City Cast Madison

Attorneys for the City of Madison are threatening to have the Social Justice Center declared a public nuisance in court. They say police have been called to the Willy Street location more than 300 times since January 2025. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin talks with creative producers Rob Thomas and Jade Iseri-Ramos about the nuanced situation. The team also talks about a proposal to increase the juror day-rate in Dane County and two new businesses coming to Monroe Street and Willy Street. Plus, in our Neighbor-exclusive segment,we get heated about local ice cream news.  👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison 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 September 18th episode: Madison Public Library Foundation

Have you ever wondered about the history of sausage in Wisconsin? Jesse Brookstein has. In his new book, Best of the Wurst: Weird and Wonderful Stories of Wisconsin Sausage, Brookstein explores the expansive love for Wisconsin sausages, from tailgate brats to Oscar Mayer wieners. On today’s show, host Bianca Martin talks with Brookstein about the meat of his book.  In the second half of the episode, Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians breaks down the must-knows of the upcoming Sugar River Fire & Smoke BBQ Festival. It’s a meaty episode!   👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison 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 September 17th episode: Madison Public Library Foundation

The owners of Forward Football Club and Rally Madison are looking to make some big changes to Breese Stevens Field. Big Top Events also operates the city-owned venue which just celebrated its 100th birthday. Their proposed changes would make the venue more appealing to touring musicians and a future women’s professional soccer team.  Host Bianca Martin talks with Rob Chappell, executive editor at Madison365 and host of the 608 Soccer Show, about these changes. Rob also gives us an update on the current Forward FC season. Spoiler alert: the Flamingos are good this year! Plus we continue the conversation about generative AI with Ross Dahlke, assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison 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! 📓 If you enjoyed today's interview with the President of Madison Public School Foundation, Mo Cheeks, learn more here. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this September 16th episode: Madison Public Library Foundation

This October marks the 25th year of the YWCA Madison Racial Justice Summit. Ahead of the two-day conference, City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin talks with Libby Tucci, YWCA’s Learning and Movement Building Director, about making space for hard conversations and centering grief, joy and rest while dismantling systemic racism. Then, Bianca talks with keynote speaker Kazu Haga, trainer and practitioner of nonviolence and restorative justice. They discuss “fierce vulnerability”  and internal healing for sustainable movements. 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison 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 September 15th episode: Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau Madison Public Library Foundation

Wisconsin is set to receive at least $219 million from Meta as part of a multi-state settlement over allegations the social media company harmed kids. On today’s episode, host Bianca Martin interviews Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, who says at least half of the funds will go to support youth mental health and that Meta must also put in place safety features for minors on their apps. Kaul also discusses a $10 million PFAS settlement and explains the Department of Justice’s process for investigating fatal officer-involved shootings, like the Corey Ruiz case. 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison 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 September 14th episode: Wisconsin Union Theater Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau Madison Public Library Foundation