City Cast Madison

We’ve all heard that there’s a teacher shortage both nationally and here in Madison; but what’s being done about it? One solution growing in popularity in Madison is hiring teachers on temporary “emergency licenses.” This allows anyone with a bachelor's degree in any subject to start working as a teacher while they work towards qualifying for their full teaching license. On today’s episode, Host B...

It’s time to close the books on January and round up another week of news. This week, City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin explains how a federal funding freeze could cause adverse ripple effects throughout Madison. Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas has the latest on the Madison Labor Temple’s search for a buyer. And executive producer Hayley Sperling talks about the expansion of the CA...

Happy February, Madison! A new month means it’s time for a new guide. The City Cast Madison team is here with our recommendations for making the most out of February in our fair city. From winter festivals and local markets, to chili cook offs and movie marathons, we’ve got you covered. If you’re new around here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to wel...

Today we’re talking about a hot topic that is ice cold. The City of Madison is forgiving $1.6 million of debt owed by Madison Ice, Inc, the nonprofit that ran Madison’s two ice arenas. As is usually the case with government spending, the details are messy — but Wisconsin State Journal city hall reporter Lucas Robinson breaks down the key points of the deal with Host Bianca Martin. Wanna talk to us...

Last week, Governor Tony Evers declared 2025 to be the “Year of the Kid” during his info-packed State of the State address; but what does that even mean? Host Bianca Martin sits down with Cap Times politics and state government reporter Erin McGroarty to unpack the plans, promises, and unending barrage of applause from Evers’ State of the State address. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us...

After four years leading the department, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes is leaving his post at the end of the month. He’s off to Seattle, where he’ll become that city’s next top cop. We sat down with Barnes ahead of his departure to get his perspective on what’s going well for our city when it comes to law enforcement, and what challenges the next police chief will face. Wanna talk to us about a...

Happy Friday, Madison! The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. This week host Bianca Martin chats with executive producer Hayley Sperling and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos about the stories you need to know.  Jade kicks off the show with an explainer of President Trump’s executive orders regarding citizenship and deportation and how to be prepared for when ICE comes to tow...

Madison’s restaurant scene is off to a hot start in 2025 with a ton of new openings. It’s a lot to keep track of, but don’t worry—we have you covered! Host Bianca Martin sits down with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians to talk about the most delectable new restaurants you need to try. Check out Lindsay’s writeup of new restaurants in the Cap Times! We’re doing a survey to learn...

Earlier this month, The UW Geology Museum announced the discovery of the oldest known dinosaur in the northern hemisphere, dating back 230 million years. The two bone fragments, small enough to put in your pocket, were discovered in Wyoming in 2013 by Dr. Dave Lovelace and a field crew. The chicken-sized dinosaur is called Ahvaytum bahndooiveche. Host Bianca Martin chats with Lovelace about Ahvayt...

The recent single digit temperatures, and the thickening of the ice means it’s definitely ice fishing season! But what is it actually like for those hardy fishermen out on the ice? Host Bianca Martin gets the inside scoop from the voice behind everyone’s favorite fishing report: Pat Hasburgh. You can find Pat’s weekly fishing report online at the D&S Bait, Tackle & Fly Shop’s website or call the h...

It’s Friday, so the City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin sits down with Newsletter Editor Rob Thomas and Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos to chat about the big stories in Madison. Jade gives the update on the city’s decision to forgive $1.6 million to save the two Madison indoor ice rinks, under specific conditions. Bianca explains Governor Evers’ executive order to...

Twice a year, dozens of local restaurants put together special menus to delight diners for Restaurant Week. This year’s Winter Restaurant Week is almost here, running from Jan. 19 through Jan. 24. To get the scoop on what to expect, what dishes to get excited about, and get tips from the folks who put on the event, City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin speaks with Madison Magazine food editor Emma...

Madison comedian Nate Chappell is used to asking questions as the host of the “Several Questions With Nate Chappell” podcast. But after his daughter was diagnosed with autism, Chappell found himself grappling with questions he’s never considered before — questions that ultimately led to his own autism diagnosis last year. On Jan. 20, Chappell is hosting a special live show at Gamma Ray Bar featuri...

As our nation grapples with racial injustice throughout society, the situation has many of us wondering how we can actively work to see the humanity in one another. In Madison, the Goodman South Public Library is hosting a group art exhibition titled “I AM a Man: the Re-humanization of Black Men.” Inspired by curator Sharon Bjyrd’s trip to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the exhibit s...

If you’re new in town and looking for some tips, or if you’ve lived here for years and somehow never heard of taking Highway M to avoid traffic — we’re here to give you the essential hacks you need to thrive in Madison in 2025. From getting the right winter gear to joining a CSA to finding a clean bathroom downtown, we have you covered. Host Bianca Martin sits down with City Cast Madison producer...

We’ve made it through another week, which means it’s time for the Friday news roundup! This week, the whole City Cast Madison team is here to dish on Madison’s top stories. Newsletter editor Rob Thomas talks about the massive fundraiser Culver’s held for the Abundant Life Christian School community following a deadly school shooting in December. Host Bianca Martin gives more context to the impendi...

When January comes around, many folks opt to lose the booze for the month. In a place with a big drinking culture like Wisconsin, though, that can be tough. But for the bartenders at popular downtown establishments Lucille and Merchant, making non-alcoholic cocktails that are just as buzzworthy as their boozy counterparts is a challenge they embrace with open arms.  On today’s show, host Bianca Ma...

Inauguration Day is coming up fast, and nobody knows just how crazy this election was in Wisconsin like Capital Times photo director Ruthie Hauge and state government reporter Erin McGroarty. Ruthie and Erin documented many rallies, campaign events, and the RNC while both candidates spent colossal amounts of time and money trying to win our votes in Wisconsin. Recently, Ruthie and Erin were invite...

In 2010, Mike Gomoll lost his four-year-old son Joey to epilepsy. That same year, Mike channeled his grief into action by creating Joey’s Song, a one-night-only benefit concert in Madison to raise money for epilepsy research. Since then the show has continued to grow and this year, Joey’s Song has become Freezing Man, a four-day music festival this week featuring Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy...

Winter has arrived and while most of us are sleeping, plow drivers across the city are at work. Like choreographed dancers, they all set about their routes, often working up to 16-hour days in some of the worst conditions, all to clear the way for the rest of us to live our lives. As the first female snow plow driver for the City of Madison, Margaret Kraege knows that dance well. Margaret worked f...

For our first Friday news roundup of 2025, we’re doing something special by taking a look at the stories we’ll be watching this year. Bianca Martin, Hayley Sperling, and Rob Thomas talk about some exciting openings we’re looking forward to, like the long-awaited Madison Public Market and Center for Black Excellence. We also take a look at the elections on deck this spring, including an open seat o...

Happy new year, Madison! 2025 is officially here and we’re ready to start the year off right by bringing you a hot and fresh guide on how to make the most of January in our city. From getting outside and taking in all that nature has to offer to checking out some quirky local festivals (juggling, anyone?) and of course honoring MLK Day, there’s a lot to get excited about this month.  If you’re new...

There is a Madisonian whose name you might not know, but you’ve certainly seen his work. He is the photojournalist behind the photo of President Obama in the White House situation room during the Bin Laden raid. He captured the iconic moment when a five-year-old child reached up and touched Obama’s hair, after asking if it was like his own. White House photographer Pete Souza captured history as i...

It’s the new year, and if you're anything like us, one of your resolutions might be to eat out less. With a food scene as good as ours, that can be hard. Luckily Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians can save the day with a bounty of cookbook recommendations for everyone from beginners to experienced bakers, plus some local recommendations. Christians joins host Bianca Martin and former executi...

Ketamine clinics have been popping up around Madison for some time now. While ketamine has been used in the medical field as an anesthetic for decades, its use as a treatment for PTSD, depression and chronic pain has been growing in popularity in recent years. So what is a trip to one of Madison’s clinics really like? We’re revisiting Host Bianca Martin’s conversation with Brian Czapko, co-founder...