City Cast Madison

This week, UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced that she will be leaving Wisconsin to become the president of Columbia University in New York City. Governor Tony Evers chided the city of Madison for arguing in a lawsuit that absentee voting is a privilege, not a right. And locals are activating in protests against recent ICE activity in Minneapolis. City Cast host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas break down all this news. Plus, there's big news in the Madison food scene once again.  Mentioned on the show: Kavanaugh’s Esquire Club closes, for real this this time [Cap Times]Himali Chulo carries on Himal Chuli’s legacy [Wisconsin State Journal] Madison participates in nationwide solidarity shutdown [Instagram] Chef Elena Terry to open Tall Grass restaurant in MMoCA [MMoCA] 👋 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 January 30th episode: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Wonder Palette Camp

The semifinalists for the “Oscars of the food world” have officially been announced, and Madison is well represented. This year, three Madison spots are up for James Beard Awards, which is a pretty big deal, as Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians put it. Today, host Bianca Martin chats with Lindsay about the local names making a national splash, what the competition looks like, and what you should order from these spots.  🥕 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 January 29th episode: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Wonder Palette Camp

It might be cold outside, but things are always hot in Madison’s kink scene. From the city’s historic red light district to current day Leather + Lace events at Crucible, Madison has a thriving community of people who like to explore their freaky side in community.  Today, host Bianca Martin steps into this world with Lili Luxe, a local consent advocate and longtime host of many of Madison’s kinkiest events. This episode originally aired Feb. 12, 2025. 👋 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 January 28th episode: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Wonder Palette Camp

At the beginning of the year, we predicted the story to watch in 2026 would be the future of data centers in Madison. Well, the city has declared that this year will NOT be the year of data centers. Earlier this month, the Madison Common Council unanimously passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. Host Bianca Martin talks with District 3 Alder Derek Field, a sponsor of the ordinance, about what the council is hoping to achieve with the pause.  👋 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 January 27th episode: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Wonder Palette Camp

In September, Dane County sought proposals to renovate the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at  Alliant Energy Center. They received a single response. It’s from local concert giant FPC Live, which started as a small business running the box office at the Coliseum and now is largely owned by Live Nation, the world's biggest live entertainment company.  In a piece for Tone Madison, Nick Pjevach, chair of the Madison Arts Commission, wrote “Dane County should apply strict scrutiny of its partnership proposal with FPC Live.” Host Bianca Martin chats with Nick about why he thinks the county should be careful when planning out the future of the publicly owned Coliseum.  👋 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 January 26th episode: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Wonder Palette Camp

What happens if federal immigration and Customs enforcement agents come to Madison? Wisconsin Democratic U.S. Representative Mark Pocan told the media this week that based on activity across the country, it is likely ICE will come to Wisconsin. A recent Cap Times piece lays out how local law enforcement officers will cooperate (or not) with ICE should they carry out raids in Madison. Host Bianca Martin breaks it down with executive producer Hayley Sperling  and newsletter editor Rob Thomas. We also discuss rising utility bills, PFAS clean up funding, and some good food news.  Mentioned on the show:New Mariners Inn development will include a waterfront restaurant [Isthmus] 👋 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.

If it comes between two slices of bread, it’s a sandwich, according to Madison Magazine food editor Emma Waldinger. And for a city of its size, Madison’s sandwich scene is nothing to scoff at. From subs piled high with meats to new classics where tofu is the star, there’s something for just about anyone. On today’s show, host Bianca Martin chats with Emma about Madison’s iconic sandwiches and even comes up with some original creations of their own. Warning: don’t listen on an empty stomach! 🥕 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.

Last year, the Wisconsin Historical Society announced the discovery of a canoe parking lot with 16 ancient canoes in Lake Mendota. Wisconsin Maritime Archeologist Tamara Thomsen made the initial discovery and has been on the forefront of the work to preserve the canoes. She chats with host Bianca Martin and about the significance of the findings, the process of uncovering and preserving these artifacts, the historical context with local tribes, and other maritime archeological work in Wisconsin’s waterways. 👋 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.

After more than a year of failed negotiations, Tellurian Behavioral Health’s detox center closed at the end of 2025, leaving the county without a partner to provide critical public health services. So what happened? The story is complicated to say the least. To help break it down, host Bianca Martin talks to Heidi Wegleitner, Dane County District 2 supervisor and chair of the Health and Human Needs Committee.  👋 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.

TGIF, the City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin and newsletter editor Rob Thomas chat about the pushback to proposed Beltline construction and who the vendors are at the soon-to-open Madison Public Market. Plus, hip hop artist Rob Dz is returning to the stage following a medical emergency last year. He chats with Bianca about what to expect at the WI Hip Hop Fest on Saturday.  Mentioned on the show: MLK Day celebrations and events [City Cast Madison] Give feedback on Beltline plans [Wisconsin Department of Transportation] 👋 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.

The owners behind the Indian-Italian fusion restaurant Zafferano Ristorante are bringing a new concept to the Capitol Square. While their original restaurant sells 200 butter chicken pizzas a day, the new restaurant will feature a Mediterranean menu with East Asian flavors. Eloura is set to open in the former SASS location in February. Host Bianca Martin chats with co-owner Kalyani Venkatraman about the creativity and confidence it takes to create a fusion menu. 🥕 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.

Earlier this month, one unlucky angler dropped his wallet through the ice of Monona Bay, and spent his weekend on a recovery mission. Our friend Pat Hasburgh, owner of D&S Bait and Tackle, would probably recommend putting your wallet in a secure spot before hitting the ice. Pat has all kinds of tips for ice fishers and the curious. He chats with City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin about how to safely fish on the Madison’s lakes. Pat is the voice behind the weekly fishing report at 608-BIG-FISH.  This year’s Kids Ice Fishing Day is Saturday, January 24th at Brittingham Park. Kids get a free rod and lunch! This episode originally aired on February 5th, 2024.  👋 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.

Maybe you’ve seen reality TV stars and influencers recover from a night out with an IV vitamin drip at their bedside and chalked it up to a luxury exclusively for the rich and famous. But accessing IVs outside of a hospital room has become more accessible in recent years. To understand the IV vitamin therapy trend, host Bianca Martin chats with Shahayra Majumder, franchise owner of Hydrate IV Bar, which is slated to open on Madison’s west side in March.  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.

One of Madison’s coolest buildings celebrates  a major milestone this year. The Unitarian Meeting House in Shorewood Hills is a noted architectural landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Its unique and distinctive design has earned it national  acclaim. This year, the building is celebrating its 75th birthday with an array of events. To get the scoop on this space, host Bianca Martin talks to March Schweitzer, president of the Friends of the Meeting House. 🥳 The celebrations start tomorrow! Learn 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.  🏠 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.

Earlier this week, the village board in DeForest denied a petition from residents'  to require a referendum before annexing the land of a future data center. Virginia-based company QTS has proposed a $12 billion data center on farmland just outside of town, and are negotiating with DeForest officials to bring utilities to the property. Host Bianca Martin breaks down the news with executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob Thomas. Plus, who’s going to be on the 2026 spring election ballot, and why are there so many Badgers on the USA Olympic women’s hockey team?  Mentioned on the show: Himal Chuli closed on New Years [Cap Times]Madison’s first woman’s sports bar [City Cast 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!  📧 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.

In the aftermath of folks getting together and traveling over the holidays, people are getting sick and feeling miserable. It’s time to break out the feel-better foods. Host Bianca Martin chats with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about what to cook and what to order when you’re under the weather.   This episode originally aired on February 20, 2025. 🥕 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.

Winter is in full force – even if the snow is slowly melting. From ice skating at one of Madison’s many outdoor rinks to snowshoeing in the park, our city is a winter wonderland. Host Bianca Martin chats with Destination Madison content manager Ashley Pettay about all the fun winter activities you should try this winter.  P.S. Check the status of the City of Madison’s 20 ice rinks 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.  🏠 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.

When lawmakers signed a federal spending bill to reopen the government after its longest closure in history, it also closed the loophole that had opened the door to the booming hemp-derived THC market seen across Wisconsin today. Now, the clock is ticking for state lawmakers to find a solution to regulate and potentially legalize cannabis products or see the end of this billion-dollar industry in Wisconsin. To get into the, ahem, weeds of it all, executive producer Hayley Sperling speaks with Phillip Scott, president and founder of the Wisconsin Hemp Farmers and Manufacturers Association, and owner of Crone Apothecary. 👋 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.

Nobody understands a city’s pulse quite like a City Cast host — and that makes them the best predictors for 2026’s biggest local stories. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin joins CEO David Plotz and the other 12 hosts from across the network to talk about the big changes coming to our cities, from political shifts to data centers. 👋 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!

Happy New Year! We’ve officially made it to 2026 and are celebrating with a fresh monthly guide for your listening pleasure. In today’s show, host Bianca Martin catches up with executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob Thomas to talk about what they’re looking forward to this month. From Hamilton at the Overture Center and the return of the Freezing Man Concerts at the Sylvee to Winter Restaurant Week and more, there’s plenty to be excited about this January.  👋 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.