City Cast Madison

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 madison@citycast.fm. 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 madison@citycast.fm. 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 madison@citycast.fm. 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 madison@citycast.fm. 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 madison@citycast.fm. 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 madison@citycast.fm. 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 SaleAlso, 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 madison@citycast.fm. 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 LibraryWanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. 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 madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.