Morning Update: Thursday, Feb. 3

Good morning, Madison!

Sun Prairie's Jimmy the Groundhog couldn't see his shadow yesterday, indicating spring is around the corner. But famed groundhog weather predictor Punxsutawney Phil said otherwise.

So is spring on the way or will we have six more weeks of winter?

Your guess is as good as the groundhogs'.

— Hayley

👀 The City of Madison wants your input on these projects.

• Flood solution models: After the city experienced historic flooding in 2018, the City of Madison Engineering Division put together a study to better understand Madison's watersheds and (hopefully) prevent future flooding. Now, they're looking for feedback.
• The city released the first drafts of three different watershed solutions, which can be viewed here. The public has through the end of this month to provide feedback on the three proposals.
• Bus Network Redesign: City transportation officials have picked a plan to redesign Madison's bus system and is now looking for public input on how to ensure the system is as effective as possible.
• According to WORT, the city is weighing two options: One that prioritizes frequent service, and one that prioritizes coverage of neighborhoods. A public meeting will be scheduled and held once community feedback is collected.
• Lake Monona waterfront: At a City Council meeting Tuesday, the city signed off on a design competition to reimagine the Lake Monona waterfront in the downtown area.
• As, the State Journal reports, "Three designers will be selected through a request for qualifications process after which each is set to receive $75,000 to draft a master plan. The winning team — to be recommended by a 13-member ad hoc committee — would then receive a contract up to $200,000 to further refine the plan."

🔌 An electric vehicle bill floating in the legislature is drawing criticism from Madison officials.

• What's in the bill? Introduced in December, Assembly Bill 588 and Senate Bill 573 would allow for fees to be charged for the use of electric vehicle charging stations and require installation and operation of such charging stations by the Department of Transportation or a local government unit.
• What's the big deal? A proposed amendment to the legislation would essentially ban local governments from owning and operating electric vehicle chargers. It would also prohibit the city from allowing visitors to charge their vehicles while on city property.
• Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway issued a statement voicing her concerns over the amendment, saying it moves the state backward.

"It comes as no surprise that the Koch Brother’s lobbying arm wants to preempt public progress in this arena, but it is unclear why public servants in the legislature would want to stifle this type of productive innovation." —  Satya Rhodes-Conway, Madison mayor

🧪 Inside UW-Madison's newly completed $135 million chemistry building.

• Students returned to campus last week for the start of the spring semester, and also making its debut is the university's shiny new chemistry building at the corner of University Avenue and North Mills Street.
• The massive project began in the fall of 2018 and faced its share of setbacks before opening its doors. The nine-story building offers modern labs and learning spaces and plenty of major upgrades from its too-small and technologically challenged predecessor. For an inside look at the building, check out this piece from the Wisconsin State Journal.

🎶 Madison musicians are not here for your NFTs.

• Many local artists were in for a rude awakening when they found their music being sold as NFTs (Non-fungible token) on an incredibly sketchy website called HitPiece without their knowledge, permission, or consent, Tone Madison reports.
• The website's library has since been taken down but musicians are still angry, and rightfully so.

"If you want to own my music digitally, just pay the $2 asking price or download it illegally. I really don't like the idea of someone paying $100 for a song. It's laughably vile." — Cam Davis of Cicada The Burrower

🏆 Meet the Wisconsinites competing at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

• There are 20 athletes headed to Beijing that have ties to the Dairy State. You can find the Badger-State athletes participating in curling, speed skating, ice hockey, biathlon, Nordic combined, ski jumping, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. Read about the athletes in this feature from WPR.

🏫 Your lunchtime read: A ‘perfect storm'

• From Isthmus: "With the ongoing pandemic, the staffing shortage in Madison schools has reached a breaking point. But it is a problem that has been building for years and just one sign of a troubled school district, according to 18 current and former Madison teachers and a number of local education advocates ... . The vast majority of educators interviewed say they feel ignored and not supported in the classroom. Many also say poorly implemented behavioral policy initiatives have created chaos in schools and that academic standards are slipping as a result."
• Related: Meet the school board candidates (Isthmus)

🦠 Covid-19 Update

Source: Public Health Madison & Dane County

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 59.4%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 77.2%

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.
• NEW: Where to pick up free masks from the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program
• Where to Buy N95s, KN95s, and Surgical-Style Masks in 2022 (Wirecutter)
• What to Do if You are Sick or Possibly Exposed (PHMDC)

📅 Events: Thursday, Feb. 3

• Culture and Conservation: Black Communities Advancing Environmental Justice and Stewardship." Organized by UW Arboretum. 10 a.m. Virtual. $10.
• Be a Burnout Mastermind: Lessons Learned from an ICU Nurse. Organized by DreamBank. 12 p.m. Virtual. Free.
• Flying Fuzz with Calamity and Smoke Free Home at The Bur Oak. Show at 8 p.m. $10 advance, $12 at the door. 🟠
• Aaron Kamm and the One Drops at High Noon Saloon. Show at 8 p.m. $12.
• Russell Dickerson at The Sylvee. Show at 8 p.m. $25 advance, $30 at door.
• Dancing With the Stars Live Tour at the Overture Center. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50.

Wondering what that 🟠 means?

That symbol next to an event listing means that Tone Madison’s team of writers and editors recommends checking it out. Tone knows Madison’s arts and music landscape better than anybody else.

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