Madison’s fifth annual Ukraine Fest is happening this Saturday, Aug. 22 in Olin Park. The event comes at a time when 100,000 Ukrainian refugees in the U.S. are awaiting a decision by the Trump administration on whether or not to extend their Temporary Protected Status. Host Bianca Martin and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos talk with Allison Suchon from Friends of Ukraine Madison about the festival and the heightened anxiety among the Ukrainian community. 

Then, MAMA 2026 DJ of the Year DJ Femme Noir (aka Tempestt Ballenger) joins the show to talk about the state of Madison’s queer dance scene. Finally, we discuss the newly opened Madison Public Market. Spoiler alert: it features several vendors, excellent bathrooms, and paid parking. 

👋 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 August 20th episode:

Have you been hearing F-35 jets flying overhead late into the night? For the last two weeks, the Wisconsin Air National Guard has been conducting night training. Many of us in the flight path have been experiencing the booming jet noise as late as 10:30 p.m. On today’s show, host Bianca Martin talks with retired Madisonian Scott Pigg about his online project to track how loud the F-35s are and share real-time data with Madison residents.

👋 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 August 19th episode:

Are you struggling to make a dinner reservation at a restaurant this week? You’re probably experiencing the influx of people who are in Madison for Epic Systems’ annual conference, known as UGM. On today’s show, host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling talk about UGM and a new antitrust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission into Epic. Meanwhile, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Madison says it lost $100,000 in business while the Williamson St. store was closed following the shooting of Corey Ruiz, the cCity aAttorney says the Office of the Independent Police Monitor can’t access policeMPD records yet in the Ruiz investigation, and Madison redditors solve the mystery of the dug-up stones.

Mentioned the show:

Impacted businesses on Willy St 

Gofundme for employees who work on Willy St

👋 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 August 18th episode:

Bike The Barns

The new Teejop Community Art Project is a citywide series of temporary art installations by seven Indigenous artists honoring Madison’s Indigenous community and cultural history. Artist, educator, and founding executive director of Little Eagle Arts Foundation Melanie Tallmadge Sainz joins today’s show to discuss her piece in the project, made in collaboration with Lightning the Earth New Rider at the UW Arboretum. 

Then, City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos unpack a new proposal to redevelop the vacant Wonder Bar and Coliseum Bar site. Plus, we hear from you in our mailbag segment! ❤️

👋 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 August 17th episode:

Ever want to know how many mattresses Madison throws away? It’s a lot, but Dane County officials hope that, someday, the bulk of it can be recycled — and that all starts with the construction of the “sustainability campus” that’s currently underway. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin tells David all about the scope and the hopes of this future site, and how it differs from those of a conventional landfill, as well as how Dane County’s prior business savvy set it up for success (with no need for additional taxpayer dollars). As cities fret to find more landfill space for their constituents, Dane County has a plan.

Mentioned on the show:

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Today, the family of Corey Ruiz will hold a funeral at the Fountain of Life Church, where Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy. City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling talks with newsletter editor Rob Thomas and contributor Scott Resnick about the service, how the Aug. 11 primary election results played out in Dane County, and the September opening of the men’s shelter on Bartillon Drive. Plus, in our Neighbors-only segment, we’re talking about salary transparency and the cost of living in Madison.  

👋 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 August 14th episode:

Is there a meal in Madison you used to get all the time, but that now you can only dream of because the restaurant closed? Maybe it’s a burrito filled with tater tots from Burrito Drive or a sandwich from Radical Rye. The City Cast Madison team pays tribute to our beloved and departed former haunts. Plus, we hear from you about the spots that used to rule Madison’s food and drink scene.  

This episode originally aired on Aug. 21, 2025.

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! 

👀 While you’re here…take our annual audience survey! It’s just a few minutes of your time and it will help us make better shows and newsletters to better serve you. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag. 

📧 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 July 23rd episode:

Yesterday, voters in Wisconsin decided on primaries across the state. On today’s show, executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob Thomas break down the winners and losers in this election and what comes next. 

👋 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 August 12th episode:

For the second time in the organization’s history, the American Red Cross has declared an emergency after the nation's blood supply dropped 25% in June. Red Cross Southwest Wisconsin Chapter executive director Kyle Kriegl joins the show to explain the reasons behind the steep donation drop  and shares how and where to donate. 

Plus, Madison 365 executive editor Rob Chappell talks with City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling about the newest information in the investigation into the police shooting death of Corey Ruiz, including the officer’s name. And on a lighter note, we highlight the 11th annual Madison Black Restaurant Week, which runs through Aug. 16.

👋 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 August 11th episode:

Are you ready to vote in tomorrow’s primary? Host Bianca Martin and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos have you covered with the logistics, competitive races, and a reminder of who is vying for the governorship. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, and you can find your polling place and a sample ballot at myvote.wi.gov. Happy voting!

👋 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 August 10th episode: