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🌊 UW to Open PFAS Research Center

• UW-Madison announced it will receive nearly $1 million in federal funding to open The Center of Excellence in PFAS Environmental Science. The center will operate out of the school’s Water Sciences and Engineering Lab and will study per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemical compounds, or PFAS.
• In total, the university will receive $963,000 from the most recent budget passed by Congress. Most of the funds will be spent to purchase a mass spectrometer, which will allow researchers to study more of the chemicals.
• What are PFAS? Put simply, PFAS are a class of more than 14,000 human-made chemicals that have been used in both consumer and industrial products since the 1940s. You might have heard of them referred to as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally. Exposure to these chemicals can lead to increased risks of cancer, obesity, birth defects, and more adverse health effects. [WPR, Madison Minutes]

🎬 What’s Next For Hilldale’s Theater

• The AMC Madison 6 at Hilldale closed at the end of 2022. Since then, the space has sat empty but the shopping center recently announced its plans to turn the 25,000-square-foot theater space into more retail and restaurants.
• Most of the details — like the building’s design and tenants — are still being finalized but construction on the project is expected to be completed in the fall. [Cap Times, IB Madison]

🚨 Your Lunchtime Read: Madison Community Organizer Shadayra Kilfoy-Flores on Police Accountability

• “Shadayra Kilfoy-Flores is involved in many different communities in Madison, Wisconsin. Not only is she involved in her near east side neighborhood association, but she’s also connected with fellow artists, community gardeners and chefs. Plus, she’s a mother and works with a number of young people.” Read the full story.
• Dig deeper: What’s MPD doing about hate crimes in Madison? [Wisconsin Life, City Cast Madison 🎧]

Have you ever dreamed of adopting a sweet pair of cats?

This week, the Dane County Humane Society is making dreams come true — literally. Meet Dream and Wish. These two are a senior bonded pair who look like twins except Wish has long hair and Dream has short hair. They can be shy at first, but once comfortable, they enjoy receiving pets and will give head bumps for more.

Dream and Wish are two refined ladies. They enjoy it when you speak softly to them and they love getting brushed. Wish and Dream are looking for a home they can enjoy together with a patient family who will give them time to settle into their new surroundings and when they’re ready, spoil them with lots of pets, brushing, and love.

Honoring Madison’s Legendary Bass Player

Richard Davis was widely regarded as one of the world’s best bass players. He recorded with Sarah Vaughan, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Miles Davis, just to name a few. And for much of his life, until he passed away last year at age 93, he lived, worked and played in Madison.