Liam Beran
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liamberan.bsky.social
Liam Beran
@liamberan.bsky.social
320 followers 210 following 140 posts
Isthmus' staff writer. Daily Cardinal alum and UW-Madison English department grad. Avid runner, photographer and coffee-enjoyer.

tips: lberan@isthmus.com | he/him | 🇬🇧🇫🇷🇳🇱
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liamberan.bsky.social
Hong Kong Café, Choles Floral could be demolished for 113-unit apartment building on Regent Street

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/Re...
Hong Kong Café, Choles Floral could be demolished for 113-unit apartment building on Regent Street
Development continues to transform one of Madison’s busiest corridors, as Chicago-based developer Peerless Development plans to build a mixed-use apartment building on the sites of Hong Kong Café and ...
isthmus.com
February 20, 2026 at 1:41 AM
liamberan.bsky.social
Incumbent Dane County judge Ben Jones led last night's primary with a 17-point lead.

Challenger Huma Ahsan tells me she plans to make up the difference by April 7 with grassroots campaigning: "We are the Mamdani of this whole campaign."

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/hu...
Huma Ahsan vows grassroots challenge in Dane County Circuit Court race
Incumbent Dane County Circuit Court Judge Ben Jones had a sizable lead over challenger Huma Ahsan in Tuesday night’s primary.
isthmus.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
source request: If you or anyone you know has received an invite to the new Harry Styles album listening party in Madison, shoot me a DM!
February 17, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Reposted by Liam Beran
wisconsinexaminer.com
As opposition to data centers in Wisconsin grows, Democrats propose statewide moratorium via @henry-redman.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/02/12/d...
Democratic lawmakers propose data center moratorium • Wisconsin Examiner
Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers on Thursday proposed legislation that would put a moratorium on data center construction.
wisconsinexaminer.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:13 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
College athletes’ NIL deals would be exempt from public records law under a bill supported by UW-Madison and recently introduced in Wisconsin.

Universities have scrambled to keep such records private, citing "competitive interests."

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/co...
College athletes’ NIL deals would be exempt from public records law under Wisconsin bill
An Assembly bill would establish regulations in Wisconsin regarding name, image and likeness deals. It would hide such deals from the public eye.
isthmus.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:00 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
Madison mayor: paying damages for uncounted votes sets a dangerous precedent

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/ma...
Madison mayor: paying damages for uncounted votes sets a dangerous precedent
Madison’s argument that leaving absentee votes uncounted does not represent a constitutional violation drew sharp backlash. In response, Madison’s mayor suggests that perhaps the state should change i...
isthmus.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Liam Beran
jmalewitz.bsky.social
A Dec. Tom Tiffany campaign ad contains irregularities that “point toward an AI-generated video,” an AI expert told @liamberan.bsky.social of @isthmusmadison.bsky.social.

But it contains no disclaimer that generative AI was used, as is required by Wisconsin law.

isthmus.com/news/news/di...
Disclaimer missing on likely AI-generated Tom Tiffany campaign ad
Though a campaign ad for gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany contains irregularities that ‘point toward an AI-generated video,’ the ad contains no disclaimer, as is required by Wisconsin state law.
isthmus.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:00 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
SCOOP: An ad for Tom Tiffany's gov campaign contains anomalies that "point to an AI-generated video," per a UW expert. But the ad doesn't contain a disclaimer required by state law.

Tiffany's campaign didn't respond to a request for comment.

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/di...
Disclaimer missing on likely AI-generated Tom Tiffany campaign ad
Though a campaign ad for gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany contains irregularities that ‘point toward an AI-generated video,’ the ad contains no disclaimer, as is required by Wisconsin state law.
isthmus.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by Liam Beran
jmalewitz.bsky.social
NEWS: DeForest says it will drop controversial $12 billion data center plan.

The village president had said the board had known about the project for only weeks, but @tomkertschernews.bsky.social obtained records showing it had been discussed for months. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/defo...
DeForest announces it won’t move forward with controversial $12 billion data center
The village president had said the board had only known about the project for weeks, but records obtained by Wisconsin Watch showed it had been discussed by staff for months.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 28, 2026 at 5:52 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
What is the Madison doing to prepare for ICE?

One option the mayor's office is currently examining: "Options for restricting the use of city-owned property for federal enforcement purposes available within local, state and federal law."

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/wh...
What is Madison doing to prepare for ICE?
There is no indication that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is currently planning operations in Madison. City officials are preparing for what they’d do if such a situation arose.
isthmus.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:47 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
The College Republicans of Wisconsin began the July filing period with $3,100 in the bank.

They headed into 2026 with $1 million, thanks to two $500k donations from conservative megadonors and Illinois residents Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein.

isthmus.com/news/news/co...
College Republicans of Wisconsin receives $1 million in Uihlein money
The group began July with just $3,100 in the bank, but will head into election season with much more.
isthmus.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:52 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
Enjoyed this piece by Brittany Carloni via @wisconsinwatch.org about the WisEye shutdown and how neighboring state legislatures handle recording/archiving floor and committee proceedings.

wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
Why has WisconsinEye gone dark and what can be done about it?
Other states continue to broadcast legislative sessions and committees while Wisconsin’s service seeks public and private funding to continue.
wisconsinwatch.org
January 19, 2026 at 5:16 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
There's a lot of talk around what to do with data centers in WI. Here's a piece overviewing different proposals in the statehouse and the moratorium that was just enacted here in Madison.

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/sh...
Should Wisconsin stop — at least temporarily — or regulate large data centers?
Madison just placed a one-year moratorium on data centers. Dueling state bills are seeking to regulate them statewide. And one gubernatorial candidate is proposing a statewide moratorium.
isthmus.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:30 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
inbox: Madison's city council is launching a newsletter on "topics being considered by the Common Council, opportunities to engage with alders, and other timely updates." Will summarize introduction items and give info from city staff on current legislative discussions.
January 12, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Liam Beran
isthmusmadison.bsky.social
There's an election on April 7 in Madison, with a primary on Feb. 17.

Here's who's running for what, by @liamberan.bsky.social:

isthmus.com/news/news/wh...
Who’s running for office in Madison this spring?
The April 7 election includes races for state Supreme Court, the Madison city council, Dane County board and Madison school board.
isthmus.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:14 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
scoop: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says new federal guidelines may make a widely-supported breast cancer screening bill unnecessary, telling @isthmusmadison.bsky.social he's "looking into whether or not Wisconsin has to do it."

Advocates for the bill disagree.

isthmus.com/news/news/vo...
New federal mandates may make breast cancer screening bill unnecessary, says Vos
A bill requiring insurance coverage for advanced breast cancer screenings easily passed the state Senate in October. But Speaker Robin Vos has refused to advance it in the Assembly.
isthmus.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Liam Beran
jmalewitz.bsky.social
If you're wondering why Wisconsin Supreme Court elections are breaking national records for campaign spending, watch our new video explainer. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Watch: Why Wisconsin Supreme Court elections are breaking national records
Watch a video explaining why Wisconsin’s Supreme Court elections are so expensive and what can be done about it.
wisconsinwatch.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Liam Beran
jmalewitz.bsky.social
Always read @mirandadunlap.bsky.social, who has a particular knack for finding and telling stories about people who are building community. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Green Bay podcasters dig up long-buried tales in their own neighborhood
Residents of Green Bay’s Astor neighborhood produce a podcast uncovering forgotten — and sometimes spooky — tales tied to Astor’s historic homes. They hope to create a sense of wonder and pride amo…
wisconsinwatch.org
December 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Liam Beran
jmalewitz.bsky.social
"So far, no current or former residents have returned to jail or prison. And two women once estranged from their families have been reunited with them since leaving the house." isthmus.com/news/news/ex... (via @liamberan.bsky.social)
Madison nonprofit EXPO moves into housing to address recidivism
Madison nonprofit EXPO has opened two housing projects within the last two years. So far, no residents have returned to prison.
isthmus.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:31 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
NEWS: Madison's mayor and 10 alders are proposing a one-year moratorium on data center construction at the city council tonight. If enacted, it would make the city one of the largest in the U.S. to adopt such a ban.

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/ma...
Madison mayor to propose one-year moratorium on data center construction
The city council and mayor are moving to place a one-year moratorium on zoning certificates for data centers while the city develops changes to its zoning code to address such uses.
isthmus.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Reposted by Liam Beran
jmalewitz.bsky.social
Wisconsin Supreme Court elections have drawn an ‘obscene’ amount of spending. Here’s why & what can be done about it.

Loose campaign finance laws, lax recusal rules, a purple electorate and the spring election cycle help explain record spending on these races.
wisconsinwatch.org/2025/12/wisc...
Wisconsin Supreme Court elections have drawn an ‘obscene’ amount of spending. Here’s why and what can be done about it.
Loose campaign finance laws, lax recusal rules, a purple electorate and even the spring election cycle all help explain why high court races have become so expensive.
wisconsinwatch.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:48 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
Happy #GivingNewsDay!

Please consider a contribution to @isthmusmadison.bsky.social to support in-depth coverage on topics important to Madison and Wisconsin; donations through Dec. 31 will be matched twice. We appreciate your support.

isthmus.com/news/news/gi...
On Giving Newsday, help Isthmus pay a printing bill
On this annual day of global giving, help Isthmus cover printing costs.
isthmus.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:39 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
Imperial Garden to remain after property owner scraps apartment plans

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/im...
Imperial Garden to remain after property owner scraps apartment plans
The restaurant will ‘continue serving excellent Chinese food as usual’ after a proposed redevelopment faced criticism in Middleton’s city government.
isthmus.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
Also in this story: news about a meeting tomorrow calling for the village board president’s resignation.

“What concerns me most is the broader tone this has taken on. The rising level of personal attacks and mistrust is not reflective of how Shorewood Hills has traditionally governed,” he says.
liamberan.bsky.social Liam Beran @liamberan.bsky.social · Nov 23
There’s tension in Shorewood Hills at present, including resident backlash to two proposed single family homes.

“We do not want to destroy the character of this village. Anything that is done under the old ordinance will lead to that.”

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/sh...
Shorewood Hills residents organize against two new single-family homes
A Madison-area developer is looking to build two single-family homes in Shorewood Hills. The projects have proven contentious.
isthmus.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
liamberan.bsky.social
There’s tension in Shorewood Hills at present, including resident backlash to two proposed single family homes.

“We do not want to destroy the character of this village. Anything that is done under the old ordinance will lead to that.”

@isthmusmadison.bsky.social

isthmus.com/news/news/sh...
Shorewood Hills residents organize against two new single-family homes
A Madison-area developer is looking to build two single-family homes in Shorewood Hills. The projects have proven contentious.
isthmus.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:20 PM