City Cast Madison

Madisonians are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It's a big shift in local policy, partially motivated by the fact that local cops have damaged their reputation by patrolling with feds. City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host and executive editor Mike Schaffer about the political stakes involved, the effectiveness of body cameras, and how Washingtonians are dealing with the heavy federal law enforcement presence. Plus, Mike and Jacoby weigh in on public transit etiquette in their cities when it comes to people playing music out loud. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email us now! We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

As Wisconsin voters get ready to head to the polls next month to elect the next Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, current Justice Annette Ziegler announced this week that she will not run for a third term in 2027. Ziegler is the second conservative-leaning justice to retire from the court since liberal-aligned justices took the majority in 2023. City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling breaks down the story with newsletter editor Rob Thomas and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos. Plus, Amtrak's anticipated arrival in Madison gets bumped up by a few years, and some weird buildings are creating buzz in town.  And don't forget to check out our new City Cast podcast "Your City Could Be Better" on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It's usually hosted by our CEO David Plotz, but this week, Chicago's Jacoby Cochran is stepping in as guest host, to talk with D.C.'s Mike Schaffer about a new D.C. law that aims to hold federal agents accountable.  Mentioned on the show: Why Madison picked Wilson Street for Amtrak [City Cast Madison]How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Madison [City Cast Madison]

How sweet it is to have a free maple syrup festival right in our backyard! This weekend, the Aldo Leopold Nature Center is hosting its annual Maple Syrup Fest complete with hands-on activities, hikes, and of course, tastings. To give us the rundown on what makes this festival so special and get into the legacy of Aldo Leopold himself, host Bianca Martin chats with the center's education director, Virginia Wiggen.

Decades before “fake news” became a political dog whistle, the folks behind The Onion were publishing tongue-in-cheek, satirical news. The founders launched it in 1988 right here in Madison. Christine Wenc was a copy editor, writer, and illustrator on the original staff, and is the author of “Funny Because It's True: How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire.” Host Bianca Martin chats with Christine about the Onion's early days, and why Madison was the perfect birthplace for the iconic paper.  This show originally aired March 18. 2025.

Forward Madison FC's season officially kicks off this weekend! And the team is looking much different than it did last year. Plus the new women's team, Rally Madison FC, will hit the pitch this summer. To catch us up on all things soccer — or football, if you will — host Bianca Martin chats with Rob Chappell, executive editor at Madison365 and host of the 608 Soccer Show podcast. 

UW-Madison's student-run radio station WSUM was recently named Intercollegiate Broadcasting System's Best College Radio Station in the country! The 24-year-old station has gone through some major transformations over the years, from fighting for a radio tower to broadcasting from state-of-the-art equipment and launching a successful app. Today host Bianca Martin catches up with WSUM program director Paige Elizabeth Kearney and production director Johnny Raider to get the details on what's in WSUM's recipe for success.

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Madison are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it's one that's very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers. Mentioned on the show: Interrogating Controversial Homeless Policy Proposals (City Cast Salt Lake) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

With international news dominated by war, how does the U.S. involvement in Iran impact us here in Wisconsin? The City Cast Madison team digs into this question as well as some lighter news about what's going on here at home. Several new restaurants have opened in the Madison area recently, and it's time to get excited for summer because the Concerts on the Square lineup is out! Mentioned on the show Has the war in Iran directly affected you or loved ones? [Cap Times] Does This Go Together? And Other Questions Asked by Madison's Fusion Trend Setters [City Cast Madison] New barbecue restaurant to open on State Street [Madison Magazine]

One of Madison's most iconic restaurants is celebrating a huge milestone this year. L'Etoile is turning 50! The boundary-pushing farm-to-table restaurant has served as a launching pad for some of Madison's most accomplished chefs. So what's the secret sauce that makes this place so special? Today, host Bianca Martin chats with L'Etoile founder Odessa Piper and current chef and owner Tory Miller to find out. Want more? Listen to our 2023 interview with Odessa.

In many ways when it comes to housing, Madison is stuck between a rock and a hard place. While there's been an influx of new residents, there's limited space on the isthmus for housing growth and some communities are wary of new developments. Nonetheless, the city has made strides toward easing the pressures of our housing market, as it recently outlined in its 2025 Housing Snapshot Report. Today, host Bianca Martin speaks with executive director of Common Wealth Development, Justice Castañeda, about what's going well and what isn't when it comes to the state of housing in Madison. Read Justice's 2025 opinion piece on housing for Isthmus here. 

When you think about sustainability, where does clothing come into the conversation? In a world where roughly 30% of the microplastics in our oceans come from synthetic clothing material, it's more important than ever to build a connection to the fibers we wear every day. As we welcome the spring growing season, host Bianca Martin speaks with Leslie Schroeder, founder of the Midwest Linen Revival, who is leading a movement in Madison to make the fashion industry more sustainable.  This show originally aired June 17, 2025.

Beware OR embrace the Ides of March! Dealers choice. On today's episode, host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas give their top recommendations for ways to live your best life in Madison this March. From going to the next I'mProv, You're Prov comedy show and Wisconsin Film Fest previews to Femmestival 2026 and more, there's plenty to be excited about this month. 

A lot of cities, including Madison, are trying to figure out how best to revitalize downtown. It's an issue that's especially top of mind for Pittsburgh, who is hosting the NFL Draft in April. To solve the problem of vacant properties and empty storefronts, the city is trying out a new rent abatement program. So, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan Harris about why their downtown emptied out, whether this program will bring new businesses downtown for the long-term, and other revitalization plans that are in the works. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Happy Friday, Madison! It's time to round up the news of the week. The City Cast Madison team is digging into happenings at the statehouse, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos's announcement that he won't seek reelection and the partisan battle over school funding. Plus, after winning the gold in Milan, Badger women's hockey players have found themselves entangled in a controversy with the president.  Also, nominate us for Best of Madison! (Please

Summer in Madison is always sweet, but this year we have even more to look forward to as “Top Chef” star and Ho-Chunk chef Elena Terry's new restaurant, Tall Grass, will *hopefully* open at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art just in time for the Art Fair in the Square. Host Bianca Martin spoke with Terry on the podcast to talk about what to expect from the menu, why she chose to open a restaurant in MMOCA, and how she plans on serving both her customers and her community. 

Measles has returned to the United States. Two cases of exposure to the highly infectious virus were reported in Madison earlier this month. Host Bianca Martin sits down with longtime public radio host and new podcaster, Dr. Zorba Paster, to remind us how the virus spreads, who's most vulnerable, and how to combat misinformation around vaccines. Dr. Paster was the host of WPR's “Zorba Paster On Your Health” until its cancellation in September 2025. His new podcast is “Stay Well with Dr. Zorba Paster.”  Learn more about the sponsors of this February 25th episode: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Dane County Humane Society Taskrabbit

The Wisconsin Historical Society is safeguarding the stories of being Black in Madison by including the SoulFolk Collective's oral history collection in its archive. The collective is a research lab in UW-Madison's Department of African American Studies that does research projects centering the Black experience , including mapping Black-affirming spaces in the city. .  To learn more, host Bianca Martin speaks with Dr. Jessica Stovall and Angela Fitzgerald about the Black Madison Archive and what is next for the collective.   Shout out that the collection is at WI historical society! This episode originally aired September 16, 2025. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 24th episode: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Dane County Humane Society Taskrabbit Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Madison's Common Council is composed of 20 part-time alders. But should it be? Recently, the conversation over the size and makeup of our city council has been revived and residents have varying thoughts on the matter. Today, executive producer Hayley Sperling digs into the arguments for and against a smaller council with City Cast Madison producer Jade Iseri-Ramos. Plus, we hear what you have to say about the idea!

More data centers are popping up across the country — but not in Madison. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin about the pros and cons of data centers, why the city instituted a one-year moratorium on new data center construction, and the economic, ethical, and ecological considerations at the heart of this debate. Plus, city survival tips in Madison and DC.  We also mentioned this City Cast Madison episode. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

This week, 13% of registered voters in Dane County cast their ballots in the spring primary election, and the City Cast Madison team is here with the results. Plus, local officials to work together to address safety issues on South Park Street following a fatal crash. Host Bianca Martin is joined by executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob Thomas to talk about the news of the week, including the closing of Porta Bella and the opening of Baked Lab.     Mentioned on the show: Closed restaurants that we loved [City Cast Madison]I'mProv ==> You'reProv Show [Big Honey] Your City Could Be Better podcast [City Cast]

It's allegedly the most important meal of the day: breakfast. (Or on weekends, brunch.) And Madison has an abundance of great places to grab a quick bite or settle in for the long haul. Today, executive producer Hayley Sperling chats with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about the best spots around town to get breakfast and brunch. Dig in!

Community care has always been a pillar of a functioning society. But what does community care actually look like? According to  Angela Russell, host of the local award-winning podcast Black Oxygen, community care can take on countless forms. Whether it's leaning on a neighbor in a time of need, volunteering with a local organization , or even just hosting a group chat among friends. The latest season of Black Oxygen centers on the topic of community care. And today, host Bianca Martin caught up with Russell to talk about the new season of the podcast and the role that community care has historically played in civil rights movements. 

On Jan. 30, thousands of people rallied downtown in a show of protest against federal immigration enforcement. Dozens of businesses in town shut down in solidarity, and others stayed open to act as community hubs, donating partial profits to nonprofit organizations that work with immigrant communities. The City Cast Madison team went to the protest to talk to folks on the street about what brought them out in the frigid cold. Today on the podcast, host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling reflect on these conversations and the role that protesting plays in Madison.

All eyes have been on the Twin Cities lately, including Madisonians'. Operation Metro Surge is reportedly ending in Minnesota, with the withdrawal of immigration agents expected over the next week. Over the last two months, though, residents of the Twin Cities have organized a range of local collective action efforts including protests, mutual aid, and monitoring ICE — and they've done it quickly. In this inaugural episode of “Your City Could Be Better,” City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Twin Cities podcast host Sean McPherson about how his community self-organized, why these networks have been so successful, and what other cities can take away from Minnesotans' response to Operation Metro Surge. Plus, we have a D.C. vs. Twin Cities face-off on local cultural norms. We also mentioned this episode of City Cast Twin Cities. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Unmarked Madison Police Department vehicles now have a placard in the windshield identifying them as MPD cars. This is in response to residents inquiring about how they can tell the difference between MPD cars and those belonging to ICE. Meanwhile, a company that owns a hundred Wisconsin Burger King restaurants has been accused of more than 1,600 child labor law violations by the state's Department of Workforce Development. Executive producer Hayley Sperling breaks down this week's news with producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and newsletter editor Rob Thomas. Plus, do you need Valentine's Day plans? We've got you covered. Mentioned on the show: Fundraiser for Noel Quintana, owner of the Señor Machetes [Facebook]Anti-Valentine's Day celebrations  [City Cast Madison] Bad Bunny teams up with UW-Madison professor [Tone Madison] Check out our new City Cast podcast "Your City Could Be Better" on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by CEO David Plotz, this week's inaugural episode features the host of City Cast Twin Cities talking about how Minneapolis and St. Paul mobilized so quickly and broadly against the months-long ICE operation there.

In Dane County, we have a thriving farmers market scene. We have local co-ops and community gardens. We boast about our farm-to-table restaurants. And we also have food insecurity rates as high as 15%. Parts of our food system appear to be running well, but when you dig below the surface, there are issues preventing it from being equitable and resilient. REAP Food Group, in collaboration with a number of local stakeholders, is trying to get to the root of the problems with the Dane County Food Action Plan. City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling chats with REAP Food Group interim executive director Noah Bloedorn about what is currently threatening the food system, and how it can be fixed.

Whether you're single, taken, or it's complicated, Madison is touted as a great place to date in nation-wide surveys. But what does WalletHub really know about our dating scene? We hit up our favorite first date spots to get Madison's honest takes on the dating scene. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling play the tape and share their own dating woes. This show originally aired Feb. 10, 2025.

This week, Madison Opera will present its first world-premiere show in more than 30 years. “Everlasting Faint” is a true-crime ghost story opera with music by Madison composer Scott Gendel and libretto by Sandra Flores-Strand. To get up to speed for this momentous event, host Bianca Martin spoke with Scott and Madison Opera's General Director Kathryn Smith about the new show and the do's and don'ts for opera newbies.

Remember last summer when our sky filled with wildfire smoke and air quality warnings forced Wisconsinites inside for days? Our changing climate impacts us all, but perhaps none more so than children. A group of 15 young people from across Wisconsin are suing the state, alleging legislative and Public Service Commission leaders failed to adequately protect them from climate change. Today, host Bianca Martin speaks with Madeleine Bohn, a West High School student and one of the plaintiffs in the case, along with lawyer Skylar Harris of Midwest Environmental Advocates. 

A confirmed case of measles has been reported on the UW-Madison campus, the DeForest Village Board voted against annexing land for a proposed QTS data center, and WisconsinEye returns. Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas break down the biggest stories of the week. Plus, want to watch the Super Bowl in Madison? We have you covered.

Public Parking, a cocktail bar on Madison's east side, is getting national recognition once again! They were recently named on the James Beard Awards long list for Best New Bar. But the team at Public Parking is familiar with the spotlight – last year they were featured as one of 9 Best News Bars of 2025 in Bon Appétit and received other regional recognition. Host Bianca Martin has been a fan since they opened and she chats with co-owner JR Mocanu about the secret behind their early success. 

Madison doesn't have a deal with surveillance technology company Flock Safety. But that doesn't mean surveillance isn't a concern in our city. There are dozens of Flock cameras installed around Dane County and yes, even some in Madison. So what's the deal here? Today, host Bianca Martin speaks with ACLU Wisconsin policy analyst Jon McCray Jones about Flock usage (and misuse) by law enforcement, and what folks can do to protect their privacy.  Mentioned on the show Police Surveillance is Ripe for Abuse [ACLU WI] Analysis of Flock use by Wisconsin cops reveals trends, raises questions [Wisconsin Examiner] Find Flock cameras in your area [Deflock]

Happy election season, Madison! That's right, the spring primary is just two weeks away, which means in-person absentee voting starts today. But who are you voting for and what's going on in these races? Today, host Bianca Martin talks to Isthmus staff writer Liam Beran to break it all down and help you become the most informed voter at the polls.  The primary is Feb. 17 and the spring election is April 7. For information on voter registration and more, head to MyVote.WI.gov. Plus, check out the full Isthmus voting guide here.

Happy February, Madison! The City Cast Madison team is here with a roundup of our favorite things to do and eat this month. Plus, we're talking about ways to spread some love in February. From events like the Frozen Assets Festival and an exciting author talk at the Orpheum, to getting into the Mardi Gras spirit with zydeco music and home cooked étouffée, we've got suggestions for just about everyone this month. 

This week, UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced that she will be leaving Wisconsin to become the president of Columbia University in New York City. Governor Tony Evers chided the city of Madison for arguing in a lawsuit that absentee voting is a privilege, not a right. And locals are activating in protests against recent ICE activity in Minneapolis. City Cast host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas break down all this news. Plus, there's big news in the Madison food scene once again.  Mentioned on the show: Kavanaugh's Esquire Club closes, for real this this time [Cap Times]Himali Chulo carries on Himal Chuli's legacy [Wisconsin State Journal] Madison participates in nationwide solidarity shutdown [Instagram] Chef Elena Terry to open Tall Grass restaurant in MMoCA [MMoCA]

The semifinalists for the “Oscars of the food world” have officially been announced, and Madison is well represented. This year, three Madison spots are up for James Beard Awards, which is a pretty big deal, as Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians put it. Today, host Bianca Martin chats with Lindsay about the local names making a national splash, what the competition looks like, and what you should order from these spots. 

It might be cold outside, but things are always hot in Madison's kink scene. From the city's historic red light district to current day Leather + Lace events at Crucible, Madison has a thriving community of people who like to explore their freaky side in community.  Today, host Bianca Martin steps into this world with Lili Luxe, a local consent advocate and longtime host of many of Madison's kinkiest events. This episode originally aired Feb. 12, 2025.

At the beginning of the year, we predicted the story to watch in 2026 would be the future of data centers in Madison. Well, the city has declared that this year will NOT be the year of data centers. Earlier this month, the Madison Common Council unanimously passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. Host Bianca Martin talks with District 3 Alder Derek Field, a sponsor of the ordinance, about what the council is hoping to achieve with the pause. 

In September, Dane County sought proposals to renovate the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at  Alliant Energy Center. They received a single response. It's from local concert giant FPC Live, which started as a small business running the box office at the Coliseum and now is largely owned by Live Nation, the world's biggest live entertainment company.  In a piece for Tone Madison, Nick Pjevach, chair of the Madison Arts Commission, wrote “Dane County should apply strict scrutiny of its partnership proposal with FPC Live.” Host Bianca Martin chats with Nick about why he thinks the county should be careful when planning out the future of the publicly owned Coliseum. 

What happens if federal immigration and Customs enforcement agents come to Madison? Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Representative Mark Pocan told the media this week that based on activity across the country, it is likely ICE will come to Wisconsin. A recent Cap Times piece lays out how local law enforcement officers will cooperate (or not) with ICE should they carry out raids in Madison. Host Bianca Martin breaks it down with executive producer Hayley Sperling  and newsletter editor Rob Thomas. We also discuss rising utility bills, PFAS clean up funding, and some good food news.  Mentioned on the show:New Mariners Inn development will include a waterfront restaurant [Isthmus]

If it comes between two slices of bread, it's a sandwich, according to Madison Magazine food editor Emma Waldinger. And for a city of its size, Madison's sandwich scene is nothing to scoff at. From subs piled high with meats to new classics where tofu is the star, there's something for just about anyone. On today's show, host Bianca Martin chats with Emma about Madison's iconic sandwiches and even comes up with some original creations of their own. Warning: don't listen on an empty stomach!

Last year, the Wisconsin Historical Society announced the discovery of a canoe parking lot with 16 ancient canoes in Lake Mendota. Wisconsin Maritime Archeologist Tamara Thomsen made the initial discovery and has been on the forefront of the work to preserve the canoes. She chats with host Bianca Martin and about the significance of the findings, the process of uncovering and preserving these artifacts, the historical context with local tribes, and other maritime archeological work in Wisconsin's waterways.