Trashy McTrashface is already on the list

Good morning, Madison!

Happy Monday. Did everyone have a nice weekend? Personally, I'm recovering from my own birthday celebrations and learning that getting older does in fact hurt. Big thanks to Sam for stepping in to write the newsletter while I was off enjoying my day (aka sleeping in).

Before we dive into the news here's your reminder that the city is looking for the trashiest names you've got for its brand new trash and recycling compactors.

According to the city, Madisonians have already sent in nearly 400 (!!) submissions ranging "from clever puns of celebrities and historical figures to pop culture references and everything in between."

The deadline to submit names is tomorrow, June 7, and before you ask, yes, Trashy McTrashface is already on the list.

Once the city closes submissions, it will narrow down the field to a group of finalists and we the public will then have the chance to vote on our favorites. Send your naming suggestions to dropoff@cityofmadison.com.

Where did this idea come from? Let me — but more so the New York Times — introduce you to Boaty McBoatface.

Now let's get into the news.

— Hayley

🎒 MMSD's staffing problems are cutting into summer school enrollment.

• The Madison Metropolitan School District informed the families of roughly 700 students last week they would not be able to send their children to summer school, despite wanting to enroll.
• Cap Times reports 3,420 students are still enrolled in summer programs but the district would need an additional 100 additional staff members to accommodate all the students interested in participating.
• The bigger picture: MMSD has faced staffing shortages all year. Madison Teachers Inc. (the union that represents MMSD teachers) cites pay cuts as the main source of pain. As the State Journal reports, last year pandemic relief money allowed the district to pay teachers $40 an hour for summer school. This year, the base rate for summer school teachers is $28 an hour.

🗳️ Democrats claim Trump's pick for Wisconsin Governor doesn't have enough signatures to make it on the ballot.

• A formal challenge was filed with the Wisconsin Elections Commission against Republican Tim Michels, claiming thousands of his nominating signatures are invalid.
• The challenge was filed by a Wisconsin voter and is backed by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. It alleges an error on the header of several pages of nomination signatures means only 345 of the 3,861 signatures the Michels campaign collected are considered valid, Channel 3000 reports. The Michels campaign refuted the claims over the weekend.
• According to Wisconsin law, a gubernatorial candidate needs at least 2,000 signatures to get on the ballot.
• Related: Trump endorses Tim Michels in Wisconsin governor's race, dealing blow to GOP frontrunner Rebecca Kleefisch (WPR)

🏥 Legally, UW Health can bargain with unions.

• State Attorney General Josh Kaul issued an opinion last week stating UW Health is free to voluntarily recognize and bargain with employee unions under Wisconsin Law, the Wisconsin Examiner reports.
• Some context: Kaul's opinion is the latest development in the ongoing dispute over bargaining rights for UW Health nurses, who have sought union representation since 2019. UW Health previously argued they were legally prohibited from recognizing a nurses union, Kaul's opinion directly contradicts that excuse.
• In a statement, nurses at UW Health applauded the legal decision and called for immediate recognition of a union.
• "UW Health Board members and the administration now face an urgent moral decision," the statement reads. "Nurses are done waiting and we are determined to do whatever it takes to win our union. It is critical that UW Health recognizes our union now so we can advocate for our patients, our community, our families and ourselves and ensure safe, quality care for Wisconsin.”

🧑‍🍳 Have a great local flavor? Submit your recipe to the Dane County Farmers Market cookbook.

• In celebration of the market's 50th anniversary, longtime Wisconsin food writer Terese Allen is collecting recipes for a community-sourced cookbook.
• DCFM specifically wants to highlight internationally flavored recipes that show off farmers' market ingredients.
• You can read the guidelines and submit your recipe here. (h/t to Cap Times for the story.)

🚣 It's officially paddling season at Memorial Union.

• The union has opened up its paddling rentals for the summer.  The Wisconsin Union’s "outlet to the outdoors," Outdoor UW offers tandem kayaks, single kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and an eight-person stand-up paddleboard.
• Reservations can be made at the Memorial Union service desk, by phone (at (608) 262-1630), and online.
• Hot tip: Rentals aren't just for students. Wisconsin Union members get a 10% discount on paddling rentals every Thursday throughout the summer.

⚽ Forward Madison snagged their first home win of the season.

• The soccer club earned its first home victory of the season, beating FC Tucson 2-1 Saturday. The win marks the team's second in the nine matches so far this season.
• “A long time coming,” head coach Matt Glaeser told Madison365 of their win. “We need to continue to push. It’s a step in the right direction, but I think we’re better than what we’ve shown so far. I think we proved it tonight.”
• Related: Forward Madison is hosting a town hall with COO Conor Caloia and Head Coach Matt Glaeser this week. Get the details here.

🏘️ Your lunchtime read: 'What I felt there was free': A small Wisconsin town was the state’s first Black-founded community.

• From WPR: "Lake Ivanhoe is the first Black-founded community in Wisconsin, but this history was nearly lost. Now local residents are working to make sure it is preserved as a refuge for future generations."