📝 Got late night munchies?

🥡 Late Night Vending Is Here

• The City’s new State Street Night Vending Program officially kicked off this week, bringing food trucks to Library Mall at night.
• With this new program, five vendors will operate on the 700 block of State Street from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. The vendors in the program are Sabro Queretano, Marimar on Wheels, Jakarta Barbeque Station, Bit of Brianna, and Thailand in a Truck. Yummy 😋 [City of Madison]

🏫 Naming Southside Elementary

• The Madison Metropolitan School District has resumed the process of giving its newest elementary school an official name. The naming process began last year while the school was being built but was put on hold as the district searched for a new superintendent. The school opened its doors in August 2023 with “Southside Elementary” as its temporary moniker.
• The district has opened up another opportunity for community members to submit names through the end of the month. [MMSD]

💸 PFAS Money Sits In Limbo

• Gov. Tony Evers is considering suing the legislature to force them into taking action on PFAS funding.
• Gov. Evers asked the legislature’s powerful budget committee to agree on a plan for distributing aid to communities with polluted water. But Republican members failed to show up to the meeting this week.
• Some context: The 2023-25 state budget has set aside $125 million for PFAS contamination in drinking water. The plan also includes $15 million to address hospital closures in western Wisconsin. Where Evers and Republicans in the legislature disagree is over who would ultimately bear the burden of cleaning up the forever chemicals and the role of the Department of Natural Resources.
• Dig deeper: What are PFAS anyway? [WisPolitics, WPR, Madison Minutes]

📚 Reviving the Ho-Chunk Language

• The Ho-Chunk Nation has launched a new app and online learning platform to teach the Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk) language, which is considered endangered. The program is called Hoit'e Woiperes, which translates to “knower of the language.” The free app is available on Apple and Android devices and online. [Hoit'e Woiperes]

This week’s floof knows how to command a room. Meet Col. Mustard AKA Buddy.

The Colonel is a rescued Yorkie/Shi Tzu/Maltese/Westie, who turned 10 years young on July 4th last year. He loves peanut butter and hates squirrels and storm drains. A loyal companion, he is devoted, unfailingly sweet, whip-smart (except when he isn't).

Grocery Store Woes, Police Body Cameras, and Ticks

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin and Molly Stentz recap the latest in the ongoing quest to build a grocery store on South Park street to replace the Pick ‘n Save. Should the city spend another million? Plus, more Madison Police officers will now wear body cameras. And Marshfield Clinic wants your ticks. Seriously.