📺 Is local TV news facing stormy weather?

🇺🇦 Madison Marches in Support of Ukraine

• Following last week’s Oval Office dustup between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, about 350 residents gathered at the Capitol Sunday to support Ukraine and its three-year war against invading Russian troops.
• Ukrainian refugees who came to America after the war started face an uncertain future, as the Trump administration has paused their immigration program.
• On Friday, Madison will join 31 other cities for a nationwide “Stand Up For Science” protest to speak out against the Trump administration’s cuts to scientific research. Get an inside look at how those proposed cuts are affecting UW-Madison’s scientific community on the City Cast Madison podcast. [WMTV Ch. 15, Stand Up For Science, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

📺 Is Madison’s Local TV News At Risk of Being Canceled?

• Storm clouds may be gathering for local TV news. In January, Allen Media Group announced that it would scrap local weather coverage for its 22 TV stations, including WKOW-TV in Madison.
• Allen also owns The Weather Channel, and said all local weather operations would be moved to its headquarters in Atlanta. Facing viewer outcry, Allen reversed course less than a week later.
• 🎧 UW-Madison journalism professor Michael Wagner tells City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin that the controversy underscores the uncertain future of local news in an age of media consolidation. Give our (locally-produced) podcast a listen! [WKOW, TVTech, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🗳️ Madison Tightens Security For Absentee Ballots

• After an error that caused 193 absentee ballots to go uncounted in the Nov. 5, 2024 election, the Madison City Clerk’s office has put additional protections in place to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
• Absentee ballots in Madison are delivered to and processed at the voter’s polling place, and in November, poll workers accidentally left ballot carrier envelopes unopened. Under the new rules, couriers will log how many ballot envelopes they deliver to a polling place, and check to make sure each envelope is processed. [City of Madison, Isthmus]

Meet Button! While this 11-year-old cat has a grumpy face and gravelly Emma Stone-like meow, she’s an absolute sweetheart. She loves attention, lounging on laps and receiving pets, and likes to perch in the window to watch the world go by. Despite her age, she enjoys chasing string toys and pouncing on catnip mice. In fact, while she “supervises” the DCHS office, she’d love to find her own personal retirement home where she can have all the attention for herself.

It may be a little chilly in Madison, but a blast of Louisiana heat is hitting the city with Mardi Gras festivities this week. Today is Fat Tuesday (which is what “Mardi Gras” roughly translates into), and here’s what you need to know to make the most of it in Madison.

🎉 What Is Fat Tuesday?

While many associate Fat Tuesday with New Orleans, it’s actually part of a global Christian tradition dating back to Roman times, celebrating one last day of indulgence before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. French settlers brought the Mardi Gras tradition to the Louisiana area and the first recorded Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans is believed to have been held in 1857.

🎺 Where Can I Hear New Orleans Music in Madison?

Mama Digdown’s Brass Band is a group of former UW-Madison pals who traveled to New Orleans every year to play in local clubs, earning the respect of native New Orleans bands. Having just celebrated 30 years together, the group is playing at the High Noon Saloon with another crackerjack Madison horn ensemble, Rare Element.

New Orleans native Johnny Chimes has been playing the music of his home town in Madison for decades. You can catch him every Friday night at the French Quarter-themed Louisianne’s in Middleton, but he’s playing a special full-band show at the restaurant tonight.

🦐 Where Can I Eat French Quarter Cuisine?

Several Madison restaurants are going all out for Fat Tuesday. Bierock will celebrate Mardi Gras with a special jambalaya version of its namesake savory entrees, along with Sazerac cocktails and a keg of beer from Louisiana’s Abita Brewing Company.

Merchant has a special $35 buffet dinner that includes gumbo, cornbread, and King Cake. You can also get a free welcome cocktail as you come in the door, get your photo taken with Mardi Gras props in their photo booth, and enjoy a live brass band.