⚖️ Epic Sued For Allegedly ‘Hoarding’ Data

Verona-based Epic Systems, Inc. was sued Monday in court by one of its competitors, New York-based Particle Health, for allegedly using its monopoly power to “squash” its rival.

The antitrust suit alleges the electronic medical records giant used a “multi-tentacled” approach against Particle, including denying data to Particle customers and overwhelming the company’s support services with baseless security concerns.

“Epic Systems controls the medical information of nearly every American — meaning one private company has unchecked power over our health care,” Particle CEO Jason Prestinario said in a statement. [WSJ]

🗳️ Drop Boxes Now Open For Fall Election

The city announced its 14 absentee ballot drop boxes are now open for the Nov. 5 election. Absentee voters can use the boxes to return ballot’s to the city clerk’s office.

Voters who requested absentee ballots by mail should be receiving them in the next few days. Once the ballot is sealed in its certificate envelope, it may be dropped off at the nearest ballot box. Make sure all the required information on the certificate is filled out, including the witness information and signature.

Absentee ballots can also be returned by mail. [City of Madison]

🎨 Metro Transit Mural in Limbo

In November 2022, the Madison Common Council gave the okay for Madison artist Jenie Gao to create an 8,000-square-foot mural for the Madison Metro Transit building at 1101 E. Washington Ave.

But nearly two years later, the mural, called “The Time Is Ours,” has become mired in delays due to contract negotiations.

Additionally, Gao can’t begin work until summer of 2026, because Madison Metro Transit is re-siding the wall next year. [Tone Madison]

While our smartphones and social media feeds are full of photos, there’s something special about seeing a photographer’s work off a screen and in real life. PhotoMidwest’s 13th Biennial Exhibition, which runs all month and has a special celebration this Friday and Saturday, brings photographers and their work from across the Midwest to the Arts + Literature Laboratory.

But once the weekend is over, there’s still plenty of places where you can appreciate photography. Here are a few of our favorites:

The biennial photos will stay up at Arts + Lit Lab through Nov. 9, part of a renewed focus on photography in the arts incubator. Photographer George Steinmetz will talk about his book of photography, “Feed the Planet,” on Oct. 19 in a Wisconsin Book Festival event, and a film festival of photography-related movies is coming later this fall.

The Overture galleries often have top-notch photography on display. Right now, in conjunction with PhotoMidwest, the juried exhibition “In Search of Awe” is on display in the Overture Playhouse Galleries through Nov. 17. From nature photography to landscapes to portraits, each of the photos have been selected with the idea of provoking a sense of wonder in the viewer.

Visitors can see photography in action this Thursday and Friday with “Snapshots,” an innovative new series in which the Main Galleries are transformed into a photo studio as staff document artwork in the museum’s permanent collection.

In addition to photos in the museum’s permanent collection, this fall the Chazen is presenting “Nordic Utopia? African Americans in the 20th Century” through Nov. 10. The exhibit, which mixes photography, film, textiles and more, looks at how African American artists like singer Josephine Baker and jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon traveled to Scandinavian countries in the first half of the 20th century, and how their experiences influenced their work.

Promega BioPharmaceutical Technology Center in Fitchburg has an active gallery space that’s currently showing “From This Space,” featuring the work of three Wisconsin photographers, Eric Baillies, Lewis Koch, and Terry Talbot.

The Wisconsin Historical Museum at the top of State Street is full of archival photos from the state’s past, such as a current exhibit on the suffrage movement in Wisconsin.

Jemma Jean is an eight-year-old pup who was surrendered to DCHS earlier this month after her family became unhoused. She has been enjoying time in an office, where she spends most of the day snoozing at the feet of her officemate. When her officemate pops out for a few, Jemma Jean quietly waits by the door and watches as people pass by. This senior pup likes receiving pets and going for slow, short walks. But Jemma Jean is happiest when lounging by your side.

Jemma Jean is a bit overweight so she’s looking for a family who will work with her and her new veterinarian on a weight loss plan to keep her healthy. Her ideal home would not have other dogs so Jemma Jean can enjoy her peace and quiet while also soaking up all the attention.

Bigtooth at The Harmony Bar and Grill

Black Feminisms: An Evening with Reagan Jackson and Stanlie James at A Room of One's Own Bookstore

Bluey's Big Play at Overture Center

Lake Street Dive at Breese Stevens Field

Madison Django Jazz Jam at Leopold's Books Bar Caffe

My Homecoming Dance at Middleton Public Library

Trivia Night at The Rigby

Vinyl Night at Delta Beer Lab

📰 Extra! Extra! There were a lot of barrels rolled out in Monroe over the weekend, where over 4,000 people gathered at Green County Cheese Days on Saturday to break the world record for the world’s largest polka. The record to beat was 802 dancers in Germany in 2013, but given that the polka is Wisconsin’s state dance, it didn’t stand a chance.