City Cast Madison

On this week’s roundup, workers at the former CUNA Mutual group (now called TruStage) launch the biggest strike Madison’s seen in a decade. St. Vinnie’s now offers more than just old couches; you can get a loan! And Madison’s restaurant community mourns one of their own, Hot Lunch co-owner Roger Barts. Plus, the World Naked Bike Ride is headed our way soon. Now you know. Rounding up the news today are City Cast Madison’s Bianca Martin and Molly Stentz. Mentioned on the show: 🏥 Online fundraiser for Mike Cerv's medical bills 🫶 Merchant is also holding a fundraiser for Roger Barts' family and Mike Cerv's medical care on Memorial Day from 5 to 10 p.m. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Each May, we Wisconsinites scour the woods for a seasonal delicacy: the morel mushroom. Discovering a flush of them can feel like finding hidden treasure. They can fetch $50 per pound at your local farmers’ market, but are free to pick in state parks and forests - if you can find them. So where do you look? “Everywhere and nowhere,” according to Melissa Klotka, President of the Wisconsin Mycological Society. But don’t worry, she’s got tips for you. Check out their upcoming mushroom-hunting forays. 🍄 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Also on the show: 🤮 Spring Harbor Beach is CLOSED due to blue-green algae. 🏊🏽‍♀️ Beginning Memorial Day, you can check Madison area lake conditions here. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Mdison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Starting June 11th, the Madison Metro bus system, as you know it, will change. Metro bus routes, bus stops and bus numbers will be different. It’s all part of the plan to move people across town faster and make way for the new Bus Rapid Transit system. Madison hopes new express buses in dedicated lanes will make transit easier, faster, and more reliable. That’s coming next year. But first, they’re redesigning all of the regular bus routes. We talk to City of Madison transit planner Mike Chechvala about what’s happening very soon. 🚌 Learn all about the new routes here. 7 Basics of Bus Rapid Transit (PDF) Also on the show: 🧙🏽‍♀️ WisCon is this weekend Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

You may know Rev. Dr. Alex Gee as the pastor of Fountain of Life Church, the founder and CEO of Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, the host of the Black Like Me podcast, or as the author of the viral Justified Anger editorial taking Madison to task for failing its Black residents. And if you don’t know Alex Gee yet, you should. He’s a visionary force for change in Madison. His next act? Building the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, a brand-new multimillion dollar building off Park Street in south Madison. It’s “bigger than a community center, broader than a cultural center” and will house a business incubator, performance spaces, a theater, a recording studio and so much more. He’s tapped the team behind the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History in Washington, D.C. to design it. He’s betting that by uplifting and celebrating the achievements of Madison’s Black community, he’ll transform Madison for generations. Also on the show: 🎶 Cafe CODA Afrovibe Soiree Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Public schools are paid for by us, the public. And we the people are entitled to oversight. But what happens when a public entity does not live up to the law? And leaves frustrated parents hanging, waiting months on end for basic info? When delays force citizens to sue to get answers? That’s what’s happening at the Madison Metropolitan School District. Public interest lawyers say it’s THE worst government body in the entire state of Wisconsin for transparency. What’s going on? We dig in with Tom Kamenick of the Wisconsin Transparency Project. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news in our fair city. A new women’s pro soccer team could come to Madison, but they have a price. Parents of an autistic teenager fight a local healthcare co-op for treatment. And we chase the Wienermobile outta town after they rebrand it. First they closed the factory, now they take the Wienermobile away from us?! Bianca Martin, Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz wrangle it all up for ya. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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 is known for the Dane County Farmers’ Market, one of the oldest and largest markets in the country. But what if we told you… there was a farmers’ market somewhere in the Madison area every day of the week?! Markets that have what you need, minus all the tourists. Madison’s home to several neighborhood markets, which tend to be less crowded, more accessible, and have their own spirit. Lindsay Christians of The Cap Times is here to bring us the goods. 🥬 Check out the farmers’ market in your neighborhood. 🥕 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Also on the show: ⚽ Women’s Pro Soccer in Madison?! Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Childcare in Madison can cost more than college tuition. Parents are spending thousands a month, and childcare centers are feeling the squeeze of rising costs. They can’t pay enough to compete with other employers in a tight labor market — and can’t hire fast enough to meet demand. The result is parents, often women, dropping out of the workforce. Governor Evers has proposed helping parents pay for the cost. But will it make it through the meat-grinder that is our state budget process? State lawmakers could decide any day now. Ruth Schmidt, executive director of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, says the situation is dire. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

The Madison Police Department is one of the largest local law enforcement agencies in the country that hasn’t embraced body-worn cameras. Chief Shon Barnes calls body cams a “must” for the department and has been working on a 90-day pilot program to test out the technology. Eventually, Barnes hopes body cams are standard issue for Madison police officers. Event on May 19: Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

The Wisconsin State Polka Festival is this weekend, y’all. So bring your oompahs and yooodelaydeewhoos. Polka is our state dance, after all. Now if you’re thinking, uh… polka? We challenge you not to enjoy Madison’s very own polka DJ Stacy Harbaugh. Also known as DJ Shotski, host of Polka Time on WVMO, Stacy can be found spinning records at events around town and spreading the love of this bit of Wisconsin culture. Festivals this weekend: Wisconsin Polka Festival in Richfield Stoughton’s Syttende Mai Norwegian Heritage Festival Madison Irish Fest Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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 your weekly roundup of the news in the Madison area. The search for a new County leader continues amid controversy. Monona wants to know if they should save the Frank Allis House in San Damiano Park: the lakefront mansion once owned by monks is now a public park. And we examine the struggle for better bathrooms across Madison. Bianca Martin, Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz wrangle the the news and put it in context. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14th. If you’re looking for a brunch recommendation, it’s tough out there. With UW graduation happening the same weekend, most restaurants are full up. But dear listener, all hope is not lost. We’ve got a few ideas up our sleeves. Bianca Martin, Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz share some of their DIY tips for honoring your mama. 💐 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. 🥐 Here are The Cap Times’ picks for brunch spots with space available. (Do call ahead!) 🍋 Try this delicious Lilac Lemonade recipe. 🧀 Sign up for Pasture and Plenty Cheeseboard class. Or make your own cheeseboard with goodies from Fromagination! Or visit any of our fantastic local farmers markets this weekend: Downtown or Westside (Saturday). Monona, Monroe Street, Southside or Northside (Sunday) 🍫 Pick up some chocolate from CocoVaa or Gail Ambrosius or Infusion Chocolates. If mom prefers plants, here are some ideas: 🌱 Check out the plant sale at Troy Farm or the Orchid Sale at Olbrich Botanical Gardens (Saturday!) 🌻 Get mom a flower subscription from Yellow Dog, Root to Bloom or Hill & Hollow. Or do some good deeds this weekend: 🌾 Take a nature walk or help restore the prairie at the Arboretum. 🪺 Join in a bird count at Owen Park. 🥰 Make a gift to the YWCA in honor of your mom. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Tucked away inside Vel Phillips Memorial High School is the Madison area’s only planetarium. Not only does it inspire awe in schoolkids from all over, anyone can go. You don’t have to be a kid — or have a kid in the school district — to visit. And for a couple bucks, you’re in for a show. Dylan Brogan caught up with Planetarium Director Ben Senson to learn what’s in the skies. 🔭 Learn the stars of summer at the Planetarium’s last public event for the summer. There are two shows each on May 22 and on May 23rd. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, protestors in Madison gathered day after day at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Amid calls for more diverse representation at the Capitol, a statue of Hans Christian Heg was torn down and tossed in the lake. And then, an idea was born: Wisconsin should create a statue memorializing civil rights pioneer Vel Phillips. She was the first woman judge in the state and first African American woman elected to statewide office, among many other firsts. Now that statue is becoming a reality. We speak with Vel’s son, Michael Phillips, about his mother’s legacy and when it’ll happen. To learn more about the Vel Phillips statue, check their fundraising campaign here. Also on the show: Madison Story Slam Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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 not every day you look out your living room window and see a big ‘ole black bear. Especially in Madison. But that’s exactly what happened to Chris Juzwik in his suburban Fitchburg neighborhood. He gives us the low down. Also on the show: Euchre tournament in New Glarus Midwest Vintage Flea Market at Garver Feed Mill Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

UW Madison is wrapping up its semester with a bang. Students are demanding action from the chancellor after a racist video surfaces online. Meanwhile, state lawmakers propose cutting diversity programs from the entire UW system. And UW adds maternity leave! For horses. What a week. Bianca Martin, Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz are here to rein it all in. PS - Have you seen the BEAR roaming around Madison? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Spring in Madison is a great time to find delicious food right in your backyard. And foraging for delectable local morsels means hunting much more than mushrooms. There’s ramps, watercress, dozens of edible weeds… all around you. But how do you know where to look? And what’s edible… and tasty? Dylan Brogan sits down with Andy Gricevich, owner of What Got Gathered, for some local foraging pro tips. You can find Andy at the Westside Community Market, Monona Farmers Market and the Madison Eastside Farmers Market. Check out his website for details on the wild food walks. 🌿 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Also on the show: 🧶 Spring Fest at Warner Park 🎨 Gallery Night all over Madison Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Phosphorous runoff has been plaguing Madison's lakes and streams for years. This fertilizer causes algae to bloom, making our beloved waterways stinky and hazardous. Now facing tougher state and federal regulations, the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District has to clean up more phosphorous than ever. And just how they propose to do that is up for debate. The sewer district says filtering out more phosphorous would be costly, and wouldn’t address other pollutants like mercury, chloride and PFAS. They’d rather change where the water flows. Instead of sending treated water to the Badger Mill Creek in Verona, they’d reroute it to the Badfish Creek southeast of Madison, where there’s a plan in place to manage it. But concerns that the Badger Mill Creek would suffer persist. Come along for a deep dive into what it takes to clean up southern Wisconsin’s water. Dylan Brogan speaks to Martye Griffin, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Director of Ecosystem Services. Learn more: 📖 Read the Sewer district's plan for phosphorous 🎧 Listen to Verona Mayor Luke Diaz outline concerns about Badger Mill Creek . ✍🏾 You can submit public comments through Monday, May 8. Here’s how. 🗣️ The public hearing is May 11: Attend via Zoom. Register to speak in person. 🚰 The Sewer Commissioners vote on May 25. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Meteorologist Bob Lindmeier has been a household name in the Madison area for decades. Most people know him as the WKOW weatherman. And after 43 years, he’s seen a lot of weather. He’s also seen how it’s changed in the Madison area over the years. More extreme rainfall. Catastrophic flooding. But despite witnessing our changing climate firsthand, he hasn’t given up hope. Dylan Brogan caught up with Bob to learn why. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Like many things, too much of a good thing can be very, very bad for you. And the case of Madison-area lakes and rivers, too much phosphorous fertilizer has been a very bad thing: it causes stinky and hazardous algal blooms and fish kills. It’s one reason why many of our beaches get so stinky that public health has to post advisories not to swim in them. The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District must decide how to clean up phosphorous in its waste water. Prompted by state and federal regs, they can invest in technology to clean up more of it — or dump the treated wastewater into the Badfish Creek, which can better absorb the phosphorous. The sewer district says redirecting the water is the cheaper and easier solution. But the problem? That water currently feeds Badger Mill Creek in the heart of Verona. And Verona Mayor Luke Diaz says the Sewer District’s plan puts their prized trout stream at risk. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

What a week it was in Madison. The Northern Lights were visible on Sunday night. The Madison City Council lifts a ban on nunchucks. Politicos debate taxes at the State Capitol while Madisonians get miffed about this year’s property assessments. Senator Ron Johnson looks for the silver lining in the grim news of climate change. And a local political controversy stirs about whether State Assembly members can hold other full-time jobs. Plus, Dylan goes to the mat for parking ramps. Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz are here to round up the news that… was. Read more: 📸 See gorgeous photos of the northern lights (Barry Adams & Kenton Fowler) Track the northern lights (WSJ) Controversy over whether Rep. Sheila Stubbs can serve in Assembly and run Dane County Human Services (Channel 3000) Last call to appeal your property tax assessment (City of Madison) U.S. Senator Ron Johnson says Wisconsin will benefit from climate change (Heartland Signal) Free the nunchucks (WORT FM) Dylan wants you to care about parking ramps (Change.org) Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Summer is so short in Wisconsin, when it’s finally nice enough to casually lounge outdoors again, we burst onto the scene with a fury. And that time is coming, friends. Cap Times photographer Ruthie Hauge started cataloging all of Madison’s great outdoor gathering spaces during the pandemic. And she never stopped. Now the Cap Times guide’s got more than 350 patios for dining, drinking, bringing your dog, taking in the views, paddling to, or just gathering with friends. Lindsay Christians, food editor at the Cap Times, gives us the scoop on some of the hidden treasures across our fair city (and beyond)! To check out their patio map, see go.captimes.com/patios. ⛱️ 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 Twitter and 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.

The Madison Public Library has a wealth of resources beyond books. Your little orange card 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, lets us in on a few things you probably didn’t know your little card can do. Also mentioned on the show: 🌳 Free State Park Day Passes (in Cambridge, DeForest, Stoughton and Verona libraries) 📣 RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center 50th Anniversary Rally at the Capitol Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Artist Erika Koivunen is no stranger to tragedy. Just eighteen months after losing her husband, Aaron Howard, a massive fire torched her entire S. Park Street workshop. Acme Ironworks, the shop that she and her husband shared as metalworkers, burned to the ground after a thunderstorm. The fire caused millions in damages and destroyed several businesses on the block. You’ve probably seen Erika’s work all over Madison: the thirty-foot tall metal tree that greets you on Willy Street, the metal flowers in front of Madison Sourdough, the benches at B.B. Clarke beach, the huge bird sculptures on S. Patterson Street. Now after decades of making art for the Madison community, Erika’s learning to let the community support her. Friends have started a GoFundMe campaign. But how do you pick up and carry on when your world changes overnight? 🫶🏽 Support south side businesses recovering from the fire: Acme Ironworks Bike Right/Unbroken Chains Cycles Fuegos Towing and Transmisión Latino Jarka’s Art Studio ⚙️ Learn about Erika’s friend, mentor and inspiration: Dr. Evermor’s Art Park. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

“History is written by the victors.” That’s often attributed to Winston Churchill. But what about the other sides of the story? The stories we don’t learn about in school: how some students and staff were denied housing due to their race and why some UW leaders held dangerous, racist ideas about genetic superiority. And what about the stories of students who fought to make campus more accessible and better for all? The UW Public History Project is here to tell them. Kacie Lucchini Butcher is the project’s director. The project’s work evokes another famous quote, this one closer to home, from former UW President Charles Kendall Adams: “Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.” Learn more: 🎓 Sifting & Reckoning: UW–Madison’s History of Exclusion and Resistance Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Happy Earth Week, everyone. Dane County is now the first county in the state to have government facilities 100% powered by renewable energy. The airport, the courthouse, the Alliant Energy Center… their energy use is now completely offset by local renewable energy production. The Yahara Solar farm is online. In other news, the State Assembly would like to ban anyone from banning gasoline engines. Not that anyone was doing that. But, you know, California. And Madison teachers are fighting for cost-of-living raises. The whole City Cast Madison team’s here to rustle up the news. Bianca Martin, Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz bring you the highs and lows of the week. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

When Pick ‘n Save announced they’d be closing their store on S. Park Street, neighbors were worried. The nearest full-service grocery was miles away. The block seemed headed for another hospital expansion. Few grocers seemed interested in running a store in south Madison. The Pick n’ Save store was too old and not large enough for many grocery chains to take over. The area is considered low-income. The city struggled to find someone with a business plan to make it work. But now, a locally-owned independent grocer has stepped up. Kristie Mauer grew up in the grocery business. Her dad started the Fresh Market on campus, as well as grocery stores in Wisconsin Dells and Milwaukee. She’s excited to run a neighborhood store to serve Madison’s southside. Here’s a sneak peek inside Mauer’s Urban Market. 🥑 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 Twitter and 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 was the first city in the nation to offer curbside recycling service. But fifty-five years of celebrating recycling’s virtues has driven us to optimism. We wishfully toss things in the cart and hope for the best. Friends, we are here to tell you that is NOT how this works. In fact, your good deeds are messing things up - gumming up machines and putting workers in harm’s way. Can you recycle plastic bags? Nope. Those little tabs from your bread bags? Nope. Bottle caps? Nope. And please, for the love of Gaylord Nelson, no shower curtains. So what’s a Madisonian to do? Bryan Johnson, Madison’s Recycling Coordinator, is here to help sort it all out. 🌎 Ready to become a recycling evangelist? Check out Madison’s Master Recycler Program. ♻️ Learn what can be recycled in Madison and in nearby communities. Other Earth Day (and week) events: 🌱 UW-Madison Earth Week 🔌 Oregon Earth Day Festival Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

The Dane County Board is poised to vote this Thursday on whether to spend an additional $13 million on renovating the oldest part of Dane County Jail. The latest vote comes after the Board has already earmarked $166 million for the project so far - and after the Board already approved a plan for a smaller, cheaper facility. County Executive Joe Parisi vetoed that plan, and is pushing for a larger version of the plan that Sheriff Kalvin Barrett favors. But Dane County Supervisor Dana Pellebon says not so fast. And she might have the votes on her side. Also: 🎧 Listen to our interview with Sheriff Barrett about his vision for the Dane County Jail Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

There’s been a flurry of court action regarding abortion. What exactly is legal in Wisconsin is confusing — and up for debate. While Wisconsin’s 1849 law banning abortions is in effect, some people are mail-ordering mifepristone and misoprostol through online pharmacies to end their pregnancies. But new dueling court decisions raise questions about access to medical abortion. Medical abortions involve taking a two-drug combination rather than surgery. It’s the most common kind of abortion. Meanwhile, a lawsuit seeking to overturn Wisconsin’s 1849 law is moving through the courts. Michelle Velasquez, Director of Legal Advocacy and Services for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, gives us an update on the court challenges. Read more: https://isthmus.com/news/news/abortion-pill-case-impact-on-wisconsin-is-unclear/ https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/14/alito-keeps-access-to-abortion-pill-unchanged-for-next-five-days-while-supreme-court-reviews-emergency-appeals-00092165 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

On the roundup this week, we dig into the surprising election results of a coy UW-Madison conservative. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is making moves in lawsuits over abortion access. And what should Wisconsin do about wolves making a comeback in the state? The whole City Cast pack's here scavenging for the news. Bianca Martin, Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz talk about things big and small. Like why Dylan hates soccer. Also on this episode: 🧬 UW-Madison's Science Expeditions Campus Open House is this weekend! Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

There’s a new french bakery in Madison, tucked away in the old New Orleans Take-out spot on Fordem Ave by the railroad tracks. It’s a non-descript spot on Madison’s northside. A small sandwich board stands outside. The old jazz mural is still there. But inside, the flavors explode. Handmade asparagus quiche with buttery, flaky dough. Kouign-amann, the cake that seems to be half butter by weight. Fresh baked croissants. Savory tarts. Spice buns. It’s called Far Breton Bakery. And their grand opening is tomorrow. Owner Marie-Arzel Young shares some of her baking secrets with us… and let’s just say... they involve butter. 🥐 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Also on the show: 🎬 The Wisconsin Film Festival starts tonight 🧀 The Dane County Farmers’ Market is back on the square this Saturday 🚴🏿‍♀️ Freewheel is having a big ‘ole bike sale this weekend 🧬 And the UW-Madison Science Expeditions Campus Open House is this weekend! Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Tax time is coming. Looking for a little extra cash? What if I told you there was a magic website where you could search for free money? No wait, don’t hang up. We promise this is legit. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue runs a website where you can search for lost money. It’s called the Unclaimed Property list. And it’s actually YOUR money. If you’ve ever forgotten to cash a check, chances are that money is NOT long gone. It was turned over to the state, where they are keeping it safe, waiting for you to come get it. 💸 Erin Eagan of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue tells you how to get your money back. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

The sun is finally shining, the birds are singing… spring is here and the WiscoBirder is on the lookout! The Great Wisconsin Birdathon is around the corner. Beginning April 15th, teams from around the state compete to spot as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour period. Dexter Patterson teaches photography at UW Madison, but he’s perhaps better known as the WiscoBirder and co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin. Get ready to meet one of Madison’s biggest bird nerds. 📸 See Dexter’s amazing bird photography 🦉 Dexter’s Favorite Local Birding Spots: Cherokee Marsh Nine Springs E-Way Lake Farm Park Turville Point Conservation Park Patrick Marsh Wildlife Area Also on the show: 🪺 What Have We Done to Deserve All These Cranes? Virtual talk about Sandhill Cranes 🐺 Read the public comments to the DNR about Wolf Management Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Parking tickets. We’ve all been there… rushing to back to the meter, just a few minutes too late. Having to move your car every two hours. Forgetting which day the street sweepers come. And don’t get us started on snow days. One man holds the power to take the sting out of those tickets. And he’s actually more reasonable than you might think. He’s been on a mission to make local court more accessible to the public. Meet Madison Municipal Court Judge Dan Koval. *And yes, he is related to former Madison Police Chief Mike Koval. That’s his brother. Here’s how to start: 🚓 Appeal your parking ticket online: https://parkingtickets.cityofmadison.com/ 👨‍⚖️ If you wanna request a court date to talk to Judge Koval, call (608) 266-4170. Also on the show: 📽️ Terra Femme film at Arts + Lit Lab Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Dylan Brogan, Bianca Martin, and Molly Stentz round up the news this week, which means we’re unpacking election day results. What could Judge Janet’s win mean for 2024 and the next presidential race? Why did Wisconsin vote for the liberal-backed judge while also supporting tougher bail measures and work requirements for welfare? Are the purple state eulogies a bit premature? And what will happen in the Madison race that came down to two votes? We don’t know the answers, but that doesn’t stop us from talking about them! Come along for the ride. Yeehaw. 👩🏼‍⚖️ Want to dive deeper into the Supreme Court race? Check out Wisconsin Watch’s Speakeasy at Robinia Courtyard on Wednesday. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Stella’s Hot & Spicy Cheese Bread has long been a staple of the Dane County Farmers’ Market. The huge loaves are stuffed with gooey hot cheese, flecked with red pepper and are best eaten by tearing off a huge hunk as you stroll the market contemplating eating more vegetables. Now, Brian Winzenried of the famed Stella’s family is taking the cheese bread to Panama. What began as a pandemic trip has blossomed into a new business venture, opening this spring. Not only can you enjoy a taste of home while on vacation, but you can learn to bake alongside Brian in his new kitchen, Gamboa Baking Co. (And pssst, the Dane County Farmers Market is back on the Square in less than 2 weeks!!) 🧀 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Also on the show: 🪲 Cool Insect Photos at Verona Public Library 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Makers Market in Middleton Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

$45 million dollars and nearly two million votes later, the election result is in: Milwaukee Judge Janet Protasiewicz will be the next Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. Liberal-backed justices will soon have four seats on the state’s high court and a slim majority. All eyes are now on Attorney General Josh Kaul’s lawsuit seeking to overturn the state’s 1849 abortion ban. Bianca Martin and Dylan Brogan break down the big results from the election day. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Every year, the Madison City Council adds new city ordinances to the books. More rules, more things made illegal. There are 45 chapters of them, regulating everything from liquor licenses to signs. But every so often, someone comes along with an eye toward clean up. Someone who looks through the pages and pages of city laws… and finds the outdated, ridiculous or potentially discriminatory ones that need to go. Meet Grant Foster, a city alder representing Madison’s near east side. Aka, the Marie Kondo of local law. And yes, we are here to ask, “Does this city ordinance spark joy?” Also in this episode: 🇺🇸 It’s Election Day! Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 🗳️ Look up where to vote. 🔍 See what’s on your ballot. 📣 Sound off on the state budget on Wednesday at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

The City of Madison knows that no one likes evictions. They’re painful, messy and costly. So they’re funding a program to provide free lawyers to tenants facing eviction. They mediate conflicts - or miscommunication - between tenants and landlords, and work out solutions. And it’s been shockingly effective. Carousel Bayrd of Community Justice, Inc is one of these lawyers. 🏠 If you need help, contact the Tenant Resource Center’s Eviction Prevention Clinic Also on the show: 🤣 Who Will Be Madison’s Funniest Comic? Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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 the Friday news roundup and the whole City Cast Madison team is here to rein in the wayward news of the week. Dylan Brogan, Bianca Martin and Molly Stentz discuss the big money in our Wisconsin Supreme Court race, the little-known question on your ballot in Madison, why the Madison School District spokesperson is suing to prevent your access to records… and of course, crime-fighting burritos. Read the stories: Big $ (AP) What’s on Your Ballot (My Vote WI) Madison School Lawsuit (NBC 15) Crime-fighting Burrito (Wisconsin State Journal) Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Who doesn’t love a good food cart?! From the massive fresh spring rolls on library mall to the crispy arepas on the capitol square, there are dozens of food carts throughout the city ready to provide a nice hot lunch or tasty snack. But Madison’s food cart scene doesn’t just happen. There’s a bunch of work behind the scenes to pave the way. Did you know that Madison has an official group of food cart taste testers?! Meghan Blake-Horst, Madison’s Street Vending Coordinator, explains it all. 🍲 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Also on the show: 🐰 Breakfast with the Bunny! Saturday, April 1st Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

There are many trivia nights in Madison… but only one where the host writes all the questions from scratch, serenades you with a musical round on his guitar, and generally makes up the rules on the fly. Paul Guse is the mastermind behind Smarter Than You trivia. He hosts free trivia games at the Harmony Bar on Atwood Avenue every first and third Wednesday night. And he’s challenging us to a round. Dear listeners, play along with us. Test your knowledge of Madison and beyond. No cheating! Also on the show: 🖼️ See the Dark Matter exhibit by Faisal Abdu’Allah at MMOCA Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

F-35 military fighter jets are expected to arrive in Madison as early as April. Madison is the second Air National Guard in the nation to receive the military’s newest jets. They’ll be stationed at Truax field, next to the airport and Madison College. The Wisconsin Air National Guard calls them a “game changer.” The federal F-35 program - the most expensive weapon in US history - was designed to give the military a “Swiss Army knife” jet capable of handling a multitude of missions. Many others have called them a boondoggle. The jets have been delayed for years, gone over budget, and faced numerous technical problems. The Madison City Council has called on the Secretary of the Air Force to station them elsewhere. Madison residents have raised concerns about the noise and potential health impacts of the jets, as well as their nuclear capabilities. So what can we expect when these jets arrive? Retired Air Force Colonel Rosanne Greco knows first-hand what it’s like to live with F-35s. At first, she thought the noise complaints were “wimpy.” Now? Not so much. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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 been called the “most important election in the country.” And yes, it’s right in our backyard. On April 4th, voters will decide who gets a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This seat will determine the ideological balance of the court, and thus how it could rule on a number of high-stakes issues from abortion to voting rights. Wisconsin continues to be a swingy swing state without outsize importance on national politics. So all eyes are on us. ⚖️ We catch up with WisPolitics President Jeff Mayers for the latest on the race between Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz and former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly. ✅ Learn more about early voting in Madison 🗳️ Find out how and where to vote Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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 the Friday news roundup and the whole City Cast Madison team is here. Bianca Martin, Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz discuss the latest on big spending in our local Madison elections, ponder a deadly monkey virus that scientists say has the potential to spread to humans, and we deliver a eulogy for Burrito Drive. 🌯 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Egg prices have risen sharply in the past few months, after outbreaks of bird flu at major chicken farms have reduced the country’s supply of laying hens. But fear not! You can raise chickens in your own backyard safely and cheaply, with a little know-how. This week, the Madison City Council voted to allow residents to keep up to eight chickens, doubling the previous legal limit. We talk to backyard chicken keeper (and podcast producer) Molly Stentz about how to do it. 🥚 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Read all about it: 📰 Yes, Molly’s chickens were once in the New York Times. 🛠️ Check out these DIY Chicken Coop Plans. And here’s how to get your chicken license from the city. 🐣 Abendroth Hatchery and Sunnyside Hatchery have chicks. 🌽 The Nutzy Mutz pet store stocks chicken feed. ❄️ Here’s an electric water base to keep your chickens’ water from freezing. 🐥 The MadCity Chickens page has some other good resources. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

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. 🚌 Also on this episode: ⚖️ Watch the Wisconsin Supreme Court debate 🤓 Tonight is Nerd Nite! Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want some 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 big bank failures dominating the headlines, we wondered: how did Madison tech start-ups weather the storm? Did the small and somewhat insulated nature of our tech community shield it from bigger problems? Or could a bank run happen here? And is more government investment for local tech an answer to reducing dependence on Silicon Valley? For answers, we turned to Scott Resnick, COO of Hardin Design and Development, and a board member of Starting Block Madison, a startup and technology hub. 🤳 Have your own take? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.

Powering your home with solar is not only good for the planet, it might actually save you money. Heather Allen, an advisor for RENEW Wisconsin, walks us through her experience putting solar panels on her Madison home. It’s easier than you might think, especially with incentives offered by the City of Madison, Wisconsin, and the federal government. Just watch out for squirrels. 🌞 Is your Madison home a good fit for solar? The MadiSUN program is here to help. 🛠️ RENEW’s Tips on How to Find a Solar Installer. 💵 Get Solar Quotes Online Also on the show today: ⚖️ Watch the only debate with the candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court on March 21. 🌱 Get the dirt on soil, March 22, with this UW lecture. No soil... no food! Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and 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.