City Cast Madison

The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin and producer Phil Surkis recap Madison’s groundbreaking celebration at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture during this year’s Juneteenth. City Council addresses the complicated issue surrounding the lack of affordable housing with the approval of four new housing projects. Plus, UW-Madison food scientis...

It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Especially while reclining on a blanket, enjoying a meal in one of Madison’s over 300 parks. It’s picnic season! But, where to go? What to bring? What about bugs?! Do not worry, City Cast has you covered. Today, we’re talking with a picnic professional! Host Bianca Martin sits down with Elizabeth Morrison of Lizzy’s Picnics to talk about her favorite spots,...

One of the things that makes Madison such a special city is the pride that people show when talking about their favorite places to eat, or things to do around town.  Since our new City Cast producer, Phil Surkis, is a new resident, we’ve been asking our listeners and the readers of Madison Minutes to give him suggestions on where to go, what to eat and things to do.  Well, Phil has been about town...

This Juneteenth marks the much-anticipated groundbreaking of The Center for Black Excellence and Culture on their new 37,000-square-foot, three story center, scheduled to open in late 2025. The Center plans to offer a cultural and educational space for Wisconsin’s Black communities to tell stories, create, and celebrate their achievements. Last May, host Bianca Martin spoke with Rev. Dr. Alex Gee,...

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin and producer Phil Surkis recap three separate tragic shooting incidents that occurred this past weekend and how Madison was named 2nd safest U.S. city for pedestrians. Plus, Dane County is seeking nominations for its own Underrepresented Communities Historical Markers Program! Mentioned on the show: ‘A very violent wee...

After almost 3 decades at the Dane County Farmers Market, Chris & Lori’s Bakehouse is celebrating its last year on the Capitol square. The bakery enjoys a cult-following for its signature scones and cow cookies and has even been named as one of Madison’s most iconic eats by Destination Madison. So why are they leaving? Host Bianca Martin spoke with co-owner Lori Robson about just that. Plus, she g...

Madisonian’s love to bike. We even have a whole week dedicated to it! So when a Madison Minutes reader introduced us to MadTown BMX, we knew we had to go full throttle into learning more about this Madison gem. Host Bianca Martin spoke with the track’s operator Brian Stouffer about hosting the state championship races, how to join a beginner league, and what makes this sport fun for everyone from...

Madison, like all of us, contains multitudes, so getting to know it is a huge task. Luckily, producer and city newcomer Phil Surkis is up to the challenge. With the help of suggestions from Madison Minutes readers, Phil is trying to visit all of Madison’s must-see attractions. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling get his thoughts and share their own takes on these Mad Town cla...

This weekend, some of Wisconsin’s best musicians are playing one of our most beautiful venues in the second annual Dirt Camp festival. Host Bianca Martin caught up with one of the festival’s organizers, Joe Copeland, to talk about who's playing, what to expect, and why they wanted to host a festival at The Vines. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madi...

The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Podcast host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling break down the complicated legal case brought against Trump allies’ fake elector scheme.  Plus: why will it cost more to use Madison’s parking garages during special events, and a father in Baraboo charged with disorderly conduct after he charged the school’s Black...

There’s a cookbook out that showcases the ingredients and flavors of Madison. And we’re gonna stop ya right there, it is WAY more than brats and cheese curds. It features recipes from the farmers, chefs and shoppers who frequent the Dane County Farmers’ Market, one of the oldest and largest in the country. With recipes for curtido to panzanella to ratatouille, and gorgeous photos of the food and t...

Madison is getting a new music venue, but unlike other spaces in the city — the priority isn’t the audience but instead the musicians. Muso is the brainchild of Hoot’n Annie String Band members Prentice Berge and Cindy Murphy, who wanted to create a space for musicians to rehearse and just enjoy playing in Madison. Host Bianca Martin got a sneak peek of the space, and got into the rhythm and reaso...

Do you have a special place where you like to take out-of-towners? How do you show them how utterly cool, unique and amazing our big little city is? A stroll at Picnic Point? A bloody mary at Mickey’s?  We asked the readers of Madison Minutes for their favorite Madtown things to do, places to go, food to eat, and more. The response has been fantastic! This special episode finds the City Cast Madis...

Madison is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best cities for biking, and this week we’re celebrating our cycling community. Madison Bike Week kicked off June 1 and is jam packed with family festivities, fun rides, and the best beverages and bites. Host Bianca Martin spoke with Eleanor Conrad and Harald Kliems, the president and former president of Madison Bikes, about the more than 70 eve...

If you’re new around here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Madison community.  Could there be a more perfect month than June? Perhaps. But frankly, June in Madison is an amazing concoction of festivals, gorgeous weather, Pride, and in general, just letting your freak flag fly, as they say! For even more tips on how to m...

We’ve entered summer food festival season! From brats to strawberries to gluten-free fare — we’ve got it all. Host Bianca Martin sits down with Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians who’s been covering the upcoming Madison-area food festivals. Plus, we get a preview of new and soon-to-come local restaurants.   10 local food festivals celebrate spirits, pasta, mustard, and more [Cap Times] Open...

Understanding Madison’s city budget can feel like a real head scratcher. How can the city have a surplus this year, but be talking about a deficit for next year? If the city has had a budget deficit for the past 14 years, why is this the year the Common Council is considering a referendum to increase property taxes? And most of all, how can a city that is undergoing such an economic boom be strugg...

Though the Biden Administration ended the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration last May, many Madisonians still don’t feel safe at public gatherings. Whether it’s due to concerns around long COVID or complications from existing health conditions, many of Madison's events and spaces aren’t accessible to them. Host Bianca Martin spoke with Tara Verma, the founder of an organization trying to...

The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week.  Bianca Martin and Hayley Sperling recap the impacts of Tuesday’s intense storm and the city’s cleanup efforts. The Madison Common Council moved to save three buildings on the 400 block of State Street from demolition. Plus, a St. Paul to Chicago passenger rail, Wisconsin’s second, is in service!  Mentioned on the show: Over 5,00...

Spring in Madison is a great time to find delicious food right in your backyard. And foraging for delectable local morsels means hunting much more than mushrooms. There’s ramps, watercress, dozens of edible weeds… all around you.  But how do you know where to look? And what’s edible… and tasty?   Dylan Brogan sits down with Andy Gricevich, owner of What Got Gathered, for some local foraging pro ti...

2025 might be a rough year for Madison. The city says it is facing a projected $27 million budget shortfall and has to make hard decisions. Between a referendum to raise property taxes and cutting city services, the potential solutions elicit strong opinions, and the city’s been trying to hear them all. Host Bianca Martin spoke with the President of the Common Council, Yannette Figueroa Cole, abou...

We’re in the peak period for spring bird migration. And Madison is a prime spot to experience the majesty of homecoming of our winged friends. Host Bianca Martin asks  local bird nerd and co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin Dexter Patterson aka “The Wisco Birder” about the season so far, birding tips for our local patch, and what to expect from his new podcast The Bird Joy Podcast. :...

Just over two weeks ago, Mt. Horeb experienced an unsettling tragedy. On May 1, an eighth grader with a pellet gun attempted to break into Mt. Horeb Middle School, and he was then shot and killed by police. Host Bianca Martin sat down with the reporter who broke the story, executive editor of Madison 365 Rob Chappell, to ask about how the community is faring in the wake of the shooting and what le...

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin and Hayley Sperling recap the Wisconsin Supreme court case about the ballot box ban, the groundbreaking of a forever chemical treatment facility, and how to prepare for the wildfire smoke coming down from Canada. Plus, we introduce Madison’s very own Lil’ Sebastian. Mentioned on the show: Wisconsin supreme court appears poi...

It’s officially festival season in Madison! But, out of all the festivals happening this year, only one will transport you to Norway in 30 minutes. It’s the annual Syttende Mai Festival, which has celebrated Norwegian Heritage in Stoughton for over 70 years! So, come for the cream puffs and Lefse, but stay for the Viking Games Strongman Competition. City Cast Madison's Hayley Sperling caught up wi...