Morning Update

Shoveling out of the weekend

It was a big weekend for snow. Don't get caught on the wrong side of he road.

In this newsletter

Photo by Hayley Sperling

Goooood morning, Madison!

So, um, some snow, eh?

The city declared a snow emergency Sunday night, which means alternate-side parking rules are in effect tonight.

Plows will be out across town clearing the streets. The weekend's storms ended up bringing a record-breaking 9.5 inches to Madison, according to the National Weather Service.

If you have to move your car, don't forget you can park for free in city-owned garages between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. during snow emergencies.

If you're ever unsure about which side of the street to park on, just sign up for the city's texting service.The rules of the winter road can be hard to remember, but thankfully, we already did the hard work for you.

⛄

If you have a question, we (probably) have the answer.

• It just snowed. Am I responsible for cleaning my sidewalks?

• Should I use sand and salt?

• It’s winter. Where do I park my car?

• How can I stay up to date on these winter rules?

• I bike to work. Will my path be cleared after it snows?

• Will my bus route be affected during a snowstorm?

— Hayley

❄️ Two more quick notes on the weather.

It's time to shovel: All snow on public sidewalks in Madison must be shoveled by noon today. Homeowners are responsible for clearing sidewalks that border their property. Because of the low temperatures, using salt or other melting agents won't be effective. Sand can still be used on icy patches. The city offers free sand at several locations.
It's going to be cold this week: Temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits (and below) this week. Take care of your pipes.
Related: How to survive and thrive in a Madison winter (Madison Minutes)
Just for fun: Name the city's plows!

🗳️ How to watch the mayoral forum tonight.

There are four people running to be Madison's next mayor. Tonight, three of the candidates will participate in a public forum and debate issues of public safety, transportation, the environment, and more. Here's all you need to know.
Who: Mayoral candidates Satya Rhodes-Conway, Gloria Reyes, and Scott Kerr will take part in the forum. WPR Talk Show Host Emeritus Joy Cardin will moderate. The fourth mayoral candidate is Daniel Howell, who announced a write-in campaign after the deadline to file nomination papers.
When: Today, 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Sequoya Library or virtually via zoom.
Dig deeper: Madison's quiet mayoral race is about to get louder (Cap Times)

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Mark your calendars for the primary.

• Feb. 1 - Deadline to register by mail and online.

• Feb. 17 - Deadline to register in your municipal clerk’s office.

• Feb. 21 - Primary day!

🏫 Introducing the Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History.

UW-Madison announced it will continue its Public History Project and give its "Sifting & Reckoning" exhibit a permanent home.
The new entity will be called the Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History and will have staff "devoted to educating the campus community about the university’s past in ways that will enrich the curriculum, inform administrative decisions and bolster efforts to achieve a more equitable university."
Some context: In 2019, former Chancellor Rebecca Blank commissioned a study on the history of two 1920s UW-Madison student organizations named after the Ku Klux Klan. Its findings concluded the university needed to confront its history of bigotry, exclusion, and racism. As a result, Blank created the Public History Project, an initiative that talks openly about the campus' past.

🌊 Your lunchtime read: How do I make sure my drinking water is safe from PFAS?

Via WPR: "PFAS contamination in the news and the impact the chemicals have on people's health are two reasons why WPR's WHYsconsin was asked: With so many issues around PFAS in our area, what can we do to ensure we have safe drinking water?"

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🎙️ Today on the pod

We Answer 'Dumb' Questions About Madison

There have been many things said about Madison. Our own mayor once proposed “77 Square Miles Surrounded By Reality” as our official motto. A flamingo is our official city bird, due to a college prank decades ago. But much like our families, you only get to talk smack when you’re on the inside. To the rest of the world, we are fiercely loyal and proud. We are so much more than freezing cold, cheese-eating drunkards.

On today’s episode, Bianca Martin and Molly Stentz defend Madison’s honor and place in history to their big boss, City Cast CEO David Plotz.

Listen now