Around Town
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Iola Norseman Challenge is this coming Sunday, Feb. 1. You can register in the chalet, on the day of, and there should be an online sign-up out soon. Don’t want to race but want to be a part of the action? This is a great opportunity to volunteer and help make this event possible! Please email Morgan at operationsmanager@iolawintersportsclub.org.
Business Hours
CRYSTAL CAFE: Winter hours are Monday-Tuesday, closed; Wednesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Job Opportunities
CRYSTAL CAFE: The Crystal is hiring part-time to full-time wait staff. No experience needed. Stop in for an interview.
Around the State
FREE SPEECH LEGISLATION: State Sen. Eric Wimberger and Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk have introduced Wisconsin SB 666/AB 701, aiming to adopt the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. The bill would bolster free speech and protect journalists by allowing courts to swiftly dismiss lawsuits meant to silence or intimidate critics. Media organizations strongly urge its passage. Read the Wausau Pilot & Review opinion piece here.
GRAFFITI ARRESTS: UW–Madison Police Department (UWPD) announcements and mainstream local news coverage (e.g., from WKOW, Channel3000, WMTV, Daily Cardinal) have indicated four persons have been arrested in connection with Pro-Palestine and allegedly antisemitic graffiti causing property damage. None are affiliated with the university. The individuals arrested/charged are Madison residents Zebulun Fazel, 24; Genevieve Karamanski, 22; Kareem Mayouf, 26; and William Wambles, 20. All four face multiple charges, including felony graffiti counts (e.g., at least one felony per person in some reports) alongside misdemeanor graffiti counts (e.g., Fazel faced six misdemeanor counts plus felony). The incidents involved at least eight separate graffiti cases causing thousands of dollars (over $10,000 in some estimates) in damage across campus locations like Bascom Hall, commuter paths, and malls. Charges were filed by the Dane County DA following a year-long UWPD investigation.
DATA CENTERS: Wisconsin has some 40 data centers, stretching from Kenosha to Eau Claire. But most are tiny compared with the big seven: three under construction in Beaver Dam, Mount Pleasant and Port Washington; and four proposed in DeForest, Janesville, Kenosha, and Menomonie. Some communities have signed secrecy deals. Read the Wausau Oilot & Review story here.
GOVERNATORIAL CANDIDATES: Several candidates are actively campaigning for Wisconsin governor as Gov. Tony Evers is not running. The candidates include Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes, State Rep. Francesca Hong, and State Sen. Kelda Roys. Republican announced candidates for Wisconsin governor are U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann. Read what each current has in their political war chest in this TrueNorth story.
Interesting Facts
While browsing the internet, some interesting facts emerge that are worth sharing. These are a few recently seen.
SPACE SMUGGLED SANDWICH: In 1965, NASA pilot John Young hid a corned beef sandwich in his space pocket for Gemini III. Nearly halfway through the five-hour flight, Young pulled out the sandwich and offered a bite to mission commander Gus Grissom. Young was reprimanded once back on Earth, and a congressional inquiry took place.
SNOOTY PEANUTBUTTER SANDWICH: The peanut butter and jelly sandwich was an evolution of a high-brow sandwich consisting of peanut butter, cheese, lettuce, and Worcestershire sauce. It wasn’t until there was widely available commercially sliced bread that the sandwich we know today became prevalent.
