This week, we’re honoring love in its many forms. We’ll offer you things to do, places to go, and advice on how to care for friends, lovers… and yourself. Looking for a gift for your special someone this Valentine’s Day? Flowers are beautiful, but you know what lasts longer? Plants! With our cold, dry midwest winters, we can use all the fresh oxygen and life we can get this time of year. But where’s a good place to start? We turned to our friends at Olbrich Botanical Garden for a little advice. ...
Feb 08, 2023•15 min
This week, we’re honoring love in its many forms. We’ll offer you things to do, places to go, and advice on how to care for friends, lovers… and yourself. Today, we’re talking about how to survive the unthinkable - when a loved one betrays and hurts you so badly, you can’t imagine how you’ll move on. And yet, you have to. Darcy Luoma had a rewarding career, a successful business, a loving family and a happy marriage. Until the day her husband was arrested for sexual assault of a minor and her li...
Feb 07, 2023•21 min
It’s happening. The onslaught of pink and red in store displays... the candy hearts and chocolate sales... the pressure. Valentine’s Day is coming. Whether you love it or want to run screaming, we’ve got you. This week, we’re honoring love in its many forms. We’ll offer you things to do, places to go, and advice on how to care for friends, lovers… and yourself. Today, we’re talking about how taking time for your own pleasure can be an act of love. We talk to Sami Schalk , UW Madison professor an...
Feb 06, 2023•22 min
It’s Friday and we’re talking about the stories that we’ve been thinking about all week. The whole City Cast Madison team’s here to talk about the city’s need for new housing and the fights over where it should go. Is the Filene House historic and worth saving ? And Madison has big plans to remake the Lake Monona waterfront . Plus, what’s happening with the new Police Civilian Oversight Board ? And yes, there was some snickering this week around a particular sculpture hanging in the Madison Park...
Feb 03, 2023•21 min
Back in early 1970s Madison, there was no farm-to-table movement. There was no farmers market downtown. The Capitol Square was a ghost town at night. There were no standards for organic, much less anything else. None of that dissuaded Odessa Piper. The pioneering chef cut her teeth at Ovens of Brittany , creating the famous gooey, caramelly Morning Bun pastries (waay before the cronut was a twinkle in anyone’s eye, a heavenly mix of cinnamon roll and croissant was born). She went on to start L’E...
Feb 02, 2023•22 min
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 us. So life can go on as usual. Meet Margaret Kraege, the first female snow plow driver for the City of Madison. Also on the show: 🚜 Name these plows ! You have until Friday, February 3rd. 💌 Share your story of finding love in Madison... be it funny, weird, outrageous or j...
Feb 01, 2023•18 min
She’s been called the “ not-so-secret weapon ” of “one of the most accomplished Wisconsin bands of the 21st century”. We sit down with Monica Martin… singer, songwriter, and former lead singer of the local indie band PHOX. She’s now working as a solo artist in Los Angeles, where’s she’s a rising star. We learn about the Madison roots that launched her career… and what it’s REALLY like to be Bianca Martin’s big sister. Find Monica Martin’s new music and tour dates. Other things we mentioned on to...
Jan 31, 2023•23 min
There have been many things said about Madison. Our own mayor once proposed “ 77 Square Miles Surrounded By Reality ” as our official motto. A flamingo is our official city bird, due to a college prank decades ago. But much like our families, you only get to talk smack when you’re on the inside. To the rest of the world, we are fiercely loyal and proud. We are so much more than freezing cold, cheese-eating drunkards. On today’s episode, Bianca Martin and Molly Stentz defend Madison’s honor and p...
Jan 30, 2023•22 min
What if we told you lions would be roaming State Street, devouring heads of lettuce and licking the doors of local businesses? Another day in the life in Madison? Yes, and it’s all part of the celebration of Lunar New Year, happening around the world from January 22 to February 5. In Madison, we’re celebrating on State Street with the Lion Dancers of the Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association. We caught up with owner and lead instructor Nelson Ferreira for a sneak peek. 🦁 See the Lion Dance at Lisa Link ...
Jan 26, 2023•19 min
From potholes and speeders to construction in your neighborhood, local government can make your life easier… or it can infuriate. Who do you want making choices on your behalf? All 20 members of the Madison Common Council are up for election soon… with some interesting twists in some neighborhoods. Producer Dylan Brogan gives us the scoop on who’s on your ballot. Read all about the candidates in Dylan’s article: How the Madison City Council Races are Shaking Out. To register to vote, change your...
Jan 24, 2023•15 min
Madison has no shortage of talented musicians. But how do you discover and find great new bands? The folks at Tone Madison listened to hundreds of new releases and highlighted some of the best new local songs and albums from 2022. We caught up with publisher Scott Gordon to hear a few of his favorite picks. Check them out for yourself: Here’s Tone Madison’s top songs of 2022, pt. I pt. II pt. III and Tone Madison’s top 20 records of 2022 . Also, Madison’s musical odds and ends of 2022 And here’s...
Jan 19, 2023•19 min
The Dane County Jail has problems. Originally built in 1953, officials say it’s outdated, dangerous, and inhumane. It has lead pipes and asbestos. Locks get stuck shut. It has no medical beds or room for rehabilitative programs. County officials have been trying for years to find a plan — and the cash — to build a new jail, so they can finally close down the oldest units on the top floors of the City-County building. The county says they need an additional $14 million to seal the deal and build ...
Jan 17, 2023•18 min
Stella’s Hot and Spicy Cheese Bread has long been a staple of the Dane County Farmers’ Market. The huge loaves are stuffed with gooey hot cheese, flecked with red pepper and are best eaten by tearing off a huge hunk as you stroll around contemplating eating more vegetables. And now, Brian Winzenried of the famed Stella’s family is taking the cheese bread to Panama. What began as a pandemic trip has blossomed into a new business venture, opening this spring. Not only can you enjoy a taste of home...
Jan 12, 2023•21 min
Winter… it divides us into lovers and haters. Whether you’re Team Snow-filled Wonderland or Team Bitter Chill, living in the Midwest, there’s a whole bunch of things you need to know to survive. Come for the biggest alternate side parking hack we know, stay for the great salt debate. We talk to former Cap Times reporter Abby Becker, who wrote a guide on How to survive and thrive in a Madison winter for Madison Minutes . Want to learn more about alternate side parking ? Find out more and sign up ...
Jan 10, 2023•16 min
The Madison School Board has voted: High school students can continue to take dedicated honors classes for core courses like English, math and science. But the district will also expand a program called Earned Honors, where students in regular classes can opt for more rigorous work and get honors credit. But some teachers are frustrated by the current system of sorting kids by achievements, pointing out that it’s become racially segregated. Deidre Jarecki teaches tenth grade English at LaFollett...
Jan 05, 2023•18 min
Happy New Year! And that means it’s resolution season. We asked you for what you wanted to see in Madison in 2023, and you delivered. Plus, the team— Bianca, Molly, and Dylan— share their hopes for the city. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm . Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram !...
Jan 03, 2023•19 min
It’s cozy season and we’ve invited one of our favorite bartenders to show us some fancy winter cocktails we can make at home. They’re perfect for whipping up at your holiday gathering or enjoying cozied up in front of the fireplace. Jeremy Bazely, bartender at the Muskellounge , shares his recipes for Mulled Cider, A Very Blitzened Bianca and Cranberry Ginger Soda . Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm . Want some more Madison news ...
Dec 22, 2022•25 min
The holidays can be stressful and overwhelming enough, without adding in memory loss and other joys of getting older. We may notice our parents and grandparents aging, and wonder how to talk with them about it. Mary Wyman , a clinical psychologist at the Madison VA Hospital , has ideas for how to start those difficult conversations with family who may be showing signs of dementia. And we get tips for making the holidays more enjoyable for everyone. Mary’s resources: AARP: Is It Time for Your Lov...
Dec 20, 2022•18 min
For many of us, the holidays mean family gatherings... and movies. Yet with two more movie theaters closing in Madison this year, it feels like there are fewer options than ever. Will streaming pick up the slack? We ask Rob Thomas , the Cap Times Features Editor, for his picks of what to watch. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm . Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning ne...
Dec 15, 2022•18 min
The Madison School District wants to cut high schools honors courses over concerns they've become segregated. The district fails students of color at an alarming rate. Honors classes are disproportionately white. They’re rolling out a plan to drop standalone honors courses, in favor of “Earned Honors”, where all students take the same classes, but can opt for additional work and gain an honors credit on their transcript. Some students and staff say that the current Earned Honors program isn’t ri...
Dec 13, 2022•18 min
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is officially nonpartisan, but it has increasingly been at the center of political battles from abortion to voting rights. Liberals have their first shot at taking back control of the court in nearly 15 years. With political control of our swing state at stake, we look at why this race is heating up. Jeff Mayers, president of WisPolitics , brings us the latest. The primary election is February 21st. Currently running are Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow , former W...
Dec 08, 2022•17 min
When Governor Evers won re-election, he declared, “We’re going to polka tonight and work tomorrow.” It is our official state dance, after all. Stacy Harbaugh, aka DJ Shotski , agrees wholeheartedly. We talk to Madison’s polka DJ about the state of polka in the capital city. Also in the show: Learn more about the Adult Swim Holiday Craftacular . And the City of Madison’s meeting about Amtrak . Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsl...
Dec 06, 2022•19 min
It’s election season… again?! If you want to run for local office in Madison, the clock’s ticking. You’ve got this month to apply. We talk to Madison’s newest alder to learn what it takes to be part of City Hall. Sabrina Madison represents the far east side of Madison and was appointed in October. Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram !...
Dec 01, 2022•18 min
Madison is home to the first-ever electric fire truck in use in the United States. The truck has saved 60,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in its first year of operation. And Madison firefighters are helping design the next generation of electric vehicles for the country, as cities look to transition their fleet away from diesel-guzzlers. We catch up with Scott Bavery, Dan Belovarac and Josh Balli from the Madison Fire Department to learn how they did it. Want some more Madison n...
Nov 29, 2022•14 min
Introducing City Cast Madison — your guide to Wisconsin’s quirkiest city. We’ll introduce you to some of our favorite people, places, and things— and talk about how we make this city better for everyone. Start your weekday with us… and come meet your neighbors. Beginning November 29th.
Nov 18, 2022•1 min
