An in-depth report on the grassroots opposition to basing F-35 fighter jets in Madison.
Available as an audio documentary and a four-part written series, Flight Path is a partnership project of Tone Madison, Communication, and Northside News. The Air Force officially chose Madison as a site for the jets in April. But the fight continues in areas that stand to bear the brunt of the F-35s’ noise, environmental, and economic impacts. These efforts have already brought neighbors together to organize and advocate for their communities in a changing Madison.
Reporter Oona Mackesey-Green focuses on the people and the work behind the opposition, and the very real human impact the presence of fighter jets has on some of Madison’s most diverse and affordable neighborhoods.
Listen
Flight Path is available as an hour-long audio documentary. Listen here or subscribe to the Tone Madison Podcast on the podcasting platform of your choice.
Read
Flight Path will also be published serially as a four-part written report.
- May 6: How F-35s galvanized neighbors in Eken Park
- May 7: Rights signed away and forgotten
- May 11: “Loud but affordable”
- May 12: The fight continues
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Sex Ed Disco Dance Party unites Madison creatives in a fundraiser for a vital, forthcoming documentary
Filmmaker Gracie Wallner co-hosts the Crucible event with many queer friends and allies on January 5.
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“Inside A Dream: The Music of David Lynch” aims to reproduce the otherworldly atmosphere of the iconic American surrealist’s oeuvre
On February 12, a live eight-piece band tributes the moody music from Lynch’s work (often with longtime composer Angelo Badalamenti) at High Noon Saloon.
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Matt Ulery’s Mannerist ensemble remains resonantly vast in sonic palette while delicately intimate in scope
The Chicago-based chamber jazz bassist and composer visits Café Coda on March 4.
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Veritable sonic explorers Laminal Animil fit any bill
The Madison-based, free-improvising trio perform at Communication on March 10 with woodwindist Pawan Benjamin opening.
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The virtuosity of Henry Ptacek’s SPRING culminates at a spring recital
Catch two sets from Ptacek’s jazz ensemble at Café Coda on April 30, starting at 5 p.m.
Learn more and take action
Safe Skies Clean Water Wisconsin Coalition
Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement
Information about PFAS in Madison from the Midwest Environmental Justice Organization
F-35 EIS Staff Analysis from the Mayor’s office
Avigation easement information from Solidarity Realty
Support independent journalism in Madison
There are a few ways to help out the organizations that partnered up to create Flight Path.
- Become a Tone Madison Sustainer to help fund reader-supported journalism on arts, culture, and politics in Madison.
- Donate to Northside News to support the Northside Planning Council’s community newspaper.
- Support Communication through this east side arts nonprofit’s Etsy Shop and Patreon.
Credits and acknowledgements
Reported, produced, and written by Oona Mackesey-Green
Facilitation and additional production by Tessa Echeverria Perez
Audio edited by Sarah Jennings Evans
Theme music by Auscultation
Graphics by Scott Gordon, Oona Mackesey-Green, and Mark Riechers
Text edited by Scott Gordon
Flight Path is supported in part by a grant from the SASY Neighborhood Association.