🚨 Why you might hear warning sirens this week

⚖️ Texas AG Sues Epic Over Parental Access to Records

• Verona-based Epic Systems is being sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who alleges that the health records giant runs an illegal monopoly and prevents parents from accessing their children’s medical records.
• Paxton is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2026 against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. He’s no stranger to controversy, having been impeached in 2023 for bribery and abuse of office allegations before later being acquitted by the Texas Senate.
• Paxton said that Epic sold software to health care providers in his state that was preconfigured to block parental access to their children’s records. An Epic spokesperson called Paxton’s lawsuit “flawed and misguided.” [News 3]

🏐 UW Women’s Volleyball Team Heads to Final Four

• The No. 3 ranked UW-Madison women’s volleyball team will be headed to the NCAA National Semifinals for the seventh time in program history.
• The Badgers secured their Final Four berth with a win in four sets Sunday over top-ranked University of Texas in Austin. Wisconsin will face Kentucky in a semifinal game Thursday, and if victorious will face either Pittsburgh or Texas A&M in the championship.
• And if you’re looking for a great place to watch the games, Bernell’s on Madison’s east side is the only bar in town devoted to women’s sports. [Wisconsin Badgers, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🚨 Don’t Freak if You Hear Emergency Sirens This Week

• Dane County crews are doing their annual maintenance work on the county’s 144 outdoor warning sirens this week. As part of testing the sirens, residents might hear them go off for 30 seconds at a time.
• The work will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and because the crews move from siren to siren, residents won’t be warned in advance of siren testing in their neighborhoods. So just remember, this is only a test. [News 3]

What are you doing New Year’s Eve? I know the end of 2025 is still a couple of weeks away, but it will be here before you know it, and you might want to plan ahead. Here are some options for what’s happening in Madison on the big night, whether you want to dress up or dress down.

The Kissers Irish New Year’s

Leaving a party early and quietly is known as an “Irish goodbye.” So it’s fitting that Madison’s top Irish rock band is giving 2025 an Irish goodbye with a 4 p.m. family-friendly show at the High Noon Saloon.

Wonderfunk and The People Brothers’ Band

If you’re looking for a funkier way to ring in the new year, two of Madison’s top funk-soul bands will join forces for a late-night High Noon Saloon show.

Concourse Hotel New Year’s Eve

If you want to go all-out for New Year’s Eve, the downtown Concourse Hotel is the place to be. Get dressed to the nines and enjoy a four-course meal, live jazz, and your choice of three different live music events (a DJ dance party, a disco party with VO5, and a country show with Frank Busch and the Names) going on simultaneously in the hotel into the wee hours.

Mike Lester

It’s been a heavy year, so you might want to go out laughing. Midwestern comedian Mike Lester is taking over the Comedy Club on State for a 10:30 p.m. show that includes a midnight toast and a gift bag. Or you can catch one of the earlier shows and be home in bed at a decent hour.

Granny Shot

Dick Clark may no longer be with us, but you can still have a Rockin’ New Year’s Eve at the Majestic Theater with Madison cover band Granny Shot, who specializes in ‘90s and ‘00s pop-punk and alternative hits (think Avril Lavigne, Foo Fighters, and Limp Bizkit).

Now That’s What I Call 2025!

Look back on the year’s biggest hits and dance your way into 2026 with this party at The Sylvee featuring Trini and Creating a Movement. Doors open at 8 p.m., with free champagne for early arrivals while supplies last.

⬆️ Last Week’s Photo

This sculpture inspired by the sunburst chairs on the Memorial Union Terrace is located in Union South!

🎉 Congratulations to Jennifer H., Doug O., and Lauren F. for being the first three people to guess right!

⬇️ This Week’s Photo

Where is this located? A few clues:

• It’s downtown
• It’s on a historic building that has been repurposed
• If you’re thinking about transportation, then you’re on the right track!