City Cast Madison

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 showCap Times election coverageMyVote WisconsinWanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 10th episode:Doyenne Group

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 StaffFederal Funding Cuts Could Be “Disastrous” for UW [🎧 City Cast Madison]Why Tony Robinson's Grandmother Is Still Fighting [🎧 City Cast Madison]17 teen leaders to compete to become B&GC's 'State Youth of the Year' winner [Channel 3000]Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

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. Hong and Rooted Co-Executive Director Hedi Rudd about the changes to the organization, the Troy Farm CSA  and their commitment to food and land access for all. 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 madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

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 us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. 

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 professor Mike Wagner to find out. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

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 Handelsman and Teaching Assistant Association co-president Madeline Topf to understand the impact of this cut which is currently being challenged in court.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

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. Finally, host Bianca Martin has the details on the money flying into our state’s Supreme Court race.Mentioned on the show:Services impacted as Madison Metro workers decline overtime, cite ongoing contract negotiations [Channel 3000]The Mayor's (Ambitious) Plan For Addressing Madison's Housing Crisis [City Cast Madison]Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 28th episode here:Dane County Humane Society

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 producer Hayley Sperling has the story on a new bookstore in town.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 27th episode here:Dane County Humane Society

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 took to make the new Orpheum theater sign and why good design endures.This show originally aired Feb. 13, 2024Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 26th episode here:Dane County Humane Society

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 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 25th episode here:Dane County Humane Society