📝 Madison needs blood

💉 Got Blood?

• A local and national shortage of blood has left the American Red Cross in desperate need of donations. Apparently, the winter’s sudden severe weather caused the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives, leading to the shortage. In an effort to get people to donate, the Red Cross is offering a $20 Amazon gift card to anyone who donates blood this month.
• Become a donor: You can make a donation appointment and check your eligibility here. [WKOW, Red Cross]

🚫 Property Damage at UW Hillel

• The Madison Police Department is investigating after several eggs were launched at the UW-Madison Hillel Foundation on Tuesday night. Hillel staff reported the incident and MPD's Hate Crime Task Force was made aware of the incident. [MPD]

📚 UW-Madison Civil Rights Investigation

• A conservative news outlet recently filed a Title VI complaint against UW, alleging the university failed to protect Jewish students from harassment following the October Hamas attack on Israel. Virginia-based conservative news outlet Campus Reform filed more than 20 similar complaints against campuses across the country.
• Title VI is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and protects people from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. UW officials said they plan to fully cooperate with the Department of Education’s investigation.
• This comes after the recent high-profile resignations of two college presidents after a congressional hearing on antisemitism. [UW-Madison, WPR, DOE, Washington Post]

🌱 Start a Native Garden This Year

• Dane County and the Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership are now accepting plant orders for their 20th annual Plant Dane Native Plant Sale. More than 50 native plant species are available for purchase and the sale runs through March 19 (or while supplies last). In addition to the sale, the county will also host a training on how to incorporate a rain or downspout garden into their landscape.
• Dig deeper: Native plants are not only beautiful but they play a vital role in our local ecosystem. Learn more about Madison’s native plant species. [Dane County, Madison Minutes]

This week’s floof truly lives up to the floof title. Meet Kea, he’s a lively Ragdoll kitten who according to his human Gabi F. has “Chris Pine-level blue eyes, a lovable face, a LOT of bunny-soft fur, and a heck of an attitude.” Kea is named after the mischievous parrot species from New Zealand but is more dog than bird-like. He loves playing fetch and even walks on a leash.

Madison’s Downtown Hole, a Poop Ruling and Jimmy the Groundhog

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Molly Stentz and Hayley Sperling recap the news that the former Madison College downtown campus is one step closer to becoming new housing and we talk about the latest ruling over poop from big dairy farms. Plus, it’s Groundhog’s Day! Hopefully Jimmy’s in a better mood this year.