The 25th anniversary of Opera in the Park is happening Saturday, July 18 in Garner Park. The free concert will include an extensive repertoire, the fan favorite glowstick number, and a picnic contest on Instagram! Ahead of the big day host Bianca Martin chats with Kathryn Smith, general director of the Madison Opera. Then Bianca and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos break down all the events happening this weekend. Hint: It’s a busy one!

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The state program that continued pandemic-era state subsidies to child care providers ended last week. Where does that leave Wisconsin families and their daycares? Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling break down the difficult decisions facing parents and providers. Plus, UWPD recently announced they are not renewing their contract with the controversial surveillance company Flock Safety. Then, we round out the show with Clean Lakes Alliance watershed programs specialist Mike Smale, who answers your questions about the water quality of our lakes.   

Mentioned on the show

Gubernatorial Candidates' Stances on Childcare [Cap Times]  

Wisconsin Child Care Gubernatorial Forum

Deflock Dane Map

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The primary election for the next Wisconsin governor is just five weeks away! Host Bianca Martin continues our election coverage with our first gubernatorial candidate interview. Wisconsin State Sen. Kelda Roys joins Bianca to explain what sets her apart from her opponents and her priorities for Wisconsin.

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Madison Opera

Things are heating up at the Duck Pond this summer! The Madison Mallards have clinched the Great Lakes West first-half title, and the Madison Night Mares have a 17-1 record! Executive producer Hayley Sperling and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos dish about what’s happening at the Duck Pond, including the wildest upcoming game promotions. (Come get your “Wiener Wallet”?) Then, we revisit host Bianca Martin’s conversation with local writer Tom Alesia, who wrote the definitive Madison history of the Mallards, “Baseball Like It Oughta Be.” Batter up! 

(This show originally aired on May 21, 2025.)

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See if your Madison knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of questions covering everything from The Declaration of Independence to the hottest college rivalries, and all 13 City Cast cities make an appearance. See how you stack up!

Mentioned on the show:

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This week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on birthright citizenship, the legality of bans on transgender athletes, and limits to campaign finance. City Cast Madison producer Jade Iseri-Ramos breaks down what these decisions mean for Wisconsinites. Then, executive producer Hayley Sperling lays out what we know about the recent ICE activity in Wisconsin. And on a lighter note, newsletter editor Rob Thomas brings us a round up of fireworks shows in the Madison area. Plus, in our Neighbors-only segment, why is Wisconsin about to receive two million eggs?

Mentioned on the show:

How local law enforcement agencies plan to interact with ICE [Cap Times]
Voce de la Frontera

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It’s hot and humid, and we’re looking for ways to beat the heat this July! The City Cast Madison team is kicking off the month with our top picks from summer festivals to berry picking and the AC/DC concert at Camp Randall. Plus, one of our Neighbors shares their favorite ice cream spots!

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Madison is under an extreme heat warning this week, with temperatures in the 90s and heat index values exceeding 100 degrees. City Cast Madison executive producer Haley Sperling and Newsletter Editor Rob Thomas share safety reminders and cooling tips, from staying hydrated and limiting outdoor activity to reversing ceiling fans, covering windows, and using air-conditioned public spaces like libraries, malls, community centers, and movie theaters.Then we break down the end of Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Conservation Program, which the state legislature failed to fund after 37 years of land stewardship. Plus, is visiting the Dane County Farmers’ Market after noon actually a hack? 

Don't forget to vote for City Cast Madison in the Best of Madison competition!

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

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Last week, the Ho-Chunk Nation gifted Dane County Parks a hand-carved dugout canoe. Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Bill Quackenbush crafted the vessel himself from a cottonwood tree that was removed from McDaniel Park for construction of the Lower Yahara River Trail. On today’s show, producer Jade Iseri-Ramos talks about the significance of this gift with host Bianca Martin, who also details her adventures at this year’s Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival. And later in the show, we revisit Bianca’s interview with Wisconsin maritime archeologist Tamara Thomsen, who was part of the team that discovered more than a dozen ancient dugout canoes in the depths of Lake Mendota. 

🗳️Have you voted for us in the 2026 Best of Madison awards yet? City Cast Madison is in the running for best local podcast AND best local news website. Polls are open through June 30. Vote today!
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! 
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Just how good are the sidewalks in Madison? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and pedestrian safety is just the beginning. In Denver, voters approved a new fee a few years ago to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth, those repairs are finally underway. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about what drove this initiative, how it’s going, and who’s paying for it. And speaking of sidewalks, do bikes, scooters, and people playing music belong on public sidewalks?

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