It's the longest day of the year

Good morning, Madison!

Happy Tuesday and happy summer solstice. Today marks the longest day of the year with sunset at 8:40 p.m.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate the solstice. Personally, I opt for a viewing of the 2019 classic Midsommar. But across town the annual Make Music Madison festival will showcase dozens of local artists playing an eclectic mix of tunes all day long.

Head here for a full list of shows throughout the day. If you do venture outside, though, be sure to stay hydrated because it is *hot* out there. A heat advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. tonight.

— Hayley

🚫 An ugly crash on Willy Street.

• A car crashed into the Willy Street Treasure Shop (1012 Williamson St.) around 11 a.m. Monday morning.
• According to an MPD incident report, the driver "suffered a medical/health incident prior to the crash." The driver sustained minor injuries but no one else was hurt as a result of the crash. The driver did not show any signs of impairment and was cited for the traffic violations.
• For the time being, the shop is "out of business," owner Jeanne Ross told the Cap Times.
• A history of accidents: Unfortunately, this isn't the first time such an event has occurred on Willy Street. Last August, a car drove into Change Boutique (1252 Williamson St.) forcing it to relocate for months. In 2018, an SUV struck Ha Long Bay (1353 Williamson St.) causing a partial collapse of the building's facade. And in 2016 a car plowed into Mother Fool’s Coffee Shop (1101 Williamson St.).
• Make a difference: A GoFundMe has been set up to support the Willy Street Treasure Shop. You can donate here.

📚 MMSD has added more staff for summer school.

• The district has re-enrolled 100 students after initially unenrolling them from summer classes due to a lack of staff. While the new staff helps, it doesn't solve the problem entirely.
• Eariler this month the district unenrolled 700 students from summer school classes because of staffing issues. The district told the Cap Times there are still “roughly 600" students who have been unenrolled from summer classes.
• Related: Nelson Render, another top Madison schools official, leaves district (Cap Times)
• The bigger picture: Students this year need summer school. Some districts can’t staff it. (Washington Post)

🚔 The city will once again consider banning cops from using tear gas as crowd control.

• At the City Council meeting tonight, District 8 Ald. Juliana Bennet will introduce an ordinance to ban law enforcement from using chemical agents (like tear gas) or "impact projectile devices" (think bean bags) as means of crowd control.
• "It is of upmost importance to prohibit the use of indiscriminate weapons that can have a long-term impact of our people," Bennet told the State Journal. "Chemical munitions negatively impact everyone in the area, whether one is old or young, able or disabled, instigator or innocent. Rather, MPD should employ different, more effective methods of crowd control other than chemical munitions."
• MPD Chief Shon Barnes told the news outlet he supports alternative de-escalation methods but opposes an outright ban on any practices.
• This isn't the first time City Council has tried to ban MPD's use of such methods. A similar proposal was made in July 2020 but ultimately failed to pass.

⚖️ Abortion access is already dwindling in Wisconsin.

• Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced last Friday it will not schedule any abortion procedures after June 25. Planned Parenthood operates 22 health centers but only three clinics provide abortions in three locations in the state (Madison, Milwaukee, and Sheboygan).
• The move is in anticipation of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade. The organization predicts the court will issue its ruling June 27.
• If Roe is overturned, Wisconsin will revert to an 1849 law that prohibits doctors from performing abortions except to save the life of the mother.
• Isthmus reports at least one madison resident has already had to schedule an appointment out of state.

🌮 A new face with a familiar taste on Library Mall.

• Cultura Cali is one of the latest food carts to roll up on Library Mall. But the cart isn't a stranger to the scene, it previously operated under the name Cali Fresh.
• Cap Times writes the cart's new owner Gerardo Hernandez bought it from his brother, Daniel and his wife Leticia Hernandez, who own Tapatios Cocina Mexicana in Fitchburg.
• Cultura Cali's menu doesn't stray too far from Cali Fresh's previous offerings, serving up Cal-Mex offerings like burritos, tacos, and nachos.

😻 Happy Take Me Home Tuesday, meet Rikki Tikki Tavi!

• Via Dane County Humane Society: "A fun name for a silly nearly 10-year-old cat. Rikki Tikki Tavi is a senior cat who knows what he wants, and sometimes he’s vocal about it. When he wants pets, he’ll walk onto your lap to enjoy chin and head scratches. When he’s done with pets, he’ll let you know. Rikki Tikki Tavi is looking for a family who can read his body language and spoil him with love and treats.
  
  Tuesday, June 21, is the last day to take advantage of our cat promotion, in which adoption fees have been reduced to $75 for kittens, $30 for young adult cats, and $10 for adult and senior cats, all in honor of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month."
• Think Rikki Tikki Tavi would make a great addition to your family? Learn more about him here.

😋 Your luchtime read: “It’s a restaurant, but it is my house.” Soul food spot House of Flavas brings home cooking to the east side.

• From Madison365: "The drive to Chicago can be a long road for many who are looking to experience the communal warmth and flavor sensation that comes with a delicious meal from an authentic soul food restaurant. Jodie Jefferson was feeling the same way as a Chicago native who moved to Madison to be closer to family.
  
  'Well, I’m always driving home to get food every other weekend, why not bring the food to Madison,' Jefferson said. 'And that’s what happened at House of Flavas.'"