📝 WTF are pull-tabs?

🌪️ Unprecedented February Weather

• A tornado touched down along the border between Dane and Rock Counties last week, marking the first time one has been recorded in the month of February. The National Weather Service classified a tornado as a "high end EF2," meaning it had wind speeds of 111 to 135 mph. A second, less powerful tornado also touched down Thursday night near Albany.
• Tornadoes are typically common in Wisconsin between April and August
• Related: What’s up with Madison’s weather and is climate change to blame? [Wisconsin State Journal, WPR, City Cast Madison 🎧]

🗳️ Planned Parenthood Workers Vote for Union

• Health Care workers at Wisconsin’s Planned Parenthood clinics have voted to unionize. Workers voted 56 to 13 in favor of joining the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals Local 5000, which represents health care workers throughout the state.
• Wisconsin Planned Parenthood workers aren’t alone in their efforts. Workers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont ratified their first union contract in 2021. [Cap Times]

🎓 Gain Some Knowledge Online

• The Universities of Wisconsin recently launched a new website listing all of its available online classes. The website lists more than 200 online programs, including courses in 10 associate, 99 bachelor, and 95 master programs.
• The website is an effort to help boost enrollment across the university system, which has seen an overall decline in enrollment for years and is facing an $18 million deficit. [Universities of Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Journal]

🛍️ New Shops Coming to Hilldale

• Hilldale announced three new stores are coming to the West Side mall this year. Faherty is a clothing store that uses responsible fibers in its products, the shop is set to open this month. Rowan is an ear piercing studio run by licensed nurses and will open this summer. Lastly, Little Words Project is a women-owned jewelry company specializing in handcrafted word bracelets and known for their charitable giving, the store is set to open this summer. [IB Madison]

What MPD Is Doing About Hate Crimes

Hate crimes are on the rise in Wisconsin, and Madison is not immune. In the past year alone, Nazis marched in Madison and nearby cities three times. What’s the city’s response to this disturbing trend?