City Budget Controversy, Beltline Traffic, and Development Delays
Unfortunately for Dwight Schrute, we’re talking about budgets, buildings, and the Beltline not bears, beets, and Battlestar Galactica on this week’s Friday news roundup. The City Council passed the 2026 budget and voted down an amendment that would defund the Office of the Independent police Monitor. A proposed building development on West Wilson has us, and the surrounding neighborhood, asking how necessary is parking downtown. Plus, the state has finished its study on the Beltline and has solutions for the traffic, and no they don’t suggest adding a north or south Beltline. City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling digs into these stories and more with newsletter editor Rob Thomas, and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos.
Mentioned on the show:
Madison passes $453 million budget, rejects move to pull police monitor funding [Isthmus]
City of Madison 2026 Mayor’s Budget [Wisconsin Policy Forum]
City undecided on 16-story Wilson Street development with no parking [Wisconsin State Journal]
Recommendations for Beltline aim to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion [Wisconsin State Journal]
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning 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!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 14th episode:
- Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric
- Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
- Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
- Goodman Community Center
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Latest Episodes
Inside YWCA Madison’s 2026 Racial Justice Summit
This October marks the 25th year of the YWCA Madison Racial Justice Summit. Ahead of the two-day conference, City Cast Madison host Bianc...

WI Attorney General on Meta Payout, PFAS Settlement, and Ruiz Investigation
Wisconsin is set to receive at least $219 million from Meta as part of a multi-state settlement over allegations the social media company...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Las Vegas Is Handling Record-Breaking Heat — Presented By City Cast Madison
It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Madison, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already sizz...

AI Art Letter Explained, City Council Rejects Relief Fund, and Badger Applications Double
The controversy over an AI-driven sculpture coming to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art continues: in an open letter with hundreds o...

Train Your Mind To Be IRONMAN Strong
IRONMAN Wisconsin is coming to Madison this weekend. Expect closed streets and super fit Madison visitors! For those of us who aren’t t...

State Climatologist on Wisconsin's Wild Weather & Climate Change
A new United Nations report says global warming has hit the point of no return and is set to consistently exceed the 1.5°C benchmark set...

MMoCA Director on AI Art, and New Exhibits at Remodeled Chazen
An upcoming art installation at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art has sparked some controversy due to its use of AI. On today’s podc...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Nashville Is Beating Flock — Presented By City Cast Madison
Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Madison? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measure...

AI Art Sparks Backlash, Finance Committee Rejects More Police Monitor Funding, and New MSN Direct Flights
This week, the Madison Finance Committee voted unanimously to deny additional funding for the Office of the Independent Police Monitor. T...

Halal Week, How To Spend $3 Billion, and Retiring in Madison
Madison’s first Halal Restaurant Week starts Friday, and eight local restaurants are adapting their menus to be more inclusive of Muslim...


