City Cast Madison

It’s been a rough week for the City Clerk’s office. With investigations underway and its leader put on leave, City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin outlines the events that got us here. Speaking of investigations, executive producer Hayley Sperling gives the latest on a federal inquiry into alleged antisemitism at UW-Madison and other universities across the country. But it’s not all bad news this week — our snowplows have names! Plus, newsletter editor Rob Thomas has the details on all the St. Paddy’s Day fun happening this weekend in Madison. Sláinte!Mentioned on the show:Witzel-Behl placed on leave three weeks before spring election [Isthmus]UW-Madison update on Title VI complaint [UW-Madison]Federal Funding Cuts Could Be “Disastrous” for UW [ 🎧 City Cast Madison]Announcing the 2025 Plow Names! [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 and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 14th episode:Doyenne Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandy Old Fashioned? Check. Friday fish fry? Of course. Enduring nostalgia? Yes, please. These are just a few of the things that make Wisconsin supper clubs special. But supper clubs are so much more than strong drinks and indulgent food. They represent part of Wisconsin’s identity. To get the dish on what elevates a spot from simply being a restaurant to being a full supper club, we caught up with Madison Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Andrea Behling, who recently published the definitive Wisconsin supper club criteria list.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 March 13th episode:Doyenne Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The bagpipes will be back on the Capitol Square this weekend for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. With the official holiday mere days away, how are you celebrating? If you’re Fitchburg alder Gabriella Gerhardt, you’re adding to your world-record-setting four-leaf clover collection.Four-leaf clovers, technically a genetic mutation of the common three-leaf variety, are considered lucky due to their rarity. Gerhardt already holds the Guinness Book of World Record honors for “Most four-leaf clovers collected in one hour” and “Most four-leaf clovers collected in eight hours.” She’s got a whole room in her house devoted to them.We’re revisiting our conversation with her today to get her secrets on finding these treasures.This show originally aired March 14, 2023.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 March 12th episode:Doyenne Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Election Day is April 1. In case you missed it, every single Madison City Council seat is up for grabs. But what does the City Council do anyways? And how can you stay engaged with the people making the decisions that impact your daily life? We caught up with outgoing District 2 Ald. Juliana Bennett to get the scoop.Want to know about the statewide elections on your ballot? Check out our conversation with Cap Times reporter Andrew Bahl.Find your alder here. And don’t forget to vote! You can find your polling place and more 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! 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 March 11th episode:Doyenne Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In case you somehow missed it, the spring election is right around the corner! Early voting starts March 18. There’s plenty to be excited about, from the hotly contested state Supreme Court race to the proposed constitutional amendment on voter ID. To get a better understanding of the statewide choices all Wisconsinites will see on their ballots, we spoke with Cap Times state government reporter Andrew Bahl.Mentioned on the showCap Times election coverageMyVote WisconsinWanna 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 March 10th episode:Doyenne Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another Friday means it’s time for another Friday news roundup! This week, the team dives into the drama unfolding at Kavanaugh's Esquire Club as well as how federal job cuts are impacting Wisconsin. Plus, the Madison community remembers Tony Robinson Jr. 10 years after his death. Mentioned on the show:GoFundMe for Esquire Club StaffFederal Funding Cuts Could Be “Disastrous” for UW [🎧 City Cast Madison]Why Tony Robinson's Grandmother Is Still Fighting [🎧 City Cast Madison]17 teen leaders to compete to become B&GC's 'State Youth of the Year' winner [Channel 3000]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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring is on its way, which means farmers' markets, CSA boxes, and fresh local produce will be here soon. One local non-profit is gearing up for a busy growing season with new leadership at the helm. State Representative Francesca Hong is stepping into the role of board president for Rooted, which offers opportunities for urban farming and distributes produce to underserved local communities. Host Bianca Martin chats with Rep. Hong and Rooted Co-Executive Director Hedi Rudd about the changes to the organization, the Troy Farm CSA  and their commitment to food and land access for all. 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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to cities getting what they want from the Wisconsin state Legislature, it’s all about who you know. To help get the right people paying attention to its needs, the City of Madison recently hired The Welch Group, a high-profile, conservative-led lobbying firm. To get his take on whether or not this is a good move for the city, we spoke with former Madison mayor Dave Cieslewicz.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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Across Wisconsin and across the nation, local TV news teams are shrinking. Earlier this year, Allen Media Group — which owns Madison’s WKOW — announced it would scrap local meteorologists and turn weather forecasts over to The Weather Channel in Atlanta. The media giant later reversed its decision but had many people wondering: is the future of local TV news at risk? We caught up with media expert and UW-Madison journalism professor Mike Wagner to find out. 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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants partially fund hundreds of research projects at UW-Madison each year. NIH covers about 55% of the indirect costs of research funding on campus, but last month they announced a new standard indirect rate of 15% across all NIH grants. What does this mean for researchers at the university? Host Bianca Martin sat down with the Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Dr. Jo Handelsman and Teaching Assistant Association co-president Madeline Topf to understand the impact of this cut which is currently being challenged in court.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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices