Opera in the Park and What To Do in Madison This Weekend

Opera in the Park and What To Do in Madison This Weekend

The 25th anniversary of Opera in the Park [https://www.madisonopera.org/oitp26/] is happening Saturday, July 18 in Garner Park. The free concert will include an extensive repertoire [https://bunny-wp-pullzone-48n9fb5h5s.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Madison-Opera-OITP-2026-repertoire.pdf], the fan favorite glowstick number, and a picnic contest on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/p/DaeHM_2FDC_/?img_index=1]! Ahead of the big day host Bianca Martin chats with Kathryn Smith, general director of the Madison Opera. Then Bianca and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos break down all the events happening this weekend. Hint: It’s a busy one! 👋 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://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/madison?utm_source=show_notes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=pod_promo] 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 July 9th episode: * Madison Opera [https://www.madisonopera.org/]

WI Daycare Woes, RIP Campus Flock Cams, Your Stinky Lake Questions Answered!

The state program that continued pandemic-era state subsidies to child care providers ended last week [https://www.wpr.org/news/state-funding-wisconsin-childcare-centers-ends]. Where does that leave Wisconsin families and their daycares? Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling break down the difficult decisions facing parents and providers. Plus, UWPD recently announced they are not renewing their contract [https://uwpd.wisc.edu/uw-madison-police-department-not-renewing-current-flock-alpr-contract/] with the controversial surveillance company Flock Safety. Then, we round out the show with Clean Lakes Alliance watershed programs specialist Mike Smale [https://www.cleanlakesalliance.org/staff-mike-smale/], who answers your questions about the water quality of our lakes.    Mentioned on the show Gubernatorial Candidates' Stances on Childcare [https://captimes.com/news/government/how-wisconsin-s-gubernatorial-candidates-plan-to-address-childcare/article_e2e640ef-9cb5-456d-80b7-c642c45e09bb.html] [Cap Times]   [https://captimes.com/news/government/how-wisconsin-s-gubernatorial-candidates-plan-to-address-childcare/article_e2e640ef-9cb5-456d-80b7-c642c45e09bb.html] Wisconsin Child Care Gubernatorial Forum [https://whsaonline.org/event/wisconsin-child-care-governor-forum/] Deflock Dane Map [https://deflockdane.org/alpr-map-dane-county/] 👋 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! [http://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 July 8th episode: * Madison Opera [https://www.madisonopera.org/]

State Sen. Kelda Roys’s Bid for Wisconsin Governor

The primary election for the next Wisconsin governor is just five weeks away! Host Bianca Martin continues our election coverage with our first gubernatorial candidate interview. Wisconsin State Sen. Kelda Roys [http://keldaroys.com] joins Bianca to explain what sets her apart from her opponents and her priorities for Wisconsin. 👋 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 July 7th episode: * Madison Opera [https://www.madisonopera.org/]

Madison’s Duck Pond Is a Diamond in the Rough

Things are heating up at the Duck Pond this summer! The Madison Mallards have clinched the Great Lakes West first-half title [https://northwoodsleague.com/madison-mallards/2026/06/29/madison-mallards-beat-minnesota-mud-puppies-clinch-first-half-title/], and the Madison Night Mares have a 17-1 record [https://northwoodsleague.com/madison-night-mares/standings/]! Executive producer Hayley Sperling and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos dish about what’s happening at the Duck Pond, including the wildest upcoming game promotions. (Come get your “Wiener Wallet”?) Then, we revisit host Bianca Martin’s conversation with local writer Tom Alesia, who wrote the definitive Madison history of the Mallards, “Baseball Like It Oughta Be [https://www.augustpublications.com/products/baseball-like-it-oughta-be].” Batter up!  (This show originally aired on May 21, 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 our sponsor of the July 6 episode: * Madison Opera’s Opera in the Park [https://www.madisonopera.org/oitp26/]

'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Madison

See if your Madison knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of questions covering everything from The Declaration of Independence to the hottest college rivalries, and all 13 City Cast cities make an appearance. See how you stack up! Mentioned on the show: * Trivia Mafia website [https://www.triviamafia.com/] and locations [https://www.triviamafia.com/locations?tags=trivia%20mafia%20classic,theme%20nights] * Alexandra Petri's US History: Important American Documents (I Made Up) [https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324006435] * Milwaukee's block of Frank Lloyd Wright - Atlas Obscura [https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/frank-lloyd-wrights-burnham-block] Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  [yourcitycouldbebetter@citycast.fm] We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter [https://www.instagram.com/yourcitycouldbebetter] Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options [https://citycast.fm/advertise].