City Cast Madison
🚦 How well do you know Madison streets?
September 29, 2025 · — Rob Thomas
Good morning, Madison! On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Madison’s new police chief, John Patterson. It’s a wide-ranging conversation that talks about Patterson’s long history with the department and his views on the severe racial disparities in our arrest rates the Office of the Independent Police Monitor, and more.
It’s just the sort of in-depth conversation that we at City Cast Madison strive to bring you, sitting down with the city’s movers and shakers one-on-one and diggin into the issues that matter to Madison. If that kind of coverage matters to you as well, why not support our work and become a City Cast Madison Neighbor?
Our members get all sorts of cool perks, like a member-exclusive events newsletter, ad-free podcast listing, and, of course, a snazzy new tote bag. But above all, you get the satisfaction of knowing you’re committing to substantive, thoughtful, human-powered local journalism.
What's CITY Talking About?
🎒 Shalala Sees a ‘Dangerous Period’ at UW-Madison
- Former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services director Donna Shalala, who served as UW-Madison Chancellor from 1998 to 1993, thinks the university is in a “much more dangerous period” now.
- In a conversation last week with current Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Shalala said UW-Madison has done a brilliant job responding to federal budget cuts, especially in research, and challenges to free speech. But she said universities “can’t relax now,” because their missions and contributions are too important.
- Data released last week showed that the Trump administration’s deep cuts to research and crackdown on student visas are causing a steep decline in the number of international students on campus. This fall saw a 7% decline in foreign students overall, and a 9% decline in new graduate and professional students. [Cap Times, UW-Madison, 🔒 WSJ]
✍️ Standardized Test Scores Highlight Racial Disparities
- Less than half of Wisconsin’s third through eighth graders are performing at grade level at math and reading, according to test results released last week by the state Department of Public Instruction.
- For Black, Latino, and Indigenous students, the numbers are even worse. Only 18.5% of Black students and 25.6% of Hispanic students met reading expectations, while 10.2% of Black students and 20% of Hispanic students met expectations in math. Over 70% of white students met expectations in both areas. [WPR, DPI]
🇵🇪 The Door Closes For Mishqui But Opens For Hot ‘n Spicy
- The original location of Mishqui Peruvian Bistro on Monona Drive is closing, owner Cynthia Garcia announced in a Facebook post last week.
- The restaurant opened in 2022 in Monona, offering empanadas, seafood, and other dishes. It expanded to a second location in Middleton in 2024 and a downtown Madison location on King Street this spring
- Elsewhere on Monona Drive, the primarily takeout restaurant Hot ‘n Spicy will be moving out of the back of the Viet Hoa Market into the now-former Mishqui space in the same strip mall. The new space should open by the end of the year and allow room for 50 diners instead of 10 or so. [Facebook, Cap Times, 🔒WSJ]
Sponsored Content
The Best HVAC Deal Ends October 31
Wisconsin winters don’t mess around — and neither should you. Cardinal’s End of Summer Sale gets you $1,000 off a new furnace and A/C system, plus up to $2,600 in federal tax credits. Act by October 31 and stay warm when others are scrambling.
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Madison Streets?
How well do you pay attention to the streets we walk, bike and drive on every day? Take our quiz on the correct spelling of some of Madison's most familiar street names!
What is the name of the street that runs parallel to and northeast of Livingston Street?
- Patterson St.
- Pattersen St.
- Peterson St.
- Paterson St.
What To Do
Monday, Sep. 29
- 🧘 All Levels Yoga with Brad at Goodman Community Center
- 🌌 Badgers on Tap: Microbes in Space at Gamma Ray Bar
- 🤔 The I.D.E.A. Series at UW South Madison Partnership
- 🎶 John Bischoff at Auricle New Music Series
- 🏗️ Lego Night at Working Draft Beer Company
- 🎶 Christopher Allen. Classical Guitar at Stoughton Opera House
- 🇺🇸 Our Wisconsin, Our Constitution at Black Business Hub
📰 Extra! Extra! Did I mention new totes? Everybody who signs up to become a new City Cast Madison Neighbor gets one of our new tote bags. It’s emblazoned with the motto “Neighbors Make Madison,” because we really believe that the success of our city depends on our fellow Madisonians. Get yours today!
Free · Daily