City Cast Madison
📝 From Coachella to WI: A shelter dog story
September 18, 2023
¡Buenos días, Madison!
If you’re a fan of diet soda I have good news for you: A Wisconsin biochemist says aspartame — the artificial sweetener typically used in diet cola — is “likely safe” to consume if you take it easy. This comes after the World Health Organization labeled aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic.”
And speaking of sweets, we have a delightful new feature that lets you easily share Madison Minutes with your besties. Give it a try! Forward this newsletter to a friend.
— Adrian
What's CITY Talking About?
🐾 Coachella Dogs Transferred to Wisconsin Shelter
- Recent damage from tropical storm Hilary forced the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in California to shut down, and as a result, twenty dogs were transferred to the Dane County Humane Society last week, where they’ll be available for adoption. [Dane County Humane Society]
- Flying high: The pups were flown from California via a chartered plane operated by nonprofit Wings of Rescue, which specializes in transporting animals in need.
- When will they be available for adoption? No word on that yet, but you can keep tabs on the DCHS website for updates.
🗺️ Redistricting Proposal Advances
- The Republican-controlled state Assembly in Wisconsin voted last week to advance a fast-tracked bill that changes the process of drawing political districts in the state ahead of the 2024 election. Under the proposed bill, nonpartisan staff would draw political districts, subject to approval by state lawmakers and the governor. [WPR]
- But the bill's fate is uncertain, given that Governor Tony Evers has threatened to veto it. [AP]
- Learn why Wisconsin’s political districts are considered gerrymandered. [City Cast Madison]
🏫 Your Lunchtime Read:
- There are fewer than 40 vinyl-pressing facilities in the country and one of them is located just a half hour west of Madison. Dave Eck and Jennifer Jurgensen opened Waxxy Poodle last November, where they turn molten PVC into high-fidelity musical goodness. [Cap Times]
- Let the good times roll: U.S. record sales have risen in each of the last 17 years, with vinyl producers struggling to meet the continuing demand.
👕 Screenprint Union Dispute and Rebrand Raise Questions
- The workers at Crushin’ It Apparel voted to unionize last fall, only to be fired by owner Jeremy Kruk, who then claimed the business shut down after being ordered to settle unpaid wages and bargain with their union. It appears the company rebranded and will continue to do business as Thunder Bay. Kruk has yet to comply with orders from local and federal officials.
- In a now deleted Facebook post, Kruk is introduced by an employee as the owner of Thunder Bay — Kruk says the business was sold and he is only acting as an adviser through the transition. [Cap Times]
What To Do
Monday
- David Landau Kids Show at The Harmony Bar and Grill
- Fred Mascherino Acoustic (The Color Fred, ex-Taking Back Sunday) at The Bur Oak
- The Science of Meditation with Dr. Richie Davidson at Discovery Building
Today on City Cast
What City Trees Do and Who Cares For Them
Madison is known as a Tree City for its efforts to care for urban trees. City trees in Madison have to be able to withstand freezing winters, sidewalk salt, power lines above, concrete all around, and the occasional car crashing into them. Not to mention insect pests like Emerald Ash Borer. Urban trees deliver enumerable benefits: shade, shelter, beauty, fresh oxygen, homes for animals. But who speaks for those trees? City Forester Ian Brown does.
Today, we’re peeking behind the curtain of Madison’s City Forestry department.
This newsletter was edited by the amazing Molly Stentz.
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