City Cast Madison

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.

After more than a year of failed negotiations, Tellurian Behavioral Health's detox center closed at the end of 2025, leaving the county without a partner to provide critical public health services. So what happened? The story is complicated to say the least. To help break it down, host Bianca Martin talks to Heidi Wegleitner, Dane County District 2 supervisor and chair of the Health and Human Needs Committee. 

TGIF, the City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin and newsletter editor Rob Thomas chat about the pushback to proposed Beltline construction and who the vendors are at the soon-to-open Madison Public Market. Plus, hip hop artist Rob Dz is returning to the stage following a medical emergency last year. He chats with Bianca about what to expect at the WI Hip Hop Fest on Saturday.  Mentioned on the show: MLK Day celebrations and events [City Cast Madison] Give feedback on Beltline plans [Wisconsin Department of Transportation]

The owners behind the Indian-Italian fusion restaurant Zafferano Ristorante are bringing a new concept to the Capitol Square. While their original restaurant sells 200 butter chicken pizzas a day, the new restaurant will feature a Mediterranean menu with East Asian flavors. Eloura is set to open in the former SASS location in February. Host Bianca Martin chats with co-owner Kalyani Venkatraman about the creativity and confidence it takes to create a fusion menu.

Earlier this month, one unlucky angler dropped his wallet through the ice of Monona Bay, and spent his weekend on a recovery mission. Our friend Pat Hasburgh, owner of D&S Bait and Tackle, would probably recommend putting your wallet in a secure spot before hitting the ice. Pat has all kinds of tips for ice fishers and the curious. He chats with City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin about how to safely fish on the Madison's lakes. Pat is the voice behind the weekly fishing report at 608-BIG-FISH.  This year's Kids Ice Fishing Day is Saturday, January 24th at Brittingham Park. Kids get a free rod and lunch! This episode originally aired on February 5th, 2024. 

Maybe you've seen reality TV stars and influencers recover from a night out with an IV vitamin drip at their bedside and chalked it up to a luxury exclusively for the rich and famous. But accessing IVs outside of a hospital room has become more accessible in recent years. To understand the IV vitamin therapy trend, host Bianca Martin chats with Shahayra Majumder, franchise owner of Hydrate IV Bar, which is slated to open on Madison's west side in March.  Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram! 

One of Madison's coolest buildings celebrates  a major milestone this year. The Unitarian Meeting House in Shorewood Hills is a noted architectural landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Its unique and distinctive design has earned it national  acclaim. This year, the building is celebrating its 75th birthday with an array of events. To get the scoop on this space, host Bianca Martin talks to March Schweitzer, president of the Friends of the Meeting House.

Earlier this week, the village board in DeForest denied a petition from residents'  to require a referendum before annexing the land of a future data center. Virginia-based company QTS has proposed a $12 billion data center on farmland just outside of town, and are negotiating with DeForest officials to bring utilities to the property. Host Bianca Martin breaks down the news with executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob Thomas. Plus, who's going to be on the 2026 spring election ballot, and why are there so many Badgers on the USA Olympic women's hockey team?  Mentioned on the show: Himal Chuli closed on New Years [Cap Times]Madison's first woman's sports bar [City Cast Madison]

In the aftermath of folks getting together and traveling over the holidays, people are getting sick and feeling miserable. It's time to break out the feel-better foods. Host Bianca Martin chats with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about what to cook and what to order when you're under the weather.   This episode originally aired on February 20, 2025.

Winter is in full force – even if the snow is slowly melting. From ice skating at one of Madison's many outdoor rinks to snowshoeing in the park, our city is a winter wonderland. Host Bianca Martin chats with Destination Madison content manager Ashley Pettay about all the fun winter activities you should try this winter.  P.S. Check the status of the City of Madison's 20 ice rinks here. 

When lawmakers signed a federal spending bill to reopen the government after its longest closure in history, it also closed the loophole that had opened the door to the booming hemp-derived THC market seen across Wisconsin today. Now, the clock is ticking for state lawmakers to find a solution to regulate and potentially legalize cannabis products or see the end of this billion-dollar industry in Wisconsin. To get into the, ahem, weeds of it all, executive producer Hayley Sperling speaks with Phillip Scott, president and founder of the Wisconsin Hemp Farmers and Manufacturers Association, and owner of Crone Apothecary.

Nobody understands a city's pulse quite like a City Cast host — and that makes them the best predictors for 2026's biggest local stories. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin joins CEO David Plotz and the other 12 hosts from across the network to talk about the big changes coming to our cities, from political shifts to data centers.