MMSD Parental Leave, Land Donation to Ho-Chunk Nation, and Police Monitor Contradicts Internal Investigation

'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].

SCOTUS Decisions, Madison and MKE ICE Activity, and July 4th Fireworks Roundup

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on birthright citizenship [https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/06/the-final-four-cases/], the legality of bans on transgender athletes, and limits to campaign finance. City Cast Madison producer Jade Iseri-Ramos breaks down what these decisions mean for Wisconsinites. Then, executive producer Hayley Sperling lays out what we know about the recent ICE activity in Wisconsin [https://wisconsinwatch.org/2026/06/wisconsin-milwaukee-ice-39-arrests-large-immigration-enforcement-sweep/]. And on a lighter note, newsletter editor Rob Thomas brings us a round up of fireworks shows in the Madison area. Plus, in our Neighbors-only segment, why is Wisconsin about to receive two million eggs [https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-doj-announces-settlement-in-alleged-multi-state-scheme-to-raise-egg-prices]? Mentioned on the show: How local law enforcement agencies plan to interact with ICE [https://captimes.com/news/government/if-ice-came-to-madison-what-would-local-police-do/article_65b8f984-88bf-4a3c-b917-f96d14890972.html] [Cap Times] Voce de la Frontera [https://vdlf.org/] 👋 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] Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads [https://madison.citycast.fm/advertise].

Your Guide to July 2026 in Madison

It’s hot and humid, and we’re looking for ways to beat the heat this July! The City Cast Madison team is kicking off the month with our top picks from summer festivals to berry picking [https://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/pick-your-own-fresh-berries-at-these-farms-near-madison/article_43e9e72a-3e2d-11ef-b98a-5f92a8a44893.html] and the AC/DC concert [https://www.livenation.com/event/vv17jZbgGkXjwADd/ac-dc-power-up-tour-2026] at Camp Randall. Plus, one of our Neighbors shares their favorite ice cream spots! 👋 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] Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads [https://madison.citycast.fm/advertise].

Extreme Heat Hits Madison, Knowles-Nelson Gets Axed, and Farmers Market Bliss

Madison is under an extreme heat warning [https://www.wpr.org/news/most-of-wisconsin-faces-extreme-heat-warning-as-heat-index-to-top-100] this week, with temperatures in the 90s and heat index values exceeding 100 degrees. City Cast Madison executive producer Haley Sperling and Newsletter Editor Rob Thomas share safety reminders and cooling tips [https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/home-lifestyle/a65576390/how-to-cool-off-your-room/], from staying hydrated and limiting outdoor activity to reversing ceiling fans, covering windows, and using air-conditioned public spaces like libraries, malls, community centers, and movie theaters.Then we break down the end of Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Conservation Program [https://captimes.com/news/government/without-knowles-nelson-what-happens-to-wisconsin-conservation/article_49f34192-e41c-45ed-b368-cd6aa8954523.html], which the state legislature failed to fund after 37 years of land stewardship. Plus, is visiting the Dane County Farmers’ Market after noon actually a hack?  Don't forget to vote for City Cast Madison in the Best of Madison competition [https://madisonmagazine.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Madison-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].

Canoes Connect Madison’s Indigenous History To the Present

Last week, the Ho-Chunk Nation gifted Dane County Parks a hand-carved dugout canoe [https://www.instagram.com/p/DaBdN61H2M2/?img_index=7]. Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Bill Quackenbush crafted the vessel himself from a cottonwood tree that was removed from McDaniel Park for construction of the Lower Yahara River Trail. On today’s show, producer Jade Iseri-Ramos talks about the significance of this gift with host Bianca Martin, who also details her adventures at this year’s Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival [https://www.harrywhitehorse.com/festival/]. And later in the show, we revisit Bianca’s interview with Wisconsin maritime archeologist Tamara Thomsen, who was part of the team that discovered more than a dozen ancient dugout canoes in the depths of Lake Mendota.  🗳️Have you voted for us in the 2026 Best of Madison awards yet? [https://madisonmagazine.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Madison-2026/] City Cast Madison is in the running for best local podcast AND best local news website. Polls are open through June 30. Vote today! [https://madisonmagazine.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Madison-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].