Morning Update

Sweepy season

Signs of spring are all around us, especially in the streets.

In this newsletter

Image via City of Madison

Happy Monday, Madison!

Signs of spring are all around us.

Over the weekend, the city kicked off its annual street-sweeping operation. Sweepers will be on the roads 16 hours a day collecting sand, salt, and other stuff that accumulated during winter.

This city is asking people to pay extra attention to posted parking restrictions and avoid placing trash and recycling carts in the street for pickup. If a sweeper can't do its job because a car or bin is in the way, it could take days before crews are able to make the rounds again.

— Hayley

American election mail envelope with pen — Photo by Tiffany Tertipes / Unsplash

📨 Beware of misleading voting mailers.

Some Dane County residents recently received mail ballot application forms containing incorrect information from the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Voter Information.
According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), the nonprofit voter registration group sent out pre-filled absentee ballot applications with incorrect names and addresses on the forms by mistake.
If you received a ballot application from the Center for Voter Information, you can request to be removed from future mailings. And even if you received an application with incorrect information, WEC has stressed that doesn’t mean your voter registration status is incorrect. You can see if your registration is up to date here.
Dig deeper: A Nonprofit With Ties to Democrats Is Sending Out Millions of Ballot Applications. Election Officials Wish It Would Stop. (ProPublica, from 2020)

🩺 Epic is expanding.

The healthcare software giant plans to add 1,700 new employees and two new buildings to its Verona campus.
The two new buildings – named "Creatures" and "Guilds" – will be in the "Wizards Academy" part of campus. The new facilities are expected to open in 2024.
The bigger picture: Over the past two decades, Verona's population has grown from about 7,000 people to roughly 15,000 people. Much of that growth is attributed to Epic, according to WPR.

🫑 JustVeggiez is opening a restaurant on State Street.

The business currently operates out of a shared kitchen on East Washington Avenue. But soon, JustVeggiez will have its own brick-and-mortar location at 540 State St.
The Black- and family-operated vegan business got its start catering events and hosting pop-ups in 2018. The plant-based menu features burgers,Italian sandwiches, pizzas and more.
Get involved: The owners are currently running a GoFundMe campaign to help cover some of the restaurant's opening costs.
Related: Vegan dining in Madison has never tasted better (Cap Times)

🧖‍♀️ SolEscape Healing Arts is opening another east side location.

The wellness spa has opened a second location on Willy Street. SolEscape Healing Arts opened its first location on Atwood Avenue in 2011.
The new spa is located at 1148 Williamson St. Eventually, the owner hopes to renovate the space and turn the upper level into a yoga studio and the lower level into a coffee, juice, and tea shop, according to the State Journal.

🌎 This year's International Festival will be bigger than ever.

The annual festival at the Overture Center has expanded to run for two days this spring.

The International Festival features an array of performances, exhibits, food, and more from dozens of local artists and vendors who represent more than 40 different cultures.
The event will be held April 1 and 2 with both in-person and select virtual options. Check out the full schedule.

📬

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🎙️ Today on City Cast Madison

*Image courtesy of Rhodes-Conway campaign*

Why Madison's Mayor Wants Another Four Years

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is running for re-election. The first-term mayor touts her accomplishments: getting a faster bus system, building more housing, and improving the city’s environmental footprint by reducing emissions and adding more solar. She won her first term as mayor by a landslide, but this time, she’s the insider running on her record.

We’ll speak with challenger Gloria Reyes on tomorrow’s show. The election is Tuesday, April 4th.

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