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Welcome to HATAPALOOZA

The first-ever Madison Minutes hat is here — but there's a catch.

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Good morning, Madison!

I hope you're sitting down because I have something big to share with you. Ready?

We have merch!!!!!

The first-ever Madison Minutes hat is here — but there's a catch. You can't buy it, you have to win it as part of a contest that we're calling HATAPALOOZA.

We’re giving away 25 hats for HATAPALOOZA. To enter the giveaway, sign up here.

And for every friend you get to sign up, you’ll receive one more entry into the giveaway. There’s no limit to how many people you can refer. So get to it!!

Learn more about HATAPALOOZA

— Hayley

🏥 The county has picked a site for its new mental health crisis center.

Dane County officials plan to refurbish and remodel the Huber Detention Center into the new Mental Health Crisis Triage and Restoration Center.
The new center will provide 24/7 rehabilitation and stabilization services, which local experts say will help fill a much-needed gap in support. The County Board has already approved more than $14.3 million dollars for the project's construction and opening, according to WORT.
For decades, the detention center off Rimrock Road was used as a work-release jail. In recent years, most residents were moved to downtown jail facilities or became part of the Dane County Sheriff’s electronic monitoring program, freeing up the space for use.

🏀 Badgers men’s basketball won't be going to the Big Dance.

For the first time since 2018, the Wisconsin men's basketball team will not participate in the NCAA March Madness Tournament.
The Badgers will instead compete in the 2023 National Invitation Tournament. UW received a No. 3 seeding and will to host Bradley at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow.
The Badgers finished their season with a 17-14 record and lost in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.

🗳️ Two chances to hear from Madison's mayoral candidates this week.

The University Hill Farms Neighborhood Association is hosting a mayoral forum tonight at Covenant Presbyterian Church. The event will be moderated by documentary producer Greg Jeschke.
Tomorrow, the Crawford Marlborough Nakoma Neighborhood Association is hosting a forum at Westminster Presbyterian Church. The event will be moderated by WORT News Director Chali Pittman. This forum also has a virtual option.
Meet the candidates: The Madison mayor's race is a referendum on the last four years (Isthmus)
Be prepared: The election is April 4. Learn more here.

💸 Madison College tuition could be going up.

The Wisconsin Technical College System is looking at raising tuition by 1.9% for the upcoming school year.

Under the proposal, students working on technical diplomas, apprenticeship programs, and most associate degrees would pay $2.75 more per credit than this year, bringing a total credit cost to $146.20, according to the State Journal.
In-state tuition for students enrolled in transfer programs with the intention of moving to a bachelor's at a four-year university would not change.
The bigger picture: The University of Wisconsin System is also considering a tuition increase. If approved, this would be the first time in roughly a decade that tuition has changed for in-state undergraduates.

A twenty four year old woman smoking medical marijuana to relieve symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. — Photo by Alexander Grey / Unsplash

🤑 Your lunchtime read: Wisconsin's neighbors are raking in hundreds of millions from weed taxes.

Via The Badger Project: "Illinois and Michigan again raked in hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue on recreational weed sales last year, and Minnesota is planning to join the party by fully legalizing the drug.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin sits on a near-island of cannabis prohibition, surrounded by states with legal weed. But, as medical marijuana inches toward legalization in the state, experts say policymakers would have the benefit of hindsight from the states who went first."

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🎙️ Today on City Cast Madison

*Ali Treviño-Murphy demonstrating self-defense techniques. Photo courtesy of Underground Self Defense.*

This Class Could Save Your Life

Domestic violence in Wisconsin is at an all-time high. Just a few weeks ago, another event shocked Madison. Polic e chased a man into the Kwik Trip on East Wash, where he shot at police before locking himself in the bathroom and taking his life. He was suspected of strangling his girlfriend days earlier.

Statistically, most intimate assaults are committed against women. And that’s why a local martial arts studio has focused on teaching women self-defense skills. Ali Treviño-Murphy, co-owner of Underground Self Defense, says when women fight back, they are more likely to survive an assault. And she’s here to tell you how.

And if you need help, text the Domestic Abuse Intervention Services hotline anytime: (608) 420-4638. If you prefer to speak with someone over the phone, call their Help Line: (608) 251-4445.

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