608today

608today is crafted with one goal in mind: helping you feel more connected to your city. But did you know we’re part of a bigger mission? Our friends and colleagues at @6amcity work to keep local communities informed, engaged, and genuinely excited about where they live — in cities all across the US. That’s why our newsletter has always been free. And it always will be. So, how do we keep it going? We team up with national brands and some of the best local businesses and organizations in town. But we also rely on something just as important — support from readers like you. Over the next 10 days, we’re running a campaign to help sustain the work we love doing: curating good news, helping you plan for the most anticipated local events, and staying true to the trust you’ve placed in us. (Fun fact: We’ve turned down over a million dollars in political ads to keep that trust intact.) If 608today adds a little something to your morning routine, we’d be so grateful for your support — a little pick-me-up for us, as we keep the good news coming. Support us at the link in bio. And while you’re there — if you haven’t already — subscribe to our free daily newsletter. You won’t regret it. #608today // Graphic by 6AM City

Just dropped: our official holiday gift guide. We’re sharing 90+ gifts in this year’s guide, complete with ideas for parents, significant others, book lovers, retirees, white elephant exchanges, and people who have everything. The best part? The guide includes some of our favorite local makers and vendors. 🎁 Head to our link in bio for instant holiday gift shopping inspiration.

🐄 It's officially National Dairy Month, Madison. What if we told you that you could "adopt" a cow for a great cause? The Adopt a Dairy Cow campaign supports @secondharvestsw in purchasing and distributing nearly 40,000 half-gallons of milk each month to 300+ partner pantries across 16 counties. Meet a few of the personality-packed stars, learn more about the impact of your donation, and get moo-ving at the link in our bio. #partner 📸: @secondharvestsw #NationalDairyMonth #AdoptACow #608today #6AMCity

🥬 Fresh, local food should be accessible — and thanks to @secondharvestsw 's Farm to Foodbank Initiative (F2FI), it is. F2FI connects 50+ local farmers with food pantries across 16 Wisconsin counties, delivering fresh produce at no cost to families. Learn more about the program's local impact and discover how you can get involved at the link in our bio. #partner 📸: @secondharvestsw #FarmToFoodbank #WisconsinGrown #FoodEquity #608today

Dream home 🤝 dream cause. @victoryhomes_wi has built more than just a showstopper — they've built a home with heart. The St. Jude Dream Home Showplace is a stunning model where 100% of the sale supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Explore it online, donate from wherever you are, and tap our link in bio to see when you can tour the home in person. #partner 📸: @victoryhomes_wi #StJudeDreamHome #VictoryHomesWI #608today #6AMCity #WakeUpLocal

Hey, Madison business owners. Are you eager to put your brand in front of our engaged local audience? We created our Self Service Ad Portal just for you. 💖 Whether you need to promote an upcoming event, your small business’s announcement, or a new real estate listing, our ad portal makes local advertising simple, effective, and affordable. Plus, there's no long-term commitment required. Scroll through the graphics above to see what we offer and visit the link in our bio to get started. Your message could be here in as little as two days. #608today // Graphics by 6AM City #madisonwi #madisonwisconsin #madisonsmallbusiness

👋 608today team here. We’re so close to our $1,000 fundraising goal, and today is the last day we’ll bother you about it, we promise. We’ve already raised $650, and we’re looking to close the gap by the end of the day. Head to our link in bio to give a one-time donation and support our mission of free, unbiased, positive reporting for the city of Madison. Things your donation will support: 📥 Our weekly email newsletter filled with events and news happening in Madison ☀️ Keeping said newsletter free for the whole community 🚫 No political ads in our content ever 🧑‍💻 The staff that helps make our local reporting happen (thanks, tech support) 💌 The most positive publication in town Thank you so much to the readers and followers who have already supported us. Head to our link in bio to help us meet our goal.

Calling all small business owners. This spring — Sunday, May 4-Saturday, May 10 — we’re celebrating the impact you have on our city. But we need your help to do so: Head to the link in our Small Business Week highlight to fill out a form telling us about your business by Sunday, March 24. Don’t own a small business, but know someone who does? Make sure to tag them in the comments of this post. #608today #SmallBusinessWeek // 📸: sekretempire + @6amcity

🏐 The next major league is here in Madison. League One Volleyball (LOVB), the newest professional sports league showcasing the world's top volleyball talent, has kicked off its inaugural season. Cheer on Olympians Lauren Carlini and Annie Drew Schumacher, Badger legends Sarah Franklin and Temi Thomas-Ailara, and local star Claire Chaussee as they take the court. Mark your calendars: @lovbmad takes the court on Friday, Feb. 28 + Sunday, March 1 at the Alliant Energy Center. Don't miss any of the action of this historic season — head over to @lovbmad to learn more and grab tickets. #partner 📸: @lovbmad #LOVBMAD #LeagueOneVolleyball #608today

👋 608today team here. We’re here to tell you that local media matters — and so does your support. Over the next 10 days, our goal is to raise $1,000 to support our staff and daily operations. When you choose to support 608today, you’re investing in more than just a weekly newsletter — you’re investing in a stronger, more informed community. Your contributions directly contribute to creating more local stories you love, expanding our coverage, and ensuring we can remain a free resource for everyone in Madison. A few reminders about us: 💌 We impact readers’ lives. We receive hundreds of thank you emails every week. If you’ve gotten something out of being subscribed to 608today, we couldn’t be more honored to be part of your life. 🤝 We take a positive, unbiased approach to local reporting. While we’ll always let you know about decided-upon policies impacting our city, we skip the political discourse that can feel unending and draining. No crime. No politics. Ever. 💸 We grow money on trees. Just kidding. While we have incredible advertising partners across all our communities that help make this product free, it takes more to keep a modern media company healthy. Support our approach to free, local storytelling today by heading to our link in bio to give. #608today #madisonwi #localmedia #localjournalism

Dry January-ing? Mocktails — like this "Fauxgroni" by @statelinedistillery — can be just as fun as cocktails (for more than just a month). In fact, 41% of American adults are "Sober Curious," aka trying to drink less alcohol all year long. 🍹 If you're interested in more moderation in 2025, here's a tool that could help: Labcorp OnDemand’s Liver Health Test provides a deeper understanding of your liver’s condition by screening for inflammation, potential disease, or fibrosis — and it's 25% right now. Tap our link in bio to learn more + shop the health tests for a more informed New Year. #partner 📸: @statelinedistillery #608today #LabcorpOnDemand #HealthyNewYear #GoTestYourself

Warm up your winter festivities with Swiss Miss® ‘Shmallow, a delicious collaboration between @swissmissbrand and @drinkshmallow . 🥃 This toasted marshmallow + cocoa-infused bourbon combines the rich taste of Swiss Miss hot cocoa with the artistry of a well-crafted bourbon. Read: This marshmallow-flavored whiskey is winter wrapped up in one sip. ❄️ Head over to our link in bio to see how to pick up a bottle of Swiss Miss ‘Shmallow for your next holiday gathering or as a gift for your favorite bourbon aficionado. #partner 📸: @drinkshmallow #HotelTangoDistillery #SwissMissShmallow #MarshmallowWhiskey #INDYtoday #6AMCity #WakeUpLocal