City Cast Madison
🎃 Hate Halloween? This guide is for you
October 29, 2025 · — Rob Thomas
Good morning, Madison! The Goodman Center’s annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive is seeing record demand this year — 4,000 families signed up in just five hours. To help raise money for all that turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, Ancora Coffee is donating $3 to the drive from every pumpkin maple cream cold brew they sell until Nov. 2. They’re hoping to raise $5,000. Sounds like a sweet deal! 🥤
What's CITY Talking About
🍤 Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill Both Close
- Madison diners will find it harder to order a Bloomin’ Onion or Bang Bang Shrimp, as two franchise restaurants, Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill, abruptly closed Monday on Madison’s far west side.
- Both restaurants, the Bonefish Grill location on Mineral Point Road near West Towne Mall and the Outback Steakhouse on Junction Road, are owned by global casual dining company Bloomin’ Brands. News reports from other cities show other locations closed in recent days. [Reddit]
🚨 Madison Police See Drop in Crime
- Madison Police Chief John Patterson said there’s been a 16% drop in crime so far in 2025, compared to the average crime rate at this point between 2022 and 2024.
- Notably, there have been three homicides in 2025, compared to seven murders on average in the three previous years. Burglaries are down 43% and stolen cars are down 52%.
- Patterson credited the department’s “data-informed decision making” and partnerships with other entities, including the Madison Fire Department’s CARES Unit, Public Health Madison & Dane County, and Madison schools, for the decline.
- 🎧 More from the Chief: Patterson went on the City Cast Madison podcast recently to talk to host Bianca Martin about his vision for policing in Madison. [City of Madison, 🎧 City Cast Madison]
🏥 Planned Parenthood in Wisconsin Resumes Abortion Services
- After a month-long pause, Planned Parenthood clinics in Wisconsin are again providing abortion services to their patients. The clinics in Madison, Milwaukee, and Sheboygan stopped in September in response to President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which denied Medicaid reimbursements to “prohibited entities” that offer abortions.
- Planned Parenthood officials say they’ve relinquished their status as an “essential community provider” with the federal government, which takes them off the “prohibited entities” list.
- 🎧 Dig deeper: Planned Parenthood Wisconsin CEO Tanya Atkinson and Madison South Health Center manager Tenisha Garner talked about the future of the organization on the City Cast Madison podcast. [ WPR, 🎧 City Cast Madison]
Sponsored Content
Last Chance for Big Savings
Time’s almost up. The $1,000 HVAC replacement discount ends October 31 — and with up to $2,600 in federal rebates and tax credits set to expire in 2025, this may be the last best moment to act. Don’t cross your fingers and hope. Replace it now and win winter.
What To Do On Halloween (When You Hate Halloween)
Do you want to hear something really scary? On the City Cast Madison podcast today, we look ahead to Halloween, as host Bianca Martin talks to Lisa Van Buskirk and Mike Huberty of Madison Ghost Walks about our city’s most haunted spots, from the Capitol to the Orpheum Theater.
But while many of us love carving pumpkins and dressing up, there are a hardy few of us who do not get into Halloween. We don’t understand you, but we see you. So here’s a fun-sized list of things to do on Halloween in Madison that have zero spookiness.
🎭 Laugh! Nicole Byer at Comedy on State
The popular comedian and actor (and host of my favorite cooking show, Netflix’s “Nailed It!”), haunts the Comedy Club on State this weekend. Both shows on Halloween night still have tickets available.
🧊 Splash! Siku the Polar Bear at Henry Vilas Zoo
The zoo welcomed a new male polar bear, the 1,200-pound Siku, last week. Come to our free zoo and say “hi” as he gets used to his new digs and meets the zoo’s female polar bear, Berit. Another female bear, Nora, will also arrive once the government reopens and the zoo can apply for transportation permits.
🎸 Rock! All Time Low at the Sylvee
The veteran pop-punk band hits The Sylvee Oct. 31 in support of its 10th album, “Everybody’s Talking!” Regular tickets are sold out, which is a little scary, but there looks to be plenty of resale tickets available through Live Nation and other third-party sites.
🖼️ See! Art at the Overture Center
The James Watrous Gallery at the Overture Center is premiering two new art exhibits Oct. 31 that will run through the rest of the year, featuring Milwaukee artists Warren King and Anamarie America Edwards.
Where Is It?
⬆️ Last Week’s Photo
This mural is found on the Lake Street Water Coop building on Martin Street!
🎉 This one was really hard! Kudos to the only two people to guess correctly – Ben F. and Jenni R.!
⬇️ This Week’s Photo
Where are these statues? A few clues:
- They’re on the UW-Madison campus
- They’re in a place that gets a lot of traffic in the fall
- It’s a place that hasn’t been very happy lately! (Bonus points if you can guess which entrance they’re at!)
What To Do
Wednesday, Oct. 29
- 🧘 All Levels Yoga with Kelsey at Goodman Community Center
- 🎹 Dueling pianos at Ivory Room Piano Bar
- 🎤 Dylan Gossett at The Sylvee
- 😆 Fright on State 2 at Comedy on State
- 🚶 Haunted Hike at Fireman's Park
- 😆 I'mProv ==> You'reProv : An improv show inspired by YOU at MUSO
- 🧒 Music Time with Tim at Madison Children's Museum
- 🎶 Organ Fairchild at The Bur Oak
- 💬 Up North Podcast at Minocqua Brewing Company Madison Tap Room
- 🎤 Wednesdays CODA Karaoke Night at Cafe CODA
📰 Extra! Extra! Every year, Bierock dresses itself up as a different location for Halloween. This year on Oct. 31, the north side bar will become “The Rusty Anchor,” the favorite watering hole of Blanche on “The Golden Girls.” There’ll be special drinks (a “cheesecake martini”?) and themed decor, and servers will be in costume. Thank you for being a friend, Bierock! 🧓
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