UP: Madison. The city learned that health insurance and fuel costs for the next year are projected to be $900,000 less than anticipated. The city is using the savings, in its proposed budget, to spend $50,300 more on library staffing and to reduce the number of furlough days for city attorneys. An amendment to provide $500,000 more to the Overture Center will be voted on next week.
DOWN: Food Pantries. Area food pantries are having trouble getting extra food for traditional Thanksgiving baskets. Fritz Food Pantry in the Goodman Community Center is in desperate need of turkeys for the 1,000 baskets it distributes each holiday. The Fort Atkinson Food Pantry has decided not to hand out Thanksgiving baskets this year, and Community Action Coalition has decided not to buy turkeys. "Even without Thanksgiving, we're struggling to keep shelves full," the CAC's Chris Brockel tells the Wisconsin State Journal.
