City Cast Madison

What will happen when the city's one-year moratorium on new data centers expires in January? City officials released a draft framework this week that would limit the size and scale of new data centers, banning any new development over 100,000 sq. ft. City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin breaks down the story with Executive Producer Hayley Sperling and Creative Producer Rob Thomas. They also discuss the investigation into alleged hazing at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house and the alleged sexual assaults of two UW-Madison students. Plus, eight candidates are now in the running for Madison mayor and the CurderBurger is back. Content warning: this episode includes mentions of bodily harm, sexual assault, and a racist instance on campus.

A new cafe is set to open this month on Monroe Street. Waltzing Matilda's is the newest venture from the team behind Bloom Bake Shop and Lallande. On today's episode, City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin talks with owner Annemarie Maitri about the cafe's name, her personal approach to the menu, and the team behind the existing businesses.  Then Bianca is joined by Zia Brucaya from Greater Madison MPO and AJ Liedl from Madison Metro to discuss “Week Without Driving,” a national initiative to raise awareness of experiences of non-drivers. They break down the upcoming events, how to participate, and tips for first-time Metro users. 

Boo! The City Cast Madison team is here with your October guide. Host Bianca Martin, Creative Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and local comedian Emily Winter break down their top picks for things for the month. From the 46-mile Mammoth Hike Challenge to the Wisconsin Art Destination T-shirt challenge. Plus, the theme pick this month is “cheap thrills.”

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 down all the homecoming events happening this year. Plus, local DJ Nick Nice explains how tailgating is for everyone, from Badger superfans to football newbies.  Nick turns up the beats for home games at Fabiola's tailgate party on Regent Street.  The interview with DJ Nick Nice originally published on Sept. 10, 2024.

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. She found that while the average salary here is higher than the state average, most respondents feel like they are just scraping by. Ashley joins City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin to talk about the financial reality of living and working in our city and the power of salary transparency. 

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 turbine, so that an existing utility can now have a dual purpose. David is joined by Nic Westendorf, Tualatin's deputy public works director, to talk about the power of thinking local, using existing tools, and looking ahead to a sustainable future to inform what we do today. 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, Madison Police Chief John Patterson gave his quarterly report to the Madison Common Council and announced a new quality assurance department. Madison 365 Executive editor Rob Chappell joins City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin and Creative Producer Rob Thomas with the details. Plus, Chappell explains where the city stands on body cameras with the newly announced private funding from the Madison Community Foundation.  The team also discusses the growing opposition to a proposed high-voltage transmission line across southern Wisconsin and celebrates Madison's first new library in 26 years, Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. And in the Neighbors-only segment, what Madison sweet treats are tour-worthy?

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 Roots, Wisconsin Soil,” which adapts his restaurant recipes for home cooks, emphasizes robust South Asian spice cookery, and centers seasonal Wisconsin sourcing while challenging colonial notions of “authenticity.”  Then, Bianca talks with Madison brothers Michael and Jonathan Weerts about their interactive phone booth art installation at 209 Corry Street. It is a public tribute to their late brother Nick that plays randomized audio memories and invites community submissions.

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 Times photo director Ruthie Hauge and reporter Enjoyiana Nururdin. They dig into   the state of photojournalism and the importance of empowering Black journalists. You can still buy tickets.

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 Martin tags City Cast Madison Creative Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and  Starting Block Madison founder Scott Resnick to unpack what the amendments actually mean and who supports them. Plus, how worried should we be about the economic impact of low turnout at Badger football games? And meet Madison's fantastic (and plastic) new IT girl: American Girl's Daisy Davenport.

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 chats with UW-Madison Wildlife Ecology Professor David Drake about why turkeys thrive in Madison these days and why that wasn't always the case.  This episode originally published on Nov. 21, 2023

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 transformed, “greened” neighborhood lots. But how did they do it? David talks with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and special guest Matt Rader, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, about how Philly prioritized revitalizing its abandoned outdoor space, the ways that having a nonprofit partner has made all the difference, and what still needs to be done. Mentioned on the show: Study showing 29% decrease in gun violence near transformed lots: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1718503115 Study showing 41% decrease in reported depression: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2688343  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.

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 location more than 300 times since January 2025. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin talks with creative producers Rob Thomas and Jade Iseri-Ramos about the nuanced situation. The team also talks about a proposal to increase the juror day-rate in Dane County and two new businesses coming to Monroe Street and Willy Street. Plus, in our Neighbor-exclusive segment,we get heated about local ice cream news. 

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, Brookstein explores the expansive love for Wisconsin sausages, from tailgate brats to Oscar Mayer wieners. On today's show, host Bianca Martin talks with Brookstein about the meat of his book.  In the second half of the episode, Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians breaks down the must-knows of the upcoming Sugar River Fire & Smoke BBQ Festival. It's a meaty episode!  

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 celebrated its 100th birthday. Their proposed changes would make the venue more appealing to touring musicians and a future women's professional soccer team.  Host Bianca Martin talks with Rob Chappell, executive editor at Madison365 and host of the 608 Soccer Show, about these changes. Rob also gives us an update on the current Forward FC season. Spoiler alert: the Flamingos are good this year! Plus we continue the conversation about generative AI with Ross Dahlke, assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

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 Learning and Movement Building Director, about making space for hard conversations and centering grief, joy and rest while dismantling systemic racism. Then, Bianca talks with keynote speaker Kazu Haga, trainer and practitioner of nonviolence and restorative justice. They discuss “fierce vulnerability”  and internal healing for sustainable movements.

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 Bianca Martin interviews Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, who says at least half of the funds will go to support youth mental health and that Meta must also put in place safety features for minors on their apps. Kaul also discusses a $10 million PFAS settlement and explains the Department of Justice's process for investigating fatal officer-involved shootings, like the Corey Ruiz case.

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 experience record-breaking heat in recent years, essentially forcing it to lead the charge in protecting residents from increasingly rising temperatures. City Cast Las Vegas host Jesse Merrick talks with David about the bold moves of Nevada's lawmakers, like mandating heat mitigation and giving away trees, and how some time-tested strategies still need to be tweaked as rising global temperatures present new problems every day. Mentioned on the show: Europe's 10,000 recorded deaths during June 2026 heatwave 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.

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 MMoCA to reconsider its display of  “Diffuse Control.” We heard from MMoCA director Paul Baker Prindle earlier this week, and today Peterson joins the show to explain his perspective and motivation for writing the letter.  Later, executive producer Hayley Sperling, creative producer Rob Thomas, and contributor Emily Winter break down City Council's rejection of a $100,000 relief fund for roughly 30 Willy Street-area businesses and a proposed capital budget that includes funding for police body cameras. Plus, why have UW–Madison applications surged? And exclusively for City Cast Madison Neighbors, take a tour of this $5.2 million Capitol Square penthouse.

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 impossible. But maybe with the right mindset, we could all become IRONMAN finishers? Host Bianca Martin talks with Larry Shapiro, former UW-Madison philosophy professor, IRONMAN Wisconsin finisher, and author of Zen and the Art of Running about what it takes to finish the race. This episode was originally published on Sept. 3, 2025.

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 today's episode, City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin talks with Wisconsin State Climatologist Steve Vavrus about 2026's wild weather, upcoming El Niño impacts, and the likelihood of future severe storms. On the positive side, Vavrus highlights adaptation work through the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts and the state climatology office.

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 Prindle joins host Bianca Martin to discuss the nature of the piece and the role of contemporary art museums in the present moment. Then, Bianca talks with Chazen Art Museum Chief Curator Katherine Alcauskas about newly-open exhibits at the Museum and what museum visitors can expect when the Chazen reopens its collection galleries later this fall.

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 plate readers to drone cameras, the technology is routinely rejected by the Metro Council and mayor, and locals are somewhat split on if that's for the better. City Cast Nashville host Rachel Iacovone joins “Your City Could Be Better” to walk through all the measures that the Nashville government has reviewed and rejected, why people have reason to fear the tech, and what the city may lose by saying no to surveillance. 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, 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 additional staffing and operational costs. At the same meeting, the committee approved giving $100,000 to the Williamson Street Business Stabilization Program. Meanwhile, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is facing community pushback over a new exhibit that uses generative AI. Plus, good news for snow birds! The Dane County Regional Airport is bringing back seasonal flights to warm destinations for the fall and winter.  City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin and creative producer Jade Iseri-Ramos break down these big stories and for Neighbors' ears only, the fates of thousands of parking tickets are unverified. WHAT?! Mentioned on the show: Our interview with City Council President Sabrina Madison [

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 Sperling breaks down the offerings with host Bianca Martin and local comedian Emily Winter.  Plus, Wisconsin is projected to have a budget surplus of about three billion dollars. The team imagines what they would do with those excess funds. And finally, why did WalletHub rank Madison the 11th best city to retire in? Hint, it's not the cost of living!

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 societal factors behind the disease. It's a mission that is supported by a $30.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. CHDR director Dr. Amy Kind joins host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling to explain what we now know about Alzheimer's disease and external factors. Then, the team discusses the uncertain future of legal hemp-derived cannabis in Wisconsin as the Nov. 11 federal ban looms. Plus, Badgers head to class today! As UW-Madison alumni, Hayley and Bianca sound off with their hot tips for new students.

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 newsletter editor Rob Thomas share their picks for things to do and eat this month. Plus, they talk about how to get ready for fall.  ⚓ This month's guide is sponsored by Forward Theater. Their pick this month is to go see “Steady She Goes.” Check out our Instagram for a chance to win two tickets to this world premiere play. 

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 — from new updates on the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz to the opening of the new men's shelter and the upcoming budget process. Plus, Madison's first new library in more than two decades is opening Sept. 25!

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 International Airport has been generating on-site electricity, more than it needs even at peak operation, to fortify itself against the kind of power outages that hit airports (unsettlingly often) across the world. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris brings David into the little-known world of airport energy independence, showing how a one-time investment can bring the kind of peace of mind that both travelers and operators hope for every day. 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.

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 their free book each month from “Aunt Dolly” thanks to a partnership between Madison Reading Project and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Early literacy coordinator Sarah Burke joins the podcast to talk about Dolly's impact on our youngest readers.  Then, host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and contributor Scott Resnick talk about new candidates jumping into the Madison mayoral race. They also recap a three-hour Q&A on the city's response to the fatal police shooting of Cory Ruiz and the protests and encampment that resulted from it. And for Neighbors' ears only: a group of Madison parents are pushing for stricter screen-time limits in schools. Mentioned on the show: Brian Bedford announces mayoral run [Madison 365]Syed Abbas announces mayoral run [Madison 365] Kaleem Caire will run for mayor [Wisconsin State Journal]

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 son-in-law, Chef Christopher Lund were also the team behind the now-closed Kettle Black Kitchen. Chris joins the show to explain what to expect at their latest concept. Then, host Bianca Martin and Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians chat about Osteria Papavero celebrating 20 years in business. Lindsay also gives us all her hot tips for eating well when camping in Door County. Plus, who do you think will win the Camp Randall hot dog showdown?

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 currently streaming, and niche local screenings. The UW Cinematheque's fall lineup, which begins Thursday, Aug. 27, falls into the latter category. On today's episode, Rob and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos preview the Cinematheque's upcoming season. Plus, they discuss the films that feature Madison in a starring role and their favorite movies that they recently saw in theaters. 

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 of damages. Three of the four alleged bombers served prison sentences, while the fourth, Leo Burt, has never been seen since.  A UW Libraries oral history project from 2010 archives the memories and accounts of Madisonians who lived through the blast. Some of their voices are featured on this episode. Plus, host Bianca Martin chats to UW oral historian Troy Reeves about the event and its lasting impact on the Madison community 56 years later. This episode was originally published on Aug. 25, 2025. 

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 Downtown Area Plan. Ahead of the meeting, Will joins host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling to discuss how downtown can become safer for pedestrians, bikers, and motorists. Then, we hear from Carol Aspinwall, Executive Director of Period Products Pantry, a new nonprofit which aims to make menstrual products available to all in Madison.

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 bad rap. It's true that cities have had eras of sewage mishandling and high boat traffic — but many have also cleaned up their act, through the tireless work of local advocates and politicians. Portland, OR, is one of those cities, and City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza joins this episode of Your City Could Be Better to debunk the assumptions and fears about her city's river, the Willamette. Learn all about how a journalist-turned-governor led the charge to clean up Portland's waterfront, and how a quirky organizer — and lots of enthusiastic swimmers — have carried the torch. Mentioned on the show: Portland's riverfront park, named after former Governor Tom McCall Swiss residents using river to swim home from work RFK Jr. swimming (in jeans) in Rock Creek in Washington, D.C. 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.

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 funding for community resources like the Goodman Community Center and Goodman Pool. Meanwhile, Fitchburg Police Department ditched the controversial Flock surveillance company only to now be searching for alternatives. And Universities of Wisconsin leaders are looking for the state's help in implementing a tuition freeze. Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas discuss these news stories and exclusively for Neighbors, we talk about the fake election poll that was framed as a “social experiment.”

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 decision by the Trump administration on whether or not to extend their Temporary Protected Status. Host Bianca Martin and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos talk with Allison Suchon from Friends of Ukraine Madison about the festival and the heightened anxiety among the Ukrainian community.  Then, MAMA 2026 DJ of the Year DJ Femme Noir (aka Tempestt Ballenger) joins the show to talk about the state of Madison's queer dance scene. Finally, we discuss the newly opened Madison Public Market. Spoiler alert: it features several vendors, excellent bathrooms, and paid parking. 

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 the flight path have been experiencing the booming jet noise as late as 10:30 p.m. On today's show, host Bianca Martin talks with retired Madisonian Scott Pigg about his online project to track how loud the F-35s are and share real-time data with Madison residents.

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 conference, known as UGM. On today's show, host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling talk about UGM and a new antitrust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission into Epic. Meanwhile, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Madison says it lost $100,000 in business while the Williamson St. store was closed following the shooting of Corey Ruiz, the cCity aAttorney says the Office of the Independent Police Monitor can't access policeMPD records yet in the Ruiz investigation, and Madison redditors solve the mystery of the dug-up stones. Mentioned the show: Impacted businesses on Willy St  Gofundme for employees who work on Willy St

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. Artist, educator, and founding executive director of Little Eagle Arts Foundation Melanie Tallmadge Sainz joins today's show to discuss her piece in the project, made in collaboration with Lightning the Earth New Rider at the UW Arboretum.  Then, City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos unpack a new proposal to redevelop the vacant Wonder Bar and Coliseum Bar site. Plus, we hear from you in our mailbag segment! ❤️

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 construction of the “sustainability campus” that's currently underway. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin tells David all about the scope and the hopes of this future site, and how it differs from those of a conventional landfill, as well as how Dane County's prior business savvy set it up for success (with no need for additional taxpayer dollars). As cities fret to find more landfill space for their constituents, Dane County has a plan. Mentioned on the show: Conversion of Dane County landfills into pollinator fields 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.

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 Sperling talks with newsletter editor Rob Thomas and contributor Scott Resnick about the service, how the Aug. 11 primary election results played out in Dane County, and the September opening of the men's shelter on Bartillon Drive. Plus, in our Neighbors-only segment, we're talking about salary transparency and the cost of living in Madison.