to join another club, intramural sports team or other social group. I joined student radio in my second semester which allowed me to gain skills applicable to my field of study, as well as connect to students and faculty members who shared similar interests.

Starting the semester with good academic habits is one of the best things you can do for

Saving money in 2025? Try the ‘don’t buy’ method

By Kaylie Wiedmeyer LIFE & STYLE EDITOR

As 2025 begins, many have set resolutions for the new year. As a 20-year-old college student, I’ve decided 2025 is going to be a year of intentional spending.

It’s easy to say, “I want to save money.” It’s just as easy to forget about the number in your bank account and find ways to spend money. Hanging out with friends, a few pieces of clothing here and there, going out to eat, a new book — we too often let the little things we spend money on slip through the cracks of our awareness.

On the plus side, saving money doesn’t require a total lifestyle change. Small, intentional changes can make a big difference.

The “don’t buy” challenge is an easy way to practice intentional spending. This challenge requires you to make a list of items you don’t truly need to spend money on and make a commitment to not purchase them in 2025. It’s easiest to do this challenge by making two lists: things you absolutely cannot buy and things you can buy.

yourself. Attending lectures and discussions — even when it feels like a tundra outside — will allow you to establish a routine. Plus, you will have more excused absences to use when the nicer weather comes around.

While this may be hard for some, routines were crucial for my success, especially coming off winter break where I had virtually unlimited free time. Waking up at the same time and going to bed at the same time is a great place to start building a routine.

Spending less time on screens is a good way to start the semester. While scrolling through social media apps over break is a good way to take up time, time is something most students do not have enough of during the school year.

Screens are hard to give up, but you don’t have to eliminate apps from your life. You can set screen time limits, use an actual alarm clock and keep your cell phone out of your bedroom at night to make sure your phone is not the first thing you see in the morning.

Finally, taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for success, even if it sounds cliche. You can try making time for one thing you enjoy each day or cutting yourself some slack.

You made it into one of the best public universities in the country, which means academics can be challenging, but the reward will be worth it. Best wishes for your spring semester! You got this!

money does not mean more spending. Most of us receive regular paychecks, and with the promise of many more it can be easy to spend money. Instead of spending money on frivolous material goods, focus on allocating some of your paycheck toward savings, paying off debt or investments.

Stop treating pay raises and bonuses as money to be spent, and view it as an opportunity to procure secure finances. A great way to do this is to split your direct deposit. Most employers allow employees to put a designated percentage of their paycheck into a savings account. This is a great way to put your money away before you have the chance to spend it.

For the “don’t buy” list, you should reflect on what items you tend to spend more money on than necessary. This could include fast fashion, makeup, video games, coffee or even items at the checkout line. The “can buy” list should include items that you need in your life. This can include groceries, necessary clothes and shoes, regular payments and gas. The “don’t buy” challenge is an excellent way to practice discipline with your spending habits, forcing you to take a step back from mindless spending by encouraging reflection.

Another important tip to keep in mind is that more

We all know how easy it can be to lose track of the inputs and outputs of our checking accounts. Monthly budgets are a helpful way to keep better track of where your money goes and plan for future spending. Budgets are a great way to allocate money for all of your predicted expenses, such as mandatory payments, groceries, pets, credit card payments and recreational spending. This allows you to estimate how much money you are expected to spend each month and compare it to your income.

Similar to the “don’t buy” challenge, it’s a great way to bring awareness to your spending habits and make the necessary adjustments to meet your saving goals.

Practicing intentional spending will not only help you save money, but also help you realize that life is not all about material goods. By eliminating unnecessary expenses, you’ll be able to practice discipline and reach your money-saving goals in 2025.

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Madison queer indie pop band celebrates release of new EP arts

By Eliza Tool SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Madison queer indie pop band LINE released their sophomore EP “The Making Room” on Dec. 5, exploring genres from folk and Americana to dark indie pop with four songs: “No Clarity,” “Nowhere,” “The In Between” and “Show Me The Way.”

LINE currently comprises Madisonian songwriter Maddie Batzli alongside bandmates Esther Chun, Austin Lynch, Emily Mills and Charlie Koz. The EP features Batzli on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar and harmonies. Lynch plays bass, guitars, trumpet and sings backing vocals. Chun

sings backing vocals, Will Ault plays drums, Walker Scott plays lead guitar and Koz is on banjo. Lynch mixed “The Making Room” and Koz mastered it.

“That name has multiple meanings,” Batzli told The Daily Cardinal. “It’s not only about the spaces where we created the songs, but about ‘making room’ for new ideas, new collaborators, new creative processes.”

Even in places like Madison with vibrant and inclusive music scenes, finding accepting venues can be challenging for queer bands.

“It’s really, in a positive way, important to say that we are a queer band so that people

who want to find music and musicians, artists that they resonate with and art that they resonate with, can find us. Our art can hopefully be like an oasis for people who do identify either as queer or trans,” Batzli said.

“No Clarity” opens the EP with tranquil a cappella vocals gradually joined by gentle acoustics. I hear it as a story about feeling lost after losing someone you love. “Nowhere” responds, promising our memories of love endure, with lyrics like “I’m with you now, I am nowhere else.” This song slowly builds interlocking melodies, drums and a hint of trumpet.

“The In Between” introduces a rowdy electronic sound. It captures the feeling of being stuck and unable to change your reality. Closing the EP is “Show Me the Way” a jazzy description of accepting the past and moving forward. The EP reflects on wandering, reliving memories and finding a path. Ethereal vocals transform into confident rock beats through the songs’ stories.

“The Making Room” is LINE’s second EP, following “Choosing Sides,” a collection of songs released in 2020. The new release deliberately incorporates multiple genres.

“We wanted the project to have a pretty wide sonic and thematic range while also feeling cohesive,” Batzli said.

LINE’s website classifies the band as queer indie pop. While describing LINE’s sound Batzli explained the nuanced experience of selecting a genre label.

“When I say indie pop, that doesn’t feel like it fully captures the range of what we do. We have some songs that are basically Americana with banjo, like very singer-songwriter, and then we have some songs that are synth pop, and very kind of shiny and highly produced,” Batzli said. “We have other songs that are more like a live band sound, but definitely still pop-style songwriting, and some even verging into more like indie rock. So I feel like that range of stuff is a little bit what I’m trying to capture by saying it’s queer indie pop, but most of the band mem-

From stage to screen: Holding space for

By Britta Sevcik STAFF WRITER

Broadway has a real accessibility problem when it comes to location and price. Show tickets are ridiculously expensive, and even getting to New York City costs money that many individuals don’t have to spend.

But, with the recent influx of musical movie adaptations, people are now able to watch these shows at a nearby movie theater or in the comfort of their own homes. Additionally, directors can tell their stories in a new medium with more resources and bigger budgets, often making these shows feel more magical than they did on stage.

With so few individuals having the privilege of seeing these shows when they were originally on Broadway, movies like these act as a chance for the general public to see these stories. Sure, there have been a couple of recent failures in this genre, like “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Cats,” but “Wicked” is defying expectations where these films fell short.

“Wicked” is a prime example of this renaissance of Broadway musicals getting their time to shine on the big screen. And though some believe these shows should stay on the stage, it

is hard to ignore the impact they have when they go to movie theaters across the country.

Before the ubiquity of Broadway movie musicals, individuals wanting to see a Broadway-level production had to either travel to New York, find a recording online or hope a traveling production would come their way.

During the 2023 theater season,

Broadway tickets on average cost $128 per person. When the average movie theater ticket or streaming subscription costs a fraction of that price, these adaptations lend themselves as a cheaper alternative to spending hundreds of dollars on tickets.

Not only are musicals of this genre on the big screen more accessible, they also foster a love of musical theatre in a new generation.

bers are queer also.”

Developing songs is a collaborative process for LINE. Batzli writes lyrics and melodies then the band constructs additional parts. Lynch and Batzli co-produced the new EP, layering electronic instruments and effects. The first tracks were recorded at Blast House Studios in 2022, followed by sessions at Lynch’s Making Room Studio.

“The first half is about loss, change and nostalgia. The second half sounds more upbeat but with some dark twists,” Batzli said. “One of the songs is about sleep paralysis, a metaphor for anxiety and overthinking. The last song is more poppy, about letting go and giving into a crush.”

Listeners can stream the “The Making Room” on various platforms including Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple Music or follow LINE on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok for updates on future projects.

“In many ways, this EP is an invitation for listeners to embrace the full range of their own emotions, since we all contain multitudes,” Batzli said.

‘Wicked’

“Wicked,” which has been smashing box office records since it was released in November, is the first of its kind to do so. No other movie musical of this caliber has done this well, and this could act as a catalyst for other movies in this genre.

Of course, “Wicked” is not the first of its kind. During the 1960s, Broadway musicals were being adapted to the screen left and right with some winning Best Picture at the Oscars, “My Fair Lady” and “The Sound of Music” even won the award back to back. But now, films are trying to hide their musical theater aspects, with movies like “Mean Girls” and “Wonka” marketing themselves as non-musical adaptations of their stage counterparts. This is what makes “Wicked” so refreshing in this space — it is a bright, loud and unapologetic musical theater film in a way that is difficult to ignore.

Surely, “Wicked” will not be the last of its kind. This is one of the first instances in which a musical has been discussed so frequently and positively in mainstream media in recent decades, and one can hope that it will inspire future high-effort film adaptations of successful musicals. With the second installment releasing in November 2025, “Wicked” will be a movie musical not soon forgotten.

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COURTESY OF LINE

COURTESY OF LINE

Doctor’s orders: Dr. Bucky’s pre-semester wellness prescription

By Zoe Kukla

Whether you’re moving back in or are settling into the routine of classes again, it’s important to take moments to yourself. Self-care can look like cozying up with your favorite blanket and a nice cup of tea, watching your comfort movie or taking a nice long bath. As college students balancing work and school, taking these moments to ourselves throughout the semester is important for both your academic and social success.

Wear your coat! Wear your hat! Wear your scarf and get some gloves! Madison’s subzero temperatures and lake-effect winds are no joke. Doesn’t matter if you’re local or it’s your first winter here, staying warm between classes is necessary for your health and for your comfort.

Taking time to engage in hobbies that are not screencentered is a good way to ground yourself amidst the busy Badger schedule. Hobbies that make your mind and body move can help you beat the winter blues and come into spring with a skill you refined just for yourself.

Badgers Hockey New Year’s outlook sports

By Haellie Opp STAFF WRITER

Although men and women’s hockey had differing starts to the season, the end goal is the same: make a strong playoff push. Rankings don’t mean much of anything if you can get past the first round of the Big Ten or WCHA playoffs, but both teams are looking for wins to close out the season that is ending in just over a month.

Wisconsin women’s hockey

The Wisconsin women’s hockey team had a thrilling start to the season back in September. They come into the new year with a 24-1-1 record, losing only to rival No. 10 Ohio State in mid-November and in early January when they played at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Wisconsin plays a hard and fast game that overpowers their opponents, unless that

opponent happens to be able to overcome it like Ohio State was able to. The Badgers have battled with Ohio State for that championship trophy since 2019, where Wisconsin won it for the first time since 2011. Since Wisconsin’s national championship win in 2021, the Buckeyes have been flipping the No. 1 spot back and forth with the Badgers, overcoming them in the finals last year.

Wisconsin averages a strong 5.7 goals per game and holds their opponents to only 1 GPG. They’re a powerhouse with an average of 39.6 shots per game and a whopping 149 goals on the season this year. The teams facing them have struggled to compete with the Badgers’ quick and accurate shots on goal, leading to only 27 goals being scored on Badgers goaltenders in 26 games.

Graduate student Casey

O’Brien leads the Badgers in points with 17 goals and 55 points in only 26 games played. She’s followed by junior Laila Edwards, who has 24 goals and 52 points in 26 games as well.

Unsurprisingly, sophomore goaltender Ava McNaugton has been dominating between the pipes, playing 25 games this season and holding an impressive .951 save percentage. Badgers defense has worked hard in front of the net to keep McNaughton’s goal against average at a low 1.11. McNaughton leads the league with seven shutouts and has one assist this season.

Overall, the rest of the season happens quickly, with only four more series and eight games total before the first round of the WCHA playoffs beginning on Feb. 28. The No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers are followed closely by the impressive Clarkson University and University of Minnesota teams, but finishing out these last few games like they have all season would do them well for final seedings.

Wisconsin

men’s hockey

Unlike the women’s hockey team, Wisconsin men’s hockey has been struggling to hold themselves to the standards that were placed upon them at the start of the season. Right now, the Badgers sit at a 10-12-2 record, mostly due to the string of losses early in the season.

Things have been looking up with more win-loss split series, rather than sweep losses to notable Big Ten opponents. Although they lost both games against Michigan State at Wrigley Field earlier this month, the Badgers were able to compete and only go down with a one goal differential.

Wisconsin has a strong 33.8 average shots per game and holds their opponents to only 26.9, but the 3.1 goals per game is where it really counts. They play a relatively clean game with only 159 penalties on the season and have drawn 216 from their opponents. Capitalizing on the power play is an essential part of the game they play and could be a defining factor as the season closes out.

Sophomore Quinn Finley leads the team in points with 18 goals and 33 points in 24 games this season. Graduate student Ryland Mosley and

freshman Gavin Morrissey follow with 27 points in 24 games each. Mosley is second in goals with 11 on the season.

Senior goaltender Tommy Scarfone has regularly started for the Badgers in net, playing 19 games and holding an impressive .919 save percentage this season. Sophomore William Gramme has been a stable backup with seven games played and a .886 save percentage. A notable difference between the two is that Scarfone faces 2.28 goals against and Gramme faces 3.17 goals against. The rest of the season will be a test to see how the Badgers may look in the Big Ten playoffs in March. They play five more series, all against highly-ranked Big Ten opponents. The Badgers still aren’t ranked, but they are receiving votes once again, so these last 10 games will really count to determine seedings

Welcome to Madison, John Tonje

By Brendan Wolf STAFF WRITER

The No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team have already surpassed preseason expectations with a 15-4 record. While several returning players have flourished in bigger roles, the driving factor of the Badgers’ success this season is University of Missouri transfer guard John Tonje.

With the loss of three key players in transfers Chucky Hepburn and AJ Storr and the graduation of Tyler Wahl, the Badgers were expected to suffer a drop off from their fifth place finish last season and picked to finish 12th in the Big Ten basketball preseason media poll. But Tonje, who leads the team in points per game and is one of the most prolific free throw shooters in the nation, has given the Badgers a spark that was needed.

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Tonje spent his high school basketball career at Omaha Central High School. As a high school senior, Tonje averaged 23.8 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game. That same year, Tonje set the single-season scoring record for Omaha Central.

Tonje committed to play for Colorado State after high school and spent four years in Fort Collins. During his last two seasons with the Rams, Tonje served as a crucial contributor for head coach Niko Medved’s squad. In his third year during the 2021-22 season, Colorado State reached the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2013.

After those four years, Tonje trans-

ferred to Missouri as a graduate student. Injury issues derailed his season, and after playing just eight games over the course of the year, he received a medical redshirt, giving himself another year of eligibility.

Now, Tonje has elevated his

line, previewing what has been a key part of his game throughout the season.

During the Badgers’ matchup against No. 9 Arizona on Nov. 15, Tonje had a true breakout game. With 41 points, Tonje was just two points shy of the Wisconsin single-game record.

game on a bigger stage in the Big Ten Conference. Coming off of his disappointing, injury-filled season, the Badgers could not have expected Tonje to immediately take on the role that he ultimately would as a primary or secondary scorer on any given night.

The Badgers opened their season on Nov. 4 against Holy Cross, and in their comfortable 85-61 victory, Tonje showcased his skillset immediately, finishing the game with 23 points and shooting 3-of-5 behind the arc. Tonje also shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw

Again, he was efficient inside and behind the 3-point line but made the Wildcats pay from the charity stripe. Tonje took 22 free throw attempts and only missed once. His efforts played a key role in securing the Badgers’ 10388 upset win that jump-started their so-far successful campaign.

In the Greenbrier Tip-Off championship against the University of Pittsburgh, Tonje again starred for Wisconsin. With a game-high 33 points, Tonje led the Badgers to an 81-75 win over the Panthers. Again, he would go

10-of-10 on his free throw attempts.

In the most recent loss to UCLA on Tuesday night, Tonje shined with an extremely efficient night coming off of a zero point performance against USC. Tonje shot 6-of-7 from three and was 8-of-9 from the floor as a whole. While his 24 point night was his highest scoring output since that Pittsburgh matchup in November, Tonje has remained an extremely important contributor for the Badgers in conference play.

Tonje has continuously gotten to the free throw line with ease, important for when the Badgers offense might be stalling. The Badgers have been the best free throw shooting team in the country, and Tonje is a big part of that.

The Badgers currently have an 85.47% free throw percentage. That number would break the all-time record in a college basketball season if maintained throughout the remainder of the season. Tonje himself is shooting 93% from the line, a top-10 individual number in basketball. Tonje is also top-25 in the nation in free throw attempts with 128, showing that with a high volume, his percentage has not taken a hit.

After the loss to UCLA, the Badgers’ seven-game winning streak came to an end. This was their first defeat coming outside of a three-game losing streak last month. Looking to improve on their finish from last year, Wisconsin is well on its way to another NCAA tournament berth and high seed behind Tonje and the rest of the Badgers squad.

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sports

Men’s basketball pulls away from USC, 84-69

By Jacob Szczap SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The Wisconsin Badgers (15-3) continued to play consistently sound basketball on Saturday, solidly defeating the USC Trojans (11-7) 84-69 in Los Angeles. More than halfway through the season, the Badgers seem to be firing on all cylinders.

Playing against Ohio State on Jan. 14, Wisconsin almost squandered their 17-point halftime lead, allowing the game to stay close until the very end. Wisconsin faced a similar predicament against USC, leading by 15 at the half before a 13-0 USC run brought the game within six points.

But this time, Wisconsin responded with more than enough poise, burying the Trojans late in the second half and winning their seventh straight game.

During an afternoon in which leading scorer John Tonje went scoreless, Wisconsin had no problems offensively. Guard John Blackwell continued his torrid sophomore season with a dominant offensive performance, leading all scorers with 28 points, shooting 10-16 from the field and grabbing five rebounds.

Wisconsin also received heavy contributions from guard Max Klesmit. With 18

points, Klesmit reached double figures for the first time in over a month. Guard Kamari McGee scored 10 points from the bench, providing an energy-boost the Badgers needed to pull away from USC. Forwards Nolan Winter and Steven Crowl scored 13 and nine points.

“We score 84 points and John (Tonje) doesn’t score,” head coach Greg Gard said after the game. “There’s been so many nights he’s carried us. He’s helped us. I think that’s what makes this team really, really good is we have a lot of pieces and a lot of weapons.”

The Trojans, who started slow and couldn’t muster enough momentum for a comeback, were led offensively by forward Saint Thomas, who scored 19 points on 7-11 shooting, with four rebounds and three assists. Forward Rashaun Agee scored 15 points, while guard Wesley Yates III added 11.

Wisconsin’s defense, which continues to improve as the season progresses, held the Trojans largely in check Saturday, which allowed them to build their first half lead.

After committing three straight turnovers to begin the game, Wisconsin calmed down and got off to a fast start. In

With the transfer portal closed, what additions have the Badgers made?

By Yadi Chavez STAFF WRITER

With the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff crowning Ohio State as National Champions, a vast majority of NCAA teams have quickly shifted their focus to the transfer portal, seeking game-changing additions to their programs.

The Wisconsin Badgers have been no exception.

After posting a distasteful 5-7 campaign that ended their 22-year bowl streak, many eyes were on how the Badgers would aim to improve their roster with impact players.

As the transfer portal period has come to a close, the biggest improvements to the 2025 roster are a revamped quarterback room and a defensive line ready to pass rush.

Billy Edwards Jr. is a Badger

Wisconsin lost quarterbacks Tyler Van Dyke, Bradeyn Locke, Landyn Locke and Mabrey Mettauer rather quickly to the transfer portal.

Losing four quarterbacks in one period means reinforcements are needed.

This cycle saw many starters from across the nation declare their name in the portal. After doing their due diligence, Wisconsin decided on Billy Edwards Jr. to be their big get.

The Virginia native started 11 games for Maryland last year, totaling 15 touchdowns, 2,881 passing yards and nine interceptions.

another early-game firestorm, Blackwell scored ten straight points for Wisconsin, and the Badgers made seven of their first ten shots to build an 18-10 lead.

With first half three-pointers from Winter and Crowl, the Badgers created offensive space and soon had a 15-point advantage with 9:14 remaining in the half. Wisconsin kept pressure on USC to maintain their 15-point lead into the break. But with nine turnovers, Wisconsin squandered any opportunity to put USC into a deeper hole.

Early on in the second half, it seemed as though Wisconsin’s onslaught would continue, as a Klesmit three-pointer with 17:54 left put Wisconsin up by 19 points. But the Trojans quickly rattled off a 13-point run, and with 14:51 remaining, Wisconsin suddenly had a dogfight on their hands.

USC hung around for the next eight minutes, but after back-to-back possessions ending in McGee buckets, Wisconsin began to pull away with an 11-point lead.

Put in almost the same situation they were in on Jan. 14, Wisconsin did what they weren’t able to do so easily against Ohio State and handled business firmly.

Edwards wasn’t the only QB portal acquisition, however. Former San Diego Aztecs starter Danny O’Neil also joined the Badgers.

O’Neil is an intriguing addition, as he was only a true freshman last season when he took over as starter. Showcasing 2,181 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions, the thinking is that he’ll back up Edwards and try to gain some more maturity down the line. He showed glimpses of his ability at San Diego, so time will tell whether or not he can build off of this start to his career.

Defensive line gets muchneeded boost

If you were to ask a majority of Badgers fans to name a weak spot of the 2024 roster, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear the defensive line come up as the answer.

An aggressive pash rush has been an area that Wisconsin has desperately needed improvement, and the transfer portal provided the opportunity to bolster up their defensive line.

Charles Perkins, Tyreese Fearbry, Mason Reiger and Corey Walker all join the defensive line, replacing four individual transfers from the 2024 Badgers squad. Wisconsin was prepared to make sure they’ll have the confidence in their defensive line this year, hopefully adding a pass rushing boost that could be vital to 2025 success.

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opinion

When the game becomes a gamble

Sports betting in college is a silent crisis. Universities must step in.

By Owen Puckett

OPINION EDITOR

In recent years, sports betting has exploded in popularity across the United States, fueled by the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to strike down the federal ban on sports wagering. For college students, this cultural shift has opened up new avenues for entertainment, social bonding and, unfortunately, financial ruin.

While proponents of legalized betting argue that it adds excitement to sports and generates significant tax revenue, the normalization of sports betting among college students presents a troubling trend — one that combines the impulsivity of youth with the addictive potential of gambling.

College students are, by nature, a high-risk demographic. Developmental psychology tells us that the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and long-term planning, does not fully mature until people reach their mid-20s. This physiological reality, coupled with newfound independence and social pressure, makes college students particularly predisposed to risky behaviors. Add the thrill of sports betting into the mix, and you have a perfect storm for potential harm.

Sports betting platforms are keenly aware of this vulnerability. Many offer enticing sign-up bonuses, free bets and app features that gamify the experience. They blur the line between entertainment and gambling, hooking young users with flashy interfaces and promises of easy wins. For a student living on a limited budget, the allure of turning $20 into $200 with a quick parlay bet can be hard to resist.

One of the most significant dangers of sports betting is its potential to create a cycle of financial dependency and loss. College students are often already under financial strain, juggling tuition costs, rent and parttime jobs. When betting enters the equation, what starts as a seemingly harmless $10 wager can spiral into hundreds or even thousands of dollars in losses. Many students end up borrowing money from friends, taking out credit card debt or dipping into savings to cover their losses, a slippery slope that can lead to longterm financial instability.

Compounding the issue is the accessibility of betting apps. Unlike traditional gambling, which often requires a trip to a casino, sports betting is available at the tap of a smartphone. This 24/7 access removes a crucial barrier to entry, allowing students to bet impulsively during a lecture, a study session or even in the middle of the night. The immediacy of online betting — combined with the delayed impact of financial consequences — creates a dangerous disconnect between action and outcome.

The psychological impact of sports betting on college students cannot be overlooked. Gambling addiction is a recognized mental health disorder, characterized by compulsive behavior, preoccupation with betting and the inability to

stop despite negative consequences. While not every student who places a bet will develop an addiction, the risk is heightened by the demographic’s vulnerability.

Research shows that young gamblers are more likely to exhibit problematic gambling behaviors than older adults. For college students, the stakes are not just financial but emotional and social as well. The highs and lows of betting can lead to anxiety, depression and strained relationships. In some cases, students may even resort to lying or hiding their gambling habits, further isolating themselves from support networks.

Another insidious aspect of sports betting’s rise is the aggressive marketing campaigns targeting young people. Turn on any college football game, and you’re likely to see a barrage of ads for betting platforms complete with celebrity endorsements and slogans designed to make gambling seem glamorous and risk-free. These advertisements often downplay the potential for loss, focusing instead on “big wins” and “easy money.”

These ads create a powerful psychological pull. The normalization of sports betting through advertising not only encourages participation but also makes it harder for students to recognize the risks. When betting is framed as a fun, harmless activity that “everyone” is doing, the threshold for caution is significantly lowered.

The dangers of sports betting are further exacerbated by the mental health challenges many college students face. Nearly 60% of college students report experiencing overwhelming anxiety, and over 40% struggle with depression, according to the American College Health Association. Gambling can provide a temporary escape from these pressures, offering a dopamine rush and a sense of control in an otherwise stressful environment. However, this escape is fleeting and ultimately counterproductive, as financial losses and addiction only add to the burden.

The intersection of sports betting and mental health is particularly concerning because it creates a self-reinforcing cycle. A student who loses a bet may feel compelled to chase their losses, leading to more betting and deeper financial

When looking for clubs, don’t seek comfort

By Safa Razvi STAFF WRITER

The Vault always stood out to me as a fashion-forward club focused on art and clothing. Don’t get me wrong, it had all of those things. But I soon realized it was so much deeper than that.

With no background in the creative industry, I was hesitant to join. I wasn’t sure how a club focused on fashion would help me reach my goals as a journalism major. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. While I always appreciated the beauty of clothes and design, I also thought that clubs were solely meant to deepen my knowledge of my academic areas of study.

troubles. This cycle can quickly spiral out of control, turning a coping mechanism into a significant source of stress.

Given the risks, colleges and universities have a responsibility to address the rise of sports betting among their students. While some schools have taken steps to ban partnerships with gambling companies, others have entered into lucrative deals that promote betting platforms on campus. This sends a conflicting message, prioritizing financial gain over student well-being.

Institutions must take a more proactive approach, starting with education. Counseling services should be equipped to address gambling addiction, and peer support groups could provide a safe space for students to share their experiences.

Furthermore, colleges should advocate for stricter regulations on sports betting advertising, particularly during events that target younger audiences. Just as the tobacco and alcohol industries faced increased scrutiny for targeting minors, the gambling industry should be held accountable for its marketing practices.

Ultimately, the fight against the dangers of sports betting requires a cultural shift. Students need to be empowered to make informed choices, recognizing that the thrill of betting is often outweighed by its risks. This starts with honest conversations about the realities of gambling — conversations that destigmatize seeking help and emphasize the importance of balance.

Parents, educators and peers all have a role to play in fostering this dialogue. By creating an environment where students feel supported rather than judged, we can help them navigate the challenges of college life without falling prey to the pitfalls of sports betting.

Sports betting may seem like a harmless pastime, but for college students, it poses significant risks that extend far beyond the game. It’s not just about losing money; it’s about the erosion of mental health, the breakdown of relationships and the long-term financial burdens that gambling can impose. We must demand better from our institutions, our lawmakers and ourselves to protect young people from these dangers. The cost of inaction is too high to ignore.

Luckily, after taking a leap of faith, I found a club that embraces the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration, making it accessible for students from all academic backgrounds.

Like many other students at the University of WisconsinMadison, when faced with more than 1,000 clubs to choose from, I wanted to stay in my comfort zone — giving major and career-oriented clubs first pick. But if my experience working with The Vault has taught me anything, exploring the unexpected can lead to fantastic results.

One thing that attracted me to The Vault was its open acceptance of students from all backgrounds and interests, connecting fashion with diverse sectors like business, journalism, STEM and more. The Vault offers more than just a creative outlet — it’s also about forging connections. It doesn’t wait for students to seek out the fashion industry, it brings the industry directly to them. While I was confident that there was more to The Vault than what meets the eye, I was incredibly impressed with how deeply it valued all kinds of soft skills, from creative thinking to a strong work ethic.

Whether you dream of launching your clothing line, designing a luxurious campaign or dabbling in the fashion industry, The Vault makes

those dreams seem within reach. Without my experience with this club, I never would have seen the possibilities a non-fashion-focused major could have in my dream field of work.

Regardless of your major, The Vault creates a space for everyone to succeed, exemplified by the end-of-semester fashion show featuring over 50 models in handmade, custom outfits. It wasn’t just a showcase of talent, it was a celebration of the creativity all students have within them regardless of their major. Witnessing my peers’ hard work and dedication to this event helped me realize how this student organization differed from the rest. Seeing the club sell out nearly 200 seats to showcase its first semester accomplishments inspired me to think differently about how special interdisciplinary collaboration is.

To me, The Vault is more than just any old club on campus, it’s a community of visionaries brought together by a shared love of fashion. But, without taking a risk, and stepping outside of my comfort zone, I wouldn’t have found a community that has not only opened doors I never thought possible but changed the way I think about my future. Working on The Vault’s Journalism Committee has blended my passion for fashion and writing, proving that many fields can intersect with creative studies. My experience with The Vault has redefined what it means to be a member of a club — it’s a place where ideas are celebrated, networks grow, and relationships are formed. By embracing the unconventional, you are sure to experience loads of personal growth and learn more about yourself than ever before. Take the first step by getting out of your comfort zone and exploring the incredible opportunities at the Student Organization Fair next week — who knows what community or passion you might discover.

MEGHAN SPIRITO/THE DAILY CARDINAL

By Peter Pricket STAFF WRITER

All articles featured in The Beet are creative, satirical and/or entirelyfictionalpieces.Theyare fullyintendedassuchandshould notbetakenseriouslyasnews.

Free speech semester: Went to a protest. Got arrested, bad first day. No marketplace meep.

Fuck this:

Peter’s haikus for you You aren’t going to start a revolution. You need to get a job

Hot take: Peter Pricket is now coming forward with new ideas he has been hiding.

By Peter Pricket STAFF WRITER

All articles featured in The Beet are creative, satirical and/or entirely fictional pieces. They are fully intended as such and should not be taken seriously as news.

Holy fuck, every new day Americans become more and more disillusioned and our government more polarized over issues that I didn’t even know could exist.

Greenland? TikTok? Gulf of AMERICA? 2025 will be such hell, Hades could change his panties from excitement.

If public schools or public libraries didn’t exist prior to 2020, the idea of proposing free resources in an accessible manner to people would create havoc in Congress. God forbid people can get educated for free!

The deeply troubling scene of billionaires getting a barricade at the presidential inauguration has become so banal to Americans to the point where people just post a minute-long clip to TikTok saying the revolution is “nearing” or we must bring back “1790s France,” when most of

you likely think the Duolingo account on that app is your friend and you can’t even point to Syria on a map.

In the spirit of this, I have decided to run through a list of controversial thoughts and opinions I believe we should all lean into more this year, before making painfully mindnumbing suggestions about igniting a revolution through family-friendly peaceful protests.

1. Go make some money. Those five hours you spent doom scrolling could’ve been used to work somewhere. Let’s get on that Madison job board posting and fill out an application.

2. Understand that you should probably vote in an election. Having Elon Musk do a Nazi salute is a far WORSE outcome than not voting.

3. No, Usha Vance and Melania Trump are not feminist girlypops. Stop supporting women who are completely complicit with the fact their husbands support banning reproductive rights. You aren’t “just a girl” you are an idiot too!

4. Read a book!

5.Read the actual news <3 If you are finding out everything

from social media, you are the problem. You are submitting yourself to echo chambers, misinformation and likely even propaganda you don’t notice — especially if you’re an alien truther.

6. Let’s face it. I don’t think Ben and Jerry’s Instagram infographics are going to save us.

7.If you listen to Joe Rogan, you’re a lost cause and your opinions don’t count.

8. The labels of being “leftist” or “liberal” need to stop. Everyone needs to pull a huge stick out of their ass and strategize efficiently!

9. No, a girl isn’t impressed that you took shrooms and gained empathy for people. She discovered those thoughts at nine and your time would be better spent doing anything, like literally staring at a wall.

10. Finally, hate me or love me, peaceful organized protest may not be the most forward thinking way to gain Trump’s attention for our human rights in the next four years. I won’t expand further on my ideas for protest at this time; however, you can start by registering to vote and remember to get a goddamn job.

Hello all. Welcome back to a terrible fucking semester because the University of WisconsinMadison will not cancel classes no matter how cold it gets. For this reason, I’m feeling uninspired and fucked up. All I can squeeze out of my mind for this print edition are some little haikus that capture my current essence, issues and thoughts about this week.

I hope you like them.

First day of class: Syllabus awaits.

Jack Frost bites my dick off ouch!

Jennifer said, Go!

Help me:

I ordered shears quick. Must collect wool from the sheep.

Chakra is real cold.

Sexwise module:

Opened sexwise course. Must complete sexwise for school.

Saw porn, that was weird ):

Up up Bascom:

Just got pantsed on hill. It was Bucky, that freaky. Wisconsin stays wild.

Mnookin sent mail. Look at this, ignores the cold. Fuck you, I’m freezing.

I HATE TRUMP I voted lots times. I regret, I hate you, Trump. Ruining our life ):

Don’t bang my line: Today sucks Jenny. I am from the South… maybe. Too fucking cold meep.

Where that quay at: I miss quaaludes, murp. Why did the FDA ban? Not bad, run it back.

Vilas: I walked to Vilas. I hate brutalist building. I hate asbestos.

I hate: I can’t go a week. I need to hate all the time. Currently hate Jen.

Badger Herald: Herald should stop news. Become The Daily Cardi. We can all be friends.

On Wisconsin! My friend is detained. She is at Board of Regents. Free her on Wiscon!

HALEY HENSCHEL/THE DAILY CARDINAL

TEALIN ROBINSON/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Activists concerned as Alliant Energy delays coal plant shutdowns science

By Eiman Mir STAFF WRITER

Alliant Energy announced on Dec. 4, the Columbia Energy Center will continue coal operation through 2029 after saying its coal burning units would be removed by 2024 and later delaying the date to 2026.

In May, Alliant Energy announced that the Sheboygan Edgewater coal plant will be converted to natural gas in 2028, a delay from the plan to convert in 2025 and, prior to that, in 2022.

JP Brummond, vice president of operations at Alliant Energy in Wisconsin, told The Daily Cardinal the decision is a part of Alliant’s commitment to affordability and reliability. Alliant also said the conversion to natural gas will reduce customer costs by around $60 million until 2030.

Cindy Thompson, external communications manager at Alliant Energy, told the Cardinal “we’re leveraging a current asset rather than building new, which takes years, and also billions in order to do that. So when we think about customer affordability, that’s a key piece of it.”

However, Brummond noted the plant will provide more grid reliability, it will be less efficient from a market and price perspective.

“It’s definitely going to be more expensive. It’s gonna be slower compared to other gas units…but it will be that capacity and reliability resource that the grid needs when it needs it,” he said.

While natural gas may burn fewer emissions per unit of energy, it still emits potent greenhouse gasses. Natural gas is a large source of methane emissions, as it is released during almost every stage of the production, processing and use of natural gas, according to the EPA. Reducing methane emissions is a propitious way to slow global warming, as methane is “80 times more potent than carbon dioxide” and “four times more sensitive to global warming than

previously thought.”

Brummond said that once the Edgewater plant is converted to gas, it will be a very reliable asset from a capacity perspective. He said it will be less carbon intensive since it would only run a few times a year on average.

“A unit like Edgewater on gas is sitting there waiting for that call. And when you get that call, it’s able to bring 100 megawatts of generation online on gas,” he said.

While capacity is one aspect of the Edgewater plant, advocates bring up the importance of examining broader environmental and health concerns.

“Alliant thinks of themselves as a leader in climate work in the state among the utilities, but this is just them falling back-

wards and doing the things other utilities are doing in a really damaging way,”

Jadine Sonoda, a campaign manager for the Wisconsin Chapter of the Sierra Club, told the Cardinal.

Sonoda said the decision to convert the plant to natural gas was a poor attempt to transition to more fossil fuels instead of actually transitioning to clean energy. Additionally, she noted this approach may not be as reliable as it seems, especially with the rise in extreme weather events.

“Wisconsin is the last of all midwest states when it comes to clean energy generation…I feel like they really did us all a disservice as far as not making bigger and bolder clean energy investments sooner,” Healthy Climate Wisconsin

Clean Air Coordinator Dr. Brittany Keyes told the Cardinal.

Around 75% of Wisconsin’s energy is sourced from non-renewable energy sources, according to the Wisconsin Clean Energy Plan.

The type of coal burned in the plant could lead to decreases in efficiency and the plants heat rate, leading advocates to doubt the viability of the investment in the long term.

“There’s really no need for ratepayers to be paying utilities to build this infrastructure when there are clean energy alternatives available,” Sonoda said.

Previously, Sheboygan County has underperformed on several environmental and health metrics. The American Lung association’s 2024 State of The Air Report gave Sheboygan County an F for air quality. Last year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced 13 air quality warnings where individuals with sensitivity to air pollution were advised to stay indoors.

Living in close proximity to a fossil fuel power plant can have significant effects on public health. Annually, around 52,000 premature deaths can be linked to particulate matter emissions from coal-fired plants. People living near a coal plant have worse lung function and are more likely to have a lower lung capacity when compared to individuals living only 35 km or more from a coal plant.

And when it comes to natural gas, similar findings prevail. Living near a gas plant has been associated with birth complications, asthma and psychological effects.

In response to environmental and health concerns, Brummond said Alliant is proactive about maintaining operational standards in Sheboygan.

“I know we have very strict environmental permits that we need to run under. We do a really good job meeting the requirements of those permits,” he said.

I just think they’re neat: Wisconsin livestock

By Nicole Steele STAFF WRITER

In Wisconsin, livestock animals play a large role in the economy, contributing $34 billion to the state and employing more than 43,000 people.

Cows are used for milk or meat production, with around 3.2 million head of cattle total in Wisconsin. There are 1.27 million head of dairy and 260,000 head of beef, according to the latest USDA report.

They can be used for milk or for meat, and are intelligent animals, remembering things from up to three years ago. Cows can also smell up to six miles away and have vision spanning almost 360 degrees.

Cows are ruminants, meaning they have a four-chambered stomach that is used to break down the forage they consume. Additionally, the hormone serotonin being released during milk production plays a key role in reducing cows’ chances of developing hypocalcemia, a condition in which calcium blood levels drop too low, according to a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Chickens are used for egg or meat production, with Wisconsin having around 7.95 million layers. They are the closest relative to a Tyrannosaurus rex and can experience REM sleep like humans. Chickens bathe in dirt to remove old oil from their feathers in order to keep them

waterproof. They also have better color vision than humans since they are able to see ultraviolet light, which we are only able to see through a black light.

Sheep are used for milk, meat or wool on the farm, with Wisconsin having around 78,000 head.

They were also one of the first domesticated animals. They have rectangular pupils that allow for a range of 270 to 320 degree vision, which allows them to see everything except directly behind them without turning their heads.

Sheep are able to self-medicate using their philtrum, a groove on their upper lips that allows them to determine the best grasses to consume based on taste. By using the philtrum, the sheep can detect certain grasses that make them feel better when they’re sick. Sheep also have scent glands on their face and hooves that secrete scents to allow for communication with other sheep.

Goats are used for milk, meat or mohair on the farm, with Wisconsin having around 74,000 head. There is a type of goat called a ‘fainting’ goat, but they actually don’t faint. A genetic mutation causes muscles to freeze when threatened, which results in fainting. Instead of having teeth on their upper jaw, goats have a tough dental pad that allows them to break down food.

All breeds of goats descend from mountain goats, which allow them to

be extremely agile and great climbers. Some goats can jump 12 feet in one stride! The age-old misconception that goats eat everything is not true. Goats are extremely picky eaters, having a strong and very sensitive upper lip that helps them sort through vegetation.

Pigs are used for breeding or meat production, with around 360,000 on Wisconsin farms, a four percent increase from 2022.

Pigs don’t have sweat glands and

therefore wallow in mud in order to stay cool. Pigs are actually very clean animals since they don’t soil the areas where they eat or sleep. They have a strong sense of smell, 2,000 times better than a human’s, which is essential for searching for food and gathering information during social interactions. They are also one of the most intelligent animals in the world, being able to play complex games, use tools, recognize their own names and learn tricks.

COURTESY OF WORT NEWS/FLICKR

Students play hockey on a frozen lake Mendota on Jan. 22, 2025.

BAILEY KRAUSE/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Students pictured walking on a frozen lake Mendota on Jan. 22, 2025.

BAILEY KRAUSE/THE DAILY CARDINAL

JAKE PIPER/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Students wait for the bus during a snowstorm on Jan. 22, 2025.

JAKE PIPER/THE DAILY CARDINAL

A student walks across a snowy Bascom Hill on Jan. 22, 2025.

Memorial Union during a snowstorm on Jan. 22, 2025.

JAKE PIPER/THE DAILY CARDINAL

JAKE PIPER/THE DAILY CARDINAL

The statue of Abraham Lincoln with snow in front of Bascom Hall on Jan. 22, 2025.

l

First Day of Classes

by Hailey Johnson

Fool Me Once...

by Isabella Barajas

The Cardinal’s Triumphant Return

by Isabella Barajas

Winter Landscape

by Isabella Barajas

Welcome Back Badgers

by Maya Morvis

Artist Recruitment

by Isabella Barajas