City Cast Madison

For the first time in state history, Wisconsin has enacted a law that allows law enforcement agencies to charge public records requesters for the cost of redacting video or audio material, like body camera footage. The legislation has rattled local reporters, public officials, and police transparency advocates for its retaliatory nature and overall vague language. Executive producer Hayley Sperling sat down with Tone Madison publisher Scott Gordon to get the details — or lack thereof — on the story. Mentioned on the showA new Wisconsin law undermines the transparency pitch for police body cameras [Tone 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 ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this July 15th episode here:Incogni - Use code CityCast for 55% off the annual plan.

The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin, Hayley Sperling, and Ava Wojnowski recap major court cases, allegations of discrimination against UW-Madison, and a look ahead at your potential weekend plans.Mentioned on the show:Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway Celebrates Wisconsin Supreme Court Ruling Reinstating Ballot Drop Boxes [City of Madison]Ballot drop boxes are allowed again. When will they return in Madison? [Cap Times]Now what? Wisconsin’s public unions prepare for world with fewer Act 10 restrictions [WKOW]“A massive disconnect.” UW unenrolls student with disability from precollege program [Madison365]Restaurant WeekWhat to know before attending this year's Art Fair on the Square [Madison Magazine] La Fête De MarquetteDane County Farmers' Market at Breese Stevens FieldWanna 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 ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 12th episode here:Babbel

Luna’s Groceries first opened on the southwest side of Madison in 2019. It quickly became a local staple with its healthy and diverse food options and strengthened community bonds through its annual block party. Now, Luna’s is expanding with a second location set to open later this year on South Park Street.Host Bianca Martin caught up with Luna’s owner Mariam Nunez to see what’s in store for the next generation of Luna’s Groceries, which also includes plans for a Caribbean restaurant!  Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.Mentioned on the showLuna’s 2024 Block Party Luna’s Groceries to Open Second Location in South Madison [City of 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 ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this July 11th episode here:Babbel

As a professional home maintenance technician with more than a decade of experience, Mercury Stardust can fix just about anything. And as an activist with millions of followers across her social media channels, she’s taught countless people how to live life with more compassion. Known online as the Trans Handy Ma’am, Mercury has built a massive community through her DIY home repair videos and has used her platform to raise awareness and money for LGBTQIA+ causes.Host Bianca Martin sat down with Mercury — who’s a new Madison homeowner herself — to talk about her journey from growing up on a farm in northern Wisconsin, to putting on weekly burlesque shows in Madison, to becoming the sensation she is today.Mentioned on the showSafe and Sound by Mercury StardustHandy Ma’am Hotline podcastWanna 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 ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this July 10th episode here:Babbel

City Cast Madison’s new producer and new Madison resident Phil Surkis has been out on the town taking in your suggestions for how to experience Madison at its best. Today he’s back to report on his latest adventures — including his first fish fry! — along with host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling. It’s time for another installment of Must See Madison.And, if you have a suggestion for Phil, or the whole City Cast team, please let us know here! Mentioned in this episodeMadison’s Best Fish Fry [Madison Minutes]The fragmented visions of a beloved downtown Madison bar [Tone Madison]Mad-City Ski Team Arboretum DriveWanna 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 ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this July 9th episode here:Babbel

Madison is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top cities for bicyclists and pedestrians. In fact, Madison was recently named the 2nd safest city for pedestrians out of the largest 101 metropolitan areas across America. But none of that happened by accident, it’s taken years of planning and careful consideration to turn Madison’s streets into what we recognize today. And the city is already laying the groundwork for the future generation of infrastructure.City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin sat down with the city’s director of transportation Tom Lynch to get a look at what’s working and what needs improvement.Mentioned on the showMadison’s transportation initiatives [City of Madison]Vision Zero, Explained [Madison Minutes]Madison's most dangerous road: the uphill fight to make East Washington Avenue safer [WKOW]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. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 3rd episode here:BabbelLooking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Madison can often be found at the top of many “best of” lists, but did you know our city has one of the best flags in the country? The North American Vexillological Association rated the designs of a whopping 312 flags and Madison’s got top marks.Host Bianca Martin sat down with Ted Kaye, the nation’s foremost authority on flag design and author of the NAVA booklet “‘Good’ Flag, ‘Bad’ Flag”, to chat about about what makes a well-designed flag, why Madison’s flag is so great (and Wisconsin’s isn’t…), and what makes a tattoo-worthy flag.Check out NAVA’s 2022 survey results to see which flags got an A grade, and which ones got an F. More on the history behind Madison’s flag.And here’s Roman Mars’ 2015 TED Talk about “why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you've never noticed.”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. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 5th episode here:BabbelLooking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from all 13 City Cast daily local podcast hubs to talk about what stories they’re watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Listen in for how Bianca Martin's story stacks up against the rest.Don’t forget to VOTE FOR US for Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison 2024 awards! City Cast Madison is up for best local podcast and our newsletter Madison Minutes is up for best local news website. Vote here.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. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 3rd episode here: BabbelLooking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Tenney Park, Olbrich Gardens, and food carts — oh my! The City Cast Madison team is back with another installment of Must See Madison, where we take on Madison’s must-see attractions and hidden gems. This week, producer Phil Surkis explored Madison’s natural beauty and indulged in some good eats. He caught up with host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling to debrief his latest discoveries. Do you have a suggestion for Phil and the team? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm.Mentioned in the showTenney Park [City of Madison]The Best Places to Cry in Madison [Madison Minutes]Gloria’s Mexican RestaurantOlbrich Botanical GardensRare corpse flower blooms at Olbrich Botanical Gardens [Cap Times]Common PastaWanna 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. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 2nd episode here:BabbelLooking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

School’s out, summer is in session, and if you have a kiddo, you might be wondering what to do. Host Bianca Martin caught up with Aaron Seligman, the writer and publisher behind the Macaroni KID Madison website, to get all the best restaurants, parks, and pools to bring your littles and bigs to this summer. Macaroni KID’s recommendations:2024 Fourth of July Events Around MadisonSummer outdoor fun - anytimeSeven Fun Activities to Try on a Rainy Day - and some local outingsMadison Area Summer Reading Programs & Library EventsParks & Playgrounds to Check Out!Mentioned on the show:A Decade of Wonder With Madison Children's Museum DirectorWanna 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 ads.