
City Cast Madison
🏥 UW Health struggles to meet patient demand
May 4, 2026 · — Rob Thomas
Good morning, Madison! Are you a true blue Madisonian? I’m not necessarily asking if you were born here — but, however long you’ve lived in the city, do you live and breathe Madison?
On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling talk with lifelong resident Ali Muldrow about the essential criteria for being a Madisonian. Also, take our quiz below!

What's CITY Talking About

🙌 Center For Black Excellence Set To Open Wednesday
- After years of planning by Black leaders in Madison, the new Center for Black Excellence will open Wednesday on West Badger Road with a grand opening and open house.
- The building took two years to construct, and includes a library, art galleries, a 280-seat theater, and other spaces designed to bring Madison’s Black arts community together. The grand opening event includes performances by The House Urban Arts Initiative, Theola Carter, G Stylez, and more. [Center for Black Excellence, Isthmus]
✊ Cap Times Reporters, Nurses Unionize
- All eight eligible employees at the Capital Times, Madison’s century-old news site and weekly publication, told management last week they were forming a union and seeking voluntary recognition.
- The new Cap Times News Guild is affiliated with The News Guild-CWA, the country’s largest union for reporters and other news workers. Cap Times publisher Paul Fanlund said in a statement he recognizes his employees’ right to organize, but did not say whether management would recognize the union. (Newsletter editor Rob Thomas is a former employee of the Cap Times.)
- Meanwhile, hundreds of nurses at Dean-SSM Health and St. Mary’s clinics said last week that they plan to unionize as well. In an open letter, the nurses called for more time spent with patients, higher compensation, and for staffing decisions to be based on patient care needs rather than numbers. [Cap Times, Isthmus, WKOW]
🏥 UW Health Struggles To Keep up With Rising Demand
- As the population of Dane County continues to grow, UW Health is telling prospective new patients they will need to wait to see a primary care physician.
- The health system serves about 283,000 patients across its family medicine, general pediatrics, and internal medicine clinics in Dane County. On average, a primary care physician and their support staff serves about 2,100 patients.
- The UW Health Welcome Center says that patients will have a better chance of finding a provider if they already have an immediate family member being served by UW Health. [Cap Times]
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💡 Effortless Energy Savings Starts Here
Ready to save energy without a hassle? In this quick video, Leah Samson from Madison Gas and Electric shares easy upgrades—from smart thermostats to LED lighting and power strips that cut hidden energy use. Get practical tips to boost comfort, lower energy use, and make your home more efficient.

Quiz: Are You a True Madisonian?

On today’s podcast, we talk about what you need to know and have done to consider yourself a true Madisonian? Test your Madison IQ with this quiz!
What was the name of the now-defunct State Street sandwich shop owned by two brothers who were involved in the Sterling Hall bombing?
- The Socialist Sandwich
- The Liberal Loaf
- The Progressive Pumpernickel
- The Radical Rye

What To Do
Monday, May 4
- 🧘 All Levels Yoga at Goodman Community Center
- 🎶 The Badger Bassoon Ensemble at Humanities Building
- 🎤 Karaoke with Tony G at Minocqua Brewing Company
- 🏗️ Lego Night at Working Draft Beer Company
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A Conversation That Matters
During Mental Health Awareness Month, join Journey Mental Health Center for a youth mental health luncheon and panel featuring local leaders and a youth voice. Hear real perspectives on what’s happening in our community, and walk away with a clearer understanding of how to support. Register today to reserve your spot.
📰 Extra! Extra! It’s May 4, and I think it’s safe to say we’re done with snow for the season? (Knock on wood.) We got over 50 inches of snow this winter, compared to just 28 inches the year before, and that increase also came with a hike in snow shoveling complaints.
The city’s Building Inspection department responded to 1,238 complaints and issued 584 citations and fines, more than twice as many as the previous year. Put your shovels away, but let’s do better next winter! ❄️
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