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PODCAST

City Cast Madison

Join the City Cast Madison team 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. She peers into our city’s soul with a journalist’s skepticism and an optimist’s heart. Whether you’re an OG Madisonian or a newcomer, all neighbors are welcome here. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter, at madison.citycast.fm.

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All Episodes

42:56

The Best Madison Restaurants You’ll Never Go To

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/21

Restaurants and bars come and go in Madison all the time, it’s the nature of the industry. But some spots leave a lasting impression on our community long after they’ve closed. Today, the City Cast Madison team takes a trip down memory lane with the help of our listeners and readers to reminisce on some of Madison’s favorite bygone bars, restaurants, and community haunts. Ready to taste a little nostalgia? 🥕 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers

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25:27

Tips For Living Your Best Madison Life

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/20

Whether you’ve lived here for two years or 20, there’s always something new to learn about living in Madison. From getting the right winter gear to joining a CSA to finding a clean bathroom downtown, we’ve got some serious insider tips for making the most of Madison. Host Bianca Martin sits down with City Cast Madison producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas to share their secrets.👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email

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27:18

Why Ultimate Frisbee Has a Chokehold on Madison

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/19

It’s no secret that Madison is a sporty town. From the Badgers at Camp Randall and the Kohl Center to the Night Mares and Mallards at Warner Park, there are plenty of hometown heroes to root for. But the sport that Madisonians can’t get enough of is ultimate frisbee. The Madison Ultimate Frisbee Association boasts thousands of members who play all year round. And the semi-pro Madison Radicals draws big crowds to Breese Stevens Field every season. This weekend the 2025 Ultimate Frisbee Association

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23:54

Will Extreme Weather be the New Normal For Wisconsin?

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/18

On Aug. 11, Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency in response to heavy rainfall and flooding across southern Wisconsin. In Madison, wet weather led to flooded streets and forced the cancellation of local events. But in the Milwaukee area, the damage was much more severe. To explain the cause and impact of this weather, we spoke with director of the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, Steve Vavrus. 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email

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39:36

Rain Emergencies, Rising Madison Rent, and Restaurant...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/15

TGIF! The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas discuss the flooding from last weekend, median rent stats and a major step forward for the Triangle redevelopment, and news in the restaurant scene. Plus, it’s Hippie Christmas! Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Mentioned on the show:Madison Black Restaurant Week Jamboree [Madison Black Chamber of Commerce] Is Hippie Christmas…Bad?

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33:37

Madison's Strip Mall Restaurants Are a Vibe

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/14

Some of Madison's tastiest restaurants are hidden in strip malls throughout the city. The best spots depend on who you ask. We spoke with our friend Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians, to talk about listener suggestions and dive deeper into which stops are a must-visit. Can’t get enough food news? Sign up for the Cap Times’ Corner Table newsletter ‼️We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey —

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32:26

Is Hippie Christmas…Bad?!

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/13

Some say there are only two seasons in Madison: winter and moving season. Starting in late July and stretching into August, downtown streets are flooded with piles of trash from folks participating in the annual housing shuffle. And keeping the city clean during this time is no easy feat, especially when would-be treasure hunters dig through the heaps looking to strike gold. To get the scoop on how the city keeps up with the mess, and get tips for what to do with your unwanted items, we caught up

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34:55

UW Professors Are ‘Mad as Hell’ About State-Mandated...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/12

When state lawmakers passed their biennial budget in July, they approved a $256 million increase to the University of Wisconsin system budget — but that money came with a lot of strings attached. Professors across the UW system are expected to carry heavier teaching loads, which has raised concerns about the potential impact on research and overall academic quality. To unpack these concerns and other potential consequences, host Bianca Martin speaks with Jon Shelton, a professor at UW-Green Bay and

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28:52

Madison Public Market Says It’s Worth the Wait

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/11

It’s been years in the making and after multiple funding concerns and construction delays, it almost felt like the Madison Public Market would remain a dream forever. But the money has come through and construction is nearly finished, and the Madison Public Market is officially on its way to an early 2026 opening. So what can you expect from this long-awaited public good? Madison Public Market Foundation CEO Keisha Harrison gives us the scoop.‼️We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our

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34:11

ICE Fights Sheriff, Housing Woes, and It’s Another...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/08

Happy Friday, Madison! Executive producer Hayley Sperling is joined by producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas to round up the news of the week. Today we’re digging into the rift between the Dane County Sheriff and ICE, how funding troubles might impact Madison’s new permanent men’s shelter, and the details on this weekend’s packed schedule around town. Plus, want to put host Bianca Martin in a dunk tank? Here’s your chance! Mentioned on the show: Developer plans

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19:31

How To Make the Most of Madison Black Restaurant Week

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/07

Madison Black Restaurant Week is celebrating 10 years! The event highlights local Black-owned businesses through a series of events, including a farm-to-table soul food brunch, dessert competition, and a food taste jamboree at Warner Park. To learn more about the event, its impact, and history, we spoke with Camille Carter, president and CEO of theMadison Black Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the week. 🥕 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to

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24:08

The Clock Is Ticking For the Dane County Humane Society

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/06

Late last month, the Dane County Humane Society published a letter addressed to the city and county expressing a dire need for funding. Why? DCHS contracts with Public Health Madison and Dane County to provide state-mandated services like caring for stray and impounded animals. The county budgeted $390,000 for these services for all of 2025, but DCHS says that money will be gone by the end of this month. So what’s with the disconnect? And what will happen to the animals if DCHS can’t take them? To

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30:02

Do Strip Mall Bars Have More Fun?

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/05

Cease and desist letters, minor theft, and a whole bunch of fun went into planning the fifth annual Strip Mall Carnival. This year, Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge is taking the reins over from Muskellounge and Sporting Club to host the event, which is a fundraiser for the Clean Lakes Alliance. To get the scoop on the event and a behind-the-scenes look at the online shenanigans brewing between the two establishments, we caught up with the co-owner of Lola's, Matt Gerding, and the co-owner of the Musky, Chad

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31:06

Bon Voyage, Betty Lou Cruises

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/04

For nearly three decades, Betty Lou Cruises has ventured across Lake Mendota serving food and drinks and creating countless memories along the way. But back in 2024, the owners of Betty Lou Cruises, who also run the popular Mariners Inn restaurant, announced their impending retirement in August 2025. The time is nearing for Betty Lou’s final voyage, and to honor their impact on the community, we’re taking a trip down memory lane with co-owner and co-founder Jack von Rutenberg. 👋 Wanna talk to us

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25:47

Who’s Running for Governor, Mallards and Night Mares...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/08/01

Happy August, Madison! We’re kicking off the new month with a Friday news roundup to catch you up on what’s happening. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin is joined by Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos to talk about the race for Wisconsin governor, the closure and then re-opening of Madison bar Churchkey, and championship dreams for the Mallards, Night Mares, and Brewers. Plus, do you love the ‘90s and want to be in an upcoming film? Here’s your

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40:53

Your Guide to August in Madison

City Cast Madison ·

2025/07/31

It’s the dog days of summer, and we’re bringing you our top picks for things to do, see, and eat in our beautiful city. Host Bianca Martin chats with executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob Thomas about everything from Orton Park Fest and free rooftop movies at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, to Dane Dances and the Taste of Madison. Plus, are y'all ready for Badger game days? Tune in and make the most of August in Madison.👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us

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29:01

New Bookseller Continues the Story of Paul's Book Store

City Cast Madison ·

2025/07/30

When Paul's Book Store announced it would close its State Street shop after 70 years in business, many Madisonians mourned the loss. But amid this loss, Augie McGinnity-Wake saw a unique opportunity. He bought roughly 2,000 books from Paul’s collection and used them as the foundation for his new business, Augie’s Books. We caught up with Augie to learn more about how he’s carrying the Paul’s legacy forward and the role bookstores play in the Madison community. 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode

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24:33

Toxic Lakes Hurt More Than Just Madison Swimmers

City Cast Madison ·

2025/07/29

Spending time in and around our lakes is a quintessential part of being a Madisonian –we are on an isthmus after all. But pollutants like agricultural runoff, road salt, and chemicals are threatening the well-being of our waters. Beach closures have become increasingly common throughout the summer. And it's more than just swimmers and boaters who lose out when the beaches shut down. Our city misses out on millions of dollars in potential economic benefits. To understand these costs and what’s being

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25:37

No, You Can’t Get Naked At Madison’s New Modern...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/07/28

Madison’s brand new bathhouse is something the city has never seen before. With multiple saunas, specialized soaking tubs, and a cold plunge, Saunaday promises patrons at least a few hours of self-care bliss. Bathhouses are a popular tradition in many cultures, but their history in Madison comes with some taboo connotations. So what exactly can folks expect from this new spot and what are the rules? Host Bianca Martin caught up with co-owner Roshelle Ritzenthaler to get the scoop. 👋 Wanna talk to

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34:41

Evers Is Out, Humane Society Needs Help, and AI Makes...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/07/25

It’s Friday, so the City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week! Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas chat about the Dane County Humane Society hurting for resources, an AI blunder that made it to the front page of the Wisconsin State Journal, and activities around town including Disability Pride Festival and AtwoodFest. Plus, Gov. Tony Evers announced he won’t seek a third term in office. Ready to dive in?Mentioned on the

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