Morning Update

Make us one of Madison's best

Today is the last day to nominate your local favorites for Madison Magazine's annual Best of Madison poll.

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Gooooood morning, Madison.

Today is the last day to nominate your local favorites (AKA us) for Madison Magazine's annual Best of Madison poll.

It would mean a lot if you put our name in the "Local News Site" category. And while you're there, consider doing the same for our friends at City Cast Madison in the "Local Podcast" space.

— Hayley

📘 Defining Madison.

What in the world is a hairball intersection? Where is SASY? What's TOD? Sometimes it can feel like Madison has its own language. We put together a dictionary of key terms, local projects, and phrases to get you versed in Madison's lexicon.
We're stoked about the project and know there's still room for more. So if you have something you'd like to see defined, get in touch.

🍜 Reviving Umami Ramen & Dumpling Bar.

After three years of Covid-19-induced closure, Umami Ramen & Dumpling Bar has plans to re-open this spring.
The restaurant, located at 923 Williamson St., has been a mainstay of the east side for more than a decade. When it closed, its owners began offering its menu items at its downtown sister restaurant, Tavernakaya.
The owners told the State Journal they've found a new chef for the Willy Street restaurant and are working to build their team in time for a May re-opening.

🍎 MMSD’s substitute problem.

Newly released data shows the Madison Metropolitan School District has struggled to fill its substitute needs most weeks so far this school year.
According to The Cap Times, the fill rate for teachers peaked at roughly 60%. but most weeks were much worse. The fill rate for special education assistants was even lower.
The bigger picture: MMSD staffing shortage leaves student needs unmet, educators exhausted (Cap Times)
Get involved: Learn more about substituting at MMSD.

🐰 Happy Take Me Home Tuesday! Meet Captain Culter.

From Dane County Humane Society: This young adult bun can be shy at first, but he enjoys receiving pets on his head and nose. He also loves to snack on veggies.

Captain is looking for a patient family who will help him build his courage and spoil him with his favorite veggies. He's excited to find a new home where he can explore and hop about.

Learn more about him here.

🍻 Imagine a 4 a.m. bar time.

Gov. Tony Evers has re-introduced a measure to allow bars in 14 counties (including ours!) to stay open until 4 a.m. during next year's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Normally, Wisconsin bars and restaurants must close by 2 a.m. on weekdays and 2:30 a.m. on weekends. Evers previously introduced a similar measure when the 2020 Democratic National Convention was scheduled to come to Milwaukee, but Covid-19 forced the convention to go virtual and lawmakers never acted on the proposal.

⚽️ Your lunchtime read: Professional and college sports organizations say they’re committed to DEI. We asked what that means.

Via Bluebrint365: "On the field and court, mainstream sports like basketball, football and soccer have looked like some of the most diverse institutions in the world. Take a look at the stands, though, and the front offices of those teams, and the look has historically been quite different."

📬

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🎙️ Today on City Cast Madison

DNA Sequences — *TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY*

This Librarian Can Help Trace Your Ancestry

This Black History Month, we wondered: how do we find our OWN history?

Depending on your family history, it can be hard to track down records. Black and indigenous families were often overlooked in official histories, not counted in early censuses and lack historical property records to draw upon. And DNA tests can throw you real curve balls. You never know what surprises might be in your family tree. So how do you even begin?

Luckily, if you live in Madison, you have one of the country’s most extensive historical research centers in your backyard. Meet Lori Bessler, reference librarian at the Wisconsin Historical Society.

🕵🏿 Check out their upcoming free webinars and tips.

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