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
March 14, 2025 • 31 mins
It’s been a rough week for the City Clerk’s office. With investigations underway and its leader put on leave, City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin outlines the events that got us here. Speaking of investigations, executive producer Hayley Sperling gives the latest on a federal inquiry into alleged antisemitism at UW-Madison and other universities across the country. But it’s not all bad news this week — our snowplows have names! Pl...
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March 13, 2025 • 25 mins
Brandy Old Fashioned? Check. Friday fish fry? Of course. Enduring nostalgia? Yes, please. These are just a few of the things that make Wisconsin supper clubs special. But supper clubs are so much more than strong drinks and indulgent food. They represent part of Wisconsin’s identity.
To get the dish on what elevates a spot from simply being a restaurant to being a full supper club, we caught up with Madison Magazine Editor-in-Chie...
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March 12, 2025 • 23 mins
The bagpipes will be back on the Capitol Square this 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 adding to your world-record-setting four-leaf clover collection.
Four-leaf clovers, technically a genetic mutation of the common three-leaf variety, are considered lucky due to their rarity. Gerhardt already hold...
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March 11, 2025 • 33 mins
Election Day is April 1. In case you missed it, every single Madison City Council seat is up for grabs. But what does the City Council do anyways? And how can you stay engaged with the people making the decisions that impact your daily life? We caught up with outgoing District 2 Ald. Juliana Bennett to get the scoop.
Want to know about the statewide elections on your ballot? Check out our conversation with Cap Times reporter Andrew...
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March 10, 2025 • 22 mins
In case you somehow missed it, the spring election is right around the corner! Early voting starts March 18. There’s plenty to be excited about, from the hotly contested state Supreme Court race to the proposed constitutional amendment on voter ID. To get a better understanding of the statewide choices all Wisconsinites will see on their ballots, we spoke with Cap Times state government reporter Andrew Bahl.
Mentioned on the show
C...
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March 7, 2025 • 26 mins
Another Friday means it’s time for another Friday news roundup! This week, the team dives into the drama unfolding at Kavanaugh's Esquire Club as well as how federal job cuts are impacting Wisconsin. Plus, the Madison community remembers Tony Robinson Jr. 10 years after his death.
Mentioned on the show:
GoFundMe for Esquire Club Staff
Federal Funding Cuts Could Be “Disastrous” for UW [🎧 City Cast Madison]
Why Tony Robinson's Gran...
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March 6, 2025 • 19 mins
Spring is on its way, which means farmers' markets, CSA boxes, and fresh local produce will be here soon. One local non-profit is gearing up for a busy growing season with new leadership at the helm. State Representative Francesca Hong is stepping into the role of board president for Rooted, which offers opportunities for urban farming and distributes produce to underserved local communities.
Host Bianca Martin chats with Rep. Hon...
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March 5, 2025 • 27 mins
When it comes to cities getting what they want from the Wisconsin state Legislature, it’s all about who you know. To help get the right people paying attention to its needs, the City of Madison recently hired The Welch Group, a high-profile, conservative-led lobbying firm. To get his take on whether or not this is a good move for the city, we spoke with former Madison mayor Dave Cieslewicz.
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave ...
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March 4, 2025 • 26 mins
Across Wisconsin and across the nation, local TV news teams are shrinking. Earlier this year, Allen Media Group — which owns Madison’s WKOW — announced it would scrap local meteorologists and turn weather forecasts over to The Weather Channel in Atlanta. The media giant later reversed its decision but had many people wondering: is the future of local TV news at risk? We caught up with media expert and UW-Madison journalism professo...
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March 3, 2025 • 33 mins
National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants partially fund hundreds of research projects at UW-Madison each year. NIH covers about 55% of the indirect costs of research funding on campus, but last month they announced a new standard indirect rate of 15% across all NIH grants. What does this mean for researchers at the university?
Host Bianca Martin sat down with the Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Dr. Jo Handelsma...
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February 28, 2025 • 31 mins
We’re saying goodbye to February with a Friday news roundup! This week, the team is talking about transportation in its many forms. Executive producer Hayley Sperling is on the Metro beat, giving details on an east side bus crash and the latest on contract negotiations between Metro workers and the city. Meanwhile, newsletter editor Rob Thomas digs into why the Dane County Regional Airport had a near-record-breaking year in 2024. F...
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February 27, 2025 • 29 mins
March is almost here, which means spring is just around the corner and Madisonians are itching to emerge from their winter hibernation and dive into everything the city has to offer. In our monthly guide, the City Cast Madison team has recommendations on what to do, see, and eat in March. Host Bianca Martin has the scoop on film fest activities, newsletter editor Rob Thomas may have found his new favorite restaurant, and executive ...
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February 26, 2025 • 17 mins
You’ve most likely noticed Dan Yoder’s handy work when driving through Madison. His company, Sign Art Studio, is responsible for the city’s most iconic signs: the huge new Orpheum marquee on State Street, the classic restored Badger Liquor sign a block away, the elegant, retro cool-looking Harvey House sign, and hundreds more. Bianca Martin sat down with Yoder to find out just how one becomes a “sign guy”, how many light bulbs it t...
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February 25, 2025 • 34 mins
There’s no question about it, Madison is in a housing crisis. But how did we get here and what do we do about it? The city has a plan, and it’s an ambitious and contentious one at that. To get insight on the plan and how we can expect Madison’s neighborhoods to change as our city grows, host Bianca Martin spoke with none other than the mayor herself, Satya Rhodes-Conway.
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 6...
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February 24, 2025 • 22 mins
The state’s legislative session is in full swing, and so far, some of the ideas being brought to the floor by Republicans mirror the agenda President Donald Trump has been pushing in Washington, D.C. To get the scoop on what’s been proposed and how likely any of these initiatives are to be passed into law, host Bianca Martin speaks with Wisconsin Watch statehouse reporter Jack Kelly and statehouse reporting intern Hallie Claflin.
M...
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February 21, 2025 • 34 mins
It’s time for another Friday news roundup! This week, host Bianca Martin is joined by executive producer Hayley Sperling and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos. The team digs into results from this week’s primary election, key takeaways from Gov. Tony Evers’ budget address, progress at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, and complaints from some of Madison’s Black senior citizens.
Mentioned on the show:
Madison city council incumbe...
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February 20, 2025 • 26 mins
Wisconsin is currently weathering one of the worst flu seasons in the past decade. In Dane County, hospitals are full of children and adults dealing with respiratory illnesses. So how do we keep ourselves healthy and help our bodies recover from sickness? We spoke with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians to get her suggestions on what to cook and what ingredients to keep on hand when illness is making its rounds.
M...
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February 19, 2025 • 17 mins
Winter is here — do you know where to park? Alternate side parking is in effect through March 15, meaning you have to park your car on the correct side of the road each day to avoid getting a ticket. If you live on the isthmus this applies whenever there’s significant snowfall and the city declares a snow emergency.
Confused? Former producer Dylan Brogan spoke with Madison Streets Superintendent Charlie Romines about what you need ...
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February 18, 2025 • 25 mins
Less than a month into his second term as president, Donald Trump has signed more than 60 executive orders into law. Some of those orders are already being challenged in court, including one that would cut off federal funding for hospitals that provide gender-affirming care for patients under 19 years old. The order has left some Wisconsin families — and health care providers — with a lot of questions. To get answers, we caught up ...
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February 14, 2025 • 34 mins
The City Cast Madison team is here to wrap up the week with another Friday news roundup. This week, we’re getting you prepped for next Tuesday’s primary election. We’re also got some food news: the east side Ohio Tavern is getting new owners and Madison-born food delivery startup EatStreet has filed for bankruptcy. Plus, why did the county’s pick for a new Human Services director withdraw her acceptance? We’ve got all of that and t...
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