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Episode ‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Madison

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Madison

21 minOct 11, 2026

Another Madison school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean. Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form . Mentioned on the show: Kids using public radio comment sections as ad hoc communication 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 .

Police Monitor Drama, More Parents Say No to Laptops, and Little Free DVD Library

36 minOct 9, 2026

This week, a Madison Alder made a motion for the Common Council to consider terminating the city’s contract with Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass. Executive Producer Hayley Sperling and Creative Producer Rob Thomas break down that news and dive into the turbulent history behind the office. Then Rob explains why more Madison students are rejecting Chromebooks this year. And Keegan Lynch joins the show to talk about his Corry Street Video , which is like a Little Free Library, but for movies! For neighbors only, we ask an entomologist why the wasps are so out of control right now. Become a City Cast Madison Neighbor today to hear that special segment. Plus, if you join now, you’ll get our limited edition dad hat!   Mentioned on the show: History of Madison's Office of the Independent Police Monitor [WPR] 👋 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 . 

Madison Restaurant News, Wage Gap for Latina Workers, and Nobel Prize Winner at UW

35 minOct 8, 2026

Today is Latina Equal Pay Day , which marks, on average, when in the year a working Latina woman has earned as much as a white, non-Hispanic man. Araceli Esparza, founder and executive director of Midwest Mujeres joins City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling and creative producer Jade Iseri-Ramos to discuss the necessity to discuss wages and the Midwest Mujeres’ upcoming storytelling event. Plus Hayley and Jade talk about shake-ups in Madison’s food scene, and the UW-Madison physics professor who was just awarded a Nobel Prize .  🧢 You are running out of time to get the limited-edition City Cast Madison Neighbors dad hat! Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program to secure your very own hat. Plus, you’ll also enjoy other great perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Become a City Cast Madison Neighbor 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 !  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter .  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . Learn more about the sponsors of this October 8th episode: Wisconsin Science Festival

How the State Is Failing Disabled Wisconsinites

34 minOct 7, 2026

More than 7,000 disabled Wisconsinites are waiting for help navigating the state’s employment development program due to funding cuts. City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin talks with Cap Times Opinion Editor Natalie Eilbert about the program meant to help people with disabilities access employment support, but that is now facing a waitlist of more than 7,600 people. They discuss how a $7 million state funding shortfall has impacted Madisonians with disabilities and will have long-term consequences for the state's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Plus, do you know all the perks that come with a City Cast Madison membership? Creative Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos joins today’s episode to break it down. Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program today and get the limited-edition dad hat! 👋 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 .  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . Learn more about the sponsors of this October 7th episode: Wisconsin Science Festival

Alders’ Group Chat Raises Eyebrows, Young Blood Taps Out at Northstreet, and Go Brewers!

39 minOct 6, 2026

Why were a dozen Madison city council members in a Signal group chat ? Madison 365’s Rob Chappell broke the story last week, and on today’s episode, he joins City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin and Executive Producer Hayley Sperling to break down the story. Plus Young Blood Beer Company is closing its Northstreet location at the end of the month, and the Brewers are one win away from the National League Championship Series! ⚾ Join the team and 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 a limited-edition baseball cap. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! 👋 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 .  🚗 If you enjoyed today's interview with the VP of Destination Branding & Development at Experience Champaign-Urbana, Terri Reifsteck, learn more here .Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . Learn more about the sponsors of this October 6th episode: Wisconsin Science Festival

Madison’s Newest Alt Publication. Plus, Will Body Cams Prevent Police Violence?

33 minOct 5, 2026

The Yahara Flyer is a new single-sheet monthly publication in Madison from the co-founder of the now-defunct news website Tone Madison. Scott Gordon joins City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin and Executive Producer Hayley Sperling to explain why he started the Flyer, and the challenges of the flyer format. They also discuss police body-worn cameras, which Scott wrote about in the first two issues of the Yahara Flyer. 🧢 Don’t forget that you can get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. Join this week and we will send you a limited-edition dad hat! You’ll also enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! 👋 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 .  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . Learn more about the sponsors of this October 5th episode: Wisconsin Science Festival

‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Madison

20 minOct 4, 2026

When Madison looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did in order to integrate flood mitigation into public housing. Inspired by places like Rotterdam, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) collaborated with other groups to give Queens a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient amenity — in this case, a basketball court. David talks with Katy Burgio from NYCHA and Runit Chhaya of Grain Collective, one of the involved design firms, about the larger infrastructure the court is a part of and how it’s setting up NYC for climate resilience. Mentioned on the show: Water Square and its creative facilitators: https://www.dezeen.com/2025/11/25/grain-collective-basketball-courts-flood-prevention/   Rotterdam’s own “water square”: https://landezine.com/water-square-benthemplein-by-de-urbanisten/   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 .

Proposed Data Center Plan, Alleged Frat Hazing, and Mayoral Race Update

33 minOct 2, 2026

What will happen when the city’s one-year moratorium on new data centers expires in January? City officials released a draft framework this week that would limit the size and scale of new data centers, banning any new development over 100,000 sq. ft. City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin breaks down the story with Executive Producer Hayley Sperling and Creative Producer Rob Thomas. They also discuss the investigation into alleged hazing at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house and the alleged sexual assaults of two UW-Madison students . Plus, eight candidates are now in the running for Madison mayor and the CurderBurger is back. Content warning: this episode includes mentions of bodily harm, sexual assault, and a racist instance on campus. 🏠 Do you find value in our weekly news roundups? Are you curious about the Culver’s news in the Neighbors-only segment? Consider becoming 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! 👋 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 .  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . Learn more about the sponsors of this October 2nd episode: Enjoy Illinois Overture Center for the Arts

New Cafe Coming to Monroe Street and a Week Without Driving in Madison

37 minOct 1, 2026

A new cafe is set to open this month on Monroe Street. Waltzing Matilda’s is the newest venture from the team behind Bloom Bake Shop and Lallande. On today’s episode, City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin talks with owner Annemarie Maitri about the cafe's name, her personal approach to the menu, and the team behind the existing businesses.  Then Bianca is joined by Zia Brucaya from Greater Madison MPO and AJ Liedl from Madison Metro to discuss “ Week Without Driving ,” a national initiative to raise awareness of experiences of non-drivers. They break down the upcoming events, how to participate, and tips for first-time Metro users .  🧢 Don’t forget to sign up to become a City Cast Madison Neighbor! You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events, and for a limited time only, a really great hat. (Click the link to see a picture.) Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program 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 !  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter .  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . Learn more about the sponsors of this October 1st episode: Enjoy Illinois Overture Center for the Arts

Your Guide to October 2026 in Madison

33 minSep 30, 2026

Boo! The City Cast Madison team is here with your October guide. Host Bianca Martin, Creative Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and local comedian Emily Winter break down their top picks for things for the month. From the 46-mile Mammoth Hike Challenge to the Wisconsin Art Destination T-shirt challenge . Plus, the theme pick this month is “cheap thrills.” 👻 Join us for a free haunted tour with Madison Ghost Walks by becoming a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy more perks like ad-free listening and exclusive emails. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program! 👋 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 .  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads . Learn more about the sponsors of this September 30th episode: Enjoy Illinois Overture Center for the Arts

UW Homecoming 101, Plus Tailgate Like a Badger

36 minSep 29, 2026

The UW Badgers face off against Michigan State in the 2026 homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 3. City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin and Executive Producer Hayley Sperling break down all the homecoming events happening this year. Plus, local DJ Nick Nice explains how tailgating is for everyone, from Badger superfans to football newbies.  Nick turns up the beats for home games at Fabiola’s tailgate party on Regent Street.  The interview with DJ Nick Nice originally published on Sept. 10, 2024. 👋 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 September 29th episode: Enjoy Illinois Overture Center for the Arts

How Much Do You Need To Make To Live in Madison?

36 minSep 28, 2026

How much money do you make? Is it enough for you to thrive in Madison? Cap Times reporter Ashley Rodriguez asked Madisonians to be transparent about their wages and experiences. She found that while the average salary here is higher than the state average, most respondents feel like they are just scraping by. Ashley joins City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin to talk about the financial reality of living and working in our city and the power of salary transparency.  👋 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 . If you enjoyed today's interview with the VP of Destination Branding & Development at Experience Champaign-Urbana, Terri Reifsteck, learn more here . Learn more about the sponsors of this September 28th episode: Enjoy Illinois Overture Center for the Arts