Spicy Takes From Madison’s Chef of the Year. Plus, WTF Is Cookie Salad?!?

City Anticipates Budget Cuts, Madison’s Election Trust Crisis, and Free Meals for Local Kidsr Jun 12, 2026

This week, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway told city agencies to be prepared to cut 2% from their budgets [https://madison.com/news/local/government-politics/article_490c6fc1-6e32-4189-87db-9329cf01d248.html] amid inflation and higher fuel costs. She also called for state-level reform to lessen the financial burden on Madison taxpayers. On today’s show, host Bianca Martin talks about this news with executive producer Hayley Sperling and Angela Russell, creator of the Black Oxygen [https://madison365.com/blackoxygen/] podcast and founder of The Undercurrent [https://www.emergentcurrent.com/].  We also talk about the global and national mistrust in institutions [https://www.edelman.com/sites/g/files/aatuss191/files/2026-01/2026%20Edelman%20Trust%20Barometer%20Global%20Report_01.21.26_0.pdf] and how that has played out locally. [https://www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/2026/06/04/madison-deputy-clerk-jim-verbick-blamed-supreme-court-election-late-ballots/] Plus, Madison schools are offering free summer meals to all students [https://www.channel3000.com/lifestyle/family/mmsd-provides-free-summer-meals-to-students/article_d1a83e5b-1f32-4de0-a50a-7f68e921d2e6.html] and a free summer Metro bus pass for students entering 6th grade and older. And, for City Cast Madison Neighbors only, we react to Forbes magazine naming Wisconsin’s Diane Hendricks and Judy Faulkner among the country’s top three wealthiest self-made women [https://madison.com/news/local/business/article_38fe6786-b768-5053-906c-8756689f0264.html]. 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 [tel:608-318-3367] or email madison@citycast.fm [madison@citycast.fm]. We’re also on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastmadison/]!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter [https://madison.citycast.fm/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! [https://membership.citycast.fm/madison] Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads [https://madison.citycast.fm/advertise]. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 12th episode: * American Players Theatre [https://americanplayers.org/] - use code city20 for 20% off any performance in the outdoor Hill Theatre * Society of St. Vincent de Paul [https://svdpmadison.org/raffle/] * Oak Bank [https://www.oak.bank/?utm_source=CityCast&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=2026&utm_content=BankingOutsideTheBox] - Do you have questions for Oak Bank? Submit them HERE [https://airtable.com/app7ni84ypo5bRfEK/shrDdP0QYCiPT2GkL].

Spicy Takes From Madison’s Chef of the Year. Plus, WTF Is Cookie Salad?!?

Chef Patrick O’Halloran has been cooking for Madison for decades, and his latest business, The Deliciouser [https://thedeliciouser.com/], blends spices, classes, and global cuisine. O’Halloran was just named Madison Magazine's Chef of the Year, and [https://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/patrick-ohalloran-invites-diners-to-travel-the-world-at-the-deliciouser/article_e00a8f15-e98a-4de4-9243-8ae2f49242d2.html]executive producer Hayley Sperling chats with him  about how the spice lab and the restaurant go hand in hand. Plus, Emily Tucker, host of WORT-FM’s Stuff Yer Face [https://www.wortfm.org/news-talk/news/ioby/stuffyerface/], explains what is in a cookie salad [https://mynameisyeh.com/blog/2017/11/classic-cookie-salad] and why sweet “salads” have a chokehold on Midwest culture.  🥕 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 [tel:608-318-3367] or email madison@citycast.fm [madison@citycast.fm]. We’re also on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastmadison/]!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter [https://madison.citycast.fm/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! [https://membership.citycast.fm/madison] Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads [https://madison.citycast.fm/advertise]. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 11th episode: * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026] * American Players Theatre [https://americanplayers.org/] - use code city20 for 20% off any performance in the outdoor Hill Theatre * Society of St. Vincent de Paul [https://svdpmadison.org/raffle/]

Hot Takes on Madison’s Queer Scene

It’s Pride Month! Gov. Tony Evers was the first Wisconsin governor to raise the pride flag over the State Capitol, and he did so again [https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/06/01/gov-tony-evers-raises-lgbtq-pride-flag-over-wisconsin-capitol-for-his-last-time/] for his final time earlier this month. Madison and Dane County officials also raised a pride flag at the City-County Building [https://www.wkow.com/news/were-not-going-to-hate-our-neighbors-mayor-kicks-off-pride-month-with-flag-raising/article_683950f0-ea89-44bf-98ae-9163d5c9e66d.html]. While these are symbols of support, we are curious about the actual day-to-day experience of LGBTQIA+ Madisonians. Host Bianca Martin talks with Sanders Weinberg [https://lgbt.wisc.edu/staff/weinberg-sanders/],  program coordinator at the Gender and Sexuality Center at UW-Madison, and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos, about how queer-friendly our city really is.  This episode originally aired on June 2, 2025. 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 [tel:608-318-3367] or email madison@citycast.fm [madison@citycast.fm]. We’re also on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastmadison/]!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter [https://madison.citycast.fm/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! [https://membership.citycast.fm/madison] Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads [https://madison.citycast.fm/advertise]. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 10th episode: * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026] * American Players Theatre [https://americanplayers.org/] - use code city20 for 20% off any performance in the outdoor Hill Theatre * Society of St. Vincent de Paul [https://svdpmadison.org/raffle/]

Honoring Michael Johnson, Public Art Woes, and Pop-Ups at Madison Public Market

We start today’s show remembering and mourning [https://madison365.com/michael-johnson-community-leader-and-boys-girls-club-ceo-dies-at-50/] community leader Michael Johnson. Host Bianca Martin reflects with executive producer Hayley Sperling and Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians. Plus, Lindsay tells us about her recent investigative piece [https://captimes.com/entertainment/arts/a-madison-nonprofit-promotes-public-art-artists-warn-of-red-flags/article_48559dd2-b489-47d9-a518-1a5a1eddd93d.html] about artists’ challenges with Madison Public Art Project. And the Madison Public Market will be open on Wednesdays [https://www.channel3000.com/news/madison-public-market-hosting-preview-pop-ups-starting-june-10/article_9192f540-3cfe-4222-af64-d2ca0697f618.html]! Mentioned on the show: Michael Johnson on Leading the Next Gen [https://madison.citycast.fm/podcasts/miss-wisconsin-and-bgcs-michael-johnson-on-leading-the-next-gen] [🎧 City Cast Madison] 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 [tel:608-318-3367] or email madison@citycast.fm [madison@citycast.fm]. We’re also on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastmadison/]!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter [https://madison.citycast.fm/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! [https://membership.citycast.fm/madison] Learn more about the sponsors of this June 9th episode: * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026] * American Players Theatre [https://americanplayers.org/] - use code city20 for 20% off any performance in the outdoor Hill Theatre * Society of St. Vincent de Paul [https://svdpmadison.org/raffle/] Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads [https://madison.citycast.fm/advertise].

Police Monitor Answers Her Critics

Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board and Office of the Independent Police Monitor are once again under scrutiny as the city considers changes [https://isthmus.com/news/news/madison-police-monitor-office-threatens-legal-action-again/] that the office says could undermine its independence. To better understand the issues at hand, host Bianca Martin talks with interim independent police monitor Aeiramique Glass. They discuss hurdles facing the office, how residents can file complaints, and progress in hiring a permanent monitor. Mentioned on this show: Why Madison’s Police Oversight Agencies Are The Most Empowered In the Country [https://madison.citycast.fm/podcasts/why-madisons-police-oversight-agencies-are-the-most-empowered-in-the-country][🎧City Cast Madison] 👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 [tel:608-318-3367] or email madison@citycast.fm [madison@citycast.fm]. We’re also on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastmadison/]!  📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Madison morning newsletter [https://madison.citycast.fm/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! [https://membership.citycast.fm/madison] Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads [https://madison.citycast.fm/advertise]. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 8th episode: * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026] * American Players Theatre [https://americanplayers.org/] - use code city20 for 20% off any performance in the outdoor Hill Theatre * Society of St. Vincent de Paul [https://svdpmadison.org/raffle/]