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Morning Update: Friday, Nov. 19

Morning Update: Friday, Nov. 19

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🏢 The plans for the development that threatened the Wonder Bar have been revised.

  • Developers originally proposed demolishing both the Wonder Bar and the Coliseum Bar and Banquet. After pushback, they agreed to preserve the Wonder Bar building by moving it.
  • The latest changes to the proposal would see the building reduced from 18 stories to 12 stories. Ald. Sheri Carter says she feels that the height "is more appropriate than the previous plan."

💰 A massive, years-long restructuring of University of Wisconsin job titles and salary ranges has been completed.

  • Employees at UW Madison are being notified of changes via a multi-stage rollout plan, the Badger Herald reports.
  • The restructuring has taken five years. UW System President Tommy Thompson said that "updating job titles and pay ranges is a good business practice that is long overdue at the UW System.”

🎨 The Madison Arts Commission just got a $500,000 grant.

  • The money comes from federal pandemic relief funds and will be used for the city’s “Artists at Work” program.
  • Quote from Anna January, chair of the commission: “For full economic recovery, we need to acknowledge the importance of the creative sector and support those workers.”
  • The commission plans to post guidelines for the Artists at Work grants in February.

🌡️ Temperatures are dropping, but your heating bill is climbing higher.

  • MG&E tells Channel 3000 that people heating their homes with natural gas can expect their bills to go up 30% this winter. Using propane or heating oil? It might be even more.
  • That means about $25-30 higher monthly bills for the average area home.

🗺️ As expected, Governor Tony Evers vetoed the redistricting proposals passed by Republican legislators.

  • The proposed maps would reshape Wisconsin's congressional and legislative districts. In a video message, Evers said the proposals "are gerrymandered maps modeled after the same gerrymandered maps we’ve had for a decade."
  • So, what happens next? It heads to the courts. The state Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings on several related questions later this month and it could begin a trial in January, WisPolitics reports. A federal court is also involved and could decide as soon as December whether to move forward with a trial.
  • Some resources for learning more about redistricting in Wisconsin:

🗺️ The Dane County Board of Supervisors has agreed to new maps, according to Cap Times local government reporter Allison Garfield.

  • Yes, we need new maps at the county level, too! Recent census data triggered this process at all levels of government.
  • More from Garfield: "The Dane County Board has been discussing final redistricting maps for the half hour and the general consensus has been: this is an imperfect and messy process, but what they've got is pretty good."

🦃 Don't want to cook Thanksgiving dinner?

🎄 The holiday tree is up in the State Capitol.

  • You might recall the tree-related drama that occurred around this time last year. The governor didn't put a tree up in 2020 because the building was closed to the public. In protest, Republican legislators put up several trees of their own. Each time they put up a new unauthorized tree, it was removed.

💡 And the lights are on! A lighting ceremony coincided with the Madison Night Market last night.

⚪ Remember those globes?

  • They're back at Karben4. If you want to "experience your own magical, craft brew moment in a private igloo," you can reserve one here.
  • When I tell my grandkids about the years we spent dining in these globes, will they believe me?

📚 Your lunchtime read: this review of the newly-opened Peanut Butter & Jelly Deli on State Street.

  • Mmmmm.

🦠 Covid-19 Resources

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 58.5%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 75.2%

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

Need a COVID-19 test? PHMDC has you covered.

Are you eligible for a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna? Find out here.

Do you still need your flu shot? Start here.

📅 The weekend!

Friday, Nov. 19

Saturday, Nov. 20

  • Holiday Market at Monona Terrace. More than 60 vendors. 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Harvest Walk with Madison Public Library storyteller-in-residence Andi Cloud at Edna Taylor Conservation Park. "Take a stroll through Edna Taylor Conservation Park .. and listen in for an autumn harvest storytime for adults and families of all ages." 10 a.m.
  • Drag brunch at the Rigby. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $30 includes admission and breakfast.
  • UW Football vs. Nebraska. Kickoff at 2:30 p.m.
  • Transgender Day of Remembrance rally at the Capitol. 3-5 p.m.
  • Vintage Clothing & Art Pop-up Shop at 513 State Street. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Caamp at the Sylvee. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30.
  • Full Moon Night Walk at UW arboretum. 6:30 p.m. Free.
  • Found Footage Festival: Tape Trading Classics at The Barrymore. “Hosts … take you back in time to the pre-internet 90s to resurrect the best ‘tape traded’ videos passed from weirdo to weirdo on VHS.” Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $15 advance, $18 at door.Leesh at Robinia Courtyard. Dance party. 9 p.m. $10.

Sunday, Nov. 21

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