Morning Update: Wednesday, Dec. 1

Good morning, Madison!

It's Wednesday, also it's December now, to which I say LOL WHAT.

To make the move into the end of the year a little more exciting, the city has announced a medallion hunt in Madison's parks. The search is hosted by Madison Public Library's Storyteller-in-Residence program led by Ho-Chunk Nation member and storyteller Andi Cloud. From Dec. 1 (today!) through Dec. 10, Madisonians are encouraged to hunt for a hand-made medallion in City of Madison parks.

The medallion is made of clear acrylic and has the Great Seal of the Ho-Chunk Nation engraved on it. Clues will be published daily through Dec. 10, unless the medallion is found earlier. The city says the "medallion is above ground, so there is no need to dig (unless there’s snow!)."

If you happen to be the lucky person to find it, email community@madisonpubliclibrary.org with a photo of yourself in the location and holding the medallion. You'll get to keep it and a $50 gift card as a prize.

Happy hunting!

— Hayley

⚖️ The Wisconsin Supreme Court handed Republicans a major victory in the fight over the state's voting maps.

• Some context: Wisconsin is due for new voting district maps. The current maps were drawn and passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature and then-Gov. Scott Walker in 2011. Democrats contend the maps are highly gerrymandered (and experts agree).
• The state's highest court ruled Tuesday it would take a "least changes" approach to redrawing the 2011 maps. This essentially paves the way for the new Republican-drawn maps — which received approval in the legislature but were ultimately vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers — to be put in place for the next decade.
• The court made the decision on a 4-3 vote along ideological lines.
• The story of redistricting in Wisconsin is a long and winding one. If you're looking for more context, details, and information, I recommend checking out WPR's podcast series Mapped Out.

“The United States Supreme Court recently declared there are no legal standards by which judges may decide whether maps are politically ‘fair.’ We agree." — Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote in her opinion.

💼 The Urban League’s Black Business Hub has an anchor tenant.

• The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced it will move into the South Side space when construction is completed in 2023.
• The statewide agency is currently housed in the Tommy Thompson G. Center downtown and its lease is up.

🏙 AD From the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.

• Fresh off naming Madison the Best Place to Live in the U.S. for 2021, Livability.com Managing Editor Cara Sanders will headline, in-person, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce State of the Sectors event Dec. 7 at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.
• In addition, a local industry panel (Amy Arenz of Concero Search Partners, Bill Checovich of Illumina and Michael Precia of Fleetworthy Solutions) will discuss recent economic trends and Greater Madison's competitive positioning, as well as findings from a new regional business survey conducted in partnership with area chambers and business membership organizations.
• Register here. Event is free for Chamber members and only $20 for non-members.

🤖 Madison's radical sci-fi convention is asking for help.

• WisCon has put on a feminist science fiction convention in Madison since 1977. The group launched a $76,000 fundraising campaign Monday and is seeking dozens of volunteers for its annual convention. The group has been using the hashtag #SaveWisCon on Twitter to spread the word and Tone Madison reports they've raised nearly $4,000 so far.

☎️ The city is considering its path toward a 311 system.

• An addition to the city's budget will allow Madison to hire a consultant to draw a "road map" on the operations of a potential 311 system. The 311 system would allow residents to "residents to efficiently lodge complaints, track public works projects and generally make it easier to navigate the city’s dozens of agencies responsible for a variety of municipal tasks," the State Journal explains.

🔌 Get ready for your MGE bills to increase.

• The Wisconsin Public Service Commission approved a rate hike for Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) that will result in the average household paying $7.50 more a month for electricity and gas next year. The State Journal reports this number comes out to a 5.2% increase to electricity base revenues and 2.2% for gas.

🦌 Deer hunters had a "quiet" 2021 season.

• Data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources shows hunters killed nearly 8% fewer deer compared to last year in the nine-day gun-deer hunting season. WPR reports this represents an overall 9% decrease from the state's 5-year average.

🏀 Speaking of deer, the Bucks have a new player.

• The 2020 champs signed free agent center DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins is a 10-year NBA veteran who "averages 20.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocked shots a game," WKOW reports. He'll wear No. 15 with the Bucks.

💉 Your lunchtime read: What's causing a gender gap in Wisconsin's covid vaccinations?

• From WisContext: "More women are getting covid vaccinations than men around the state, and factors like age, job, politics and attitude toward health care all play a role in this persistent phenomenon."

🦠 Covid-19 Resources

Wisconsin Vaccination Rate: 56.1%

Dane County Vaccination Rate: 72.6%

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.

📅 Events: Wednesday, Dec. 1

• UW Jazz Orchestra Showcase at Cafe Coda. $10. 7 p.m.
• Identifying Features (2020) screening at MMoCA. From IMDb: “A mother travels across Mexico in search for her son whom authorities say died while trying to cross the borders into the United States.” Part of Spotlight Cinema Series. 7 p.m. $7 per screening. Free for MMoCA members and anyone 18 and younger.
• Nerd Nite at High Noon Saloon. Presentations: “Ribbing you the wrong way: Why so many museum mounts of whales & dinosaurs are wrong, and why you might care;” “What If Finding Nemo Were Real?”; and “Azucar!: Cuba’s rise and fall in the world stage.” 8 p.m. Free.
• Festival Choir of Madison Christmas Concert at Asbury United Methodist Church. 8 p.m. $20.
• Holiday Happy Hour by Madison Downtowners at the Tinsmith. “Dress to impress.” 5-8 p.m.
• D’funk & The Grease Monkeys with Xander Amin at The Bur Oak. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $5.
• Willy Porter with Brett Newski and The No Tomorrow at the Majestic. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $20 advance, $22.50 at door.

(Header image via WikiMedia commons)