Morning Update: Friday, Jan. 7

Good Morning, Madison!
We've been breaking records recently — and not in a good way.
Wisconsin just recorded its highest number of new cases again.
In light of recent developments, we're renewing our commitment to making sure you have the information — and context — you need every day. Starting next week, we'll have an updated graphic in our newsletter that puts more Covid-19 data at your fingertips each morning.
Stay tuned!
— Sam
🎒 MMSD schools will resume in-person instruction on Jan. 10th.
- Wait, is this news? Yes! The district previously said it intended to do this, but the plan is now official.
- The school district delayed the return of students by several days due to the spike in Covid-19 cases attributed to the Omicron variant.
- The district says that closures of schools are still a possibility as the semester goes on, according to the Cap Times.
- Related: MMSD adds 251 COVID cases, including record staff positives (Cap Times)
🦠 Covid-19 testing is coming back to Alliant Energy Center, but it's not going to be like last time.
- The city closed down its large drive-through testing operation at Alliant in June. At the time, officials said about 1/3 of Dane County residents had taken at least one test at the site since it opened in May 2020.
- Officials plan to have the testing site at Alliant open starting Monday. This time, it will be a walk-up testing site and appointments are required.
- Why is it different this time? Cost. Officials said it would cost over $300,000 a month to operate the testing site the same way they did last year. Oh, and that figure doesn't include staffing or the costs of the tests themselves.
⚖️ The property management group responsible for the building that houses Paisan's will be fined $1,000 a day until it pays for building inspections.
- Paisan’s has been forced to close twice due to fears that the building could collapse. For now, its operations have been moved to its sister restaurant Porta Bella.
- Now, a local judge has ruled the property management group is in contempt of court for not complying with orders to arrange for regular building inspections, Channel 3000 reports.
“The failure to make even a minimal effort to ask the owners of the building on whose behalf EMI is working for additional funds to comply with the court order is a demonstration of an intentional disregard of the order ... There really was no effort made here to do the least that was necessary.” — Dane County Judge Juan Colas
⛸️ Winter activity options at Madison parks:
- Cross-country skiing is permitted in seven Madison parks. Some require a paid permit for people aged 16 years or older. More info and map here.
- Disc golf: The Yahara Hills courses are open for the winter season. The courses at Hiestand and Elver are closed until spring 2022. More info and map here.
- Snowshoeing: Lots of options! Rentals are available at Elver Park. More info and map here.
- Iceskating: Lots of options! All are free. Skate rentals are available at several parks. More info and map here.
- Sledding: The parks department has a list of 9 recommended locations for sledding, and the hill at Elver Park is lit for nighttime sledding during the open season. More info and map here.
📚 Your lunchtime read: 39 Madison-area restaurant, bar and coffee shop openings in 2021, including more on the way (State Journal)
- Look back on a year of openings and get details on several restaurants that are opening soon with this State Jote Journal article.
🦠 Covid-19 Resources
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Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 58.3%
Dane County Vaccination Rate: 76.2%
Links you can use
- Here's where to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you.
- Need a COVID-19 test? PHMDC has you covered.
- Do you still need your flu shot? Start here.
- Request an at-home testing kit from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
- Where to Buy N95s, KN95s, and Surgical-Style Masks in 2022 (Wirecutter)
- What to Do if You are Sick or Possibly Exposed (PHMDC)
📅 The weekend
Friday, Jan. 7
- Wisconsin Global Fest at the Majestic. Featuring Immigre, De La Buena, and Spare Change Trio. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. $15. 🟠
- The Cuz at the Bur Oak. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $10.
- Wisconsin Punk Fest at High Noon Saloon. Featuring COASTING, Help Desk, Something To Do, We Should Have Been DJ’s, Kule, and Dear Mr. Watterson. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $15.
- Scott Wilcox at Brinklounge. 7 p.m.
- Evan Bradbury Artist Reception at Dark Horse ArtBar. 7 p.m.
- The Regulators with Mike Allemana and Matt Ferguson at North Street Cabaret. 8 p.m.
- Vinyl and Bass: Golden Donna, Elfscape, Imaginary Friend, Taimbat, Tolerance at Crucible. Show at 9 p.m. $10. 🟠
- The Earthlings, Modern Joey, Wurk at Harmony Bar and Grill. Part of OCCUPATION concert series. 9 p.m. $12 advance, $15 at door, $40 for all OCCUPATION January shows.
- “LN3: 7 Teachings of the Anishinaabe in Resistance” screening and discussion. A 38-min frontline documentary on the efforts to stop the fossil fuel expansion and encourage real energy security. 6:30 p.m. Virtual. Free.
Saturday, Jan. 8
- Kids in the Rotunda Presents: Tom Pease and Stuart Stotts. 9:30 a.m. Virtual. Free.
- Wisconsin Jam Fest at the Majestic featuring Mr. Blotto, Steez, Feed The Dog. The Grasshoppers. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. $15.
- Joey’s Song Benefit Concert at the Sylvee. Musical acts: The Know-It-All Boyfriends, the Nielsen Trust, Dave Pirner, Chris Collingwood, Jody Stephens, Laura Jane Grace, Cory Chisel, Kay Hanley, Miguel Cervantes, and Sam Gomoll. Also featuring Charlie Berens and Joel Hodgson. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $47.50 in person, $15 livestream.
- Wisconsin Hip-Hop Fest at High Noon Saloon. Featuring Rusty Pelicans, DJ Pain 1, 608 Trayce, Tas Raww, DJ Scrump Boogz, Marcus Porter & Friends, ODEA, The Catalyst and Hunney LaTure. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. $15. 🟠
- Music & Poetry with Kelly Hepper & Adrienne S. Wallner at Cargo Coffee East. 6:30 p.m. Free.
- Cowboy Amazing, Something Is Waiting, Disgunt, and Solshade at BarleyPop Live. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. $7.
- Earthmother at Harmony Bar. 9 p.m. $10.
- ANTI/SOCIAL at Crucible. Doors at 9 p.m. $5.
Sunday, Jan. 9
- Stand Up: Level 1 class with Dina Nina Martinez. 2 p.m. $225 for 4 classes.
- Frandu and Friends at Bos Meadery. “Madison’s comedian/philosopher/life coach Frandu will regale you with his thoughts on life.” 6 p.m. Free. 🟠
Wondering what that 🟠 means?
That symbol next to an event listing means that Tone Madison’s team of writers and editors recommends checking it out. Tone knows Madison’s arts and music landscape better than anybody else.
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