City Cast Madison

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 more than 200 apartments on old Oscar Mayer parking lot [Wisconsin State Journal]  Madison businesses hosting Strip Mall Carnival to benefit Clean Lakes Alliance [WMTV] Ride The Drive Madison Comic and Pop Culture Expo Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival 👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 8th episode: Gilda's Club Doyenne Group Overlook Maps

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 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!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 7th episode: Merchant by Rule No. One Hospitality Group Gilda's Club Doyenne Group Overlook Maps

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 get some answers, host Bianca Martin spoke with Amy Good, the organization’s director of development and marketing. 😻 Also mentioned on the show: DCHS’s Clear the Shelter event 👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 6th episode: Gilda's Club Doyenne Group Overlook Maps

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 Vogel. Plus, City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin is getting in a dunk tank? You won’t want to miss this one.  👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 5th episode: Gilda's Club Doyenne Group Overlook Maps

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 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 4th episode: Gilda's Club Doyenne Group Overlook Maps

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 chance.  Mentioned on the show: How the Mallards Threw Madison a Curveball [ 🎧 City Cast Madison] Brewers 9, Cubs 3: Andrew Vaughn smacks a grand slam as Milwaukee sends a Central message [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] 👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. 

Discover a vibrant array of summer activities in Madison, from the lively Dane Dances to the nostalgic Orton Park Fest. Dive into the excitement of upcoming football games while savoring local culinary treasures at the Taste of Madison. Enjoy free rooftop movies at the art museum and celebrate community spirit through the Magic Pride Festival. Don’t miss the new café showcasing delicious banh mi, all while soaking up the last days of summer in this picturesque city.

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? 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. 

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 done to help protect and study our lakes, we spoke with Cap Times investigative reporter Danielle DuClos. 👋 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. 

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 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.  🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.