City Cast Madison

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

$45 million dollars and nearly two million votes later, the election result is in: Milwaukee Judge Janet Protasiewicz will be the next Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. Liberal-backed justices will soon have four seats on the state’s high court and a slim majority. All eyes are now on Attorney General Josh Kaul’s lawsuit seeking to overturn the state’s 1849 abortion ban. Bianca Martin and Dylan Brogan break down the big results from the election day. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

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

The City of Madison knows that no one likes evictions. They’re painful, messy and costly. So they’re funding a program to provide free lawyers to tenants facing eviction. They mediate conflicts - or miscommunication - between tenants and landlords, and work out solutions. And it’s been shockingly effective. Carousel Bayrd of Community Justice, Inc is one of these lawyers. 🏠 If you need help, contact the Tenant Resource Center’s Eviction Prevention Clinic Also on the show: 🤣 Who Will Be Madison’s Funniest Comic? Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

It’s the Friday news roundup and the whole City Cast Madison team is here to rein in the wayward news of the week. Dylan Brogan, Bianca Martin and Molly Stentz discuss the big money in our Wisconsin Supreme Court race, the little-known question on your ballot in Madison, why the Madison School District spokesperson is suing to prevent your access to records… and of course, crime-fighting burritos. Read the stories: Big $ (AP) What’s on Your Ballot (My Vote WI) Madison School Lawsuit (NBC 15) Crime-fighting Burrito (Wisconsin State Journal) Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

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

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

F-35 military fighter jets are expected to arrive in Madison as early as April. Madison is the second Air National Guard in the nation to receive the military’s newest jets. They’ll be stationed at Truax field, next to the airport and Madison College. The Wisconsin Air National Guard calls them a “game changer.” The federal F-35 program - the most expensive weapon in US history - was designed to give the military a “Swiss Army knife” jet capable of handling a multitude of missions. Many others have called them a boondoggle. The jets have been delayed for years, gone over budget, and faced numerous technical problems. The Madison City Council has called on the Secretary of the Air Force to station them elsewhere. Madison residents have raised concerns about the noise and potential health impacts of the jets, as well as their nuclear capabilities. So what can we expect when these jets arrive? Retired Air Force Colonel Rosanne Greco knows first-hand what it’s like to live with F-35s. At first, she thought the noise complaints were “wimpy.” Now? Not so much. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

It’s been called the “most important election in the country.” And yes, it’s right in our backyard. On April 4th, voters will decide who gets a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This seat will determine the ideological balance of the court, and thus how it could rule on a number of high-stakes issues from abortion to voting rights. Wisconsin continues to be a swingy swing state without outsize importance on national politics. So all eyes are on us. ⚖️ We catch up with WisPolitics President Jeff Mayers for the latest on the race between Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz and former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly. ✅ Learn more about early voting in Madison 🗳️ Find out how and where to vote Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

It’s the Friday news roundup and the whole City Cast Madison team is here. Bianca Martin, Dylan Brogan and Molly Stentz discuss the latest on big spending in our local Madison elections, ponder a deadly monkey virus that scientists say has the potential to spread to humans, and we deliver a eulogy for Burrito Drive. 🌯 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

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

If you’ve hopped on a bus in Madison in the past twenty years, you’ve heard his voice. Next stop… Pinckney at Mifflin. Next stop… It’s his voice that announces every stop on every Madison Metro bus. He’s always there, guiding us around the city. But you’ve never heard his name… until now. Meet Ward Paxton, the voice of Madison Metro. 🚌 Also on this episode: ⚖️ Watch the Wisconsin Supreme Court debate 🤓 Tonight is Nerd Nite! Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

With big bank failures dominating the headlines, we wondered: how did Madison tech start-ups weather the storm? Did the small and somewhat insulated nature of our tech community shield it from bigger problems? Or could a bank run happen here? And is more government investment for local tech an answer to reducing dependence on Silicon Valley? For answers, we turned to Scott Resnick, COO of Hardin Design and Development, and a board member of Starting Block Madison, a startup and technology hub. 🤳 Have your own take? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram. 💌 Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 📣 Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

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

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.