❄️ How city snow plowing works

🏛️Somali Wisconsinites Feel Uneasy After Trump's Comments

• Several times this week President Donald Trump made disparaging comments to journalists about the Somali population in the U.S. At the same time, federal agents have been directed to look for undocumented Somali immigrants.
• Somalia has been on Trump's radar since a massive fraud scandal hit Minnesota, which prosecutors say involve several dozen Somali immigrants – out of the 80,000 who live in the Twin Cities – who stole social services money.
• In Wisconsin members of the Somali community are worried and family members who visit Minnesota are making preparations for what to do if they should be stopped by ICE. [New York Times, WPR]

🚴‍♀️One Big Beautiful Bike Path?

• Plans to join Cannonball and Wingra Creek Paths are back after potential dangers at a railroad crossing stopped the plan in its tracks. The new proposal includes an off-street route along Fish Hatchery Road and a new bike-pedestrian bridge.
• The updates will head to the Transportation Commission early next year – and if things go according to plan, the path might be ready in early 2027. [Cap Times, City of Madison]

❄️ How City Snow Plowing Works

• Around 800 miles of road are part of the "salt route," where Street Divisions plow when there are 3 or more inches of snow. If things get crazy, it's all hands on deck with streets, forestry, parks, engineering, and other city divisions with massive trucks plowing citywide. We actually talked more about this coordination on the podcast.
• If you're wondering when your street will be plowed, the truth is, it's hard to know which of the 60 city zones will be finished in what order. It's first-come first-served by which trucks get where – but generally it's 12-14 hours before all the streets are plowed.
• And if you've got a problem? You can visit cityofmadison.com/ReportaProblem. [🔒WSJ, 🎧City Cast Madison]

Happy Friday! Our floof this week is Charley, who was adopted from the local rescue, Shelter From the Storm last March. This cutie is one and a half years old and very high energy! “Thank goodness for Madison dog parks!!” Says her human, Maureen C.

When not tearing up the park, Charley also enjoys “playing” with her “brother”, a14 year old cat named Finn. Sounds like a beautiful family.