🌱 MMSD Staff Signing Day + COVID Relief Funds Benefit Community

Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Sean Peek, your host of the Madison Daily.

---

First, today's weather:

Very cold with clouds and sun. High: 27 Low: 10.

---

Here are the top 3 stories today in Madison:

1. Madison Metropolitan School District organized a "Staff Signing Day" this week, encouraging soon-to-be teachers to sign early employment contracts. The school hosted the event so that these future educators could focus on their last few months of student teaching rather than job hunting. Ninety-two teachers signed early contracts Thursday. (WMSN Fox 47 Madison)
2. Both Madison and Dane counties will be receiving $21 million, according to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. The money is part of Evers' program surrounding federal COVID-19 relief funds. The money will be used to boost disadvantaged communities in the area, and most of it will be allocated to Madison Public Market on the east side. The county will also receive funds toward developing the Black Business Hub. (Madison.com)
3. A University of Wisconsin-Madison professor wrote and published a book discussing journalism after the Trump presidency. The book focuses on how media has changed, defining what a truthful source could look like, and who is in charge of telling the truth. (Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3)

---

From our sponsor:

Tackling a big to-do list around the house to start the new year? Our partners at Thumbtack, the home services app, have made hiring trusted local pros for pretty much any job extremely easy and intuitive. In minutes, you can find a painter, plumber, roofer or someone to help with small jobs such as trash hauling or appliance repair. And Thumbtack's rating system can give you confidence that you're hiring a quality pro you can count on. Click here to get started.

---

Today in Madison:

• Second Harvest FoodShare At Madison Public Library (12:00 PM)
• Origami Drop-In At Lakeview Branch Library (4:00 PM)
• Madison Writing Assistance At Sequoya (4:30 PM)

---

From my notebook:

• Looking for an opportunity to give blood? The UW–Madison chapter of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) will be hosting a blood drive on Mar. 30. The drive, held in partnership with the Red Cross, will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. that day in the "BSE basement," room B1 of the Agricultural Engineering Building (located at 460 Henry Mall). (WISC.edu)
• The Office of the Dane County Board of Supervisors recently launched an independent evaluation of equity and access at Dane County Parks and the Henry Vilas Zoo. Their goal is to examine who exactly is using the services at both locations and increase equity and access. (HNG News)
• County Executive Joe Parisi joined Dane County Highway Commissioner Jerry Mandli and staff from the Dane County Highway Department to showcase the County's new tow plow equipment ahead of the predicted snowfall. (Madison Patch)

---

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• New Retirement Savings Webinar (February 28)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (March 9)
• Add your event

---

Loving the Madison Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

---

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.