As December rolls in, Madison lights up with festive markets and cultural celebrations. Discover the magical atmosphere of holiday fairs and unique local artisans. Enjoy theatrical delights like A Christmas Carol and join in on the vibrant pop-up bars. Don’t miss out on community traditions at Olin Park and musical performances that bring everyone together. Embrace winter with ice skating and snowshoeing while planning for exciting New Year's Eve festivities. It’s all about joy, togetherness, and making the most of the holiday season!

Why do so many college campuses across the U.S. have their own police force? And are they really necessary? Those are the questions at the core of the new “Reorientation” podcast produced by the Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History at UW-Madison. To get the scoop on UWPD’s checkered history and why the center chose to go down this rabbit hole, Host Bianca Martin spoke with the center’s director and podcast co-host Kacie Lucchini Butcher.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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 27th episode here: Madison Symphony Orchestra Lake City Books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Madison’s restaurants, parks, and public spaces accessible to people of all abilities? More so than a lot of cities — but with plenty of room for improvement. On this week’s Must See Madison, host Bianca Martin sits down with disability advocates Autumn Neugent and Martha Siravo to talk about which Madison businesses are doing accessibility well, what steps the city can take to improve accessibility further, and how we can treat each other with empathy rather than sympathy when offering assistance to our neighbors.Check out Martha and Autumn’s adaptive dance nonprofit, Wheels & Heels.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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 25th episode here:Lake City Books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winter is here and now is the time to make sure your house is properly prepped for the season. But where should you start? Home maintenance maven and social media superstar Mercury Stardust joins Host Bianca Martin to share their tips for getting your house or apartment ready for the cold months.Looking for more home repair tips? Check out our previous conversation with Mercury. Plus, check out Mercury’s podcast, Handy Ma’am Hotline.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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 25th episode here:Lake City Books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Friday news roundup, host Bianca Martin talks with Madison Ald. MGR Govindarajan about his efforts to formally censure fellow Ald. Charles Myadze following allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Executive producer Hayley Sperling has the latest on a Minnesota lawsuit that involves Madison Superintendent Joe Gothard. And Newsletter Editor Rob Thomas gives the team an update on some local restaurants.Mentioned on the show:Why So Many Public Officials Have Called For a Madison Alder’s Resignation [ 🎧City Cast Madison]MPD asks hunters to keep an eye out for missing person during gun deer season [Channel 3000]Do you love Madison and have great audio skills? Apply to be the next Producer of City Cast 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! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this November 22nd episode here: DesignCraft Advertising Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and don’t forget the cranberry sauce! Thanksgiving is nearly here and if even the thought of cooking a big meal is stressing you out, sit back and relax because there are plenty of local spots that will help you out. To get a rundown of who’s serving dinner on the holiday and who’s got take-and-bake offerings, Executive Producer Hayley Sperling spoke with freelance reporter Nicole Haase who recently rounded up these local spots for the Cap Times.Looking for more options? We’ve got you covered.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! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 20th episode here: DesignCraft Advertising Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Greg Gelembiuk, a data analyst at Madison’s Office of the Independent Monitor, sheds light on the unique powers of Madison's police oversight agencies, including their ability to subpoena. He discusses the crucial need for community involvement and adequate resources in the face of budget constraints. The talk explores innovative reforms, particularly mobile crisis response units, and highlights the importance of maintaining independence from political influence to ensure accountability and effective policing in the community.

Madison is buzzing with a building boom, blending old and new architectural wonders. The team highlights icons like Monona Terrace and the First Unitarian Society, showcasing their unique designs. They delve into the historical elegance of Science Hall and its intriguing past. North Street transforms from a biotech mystery into a lively community hub with local businesses. The discussion also covers innovative structures like the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra's building, along with cherished landmarks that capture the city's essence.

Wild turkeys were nearly hunted to extinction in Wisconsin in the late 19th century. But now, it’s a great time to be a wild turkey in the Dairy State. Thanks to conservation efforts in the 1970s, wild turkeys are back and have adapted to our urban environment better than ever. UW-Madison wildlife ecology Professor David Drake joins host Bianca Martin to dive into the lives of the turkeys all around us. 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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 18th episode here:DesignCraft AdvertisingWisconsin Chamber Orchestra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week, and what a week it’s been. Executive producer Hayley Sperling digs into the city’s newly approved budgets, while host Bianca Martin unpacks election fallout, including racist texts sent to Black UW-Madison students and U.S. Senate hopeful Eric Hovde’s refusal to concede. Bianca also digs into an abortion case at the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas gives an update to the Southside Elementary naming process. Also mentioned on the show:How Madison neighborhoods voted on the city’s $22M referendum [Cap Times]Holiday Fantasy Lights are up at Olin Park!Top employee at Epic Systems apologizes after arrest on plane [WMTV]Like the show? Come work with us! City Cast Madison is hiring a producer. 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! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 15th episode here:StartingBlockMadison Symphony Orchestra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices