Wisconsin’s Socialism Debate, AI Dispatchers, and Saving the East Side Birds

Wisconsin’s Socialism Debate, AI Dispatchers, and Saving the East Side Birds

Democratic socialism is coming for Wisconsin! Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling sit down to talk about why and how this is playing into the race for Wisconsin governor and beyond. Plus, Dane County is employing an AI agent called “AVA” [https://www.wkow.com/news/dane-county-911-deploys-ai-assistant-to-handle-non-emergency-calls/article_6967866a-f3a8-4a96-bb13-58d4c0c93b7c.html] to help handle nonemergency calls, and a popular local birder convinced the city to adjust mowing schedules [https://www.facebook.com/wiscobirder/posts/im-excited-to-share-that-the-city-of-madison-wisconsin-government-has-agreed-to-/10241525968503657/] on the east side to protect our avian friends. Mentioned on the show A Big Gamble for the Left: Can Socialism Appeal in a Swing State? [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/03/us/politics/democratic-socialism-wisconsin-francesca-hong.html] [New York Times] Democratic Candidates Sound Off in Assembly District 76 Forum [https://madison.citycast.fm/local-civics/democratic-candidates-assembly-district-76] [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://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 15th episode: * Madison Opera [https://www.madisonopera.org/]

State Rep. Francesca Hong’s Bid for Wisconsin Governor

Wisconsin’s primary election is just four weeks away. On Aug. 11, voters will decide which Republican and Democrat candidates will face off against each other in the race for Wisconsin governor. Today, host Bianca Martin talks to state Rep. Francesca Hong [https://francescahong.com/], who’s running on the Democratic ticket as a Democratic Socialist, about her platform and what sets her apart from the rest of the field.  👋 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 14th episode: * Madison Opera [https://www.madisonopera.org/]

Where To Find Madison’s Best Hiking Trails

The sun is shining and it’s time to lace up those hiking boots and get outside! From the Lakeshore Nature Preserve to the UW-Madison Arboretum, there’s no shortage of places to explore around the isthmus. On today’s show, host Bianca Martin shares her favorite trails with executive producer Hayley Sperling. Plus, we hear from local author and naturalist Andrea Debbink about her guide to Madison-area trails [https://www.mountaineers.org/books/books/urban-trails-madison-downtown-uw-campus-dane-county-ice-age-trail]and get her best hiking tips.  👋 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 13th episode: * Madison Opera [https://www.madisonopera.org/]

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Does Madison Have a ‘Perfect’ Airport? — Presented By City Cast Madison

There’s lots to love about Madison, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livability. Accommodating, accessible, and affordable local airports are a specific resource that many cities need. To find out which cities are leading the charge and the kinds of amenities that elevate an airport to gold status, City Cast CEO David Plotz chats with Scott Keyes, founder and Chief Flight Expert of Going [https://www.going.com/] (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) about everything he’s seen in his work and travels. How does your airport stack up? 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].

The Mic Drops For Mad Lit, Plus Guv Race Shakeups, and County Jail Troubles

There’s a lot going on in Madison this summer. But not Mad Lit. The popular concert series that has brought thousands to State Street each summer is dark in 2026 due to funding issues. Hip-hop artist Rob Dz and Urban Community Arts Network Co-President Karen Reece come on the podcast to talk about the future of Mad Lit. Plus, host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling talk about the latest casualty in the governor’s race and some frustrating news about the county jail. Mentioned on the show: Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley Withdraws From Governor’s Race [https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/07/08/milwaukee-county-exec-david-crowley-withdraws-from-governors-race/90850440007/] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] Dane County Won’t Close ‘Borderline Unconstitutional’ Jail As Planned [https://captimes.com/news/government/dane-county-won-t-close-borderline-unconstitutional-jail-as-planned/article_d1e34006-5915-4d6d-900d-c647df551003.html] [Cap Times] Lights Out For Mad Lit [http://google.com/url?q=https://isthmus.com/arts/arts-beat/lights-out-for-mad-lit/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1783629325598050&usg=AOvVaw1xDnjEZAsWSNB6rabIkPB0] [Isthmus] 👋 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 about the sponsors of this July 10th episode: * Madison Opera’s Opera in the Park [https://www.madisonopera.org/oitp26/] * Oak Bank [https://www.oak.bank/]