Where To Find Madison’s Best Hiking Trails

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/]

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/]