🎢 Ride the John Nolen rollercoaster!

🚗 Construction on John Nolen Makes For a Bumpy Ride

• John Nolen Drive was already in rough shape before the city began its massive construction project on the causeway. But the work has caused the 30-year-old pavement and 50- to 70-year-old bridges to deteriorate even faster.
• The over 40,000 vehicles per day that use the road are being squeezed into reduced lanes, meaning those open sections of road are seeing twice as much use. Chunks of broken concrete litter the side of the road, along with car parts from vehicles damaged by the road.
• Crews have been trying to repair the potholes as they happen, but have been hampered by the winter weather. This first phase of construction is expected to be completed in summer 2027, so buckle up. [WMTV]

🗳️ Do We Really Need 20 Alders?

• City officials are once again asking whether the Madison City Council should have 20 members, or if the city would be better served with fewer full-time alders. City Council President Regina Vidaver proposed reducing the size from 20 to 15 members.
• A few years ago, a city task force recommended that the size of the council be cut in half, but voters said in a 2021 advisory referendum that they wanted to keep it at 20 members. Under Vidaver’s new proposal, the salaries of the five eliminated members could be distributed among the remaining 15, and the odd number would mean that the mayor wouldn’t have to weigh in on tie votes.
• The city’s Executive Committee said the idea deserves scrutiny, but thought it was too soon to go back to the voters with another referendum.
• 🤔 So what do you think? Is more better or could we do with less? Give us a call at (608) 618-3367 or send us an email at [email protected] to share your thoughts! [Cap Times, WPR]

🎸 Eaux Claires Festival Rocks Again This Summer

• Live music fans rejoice! After an 8-year hiatus, Wisconsin musician Justin Vernon’s Eaux Claires Festival is returning this summer. This year’s festival will move to Eau Claire’s Carson Park on July 24 and 25.
• Headliners include Aimee Mann, Dijon, Lil Yachty, and Monica Martin (big sister of our own Bianca Martin!), with more to be announced. Tickets are on sale today. [ Eaux Claires, 🎧City Cast Madison]

💘 We’d LOVE for You To Listen to the Friday News Roundup!

• It’s the day before Valentine’s Day and it’s Friday the 13th, so you know we’ve got something special lined up for the Friday news roundup on the City Cast Madison podcast!
• We’ve got some recs for what to do this Valentine’s Day (even if you hate Valentine’s Day). We also chat about the groundswell of support for a Madison chef detained by ICE, and a Burger King franchisee facing a Whopper of a child labor controversy. Give it a listen! [ 🎧 City Cast Madison]

Meet Fanny! She’s an 11-year-old rescue who once feared the voices of FaceTime (we feel you, Fanny!). She’s fluffy and loves to be brushed, as well as hanging out in her favorite box. f she’s not hanging out behind her beloved Obama cutout on the porch, she’s silently begging her owner for treats! That’s change we can believe in.