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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. On City Cast Madison, 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, Madison

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All Episodes

46:43

The Must-Buy Gift From Every City Cast City...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/26

Join City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling (filling in for host Bianca Martin) alongside fellow alongside fellow hosts from Austin, Chicago, DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities for a special episode that’ll help you knock out your holiday shopping early and support small businesses around the country. From a handlebar mount (and app!) that’ll turn your phone into a bike cam, to a mustard-of-the-month subscription box,

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20:18

Madison’s Turkeys Are Living the Sweet Life

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/25

Gobble gobble! Wild turkeys are thriving in and around the isthmus and for good reason: the food is abundant and no one is shooting turkeys in Madison. Host Bianca Martin chats with UW-Madison Wildlife Ecology Professor David Drake about why turkeys love Madison and why Madison seems to love them back. Plus, he gives us possible reasons why turkeys sometimes attack mail delivery people. This show originally aired on Nov. 21, 2023 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at

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26:15

Why the Dane County Executive Isn’t Excited about the...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/24

When new Dane County Executive Melissa Agard campaigned for office last year, she had big plans for how she’d lead the county. But after winning the election in 2024, Agard was faced with a new reality — Dane County is facing down the cliff of a $30 million budgetary deficit, and her big plans would have to take a backseat. It’s no secret that this was a tough budget season for the county, and at the end of the day, Agard is proud of the work that the county has accomplished. But this isn’t the

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34:10

Amtrak Update, BRT Expansion on the Way, and...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/21

Oops, all transportation stories this week! The city’s Department of Transportation has selected a location for an Amtrak station should the train ever come to Madison. The updated plans for the north-south expansion of the bus rapid transit line includes more parking. And state archaeologists have found 16 more ancient canoes in Lake Mendota. Executive producer Hayley Sperling talks with newsletter editor Rob Thomas and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos about these stories. Plus, we do our best to keep the

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27:46

Madison Food Halls, Thanksgiving Sides, and Eating...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/20

With Thanksgiving one week away, we’re bringing you some hot tips to keep everyone happy and fed ahead of the holidays. Executive producer Hayley Sperling chats with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about Madison’s new downtown food hall, One Social, and how it compares to other local halls like the Global Market and Food Hall. We’ve also got advice on which local spots to go to to pick up Thanksgiving sides, desserts, and beverages, plus dining out options.P.S. Check out

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22:52

Your Guide To Winter-Proofing Your Home

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/19

Winter weather is looming, but is your house or apartment ready for the freezing temperatures and snowfall? If not, don’t fear! Today, host Bianca Martin chats with home maintenance expert and bestselling author Mercury Stardust about how to make sure you’re prepared for whatever the season brings. From how to safely clean your gutters to why you should clean your filters, Mercury has all the tips to help you avoid disaster this winter. This episode originally aired on Nov. 25th, 2024. 👋 Wanna

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26:13

Madison Burlesque Performers Spice Up the Holidays

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/18

What do you do to get through the winter blues? How about burlesque! That’s what the performers at Dance Fabulous are doing with the “HO Ho HO! A Holiday Variety Burlesque Cabaret Spectacular.” City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin explores the history of burlesque in Madison, empowerment through movement, and the specific merrymaking happening in this holiday show with Dance Fabulous studio owner Lyn Pilch and show host Dana Pellebon, AKA “Ms. Behavin’.” 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave

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27:49

Why You Should Care About the County Budget

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/17

Last week, Dane County finalized and approved its 2026 budget, which includes $825.6 million in operating funds and $90.5 million in capital investments. The county was looking to cut back on spending as it’s projected to face a $30 million deficit in 2027. But how did we get here? And what does the county fund anyway? City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling talks with Dane County supervisor Yogesh Chawla about the recently passed budget and the contentious items within it. 👋 Wanna

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34:38

City Budget Controversy, Beltline Traffic, and...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/14

Unfortunately for Dwight Schrute, we’re talking about budgets, buildings, and the Beltline not bears, beets, and Battlestar Galactica on this week’s Friday news roundup. The City Council passed the 2026 budget and voted down an amendment that would defund the Office of the Independent police Monitor. A proposed building development on West Wilson has us, and the surrounding neighborhood, asking how necessary is parking downtown. Plus, the state has finished its study on the Beltline and has

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24:58

How Madison Food Pantries are Weathering a Storm of...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/13

Food insecurity continues to dominate headlines both in local and national news spheres. And with good reason. In Wisconsin, over 700,000 people rely on FoodShare benefits to feed themselves and their families. In Dane County, that number is more than 65,000 and growing. Today, local food pantries are navigating uncertain territory between conflicting directions from the federal government and increased need from local residents. Host Bianca Martin dives into the issue with Ellen Carlson, Wayforward

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26:10

The Best and Worst of Madison’s Dating Scene

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/12

‘Tis the season for cuffing – AKA the time of year when people try to lock down romantic relationships to avoid spending winter at home alone. (Though there’s nothing wrong with that.) To get a better understanding of what it’s like to look for love in our fair city, we took our microphones to the streets to get your takes on Madison’s dating scene in 2025. And boy, did y’all deliver. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling share their stories and insights too.This show

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30:34

Can College Students Afford to Live in Madison?

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/11

What did Jane Austen say? It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a student in pursuit of a UW-Madison education, must be in want of affordable housing. Or something like that. As most Madisonians know, the rent is getting too damn high in our little hamlet and finding affordable housing can feel near impossible. When did it get so bad, and what are students doing to get by? Kacie Lucchini Butcher, director of the Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History and co-host of the Reorientation

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32:16

Madison Rocker Explores Wisconsin's WWI Experience...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/10

What does the lead singer of an Irish rock band know about World War I? Well, as it would turn out, quite a lot. Ken Fitzsimmons from The Kissers joins host Bianca Martin to discuss an innovative Veterans Day event on the Barrymore Theatre stage by the multi-discipline troupe Mobilize The Poets. “The Foe And The Fallen: Stories from The Greatest War” blends rock and roll with multimedia to tell the stories of Wisconsinites from World War I, aiming to build connections across time. Ken shares

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35:03

New County Budget, SNAP Updates, Restaurant News, and...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/07

This week, the Dane County Board passed the 2026 budget with some contention about how to address its $31 million deficit. Meanwhile, a Channel 3000 story about nonprofit spending of county funds was published and then removed for alleged errors. Plus, Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency in response to the stall in SNAP benefits. And some cool new restaurants opened around town. Host Bianca Martin breaks these stories down with executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob

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24:07

Unveiling the Secrets Behind Madison’s Forthcoming...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/06

It’s not hard to find a bar in Madison. Odds are, you’re probably not far from one now. But one of Madison’s most hotly anticipated new bars won’t have any flashing neon alcohol signs. In fact, it won’t have any signs at all. Veil and Vault is a new speakeasy set to open early next year from the owners of Nitro Beverage Lounge. Today, host Bianca Martin chats with co-owner Courtney McCarty about what folks can expect from the new concept and what she’s keeping secret (for now). 🥕 Join us every

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32:46

Wisconsin Educators Are Improvising Amid Lackluster...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/05

Wisconsin ranks next-to-last in the nation when it comes to arts funding, spending about 18 cents per person, according to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. So what gives? And what are our state’s children missing out on when they don’t have access to creative outlets in school? Erica Halverson, professor of curriculum and instruction at UW-Madison’s School of Education, is trying to make arts more accessible in Madison schools. As the co-founder of a program called Whoopensocker, she’s

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18:20

Governor Evers on Fair Maps, Federal Funding, and the...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/04

In November 2026, Wisconsin voters will elect a new governor, as Governor Tony Evers has decided to not seek a third term. Host Bianca Martin sits down with the Governor in his office at the capitol to discuss the legacy he hopes to leave behind and the biggest issues facing Wisconsin today. Evers also shares his thoughts on the candidates running for governor, a bipartisan agreement to fund building renovations for Wisconsin corrections facilities, and what he plans to do in retirement. This

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30:15

Your Guide to November 2025 in Madison

City Cast Madison ·

2025/11/03

This November we are getting cozy with our top picks for what to do this month. From a new ramen pop-up to the iconic Holiday Fantasy in Lights at Olin Park, our team knows how to thrive in the late fall season. Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas chat about what Madison has to offer this month. For even more tips on how to make the most of October in Madison, check out Madison Minute’s take on what to do this month. 🌡️ City Cast Madison’s

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33:54

MMSD Abuse Allegations, UW Layoffs, and SNAP Reaches...

City Cast Madison ·

2025/10/31

This week, Madison is grappling with an array of serious stories in the news. Two staff members at Annie Greencrow Whitehorse Middle School are on leave as a result of sexual assault allegations. UW-Madison employees are facing layoffs. And FoodShare benefits are set to run out Saturday. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin talks with executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob Thomas about how these heavy topics are affecting Madisonians. But it’s not all bad, we’ve got some

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26:29

The Intentional Mystery Behind Madison's Witchiest Bar

City Cast Madison ·

2025/10/30

Want to lean into your witchy side this spooky season? You’re in luck. In today’s show, host Bianca Martin chats with Ryan Huber, co-owner of the downtown craft cocktail bar Oz by Oz, which offers a "wicked" good time for Madison cocktail lovers. Celebrating its fourth birthday on Halloween, Oz by Oz has been celebrating all month with festivities, leading up to a birthday party on Oct. 31. Plus, we finally answer the question on everyone’s mind: how do you actually say this bar’s name?🥕 Join us

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