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.

🦠 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

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 58.3%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 76.2%

📅 The weekend

Friday, Jan. 7

Saturday, Jan. 8

Sunday, Jan. 9

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.

Sign up for the Tone weekly newsletter here.