UW Ditches Ethnic Studies, Ridglan Beagle Update, and Madison’s Got Talent!

SCOWIS Takes on Congressional Maps, Gov. Race Updates, and Good News For Passenger RailJun 05, 2026

Wisconsin’s voting maps are in the news again and headed to the state Supreme Court [https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-supreme-court-appeal-seeking-redraw-of-congressional-map]. What’s next for political representation in our state? To get the details on this latest update, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign executive director Nick Ramos [https://www.wisdc.org/about-us/who-we-are/120-about-us/biographies/7397-nicholas-ramos-executive-director] joins City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos. Plus, Bianca and Jade dig into everything you need to know about the gubernatorial race [https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-governors-race-crowded-democratic-primary] and we get an exciting Amtrak update! [https://madison.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_53758bd1-44b3-4039-874d-51e6131fb8f6.html#tracking-source=home-top-story] Mentioned on the show: Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition: Hosts statewide rallies – Our maps, our say [https://www.wispolitics.com/2026/wisconsin-fair-maps-coalition-hosts-statewide-rallies-our-maps-our-say/] [Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition] Hey Amtrak, Madison Is Ready [https://madison.citycast.fm/podcasts/hey-amtrak-madison-is-ready] [ 🎧 City Cast Madison] What To Pack for Your American Players Theatre Picnic [https://madison.citycast.fm/podcasts/what-to-pack-for-your-american-players-theatre-picnic] [ 🎧 City Cast Madison] For Neighbors only: Overture's impact on Madison economy has nearly doubled since 2021/22 season, study finds [https://www.channel3000.com/news/overtures-impact-on-madison-economy-has-nearly-doubled-since-2021-22-season-study-finds/article_954478e8-906d-4d78-87e6-fb3a172c740f.html] [News 3] 👋 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 5th episode: * Clean Lakes Alliance [https://www.cleanlakesalliance.org/loop-the-lake/] * Dane County Humane Society [https://giveshelter.org/community-outreach] * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026] 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].

What To Pack for Your American Players Theatre Picnic

The 2026 season at American Players Theatre [https://www.americanplayers.org/]starts this weekend! The Tony Award-winning theater company in Spring Green will have shows through November. Our friend Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians is an APT expert, so she joins host Binaca Martin to run down the plays in the first half of the season, and to explain why the core acting company is bigger than ever [https://captimes.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/in-good-company-three-actors-put-down-roots-at-american-players-theatre/article_f4f38cda-f627-4b63-84c8-dee33e14800a.html]. Plus, we get into the top tips for a great picnic.  And hey, City Cast Madison has a promo code for 20% off all shows in the Hill Theatre. Use city20 to take advantage of our sponsorship! 🥕 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 4th episode: * Clean Lakes Alliance [https://www.cleanlakesalliance.org/loop-the-lake/] * Dane County Humane Society [https://giveshelter.org/community-outreach] * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026]

Experience One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Most Influential Buildings

Did you know Madison is home to the world-famous, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, First Unitarian meeting house? To mark the building’s 75th birthday, Friends of the Meeting House group is hosting a Heritage Weekend [https://www.unitarianmeetinghouse.org/programs] featuring free tours and lectures this Friday through Sunday. Guests can explore the iconic building with tours and lectures all weekend. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin chats with March Schweitzer, president of Friends of the Meeting House, about the remarkable stories behind the building’s construction and why the American Institute of Architects named it among Wright’s most important contributions.  This episode originally aired on January 12, 2026. 👋 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 3rd episode: * Clean Lakes Alliance [https://www.cleanlakesalliance.org/loop-the-lake/] * Dane County Humane Society [https://giveshelter.org/community-outreach] * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026]

UW Ditches Ethnic Studies, Ridglan Beagle Update, and Madison’s Got Talent!

UW-Madison is removing its ethnic studies requirement [https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2026/05/uw-madison-removes-ethnic-studies-requirement-for-incoming-students] for students enrolling in summer 2026 and beyond. This move aligns the university with the Board of Regents’ highly debated changes to its curriculum and transfer process [https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2025/11/21/new-general-education-policy-for-uw-campuses-worries-faculty/87352612007/]. Host Bianca Martin breaks down this change with executive producer Hayley Sperling. Plus, we have more news about the Ridglan Farms beagles [https://www.channel3000.com/news/protesters-return-to-ridglan-farms-to-demand-release-of-650-dogs/article_327e5c93-4ada-4cda-acef-491636013429.html], and AJ and Nicole Juarez from Barrio Dance [https://www.barriodance.com/] tell us what they can about their America’s Got Talent audition [https://madison365.com/madison-dance-crew-takes-the-stage-on-americas-got-talent/]! 🗳️ P.S. Vote for City Cast Madison in Best of Madison’s podcast and news website categories [https://madisonmagazine.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Madison-2026/]! Mentioned on the show: Interview with “Reorientation” podcast host Kacie Lucchini Butcher [https://madison.citycast.fm/podcasts/uwpds-history-gay-purges-policing-students-and-breaking-protests] [🎧 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 2nd episode: * Clean Lakes Alliance [https://www.cleanlakesalliance.org/loop-the-lake/] * Dane County Humane Society [https://giveshelter.org/community-outreach] * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026]

Your Guide to June 2026 in Madison

Cue up “June Hymn [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KusWM9AKfZg]” by the Decemberists because summer is here, and the City Cast Madison is bringing you our picks of the best things happening this month. From eating donuts [https://madison.citycast.fm/food-drink/madison-best-donuts]on National Donut Day to learning how to row [https://mendotarowingclub.com/], the team is going to make the most of June. Won’t you join us? 👋 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 1st episode: * Clean Lakes Alliance [https://www.cleanlakesalliance.org/loop-the-lake/] * Dane County Humane Society [https://giveshelter.org/community-outreach] * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026]