Monday morning Minutes

Today's weather: 🌤️ Partly sunny. High: 36° Low: 16°

Good morning, Madison!

For better or worse, it's Monday again.

As the seasons change and Wisconsinites are no longer confined to their winter hibernation dens, the Dane County Board wants to remind you that there are plenty of county parks to explore.

"Spring brings an excitement and eagerness to get outside. I encourage everyone to explore their favorite park, or find a new space to experience," Dane County Board Chair Analiese Eicher said in a statement.

The county manages more than 17,000 acres of land and dozens of historical sites so there's no shortage of potential for adventure.

— Hayley

🗳️ Navigating the spring election.

• The spring election is inching closer and closer every day. Early and absentee voting has already begun.
• The folks at Tone Madison put together a guide to help you navigate the logistics of the day and break down some of the bigger issues at play in this election, like the fact that every single county board seat will be decided with this vote.
• PSA: Through April 2 in-person absentee voting is available at Goodman South Madison, Meadowridge, Pinney, Alicia Ashman, and Hawthorne libraries.

🚫 The Badger Road drop-off site is now closed.

• The city's Streets Division drop-off site at 1501 W. Badger Rd. is now closed for construction and will likely remain closed through the spring of 2023. The Streets Division customer service office at the same location, however, will remain open.
• For a full list of the city's drop-ff sites, head here.

📣 The Poor People’s Campaign will march downtown today.

• The group, which was inspired by a campaign of the same name led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, is hosting rallies in Madison and Raleigh, North Carolina today as part of a national mobilization tour. As Isthmus writes, "the current movement addresses a wide array of intersecting issues, and collaborates with other organizations working on such issues as militarism, wages and workers’ rights, and housing."
• In Madison, the march will begin at 5 p.m. on State Street and North Carroll Street. Madison365 reports a rally will be held at First United Methodist Church at 6 p.m.

📻 Meet WSUM's new general manager.

• Kelsey Brannan is six months into her new job as WSUM's general manager following the departure of Dave Black, who retired in November and died in February after serving as the station's leader for 26 years. Brannan is a University of Wisconsin graduate and previously worked at Minnesota Public Radio and the Seattle Theatre Group.

"When you stay in the same job for 26 years, you get very good at doing things in your own style, so I feel very lucky to be able to continue Dave’s legacy here at WSUM. I feel as though he and I have different leadership styles, but I'm very much a leader that was built in his image because he was such an influence on me. I’m coming back into this position with the knowledge that he gave me, so I feel good about where we're heading — but it's certainly a big task to take on." — Kelsey Brannan, general manager of WSUM

🚔 A 135% increase.

• That's how much police enforcement has gone up on Madison's "high injury" streets like the Beltline, East Washington Avenue, and Mineral Point Road.
• The Cap Times reports there have already been 18 serious injuries on Madison roads compared to 11 at this time last year. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said officers are cracking down on "aggressive" driving offenses that are often correlated with serious injuries and fatalities, like speeding, reckless driving, and racing.

⚽ New Forward fan gear.

• Everyone's favorite flamingos unveiled their 2022 away kit Saturday. The pink and white split design was created by the members of Flock, Forward Madison FC’s supporters’ group.
• A portion of each kit sold will go to the Flock Soccer Foundation, which helps fund local organizations like Millennium Soccer Club, Capital East Soccer, and the Wisconsin Warriors, NBC 15 reports.

🩰 Your lunchtime read: Meet the two Black men now at the helm of Madison Ballet.

• From Madison365: "Madison Ballet’s 40th anniversary season closes this weekend and next with a program titled Turning Pointe, which, the company’s website says, “celebrates the company’s past, while it steps into a brilliant future.” Leading the way into that future are two Black men: Jacob Ashley, who was named director of the company’s ballet school in January, and Ja’ Malik, the company’s incoming artistic director, who’ll take over for the outgoing Sarah Schumann, in July. 'It shows that we are present,' Ashley says of the historic hires. 'It shows that we are part of this as well.'”

🦠 Covid-19 Update

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 60.7%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 78.4%

Resources

• Here's where to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you.
• Need a COVID-19 test? PHMDC has you covered.
• Do you still need your flu shot? Start here.
• Request an at-home testing kit from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
• Where to pick up free masks from the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program
• What to Do if You are Sick or Possibly Exposed (PHMDC)

📅 Events: Multi-day

• Vintage Kitchen Event! at Vinny's Willy St. Through Wednesday. Vintage aesthetics, Pyrex, Cast iron, and kitchen goods.

Monday, March 28

• “Propelling Women in Power” podcast preview event with the Wisconsin Energy Institute. New podcast about women in energy sciences. 4:30 p.m. Virtual. Free.
• Open Mic Comedy Night at The Bur Oak. 7-11 p.m. Free.