City Cast Madison
Join us every weekday morning for can’t-miss conversations about what’s happening in Madison, with a dose of local news to keep you up to speed. Host Bianca Martin collects people wherever she goes, like an endless conga line. On City Cast Madison, she peers into our city’s soul with a journalist’s skepticism and an optimist’s heart.
Episodes
May 17, 2024 • 26 mins
The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin and Hayley Sperling recap the Wisconsin Supreme court case about the ballot box ban, the groundbreaking of a forever chemical treatment facility, and how to prepare for the wildfire smoke coming down from Canada. Plus, we introduce Madison’s very own Lil’ Sebastian.
Mentioned on the show:
Wisconsin supreme court appears poised to overturn ballot drop box ban...
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May 16, 2024 • 19 mins
It’s officially festival season in Madison! But, out of all the festivals happening this year, only one will transport you to Norway in 30 minutes. It’s the annual Syttende Mai Festival, which has celebrated Norwegian Heritage in Stoughton for over 70 years! So, come for the cream puffs and Lefse, but stay for the Viking Games Strongman Competition.
City Cast Madison's Hayley Sperling caught up with Callie LaPoint, Syttende Mai Fes...
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May 15, 2024 • 19 mins
Illinois, Michigan, and recently Minnesota have all legalized recreational cannabis. Efforts to do so in Wisconsin have gone nowhere in the state Legislature. Even so, Madison is seeing an increasing number of stores selling CBD, Delta-8 THC, and other legal cannabinoids — some of which produce the same euphoric high as the recreational weed that’s illegal in our state.
We spoke with Alan Robinson, cannabis activist and co-founder...
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May 14, 2024 • 27 mins
Abortion has proven to be a leading issue in the 2024 elections. It’s easy to find people fiercely debating the need for anti-abortion or abortion-rights outcomes for their communities. But does Wisconsin have any bipartisan solutions on abortion?
A national nonpartisan initiative called Citizen Solutions organized an experiment with 14 Wisconsinites – six from Madison — who hold widely different viewpoints on abortion to disc...
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May 13, 2024 • 23 mins
Did you know the Madison Children Museum is often cited as one of the best of its kind in the country? For over 10 years, the museum’s director Deb Gilpin has helped inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity for children and adults alike. Host Bianca Martin sat down with Gilpin to reflect on her more than decade of service and what’s next for this cherished institution.
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-...
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May 11, 2024 • 2 mins
Hey there! We are excited to share the trailer for a new special limited series from our friends and colleagues at City Cast Denver. If you’re a fan of what we do at City Cast, you’ll want to check it out:
You’ve probably heard a story about Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. Like, how she got kicked out of a production of “Beetlejuice” for vaping and groping her date. Or, that time she heckled President Biden during his State of the U...
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UW-Madison leaders say ending the pro-Palestian protest encampments is a top priority for them. But their talks with organizers are now dragging into a full second week sans resolution. Host Bianca Martin and newsletter editor Hayley Sperling break it down. Plus, GOP state lawmakers vote to audit state government DEI initiatives and the city announces proposed changes to the highly-disputed West Area draft plan.
Mentioned on the ...
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May 9, 2024 • 22 mins
If you’ve ever been grocery shopping and wondered where the eggs or produce come from, we want to tell you about a grocery that delivers the ultimate local food shopping experience. It’s at Vitruvian Farms who now offers an on-site grocery store located right on their McFarland farm run by Tommy Stauffer and Shawn Kuhn. Host Bianca Martin sat down with Stauffer to learn about their new retail venture, and some of the 300 local prod...
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May 8, 2024 • 20 mins
Madison is a proudly gay-friendly city. Yet, we don’t have any lesbian specific bars, despite having an active and vibrant lesbian scene. One event that serves Madison’s lesbian community is a monthly pop-up called Dyke Dive that’s been around for nearly a decade.
Host Bianca Martin sits down with DJ and Dyke Dive co-organizer Sarah Akawa to learn more about the event and what’s on their roster for this spring and summer.
Wanna...
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May 7, 2024 • 23 mins
The dating scene can be brutal. However, even a bad date might produce a good story, or in Ann Garvin's case, a viral one. The local author recently wrote a personal essay for Madison Magazine about a night gone terribly wrong when her date made a boldly ageist comment.
Host Bianca Martin spoke with Garvin about her story’s viral success and why she thinks her words struck such a chord.
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave u...
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May 6, 2024 • 27 mins
Dozens of Madison area leaders are pressuring North Side Ald. Charles Myadze to resign after allegations that he abused women in his life. Myadze has largely denied the claims and called them politically motivated. Host Bianca Martin sits down with Madison Alder Sabrina Madison, one of the voices calling for his resignation, to ask why she and other leaders are standing with the victims.
This episode gets into issues of domestic a...
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May 3, 2024 • 26 mins
The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin and Hayley Sperling recap the police raid on the UW-Madison encampment, which was set up in protest of the war in Gaza. The team also discusses the recent tragic news about a school shooting in Mt. Horeb.
And finally, we will round out today’s show on a positive note as we announce the winner of Fat Bird Week.
Mentioned on the show:
Police descend on Gaza ...
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May 2, 2024 • 22 mins
Mint Mark is moving! The cozy, beloved restaurant on Winnebago St. on Madison’s east side is closing May 4. They plan to re-open in a new, larger space in The Standard building on East Washington Ave. and First Street in mid-June.
Bianca Martin catches up with co-owner and chef Sean Pharr for a sneak peek of what to expect at their new space. Spoiler alert: Patio! Brunch! More room!
Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's...
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May 1, 2024 • 22 mins
If you’re new around here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Madison community.
May means the return of plants, the start of the gardening season in Madison and farmers’ markets popping up all over town. We’re ready to smell the lilacs in bloom, celebrate the mothers in our lives and see thousands of students graduate.
For even more tips on how to make t...
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April 30, 2024 • 24 mins
Tana Elias has worked in almost every single branch of the Madison Public Library system. And after 30 years, she’s made it to the top. She’s set to take the helm as the new library director in just a few weeks. Among her goals? Get the other 58% of Madisonians a library card and help more kids learn to read.
Bianca Martin catches up with Tana to learn about her big plans for the future.
And did you miss this episode? Tana expl...
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April 29, 2024 • 23 mins
It’s no secret that Americans are becoming less religious. Reverend Mark Elsdon, executive director of the Pres House Presbyterian campus ministry, predicts that the Madison area could lose a third of all churches in the area. Many congregations are shrinking and re-evaluating whether they need their large buildings anymore. Madison’s pressed for housing, and more churches are considering selling or moving to make way.
Reverend E...
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April 26, 2024 • 25 mins
The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin, Hayley Sperling and Molly Stentz recap the mysterious hold-up of state money for drug treatment and prevention programs. Plus, we discuss the creative proposal to build new affordable housing on East Wash in exchange for student housing on campus. And part of State Street’s going pedestrian-only starting May 8th. That’s why the flamingoes are everywhere. 🦩...
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April 25, 2024 • 21 mins
If you had to make a list of Madison’s essential restaurants, what would be on it? Which restaurants feel most iconic to the city? Which do you find yourself most recommending to visitors?
Cap Times Food Editor Lindsay Christians joins Molly Stentz to wax poetic about Madison’s classics. And check out Kyle Nabilcy’s list in Eater Chicago. Do you agree?
Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewe...
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April 24, 2024 • 24 mins
Kosa Spa in the Garver Feed Mill on Madison’s east side, offers meditation, massage, hot stone saunas, an aromatherapy steam room, nourishing meals and more. Owner Shilpa Sankaran says they’re the only Ayurvedic spa in the country.
Bianca Martin talks to Shilpa about ways you can take care of yourself this spring in the Ayurvedic tradition.
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@c...
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April 23, 2024 • 25 mins
You may have heard the phrase, “Not In My Backyard,” or NIMBY. It’s often used – negatively – to describe neighbors who don’t want development in their neighborhood, whether it’s a new apartment building or affordable housing. Meaning that many of us support changes in principle, until it potentially affects our own neighborhood. Some Madisonians are worried that Madison is growing and changing too fast, and their neighborhoods wil...
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