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Morning Update: Friday, Feb. 11

Morning Update: Friday, Feb. 11

Good morning, Madison.

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

On to the news!

— Sam

🏫 East High School is rolling out student-led education on sexual violence following a series of walkouts earlier this school year.

  • Students walked out of class last fall to protest the way school leaders were handling concerns about sexual harassment and assault. Students have been meeting regularly since then with school and district leaders to address their concerns.
  • The training includes informational posters, public service announcements, and educational events.
“They have been meeting our demands. It’s been a process ... But I believe it’s all coming together.” — Gordon Allen, a student who helped organize one of the walkouts.

🏠 Madison and Dane County are allocating $35 million more for rental assistance.

🚲 Today is International Winter Bike to Work Day. Here are a few local deals.

  • Several local businesses are offering morning and evening specials for those brave enough to Trek (get it?) to and from work on bicycles in these cold winter months.
  • Morning specials will be available at Lakeside St. Coffee House, Lodgic Everyday Community, and Cafe Domestique. Evening specials will be available at Funk Factory Geuzeria, Working Draft Beer Co., Delta Beer Lab, and Stateline Distillery.
  • Click here for more details on the various deals.

🏘️ Developers are moving forward with plans to develop land near the airport — despite F-35 noise concerns.

  • Developers plan to split the Raemisch Farm property into 124 housing lots. Commercial and apartments are also planned for the land, according to the Cap Times.
  • The proposal cleared the Plan Commission earlier this week and now heads to the full city council for approval.
  • Some commissioners voted yes despite having concerns about the impact F-35s could have on future residents.
“I am concerned about the F-35 noise but the subdivision plat complies with the subdivision ordinance, so I don’t think the commission has any other option except to forward this for the Common Council.” —commissioner Bradley Cantrell.

Proposed expansion map from Amtrak.

🚄 Amtrak in five years?

  • Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway recently said passenger rail could serve Madison within the next five years. From the Milwaukee Business Journal:
“I think that’s definitely on the table,” Rhodes-Conway said Thursday of a five-year horizon. “Madison is on Amtrak’s map and I think that with this funding that we may be able to get that done. That to me is incredibly exciting.”
  • The infrastructure bill passed by Congress in November makes officials excited about the possibility, and a preliminary map released by Amtrak last year includes a route to the city.
  • CBS58 followed up with Amtrak, and a spokesperson said it all depends on what the federal government decides.
  • The last time passenger rail servicing Madison felt like a real possibility was about a decade ago, when then-Governor Scott Walker blocked plans for a high speed train route between Milwaukee and Madison.

🦠 Covid-19 Update

Source: Public Health Madison & Dane County

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 59.7%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 77.5%

Resources

Here's where to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you.

📅 The weekend

Friday, Feb. 11

Saturday, Feb 12

Sunday, Feb. 13

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