City Cast Madison

All eyes have been on the Twin Cities lately, including Madisonians’. Operation Metro Surge is reportedly ending in Minnesota, with the withdrawal of immigration agents expected over the next week. Over the last two months, though, residents of the Twin Cities have organized a range of local collective action efforts including protests, mutual aid, and monitoring ICE — and they’ve done it quickly. In this inaugural episode of “Your City Could Be Better,” City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Twin Cities podcast host Sean McPherson about how his community self-organized, why these networks have been so successful, and what other cities can take away from Minnesotans’ response to Operation Metro Surge. Plus, we have a D.C. vs. Twin Cities face-off on local cultural norms. We also mentioned this episode of City Cast Twin Cities. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Unmarked Madison Police Department vehicles now have a placard in the windshield identifying them as MPD cars. This is in response to residents inquiring about how they can tell the difference between MPD cars and those belonging to ICE. Meanwhile, a company that owns a hundred Wisconsin Burger King restaurants has been accused of more than 1,600 child labor law violations by the state’s Department of Workforce Development. Executive producer Hayley Sperling breaks down this week’s news with producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and newsletter editor Rob Thomas. Plus, do you need Valentine’s Day plans? We’ve got you covered. Mentioned on the show: Fundraiser for Noel Quintana, owner of the Señor Machetes [Facebook]Anti-Valentine's Day celebrations  [City Cast Madison] Bad Bunny teams up with UW-Madison professor [Tone Madison] Check out our new City Cast podcast "Your City Could Be Better" on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by CEO David Plotz, this week's inaugural episode features the host of City Cast Twin Cities talking about how Minneapolis and St. Paul mobilized so quickly and broadly against the months-long ICE operation there. 👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 13th episode: Madison Opera FairShare CSA Coalition

In Dane County, we have a thriving farmers market scene. We have local co-ops and community gardens. We boast about our farm-to-table restaurants. And we also have food insecurity rates as high as 15%. Parts of our food system appear to be running well, but when you dig below the surface, there are issues preventing it from being equitable and resilient. REAP Food Group, in collaboration with a number of local stakeholders, is trying to get to the root of the problems with the Dane County Food Action Plan. City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling chats with REAP Food Group interim executive director Noah Bloedorn about what is currently threatening the food system, and how it can be fixed. 🥕 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!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 12th episode: Madison Opera FairShare CSA Coalition

Whether you’re single, taken, or it’s complicated, Madison is touted as a great place to date in nation-wide surveys. But what does WalletHub really know about our dating scene? We hit up our favorite first date spots to get Madison’s honest takes on the dating scene. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling play the tape and share their own dating woes. This show originally aired Feb. 10, 2025. 👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 11th episode: Madison Opera FairShare CSA Coalition

This week, Madison Opera will present its first world-premiere show in more than 30 years. “Everlasting Faint” is a true-crime ghost story opera with music by Madison composer Scott Gendel and libretto by Sandra Flores-Strand. To get up to speed for this momentous event, host Bianca Martin spoke with Scott and Madison Opera's General Director Kathryn Smith about the new show and the do’s and don’ts for opera newbies. 👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 10th episode: Madison Opera FairShare CSA Coalition

Remember last summer when our sky filled with wildfire smoke and air quality warnings forced Wisconsinites inside for days? Our changing climate impacts us all, but perhaps none more so than children. A group of 15 young people from across Wisconsin are suing the state, alleging legislative and Public Service Commission leaders failed to adequately protect them from climate change. Today, host Bianca Martin speaks with Madeleine Bohn, a West High School student and one of the plaintiffs in the case, along with lawyer Skylar Harris of Midwest Environmental Advocates.  👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 9th episode: Madison Opera FairShare CSA Coalition

A confirmed case of measles has been reported on the UW-Madison campus, the DeForest Village Board voted against annexing land for a proposed QTS data center, and WisconsinEye returns. Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas break down the biggest stories of the week. Plus, want to watch the Super Bowl in Madison? We have you covered. 🗳️ And don’t forget to nominate us for Best of Madison! Enter City Cast Madison in the Local Podcast and Local News Website categories.  Mentioned on the show: MMSD free MSR vaccination event [WMTV 15] Possible measles exposure locations [DHS]Statewide data center day of action  [Party for Socialism and Liberation - 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!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 6th episode: Wonder Palette Camp Madison Opera Clean Lakes Alliance

Public Parking, a cocktail bar on Madison’s east side, is getting national recognition once again! They were recently named on the James Beard Awards long list for Best New Bar. But the team at Public Parking is familiar with the spotlight – last year they were featured as one of 9 Best News Bars of 2025 in Bon Appétit and received other regional recognition. Host Bianca Martin has been a fan since they opened and she chats with co-owner JR Mocanu about the secret behind their early success.  🥕 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!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 4th episode: Wonder Palette Camp Madison Opera Clean Lakes Alliance

Madison doesn’t have a deal with surveillance technology company Flock Safety. But that doesn’t mean surveillance isn’t a concern in our city. There are dozens of Flock cameras installed around Dane County and yes, even some in Madison. So what’s the deal here? Today, host Bianca Martin speaks with ACLU Wisconsin policy analyst Jon McCray Jones about Flock usage (and misuse) by law enforcement, and what folks can do to protect their privacy.  Mentioned on the show Police Surveillance is Ripe for Abuse [ACLU WI] Analysis of Flock use by Wisconsin cops reveals trends, raises questions [Wisconsin Examiner] Find Flock cameras in your area [Deflock] 👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 4th episode: Wonder Palette Camp Madison Opera Clean Lakes Alliance

Happy election season, Madison! That’s right, the spring primary is just two weeks away, which means in-person absentee voting starts today. But who are you voting for and what’s going on in these races? Today, host Bianca Martin talks to Isthmus staff writer Liam Beran to break it all down and help you become the most informed voter at the polls.  The primary is Feb. 17 and the spring election is April 7. For information on voter registration and more, head to MyVote.WI.gov. Plus, check out the full Isthmus voting guide here. 👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 3rd episode: Wonder Palette Camp Madison Opera Clean Lakes Alliance