City Cast Madison

Madison trivia is back, baby. We’ve brought Smarter Than You trivia guru Paul Guse back to test our knowledge of all things Mad city. Buckle up and play along… Dylan Brogan and Bianca go head to head in this episode. Catch Paul at the Harmony Bar every first and third Wednesday of the month. He’ll be there next week, July 5th. And hey, we’re in the running for Best Local Podcast in the Madison Magazine Best of Madison contest! Do we have your vote? Here’s the link: https://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/best-of-madison/best-of-madison-2023-vote-now/article_81bb44d4-9dae-11ed-8778-831b6146a870.html#// We’re under “Arts and Entertainment.” Producer Dylan Brogan is also in the running for Best Columnist. And our friends at Madison Minutes are in the running for Best Local News Website. 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.

Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Homes Jr. famously said, “Taxes are what we pay for civilized society.” But who pays and how much has been debated ever thus. When you buy anything from a cup of coffee to a car in Madison, you’re paying sales tax. That money is collected by local shops and sent to the state of Wisconsin. Every two years, the state decides how much of that money to share with the communities where it was collected. Same goes for the income tax you pay every year. But cities say that state money is not keeping up with inflation. Costs are going up, but the money to pay for them isn’t. Madison’s got some unpopular choices: ask voters to pay higher property taxes or cut back city services. And when the state’s sitting on a surplus, it’s a hard pill to swallow. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway tells Dylan Brogan what’s ahead. Also on the episode: 🏠 The new westside ReStore opens on Odana Road on Friday! 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 whole City Cast Madison team is back in the saddle today. Bianca Martin, Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz round up this week’s news, including a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling on weed at traffic stops, the fight over paying for childcare, and Madison’s aim to be a sanctuary city for transgender and non-binary residents. And it’s been a year since the Dobbs Supreme Court decision, which led to the criminalization of abortion in Wisconsin. There’s dueling abortion-related events at the State Capitol this weekend. Mentioned on the episode: Our interview with Ruth Schmidt about Wisconsin’s childcare crisis The March for Life and a Pro-Choice Rally are both at the State Capitol on Saturday 💪🏾 Wanna flex your voting muscles? 🗳️ Vote for us as Best Local Podcast in the Best of Madison contest! 🦩 You have until Friday, June 30th. (Click on Art and Entertainment, then Local 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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

The James Beard Awards are often called the Oscars of food. They’re a prestigious national recognition for restaurants that offer high quality food. If you think you have to travel to the coasts to try some of the nation’s best restaurants, you would be wrong. Here in Madison, we’ve got award-winners in our backyard. Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger, chefs and co-owners of Fairchild in Madison, have been named the best chefs in the midwest by the James Beard Foundation. Cap Times Food Editor Lindsay Christians joins us to talk about what this recognition means for our fair city. Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Also mentioned on the episode: 🎵 Free concert with Madison Symphony Orchestra and Mt. Zion Gospel Choir at Penn Park this Saturday 🎸 Dirt Camp music festival in Sauk City on Saturday 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.

We’re on a quest to help you make the most of your summer in Madison. Brandon Rounds is the mastermind behind Live on Queen, a free outdoor drag show and dance party happening this Friday, June 23, in downtown Madison. It’s the latest installment of the Live on King street series of free concerts that take place on the 100 block of King Street in front of the Majestic Theatre. Catch Brandon performing as Bianca Lynn Breeze, Madison’s hardest working drag queen. Dylan Brogan gets the dish on Madison’s drag scene and why, despite what you hear from haters, drag is perhaps the opposite of stripping.

The Madison school district initially offered teachers a 3.5 percent pay bump but is now committed to doubling it to the highest raise allowed by state law. Teachers are applauding the move and say investing in educators is long overdue. However, what this means for the district’s financial health is far from clear because of a looming budget deficit. Nichelle Nichols, president of the Madison school board, talks with Dylan Brogan about why the board is prioritizing teacher pay this year and the difficult decisions coming due in future budgets. We also get an update on the superintendent search and the district’s embattled spokesperson Full list of Make Music Madison performances 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 and Dylan Brogan roundup the news this week with an update on Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ pledge to cut funding to the University of Wisconsin system over diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The governor is threatening to the entire state budget over the move. The Legislature is also primed to overhaul how taverns, distributors, and breweries are regulated. We also take a teeny peak at a new art installation at Hilldale. More info! “Gov. Tony Evers says he would veto state budget if Republicans advance $32 million cut to UW System” from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Major overhaul for alcohol regulation in Wisconsin gets public hearing” from Wisconsin Public Radio. “Midwest's first mouse-sized art installation squeaks into Hilldale” from Channel 3000. 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 a great time to enjoy fresh herbs — whether in salads, drinks or just to freshen up your backyard, patio, or balcony. Jane Hawley Stevens, owner of Four Elements Organic Herbals, has been growing herbs for decades on her farm in the Baraboo hills. Her herbal products are sold locally and around the country. Lead producer Molly Stentz chats with Jane about this growing season and tips for how to grow your own herb garden. If you’d like to attend Four Elements’ open farm day on Saturday, June 17th, details are online and on Instagram. To learn more about that UW-Madison cheese tester gig, here’s the application. 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.

Happy Flag Day! The North American Vexillological Association studied 312 city flags and ranked Madison’s flag as one of the best in the nation. No wonder our city flag is increasing being flown all over town. 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. Check out NAVA’s survey results to see which flags got an A grade, and which ones got an F. Here’s Roman Mars’ 2015 TED Talk about “why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you've never noticed.” And these apps will help you navigate the new Madison Metro bus network. 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 Madison continues our series on summer entertainment with The Pursuit of Happiness Sessions at McPike Park. The first round of The Sessions kicks off Friday night, June 16 and runs through Sunday, June 18. The festival features performers from around the globe and dozens of local acts, too. Veteran Madison festival Bob Queen previews some of big acts coming to town with City Cast’s Dylan Brogan. Songs featured in this episode: Memphis Rain by Aaron Lee Tasjan Manisero by Xiomara Laugart June 11th by Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few Afterglow by Oshima Brothers Event links: Full lineup of The Sessions at McPike Park Vote for City Cast Madison for Best Local Podcast Juneteenth Opening Ceremony Juneteenth in the Park A conversation with saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin hosted by Bianca Martin Juneteenth Celebration of Black Music hosted by Rob 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’d think a record $7 billion surplus would ease the partisan tension between Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican lawmakers when crafting the next state budget. Nope! But Evers and the GOP-controlled Legislature have compromised on money for schools and local governments. However, funding for the University of Wisconsin system and who gets a tax cut might create another showdown between the governor and lawmakers. Dylan Brogan talks with WisPolitics Editor JR Ross about what deals have been hammered out with the state budget, what has yet to be worked out, and what this all means for 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.

Madison public school teachers and staff will get an 8% pay raise next year after tough negotiations with the school district. Meanwhile, the city has to figure out what to do about two failing housing developments that serve the formerly homeless. And while you might’ve heard about dirt at the Supreme Court lately, we’re here to talk about actual dirt on our Dane County courthouse. Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz round up this week’s news 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.

Don’t blink or you’ll miss them! Strawberry season lasts for about three weeks in Madison - and it’s here. We’re heading to one of the oldest strawberry u-pick farms in the Madison area… which opens next week. Dylan Brogan catches up Cory Secher, the second-generation owner and operator of Carandale Fruit Farm in Oregon, Wisconsin. For daily updates on strawberry picking, check the Carandale website or find them on Facebook. 🍓 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.

We wait patiently all year for summer in Madison — and when it comes, there’s an explosion of festivals, music, and art. We’re here to help you not miss a minute with our summer entertainment guides. Starting Thursday, June 8th, there will be ELEVEN days of jazz happening all over Madison. From free shows at clubs across town to big acts at the Union Theater, you can hear classical vocalists, lively saxophonists and trumpeters, latin jazz bands, and hip-hop inspired acts. Dylan Brogan catches up with Madison Jazz Festival organizers Elizabeth Snodgrass from the Wisconsin Union Theater and Jolynne Roorda from Arts and Literature Laboratory. 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’s eastside is known for many things: great food and restaurants, politically active neighborhoods, and lots of musicians. Each summer, these things combine to bring you five iconic free concerts in the parks and streets. The season kicks off this weekend with the Marquette Waterfront Festival. Local musician and festival volunteer Tony Castañeda gives us the insider’s take. This is the first in our series on how to make the most of your summer in Madison before it goes by too, too fast. Festivals mentioned: 🎸 Marquette Waterfront Festival: June 10 - 11 🇫🇷 Fete de Marquette: July 13 - 16 🍄 Atwood Fest: July 29 - 30 🌳 Orton Park Festival: August 25 - 27 🤹‍♂️ Willy Street Fair: September 16 - 17 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 eight years since the death of local teen Tony Robinson sparked a wave of protests in Madison. There have been several high-profile - and fatal - police shootings of unarmed Madison residents since then. Citizens demanded change. Grieving family members brought federal civil rights lawsuits. The city hired a consultant to review the entire police department. A state law was changed to require outside investigations of police shootings. The latest move? Creating an independent city agency that can investigate complaints against the Madison Police Department. We speak to the city’s first independent police monitor, Robert Copley. Also on the show: 🫶🏽 The Best of Madison contests are ON. We’re in the running for Best Local Podcast. Vote for us here. We’re under Arts and Entertainment. 🗣️ We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Madison an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. 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 this week Molly Stentz and Dylan Brogan dig into problems behind the scenes at Madison schools after complaints come to light. Also, how Epic Systems' worker contracts affect our larger tech economy - and what the feds might do about it. And did you know we have our very own Australian Football League team right here in Madison? The Wisconsin Wombats are here and they’re playing in Reindahl Park this weekend. And unlike the Brewers, the Packers, and Forward Madison FC, they’re not looking for stadium upgrades. Just don’t ask us how to play this soccer-hockey-rugby-frisbee mashup. Also on the show: 🗣️ We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Madison an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. 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.

Karben 4 Brewing, tucked away by the airport on Madison’s northside, is one of the largest craft brewers in the area. Earlier this spring, they began brewing Hopalicious, a beloved hoppy pale ale and summer staple in Madison, after Ale Asylum abruptly closed. Now, they’re bringing back other classics. Ryan Koga, one of the founders of Karben 4 Brewing, fills us in on their plans. 🍺 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: 🚴🏽‍♀️ Find Karben 4 at the Lower Yahara River Trail Trailhead this Saturday, June 3rd, at a benefit for Dane County Parks. 🗣️ We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Madison an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. 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.

Something as small as a lost parking ticket can set off a chain reaction. If you don’t pay it, your license could get suspended. Get pulled over while driving on a suspended license? Now you’re in legal trouble. If you lose your car, how do you get to work? Without a job, how do you pay the rent? LIFT Wisconsin saw that Madisonians needed an easier way to deal with legal problems that were haunting them, keeping them in poverty. The non-profit legal organization built a website to help you identify any legal issues you might have and connect you with lawyers to sort them out. We speak with Erica Nelson, LIFT Wisconsin’s executive director, about why this is needed. Also on the show: ⛱️ Check for current beach closures around Madison. 🗣️ Take our survey! We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Madison an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. 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.

Sam Li’s photographs are your best chance of feeling like a bird in Madison. His videos swoop across the lakes, circle the capitol, race along the bike path and generally take you for a joyride. They’re full of exuberance and awe — and he started out doing them out of sheer love for our city. Now, he’s making an official video for Madison and he wants YOU to be in it. Bianca Martin catches up with Madison drone photographer and cinematographer Sam Li. Mentioned on the show: 🎥 See Sam’s work on Instagram and sign up to be in his next video about Madison 🇮🇹 Festa Italia 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.

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.