💘 Hate Valentine’s Day? This is for you.

🍔 Burger King Franchisee Accused of Child Labor Violations

• The owner of 105 Burger King franchises in Wisconsin, including seven in the Madison area, is being accused of what Gov. Tony Evers is calling the biggest case of child labor and wage payment violations in the state’s history.
• Cave Enterprises Operations LLC is being accused of 1,600 violations involving 600 children between 2023 and 2025 by the state Department of Workforce Development. According to Evers' office, 593 children aged 14 and 15 worked without a child labor permit, and 627 minors worked shifts of six hours or more without a state-mandated meal break.
• The state is ordering Cave to pay $230,000 to its employees and $828,000 in fines to the state. [News 3]

🏠 Report: Housing Costs Are Rising Faster Than Incomes

• The city’s 2025 Housing Snapshot says that rising costs and high interest rates continue to make it hard for residents to become first-time homeowners. Rising construction expenses are also adding to high costs, which are outpacing rising income for city residents.
• Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said the report contains encouraging signs that the city’s attempts to deal with its housing crisis are paying off, such as new construction and a healthier rental vacancy rate.
• But the market is still full of inequities that need addressing, she said. For example, 30% of white homeowners and nearly 50% of Black homeowners pay more than 30% of their income towards housing costs. [City of Madison, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🧓 Fitchburg Plans Country’s First ‘Dementia Village’

• The Fitchburg City Council has approved one of the first steps towards building a $40 million “memory care community” on the Agrace campus. The village is expected to break ground this spring and be open by fall 2027.
• The concept would be the first of its kind in the United States, modeled after similar projects in the Netherlands. Instead of a single memory care facility, the village would include small homes of eight residents each, clustered in a community that includes a restaurant, grocery store, and spa.
• The development is in response to an expected surge of dementia cases in the United States. The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County offers many resources for individuals with dementia and their families, including screenings, memory care kits, and memory cafes. [WMTV, ADRC]

When I was in fifth grade and kids in class were sending valentines to each other, I was thrilled to receive a valentine from the girl I had a crush on. On the outside was a picture of Snoopy holding a sign that said “Be My Valentine.”

On the inside of the card, the girl had written “SNOOPY IS SAYING THAT, NOT ME.”

Which is to say I’ve always felt some ambivalence towards Valentine’s Day. Sure I love chocolates, flowers, and heart-shaped pizzas, but it can be a holiday that comes with a lot of complicated emotions and expectations, whether you’re in a relationship or not.

On the City Cast Madison podcast today, executive producer Hayley Sperling and host Bianca Martin went to two local bars to talk to Madisonians about the state of the city’s singles scene.

If you’re opting out of Valentine’s Day this year, or against the entire notion of a holiday devoted to romantic love, Madison has got some fun ways to celebrate anti-Valentine’s Day. Because heartbreak feels good in a place like Madison.

Comedy F*ck Fest

Crucible, Feb. 13

Madison comedians perform and are then interviewed about their sex lives – the good, the bad, and the ugly. No question is off limits!

Madison Polar Plunge

Henry Vilas Zoo, Feb. 13 and 14

If you’re feeling all hot and bothered, chill out in some frigid waters in the annual plunge, a fundraiser for Special Olympics Wisconsin.

“Best Date, Worst Date”

The Forward Club, Feb. 14

Everybody loves a great dating war story. Cheshire Cat Comedy has put together this showcase of top Madison comedians sharing their favorite dating disasters (and, to be fair, the occasional date that actually went well).

Combo Noir – To Hell With Love

North Street Cabaret, Feb. 14

Drown your sorrows in an ice-cold martini and enjoy tunes from this Madison collective featuring vocalist Anna Purnell and pianist Adam St. Reiff playing classic songs of love gone wrong.

⬆️ Last Week’s Photo

This rock is located at Global Market & Food Hall!

🎉 Congratulations to Tricia M., Kendell G., and Vivienne T. for being the first three people to guess correctly!

⬇️ This Week’s Photo

Where is this lady located? A few clues:

• It’s located in a community just north of Madison
• It’s outside a business that’s celebrating 100 years in 2026
• As the sign suggests, they do have real goats there!