City Cast Madison

The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week, and what a week it’s been.Host Bianca Martin is joined by executive director of WayForward Resources Ellen Carlson to recap how Madison’s food pantries are struggling to find solutions to the growing issue of food insecurity. Additionally, executive producer Hayley Sperling and interim newsletter editor Ava Wojnowski join to help break down the two referendums the Madison Metropolitan School District put on the ballot this November. On top of that, a draft order leaked about a case the state Supreme Court has agreed to hear on abortion. Plus, two Madison “Ninja Warriors” run, climb, and jump for greatness.Mentioned on the show:WayForward ResourcesMany Dane County food pantries are spending more on food than ever before [WPR]$607M property tax hike for Madison public schools now up to voters [The Cap Times]Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear high-profile abortion rights case, draft order shows [Wisconsin Watch]Madison 'Twinjas' hit semifinals of 'American Ninja Warrior' [The Cap Times]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 June 28th episode here:BabbelMadison 365Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

If you’re new around here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Madison community. There’s an abundance of activities to experience and enjoy in Madison this July, including festivals, art fairs, and fireworks. City Cast Madison’s Hayley Sperling, Ava Wojnowski, and Phil Surkis round up some of their favorite July highlights.For even more tips on how to make the most of July in Madison, check out our full list in Madison Minutes. Volunteer for AtwoodFest 2024 hereDon’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 June 27th episode here:BabbelMadison 365Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Wild weather and extreme heat have been affecting us all here at City Cast Madison, so we wanted to learn more about the science behind why. Host Bianca Martin sits down with Steve Vavrus, state climatologist and director of the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, to chat about Wisconsin’s “Lost Winter”, being a drought-free state, and what it means to be a climate haven.Why Madison Has Been So Hot, Smoky and Dry [City Cast Madison]Meet Wisconsin’s new state climatologist, Steve Vavrus [UW News]Wisconsin Climate Summaries [Wisconsin State Climatology Office]Winter 2023–24 Climate Summary [Wisconsin State Climatology Office]Extreme Weather Index (EWI) [Wisconsin State Climatology Office]Wisconsin is finally drought-free after a year. Here's what that means for the state [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this June 26th episode here:BabbelMadison 365

We’ve been asking you, our listeners, as well as the readers of Madison Minutes to suggest your favorite, most iconic Madison experiences. Why? Because City Cast producer Phil Surkis is very new to town. So with your help, we’ve been putting him through a sort of Madison immersion therapy and then talking about it on Tuesdays. We think it’s working!Phil received more than a few suggestions to go to the Memorial Union Terrace, including one from host Bianca Martin, who just emceed the Madison Jazz Festival on the terrace! Bianca and Phil sat down to talk about what is arguably Madison’s most iconic location.And, if you have a suggestion for Phil, or the whole City Cast team, please let us know here!Mentioned in this episode: The Lower Yahara River Trail Memorial Union Madison Jazz Festival 2024 The Brat Stand Der Rathskeller The Daily Scoop Babcock Ice Cream 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 June 25th episode here:BabbelMadison 365Don’t forget to vote for us in Madison Magazine’s 2024 Best of Madison contest! City Cast Madison is up for best local podcast and Madison Minutes is up for best local news website. 

Summertime in Madison is always such a treat, so City Cast Madison wants to maximize our time outdoors by enjoying live music at this year’s Concerts on the Square series on the Capitol Square. This free weekly summer concert series, which kicks off this Wednesday, is organized by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and has been a staple Madison tradition since 1983. Host Bianca Martin sits down with Music Director of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Andrew Sewell to learn more about the programming, best practices, and impact of these concerts for music lovers. Sewell also shares about his most stressful and most memorable concert moment as he celebrates his 25th season as conductor of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. VOTE for us in 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’.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.

The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin and producer Phil Surkis recap Madison’s groundbreaking celebration at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture during this year’s Juneteenth. City Council addresses the complicated issue surrounding the lack of affordable housing with the approval of four new housing projects. Plus, UW-Madison food scientists research the chemistry behind no-melting ice cream.Mentioned on the show:Madison Center for Black Excellence finally breaks ground [The Cap Times]Rev. Dr. Alex Gee reflects on Center for Black Excellence and Culture groundbreaking [Channel 3000]Madison City Council approves Old Sauk Road, Essen Haus, tiny house village developments [Wisconsin State Journal]400-ton Downtown Madison apartment building begins slow trek to new location [Wisconsin State Journal]Housing shortage drives Madison city council approval of new projects [Isthmus]UW-Madison Department of Food Science researches “no melt” ice cream [ Channel 3000]VOTE for us in 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’.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. 

It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Especially while reclining on a blanket, enjoying a meal in one of Madison’s over 300 parks. It’s picnic season! But, where to go? What to bring? What about bugs?! Do not worry, City Cast has you covered. Today, we’re talking with a picnic professional!Host Bianca Martin sits down with Elizabeth Morrison of Lizzy’s Picnics to talk about her favorite spots, mitigating “the bug problem”, and her go-to eats. Morrison also discusses her own business where she designs and executes custom picnics! VOTE for us in 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’.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.

One of the things that makes Madison such a special city is the pride that people show when talking about their favorite places to eat, or things to do around town. Since our new City Cast producer, Phil Surkis, is a new resident, we’ve been asking our listeners and the readers of Madison Minutes to give him suggestions on where to go, what to eat and things to do. Well, Phil has been about town, and now is back to report on his findings, along with host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling.Buckle up for our third installment of what we’re calling “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 episode The Cardinal Bar Crucible Five Sotto Tavern Nakaya Elvehjem Community Garden Marquette Waterfront Festival El Sabor De Puebla Green Owl Cafe Alchemy Cafe Warner Park International Crane Foundation 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.

This Juneteenth marks the much-anticipated groundbreaking of The Center for Black Excellence and Culture on their new 37,000-square-foot, three story center, scheduled to open in late 2025. The Center plans to offer a cultural and educational space for Wisconsin’s Black communities to tell stories, create, and celebrate their achievements.Last May, host Bianca Martin spoke with Rev. Dr. Alex Gee, the founder and visionary instrumental to bringing this new cultural center to life. Rev. Gee is also the pastor of Fountain of Life Church, the founder and CEO of Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, the host of the Black Like Me podcast.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.

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin and producer Phil Surkis recap three separate tragic shooting incidents that occurred this past weekend and how Madison was named 2nd safest U.S. city for pedestrians. Plus, Dane County is seeking nominations for its own Underrepresented Communities Historical Markers Program!Mentioned on the show:‘A very violent weekend’: Three Madison shootings in three days [The Cap Times]MPD chief details plans to reduce gun violence in Madison [Channel 3000]Madison Ranked #2 in Country in Pedestrian Safety [City of Madison]Dane County seeks nominations for Underrepresented Communities Historical Markers Program [Channel 3000]MPD is asking anyone who has any information or video related to last weekend’s shootings to contact their department. Information can also be sent to Madison Area Crime Stoppers online or call 608-266-6014.Submit a location for nomination for Dane County Historic Markers program.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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.