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Morning Update: Thursday, Oct. 21

Morning Update: Thursday, Oct. 21

New voting maps + doomed abortion bills + jail money

Happy Thursday, Madison!

Here's a feel-good story to start your morning off the right way.

Allana Randall, a 2018 University of Wisconsin graduate, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma while living abroad in Taiwan in 2020. (I promise this gets happier.) She came home to Madison for chemotherapy treatment where she rediscovered her love for art.

“I’ve always been artistic and I’ve always loved painting and doing creative things,” Randall told Madison Magazine. “I’ve really enjoyed watercolors, it’s been something I’ve been doing for years. That’s mostly what I started working in with chemo on weeks I wasn’t feeling great. "

Soon after, she began selling her hand-painted letters, stickers, mugs, and more online. Randall successfully completed her chemotherapy treatment and now donates roughly half of the proceeds from her art to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

You can find Randall and her quirky merch at the next Madison Night Market, which happens to be tomorrow, Oct. 22. And you can read her full story from Madison Magazine here.

Now let's dive into today's stories.

— Hayley

P.S. You'll notice some new dividers today. Love 'em? Hate 'em? Tell me what you think!

🗳️ Republicans in the legislature have unveiled their redistricting maps and they look pretty familiar.

  • Republican leaders Wednesday revealed their proposal for legislative and congressional district maps, drawing immediate criticism from Democrats and other stakeholders. The maps, the State Journal reports are largely based on existing GOP-drawn districts, which have helped Republicans maintain a stronghold in the state legislature.
  • The GOP-led legislature plans to vote on maps early next month but it's highly likely that the state's next 10-year maps will ultimately be decided in court.

🖋️ The State Senate voted to approve several bills that would increase abortion regulations and restrictions in Wisconsin, but they'll likely face Gov. Evers' veto pen.

💰 Dane County is considering tacking on another $23 million to the already more expensive-than-anticipated jail project.

  • Some context: The county approved $76 million for the project in 2018. In 2019, Dane County approved additional funding for the project, bringing its total to $148 million. The project was met with much pushback from the community when it was first introduced.
  • Earlier this week, the county's Public Protection & Judiciary Committee advanced on a 4-3 vote to authorize an additional $23 million for the project — bringing its new total to $170.1 million.

⚽ The 'mingos took home a win.

  • Madison's favorite soccer team won 2-1 against Union Omaha last night.
  • The team will continue their path to the playoffs this Saturday at home in a match-up against Tucson.

☕ Say goodbye to Barriques on Atwood.

  • Isthmus reports the local coffee chain is not renewing its lease at its 2166 Atwood Ave. location and will be closing the cafe before the end of the year.
  • Barriques closed its Park St. in December 2020 but still operates locations on Monroe Street, West Washington Avenue, University Avenue, Old Sauk Road, McKee Road, and Cayuga Street.

🍸 And say hello to Oz by Oz, downtown's newest cocktail bar.

  • Pronounced either how it sounds or "ounce by ounce," the new hangout spot is the product of Settle Down Tavern co-owners Brian Bartels, Ryan Huber, and Sam Parker. One fun fact about the space: it was designed with local art and secondhand furniture — including some from Bartels’ parents' former home in Reedsburg.
  • For now, the bar, which is located at 113 King St., will be open Mondays through Thursdays, 4 p.m. - close.

💉 UW Health is looking for participants in a study to examine allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines.

  • According to Channel 3000, to be considered, participants must be at least 12 years old and have a history of at least one of the following conditions:
    • Severe allergies
    • Allergies to medication
    • Diagnosed with a mast cell disorder
    • OR have no known history of severe allergies (for the control group)

🗑️ You can get compost bins but *not rain barrels* this weekend at Garver Feed Mill.

♟️ Your lunchtime read: A judge challenged a man in his court to a game of chess, and helped change a life in the process

🦠 Covid-19 Resources

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 54.7%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 71.7%

Here's where to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you.

Need a COVID-19 test? PHMDC has you covered.

Are you eligible for a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna? Find out here.

📅 Events: Thursday, Oct. 21

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