Inside the Wisconsin Academy’s Biggest Night

Hot Takes on Madison’s Queer Scene

It’s Pride Month! Gov. Tony Evers was the first Wisconsin governor to raise the pride flag over the State Capitol, and he did so again [https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/06/01/gov-tony-evers-raises-lgbtq-pride-flag-over-wisconsin-capitol-for-his-last-time/] for his final time earlier this month. Madison and Dane County officials also raised a pride flag at the City-County Building [https://www.wkow.com/news/were-not-going-to-hate-our-neighbors-mayor-kicks-off-pride-month-with-flag-raising/article_683950f0-ea89-44bf-98ae-9163d5c9e66d.html]. While these are symbols of support, we are curious about the actual day-to-day experience of LGBTQIA+ Madisonians. Host Bianca Martin talks with Sanders Weinberg [https://lgbt.wisc.edu/staff/weinberg-sanders/],  program coordinator at the Gender and Sexuality Center at UW-Madison, and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos, about how queer-friendly our city really is.  This episode originally aired on June 2, 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 the sponsors of this June 10th episode: * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026] * American Players Theatre [https://americanplayers.org/] - use code city20 for 20% off any performance in the outdoor Hill Theatre * Society of St. Vincent de Paul [https://svdpmadison.org/raffle/]

Honoring Michael Johnson, Public Art Woes, and Pop-Ups at Madison Public Market

We start today’s show remembering and mourning [https://madison365.com/michael-johnson-community-leader-and-boys-girls-club-ceo-dies-at-50/] community leader Michael Johnson. Host Bianca Martin reflects with executive producer Hayley Sperling and Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians. Plus, Lindsay tells us about her recent investigative piece [https://captimes.com/entertainment/arts/a-madison-nonprofit-promotes-public-art-artists-warn-of-red-flags/article_48559dd2-b489-47d9-a518-1a5a1eddd93d.html] about artists’ challenges with Madison Public Art Project. And the Madison Public Market will be open on Wednesdays [https://www.channel3000.com/news/madison-public-market-hosting-preview-pop-ups-starting-june-10/article_9192f540-3cfe-4222-af64-d2ca0697f618.html]! Mentioned on the show: Michael Johnson on Leading the Next Gen [https://madison.citycast.fm/podcasts/miss-wisconsin-and-bgcs-michael-johnson-on-leading-the-next-gen] [🎧 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] Learn more about the sponsors of this June 9th episode: * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026] * American Players Theatre [https://americanplayers.org/] - use code city20 for 20% off any performance in the outdoor Hill Theatre * Society of St. Vincent de Paul [https://svdpmadison.org/raffle/] Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads [https://madison.citycast.fm/advertise].

Police Monitor Answers Her Critics

Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board and Office of the Independent Police Monitor are once again under scrutiny as the city considers changes [https://isthmus.com/news/news/madison-police-monitor-office-threatens-legal-action-again/] that the office says could undermine its independence. To better understand the issues at hand, host Bianca Martin talks with interim independent police monitor Aeiramique Glass. They discuss hurdles facing the office, how residents can file complaints, and progress in hiring a permanent monitor. Mentioned on this show: Why Madison’s Police Oversight Agencies Are The Most Empowered In the Country [https://madison.citycast.fm/podcasts/why-madisons-police-oversight-agencies-are-the-most-empowered-in-the-country][🎧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 8th episode: * Madison Reading Project [https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/readytowear2026] * American Players Theatre [https://americanplayers.org/] - use code city20 for 20% off any performance in the outdoor Hill Theatre * Society of St. Vincent de Paul [https://svdpmadison.org/raffle/]

'Your City Could Be Better': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast Madison

Madison recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its year-round tourists, a metro area population of over 2 million, and all those pools? The process just might be grosser than you think. With innovative recycling, strict lawn rules, and infrastructure to monitor it all, Vegas has become a global leader in water reuse. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Las Vegas [https://lasvegas.citycast.fm/] podcast host Jesse Merrick to learn how the city makes do with what it has and how its practices could save other cities’ water supplies. Plus, are any Las Vegans actually going to the casinos? Mentioned on the show: * "Reality Check - There are Big Fines If You Don’t Change Your Watering Clock" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOllZBHM3dM] (Southern Nevada Water Authority) * "Federal Regulators Cut Lake Mead Water. Can Vegas Handle It?" [https://lasvegas.citycast.fm/podcasts/federal-regulators-cut-lake-mead-water-can-vegas-handle-it] (City Cast Las Vegas) 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].

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].