📝 MMSD’s new superintendent is…

🏫 Meet MMSD’s New Leader

• The Madison Metropolitan School District has chosen Joe Gothard to lead the district as its next superintendent. Gothard is a native Madisonian who attended MMSD schools throughout his elementary, middle, and high school years. He previously served as principal at both Akira R. Toki Middle School and Robert M. La Follette High School. He’s currently the superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools and was recently named the 2024 National Superintendent of the Year. [MMSD, Madison365]

🇺🇦 Madison Rallies for Ukraine

• Dozens of Ukraine supporters rallied at the capitol over the weekend, which happened to mark the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of the country. Protesters called on the U.S. government to provide support to the nation. The U.S. Senate passed a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine, but the House has yet to vote on it. [Cap Times, AP]

🔥 Warmer Temps Bring Wildfire Risks

• The recent warm weather has prompted the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to remind residents to stay vigilant and avoid burning because of high fire danger statewide. This winter’s lack of snow has led to an early start to Wisconsin's wildfire season — the DNR responded to 15 wildfires burning nearly 30 acres, last weekend alone.
• The department is telling Wisconsinites to halt outdoor burning until conditions improve. You can check the current fire danger status here.
• Related: Just because you can’t have a campfire doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while enjoying the great outdoors. Here are five state parks within 30(ish) minutes of downtown for your next outdoor adventure. [WDNR, Madison Minutes]

📣 Remembering the Black Student Strike

• In February 1969, Black students at UW-Madison orchestrated a campus-wise movement of boycotts, marches, and strikes that forever changed UW’s campus. Students presented administrators a list of 13 demands that included the creation of a Black studies department and increased admission of Black students. Thousands of students of all races participated in the movement, which culminated into a disruption of classes across nine campus buildings and a march to the Capitol on Feb. 27, 1969 — AKA, 55 years ago today.
• Dig deeper: The departing YWCA CEO recently had a frank and transparent discussion about race in Madison on the City Cast Madison podcast. [UW-Madison, City Cast Madison]

For this week’s Take Me Home Tuesday, Dane County Humane Society would like you to meet Agatha. This adult pup can be nervous when meeting new people, but once she warms up, she loves attention. Agatha also enjoys snuggles, running outside, and treats. She’s a smart gal and is looking forward to continuing her positive reinforcement training with her new family (especially if it involves yummy treats). Agatha loves human attention so much, she’s looking for a home with no small children where she will be the only canine companion. Agatha wants to spend as much quality time with her people as possible, so a home where she wouldn’t be left alone for long periods would be ideal.

Agatha has been at the shelter for a bit, so she’s a member of DCHS’s Lonely Hearts Club and her adoption fee has been reduced to $100. In fact, all dogs in the Lonely Hearts Club have had their adoption fees reduced to $100 for the rest of February.

Bingos, Brunches, Meat Raffles, Oh My! Inside Madison’s Drag Boom

It seems like you cannot find a single weekend in Madison without a drag brunch or bingo. Even drag meat raffles are starting to catch on! But Madison hasn’t always had this deluge of drag events. So where did this boom come from?