Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which MLK Day 2026 events are planned across Madison?

Spotted on the Madison calendar: Tani Diakite & Afrofunkstars - Every Last Friday | $15

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Good morning Madison! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which MLK Day 2026 events are planned across Madison?
  • How Occupy Madison’s tiny homes turn handmade gifts into housing help
  • How a west-side family farm helped launch a touring rock band

Also on today's calendar: Tani Diakite & Afrofunkstars - Every Last Friday | $15 and 4 more events.

Find out what's happening in Madisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Madisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 37 and low of 31 degrees.
  • Friday: Cloudy, temps: high: 40, low: 33.
  • Saturday: Low clouds, with a high of 44 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. King Coalition announces slate of MLK Day events; Marc Lamont Hill to keynote City-County observance (madison365.com) — Madison and Dane County’s King Coalition has laid out a full slate of local events for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026, centered on the City-County observance at the Overture Center’s Capitol Theater. Residents can join free programs all weekend, from a community dinner and ecumenical service to youth service projects and recognition events across Madison.
   

2. Tiny Home Communities for Formerly Homeless Fundraise with Holiday Shop (wkow.com) — Occupy Madison’s tiny home villages are running a resident-made holiday gift shop at 304 N. Third St., with all proceeds supporting their formerly homeless community. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the shop features ornaments, jewelry, soap, and photography that residents say help them stay connected and give back to their Madison neighborhood.
   

3. How father-son relationship and rural roots shaped this Madison-area rock band (gazettextra.com) — A Madison-area father-son rock band, Power Take Off, is heading out on a 12-state tour after honing their sound in a basement studio and drawing inspiration from family farm life on Madison’s far-west side. Eighteen-year-old drummer Ayden Theis and his dad, Scott, will wrap the tour back in Wisconsin with a March 2026 fundraiser for the Madison Area Music Association.
   

4. Gov. Evers grants 167 pardons, bringing total pardons granted to 1807 (vernonreporter.com) — From the Capitol in Madison, Gov. Tony Evers has granted 167 new pardons, bringing his total to 1,807 people whose civil rights are restored after Wisconsin felony convictions. Most involve older nonviolent drug and theft cases where recipients have since built stable careers, pursued education, or served their communities, under criteria requiring sentences be completed at least five years ago.
   

5. Madison family gifted brand-new car through nonprofit after losing home in fire (wmtv15news.com) — A Madison family of seven who lost their home in a recent fire just received a brand-new car from the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, easing their transportation worries as they rebuild. The gift, made possible through the nonprofit’s Pay it Forward campaign and community partners, replaces their 250,000-mile minivan and offers much-needed stability during a difficult time.
   

📸 Around Madison

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • BUNNI, OUR GREYHOUND IS MISSING.
    IN THE FAIR OAKS/ATWOOD AREA NEAR GLASS NICKEL PIZZA PLEASE HELP. https://petfbi.org/api/view/762784/71985c65 Lost or found a pet? Report it to Pet… (Nextdoor SASY)
  • Missing cat.
    Ginger male cat by the name of Ozzy. Unfortunately, he does not have a collar on. He escaped the evening of 12/22 from the 2400 block of Hoard St. … (Nextdoor Emerson East)
  • Mainstreet Ventures Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Porter in Madison. Apply here.
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Madison. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Madison here.

Ok Madison! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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