We know you’re all out of school, but we’re going to attempt to keep you abreast on UW-Madison news this summer with a new feature. Similar to Fresh Cream, Ripe Produce will feature local Badger news that’s “ripe for the reading.” Here are six summer stories you must know.

* The Critical Badger reports a UW-Madison student took matters into his own hands on Sunday night, fighting back against a bunch of thugs who tried to rob him near campus.

* Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle can’t really explain how a lake went down the drain. Luckily UW geology professor Shanan Peters has some ideas.

* Looks like some very important people have been obsessively following agree with Fearless Sifting: Steve Nass was beyond wrong when he attempted to undermine the new Chancellor Biddy Martin.

* Kikkoman Foods partnering with UW to establish a developmental research lab and a $100,000 Environmental Studies Scholarship to one lucky eco-friendly student.

* Does she hate fat people? University of Wisconsin-Madison grad student Rachel Moss has a lot of explaining to do after publishing her latest photo essay.

* Paging John McCain! Philosophy professor Robert Streiffer thinks it’s “perverse” when presidential candidates voluntary disclose their medical records.