Morning Update

Say cheese!

What does a $209 a pound cheese taste like?

In this newsletter

Image by Hayley Sperling

Good morning, Madison!

Big news for all you cheeseheads out there: This May, Hook’s Cheese will release a new 20-year cheddar.

This is the third time Hook's has released a 20-year cheddar, and this time around the cheese will be white.

So what does a cheese thats almost old enough to drink taste like?

“Typically with cheddars, when you get past five years, that acidic flavor goes away,” Tony Hook told Isthmus. “As it gets older, you get more mellow flavor and you think it would be the opposite.”

If your mouth is watering, you can reserve your slice of the cheese today for $209 a pound.

— Hayley

⚖️ The State of the State.

Gov. Tony Evers delivered his State of the State address this week in which he declared 2023 "the year of mental health." In his speech, Evers announced his 2023-25 executive budget will include approximately $500 million to expand access to mental and behavioral health services across Wisconsin.
Evers pledged to work with Republicans to provide more tax relief and funding for local government services. But many Republican lawmakers aren't sold on his spending ideas. Notably, Evers said he wants to increase funding for public schools by $2 billion — a number Republican leaders have already deemed too high, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Wisconsin is expected to enter its next budget season with a roughly $7 billion surplus. In all, WisPolitics reports Evers called for roughly $1.3 billion in new spending.
Related: What will it take to get GOP lawmakers, Democratic governor to work together? (Wisconsin Examiner)
The bigger picture: Children's ER continues to see startling number of suicide-related visits (WPR)

👨‍🍳 These Madison chefs are getting a national spotlight.

Five local chefs were named semifinalists in the 2023 James Beard Awards. They are Andrew Hutchison of Madison Sourdough, Jamie Hoang of Ahan, Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger of Fairchild, and Francesco Mangano of Osteria Papavero.
The winners will be announced March 29. In the meantime, you can read more about what cool new dishes these chefs are cooking up from Madison Magazine.

⏰ The application for state rental assistance is closing soon.

The Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance program (WERA) will close applications at the end of the month due to low remaining funds.
The federally funded program was established in 2021 to help renters experiencing hardship during the pandemic. Since its launch, WERA has paid out over $242 million in benefits to households across all of Wisconsin's 72 counties.
Even though WERA applications close Jan. 31, Dane County has its own emergency rental assistance program through the Tenant Resource Center, which remains available.
Take action: 5 ways to help renters facing eviction in Dane County (Madison Minutes)

💪 Hello CrossFit our old friend.

It looks like the annual CrossFit Games won't be leaving the isthmus any time soon. Despite saying 2023 would be the city's last year hosting the mega event, organizers announced Wednesday the NOBULL CrossFit Games will be held in Madison in 2024.
Madison has hosted the games every year since 2017. The event draws thousands of athletes from around the world to compete for the title of “Fittest on Earth.” This year's games will be held Aug. 1-6.

*The proposed housing project at 6604 Odana. Image via JLA architechts*

🎦 An update on the Market Square Theater development.

Some context: Back in August, developers announced a proposal to tear down the former Market Square Theater at 6604 Odana Road and construct a six-story mixed-use building with 87 apartments. Market Square was Madison's discount theater that closed permanently in February 2022.
The news: This week, the city's Plan Commission unanimously approved the development, which will bring much-needed housing to a heavily commercial area. According to Cap Times, City Council is scheduled to vote on final zoning approval Feb. 7. If approved, the project will be the first to be implemented under the city's Odana Area Plan.

🗳️ Your lunchtime read: Little competition and not much choice: In nearly 90 races for WI state legislature in 2022, only one incumbent lost.

Via The Badger Project: "Wisconsin is the purplest of states, with statewide candidates winning by paper-thin margins. But of nearly 90 state legislative races with an incumbent in the 2022 election in the state, only one lost. And even that comes with an asterisk.

For a variety of reasons, incumbents often enjoy an electoral advantage. That has become even more true as parts of the country become more rigid in their political preferences. But in Wisconsin, a state which many experts call one of the most gerrymandered in the country, that fact is an incumbent advantage multiplier. The April election for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court could change things drastically."

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🎙️ Today on the pod

*Photo courtesy of Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association*

When Lions Dance: Madison Celebrates the Lunar New Year

What if we told you lions would be roaming State Street, devouring heads of lettuce and licking the doors of local businesses? Another day in the life in Madison? Yes, and it’s all part of the celebration of Lunar New Year, happening around the world from January 22 to February 5.

In Madison, we’re celebrating on State Street with the Lion Dancers of the Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association. We caught up with owner and lead instructor Nelson Ferreira for a sneak peek.

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