City Cast Madison

When Wisconsin first became a state, it was one of the largest wheat producers in the country. Now, closer to two centuries later, southern Wisconsin is seeing a revival of interest in small grains. Not just wheat, but buckwheat, rye, spelt, oats and other grains are increasingly being grown locally for their taste and nutrition rather than large-scale production. From tortillas to bread to spirits, there’s a growing interest in tasty grains from the Madison area. Molly Stentz caught up with Cap Times Food Editor Lindsay Christians to learn more about the local grain movement. Read Lindsay’s story: https://captimes.com/food-drink/waves-of-grain-how-wisconsins-sustainable-grain-movement-is-growing/article_744266e2-c43c-11ee-b1ac-97065ccabfd8.html Check out Lindsay’s favorite cookbook for learning to bake with grains: Mother Grains: Recipes for the Grain Revolution Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

New apartment buildings in Madison promise many amenities: granite countertops, fitness centers, and rooftop decks. But one new development, Bakers Place, promises something more: a chance to save us from climate change. The building uses a classic material – wood – with a new twist. It’s the first building in Madison to use mass timber, an engineered material to replace steel and concrete, which are environmentally costly to produce. The wood material also promises to slow climate change by keeping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. The 14-story apartment building is currently under construction on East Washington Avenue on Madison’s east side, across from Breese Stevens field. Dylan Brogan caught up with Jason Joyce, Isthmus publisher, who profiled the 25-year old developer behind the project. Read Jason’s story: https://isthmus.com/news/cover-story/nate-helbach-is-a-fresh-face-in-madisons-development-scene/ Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

As one of the leading research universities in the country, UW-Madison marshals more than a billion dollars in research money annually. And the way Provost Charles Isbell sees it, the university’s scale and its public service mission makes it the perfect place to be at the forefront of the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, where computer systems are emulating human cognition. He’s UW-Madison’s new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and one of the most powerful people on campus. And he’s got a bold vision to hire 50 new researchers to study AI’s transformative impacts on all aspects of our society. Dylan Brogan caught up with Isbell to learn his hopes and fears about this rapidly evolving technology. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Dylan Brogan, Hayley Sperling and Molly Stentz recap the latest in our epic quest to get new political maps, the controversy surrounding Fitchburg’s attempt to build a new police station, and the surprising search for a new leader for Madison schools. Mentioned on the show: 🗳️More Wisconsin Republicans than Democrats backed Gov. Tony Evers' legislative election maps. What explains the role reversal? [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] 🚓Fitchburg City Council rejects plan for a new, $46M police station [Wisconsin State Journal] 🚌Latest updates, details on the Madison School District superintendent search [Wisconsin State Journal] 🚌He’s not a community builder, he’s not good at communication.’ [Isthmus] 🚌MMSD Superintendent Search [MMSD] 🏅Nominate us for Madison’s Best Local Podcast and Best Local News Website! You have until Feb 29th, but why wait? We’re under Arts and Entertainment. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Sabi Atteyih ran Casbah and Lulu’s restaurants for years, bringing Middle Eastern flavors to Madison at a time when hummus wasn’t available on every grocery store shelf. After a stint at UW, he’s now the chef of Taza Mediterranean Kitchen in Middleton. Bianca Martin catches up with Sabi to learn how Madison’s embraced Palestinian cuisine and why hummus should be made with chickpeas! And when he’s not hosting diners at his restaurant, Sabi also hosts Salamat, a long-running weekly radio show on WORT FM devoted to Arab-American culture. Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

For over 160 years, the YWCA has been on a mission to empower girls and women. And, for almost 10 years, Vanessa McDowell-Atlas has been on a mission to change the internal culture of YWCA Madison and to expose racism in our community. Her appointment as the YWCA Madison CEO made history, as she was the first Black woman to hold that role. And now, after nearly 7 years at the helm, this week is her last. Bianca Martin talks to Vanessa about her innovations at the YWCA, including the now annual Racial Justice Summit, and what she does next. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

You’ve most likely noticed Dan Yoder’s handy work when driving through Madison. His company, Sign Art Studio, is responsible for the city’s most iconic signs: the huge new Orpheum marquee on State Street, the classic restored Badger Liquor sign a block away, the elegant, retro cool-looking Harvey House sign, and hundreds more. Bianca Martin sits down with Dan Yoder and finds out just how one becomes a “sign guy”, how many light bulbs it took to make the new Orpheum theater sign and why good design endures. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Hate crimes are on the rise in Wisconsin, and Madison is not immune. In the past year alone, Nazis marched in Madison and nearby cities three times. What’s the city’s response to this disturbing trend? Host Bianca Martin sat down with Madison Police Chief Shon Barns to find out about the MPD’s new Hate Crime Task Force, and what people can expect if they report a hate crime to the MPD. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin and Hayley Sperling recap a story about a state bill looking to ban race and ethnicity, among other protected statuses, as a consideration for financial aid. Plus, we have quite a wide range of suggestions for how to spend your Valentine’s Day… many of them coming from you! Thank you, boo! Mentioned on the show: Bill to ban race consideration in college financial aid gets hearing [The Cap Times] After a controversial deal, growing legal threats target UW System DEI programming [The Daily Cardinal] Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty lawsuit against the State Bar of Wisconsin [United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin] Civil rights complaint against the UW Morgridge Center’s BIPOC Fellowship [Equal Protection Project] Madison’s Best Date Spots [Madison Minutes] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

It can be hard to make friends as an adult, and harder yet to be social in public on your own. That’s the idea behind “Don’t Cook for Cowboys,” dinner parties you can bring your friends to, or your kids, or your parents, or just your own self. They’re popping up at restaurants and venues all over the Madison area, generally once a month. They combine dinner and sometimes dancing, and always community, all in beautifully designed settings. Kaitlin Sherman and Nikki Hageman are the creative force behind the pop-up dinner parties that Madison’s swooning over. Bianca Martin catches up with the duo behind “Don’t Cook for Cowboys.” Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Wisconsin state lawmakers are debating two bills to further ban nudity in public spaces. Madison has long been a “Top Free” city, where laws around nudity are not enforced as aggressively as the rest of the state. No one understands the power of this type of protest better than “Topless Evangelist” Lili Luxe who often sits shirtless on the State Capitol steps. Host Bianca Martin sat down with Lili to talk about the new bills, the naked bike ride controversy that spurred this legislation, and her activism around women’s health and autonomy. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Twenty years ago, the Mad Rollin' Dolls, a campy women-only roller derby league was born in Madison. It was one of the first flat-track roller derby leagues in the country and helped pioneer the revival of the sport in the 2000s. Now, the scrappy sports league has become Madison Roller Derby, an inclusive community non-profit organization with four home teams and two traveling teams. This season, they’re playing at the Alliant Energy Center and celebrating their hundredth home game. Host Bianca Martin spoke to Emily Mills (aka Hammer Abby) about what’s next for Madison Roller Derby and what’s happening in their quest for a new home. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The lakes are finally frozen which means it’s time to break out those fishing rods and worms…it’s ice fishing season! And there are some spots around Madison this year that are brimming with biting fish. Host Bianca Martin gets the inside scoop from chief worm wrangler Pat Hasburgh, owner of D&S Bait, Tackle, & Fly Shop. Pat shares what the conditions have been like on the lakes so far this year and which spots in town you’re almost guaranteed to catch a fish. You can find Pat’s weekly fishing report online here or call the hotline 608-BIG-FISH. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Molly Stentz and Hayley Sperling recap the news that the former Madison College downtown campus is one step closer to becoming new housing and we talk about the latest ruling over poop from big dairy farms. Plus, it’s Groundhog’s Day! Hopefully Jimmy’s in a better mood this year. Mentioned on the show: Madison Council approves rezoning former MATC downtown campus site for 11-story hotel [Channel 3000] Wisconsin judge affirms regulators can force factory farms to get preemptive pollution permits [Associated Press] Dane County’s Dairy Air [Madison Minutes] Sun Prairie's 76th Annual Groundhog Prognostication [Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Are you in need of a treat this winter? Look no further than Madison’s own pop-up paczki sale. Laurel Burleson of the Ugly Apple Cafe grew up eating these delicious custard and jam-filled Polish pastries for Mardi Gras and now she’s making them for us in Madison. Executive Producer Molly Stentz catches up with Laurel to learn more about the history of the paczki and how to find them in Madison. Order paczki now through Mardi Gras, February 13th. Or find them at Pasture and Plenty on February 17th or Femmestival on February 18th Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Winter fans rejoice! We get one extra day in February this year. For everyone else who might be looking for a little, ahem, inspiration this time of year, fear not. Host Bianca Martin and Madison Minutes newsletter editor Hayley Sperling have you covered on the coolest things going on in Madison this February. Galentine’s and Valentine’s Events: Thrifty Market at Communication Hearts and Crafts at Wayward Tattoos Galentine Day at Thistle + Elm Palentine’s Bash at Lucille’s Madison Makers Winter Market and Pub Crawl Fangirl Fantasy: Taylor Swift Vs, Olivia Rodrigo at the Majestic Theater Taylor Swift Trivia at the Merchant Mardi Gras Ideas: Madison Carnaval at the Majestic Theater Fat Tuesday w/ Mama Digdown’s Brass Band and Panchromatic Steel at High Noon Saloon Winter Escapes: Orchid Escape at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens Orchid Quest, hosted by the Orchid Growers Guild Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Our friends at Tone Madison listen to a LOT of music. And every year, they round up the year in local music and give you DOZENS of their favorite picks, the tracks that stuck with them, knocked them over, haunted them, and downright impressed. Bianca Martin talks to Tone Madison Music Editor Steve Spoerl about some of the best that you might have missed. Mentioned on the show: Tone Madison’s Favorite Songs of 2023. And there’s more! And even more Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Madison will soon not only have pro soccer and volleyball teams for women, we’re getting a fast-pitch collegiate softball team now, too. Samantha Rubin is blazing a path as the general manager of Madison’s men’s baseball team, the Madison Mallards, and she’s been tapped to lead their new women’s softball team. The team needs a name, by the way… and they’re taking ideas through Feb. 1. Bianca Martin caught up with Samantha to learn what’s on deck. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Executive producer Molly Stentz and newsletter editor Hayley Sperling are joined by Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians to talk about the locals who’ve been nominated for James Beard awards and the two women vying to be Dane County Executive. Plus, there were Nazis on the UW-Whitewater campus this week. Mentioned on the show: 🍫 Locals win big food awards James Beard honors Mint Mark, CocoVaa and Pasture & Plenty [Cap Times] The 2024 James Beard Awards Semifinalists [James Beard Foundation] 👩‍💼 Dane County Executive race Joe Parisi backs Melissa Agard's bid for Dane County executive [Wisconsin State Journal] Meet The Guy Who's Been Running Dane County for a Decade [City Cast Madison] Dane County Executive candidates [Dane County Clerk] 👎 Nazis Neo-Nazis on campus [UW-W Royal Purple] UW-Whitewater condemns antisemitic incident on campus [Wisconsin State Journal] Neo-Nazis marched in Madison on Saturday. Here’s what happened — and what didn’t. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] Neo-Nazi group waving swastika flags disrupts Pride event in Watertown [WISN] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Did you resolve that 2024 would be the year you took better care of yourself? Are you hoping to eat better and cook more homemade meals? Maybe you’re in a cooking rut and want to learn something new, from making your own pasta or soup broth to using more herbs. Cap Times Food Editor Lindsay Christians is here to help. Bianca Martin and Lindsay discuss the dizzying array of options in Madison. Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Cooking classes mentioned on the show: Madison College’s cooking classes for community members Madison Public Library’s Cooking with Chef Lily classes for kids Willy Street Coop classes Orange Tree Imports classes DelecTable classes Sur La Table at Hilldale classes Cooking with the Cap Times Individual classes happening soon: Four Winds Farm in Fitchburg class on Super Bowl appetizers Wildwood Institute class at Olbrich Gardens about native herbs Meat People butchery classes Classes with dinner: Pasture and Plenty Deliciouser Baking classes: Far Breton Bakery’s Pastry Chef Workshop The Baked Lab’s classes on Puff Pastry, Choux Pastry, Macarons + Fruit Tarts Madison Public Library’s Puff Pastry from Scratch Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Like many local teens, Estella Hasrick attends Middleton High School and likes to ski. But unlike just about anyone, Estella is currently in South Korea competing in the Winter Youth Olympics. She’s one of only four teens competing for Team USA in the ski jump competition. Bianca Martin caught up with Estella to learn what it takes to fly through the air. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

When Dee Star’s not creating his own podcast, he’s teaching teens locked up at the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center how to do the same. Dee’s own podcast, OuttaDeeBox, helps inmates and their families find jobs, housing, counseling and inspiration to change their lives. Bianca Martin catches up with Dee to learn what drives him. Learn more: Read about Dee Star’s podcasting class through the Madison Public Library. Listen to Dee on the OuttaDeeBox podcast. Learn more about the Big Brothers Big Sisters campaign, It Takes Little to Be Big. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Madison is one step closer to the long-awaited Amtrak train that would connect the city to Milwaukee and Minneapolis. The city’s transportation department has decided on eight potential sites where a new Madison Amtrak station could be located. Host Bianca Martin sits down with transportation planner Liz Callin to get an update on the efforts and how Madisonians can give feedback on the proposed train station sites. The city is holding two upcoming public feedback meetings for the passenger rail station study: —Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 5-7 p.m. at the Madison Municipal Building, room 215 —Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. online. You can register here. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin, Hayley Sperling and Molly Stentz recap Wisconsin’s quest for new political voting maps and the huge new grant UW-Madison landed to study Alzheimer’s. Plus, we skid across town looking at Madison roads after the big storms and ask why the U.S. DOT is banning our sassy roadsigns. Mentioned on the show: 🏛️ Maps submitted to Wisconsin Supreme Court would chip away at Republican legislative advantages [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] 🏛️ A Democratic group now seeks new congressional maps, too [Cap Times] 🔎 Analysis of proposed legislative redistricting plans submitted to the Wisconsin Supreme Court [Marquette University] 🎧 Wisconsin’s new voting maps are coming soon [City Cast Madison] 🧠 UW–Madison receives $150 million grant to lead nationwide Alzheimer’s disease study [UW-Madison] ✋ How to be a participant in the Alzheimer’s study [UW-Madison] 🌨️ Here's why so many Madison roads remain snow- and ice-covered [Wisconsin State Journal] 🛣️ The federal DOT is banning funny messages on electronic signs over Wisconsin highways [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] 🚌 Metro transit service disruptions [City of Madison] 🧂 When and how to use salt [Madison Minutes] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Fabiola’s Spaghetti House and Deli is now open for dinner in Madison’s Greenbush neighborhood. The former Rocky Rococo pizzeria on Regent Street has been transformed into a restaurant serving both Italian classics like spaghetti and meatballs, and Jewish deli staples like bialys and latkes. Owner Sam Brown is no stranger to the neighborhood, having worked at that Rocky’s as a teenager. Bianca Martin catches up with Sam about his vision for Fabiola’s and how he’s honoring the roots of the Greenbush neighborhood. Editor’s Note: Fabiola’s sister business Leopold’s Books Bar Caffe is an advertiser with City Cast Madison and was not involved in the editorial planning of this episode. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

More than 24,000 lives have been lost in Gaza since the war began more than a hundred days ago. That’s more than the entire population of Middleton, Wisconsin. Here in Madison, protestors have staged rallies at the State Capitol and on the UW campus, while activist groups urge lawmakers to demand a ceasefire. One of those groups is the Madison Rafah Sister City Project. For decades, they’ve worked to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Rafah and the rest of Gaza. Host Bianca Martin speaks with Barb Olson, the project’s coordinator, to hear about her organization’s efforts and how concerned Madisonians can help. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The state legislature is tackling two big questions this week: Who gets to power our state’s electric grid into the future and who’s allowed to own and operate electric vehicle charging stations? The two energy infrastructure bills have been moving steadily through the state house and are scheduled for a vote this week in the senate. Host Bianca Martin is joined by Tom Content, the executive director of the Citizen Utility Board, to chat about what’s in these bills and how it could impact the way you get your energy. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin, Hayley Sperling and Molly Stentz recap the first winter snowstorm of the year and the city’s efforts to make our streets safer, plus the new medical marijuana bill introduced at the State Capitol this week. And, Madison has a new task force to identify and prevent hate crimes in the city. We'll be celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday. See ya back here on Tuesday! Mentioned on the show: 🚗 Vision Zero, Explained [Madison Minutes] 🌿 Assembly GOP proposes medical marijuana bill that would create state-run dispensaries [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] 😮‍💨 These 7 details in GOP medical marijuana bill in Wisconsin could be key to debate [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] 🚨 Madison police create Hate Crimes Task Force [City of Madison] 🆘 Madison hate crimes on the rise, so police set up task force [Cap Times] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Trying dry - or even damp - January this year? For those looking to cut back on alcohol this year, there are more options than ever. From mocktails to CBD seltzers, there’s an array of choices beyond yesterday’s non-alcoholic beers. Bianca Martin catches up with Tyler Maas, organizer of Madison’s N/A Day at the Bur Oak, to get some inspiration. Here's a sampling of Wisconsin companies making non-alcoholic (NA) beverages: HoneyBee Cannabis Mad Maiden Shrub Untitled Art System Seltzers Lakefront Brewery Third Space Brewing Kul Mocks 🍹 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day right around the corner, Madison has a host of events lined up to commemorate the civil rights activist, including a special keynote address from one of the Little Rock Nine — Terrence Roberts. Roberts helped integrate public schools in the U.S. by volunteering to be one of the first Black high school students to attend an all-white school in 1957, following the U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing segregation. Host Bianca Martin speaks with Ed Lee and Dr. Gloria Hawkins, co-chairs of the King Coalition, about the organization’s event on Monday and the legacies of Dr. King and Roberts. Event Links: All King Coalition Events 39th Annual Madison-Dane County MLK Day Observance Youth Day of Service Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Wisconsin’s political maps have been called some of the most extreme partisan gerrymanders in the country. Just before Christmas, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the Republican-drawn maps as unconstitutional - but they didn’t talk about the partisan advantage. They said the maps need to be compact and contiguous, instead of having Swiss cheese-like holes cut out of districts. So now what? How will the court decide upon new maps? And what does it mean for our fall elections? Bianca Martin catches up with Wisconsin Public Radio’s Capitol Reporter Anya van Wagtendonk for an update. Read more: Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns Republican-drawn legislative maps [WPR] Lawsuit targets Wisconsin legislative districts resembling Swiss cheese [AP] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway was in Dubai in December to attend the world’s largest climate conference. For the first time, mayors around the world were formally invited to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the COP28, to share ideas for tackling climate change locally. It’s a shift toward recognizing that while nations argue over global climate agreements, many cities are quietly leading the way in finding ways to cool the planet. Bianca Martin catches up with the Mayor to learn why she went, what came out of it, and what Madisonians can do about our changing climate. Ways you can help: 🌞 Go solar with MadiSUN 🏡 Save money when you make your home more energy efficient or buy an electric vehicle 🛠️ Tell your landlord about money to help make your apartment more energy efficient Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin, Molly Stentz and Hayley Sperling recap the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s move to toss out our voting maps, new attention on the former UW-La Crosse Chancellor’s porn hobby, and Madison East High School’s plan to phase out letter grades. Plus, driving tests are back! Mentioned on the show: Here's what to know about the Wisconsin Supreme Court's gerrymandering ruling [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] Former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow shares more about his secret life with wife Carmen Wilson, and their backstory [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] Madison School District is phasing out letter grades at some East High classes in pilot program [Wisconsin State Journal] End of road test waiver program means it's back to DMV for teen drivers [WISC TV] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Madison’s northside is buzzing. And one new lounge is breathing fire into the normal January doldrums. Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge on Sherman Avenue features comfort food from around the world. It’s a tavern, a jazz cafe and cocktail lounge all in one. Their motto? “A hi-fi love letter to the low brow.“ Bianca Martin speaks with Lola’s co-owners Matt Gerding and Evan Dannells. And if those names sound familiar, it’s because they’re some of the folks behind the Majestic Theatre and Cadre Restaurant. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Could psychedelics help veterans suffering from PTSD? UW scientists want to know. UW-Madison’s Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances wants to explore the medicinal uses of psychedelics like psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and MDMA (ecstasy) for those dealing with trauma. They’re seeking state approval to create a pilot program to study it. Bianca Martin speaks with the center’s director Paul Hutson as well as psychologist and neuroscientist Christopher Nicholas about the new frontiers in mental health treatment. More about the research: MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD [Nature Medicine] Current psychedelic trials at UW-Madison [UW-Madison] About the proposed medicinal psilocybin legislation [Sen. Diane Hesselbein] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Welcome to 2024! And if your new year’s resolution is to get out more, the Madison team has got you covered. Host Bianca Martin and Madison Minutes newsletter editor Hayley Sperling round up the events in the area they’re most excited about in January. Escape the cold: The Bolz conservatory The Wisconsin Drag Awards 2024 - Jan. 14 You can reach Bianca Lynn Breeze Productions at [email protected]. Flix Brewhouse Madison’s Space Month Move to the music: Wisconsin Bluegrass Fest with Horseshoes & Hand Grenades - Jan. 13 Wisconsin Punk Fest - Jan. 5 Wisconsin Metal Fest - Jan. 6 Food for the soul: Beer and Cheese fest - Jan. 20 Winter Restaurant Week - Jan. 21-26 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

As we head into the new year, we’re wrapping up our series of some of our favorite shows from 2023 with an absolute gem. If you’ve hopped on a bus in Madison in the past twenty years, you’ve heard his voice. Next stop… Pinckney at Mifflin. Next stop… It’s his voice that announces every stop on every Madison Metro bus. He’s always there, guiding us around the city. But you’ve never heard his name… until now. Meet Ward Paxton, the voice of Madison Metro. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!

As we head into the new year, we wanted to celebrate the vibrant cheese scene in the Madison area, and not many have done it better than Landmark Creamery of Paoli. They make some of the best cheeses in the world. You don’t have to take our word for it - that’s according to judges at the American Cheese Society, the Good Food Awards, and the World Championship Cheese Contest. They make various tasty handmade sheep-milk cheeses. And they are even making artisan butter down the street at Seven Acre Dairy in Paoli. So in August, we talked to Landmark Creamery co-owner Anna Thomas Bates to tell us how what makes the cheese so special. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

As the year comes to a close, we’re revisiting some of our favorite shows from 2023. Ones that helped us feel more connected to our community and reminded us of the wealth of resources we have available right in our backyard sometimes. Like the Madison Public Library! Did you know your little orange card can do a lot more than just check out books? It can help you grow a garden or get across town. You can digitize those old family photos or make cheap photocopies. Tana Elias, the library’s digital services and marketing manager, lets us in on a few things you probably didn’t know your little card can do. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

For this final week of the year we’re taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting some of our best shows from 2023. Back in August, we sat down with Wisconsin Broadcast Hall of Famer Lindsay Wood Davis and the founder of 98.7 FM WVMO The Voice of Monona radio station. It has been dubbed "The Coolest Little Station In the Nation" and in 2022 won the Best Radio Station in the state. Host Bianca Martin is joined by Lindsay Wood Davis and 13-year-old radio host Beatrix Pauli, host of Bea’s Buzz. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

With the year coming to a close, what are your hopes and dreams for the city of Madison in 2024?Maybe it’s more late night food options? Less traffic? More bike lanes? Here at City Cast Madison, we definitely have some thoughts on the matter. Host Bianca Martin is joined by Madison Minutes newsletter editor Hayley Sperling to reflect on the year and chat through some of their 2024 resolutions for Madison. Mentioned on the show: You can listen to our resolutions episode from 2023. And check your voter registration status. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Nothing says holidays like family and food, and Ahan, a local Laotian spot, has both. We sat down with the restaurant’s co-owner and chef, James Beard Semifinalist Jamie Brown-Soukaseume, to ask about her expansion to Williamson’s Street, which of her mother’s recipes made it to the menu, and even the secret ingredient behind the Laotian cuisine. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Calling all bird watchers! Get ready because some of the local birds you see around Madison are about to get new names. The rebrand is part of a larger shift from the American Ornithological Society which is planning to rename 70-80 English-named birds in North America to address past wrongs and make the names more scientifically accurate. We get the bird word with Dexter Patterson, the WiscoBirder and co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, on why birds’ names matters, the controversy around this plan, and even get some suggestions for new names for some local birds. If you’d like to learn more about the airport’s negotiation with the military over PFAS chemicals, listen to Monday’s episode with Dane County Supervisor Yogesh Chawla: Who Pays for Cleaning Up Toxic PFAS Chemicals at Madison’s Airport? Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The UW System Board of Regents flip-flopped on a major state deal that would require the UW to cut down on diversity-related positions in exchange for around $800 million for staff raises and building projects. Three regents changed their tune on the controversial proposal just days after voting no on the exact same offer. So what changed? Kelly Meyerhofer higher education reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel joins host Bianca Martin to share the story. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

A proposed contract between Dane County Regional Airport and the Air National Guard would exempt the military from liability for toxic PFAS chemical pollution at the airport. This has Dane County supervisor Yogesh Chawla’s eyebrows going up. He and his colleagues at the Dane County Board of Supervisors want changes to the contract to ensure the safety of Dane County’s drinking water. Bianca Martin speaks with Chawla about what those are and why he’s losing sleep over PFAS. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin and Hayley Sperling discuss the potential for new Amtrak train routes across Wisconsin, including service from Madison to Milwaukee. Also, it’s been a week of surprising votes from the UW Board of Regents, as they nix an deal with the legislature over diversity programs and funding for the state university system... and then abruptly reverse course. Mentioned on the show: UW Regents approve deal on funding, engineering building with controversial re-vote [Wisconsin State Journal] ‘A huge win’: Madison Amtrak plan gets big lift with federal money [Cap Times] Derailed podcast [Wisconsin Public Radio] Bull elk spotted throughout Wisconsin killed by semi in Illinois [WKOW] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

It’s absolutely the season to curl up in a cozy coffee shop with a hot cup of joe. And Madison is rife with options. But which ones go above and beyond when it comes to quality coffee and top notch atmosphere? Bianca Martin speaks with Ashley Rodriguez, writer of the Boss Barista newsletter. Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

You can already hear the twinkling of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, can’t you? The Nutcracker opens at the Overture Center this Friday, December 15th and runs through Christmas Eve. Bianca Martin speaks with the new Madison Ballet Artistic Director, Ja’ Malik, about what’s in store. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Music credit: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/dance-of-the-sugar-plu... Music promoted by Audio Library • Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – Kevin…

Waxxy Poodle is believed to be the first vinyl record pressing plant in Wisconsin in nearly a hundred years. And it was born out of a serious need. Owner Dave Eck, who’s spent his career mastering audio, saw that the handful of pressing plants in the U.S. couldn’t keep up with the demand of the vinyl resurgence boom. So he took matters into his own hands. Eck and his wife Jennifer Jurgensen now own and operate their very own plant, serving artists in Madison and beyond. Bianca Martin speaks with Eck about the current state of the vinyl industry and new innovations in an old business. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

For the past decade, Wisconsin teachers and most other public employees have only been able to bargain with their employers over inflationary raises. That’s due to Act 10, a controversial Wisconsin law passed back in 2011, which curtailed their rights. The law has been challenged numerous times over the years, but now several unions have filed a new lawsuit seeking to toss the law as unconstitutional. Bianca Martin asks Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, what happens now. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.