Subpoenas, rumors, PFAS, oh my!

Happy Thursday, Madison.

Yesterday I posed the question "who the heck names the apartment buildings in Madison?"

Well, it turns out the Cap Times had the same question a few years ago. This 2016 piece digs into why developers choose the oftentimes crazy names they do for apartments. Would you live in The Dude abodes? Personally, it's a no from me.

Thanks to Cap Times editor and Madison Minutes reader Katie Dean for sharing this important piece of journalism!

— Hayley

🔍 Madison's mayor has been subpoenaed to testify in Wisconsin's ongoing election review.

• Some context: Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman has been tasked with leading a review into Wisconsin's handling of the 2020 election (he may or may not know how elections work). Republicans in the state have backed three separate investigations into the November 2020 election, despite a lack of evidence of any wrongdoing.
• Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said she will comply with investigators but called the subpoena a “mockery." She's asked Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to make the process more public people of Wisconsin and the press can better watch the investigation unravel, since it's being funded by $680,000 taxpayer dollars.

🚓 The rumors aren't true.

• Madison’s new Police Chief Shon Barnes says rumors that he’s leaving aren’t true.
• Isthmus reports that rumors of Barnes' departure have been circulating among city hall. Reporter Dylan Brogan asked Barnes, who has been on the job for just seven months, if he'd heard the comments. His response: "I’m glad you asked. Madison is where I am and where I want to be. I’m here for the long haul and you should print that,” Barnes told Isthmus. “I love Madison. I love this community. I’m not going anywhere.”
• So far, the mayor and other city officials say they take Barnes' word as his commitment to the community.

🏠 City Council is moving forward on a site for a temporary men's homeless shelter.

• The council voted 14-6 to spend $2.6 million to buy property at 2002 Zeier Road as a “temporary men's homeless shelter."
• Currently, Madison runs its men’s shelter out of the former fleet services building on First Street. According to WORT, that site is set to become Madison’s Public Market, but the city first needs to move the shelter operations before that project can proceed.
• If you'll recall: The city has considered this property before. Back in May, a resolution to purchase the property failed to pass by one vote. The city is still looking for a permanent site for a men's shelter.

🚰 Addressing the state of Starkweather Creek — one of Wisconsin’s most polluted waterways.

• From Wisconsin Watch: "Despite Dane County’s initial steps toward addressing Starkweather Creek’s pollution and engaging the public on the issue, awareness of the problem remains mixed among anglers, recreational users and other residents, Wisconsin Watch found. Some say local officials should act more urgently. "
  • The East Side creek has been highly contaminated for decades, the latest concerns now surround PFAS.

🥁 Longtime Madison musician has been accused of sexual misconduct.

• From Tone Madison: "David Henzie-Skogen, a longtime Madison musician known for his work in Youngblood Brass Band and Cougar, was fired from his job as a youth music instructor in May after a former student accused him of using his position to start a sexual relationship. "
• Since the initial allegation came out, more students from the Shadow Drum and Bugle Corps have come forward with similar stories. The Shadow program is for 13- to 18-year-olds. Henzie-Skogen is 42. The program, based in Oregon (Wisconsin), has reported Henzie-Skogen to Drum Corps International, the governing body for youth marching bands and Oregon police are reportedly looking into the allegations, though there is no formal investigation.

🛑 Evictions are up in Wisconsin.

• Since the federal moratorium on evictions ended in August, eviction rates in the state have increased 55%, WPR reports.
• Related: Worried about being evicted in Dane County? Start here.
• Further related: 5 ways to help renters facing eviction in Dane County.

🏆 Black Oxygen won a Wisconsin  Innovation Award.

• The podcast, which is hosted by Angela Russell and produced and distributed by Madison365 "features in-depth and authentic discussions with Black people who live in Wisconsin."

🎧 Lunchtime listen: Speaking of podcasts, have you listened to Mapped Out?

• From WPR: "As Wisconsin prepares for another redistricting battle at the state Capitol and in the courts, WPR's new investigative podcast "Mapped Out" dives into how things went down a decade ago — how the process was supposed to go, how it really happened, and how those decisions affected the balance of political power in the state for years to come."

🦠 Covid-19 Resources

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 54%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 71.2%

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. 7

• Panel: “Can Ranked-Choice Voting Work in Wisconsin?”. Organized by the UW Elections Research Center. 8 a.m. Free.
• Read to a Dog at Sequoya Library. Bring a favorite book (or find one at the library!) and read aloud to a furry friend. 3:30-5 p.m. Free.
• Headshot Happy Hour at Boardman & Clark. Networking and professional headshots. Organized by Habitat Young Professionals. 5:30 p.m. HYP members $45, non-members $50.
• “Beat the Brewer” at I/O Arcade Bar. Play the Third Space brewer team in a game of your choice. If you win, you get a free beer. 6-9 p.m.
• Concert: Porter Robinson at the Sylvee. Doors: 6:30 p.m., show 8 p.m. $42.50 advance, $45 at door.
• “Justin Bieber: Our World” advance screening at Memorial Union. From IMDb: “Lead-up to Justin Bieber's first full concert in three years and his New Year's Eve show in 2020 on the rooftop of the Beverly Hilton.” 7 p.m. Free.
• Comedy Showcase at North Street Cabaret. 7:30–9:30 p.m. $10 advance, $15 cash at door.
• Concert: Ryley Walker with Motel Breakfast at Memorial Union Terrace. 8-11 p.m. Free.