🌊 Is flooding in Madison preventable?

🌊 Madison Flooding Is Next Level

• Flooding has become a constant in Madison this summer and it’s not likely to stop any time soon. A deputy city engineer explained that a lot of flooding can be attributed to the way Madison was designed on an isthmus. Additionally, there are few short-term options to implement and the long-term solutions are costly (and not in the budget). Parts of the city's drainage systems have been updated, but some infrastructure is a century old and not equipped to handle such levels of rainfall.
• Madison has received 32 inches of rain (so far) this year and the lakes are the highest they have been in years.
• Read more: How to protect your house from flooding. [Cap Times, Madison Minutes]

📝 Next Step in Pollution Prevention

• Madison has installed its first air quality monitor at Kennedy Heights Community Center. This is the first of 65 monitors that will be installed in the next few months.
• These monitors will measure the concentration of pollution in neighborhoods throughout Madison. The data will be used to get residents more precise air quality data. [City of Madison]

💵 Possible Change in Tax Referendum

• As the city works to close its looming budget gap, District 6 Ald. Marshall Rummel is working on a proposal calling for a $27 million referendum. This plan would eliminate monthly urban forestry and resource recovery fees, saving homeowners about $132 a year in fees while adding $284 in annual property taxes to the average home.
• This plan is an alternative to the $22 million proposal that Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway recently laid out.
• Listen up: Learn more about Rhodes-Conway’s plans for possible referendum plans. [🔒WSJ, Cap Times, City Cast 🎧]

☕ Popular Coffee Shop Announces Fourth Location

• Ancora announced they will open a fourth location this fall at 3926 Monona Drive. The new location will also feature a drive-through window.
• Related: Looking for another coffee shop while you wait for this location? Look no further! [Madison Magazine, Instagram, City Cast Madison 🎧]

⬆️ Last Week’s Answer

This cute, red building that is serving up Babcock Hall UW ice cream is none other than the Monona Bait & Ice Cream shop.

🥳 Congrats to Tianna N. for answering first!

⬇️ This Week’s Clues

Where do you think this picture was taken? A few hints:

• This spot is located along the bike path.
• This restaurant is known for serving up two very different items.
• It can be a great spot to study or grab a cocktail.
• Bonus points if you can name the local artist who painted this mural!

Building Inclusivity in Madison's Trades Scene

Sylvie Rosenthal is a master of her craft with decades of experience to back that up. But the world of woodworking has been dominated by big, burly men. Rosenthal — a queer woman — is working to break this stereotype.

City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin spoke with Rosenthal about the discrimination she’s faced and how she’s leveraged her past trauma to start her Madison workshop Lower Astronomy Studios, which is challenging stereotypes in the industry.