Share

cover art for Mad City Invitational: Wisconsin's Paralympic Dreams

Madison News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Mad City Invitational: Wisconsin's Paralympic Dreams

The Mad City Invitational, a significant wheelchair basketball tournament, recently took place at Verona High School. This event serves as a crucial regional qualifier for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association nationals. Before 2022, local athletes had to travel out of state to qualify for nationals, but now they have a tournament in their own backyard. Paralympian Matt Lesperance, who has been playing since he was nine, shared his journey and encouraged young players to take a chance on the sport, inspiring the next generation of wheelchair basketball stars in Wisconsin.

DNN | The Daily News Now!

The world’s first global local news network.

Every city. Every story. AI powered. 

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Porchlight Shelter Braces for Winter Surge

    01:36|
    Porchlights Emergency Mens Drop-In Shelter in Madison braces for a surge in guests, expecting around 350 individuals on Saturday night due to extreme cold. The shelter, open 24/7, provides essential support, including food, clothing, and case management, ensuring everyone stays safe and warm.
  • Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball: Road to Final Four

    02:07|
    Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team aims for history in regional final against Texas Longhorns, seeking their first road win in this high-stakes round.
  • Packers vs Broncos: Quarterback Showdown

    01:56|
    In this weeks episode, the Green Bay Packers face a formidable challenge against the Denver Broncos, who boast a ten-game winning streak and eleven consecutive home wins. The quarterbacks, Jordan Love and Bo Nix, are under the spotlight, with Love showing remarkable improvement and Nix displaying flashes of brilliance. The games outcome may hinge on third-down conversions, as the Packers offense leads the league and the Broncos defense is number one in stopping opponents. Despite Denvers impressive record, questions remain about their performance against high-caliber opponents, making this Sundays game a true test for both teams.
  • Bags of Hope Feeds 367 Families in Janesville

    01:59|
    Delivering Bags of Hope in Janesville, Wisconsin, recently held its seventeenth annual food distribution, aiming to combat student food insecurity during school breaks. With over half of Janesville School District students eligible for free meals, the initiative supported 367 district families and 50 seniors, providing essential groceries and household items. Volunteers from various backgrounds coordinated the large-scale operation, raising over $50,000 through community donations and partnerships.
  • Black Girl Magic Empowers Girls Through Storytelling

    01:32|
    Black Girl Magic, a Madison nonprofit, hosted a monthly free event for students, fostering a sense of community and empowerment through crafts, books, and support. Founded by Rosa Thompson, the organization has grown from an after-school club to supporting hundreds of students. Their upcoming event on January tenth will teach digital content creation, continuing their mission to build community among Black girls and women.
  • Santa Cycle Rampage Brings Holiday Cheer, Funds Biking Programs

    01:40|
    Hundreds of Santas, Grinches, and elves braved the cold for the annual Santa Cycle Rampage in Madison, raising funds for bike accessibility programs. The festive five-mile ride through downtown, complete with a mini parade and costume contest, spread holiday cheer and promoted active lifestyles.
  • Brewers Acquire Zerpa, Trade Collins & Mears

    01:51|
    The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed pitcher Nick Mears. Zerpa, a five-year veteran, has a promising groundball rate and fastball velocity, and is under team control until 2029. This trade bolsters the Brewers bullpen with a young, controllable left-hander.
  • Brewers Acquire Left-Handed Pitcher Angel Zerpa

    01:50|
    The Milwaukee Brewers have bolstered their bullpen by trading outfielder Isaac Collins and pitcher Nick Mears to the Kansas City Royals for left-handed pitcher Angel Zerpa. This move, reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN, adds flexibility to the Brewers roster as they aim to contend in the 2026 season. Zerpa, a 26-year-old with three years of team control, brings a left-handed arm with upside to help bridge the gap to closer Trevor Megill in late-game situations. Despite thinning their offensive depth slightly, the Brewers still have options in the outfield. This trade showcases the Brewers active efforts to improve their team and positions them for continued success in the National League Central.
  • Brewers Trade Collins to Royals

    01:24|
    Breaking News: Brewers Trade Star Left Fielder Isaac Collins to Royals; Pitcher Nick Mears Joins Kansas City, Angel Zerpa Heads to Milwaukee