County Executive Melissa Agard to Host Community Listening Sessions on the 2026 Dane County Budget and Year Ahead

DANE COUNTY – Dane County Executive Melissa Agard will host a series of community listening sessions throughout Dane County in December and January to discuss the recently passed 2026 county budget and share updates on challenges and opportunities in the year ahead.

These listening sessions are an opportunity for residents, local leaders, and stakeholders to hear directly from County Executive Agard about key investments, ongoing fiscal pressures, and priorities for strengthening county services and community well-being. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Listening Session Schedule (note: each listening session will be 1 hour):

Thursday, December 11 | 5:00pm

Windsor Municipal Building

4430 Windsor Rd., Windsor

Tuesday, December 16 | 11:30am

Mazomanie Community Building

9 Brodhead St., Mazomanie

Wednesday, December 17 | 5:00pm

Deerfield Public Library

12 W. Nelson St., Deerfield

Thursday, December 18 | 12:30pm

Stoughton Public Library

304 S. Fourth St., Stoughton

Wednesday, January 21 | 7:00 pm

County Executive Agard will present at the Dane County Towns Association Meeting

Rutland Town Hall – 785 Center Rd, Stoughton, WI 53589

Members of the media and public are invited to attend any of the sessions.

###

MMSD Opens Madison Promise Spring Semester Enrollment Window for High School Students

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has opened the spring semester enrollment window for Madison Promise, the district’s fully online learning program for high school students. 

Families interested in exploring a flexible, student-centered learning option are invited to apply beginning today. Students enrolled in Madison Promise can take a full schedule of MMSD courses taught by licensed teachers, with opportunities to personalize the pace and structure of their learning. 

The program is designed to support a wide range of student needs, including those who prefer online learning, those balancing responsibilities outside of school and those seeking a quieter or more self-directed academic setting.

“Madison Promise continues to be a strong option for students who thrive in an online environment,” said Mary Jankovich, executive director of college, career and community readiness. “Our educators work closely with each learner to build relationships, support their academic progress and ensure they have what they need to succeed.”

Launched in the 2021–22 school year, Madison Promise serves students in grades nine through 12 and offers a complete virtual learning environment grounded in five core principles: meaningful student engagement, strong relationship-building with dedicated teachers, high-quality professional development for educators, flexibility and a commitment to student voice and choice.

“Flexibility and belonging are at the heart of Madison Promise,” Jankovich said. “The online setting allows us to meet students where they are and support them in taking ownership of their learning in ways that fit their goals.”

The application window will remain open through Jan. 16, and space may be limited.

Families can learn more about curriculum, expectations and enrollment on the Madison Promise website. For additional information or support with the application process, families are encouraged to contact the district through Let’s Talk.

###

About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Oak Bank Welcomes Izzy Coughlin as Treasury Management Specialist

Fitchburg, WI – Oak Bank, Fitchburg’s trusted community bank since 2000, is pleased to announce the addition of Izzy Coughlin as its new Treasury Management Specialist. Izzy joins Oak Bank after refining her client service skills at a local community financial institution, bringing with her a passion for building strong relationships and supporting local businesses.

In her role as Treasury Management Specialist, Izzy will play a key part in Oak Bank’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to its clients while continuing to grow its Treasury Management division.

“Izzy brings a great blend of energy and client-first focus to our Treasury Management team,” said Linda Zimdars, Senior Vice President Business Banking. “Her passion for serving others and her strong community roots align perfectly with Oak Bank’s values. I’m confident she will build lasting relationships with our business clients and contribute greatly to their success.”

Izzy shared her enthusiasm for joining the Oak Bank team, saying, “I’m excited to be part of a community-focused organization that truly values its clients and team members. I look forward to helping our business clients find the right financial tools to support their growth and success.”

Izzy lives in Monticello with her husband and enjoys running her photography business in her free time. She also supports the Oregon FFA, where she previously served as Vice President during her time in high school.

About Oak Bank
Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for over 25 years, meeting the financial needs of homeowners and businesses by offering top-notch service, quick answers, and creative solutions, all while supporting over 135 local nonprofits each year. Visit oak.bank to learn more.

Local food pantries get financial boost from Lake Ridge Bank

November 20, 2025 (MADISON, Wis.) – In response to the extreme need arising from the lapse in SNAP benefits as well as a spike in applications for food assistance, Lake Ridge Bank has made multiple donations to local programs that work to support food security in our communities.

Recent donations include a $15,000 gift to River Food Pantry on Thursday. As a longtime partner, Lake Ridge Bank was involved in financing the nonprofit’s new building this year. The bank also provided $5,000 in support for the Goodman Community Center’s turkey dinner giveaway. Additionally, various Lake Ridge Bank locations are currently running food drives to bolster local pantries, such as WayForward (formerly MOM) and others.

“Part of being a community bank is finding ways to help our neighbors thrive,” says Lake Ridge Bank President Paul Hoffmann. “We saw a need and wanted to step up and do something about it.”

To get more information about giving to or benefitting from these pantries, visit:

• The River Food Pantry at riverfoodpantry.org
• Goodman Community Center at goodmancenter.org
• WayForward Resources at wayforwardresources.org

###

Lake Ridge Bank’s mission is to “build prosperous communities, one relationship at a time.” For more than 100 years, this has meant getting to know each of our clients to offer personalized services to meet their specific financial goals. Lake Ridge Bank offers a full line of financial products and services. We focus on offering products and services to make your banking easy. Our business banking and mortgage lenders are trusted leaders in their field with the expertise to provide the right loan at the best rate possible for our clients. As a community bank, we are dedicated to reinvesting in, and making our communities great places to live, work and raise a family. Visit lakeridge.bank to learn more about how we can help you.

The Creative Company Named a 2025 IC100 Award Winner

MADISON, Wisc. (November 19, 2025) — In recognition of The Creative Company’s drive and commitment to helping mission-based organizations, The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City awarded Madison, WI-based The Creative Company one of its  2025 Inner City 100 awards. 

This prestigious national honor recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses across the United States. All 2025 IC100 winners will be formally recognized and receive their awards at the 2026 ICIC Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 27–28, 2026. 

As part of this achievement, The Creative Company joins an elite group of businesses: fewer than 2% of all companies that participate in ICIC programs go on to become IC100 winners. Gallagher previously completed ICIC’s Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) program as part of the Milwaukee cohort in 2016, making this recognition a full-circle milestone nearly a decade in the making.

“Being named an IC100 award winner is a meaningful milestone for our team,” said Laura Gallagher, Founder and President of The Creative Company. “For more than 35 years, we’ve been committed to helping mission-driven organizations tell their stories, strengthen their brands, and uplift the communities they serve. This recognition underscores the power of purpose-driven work and the importance of investing in small businesses.”

Celebrating Inclusive Economic Growth
ICIC CEO Steve Grossman highlighted the significance of this year’s awardees:

“IC100 honorees are more than leaders; they are changemakers who uplift their neighborhoods while driving sustainable growth. These businesses are proof that investing in under-resourced communities generates exceptional results.”

The Creative Company is part of a network of more than 9,000 alumni businesses, only 400 of whom have been recognized as an IC100 Business—including well-known brands such as Printfresh, Angie’s List, Brooklyn Brewery, and Terracycle—that exemplify resilience, innovation, and inclusive economic impact.

A Record of Growth and Community Impact
Founded in 1989, The Creative Company provides public relations, digital marketing, branding, video production, and strategic communications services to organizations throughout Wisconsin and beyond. The firm’s client portfolio includes leaders in education, housing, economic development, healthcare, food systems, and community impact.

The Creative Company’s mission-driven approach, commitment to collaborative storytelling, and longstanding presence on Madison’s west side have contributed to both its growth and its deep involvement in the local community. The firm frequently supports nonprofit initiatives, champions small business development, and invests in next-generation talent.

About the IC100 Awards
Since 1999, the Inner City 100 (IC100) awards have celebrated the fastest-growing businesses in under-resourced communities across the U.S. To qualify, companies must be independently operated, privately held, for-profit businesses with revenues of at least $50,000 in 2019 and $500,000 in 2024, and headquartered in a designated under-resourced urban or suburban area.

These honorees serve as powerful examples of how inclusive economic growth strengthens neighborhoods and expands opportunity.

About ICIC
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is the nation’s leading authority on accelerating small business growth in under-resourced communities. Founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter, ICIC advances inclusive economic prosperity through research and programs designed to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.

About The Creative Company
The Creative Company is a woman-owned public relations and marketing firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1989, the company has helped mission-driven organizations shape narratives, elevate brands, and create meaningful impact in the communities they serve. Guided by a belief that stories can transform people and places, The Creative Company blends strategy, creativity, and purpose to help clients grow with clarity and confidence.

Visit www.thecreativecompany.com to learn more or reach out to Laura Gallagher, President and Founder at laura@thecreativecompany.com.