Join the City Cast Madison team every weekday morning for can’t-miss conversations about what’s happening in Madison, with a dose of local news to keep you up to speed. Host Bianca Martin collects people wherever she goes, like an endless conga line. She peers into our city’s soul with a journalist’s skepticism and an optimist’s heart. Whether you’re an OG Madisonian or a newcomer, all neighbors are welcome here. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter, at madison.citycast.fm.
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Sep 29, 2026 · 39:48
The UW Badgers face off against Michigan State in the 2026 homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 3. City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin and Executive Producer Hayley Sperling break…
Sep 28, 2026 · 40:07
How much money do you make? Is it enough for you to thrive in Madison? Cap Times reporter Ashley Rodriguez asked Madisonians to be transparent about their wages and experiences.…
Sep 27, 2026 · 20:21
What’s a seemingly small project in Madison that’s made a big difference? In the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has just been fitted with a seamless electrical…
Sep 25, 2026 · 31:42
This week, Madison Police Chief John Patterson gave his quarterly report to the Madison Common Council and announced a new quality assurance department. Madison 365 Executive…
Sep 24, 2026 · 38:52
The restaurateur behind Sultan restaurant on Williamson Street has a new cookbook out. City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin talks with Sultan Ahmed about “Zameen: Pakistani…
Sep 23, 2026 · 36:40
This week, the Cap Times is hosting its first Photojournalism Summit as part of its 10th annual Idea Fest. City Cast Host Bianca Martin is talking with the minds behind it, Cap…
Sep 22, 2026 · 33:49
With six weeks left until the November 3rd election, it’s time to get in the know about the constitutional amendments you will be asked to vote on. City Cast Madison Host Bianca…
Sep 21, 2026 · 21:13
We might be months away from Thanksgiving, but Madison’s turkeys are gobbling all around town. They’re snacking on fallen acorns and unsuspecting bird feeders. Host Bianca Martin…
Sep 20, 2026 · 29:12
Would Madison be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime and depression recorded near newly…
Sep 18, 2026 · 32:07
Attorneys for the City of Madison are threatening to have the Social Justice Center declared a public nuisance in court. They say police have been called to the Willy Street…
Sep 17, 2026 · 34:54
Have you ever wondered about the history of sausage in Wisconsin? Jesse Brookstein has. In his new book, Best of the Wurst: Weird and Wonderful Stories of Wisconsin Sausage,…
Sep 16, 2026 · 42:03
The owners of Forward Football Club and Rally Madison are looking to make some big changes to Breese Stevens Field. Big Top Events also operates the city-owned venue which just…
Sep 15, 2026 · 39:05
This October marks the 25th year of the YWCA Madison Racial Justice Summit. Ahead of the two-day conference, City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin talks with Libby Tucci, YWCA’s…
Sep 14, 2026 · 29:10
Wisconsin is set to receive at least $219 million from Meta as part of a multi-state settlement over allegations the social media company harmed kids. On today’s episode, host…
Sep 13, 2026 · 27:01
It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Madison, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already sizzling city, Vegas has continued to…
Sep 11, 2026 · 34:28
The controversy over an AI-driven sculpture coming to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art continues: in an open letter with hundreds of signatures, artist Noah Peterson urges…
Sep 10, 2026 · 26:00
IRONMAN Wisconsin is coming to Madison this weekend. Expect closed streets and super fit Madison visitors! For those of us who aren’t triathletes, the feat might seem…
Sep 9, 2026 · 33:57
A new United Nations report says global warming has hit the point of no return and is set to consistently exceed the 1.5°C benchmark set with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. On…
Sep 8, 2026 · 36:49
An upcoming art installation at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art has sparked some controversy due to its use of AI. On today’s podcast episode, MMoCA Director Paul Baker…
Sep 6, 2026 · 23:06
Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Madison? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measures to install and use it. From license…
Sep 4, 2026 · 27:42
This week, the Madison Finance Committee voted unanimously to deny additional funding for the Office of the Independent Police Monitor. The office sought $28,500 to pay for…
Sep 3, 2026 · 36:21
Madison’s first Halal Restaurant Week starts Friday, and eight local restaurants are adapting their menus to be more inclusive of Muslim diners. Executive producer Hayley…
Sep 2, 2026 · 38:50
Genes are just one factor in your odds for developing Alzheimer’s disease. A study from the Center for Health Disparities Research at UW–Madison explores the environmental and…
Sep 1, 2026 · 37:07
September is here! This month will be full of bountiful harvests, neighborhood festivals, and “Is it fall yet?” vibes. Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and…
Aug 31, 2026 · 36:22
The news has been nonstop for Madison recently. Today, Madison City Council President Sabrina Madison talks to host Bianca Martin about the biggest stories in the city right now…
Aug 30, 2026 · 28:47
The Madison airport definitely has a lot going for it, but what it doesn’t have is its own electrical grid, like Pittsburgh’s does. For the past few years, Pittsburgh…
Aug 28, 2026 · 33:24
The whole world is mourning country star and philanthropist Dolly Parton, who passed away earlier this week. , Although she’s gone, kids in Dane and Sauk Counties will still get…
Aug 27, 2026 · 43:08
The new restaurant begonia. opens its doors to the public on Friday. But Monroe Street diners might already be familiar with the team behind begonia. Sara Anderson and her…
Aug 26, 2026 · 27:05
Did you know City Cast Madison’s Rob Thomas writes about movies on his Substack newsletter? Over on Not That Rob Thomas, Rob writes about new theatrical releases, movies…
Aug 25, 2026 · 30:30
On Aug. 24, 1970, UW-Madison’s Sterling Hall was bombed in protest of the Vietnam War. The explosion killed a physics researcher, injured others, and caused millions of dollars…
Aug 24, 2026 · 37:51
Do you want to help shape the future of streets downtown? District 2 Alder Will Ochowicz is hosting a public meeting Tuesday to gather input on traffic safety as part of the…
Aug 23, 2026 · 26:08
How often are you out in nature in Madison? It’s not always easy to know which natural resources are clean and safe to use in an urban setting, and city rivers get a particularly…
Aug 21, 2026 · 32:31
After donating $67 million to causes across Madison over the last 15 years, the Goodman Foundation is dissolving at the end of the month. The charitable organization provided…
Aug 20, 2026 · 35:58
Madison’s fifth annual Ukraine Fest is happening this Saturday, Aug. 22 in Olin Park. The event comes at a time when 100,000 Ukrainian refugees in the U.S. are awaiting a…
Aug 19, 2026 · 37:42
Have you been hearing F-35 jets flying overhead late into the night? For the last two weeks, the Wisconsin Air National Guard has been conducting night training. Many of us in…
Aug 18, 2026 · 34:42
Are you struggling to make a dinner reservation at a restaurant this week? You’re probably experiencing the influx of people who are in Madison for Epic Systems’ annual…
Aug 17, 2026 · 35:07
The new Teejop Community Art Project is a citywide series of temporary art installations by seven Indigenous artists honoring Madison’s Indigenous community and cultural history.…
Aug 16, 2026 · 24:40
Ever want to know how many mattresses Madison throws away? It’s a lot, but Dane County officials hope that, someday, the bulk of it can be recycled — and that all starts with the…
Aug 14, 2026 · 37:21
Today, the family of Corey Ruiz will hold a funeral at the Fountain of Life Church, where Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy. City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley…
Aug 13, 2026 · 43:04
Is there a meal in Madison you used to get all the time, but that now you can only dream of because the restaurant closed? Maybe it’s a burrito filled with tater tots from…
Aug 12, 2026 · 24:47
Yesterday, voters in Wisconsin decided on primaries across the state. On today’s show, executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob Thomas break down the winners…
Aug 11, 2026 · 35:41
For the second time in the organization’s history, the American Red Cross has declared an emergency after the nation's blood supply dropped 25% in June. Red Cross Southwest…
Aug 10, 2026 · 17:45
Are you ready to vote in tomorrow’s primary? Host Bianca Martin and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos have you covered with the logistics, competitive races, and a reminder of who is…
Aug 7, 2026 · 29:26
As much as you love Madison, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On…
Aug 6, 2026 · 26:10
Our beloved Friday fish fry tradition isn’t disappearing, but thanks to climate change, it is changing. In this month’s cover story for Madison Magazine, writer Jeff Oloizia…
Aug 5, 2026 · 41:43
The memorial encampment at the intersection of Willy Street and Baldwin was forcibly removed early Tuesday morning by police and city workers. On today’s show, host Bianca Martin…
Aug 4, 2026 · 35:22
Nearly two weeks after the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz, Madison’s Independent Police Monitor says she still doesn't have the evidence needed to conduct an independent…
Aug 3, 2026 · 36:53
How is it already August? We’re not sure, but the City Cast Madison team, along with special guest contributor Emily Winter, has your guide to the month. From Black Restaurant…
Aug 2, 2026 · 27:14
Do you know how zoning laws affect Madison’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made it physically impossible to build tall…
Jul 31, 2026 · 37:23
Madison continues to grapple with the aftermath of a fatal police shooting. Today, Ion Meyn, an associate professor of law at UW-Madison who specializes in civil rights and…
Jul 30, 2026 · 34:54
While we grapple with heavy news in Madison, we have been thinking about how we engage with each other and gather in community. Luckily for us, Madison has many coffee shops to…
Jul 29, 2026 · 30:44
The Aug. 11 primary is less than two weeks away! Today, we continue our election coverage as host Bianca Martin sits down with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. The two…
Jul 28, 2026 · 39:07
In the days following the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz, the city mobilized in protest in various ways. From shutting down events like Concerts on the Square to blocking…
Jul 27, 2026 · 36:22
With just over two weeks until the Aug. 11 primary, we’re continuing our election coverage. Today, host Bianca Martin sits down with Andy Manske, a medical services technician…
Jul 26, 2026 · 26:15
It’s not a given that every individual will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writer Taylor Lahey about how functional…
Jul 24, 2026 · 34:31
On Wednesday, a man was fatally shot by a Madison police officer on Willy Street. Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas talk…
Jul 23, 2026 · 21:14
On Wednesday July 22, Madison Police fatally shot a man in the Marquette neighborhood. Following the shooting, dozens of community members rallied at the site of the incident.…
Jul 22, 2026 · 32:12
Wisconsin’s primary election is less than three weeks away. On Aug. 11, voters will decide which Republican and Democrat candidates will face off against each other in the race…
Jul 21, 2026 · 35:50
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has gotten back in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin Governor. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling chat about…
Jul 20, 2026 · 31:54
The race for Wisconsin governor continues to heat up. On Friday, after questions regarding her campaign financial reporting surfaced, current Lt. Gov Sara Rodriguez dropped out…
Jul 19, 2026 · 27:14
Sometimes it can feel like the Madison government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans…
Jul 17, 2026 · 33:57
On top of the heat and the smoke, Madison had been pretty buggy this summer. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling chat with Wisconsin’s Bug Guy…
Jul 16, 2026 · 32:27
Downtown Madison will have a new third space by the end of this week! Lake City Books is moving across Capitol Square to Carroll Street and leveling up the store in the process.…
Jul 15, 2026 · 34:45
Democratic socialism is coming for Wisconsin! Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling sit down to talk about why and how this is playing into the race for…
Jul 14, 2026 · 25:17
Wisconsin’s primary election is just four weeks away. On Aug. 11, voters will decide which Republican and Democrat candidates will face off against each other in the race for…
Jul 13, 2026 · 39:32
The sun is shining and it’s time to lace up those hiking boots and get outside! From the Lakeshore Nature Preserve to the UW-Madison Arboretum, there’s no shortage of places to…
Jul 12, 2026 · 33:10
There’s lots to love about Madison, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livability. Accommodating, accessible, and…
Jul 10, 2026 · 34:02
There’s a lot going on in Madison this summer. But not Mad Lit. The popular concert series that has brought thousands to State Street each summer is dark in 2026 due to funding…
Jul 9, 2026 · 38:50
The 25th anniversary of Opera in the Park is happening Saturday, July 18 in Garner Park. The free concert will include an extensive repertoire, the fan favorite glowstick number,…
Jul 8, 2026 · 38:15
The state program that continued pandemic-era state subsidies to child care providers ended last week. Where does that leave Wisconsin families and their daycares? Host Bianca…
Jul 7, 2026 · 27:43
The primary election for the next Wisconsin governor is just five weeks away! Host Bianca Martin continues our election coverage with our first gubernatorial candidate interview.…
Jul 6, 2026 · 38:25
Things are heating up at the Duck Pond this summer! The Madison Mallards have clinched the Great Lakes West first-half title, and the Madison Night Mares have a 17-1 record!…
Jul 3, 2026 · 25:01
See if your Madison knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and…
Jul 2, 2026 · 35:08
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on birthright citizenship, the legality of bans on transgender athletes, and limits to campaign finance. City Cast Madison producer Jade…
Jul 1, 2026 · 32:16
It’s hot and humid, and we’re looking for ways to beat the heat this July! The City Cast Madison team is kicking off the month with our top picks from summer festivals to berry…
Jun 30, 2026 · 31:36
Madison is under an extreme heat warning this week, with temperatures in the 90s and heat index values exceeding 100 degrees. City Cast Madison executive producer Haley Sperling…
Jun 29, 2026 · 35:20
Last week, the Ho-Chunk Nation gifted Dane County Parks a hand-carved dugout canoe. Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Bill Quackenbush crafted the vessel himself from a…
Jun 28, 2026 · 27:14
Just how good are the sidewalks in Madison? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and pedestrian safety is just the beginning. In…
Jun 26, 2026 · 30:50
This week, the Madison School Board approved a district-wide cell phone policy. Under the new rules, phones are banned all day for grades K–8 and only allowed at lunch for high…
Jun 25, 2026 · 38:02
Earlier this year, Pabst Brewing Company announced an indefinite hiatus of Schlitz beer. However, Verona-based Wisconsin Brewing Company brewed a limited quantity of the beer…
Jun 24, 2026 · 37:49
In the latest on the race for Wisconsin governor, democratic candidate Missy Hughes dropped out of the primary Monday and endorsed Lt. Gov. Sarah Rodriguez. Meanwhile, the…
Jun 23, 2026 · 34:21
The Madison school board is looking to increase property taxes by 8.5% for the upcoming school year. City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin chats with Scott Resnick, a local…
Jun 22, 2026 · 39:07
There are still seven candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for the Wisconsin Governor’s race. With the August 11 primary less than two months away, the race is heating…
Jun 18, 2026 · 37:54
There are so many great local spots in town to get ice cream. From Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream to Babcock Dairy Store, Madison is rich with ice cream and custard. But who does it…
Jun 17, 2026 · 35:34
Richard Lee Johnson died on Dec. 31, 2024, after being arrested the previous night. A new report by the Office of the Independent Police Monitor found the arresting officers…
Jun 16, 2026 · 33:27
After months of public input, Regent Street is getting a major redesign which will include wider sidewalks, fewer driving lanes, added parking and loading lanes, and more trees.…
Jun 15, 2026 · 43:08
The new Center for Black Excellence and Culture has officially opened! City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin sits down with founder Rev. Dr. Alex Gee at the center to talk about…
Jun 14, 2026 · 32:56
Do you know how many parks Madison has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to…
Jun 12, 2026 · 33:49
This week, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway told city agencies to be prepared to cut 2% from their budgets amid inflation and higher fuel costs. She also called for state-level…
Jun 11, 2026 · 36:55
Chef Patrick O’Halloran has been cooking for Madison for decades, and his latest business, The Deliciouser, blends spices, classes, and global cuisine. O’Halloran was just named…
Jun 10, 2026 · 33:39
It’s Pride Month! Gov. Tony Evers was the first Wisconsin governor to raise the pride flag over the State Capitol, and he did so again for his final time earlier this month.…
Jun 9, 2026 · 35:01
We start today’s show remembering and mourning community leader Michael Johnson. Host Bianca Martin reflects with executive producer Hayley Sperling and Cap Times food and…
Jun 8, 2026 · 35:39
Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board and Office of the Independent Police Monitor are once again under scrutiny as the city considers changes that the office says could…
Jun 7, 2026 · 30:30
Madison recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its…
Jun 5, 2026 · 28:13
Wisconsin’s voting maps are in the news again and headed to the state Supreme Court. What’s next for political representation in our state? To get the details on this latest…
Jun 4, 2026 · 35:29
The 2026 season at American Players Theatre starts this weekend! The Tony Award-winning theater company in Spring Green will have shows through November. Our friend Cap Times…
Jun 3, 2026 · 24:36
Did you know Madison is home to the world-famous, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, First Unitarian meeting house? To mark the building’s 75th birthday, Friends of the Meeting House…
Jun 2, 2026 · 32:52
UW-Madison is removing its ethnic studies requirement for students enrolling in summer 2026 and beyond. This move aligns the university with the Board of Regents’ highly debated…
Jun 1, 2026 · 32:37
Cue up “June Hymn” by the Decemberists because summer is here, and the City Cast Madison is bringing you our picks of the best things happening this month. From eating donuts on…
May 31, 2026 · 31:43
Where would Madison be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to…
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