Morning Update

It's kitten time

Morning Update: Thursday, June 16

In this newsletter

Ozzy pawsy <3

Good morning, Madison!

Happy Thursday, friends. Have you found yourself in the midst of a cozy daydream envisioning a scene of purring kittens and good vibes? Then the thought dawns, "Maybe I need (another) cat?"

If that sounds like you I've got some good news. Starting today, the Dane County Humane Society is reducing its adoption fees for cats and kittens.

The promotion lasts through June 21. It's put on in celebration of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, so there's your excuse to justify any impulsive decisions. I happened to find my sweet boy Ozzy during a similar DCHS promotion so who knows, you might just end up with a new best friend.

— Hayley

P.S. It's hot outside! Here are some tips for keeping your furry friends cool.

🧪 Get free Covid-19 tests at the library.

In partnership with Public Health Madison & Dane County, the Madison Public Library is now offering f ree Covid-19 tests at all of their locations.
No library card is required to get tests.
The library has 900 at-home tests available across its locations (while supplies last). Tests are limited to two kits per person.

😷 MMSD is dropping its mask mandatory requirement for summer school.

Madison school district officials announced Wednesday it will not require students to wear masks in school buildings during the summer term, which starts June 20.
There are some exceptions to the new guidelines. Students will still be required to wear masks indoors when someone shows any symptoms of a respiratory illness, or in the five days after isolating at home following a positive Covid-19 test, or if an individual is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
Cap Times reports MMSD is the only known district in the state to hold a mask mandate throughout the entire 2021-22 school year.

🌈 Celebrate Pride with local artists.

In celebration of "the creativity, strength, and inspiration we get from the LGBTQ community," Gib's Bar (1380 Williamson St.) is hosting an art show featuring LGBTQ+ artists in Madison.
The show, titled "Making Out", opens tonight (8-11 p.m.) You can read the artists' bios here.

🚫 PSA: City buildings will be closed Monday.

In observation of Juneteenth, all City of Madison offices will be closed Monday.
Of note: Emergency services (i.e. 911) and the Water and Sewer Utilities will still be available for emergencies.
Additionally, all Metro Transit services will operate as usual on Sunday and Monday, with the exception of Route 80 and 84 UW Campus service. Get the full route details here.

⚖️ A record number of lawmakers retired from the Wisconsin State Legislature this year.

A new report from The Badger Project shows more than a quarter of incumbents aren't running for their seats in 2022.
The news outlet reports at least 31 legislators have either filed noncandidacy paperwork with the Wisconsin Election Commission or did not submit paperwork to run again. This is the highest rate of lawmakers choosing not to seek reelection since 1942, when 32 legislators decided against running.
Of the outgoing legislators, 14 are Democrats and 17 are Republicans.
What's the deal? Generally, large turnover happens in the legislature following redistricting.

🌲 So what happens to all those trees that were uprooted in this week's storms?

Multiple heavy storms ripped through the isthmus this week leaving a trail of toppled trees in its path. But what happens to those trees after the storm? The short answer is they get turned into mulch.
Channel 3000 writes after the city's Streets Division crews clear brush and downed trees from roadways, the debris gets taken to the division’s waste dumping site on Olin Avenue where it goes through an industrial wood chipper and comes out as mulch.
Residents can get small quantities for this mulch for free. Larger quantities can be purchased from the city.
If there's a tree near you that hasn't quite fallen but definitely keeps you up at night, contact the Wisconsin Arborist Association and trained arborists will respond to assess it.

💞 Your lunchtime read: ‘He showed me how to love': Madisonians of color tell how their dads shaped their lives.

From Cap Times: "In honor of Father’s Day, I spoke with a handful of Madisonians of color about their dads and, where possible, spoke to the dads, too. The interviews highlight the key role these dads have played in shaping their children, some of whom are now parents themselves."
Related listen: Allowing space for Black fathers to exist outside of white gaze (WORT)