City Cast Madison

Dylan Brogan, Bianca Martin, and Molly Stentz roundup the news with a Madison mystery involving missing millions and the political fight over banning conversion therapy. Plus, we wonder about local fallout from the recent bank failures. Learn more about the news: 🏳️‍🌈 Conversion Therapy Bans in Wisconsin. Madison is one of 14 cities across the state to have banned the practice. 💰 Wisconsin Investment Fund. The state’s fund for start-ups 🏦 How the Silicon Valley Bank failure affected local tech start-ups 🏀 Banking Advice from the Bucks? Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 50 bank accounts 🤖 And do YOU know any great life hacks about living in Madison? Do you know more than AI? Send yer tips to [email protected]. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367. 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 never been easier to eat a meat-free diet in Madison. 🥦 There are now two dedicated vegan restaurants, Jardin and Sookie’s Veggie Burgers, and a third in the works, with the JustVeggiez food cart planning to open a soul food storefront on State Street. 🥬 In addition to vegetarian favorites Green Owl, Monty’s Blue Plate and Himal Chuli, the city’s packed with tasty Thai and Indian restaurants offering a number of veggie options. Add this to juice bars like New Day Eastside Juicery and a whole host of dairy-free bakeries like East Side Cakes, Heirloom Bakery & Kitchen and Level 5 Donuts, and you’ve got tasty treats for many kinds of diets. 🍩 🥕And there’s a Madison Vegan Spring Pop-Up Market happening on March 26th at the Goodman Center. Lindsay Christians, food editor of the Cap Times, is here to give us her favorite tips for feeding the vegan in your life and how we might all eat more veggies. Read her story in the Cap Times. 🧁 🍜 Lindsay also recommends: The Weekday Vegetarians: 100 Recipes and a Real-Life Plan for Eating Less Meat: A Cookbook. 🍄 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 School Superintendent Carlton Jenkins is retiring in July - and the search is on for his replacement. The next leader will need to tackle teacher shortages, pandemic fallout and stubborn racial disparities in student academic achievement. Madison School Board President Ali Muldrow fills us in on what happens next. 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 bagpipes were back on the Capitol Square last weekend for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. With the official holiday mere days away, how are you celebrating? If you’re Fitchburg alder Gabriella Gerhardt, you’re trying to break the world record for “Largest Collection of Four-Leaf Clovers.” Four-leaf clovers are considered lucky due to their rarity. They’re technically a genetic mutation of a common clover plant. Gerhardt already holds the records for “Most four-leaf clovers collected in one hour” and “Most four-leaf clovers collected in eight hours.” She’s got a whole room in her house devoted to them. And she’s joining us today to share her secrets about how to find these treasures. (When it’s not snowing, that is...) 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.

Domestic violence in Wisconsin is at an all-time high. Just a few weeks ago, another event shocked neighbors in Madison. Police chased a man into the Kwik Trip on East Wash, where he shot at police before locking himself in the bathroom and taking his life. He was suspected of strangling his girlfriend days earlier. Police are also investigating four sexual assaults in Madison so far this year. Statistically, most intimate assaults are committed against women. And that’s why a local martial arts studio has focused on teaching women self-defense skills. Ali Treviño-Murphy, co-owner of Underground Self Defense, says when women fight back, they are more likely to survive an assault. And she’s here to tell you how. And if you’re in need of help, text the Domestic Abuse Intervention Services hotline anytime: (608) 420-4638. If you prefer to speak with someone over the phone, call their Help Line: (608) 251-4445. In cases of intimate partner violence, it may be safer to create an escape plan than to fight back. If you have experienced an assault, find help at the Dane County Rape Crisis Center. Their hotline is (608) 251-7273. 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 Friday news roundup. City Cast Madison producers Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz bring you nuggets of news from our fair city. Homophobic graffiti slandering city alder Mike Verveer surfaced near his home in Madison over the weekend. And anti-vaxxers have a new target: the meningitis vaccine. Gov. Tony Evers made it mandatory for seventh graders, but now some voters and lawmakers are pushing back. Plus, Senator Tammy Baldwin signs onto a bill that could ban TikTok. And hey, we have a race for Madison Mayor! And really, shouldn't we have a better name for Bus Rapid Transit? 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.

March in Madison brings hints of spring. Migrating birds like sandhill cranes and robins start to return. Despite the freezing temps and occasional snowstorm, we start to feel like the worse of winter is behind us. This is the time to make maple syrup! People have been tapping maple trees for thousands of years, way before Madison was a city. The tradition lives on at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and their annual Maple Syrup Fest. We sit down with the center’s Education Director Virginia Wiggen and Marketing and Communication Manager Cara Erickson to get the scoop. Maple Syrup Fest takes place Saturday, March 18th, from 1-4pm at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Monona. 🍁 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.

Spring is just a few weeks away and in Madison, that always means…. the Wisconsin Film Festival! Each April, one of the largest campus film festivals in the country takes over theaters across Madison. This year, they’re showing more than a hundred films in five theaters from April 13 to 20. The Wisconsin Film Festival guide hits newsstands on Thursday; find it in the March issue of Isthmus. Tickets go on sale Saturday, March 11th, at noon. Operations Director Ben Reiser gives us the sneak peek about what’s coming up. 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.

Meet the challenger running for Madison Mayor. Gloria Reyes is running on her experience as a former Madison police officer, school board president, and deputy mayor in the Soglin administration. But also, she’s running on her experience as a local who grew up here and has deep community roots. We spoke with Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway about her bid for re-election on Monday’s show. The election is Tuesday, April 4th. Learn where you vote or how to register. Also in today’s episode: 🌱 Want to get free flower and veggie seeds? Check out the Madison Public Library seed libraries! 👩🏻‍🚒 And check out the In Her Boots documentary about Madison’s first women firefighters. 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 Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is running for re-election. The first-term mayor touts her accomplishments: getting a faster bus system, building more housing, and improving the city’s environmental footprint by reducing emissions and adding more solar. She won her first term as mayor by a landslide, but this time, she’s the insider running on her record. We’ll speak with challenger Gloria Reyes on tomorrow’s show. The election is Tuesday, April 4th. 🗳️ Learn where you vote or how to register. 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.

Bianca Martin, Molly Stentz, and Dylan Brogan round up the week’s news with a look at the GOP’s increasingly expensive probe into the 2020 election, the departure of a big player in Madison’s concert scene and the state selling three huge office buildings downtown. 💸 If you’d like to tell us what YOU would do with $2.5 million dollars of the state’s money… or where the best grocery store self-checkout camera is… leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367. Email us at [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.

Friday Fish Fries in Madison are their own kinda of religion. When we went in search of the best fish in town, we had to talk to Linda Falkenstein, Associate Editor of Isthmus newspaper. She’s been going to fish fries in Madison her entire life… and now makes a living writing about them, among other things. It might surprise you that a few of her picks aren’t in Madison at all, but right next door in Westport and Fitchburg. But perhaps the most surprising pick of all? Well, we’ll leave that for you to discover. Linda’s picks: Quivey’s Grove, Athens Grill and The Old Fashioned. Read Linda’s Isthmus reviews, including this roundup of Wednesday Fish Fries (gasp!) 🐟 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.

Today, we’re turning the tables on our host, Bianca Martin. We’re putting her on the other side of the mic. She was interviewed by Angela Russell, the host of the Black Oxygen podcast, about how she came to host City Cast Madison. We’re airing an excerpt of their conversation. You can find the full interview on the Black Oxygen podcast. 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.

This Black History Month, we wondered: how do we find our OWN history? Depending on your family history, it can be hard to track down records. Black and indigenous families were often overlooked in official histories, not counted in early censuses and lack historical property records to draw upon. And DNA tests can throw you real curve balls. You never know what surprises might be in your family tree. So how do you even begin? Luckily, if you live in Madison, you have one of the country’s most extensive historical research centers in your backyard. Meet Lori Bessler, reference librarian at the Wisconsin Historical Society. 🔎 Check out their upcoming free webinars and tips. 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.

It isn’t every day your city’s flag gets voted one of the best in the country. But that’s what happened when the North American Vexillological Association got together to rate the designs of a whopping 312 flags. Ted Kaye, the nation’s foremost authority on flag design and author of the NAVA booklet “‘Good’ Flag, ‘Bad’ Flag,” talks with host Bianca Martin about what makes a well-designed flag, why Madison’s flag is so strong (but our state flag … not so much), and how we would go about designing a City Cast Madison flag. Check out NAVA’s 2022 survey results to see which flags got an A grade, and which ones got an F. And here’s Roman Mars’ 2015 TED Talk about “why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you've never noticed.” Find out more about the Wisconsin Film Festival, including the First Look at the Fest event on March 8, 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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

City Cast’s Dylan Brogan and Bianca Martin get you up to speed on this week’s Wisconsin primary results, the big things happening on Park Street, and the winners of Madison’s snowplow naming contest. 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.

Seven Acre Dairy is many things - a cafe, a restaurant, a hotel, a butter plant. 🧈 But if you talk to founder Nic Mink, it’s also a place for restoration. He renovated a shuttered old butter plant in Paoli, Wisconsin, a small community about twenty minutes from downtown Madison. It’s drawing neighbors near and far to enjoy locally-made butter, soft serve ice cream and a farm-to-table restaurant. It sits along the banks of the Sugar River, nestled among a savanna with oak trees older than the state of Wisconsin. It aims to preserve a little slice of Wisconsin’s dairy heritage, in what is a rapidly changing dairy industry. 🧀 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.

You may not know his name, but you likely know his work. Michael Schultz forged a path at a time when there was little representation for Black directors or actors in Hollywood. His 1976 movie Car Wash was considered ahead of its time, with its social and cultural critique of the era. It was the first film by a Black director to compete for the prestigious awards at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won two awards. Its soundtrack won a Grammy. Schultz was also responsible for casting Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson in their first feature films. He’s been directing for half a century, with more than a dozen movie credits to his name. Not to mention stints directing the TV series Blackish and All American. And where did he get his start? Right here in Madison, at the University of Wisconsin. 🎥 You can see Car Wash for free at the Chazen this Sunday, February 26th. It’s part of the UW Cinematheque’s spring film series. 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.

Outdoor cats. They evoke strong feelings in the neighborhood. They fight, yowl, kill birds and other wildlife… and make more cats. But what do we do about Madison’s strays? If you call the city, animal control will attempt to trap them. But if these cats can’t find a home, they’ll likely be killed. Many cat-loving Madisonians are not making that call, leaving cats to roam free. 🐈 The Madison Cat Project has an idea: round up these kitties and spay or neuter them. Then release them back outside to help curb the population. The only problem? It’s not really legal. Dr. Adam Bauknecht explains. 🐾 Check out the Dane County Humane Society’s tips for what to do if you find a lost or stray animal. 🇺🇸 And hey, it’s Election Day! Check myvote.wi.gov for info on how to vote. In Madison, we’re voting for City Council, Mayor and Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates. 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 morning newsletter from our friends at Madison Minutes.

Governor Evers has released his plan for the next state budget and the forecast is rosy: we’re sitting on the biggest surplus in state history. Evers is proposing more money for our K-12 schools, twelve weeks of paid family leave for Wisconsin workers, and a tax cut for the middle-class. But will the legislature go for it? Mitchell Schmidt, state politics reporter for The Wisconsin State Journal, joins Dylan and Bianca to unpack what’s inside the Governor’s plan. 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.

“It’s fermented, cured, delicious, and often misunderstood and mispronounced.” So says Jesse Brookstein, author of A Perfect Pair: The History of Landjaeger in Green County, Wisconsin. They may look like beef jerky, but Jesse’s referring to the pairs of smoked, fermented sausages that hang in many bars around southern Wisconsin. The high-protein snack enjoyed by Swiss and German immigrants of the past century has found fans among many thirsty bar-hoppers in Madison today. Jesse’s here to tell us why this salty meat snack is showing up all over. (And yes, it’s LON-yay-grrr.) 🍖 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.

There’s an election next week, one said to carry bigger policy stakes than ANY other contest in America this year. And that’s for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The court currently has four conservative justices and three liberal justices, so the balance of power is riding on this race. The right to abortion, control of the state’s political maps and how elections are conducted could be decided by this court. There are four candidates in the running - and we’ve invited them all on the show. Today, we’re speaking with Dane County Circuit Court Judge Everett Mitchell. The primary election is Tuesday, February 21st. The top two candidates will advance to the general election on April 4th. To look up where you vote - or what you need to do to register- check out My Vote Wisconsin.

It’s Valentine’s Day… a day that can fill you with hope and excitement… or dread. And who among us hasn’t had a terribly bad date? Well, we asked - and you answered. Today, we’re listening to YOUR stories of dates gone terribly awry (and a few that went really, really right!) Hayley Sperling, co-founder of Madison Minutes and Madison dating veteran, joins us on this wild ride through Madison’s dating scene. 🗳️ And hey, vote for us! You can nominate our podcast as “Best Local Podcast” in Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison contest. And don’t forget 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 Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.

There’s an election next week, one said to carry bigger policy stakes than ANY other contest in America this year. And that’s for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The court currently has four conservative justices and three liberal justices, so the balance of power is riding on this race. The right to abortion, control of the state’s political maps and how we run elections are at stake. There are four candidates in the running - and we’ve invited them all on the show. Today, we’re speaking with Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz. The primary election is Tuesday, February 21st. The top two candidates will advance to the general election on April 4th. To look up where you vote - or what you need to do to register- check out My Vote Wisconsin. 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.

For the first time since taking office, President Biden visited Madison. His big visit included talking shop about the economy, calling out one of our senators about Social Security and taking selfies with the mayor. (And yes, the stop was actually DeForest, but shhhh!) Also this week, Madison Schools Superintendent Carlton Jenkins announced he’s leaving after the end of the school year. Anyone wanna run our schools? And why do we have no money for violence prevention?! The City Cast team is here to bring you the news we can’t shut up about this week. (And for the record, Bruce Springsteen campaigned in Madison for both John Kerry and Barack Obama. You’ve just gotta listen to find out more.) 🗳️ And hey, vote for us! You can nominate our podcast as “Best Local Podcast” in Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison contest. And don’t forget our friends at 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 Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.

Friends, it is NOT too late to make a reservation for Valentine’s Day. There’s a number of swoon-worthy new restaurants that have popped up in Madison recently. Lindsay Christians of the Cap Times is here with pro tips for scoring a table – and she’s dishing on all of her new favorites, whether you’re looking for fine dining, cocktails… or butter. Lindsay recommends: Turn Key, Amara, Jardin, Prost!, Nitro Beverage Lounge, and Seven Acre Dairy (Paoli). And The Deliciouser storefront for the cook in your life. 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.

This week, we’re honoring love in its many forms. We’ll offer you things to do, places to go, and advice on how to care for friends, lovers… and yourself. Looking for a gift for your special someone this Valentine’s Day? Flowers are beautiful, but you know what lasts longer? Plants! With our cold, dry midwest winters, we can use all the fresh oxygen and life we can get this time of year. But where’s a good place to start? We turned to our friends at Olbrich Botanical Garden for a little advice. Conservatory curator Colten Blackburn has ideas for good starter plants to wow your sweetie… and how to care for them. Need some other gift or date ideas? 🌸 Olbrich Botanical Gardens “Orchid Escape” runs through February 28 🌱 Wisconsin Garden Expo is February 10-12 🌳 UW Arboretum Native Plant Sale 🌿 Two Ferns Native Plant Sale Also, what should we call Madison's newest elementary school? The Madison School Board wants to hear from you! 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.

This week, we’re honoring love in its many forms. We’ll offer you things to do, places to go, and advice on how to care for friends, lovers… and yourself. Today, we’re talking about how to survive the unthinkable - when a loved one betrays and hurts you so badly, you can’t imagine how you’ll move on. And yet, you have to. Darcy Luoma had a rewarding career, a successful business, a loving family and a happy marriage. Until the day her husband was arrested for sexual assault of a minor and her life was blown apart. Darcy shares her story of how her entire life changed and how she learned to take care of herself and her family in the midst of a crisis. Darcy Luoma is the founder of Darcy Luoma Coaching and Consulting. She discussed the Ring Theory developed by Susan Silk and Barry Goldman. **** And here are free community events we mentioned on the show: ⛸️ Memorial Union Winter Carnival 🍿 Black History Movie Night at the Goodman South Library 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 morning newsletter from our friends at Madison Minutes.

It’s happening. The onslaught of pink and red in store displays... the candy hearts and chocolate sales... the pressure. Valentine’s Day is coming. Whether you love it or want to run screaming, we’ve got you. This week, we’re honoring love in its many forms. We’ll offer you things to do, places to go, and advice on how to care for friends, lovers… and yourself. Today, we’re talking about how taking time for your own pleasure can be an act of love. We talk to Sami Schalk, UW Madison professor and columnist for Tone Madison, about why celebrating joy in daily life is essential for our well-being and how finding your ‘enthusiastic yes’ can help you set better boundaries in love and life. 📚 Sami’s ideas for sharing love and book recommendations: Pleasure Activism, Rest is Resistance, The Body is Not an Apology and Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself 📸 Here Sami’s recommendation for a Madison photographer skilled at taking intimate photos 🦉 And check out date night ideas from the library (and not just books!) 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.

It’s Friday and we’re talking about the stories that we’ve been thinking about all week. The whole City Cast Madison team’s here to talk about the city’s need for new housing and the fights over where it should go. Is the Filene House historic and worth saving? And Madison has big plans to remake the Lake Monona waterfront. Plus, what’s happening with the new Police Civilian Oversight Board? And yes, there was some snickering this week around a particular sculpture hanging in the Madison Parks office… which resembles human anatomy. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-31-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the daily email from our friends at Madison Minutes.

Back in early 1970s Madison, there was no farm-to-table movement. There was no farmers market downtown. The Capitol Square was a ghost town at night. There were no standards for organic, much less anything else. None of that dissuaded Odessa Piper. The pioneering chef cut her teeth at Ovens of Brittany, creating the famous gooey, caramelly Morning Bun pastries (waay before the cronut was a twinkle in anyone’s eye, a heavenly mix of cinnamon roll and croissant was born). She went on to start L’Etoile restaurant, attracting national attention with her James Beard awards and showcase of the freshest food Madison had to offer. She was an early supporter of the Dane County Farmers Market, now one of the largest in the country. And she’s never stopped dreaming of a more delicious future. Every Thursday, we’re talking about food and all of the flavors that make Madison. And who better to start with than the woman who helped start it all… 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 email newsletter from our friends at Madison Minutes .

While most of us are sleeping, plow drivers across the city are at work. Like choreographed dancers, they all set about their routes, often working up to 16-hour days in some of the worst conditions, all to clear the way for us. So life can go on as usual. Meet Margaret Kraege, the first female snow plow driver for the City of Madison. Also on the show: 🚜 Name these plows! You have until Friday, February 3rd. 💌 Share your story of finding love in Madison... be it funny, weird, outrageous or just plain sweet! Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367. We may include it in our Valentine's Day episode. Wanna talk to us about an episode? We’re at [email protected]. Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!

She’s been called the “not-so-secret weapon” of “one of the most accomplished Wisconsin bands of the 21st century”. We sit down with Monica Martin… singer, songwriter, and former lead singer of the local indie band PHOX. She’s now working as a solo artist in Los Angeles, where’s she’s a rising star. We learn about the Madison roots that launched her career… and what it’s REALLY like to be Bianca Martin’s big sister. Find Monica Martin’s new music and tour dates. Other things we mentioned on today’s show: UW Madison Public History Project Badger Rock Pop-Up Sale Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!

There have been many things said about Madison. Our own mayor once proposed “77 Square Miles Surrounded By Reality” as our official motto. A flamingo is our official city bird, due to a college prank decades ago. But much like our families, you only get to talk smack when you’re on the inside. To the rest of the world, we are fiercely loyal and proud. We are so much more than freezing cold, cheese-eating drunkards. On today’s episode, Bianca Martin and Molly Stentz defend Madison’s honor and place in history to their big boss, City Cast CEO David Plotz. Here's what else we mentioned on the show: 🏖️ Want to check out the design ideas for redoing Madison's waterfront? Here are the sketches. Tell the city what you think of 'em. 🗳️ Tuesday's Madison Mayoral Forum Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!

What if we told you lions would be roaming State Street, devouring heads of lettuce and licking the doors of local businesses? Another day in the life in Madison? Yes, and it’s all part of the celebration of Lunar New Year, happening around the world from January 22 to February 5. In Madison, we’re celebrating on State Street with the Lion Dancers of the Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association. We caught up with owner and lead instructor Nelson Ferreira for a sneak peek. 🦁 See the Lion Dance at Lisa Link Peace Park 🦁 See the Lion Dance at the Madison Children’s Museum Other events we mentioned on the show: 📸 Book a Family Portrait Session at the Madison Public Library 💘 Send us your best or worst date story! Online dates, blind dates, accidental dates… we want to hear your stories for our special Valentine’s Day edition. Leave us a voicemail: 608-318-3367 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!

From potholes and speeders to construction in your neighborhood, local government can make your life easier… or it can infuriate. Who do you want making choices on your behalf? All 20 members of the Madison Common Council are up for election soon… with some interesting twists in some neighborhoods. Producer Dylan Brogan gives us the scoop on who’s on your ballot. Read all about the candidates in Dylan’s article: How the Madison City Council Races are Shaking Out. To register to vote, change your address or find your polling place, check MyVote.WI.Gov. And if you wanna practice voting, check out the City Snow Plow Naming Contest. Yes, they’re letting us pick the names. Don’t let us down. In other news, learn about those really old canoes pulled out of Lake Mendota. And do you have an exceptionally bad (or good!) date story that you can share? We’re collecting YOUR stories for our Valentine’s Day episode. Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. Keep ‘em short! And first names are fine, no need to burn it all down. Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. You can also say hi on Twitter and Instagram!

Madison has no shortage of talented musicians. But how do you discover and find great new bands? The folks at Tone Madison listened to hundreds of new releases and highlighted some of the best new local songs and albums from 2022. We caught up with publisher Scott Gordon to hear a few of his favorite picks. Check them out for yourself: Here’s Tone Madison’s top songs of 2022, pt. I pt. II pt. III and Tone Madison’s top 20 records of 2022. Also, Madison’s musical odds and ends of 2022 And here’s a link to the Dump the Hate online dumpling-making class we mentioned. 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!

The Dane County Jail has problems. Originally built in 1953, officials say it’s outdated, dangerous, and inhumane. It has lead pipes and asbestos. Locks get stuck shut. It has no medical beds or room for rehabilitative programs. County officials have been trying for years to find a plan — and the cash — to build a new jail, so they can finally close down the oldest units on the top floors of the City-County building. The county says they need an additional $14 million to seal the deal and build a six-floor, 825-bed building next to the County Courthouse in downtown Madison. Will taxpayers go for it? Costs are escalating by the minute. Meanwhile, the sheriff is shipping inmates to other counties, sometimes hours away, until a safer jail is built. We talk to Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett about the controversial jail project — which, at a price tag of $167 million so far, is the most expensive in county history. Also, here’s a link to the Taking Control of Your Student Loan Debt webinar we mentioned! 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!

Stella’s Hot and 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 around contemplating eating more vegetables. And 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 here‘s how you can celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend: “I Have A Dream” Scholarship Ball at Monona Terrace on Saturday Ecumenical Service at First Unitarian on Sunday Youth Call to Service at Central Library on Monday Madison-Dane County celebration at Overture on Monday State of Wisconsin celebration at the State Capitol on Monday 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!

Winter… it divides us into lovers and haters. Whether you’re Team Snow-filled Wonderland or Team Bitter Chill, living in the Midwest, there’s a whole bunch of things you need to know to survive. Come for the biggest alternate side parking hack we know, stay for the great salt debate. We talk to former Cap Times reporter Abby Becker, who wrote a guide on How to survive and thrive in a Madison winter for Madison Minutes. Want to learn more about alternate side parking? Find out more and sign up for daily reminder texts here. Sign up for Metro Transit text updates here. Find out more about the new salt use ordinance here. Looking for more winter resources from the city? Here’s a great place to start. Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 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!

The Madison School Board has voted: High school students can continue to take dedicated honors classes for core courses like English, math and science. But the district will also expand a program called Earned Honors, where students in regular classes can opt for more rigorous work and get honors credit. But some teachers are frustrated by the current system of sorting kids by achievements, pointing out that it’s become racially segregated. Deidre Jarecki teaches tenth grade English at LaFollette High School in Madison and she’s irked by the slow progress toward helping all students succeed. 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!

Happy New Year! And that means it’s resolution season. We asked you for what you wanted to see in Madison in 2023, and you delivered. Plus, the team— Bianca, Molly, and Dylan— share their hopes for the city. 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!

It’s cozy season and we’ve invited one of our favorite bartenders to show us some fancy winter cocktails we can make at home. They’re perfect for whipping up at your holiday gathering or enjoying cozied up in front of the fireplace. Jeremy Bazely, bartender at the Muskellounge, shares his recipes for Mulled Cider, A Very Blitzened Bianca and Cranberry Ginger Soda. 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices.

The holidays can be stressful and overwhelming enough, without adding in memory loss and other joys of getting older. We may notice our parents and grandparents aging, and wonder how to talk with them about it. Mary Wyman, a clinical psychologist at the Madison VA Hospital, has ideas for how to start those difficult conversations with family who may be showing signs of dementia. And we get tips for making the holidays more enjoyable for everyone. Mary’s resources: AARP: Is It Time for Your Loved One to Retire From Driving? National Institute on Aging: Driving Safety and Alzheimer's Disease Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices.

For many of us, the holidays mean family gatherings... and movies. Yet with two more movie theaters closing in Madison this year, it feels like there are fewer options than ever. Will streaming pick up the slack? We ask Rob Thomas, the Cap Times Features Editor, for his picks of what to watch. 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices.

The Madison School District wants to cut high schools honors courses over concerns they've become segregated. The district fails students of color at an alarming rate. Honors classes are disproportionately white. They’re rolling out a plan to drop standalone honors courses, in favor of “Earned Honors”, where all students take the same classes, but can opt for additional work and gain an honors credit on their transcript. Some students and staff say that the current Earned Honors program isn’t rigorous enough. Some parents fear their kids will miss out if honors classes go away. Will parents of high-achievers yank their kids from the district and send them to nearby suburban schools instead, destabilizing Madison schools? That’s the fear. But is the status quo working? The Madison School Board is set to vote on the plan on December 19th. We speak to School Board President Ali Muldrow about her concerns and how the Board might vote on this big policy shift. 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!

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is officially nonpartisan, but it has increasingly been at the center of political battles from abortion to voting rights. Liberals have their first shot at taking back control of the court in nearly 15 years. With political control of our swing state at stake, we look at why this race is heating up. Jeff Mayers, president of WisPolitics, brings us the latest. The primary election is February 21st. Currently running are Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow, former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly, Dane County Judge Everett Mitchell and Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz. 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!

When Governor Evers won re-election, he declared, “We’re going to polka tonight and work tomorrow.” It is our official state dance, after all. Stacy Harbaugh, aka DJ Shotski, agrees wholeheartedly. We talk to Madison’s polka DJ about the state of polka in the capital city. Also in the show: Learn more about the Adult Swim Holiday Craftacular. And the City of Madison’s meeting about Amtrak. 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!

It’s election season… again?! If you want to run for local office in Madison, the clock’s ticking. You’ve got this month to apply. We talk to Madison’s newest alder to learn what it takes to be part of City Hall. Sabrina Madison represents the far east side of Madison and was appointed in October. 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!

Madison is home to the first-ever electric fire truck in use in the United States. The truck has saved 60,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in its first year of operation. And Madison firefighters are helping design the next generation of electric vehicles for the country, as cities look to transition their fleet away from diesel-guzzlers. We catch up with Scott Bavery, Dan Belovarac and Josh Balli from the Madison Fire Department to learn how they did it. 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!