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Two profiles of Black women today: school board candidate Maia Pearson and new Letesha Nelson, the new executive director of the Goodman Community Center. Plus, the latest COVID stats continue to improve, even as vaccinations aren't yet happening any faster.

President Joe Biden talked a lot about unity in his inaugural address, but what does that mean exactly? Plus, we gush a bit over inaugural poet Amanda Gorman. And in local news, a new Black-owned bookstore, expansion of a transportation jobs program, and good news on COVID. 

The Hip Hop Architecture Camp, born in Madison just a few years ago, has translated into architecture & design internships for young people around the country. Plus, COVID numbers are still looking good, and the state has made more policy announcements about masks and vaccines. Give us a listen to find out the details.

President-elect Joe Biden has laid out an ambitious immigration reform plan. On the podcast today, we go over the highlights. Plus, a 12-year-old author and one of the Original Kings of Comedy is coming to Madison (virtually) to keynote an event on men's health.

A new Hispanic theater company is taking shape in Madison, and a new candidate has jumped into the race for Sun Prairie's school board. Plus, we set a record for single-day COVID death toll on Saturday -- what does that mean?

Matt Dannenberg is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and will soon be a member of the Biden Administration. Rob got to talk with him yesterday and has the profile today. Plus, a school district is causing a stir by taking a day off to vaccinate teachers (we forgot to say which district though -- it's Janesville) and overall, the COVID numbers are looking good.

The president was impeached for a second time yesterday. On the podcast today, a recap of what went down in Congress and what could be next. Plus, an exciting opportunity for Black entrepreneurs funded by the Milwaukee Bucks, and in "Oh good, that's just great" news, the new and more contagious coronavirus variant has made it to Wisconsin.

The second impeachment of Donald Trump is likely happening today, and new information out today demonstrates just how serious that riot in the Capitol last week was. Plus, the 2020 MLK Jr Humanitarian Awards have been announced and we're optimistic about COVID numbers.

Wisconsin has a new Poet Laureate, and for the first time ever, it's a Black woman. Plus, a coalition of local organizations has put together a virtual Youth Call to Service Day on MLK Day, and we are beginning to feel optimistic about how the spread of COVID is slowing down.

It's been quite a week on the national level. On the podcast today we get caught up on the investigation into the insurrection at the Capitol and the efforts to remove the president. Plus, the state's COVID numbers are looking better.

The fallout from Wednesday's insurrection at the United States Capitol continues, as cabinet secretaries and law enforcement leaders have resigned, and calls have grown for the president to be removed from office. Plus, a local pastor leads a vaccine information effort and the some of the latest COVID numbers are slightly better and some are slightly worse.

You might have some thoughts on yesterday's coup attempt, in which insurrectionists looted the US Capitol for the first time the British did in 1814. So do we, which we share on the podcast today. Plus, Covid numbers still aren't great.

No police officers will be charged in the shooting of Jacob Blake, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. We have a breakdown of the DA's announcement ... which included more about Blake's past than it needed to. Plus, looks like the Democratic Party will take control of the US Senate as Raphael Warnock becomes the first Black Senator from the South and Jon Ossof also looks poised to win his race against David Perdue.

We're expecting news out of Kenosha, where businesses, law enforcement and National Guard are bracing for protests when authorities announce the decision whether to charge the police officer who shot Jacob Blake. Plus, activist Brandi Grayson spoke with our Dave Dahmer about her campaign for alder, and the latest COVID numbers are still moving in the wrong direction.

Another candidate jumps into a race for Madison Common Council, this time for the 16th District on the east side. Plus, COVID numbers aren't looking great.

OK, it's a little more than 10 minutes today, as we go a bit behind the scenes. First, Madison365 Editor in Chief Dave Dahmer joins for a look back at some of his favorite stories of the year, then Stephanie turns the tables on Rob for a candid conversation about the pandemic, systemic racism, community journalism, and how Madison365 was poised to get through it all.

Reporter Mackenzie Krumme joins the podcast to talk about her favorite stories of a very strange year, as well as what journalism means in times like these and what responsibilities white reporters have when covering communities of color. Plus, the latest COVID news.

As we look back on a tumultuous and difficult year, reporter L. Malik Anderson joins the podcast to talk about some of his favorite stories, from a pre-pandemic poetry reading to relief efforts in the most vulnerable populations. Plus, the latest COVID numbers are heading in the wrong direction.

The newest member of the Madison365 reporting team, Ayomi Wolff, joins the podcast this morning to talk about her favorite stories of 2020, jumping into the journalism profession in the weirdest year ever, and how the news business is changing. Plus, the latest COVID numbers.

Madison365 reporter Fatoumata Ceesay joins the podcast this morning to look back on some of her favorite stories of 2020 and what it means to be a journalist in times like these. Plus, we get caught up on the COVID numbers.