City Cast Madison

It’s Friday and we’re talking about the stories that we’ve been thinking about all week. The whole City Cast Madison team’s here to talk about the city’s need for new housing and the fights over where it should go. Is the Filene House historic and worth saving? And Madison has big plans to remake the Lake Monona waterfront. Plus, what’s happening with the new Police Civilian Oversight Board?And yes, there was some snickering this week around a particular sculpture hanging in the Madison Parks office… which resembles human anatomy. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-31-3367 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 daily email from our friends at Madison Minutes. 

Back in early 1970s Madison, there was no farm-to-table movement. There was no farmers market downtown. The Capitol Square was a ghost town at night. There were no standards for organic, much less anything else.None of that dissuaded Odessa Piper. The pioneering chef cut her teeth at Ovens of Brittany, creating the famous gooey, caramelly Morning Bun pastries (waay before the cronut was a twinkle in anyone’s eye, a heavenly mix of cinnamon roll and croissant was born). She went on to start L’Etoile restaurant, attracting national attention with her James Beard awards and showcase of the freshest food Madison had to offer. She was an early supporter of the Dane County Farmers Market, now one of the largest in the country. And she’s never stopped dreaming of a more delicious future.Every Thursday, we’re talking about food and all of the flavors that make Madison. And who better to start with than the woman who helped start it all…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 email newsletter from our friends at Madison Minutes . 

While most of us are sleeping, plow drivers across the city are at work. Like choreographed dancers, they all set about their routes, often working up to 16-hour days in some of the worst conditions, all to clear the way for us. So life can go on as usual. Meet Margaret Kraege, the first female snow plow driver for the City of Madison. Also on the show:🚜 Name these plows! You have until Friday, February 3rd.💌 Share your story of finding love in Madison... be it funny, weird, outrageous or just plain sweet! Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367. We may include it in our Valentine's Day episode.Wanna talk to us about an episode? We’re at madison@citycast.fm. Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!

She’s been called the “not-so-secret weapon” of “one of the most accomplished Wisconsin bands of the 21st century”. We sit down with Monica Martin… singer, songwriter, and former lead singer of the local indie band PHOX. She’s now working as a solo artist in Los Angeles, where’s she’s a rising star. We learn about the Madison roots that launched her career… and what it’s REALLY like to be Bianca Martin’s big sister. Find Monica Martin’s new music and tour dates. Other things we mentioned on today’s show: UW Madison Public History Project Badger Rock Pop-Up Sale Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm.Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! 

There have been many things said about Madison. Our own mayor once proposed “77 Square Miles Surrounded By Reality” as our official motto. A flamingo is our official city bird, due to a college prank decades ago. But much like our families, you only get to talk smack when you’re on the inside. To the rest of the world, we are fiercely loyal and proud. We are so much more than freezing cold, cheese-eating drunkards. On today’s episode, Bianca Martin and Molly Stentz defend Madison’s honor and place in history to their big boss, City Cast CEO David Plotz. Here's what else we mentioned on the show:🏖️ Want to check out the design ideas for redoing Madison's waterfront? Here are the sketches. Tell the city what you think of 'em.🗳️ Tuesday's Madison Mayoral ForumWanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm.Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!

What if we told you lions would be roaming State Street, devouring heads of lettuce and licking the doors of local businesses? Another day in the life in Madison? Yes, and it’s all part of the celebration of Lunar New Year, happening around the world from January 22 to February 5.In Madison, we’re celebrating on State Street with the Lion Dancers of the Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association. We caught up with owner and lead instructor Nelson Ferreira for a sneak peek.  🦁 See the Lion Dance at Lisa Link Peace Park 🦁 See the Lion Dance at the Madison Children’s MuseumOther events we mentioned on the show:📸 Book a Family Portrait Session at the Madison Public Library💘 Send us your best or worst date story! Online dates, blind dates, accidental dates… we want to hear your stories for our special Valentine’s Day edition. Leave us a voicemail: 608-318-3367Wanna talk to us about an episode? Drop us a line at madison@citycast.fm. Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!

From potholes and speeders to construction in your neighborhood, local government can make your life easier… or it can infuriate. Who do you want making choices on your behalf? All 20 members of the Madison Common Council are up for election soon… with some interesting twists in some neighborhoods. Producer Dylan Brogan gives us the scoop on who’s on your ballot. Read all about the candidates in Dylan’s article: How the Madison City Council Races are Shaking Out. To register to vote, change your address or find your polling place, check MyVote.WI.Gov. And if you wanna practice voting, check out the City Snow Plow Naming Contest. Yes, they’re letting us pick the names. Don’t let us down. In other news, learn about those really old canoes pulled out of Lake Mendota.And do you have an exceptionally bad (or good!) date story that you can share? We’re collecting YOUR stories for our Valentine’s Day episode. Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. Keep ‘em short! And first names are fine, no need to burn it all down.Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. You can also say hi on Twitter and Instagram! 

Madison has no shortage of talented musicians. But how do you discover and find great new bands?The folks at Tone Madison listened to hundreds of new releases and highlighted some of the best new local songs and albums from 2022. We caught up with publisher Scott Gordon to hear a few of his favorite picks. Check them out for yourself: Here’s Tone Madison’s top songs of 2022, pt. I pt. II pt. III and Tone Madison’s top 20 records of 2022.Also, Madison’s musical odds and ends of 2022And here’s a link to the Dump the Hate online dumpling-making class we mentioned.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm.Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram! 

The Dane County Jail has problems. Originally built in 1953, officials say it’s outdated, dangerous, and inhumane. It has lead pipes and asbestos. Locks get stuck shut. It has no medical beds or room for rehabilitative programs. County officials have been trying for years to find a plan — and the cash — to build a new jail, so they can finally close down the oldest units on the top floors of the City-County building. The county says they need an additional $14 million to seal the deal and build a six-floor, 825-bed building next to the County Courthouse in downtown Madison. Will taxpayers go for it? Costs are escalating by the minute. Meanwhile, the sheriff is shipping inmates to other counties, sometimes hours away, until a safer jail is built. We talk to Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett about the controversial jail project — which, at a price tag of $167 million so far, is the most expensive in county history. Also, here’s a link to the Taking Control of Your Student Loan Debt webinar we mentioned!Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm.Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!

Stella’s Hot and Spicy Cheese Bread has long been a staple of the Dane County Farmers’ Market. The huge loaves are stuffed with gooey hot cheese, flecked with red pepper and are best eaten by tearing off a huge hunk as you stroll around contemplating eating more vegetables. And now, Brian Winzenried of the famed Stella’s family is taking the cheese bread to Panama. What began as a pandemic trip has blossomed into a new business venture, opening this spring. Not only can you enjoy a taste of home while on vacation, but you can learn to bake alongside Brian in his new kitchen, Gamboa Baking Co. And here‘s how you can celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend: “I Have A Dream” Scholarship Ball at Monona Terrace on Saturday Ecumenical Service at First Unitarian on Sunday Youth Call to Service at Central Library on Monday Madison-Dane County celebration at Overture on Monday State of Wisconsin celebration at the State Capitol on Monday Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm.Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!