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Thursday, October 22, 2026
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NEW FURRY FACES AT HENRY VILAS
BADGERS OUTSWIM NOTRE DAME
The zoo announced their female polar bear, Nora, may be displaying signs of pregnancy.
Wisconsin donned pink and swept the Fighting Irish in opening meet.
+ NEWS, PAGE 3
+ SPORTS, PAGE 5
Badgers Against Sexual Assault demands action from the university at Friday rally By Erin Bickford STAFF WRITER
“No more silence, no more cries. We will not be victimized.” This was the opening call-and-response chant of the Badgers Against Sexual Assault rally hosted Friday, Oct. 16 on Library Mall, demanding the University of WisconsinMadison introduce more preventative measures against sexual violence, specifically regarding Greek life and bar culture. The rally comes amidst the national attention around the exposure of a two-year-old sexual assault case at Cornell University where seven students allegedly drugged and gang-raped a female student. The case is facing widespread criticism for its institutional lack of transparency surrounding the case. UW-Madison has seen several sexual assault reports this year alone, and created a new role to connect University Health Services with Fraternity and Sorority Life leaders to prevent assaults in Greek Life. However, some students want to see more action from the university. Around 75 attendees held signs and marched against sexual violence at the rally organized by UW-Madison student Sophie Harrison and other members of the newly
Badgers Against Sexual Assault group. Harrison, a survivor of sexual assault herself, told The Daily Cardinal Cornell University’s recently publicized sexual assault case and drugging investigations at UW-Madison prompted her to start Badgers Against Sexual Assault. One of the rally demands was to “emphasize consent education for all incoming students,” through in-person small-group meetings and large presentations, rather than just in the current online modules. The other demands include bars and Greek life members receiving sexual violence prevention training, stricter penalties for fraternities with allegations of sexual assault and publicization of university sexual assaultrelated statistics. “I’ve realized there’s not a lot of prevention on campus,” Harrison said. “There’s a lot of survivor support services — and that’s amazing — but we need more prevention, because obviously things keep happening.” The two-hour rally began with student survivors sharing their stories, along with written testimonies from anonymous peers. “The first time I was sexually assaulted was when I was six years old,” UW-Madison student Lily O’Brien said to the crowd. “I want to say that the little girl who once felt hopeless and
confused in this time would be so inspired to see how many people are out here showing support and care.” The crowd cheered for the speakers as passersby and bicyclists stopped to listen. “I want my Jane Does everywhere to know that even though I may not know you, I stand with you and I love you so very deeply,” O’Brien said. Sophomore Juliana Cronce told the audience, “I wasn’t drugged. I wasn’t drunk. I was completely sober and deeply manipulated. And for almost two years, I have battled myself internally almost everyday of whether or not it was my fault.” Cronce told the Cardinal she found herself getting emotional as she spoke at the rally. “My plan wasn’t to cry,” she said. “But I just think because we had so many anonymous stories, and just hearing those be so impactful and empowering, I just felt like it was a chance for me to essentially embody anyone who could be sitting there, could be next to you—anyone that has had any experience of their own.” The speeches were followed by a performance from the local band Cause and Control, which collected donations for the Dane County Rape Crisis center. From signs reading “Rape predates mini
skirts” to chants about bodily autonomy, the rally served as an opportunity for individuals to come together and educate anyone passing by. Representatives from University Health Services (UHS), Sex Out Loud and the RCC Sexual Violence Research Center staffed tables at the event. Alex Little, a mental health provider for UHS, told the Cardinal UHS’s role in the rally was acknowledging the pervasiveness of sexual violence and reminding students that there are resources to support them. Øivind Dvergsten, a student at UW-Madison, told the Cardinal he knows survivors and wanted to attend the rally to show support for people that are strong enough to share their stories with the public. UW-Madison student Olivia Johnson, a member of Badgers Against Sexual Assault, said the current education on sexual violence, which consists of an hour-long Canvas module for new students and hour-long GetWise Canvas refreshers once per year, is not doing enough. “I think for the people who already care about [sexual violence], it does something, and for the people who don’t care, something like that is not going to be able to change somebody’s mind,” she said.
No Kings Protest draws thousands to Madison’s downtown By Lilly Nicandri STAFF WRITER
Protestors marched a mile down Madison’s streets for the city’s No Kings Protest Oct. 17, highlighting passions for democracy and hope for the future. The protest began at James Madison Park and traveled to the Madison Municipal Building, featuring bands and advocates encouraging people to vote in the upcoming November midterm election. Demonstrators brought signs criticizing the Trump administration and flew flags like the American, LGBTQ+ and Ukrainian flags. “Fund our schools, not the war,” protestors chanted. “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA.” John Nichols, editor of The Capital Times and The Nation magazine, spoke at the event and connected Wisconsin to bigger national issues such as voting rights. “Wisconsin has often been in the lead of fighting for voting rights,” Nichols said. “We have many struggles in this state, but at their best, there are Democrats and Republicans who really believe it is vital to have a full democracy and to make sure that everyone who’s eligible can cast their vote and have it counted. And we’re at a critical stage where that’s being tested.” One protestor, Allison Pena,
JAEDEN PENA/THE DAILY CARDINAL
told The Daily Cardinal she has participated in similar protests since the 1970s. “I’m here because I’m concerned about the upcoming elections. I want people to vote, and I want to make sure we don’t get people in office that are going to damage our democracy,” Pena said. She said she’s most concerned about the environment, the economy and women’s rights. Linda Kettelboeter expressed her concern about the U.S. stance on the world stage. “We’re no longer a democracy that supports other democracies… I am afraid for what the United States is going to look like in the next 20 years,” Kettelboeter told the Cardinal. “We are seen as clowns on the international stage.” While the protest was held just off the University of Wisconsin-
Madison campus, most protestors weren’t students. Demonstrators voiced the importance of youth participation in these events. “I’d like to see more young people out here, expressing their feelings and concerns. You are the future. We’ve been doing this for a long time,” Pena said. Grace Sherer, another demonstrator, told the Cardinal she remains hopeful for the next generation. “People want to trash that era and say we didn’t learn anything from those things. I don’t believe that’s accurate. I think we did learn a lot, and I think a lot of people have come up. Your generation is coming up and stepping up, and I think that’s because of what has [happened] before in our country. We do know some history,” Sherer said.
Daisy Bistline, a UW-Madison freshman, told the Cardinal she was inspired to join the protest last minute. “We were taking a walk, and then we heard some noise,” Bistline said. “We asked [a] guy if he knew [what] was going on, and he told us that this was happening, and so [we] just decided to join,” Bistline said. She said she has been to protests before, but was surprised at the lack of other students involved. “It’s so close to campus. I would have thought that there’d be more young people here,” Bistline said. While some attendees were surprised by little student engagement, Nichols said he likes the range of ages at the event. He said the students who joined the event energized the older protestors. “I’ve seen kids who are
maybe two or three on their parents’ shoulders, and I’ve seen people who are in their 90s. I do think that in a democracy that’s what you want,” Nichols said. “I think it is important that everybody is welcome.” Elizabeth Butler, who worked with the Badger Collective to run the protest, helped organize the disability section to encourage participants of all abilities to participate and share their opinions. Butler, who has multiple sclerosis, aims to help the disabled community attend rallies and marches more easily, recognizing the current effort it requires for them to be there. “I stood up when I was in college, I stood up when I was in high school, I stood up as an adult,” Butler said. “I will die working to help people in our county and community to voice their concerns and seek an easier life,” Butler said. Nichols said he believes No Kings is rooted in American history and the American experiment. “When I come to an event like this, I see an expression of our American Constitution. It is people assembling and petitioning for the redress of grievances. They are saying what they believe, and I think that is such a vital part of what this country’s all about,” he said.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”
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Thursday, October 22, 2026
An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 136, Issue 10
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By Shane Colpoys SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is considering whether two cases that challenge the state’s congressional maps can move forward after a lower court dismissed them last spring. The court, led by a 5-2 liberal majority, heard oral arguments Sept. 16 from two cases that argue Wisconsin’s current congressional map is unconstitutional. In both cases, attorneys asked the judges to send the matter back to the lower courts, with the ultimate goal of upending more than a decade of Republican drawn maps. The justices are now considering whether to reverse the dismissals from earlier this year and grant the request. This comes when leadership positions in both chambers of the state Legislature and the governor’s seat are up for grabs in the 2026 midterm elections. A potential ruling will not affect this year’s elec-
tions, but could determine if maps are redrawn ahead of 2028. Elizabeth Bothfeld vs. Wisconsin Elections Commission argues the current map is intentionally gerrymandered to benefit Republicans, saying in the complaint the map was drawn in a way that’s unnatural in that it squeezes Democrats into two districts and gives Republicans the rest. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers drew Wisconsin’s current congressional map in 2022 under the court instituted “least change principle” that minimized changes to maps drawn in 2011. The Supreme Court overturned this principle in 2023 in Clarke vs Wisconsin Elections Commission. “Least change is no longer a good law,” Attorney Abha Khanna of Elias Law Group said during the oral arguments on Sept.16. “It is incompatible with the judiciary’s institutional obligations of neutrality and independence…This court has the power to right this wrong.” The second case, Business
Leaders for Democracy vs. Wisconsin Elections Commission, argues current maps are anti-competitive to protect incumbents. “Wisconsin’s Constitution does not tolerate officeholders entrenching themselves in power and cutting out the people by suppressing electoral competition,” Attorney Nicholas Stephanopoulos of Law Forward Group said in the opening sentence of his oral argument. Opponents argue that even if Wisconsin’s congressional maps are anti-competitive and favor Republicans, they are not automatically unconstitutional, and competitive maps come with tradeoffs, including values of incumbency and stability. The court appeared open to arguments in both cases, spending time questioning attorneys over how to proceed if they were to move forward. Here’s what to expect from a potential court ruling. Why now? A Republican-controlled state Legislature enacted under former Republican Gov. Scott Walker in 2011, redrew Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts — six are currently represented by Republicans and only two by Democrats. Those districts have withstood party shifts and legal challenges and remain largely the same today. Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said it seems the court is willing to take some kind of action now. “The judges have every option available to them,” Burden said.
He laid out three potential actions. The court could send the cases to a three judge panel in the lower courts — a Republican-created system that requires the Supreme Court create a panel with three judges from different districts for groups who want to challenge the current districts. When these two cases came before a panel last spring, Burden said that was the first time the Supreme Court had used the system. “[The two cases] are procedurally in a place they’ve never been before,” Burden said. The court could also say neither one of these cases deserves a decision or they could split the two up and think that one case has more merit than the other. They could make a decision themselves instead of the three judge panel, Burden said, adding it’s hard to predict the court’s next action. “I think it is likely that the Supreme Court is going to act in a way that causes the districts to be redrawn, whether that’s both cases or one,” Burden said. “There’s enough interest among the judges and belief that the current districts violate the constitution in one way or another… Something is going to happen, probably before 2028.” Burden also noted if maps are redrawn in 2028, it would be a “shortlived” victory for Democrats. The next census would occur in 2030, requiring the government to redraw districts soon after. To further reshuffle maps, Wisconsin could lose another seat too after the census is done, dropping the number of districts from eight to seven to adjust to population shifts, Burden said.
State restrictions leave Madison facing growing budget gap, mayor says By Jane Dardik CITY NEWS EDITOR
Madison’s proposed 2027 operating budget would increase by 5.5% from 2026, but Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway told The Daily Cardinal state-imposed restrictions on local revenue and expenditures will continue to limit the city’s ability to fund services and address long-term budget pressures. The proposed budget requests $477.5 million, up from $452.5 million in 2026. The operating budget covers day-to-day services, salaries and department operations. Over the past five years, RhodesConway said she has built a healthy fund balance, an unassigned pool of money that is typically spent on property tax increases and unexpected expenses. The fund is grown through the city making more revenue than is spent in the fiscal year. The city aims to save between 15% to 20% of the general fund for this unassigned sector per year, according to its 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The proposed 2027 operating budget draws more than $6 million taken from the fund balance, in part to account for property tax increases. Madison property owners are expected to pay around $7 more each per
month on their property taxes in 2027. “We are actually above our target amount for the fund balance,” Rhodes-Conway said. “Our fund balance is growing. Right now, I’m not concerned about this level of use, but I would be concerned about anything that was much higher than the [$6 million].” The Madison fund balance was more than $158.7 million, over the 15-30% fund balance goal as of Dec. 31 2025. Rhodes-Conway said it is “a healthy place to be.” The City of Madison website notes “strict restrictions on any new services or programs” in 2027 to instead focus on “high-priority needs of the community.” These needs include violence prevention in the wake of the police shooting of Corey Ruiz in July 2026. Rhodes-Conway said she is overseeing the implementation of body cameras in the Madison Police Department, which received $350,000 for body-worn cameras through a community grant. The Office of the Independent Monitor, previously led by Aeiramique Glass, who was fired on Oct. 21 for concerns over her job performance, requested $781,158 for 2027 and received $432,328, according to the budget proposal.
The Mayor also highlighted the Municipal Services Payment program, which could provide the city $13 million in reimbursements if enacted by state legislators. “Given the multibillion-dollar surplus in the state’s coffers, this is a straightforward and achievable step no matter the political landscape in 2027,” Rhodes-Conway wrote in the budget release. She told the Cardinal if the city were to receive more state aid, it would most likely go towards easing the burden on property taxpayers. “If we have more long-term stable funding from the state, that might allow us to consider investments in new services,” Rhodes-Conway said. “As long as the state limits both the levy and our expenditures through the Expenditure Restraint Incentive Program (ERIP), even with new state funds, we’d have to be very careful about our spending.” ERIP limits how much cities can increase their spending year to year, threatening the loss of $7 to $9 million in state aid if the limit is breached. The City’s Cost to Continue, how much funding is required to maintain current city services with no growth or new departments, is currently $7.2 million above the ERIP limit. The city identified over $1 million
in efficiencies — resource allocation and cost-saving practices — resulting from agencies each cutting 2% out of their budgets as proposed by the city, according to the Mayor. Rhodes-Conway said this approach to saving is not sustainable, however. She noted city agencies have been cutting percentages of their budgets for 15 years, saying their budgets can only shrink so much given inflation. “We have 10% less staff per capita than we did 10 years ago, and we have found a lot of efficiencies, but there’s not going to be a lot more,” RhodesConway said. “It’s going to be a diminishing amount year over year, so we need the state to give us additional revenue options and lift restrictions on the budget.” She said regardless of the partisan makeup of the incoming legislators and governor, she is hopeful the new faces will “understand the challenges that are facing local governments in Wisconsin.” “Every year cities around Wisconsin are forced to fill a structural deficit gap that is created by the state legislature,” RhodesConway said. “We are not able to access other revenue sources, and the state funding for cities has essentially stayed flat.”
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Thursday, October 22, 2026
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Can visitors expect new furry faces at the zoo? By MacKenzie Bien STAFF WRITER
Henry Vilas Zoo announced their female polar bear, Nora, could be pregnant Oct. 8. Zoo officials witnessed Nora and their male polar bear, Siku, mating earlier this year during Nora’s estrus cycle. Since then, Nora has gained 237 pounds, an important sign of her potential pregnancy. The announcement also revealed while there are some signs of pregnancy, it’s impossible to know for sure. There is no blood test currently capable of telling if a polar bear is pregnant and ultrasounds don’t work because of the thick layer of fat on a bear’s belly, the zoo wrote in a Facebook post. The zoo also noted Nora has been spending more time in her den. A pregnant polar bear will give birth in a maternity den and will remain in
that den while her cub is in the vulnerable post-birth state. During the months spent in the den, the mother bear won’t eat or drink at all, relying on the stored fat and energy from the months spent gaining weight. “We have set Nora up for success as much as we are able and the rest is up to her. Once she is in her den, there isn’t much we can do,” Kristin Moala, the zoo’s marketing manager, told The Daily Cardinal in an email. “Zookeepers do not have free contact with polar bears, which means we would never enter her space while she is there.” The zoo installed an updated camera system and microphones to monitor Nora without entering her den, Moala said. She added the ceiling was lowered to imitate the size of a den for a wild polar bear. Moala said Nora’s own mother left her den when Nora was
only a week old, so she was raised by zookeepers. “If Nora is pregnant, our hope is that she will be an attentive mother and we will have very little to do while the cub or cubs remain in the den,” Moala said. “Zookeepers will monitor her remotely to track cub activity levels, nursing behaviors and developmental milestones.” In the event Nora stops caring for her offspring, Moala said the animal care team will step in to provide care. “We are fortunate to have a full-time veterinarian on staff and a partnership with the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, so we have access to some of the best animal healthcare in the world,” she said. A mother polar bear can give birth to one to three cubs. Moala said they are aware Nora may have more than one cub and have separate
PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTIN MOALA/HENRY VILAS ZOO
yards for Nora and any cubs while they are small. Vilas Zoo is part of a collaborative initiative called the Polar Bear Population Alliance (PBPA). “At its core, PBPA is a partnership among zoos and aquariums dedicated to one shared goal: ensuring the long-term sustainability and wellbeing of the polar bear population in professional care,” Moala said. In the event Nora does have cubs,
she added the zoo will work with the PBPA to make a long-term plan for any offspring. “We understand why there is so much excitement around Nora,” Moala said. “It’s important to remember that even if Nora doesn’t have cubs this winter, that doesn’t mean she never will and everything we are doing this year is helping contribute to our understanding of polar bear reproduction.”
Dane County organizations work to address literacy gaps across generations By Kate Kowalczyk STAFF WRITER
Reading a book can become a bedtime ritual, classroom assignment or a way to navigate the world. For people who struggle to read, everyday tasks can be challenges. Struggling with literacy and reading can affect all aspects of an individual’s life; it can disrupt the ability to complete education, move up in careers, communicate with others and integrate into society. When literacy is out of reach, so are many of the opportunities that come with it. According to a study published by the George & Barbara Foundation, 54% of US adults read below a sixth-grade level. In Dane County, organizations are working to address that challenge in every stage of life. From encouraging parents to read with young children to providing school-age tutoring and adult education, local programs can create opportunities long after a child first learns to read. According to Professor Dipesh Navsaria, who spent much of his career as a primary
care physician, some children begin developing literacy skills from birth, while others start kindergarten without the same foundation. Many adults also struggle with literacy skills. Whether they immigrated from another country and had their education interrupted, or they hadn’t addressed specific gaps in their knowledge until adulthood, it takes more money, resources, courage and effort to improve literacy in adulthood than it would have in their childhood. “We often assume that it’s as simple as saying, ‘Here’s a book, read to your child.’ Well, what if the parent doesn’t know how to read well to a child?” Navsaria told The Daily Cardinal. Navsaria is a part of the program Reach Out and Read — a program aimed to provide training, technical systems and guidance to healthcare providers that do regular checkups for kids about how to incorporate conversations about reading into regular checkups. Navsaria also studies parental and guardian support needed for children ages 0-5. During appointments, he gives children
books and observes how they interact with them while discussing reading habits with their parents or guardians. Navsaria said ages 0-5 are often overlooked when addressing the issue of literacy, and simply giving a child a book is not beneficial enough. According to Navasaria, children need more than books alone. Families also need the guidance and ongoing support to foster reading. In order to encourage not only the development and the maintenance of literacy skills, one must think about the longitudinal arc from birth through high school graduation. “It’s like giving hungry people food, but no can opener,” Navsaria said about giving children and families books but no resources or direct support. The Education Programs Manager at Morgridge Center for Public Service Emma Gleed works with Badger Volunteers to tutor kids in grades K-12. The program directly partners with Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD),
as well as Schools of Hope at the Urban League to support middle school students. The tutoring is focused on literacy and math, depending on grade levels. Tutors communicate with teachers and parents to provide support for kids who need it and make sure they’re aligned with MMSD’s curriculum. “A majority of the time they [the tutors] are working in the classrooms, and, at high school level, the focus is math because they [algebra and geometry] often have higher failure rates and are important for graduation,” Gleed told the Cardinal. Gleed stressed the importance of tutors understanding the communities they serve. In order to build successful relationships between students and tutors, she said the tutors must ask themselves to be mindful of how their own educational experiences or biases may impact the ways in which they might be showing up in educational spaces that are different from their own. The Badger Volunteer program offers scenario-based training, tutor and mentor panel discussions, trauma informed mentoring and relationship building training. Gleed said their partnership with MMSD as well as five other community organizations allows them to receive feedback and create the best possible learning environments. For adults, addressing gaps in literacy can feel daunting. In Madison, the Literacy Network is a nonprofit organization focusing on adult literacy. The network provides classes and tutoring for people learning English, digital literacy skills, reading and writing. The classes are available for native English speakers, as well as people speaking English as their second, third or even fourth language. The organization also provides classes aimed at citizenship exams and alternate high school diploma programs. Executive Director Robin Ryan told the Cardinal it takes a lot of strength to seek literacy tutoring as an adult. “To have the courage and perseverance to come in as an adult and say, ‘I cannot read sufficiently, I cannot move up in my job, I can’t get a job, I can’t go into a certificate program, I can’t help my kids with their homework.’” she said. Dane County has a large population of immigrants who have language needs, as well as adults who need support with basic literacy skills. Continue reading @dailycardinal.com
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The three proposed amendments on Wisconsin’s ballot next month By Phoebe Morris STAFF WRITER
Wisconsin voters will be asked to vote on three proposed Constitutional amendments regarding the governor’s power to partially veto, the government’s role in religious worship during declared emergencies and the role in running programs through affirmative action in the Nov. 3 midterm election. Two of the amendments on the ballot are in reaction to Gov. Tony Evers’ use of partial vetoes on Republican favored bills or state of emergency restrictions on religious worship. The third amendment was created in correlation with Arizona voting to pass similar affirmative action restraints. All three amendments were written and proposed by Republicanled legislators Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, Sen. Stephen Nass, R-Whitewater, Rep. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison, and State Assemblyman Dave Murphy, R-Greenville. The President of the League of Women Voters (LWV), Sue Jennik, said in an op-ed sent to The Daily Cardinal LWV hopes Wisconsinites will vote no to all proposed amendments, because they are “unnecessary and not important to our state constitution.”
Limiting governor’s partial veto authority The first will amend Article V, Section 10(1)(c). Voters will be asked if the governor has the right to partially veto a bill to increase taxes or fees. Currently, the governor is able to strike out words and digits on a bill to change or rewrite appropriations. Republican legislators drafted the amendment after Evers’ “400-year veto,” where he struck out words, digits and dashes so local communities could raise school funding through the year 2425, not just through the 2025 school year. “The new procedure used by the governor allows any governor going forward to change the intent of the people, through their voice in the legislature, unilaterally,” Kapenga told the Cardinal in an email. “This is a foundational constitutional principle.” The proposed amendment would not change Evers’ partial veto, but prohibit future governors from altering numbers and words on bills. Historically, Wisconsin only allowed governors to accept or deny a bill entirely, which stalled government decisions. In 1930, Wisconsin voters voted to allow governors to partially veto. If passed, the governor would be limited to passing a bill entirely or not
at all, and ultimately restrict when the governor is able to use a partial veto. “Our voice needs to remain with the legislature, which best represents the people,” Kapenga said. Religious worship during emergencies The second proposed amendment would prohibit the government from forbidding gatherings at places of worship during declared emergencies. Evers issued a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020 to ensure people would stay at home, including restrictions on gatherings in places of worship. The Wisconsin State Legislature passed a bill in 2021 preventing Evers’ order in response to religious leaders expressing concerns, but Evers vetoed the bill. Adding the effort to the Nov. 3 ballot as an amendment avoids the possibility of a governor veto. Legislators referred to Article 1, Section 18 of Wisconsin’s Constitution for voters to decide whether the governor is or is not allowed to hold gatherings at places of worship during declared emergencies. If amended, the government would have fewer opportunities to restrict places of worship.
DRAKE WHITE-BERGEY/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Prohibit government affirmative action
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The third amendment will ask if the Wisconsin government should be prohibited from running programs that discriminate against or give preference to individuals based on race, sex, ethnicity or national origin. The Wisconsin Constitution currently bans discrimination but does not directly reference preferential treatment towards individuals in minority groups, which the proposed amendment would clarify. Murphy wrote the amendment to question if Wisconsin should be allowed to have DEI programs.
Murphy said the amendment restores merit, fairness and equality in a Jan. 7 written testimony to the Senate Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs. “This isn’t new policy — it’s a return to Wisconsin’s core values,” Murphy said. “Our state constitution should affirm what we all believe: everyone deserves a fair shot. This amendment guarantees that in every public job, classroom, contract and program.” If the amendment passes, the Wisconsin Constitution would explicitly ban preferential treatment based on race, sex, ethnicity or national origin.
Annual Red Bull Chariot Race encourages community, competition
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By Lucy Simmons & Charlie Durochik STAFF WRITERS
Over 3,000 spectators gathered to watch University of Wisconsin-Madison students and Madison community members race their homemade chariots in the Red Bull Chariot Race Oct. 17. With $1,500 and 60 cases of Red Bull on the line for the winners, the teams race down Langdon Street in their homemade chariots. The two runner-ups win unique Red Bull-sponsored events. The teams were judged on their chariots’ construction and creativity, as well as the skits they performed before racing. Red Bull provided each team $200 to aid in the construction of the project. The 24 teams were paired off into 12 head-to-head races along Langdon Street, starting outside Memorial Union. At the Lake Street turnaround, racers solved a Red Bull Puzzle, before switch-
ing positions and racing back toward Memorial Union. “Fast and Fatherly,” a team of four Madison men who met through a church group, took first place winning the cash prize for their chariot, costumes and performance. Unlike most competing teams, Fast and Fatherly had no college students. Three of its four members are new dads, while the fourth is a “hopefully-soon-to-be dad.” Their chariot, built to resemble a baby crib and decorated with their children’s toys, reflected their shared experiences as fathers. “This was so much harder than I thought it was going to be,” Sam Peterson told The Daily Cardinal postrace, who raced wearing a baby carrier with a baby doll. The victory meant more than just taking home the prize money. The three dads
said they plan to use the winnings for a vacation with their families, and hope the race will become a fun story to tell their kids in the years to come. Teammate Micah Palmer, dressed as a baby, told the Cardinal he hopes their children can learn “that you can humiliate yourself and still have a good time.” “The Eagle Has Landed” finished second after impressing judges with a patriotic skit featuring a choreographed lift. Senior Joe Jaroski, a member of the Wisconsin cheer team who dressed as Uncle Sam, told the Cardinal he worked with fellow Senior Erin Kelly for hours to prepare the lift. Teammate Matt Kleist added the competition offered a memorable experience for their senior year. “[It’s] just some memories for our senior year just to look back and have something really unique and exciting,” Kleist told the Cardinal. “Grouchiator Maximus” took third place overall, beating “Minion Mayos,” who were cheered on by roughly 30 supporters dressed as Minions from the sidelines. Aaron Colton, a Red Bull athlete and professional motorcycle stunt performer, was one of three judges evaluating the teams. “I love the athleticism between the ones that grind, but that being said, the great equalizer is the puzzle at the end,” Colton told the Cardinal. “I like seeing the ones that get humbled when there’s a switch in the running.” Colton emphasized how creativity played a major role in the judging process. “Creativity is definitely over half [of the judging], because you’re going to see some teams that put their carts together this morning, and I saw them on the way in,” Colton said. “They are going to see
some that have been chipping away at it over the past couple of weeks, and that really shows.” The other judges included Kayla Ruedebusch, a Madison-based creator and professional foil athlete, and Wando’s and Jay’s Bar owner Jay Wanserski. Ruedebusch told the Cardinal the artistic addition to the race is what makes it special for her. “I feel like it’s different than a lot of other races out there,” Ruedebusch said. “There’s a show, you get creativity, you get to build your own craft.” One of the only freshman-exclusive teams, “Team Super Badgers,” were surprised their application was accepted. “[Our friend] filled it out for us… Next day, he was like, ‘yo, we got accepted, we gotta get to work,’” teammate Brennan Schumann said. Madison marked the fifth stop of Red Bull’s nine-stop chariot race tour primarily through college towns, according to their website. UW-Madison volleyball alumnae Jada Cerniglia and Milwaukee comedian Tommy Violet were both firsttime hosts of a Red Bull event. Cerniglia told the Cardinal she was proud to be representing UW-Madison and said she was most excited to witness the positive energy of the event. Colton had previously judged the Red Bull chariot race in two other locations, Ruedebusch and Wanserski were happy to provide a fresh, local perspective. The crowd included friends and family of competitors, prospective students visiting campus and Madison residents returning to a familiar stretch of Langdon Street. “I love Memorial Terrace and I used to live on Langdon,” spectator Tohnie said. “I’m a Badger alum, so I love coming back to my home-away-from-home.”
sports dailycardinal.com
Thursday, October 22, 2026
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Badgers in pink leave Notre Dame in a swell of bubbles By Ophelia Sidmore STAFF WRITER
In their first official dual meet of the year, both the men and women’s swim and dive teams beat Notre Dame at the Soderholm Family Aquatic Center Oct. 17. The women’s team won handily 202 to 95, while the men’s team fought for an ultimately rewarding 160 to 140 win. The Badgers also donned pink caps during the meet for Breast Cancer awareness month. The women’s team powered through Notre Dame with impressive depth, taking the top three spots in eight different events. The men needed a handful of standout swims to hold off an Irish squad that stayed within fighting reach all afternoon. In undoubtedly one of the biggest swims of the night, Junior Maggie Wanezek set a new pool
record with a time of 50.30 in the 100 yard backstroke. Wanezek won both the 100 and 200 backstroke, and opened the meet leading off the first place 200 medley relay. Wanezek was also selected to the Big Ten Watch List ahead of the 2026 season. The Badgers looked strong across the board on Saturday, with Senior Maddie Waggoner winning both the 1000 and 500 freestyles. The team also showcased more up and coming talent, with Freshman Lilla Wilbur winning the 200 breaststroke, Freshman Ellie Kayser placing second in the 1000 free and Freshman Vivian Moulson placing third in the 500 free. In an overall display of the team’s depth, the Badgers dominated the podium the entire meet. Izzy Enz, Andrea Dworak and
Maeva Soldermann went 1-2-3 in the 200 free, as did Wilbur, Bridget McGann and Brooke Corrigan in the 200 breaststroke. Concluding the individual events for the afternoon, Junior Stella Chapman won the 200 Individual Medley (IM) ahead of McGann and Moulson. On the men’s side, Junior Yoav Romano set the tone with a new personal best in the 1000 free, then notched a second win in the 500 free later in the meet. Senior Luukas Vainio won both the 200 free and the 100 free, and he and Romano both swam on the winning 400 free relay alongside sophomore Enzo Solitario and senior Nathan Welker. The nail-biting relay win was only by a little over half a second, but the 11 points helped seal the
Will Smith is the leader Wisconsin soccer needs By Luca Muehlbauer SPORTS ASSOCIATES EDITOR
Family — that’s what the Wisconsin men’s soccer team means for Will Smith. Born and raised in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, he has always dreamed of becoming a Badger, and now that dream is a reality. The backbone of the backline and team captain has strong feelings for the Wisconsin Badgers. With his parents, grandparents and siblings all attending Wisconsin, it felt like destiny when he committed to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “To be able to represent a school that they went to and do it on the field is just an amazing feeling. I just have a smile on my face every time I walk out on that field because it is truly a once in a lifetime experience,” Smith told The Daily Cardinal. With one of the best starts in men’s soccer history, Wisconsin has their best chance at qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. Currently ranked No. 18 in the country, the Badgers will need to stay composed in their three games left in the regular season. “On our goal sheet, it’s win one NCAA tournament game, with one win, comes a second opportunity, with a second win, comes a third opportunity,” Smith said. Smith said he knows how important experience and camaraderie can be for a college soccer program. The composure in big games and the unity needed when the team encounters bumps in the road all comes from a strong team bond. Smith said he continues to strengthen this cohesion with bonding activities such as going out to eat at Pizza Brutta. “Ultimately, these guys are family, and you
see these guys more in a calendar year than you might see your actual family,” Smith said. Wisconsin has found themselves comfortably sitting in the top 25 week after week throughout the season. But while being ranked might seem nice, it puts a target on your back each and every game. “You gotta stay very humble about it. We can’t be content with the rankings,” Smith said. In high school, Smith played on a team that ranked top 20 in the nation. He’s accustomed to the spotlight and the constant pressure of performing. Smith, now more than ever, will look to use that experience to lead Wisconsin to victory. “It added pressure, but I think the guys have done an amazing job of kind of keeping it all in perspective and understanding that to keep the rankings you gotta beat or tie a team,” Smith said. Smith and his partner in crime Ellis Jones, who scored the game winner against UCLA, have been a fortress, allowing only 12 goals all season. Smith, who’s known for being a ruthless defender, has a much different personality on the field than in person. His aggressive traits are in full effect on the field, but the second he steps off, it all vanishes. The Badgers’ win against UCLA put them right on track to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. With no ranked teams left on their schedule until the Big Ten Tournament, Wisconsin will have to capitalize on the moment. “I think every single person is bought into what we are doing here, what we have going on, and I think from that, it just makes stepping onto the field a whole lot easier,” Smith said.
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win for the Badgers. Solitario, who was also selected to the Big Ten Watch List, also won the 200 butterfly and took second in the 100 fly. Other notable first-place finishes included Senior Brayden Henkel winning the 100 breast, Sophomore Adam Graham the 200 back and Junior Landon Kyser the 200 IM. The Badgers picked up valuable points with strong second place finishes by Nate Harris in both the 100 and 200 breast, Welker second in the 100 back and Carter Jewell in the 200 free. Opening the meet, the A medley relay of Welker, Henkel, Solitario and Freshman Mikhail Povaliaev also took second in 1:26.55, less than two seconds behind a strong Irish squad. The Badgers also made
a splash in the diving well. Senior Vivian Kinnard won the 1-meter, with Senior Ryane Neal — another Big Ten Watch List selection — and Sophomore Zara Karimi right behind her in second and third. The team continued the trend of going 1-2-3, with Karimi winning the 3-meter and picking up a personal best, ahead of Kinnard and fellow Senior Julia Herring. On the men’s side, freshman Diver Jacob Pollina displayed impressive new talent with a second-place finish in the 3-meter, and Senior Lucas Daniels placed third in both diving events. Together, the team recorded 12 wins in 16 events, with 36 topthree finishes, in an optimistic display before hosting Minnesota at home on Nov. 6.
Eugene Hilton Jr. leads Wisconsin’s wide receiver rise By Wyatt Macpherson STAFF WRITER
Great running backs. Dominant offensive linemen. Hard-hitting linebackers. For decades, these traits have defined Wisconsin Badger football. Now, another position may be ready to join that list: wide receiver. It starts with Eugene Hilton Jr. — a three-star recruit coming out of Zionsville, Indiana. While he ended up committing and signing with the Wisconsin Badgers, Hilton was pursued and offered scholarships by major college football programs like Georgia, Miami, Michigan and Ole Miss. Hilton told The Daily Cardinal the sense of brotherhood he felt on his first visit to Wisconsin played a major role in his decision to join the Badgers. Despite arriving with little knowledge of the program, he said the support from players and Head Coach Luke Fickell convinced him the program was the right fit. “I’m still best friends with some of the guys who were here before me,” Hilton said. “Even the ones who have left, whether they’re in the league now or doing something else, I still talk to them and communicate with them. So that was a huge part for me.” With numerous major football programs recruiting Eugene, he arrived at Wisconsin with lofty expectations, especially considering his father is former NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. “He’s always been there to help. He’s always been there if I had any questions. He’s always been there to teach me about the game, and he’s had a huge impact,” Hilton said about his father’s influence on his football career. “I still talked to him till this day about different things and different teams that we’re going against,” he added. Off the field, Hilton enjoys gaming and spending time with his family. He said he especially values watching his brother and sister grow up and called himself family-oriented. Now, on the field, Hilton can make plays using his height. He is able to rely on his hands, football IQ and elite change of direction to make a difference in games. Hilton told the Cardinal the corner-
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post is his favorite route to run because of the options it creates. Depending on how a defensive back reacts, the route can develop in multiple ways, allowing him to use his speed, footwork and instincts to create separation. His football IQ was on full display in last year’s game against Illinois when he faked out his defender and made it look like he was waiting for a long pass from Quarterback Carter Smith. It helped Darrion Dupree convert his 84-yard run into a touchdown in the upset win over the Fighting Illini. Looking back on this play, Hilton said he simply “ran them off,” adding that if his defender wanted to keep up, “we could run out of the stadium.” Freshman Season Hilton played in all twelve games for the Badgers his freshman season, amassing eight receptions and 91 yards. His best game came when the Badgers traveled to play the Oregon Ducks. He hauled in a 42-yard catch and run to get the Badgers down to the 1-yard line of the Ducks and led to the Badgers one and only score of the game. Hilton told the Cardinal this play is his favorite individual moment as a member of the Wisconsin Football team. During the 2025 season, Hilton showed glimpses of the playmaking receiver he can be for the Wisconsin Badgers offense. Continue reading @ dailycardinal.com.
science at Dane County Wisconsin gray wolf pop- Nurses SSM clinics, St. Mary’s ulations face new threats Hospital unionize in heat of ESA changes 6 • Thursday, October 22, 2026
dailycardinal.com
By Ophelia Sidmore STAFF WRITER
COURTESY OF GUNNAR RIES/WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO
By Nicole Steele STAFF WRITER
President Trump signed an Executive Order called Supporting America’s Ranchers Sept. 4, 2026, directing the Secretary of Interior to determine if gray and Mexican wolves have met recovery criteria for delisting or downlisting on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The order also calls for legislative recommendations to remove or reduce ESA protections for wolves. The coming months will involve policymaking, administrative and legislative review, which must occur before wolves could potentially be delisted from the ESA. Biological assessments, court interpretation of the ESA and whether Congress chooses to act, will ultimately determine whether the status of wolves under the ESA will change. ESA, passed in 1973, established protection for animals and plants listed as threatened and endangered. Gray wolves were protected under the ESA from 1974 until 2021, when the Trump administration removed federal protections. In 2022, a federal ruling placed wolves back on the list. History Gray wolves, also known as Timber wolves, are the largest members of the canine family. Unregulated hunting by settlers beginning in the 1800’s caused a decline in elk, bison, caribou, white-tailed deer and moose populations. As species became scarce, wolves started to prey on livestock, and the state legislation passed a bounty on wolves in 1865. Removal of wolves in Wisconsin continued until they were considered state protected in 1957. Existing wolf populations in Minnesota rebounded when the ESA was passed, naturally expanding their range back into Wisconsin. Depredation As a federally protected species under the ESA, harvest and lethal depredation of gray wolves is prohibited. Depredation, the process of causing destruction, is a com-
mon term used to describe wolf and human conflicts. Christopher Keiser, a wildlife biologist from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), told The Daily Cardinal about common circumstances and areas wolf depredation occurs. “The most common circumstances surrounding wolf depredation is when wolves depredate livestock, mainly calves or depredation to hunting dogs pursuing bears or bear training,” Keiser said. “Livestock conflicts most often occur where there are livestock out on private pasture in areas of mixed forest, whereas hunting dog depredations most often occur in large blocks of public, forested lands.” So far in 2026, Wisconsin has had 22 hunting dog depredations and 44 livestock depredations, with 15 other known depredation reports. Due to federal and state protections of gray wolves, people are not allowed to pursue lethal approaches to stopping depredation. “While wolves are federally listed, non-lethal approaches are the only option for verified livestock depredations. Examples of these include but are not limited to altering animal husbandry practices, changing pasture locations, proper disposal of livestock carcasses, improving fencing, installing predator proof fencing, increasing vigilance and implementing a guarding animal program,” Keiser said. Keiser said non-lethal abatement also requires communication in order to slow depredation of nonlethal approaches. “Non-lethal abatement is not a perfect tool, and it can work or not work depending on the timing, property conditions and the wolves acclimation to the abatement. Wolves get accustomed to [some tactics] and suddenly [they’re] not effective at all,” Keiser said. “USDA-WS staff are in routine communication with farms that have had issues and currently have abatement deployed.” State law also requires those affected by the depredation to receive compensation for the loss. However, with funding issues, those needing compensation may have trouble receiving compensation. The Bureau of Natural Heritage
Conservation (NHC) Program protects and restores Wisconsin’s animals, plants and state natural areas. The program receives money through the Endangered Resources Fund, which supports and restores endangered species and their habitats. “Wolf depredation claims come from the NHC program budget. There are various causes driving the funding issues, but they mainly revolve around expenses that have continued to rise while funding has remained relatively flat across the board,” Keiser said. Donations such as direct donations, income tax donations and purchases of the endangered resources license plates help fund depredation compensation efforts. “While the DNR’s intent is to ensure everyone is compensated fully as outlined in state law, we are preparing for the scenario of total claims exceeding available funding. In that case, these proposed changes would result in some people who experience wolf depredation being compensated at less than they would have received if sufficient funding existed, while also ensuring that everybody with a claim receives something in a fair manner,” Keiser said. From 2021 to 2023, the WDNR updated the state’s wolf management plan from the original in 1999 to meet and exceed recovery goals of wolf management. Wolf monitoring is conducted every winter due to snow cover for efficient tracking. Elizabeth Ward, Wisconsin Chapter director of the Sierra Club, emphasized the importance of protecting and understanding gray wolves. “Apex predators like wolves are vital for maintaining balanced and robust ecosystems. Scientists and researchers continue discovering how wolves leave lasting and significant impressions on the landscapes,” Ward told the Cardinal. Wisconsin Legislature Act 169 details mandatory wolf trapping harvest and DNR regulations related to the ESA, including a provision that after wolves are delisted, a mandated hunt must occur. Continue reading @ dailycardinal.com
Sisters of St. Mary’s (SSM) and Dean Medical Group nurses filed charges against SSM Health Oct. 8 as they seek union recognition. The group alleged SSM threatened nurses advocating for unions, destroyed union information and failed to engage in negotiations. The nurses union expressed disappointment at SSM’s lack of cooperation. SSM Health denies violating federal labor laws or engaging in any unlawful wrongdoing. The unionization effort comes at a time when labor movements among healthcare workers are growing. Nurses across the country are voting to unionize and seek a greater role in workplace decisions surrounding patient care and outcomes. “Together with our coworkers at St. Mary’s, we’re calling on SSM to stop breaking federal law and start working with us to make sure our clinics and the hospital are the best places to work and receive care,” Kat Doebler, a nurse for nearly 30 years who currently works in the SSM Health Outpatient Surgery Center, said in a SEIU Wisconsin press release. The nurses union plans to continue their advocacy efforts in the coming weeks, supported by other Wisconsin nurse unions at UW Health and Meriter, according to the press release. Nurses in 10SSM outpatient clinics in Dane County voted 71% in favor of unionizing this September, joining almost 900 unionized nurses at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital. The St. Mary’s nurses won their union election with an 89% vote in favor this past June. Together, the two campaigns represent more than 1,200 unionized nurses at SSM. Before the union elections, SSM Health tried to block the nurses from unionizing. Meriter nurses won their strike in June 2025 and reached a union agreement. The contract was the first in the hospital’s history and ensured raises for nurses and facilitated more open communication between nurses and executives. “SSM waged an aggressive pressure campaign aimed at stopping nurses from forming their union, which included misleading propaganda, destroying union information and threats,” according to a press release provided to The Daily Cardinal by the union representing the nurses, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Wisconsin. The nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital openly welcomed Dean nurses into their union. “We are building our unstoppable nursing movement, and we are 100% confident that through our united action, we will hold SSM accountable to our community,” Dani Passon, an operating room nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, said in the press release. For nurses supporting unionization, the efforts are about much more than wages. They want to provide the best possible patient care. With staff shortages, lower retention rates and fewer resources, many nurses feel they cannot adequately support their patients, according to the press release. Under current conditions, nurses get burnt out and feel they are
unable to give patients the care they deserve. This encourages experienced nurses to leave hospitals, and nursing students who train at the facilities choose not to return once their rotations are complete, Michelle Camilleri, a registered nurse at the SSM Dean South Campus Clinic, told The Daily Cardinal. “I was a float nurse. I would float to all the specialists, and quite often I was the only person in there with upwards of 20 patients a day. It was hard on my body and mind,” Camilleri said. Camilleri said she would take the time to meet with each patient thoroughly, often falling behind because of the short staffing. “We only have a few minutes to delve into things they may have concerns about. We don’t get to spend as much time as we would like,” Camilleri said. She added that patients calling the clinics would have to wait up to 20 minutes on hold to speak with a provider, and sometimes could not get their medical questions answered that day. The union vote came amid broader concerns about the relationship between working conditions and patient care in healthcare. Nurses advocating for unionization argue that retaining experienced employees and adequate staffing drives quality patient care, giving nurses more time to connect with and ensure that their patients’ needs are met, according to the press release. “We voted to form our union so that we have a strong, local voice to advocate for our patients, our coworkers and our community,” Doebler said. “It’s time for the nurses who actually take care of patients to have a seat at the table in the decisions that affect our jobs and how we provide that care.” Union representation would give nurses a greater say in hospital decisions about patient care and working conditions, through mechanisms like contracts, joint committees with management and protections for nurses who speak up. “I would like us to be able to talk to them about policies about training and where and how they recruit nurses, policies on staffing, on retention, and hiring more float staff,” Camilleri said. Nurses want SSM leadership to sit down with them and work toward solutions, arguing that healthcare corporations like SSM often prioritize profit over patient care, according to the press release. “Together, they are calling on SSM executives to respect their vote, stop wasting resources on a campaign to try to silence their voices, and start negotiating contracts to solve the urgent crisis of understaffing, burnout and loss of experienced nurses,” SEIU wrote in the press release. The SSM Health Dean Medical Group oversees over 60 clinics in Wisconsin and St. Mary’s HospitalMadison. St. Mary’s Hospital is a Level II Trauma Center, providing inpatient and outpatient services across a wide range of specialties, and Dean nurses provide essential services including cancer treatment, urgent care and family medicine. “I would like [our patients] to understand that we’re doing it so we can provide the best care we can for them,” Camilleri said.
opinion dailycardinal.com
Thursday, October 22, 2026
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Going up, up, up: Foreign music is more than a moment By Ray Lattapongpisut STAFF WRITER
“We’re going up, up, up, it’s our moment!” According to Ejae, the singersongwriter behind KPop Demon Hunters’ “Golden”, that moment belongs to Asian Americans. In an interview with The New York Times (NYT) about her story before the success of Golden, Ejae explained, “I feel like I found my purpose, which is representation.” What representation meant to her though, wasn’t just representing Asia to the world, but to Asians directly. “I felt the responsibility of giving the younger generation and younger Asian kids some hope,” she told the NYT. As someone who grew up in a working-class, immigrant-dominated neighborhood of New York City, I felt that hope. I never related to immigrant stereotypes of being made fun of
for stinky food or for speaking a different language. Those were stories from a different time period and different places; in the city and the modern day, the internet forced globalization into the core of our lives. It became normal to be both American and something else. Growing up in an era marked by love for Chinese pop culture, Japanese manga and Latin reggaeton made me cognizant of how much representation actually matters. Today is the age of cultural exchange. “Gangnam Style” was the first YouTube video to reach the 1-billion and 2-billion views records, and Bad Bunny’s “DTMF” album was the first time an all Spanish-language album won Album of the Year at a Grammy Award. Hearing foreign songs online every day is commonplace and how cultural exchange occurs at our fingertips. Even though the
United States has always been a country of immigrants, our present era is one where non Englishlanguage media is the most influential it’s ever been. When figures like Ejae or Bad Bunny talk about representation through music, it’s not a matter of soft-power and cultural dominance, but a matter of dismantling social norms. Bad Bunny performing in Spanish at the Super Bowl might be controversial to some English speakers, but not to the 37 million Americans who speak Spanish at home, hearing their language spoken at an event as publicized as the Super Bowl for the first time. “Golden” and Asian culture’s popularity in the U.S. may be insignificant to most people, but it is significant to the Asians whose ancestors built railroads for low wages or lived in a WWII internment camp. Non English-language
media doesn’t signify foreign intrusion into American culture when non-White people have been here since the founding of this country and can in fact, be American. American culture is not a monolith because we came from all over the world to build this country, and that is our strength. Despite the strides made, there is still work to be done. I wish I fully felt the hope Ejae talked about. Growing up in NYC with Thai immigrant parents but an East Asian complexion, there was always this assumption that I was “one of them”— one of the 630,000 people in NYC of Chinese descent. Although it’s not fair to expect people to be as familiar with Thailand, it’s fair to expect awareness. Being asked, “Are there a lot of ladyboys in Thailand?” when I’ve only been there once in my life and, “You look Chinese or Korean, so how are you Thai?” by others
(even other Asian people) isn’t the fault of individual people, but of systemic ignorance. People don’t ask those same questions to Chinese or Korean people as often anymore because they now have knowledge of their cultures from social media and popular culture — the country that once banned Chinese immigration and imprisoned Japanese Americans now binges K-dramas. Though prejudice has faded, ignorance hasn’t. People still ask ignorant questions about lesser-known cultures without realizing how weird or insensitive it is because they simply see it as curiosity. These questions only occur less with more representation and recognition, proving its importance. Continue reading @dailycardinal.com
Blurring the line between justice, entertainment By Robin J. Faulk STAFF WRITER
Director Lance Oppenheim received a birthday gift from his wife in 2024: a cameo from Chris Hansen, former host of “To Catch a Predator.” In Oppenheim’s words, “You could pay this guy $40, and he would pretend you were a potential predator, then go on to advertise his new investigations.” Oppenheim later went on to direct “Primetime,” a “docu-fantasia” of Hansen’s career on “To Catch a Predator” from the show’s humble beginnings, to the bitter end. The movie presents a flawed look at the show rather than overwhelming support for the show and Hansen, played by Robert Pattinson, himself. I would argue neither the impact or intent of “To Catch a Predator” were morally sound, and the film is an analysis on what went wrong. Perverted Justice, collaborators of Hansen, made the program possible. They utilized a routine to build a relationship with the predators, deploying the decoys for calls. In the film, Hansen, and the head of Perverted Justice, Xavier Von Erck, refer to a mysterious chatter as their “big fish.” They suspected him to be some sort of big name, due to how he moved around various Texas towns often. Both the film and the show ended with the infamous Murphy Sting, taking place in Murphy, Texas, and catching prosecutor Bill Conradt. In the end, Conradt died by suicide. In an online statement afterwards, they posed a question: “which are worse – the predators out there trying to rape children they befriend online, or ignorant elitists who enable their attempts by trying to stop law enforcement from dealing with this issue?” “Primetime” weighs the gravity of impact versus intent. In the eyes of Perverted Justice, whether or not the show exists for financial gain or entertainment doesn’t matter, as long as predators get swept off the street. Some might argue that it’s good to put such monsters on display and laugh at them, because they deserve it. Before the show, the film version of Hansen was an actual reporter, covering missing children in southern India. The real Hansen really did go to India, but he reported on child slave labor instead. This ends up inspiring his driving motivation within the film, which contradicts his words. He states he wants to fight an ancient evil, one that he saw in India, but he is more fascinated with fame and ratings.
For example, the audience quickly discovers his rivalry with Lost, one of the most revolutionary shows in TV history. He wants to overtake that impact, and give his audience someone to laugh at. The evil Hansen describes as ancient to Decoy Dan (Skyler Gisondo) is also as ancient as the concept of performative justice public executions aren’t a good thing, but the audience wants someone to be violent with, and they want it to be excusable because they’re doing it to a bad person. The American audience also wants everyone to know they are good people, hence why they cheer at the TV when Hansen says his funny little catchphrase — ”Why don’t you have a seat?” — and totally owns that pedo freak. Aside from the corrupt motivations, was the show a net positive? I think “Primetime” displays the negative impacts of the show quite well; notably, the use of young, inexperienced decoys. Dan Plumb is based off of real life decoy Dan Schrack, who was 21 years old at the time of filming. Neither the fictional nor the real Decoy Dan knew just exactly what they were signing up for. In the movie, we watch as Plumb is effectively traumatized by a predator who exposes himself, and sprays whipped cream on his genitals, and we watch as this trauma is laughed at by his friends watching his TV debut. Hansen needlessly put extremely young decoys in harm’s way in order to feed a revenge fantasy, some as young as 18 or 19 at the time of filming. When I say needlessly, I mean it. According to Texas Penal Code section 33.021, since 2005, “a person commits an offense if the person, over the Internet, by electronic mail or text message or other electronic message service or system, or through a commercial online service, knowingly solicits a minor to meet another person.” This means that Hansen, in the case of the Murphy sting, and the other arrests in the area, could have left the entertainment at reading the disturbing chat logs. The spectacle wasn’t even necessary. Maybe time will forgive Hansen, but he would have to stop his same methods for that to be possible. As of today, on his new show “Takedown,” he continues to use decoys, and he continues the “To Catch a Predator” format. Even now, Hansen continues to be a shill of the highest order.
arts “The Compass”: a play where your decision can shape the ending 8 • Thursday, October 22, 2026
PHOTO COURTESY OF BEAU MEYER/UNIVERSITY THEATRE
By Britta Sevcik STAFF WRITER
A courtroom, a trial, a young woman’s life on the line and you are the jury. “The Compass” is the University of WisconsinMadison Theatre’s newest production, written by Michael Rohd and directed by Micha Espinosa, showing Oct. 15-25 at the Mitchell Theater. The play follows Marjan, expertly played by Jayda Smith, who faces a two-year jail sentence after an app called “The Compass” convinces her to make a lifechanging decision. The entire production catapults the audience into the future through interactive discussions, ingenious set design and amazing actors. “The Compass” explores gun control and artificial intelligence — topics the entire production team feels the prevalence of firsthand. “This is one of the social justice pieces I feel very strongly about,” Espinosa told The Daily Cardinal. “We are one of the only nations in the world where we have mass shootings happening all the time.” Rohd, who wrote “The Compass” back in 2016, also shared his thoughts. “Gun violence in schools is a national phenomenon, and gun violence in communities is an ongoing tragedy around the country,” Rohd told the Cardinal. He also pointed out the prevalence of the show’s Chicago setting, a place heavily impacted by gun violence. Around the same time, he was also interested in exploring AI, and he decided to combine the two into an interactive masterpiece. AI is integral to “The Compass,” with the app itself and the decisions it puts into
action driving the entire show. AI usage in the arts has become a hot topic lately as generative AI has become more and more accessible. But neither Espinosa nor Rohd believes this will result in the end of human-centric theater. “I don’t have a tremendous amount of fear that it’s going to replace artistry because it doesn’t have that ability,” Espinosa said. “It just doesn’t understand human experience.” Espinosa also believes AI can create a more equitable world when it comes to theater. “Let’s take, for example, a budding filmmaker who has a budget of, I don’t know, $10,000, and you have a background scene that might require ships and a thousand extras,” Espinosa said. “That might be something that could be generated in AI; the same thing is true in theater, whether it be projection design or creating music. She also went on to argue for the ethical use and importance of disclosure when using AI. “If it’s just being used haphazardly and, more importantly, being used without saying it’s being used, that’s a problem,” Espinosa said. The decade-long development of “The Compass” is a testament to the genius of Rohd’s writing. The show was written 10 years ago with AI-centric themes that still ring true — if not truer — today. “I think a lot of us could, at some point, start engaging with this technology as if it is another person, and it starts to become indistinguishable,” Rohd said. “I’ve always had an interest in shows with not so much science fiction but speculative fiction: what will things look like in five, 10, 20, 30 years and what do we need to be
wrestling with now to prepare for that?” Rohd also made sure to shout out the amazing team of actors, designers and directors at UW Theatre. The entire performance was a masterclass in character work and standout performances included Eloise Slipper as the prosecutor, Grayson Geiger as Mr. Ferguson and Noah Ehresman as the Entrepreneur. The visual components also made the play with live feeds and interactive design helping viewers feel as though they were in a courtroom. This is a true testament to Erik Flatman and Doster Chastain’s scenic and video design. “Most of my life as a playwright and theater maker has been exploring ways to engage audiences in nontraditional ways,” Rohd said. And it was nontraditional. The audience was divided into nine different groups, each representing a different juror. The “juror” would discuss their findings among their group, and a facilitator would speak their deliberations to the audience. “Our communities and our public discourse are pretty polarized these days,” Rohd said. “I think people often feel nervous about having conversations about things that they might disagree about, so we avoid hard conversations, and I think theater is this incredible space when done with thoughtfulness.” The culmination of the play was the end of the trial, where the audience decided if Marjan was guilty or not. The decision changes each night. “Come ready to make a decision,” Espinosa said. “The show doesn’t allow you to take a back seat.”
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Paris Paloma brings rage, tenderness, fairy wings to Madison By Aanya Agrawal SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Flower crowns, fairy wings and flowy dresses filled The Sylvee Oct. 13 as fans gathered in anticipation of Paris Paloma’s first concert in Madison. The British artist’s Fatal Flaw Tour brought an audience enlightened by her whimsical aesthetics alongside socially and politically inclined lyrics. For many listeners, Paloma first entered their musical orbit through “Labour,” her viral song about the expectations placed on women. Over at The Sylvee, her music offered more than a raging cry about the way the world is today. Through her set, Paloma explored the complicated relationship between anger and gentleness, challenging the audience to question the world around them. Indie pop artist Sussannah Joffe opened for Paloma in Madison along with the rest of the tour’s North American leg. Featuring songs from her debut album “Dust Settles and So Will I,” Joffe brought a blend of indie and Southern influences to the stage. Her vulnerable songwriting complemented Paloma’s music and set the tone for the evening. Paloma opened her set with “Stem the Flow,” sweeping the stage and twirling with a fluidity just as expressive as her music. Her performance mirrored the whimsy her Fairies — the name for her fans — have seemed to embrace, both in spirit and appearance. She followed with “drywall” from her debut album “Cacophony,” before addressing the crowd for the first time. “We are kind of in love with Madison, to be honest,” Paloma said. She then turned toward art and the value of human expression. Paloma spoke about her appreciation for art in all its forms and her opposition to generative AI replacing human creativity. She played “Miyazaki,” “Rothko” and “Pre-Raphaelite” from her newest album. The trio of songs discusses human creation and emotion. Specifically, Paloma explores the disconnect some feel from others’ perceptions of art and how that art is still meaningful even if it doesn’t elicit the same emotions in you as it does in others. The concert’s energy shifted when Paloma introduced her next song, “Good Girl,” and talk-
ed about the scrutiny of women’s bodies. “I am sick and tired of people talking about my body,” Paloma said, arguing that attacking a woman’s appearance is often the first resort for misogynists “incapable of unpacking” her words. “We waste so much time looking at ourselves instead of looking at the world around us,” Paloma said to the crowd. She encouraged the audience to move with each other and let their bodies loose. Fans came alive, dancing and jumping, as Paloma began to sing. Paloma carries the critique of misogyny into her songs, exploring the way patriarchal expectations shape boys into “men.” She reflected on the tragedy of watching gentle, innocent boys become casualties of violence, war and toxic masculinity. She also criticized men who defend billionaires online without recognizing that these wealthy figures they worship would readily prioritize their own interests, regardless of the cost. Her songs, “Pyrrhus” and “Good Boy,” gave these frustrations a voice, allowing the audience to see meaning in her lyricism. Paloma then performed her fan favorite “the fruits,” from her debut album, addressing both old fans and welcoming those who were new. Introducing the second-tolast song of the night, and the last on the “Fatal Flaw” album, Paloma addressed the criticism surrounding the anger in her music. She talked about how rage is necessary to protect what is good in the world. She followed this statement with “I Cry in Front of Paintings.” Paloma’s vocals and the soft music that accompanied it were different from the rest of the evening. But just because the music was soft does not mean it wasn’t as powerful in its meaning as the rest of the set. After leaving the stage, Paloma returned to perform fanfavorite “Labour.” The crowd welcomed her encore and sang every word alongside Paloma. When the performance ended, Paloma stepped into the crowd and danced with the fans as they formed a circle around her. By the end of the night, the fairies had embraced both the rage and tenderness that sit at the heart of Paloma’s music.
AANYA AGRAWAL/THE DAILY CARDINAL