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City Cast Madison

Rob Thomas

Do you know where this slice of pizza is from? (Submitted photo)

It’s been over a month since the United States and Israel launched a war with Iran, and drivers are feeling it at the gas pump. According to AAA, the 

average price of a regular gallon of gas in Dane County is $3.87 a gallon

. That’s 60 cents higher than it was a year ago and almost a dollar higher than a month ago.

 on how you can beat sticker shock at the pump and we asked our readers to share some suggestions of their own for beating high gas prices. Here’s what we heard back and thanks to everyone who contributed!

“Kwik Trip has a rewards program and you can choose 5 cents off a gallon as your reward for every 15 visits. You can stack them. And if you have the app on your phone, you can earn at least one extra visit per day for watching a dumb commercial video (which I watch on the bus, of course).” – 

, a public program here in Dane County that helps people swap solo car trips for other options. The program actually dates back to the 1970s, when it started during the oil crisis to encourage ridesharing — so it’s especially relevant right now. Thought it might be helpful to flag us as a local resource your audience could check out.” 

“Not really a fuel-saving tip per se, but if you have the means to sell your gas car and replace it with a used EV, your fuel cost will go way down immediately! Electricity rates are much cheaper (even per-mile) than gas and also much more stable.

EVs also require less maintenance, can be ‘fueled’ nightly at home avoiding gas station stops, are quieter, more fun to drive, and reduce carbon emissions. Plus, by going with a used EV, you don't have to deal with the steep depreciation of a new car. Modern EV batteries are exceeding longevity expectations, too, so you don't have to worry about it being like an old cell phone whose battery is worn out after a few years.” –

Reader Tips On How To Beat High Gas Prices

What Madisonians have been wondering. We break down why things in Madison are the way they are and how they work.

Madison, Explained

Derek Kolstad is getting back to Normal. Normal, Illinois, that is. The Madison-born screenwriter behind the first three “John Wick” movies (named after his Wisconsin grandfather) was calling from the road on the way to Normal, where he was screening his new action movie, also called “Normal.”

In “Normal,” a small-town sheriff (Bob Odenkirk) who’s new to a sleepy Minnesota town of Normal discovers that the entire population, from the glad-handing mayor (Henry Winkler) to the local barkeep (Lena Headey), are all in on a terrible secret. And they’ll go to murderous lengths to stop their new sheriff from uncovering it.

Kolstad is coming back to Madison to screen “Normal” and talk 

about it April 11 at the Barrymore Theatre

 as part of the Wisconsin Film Festival. Tickets are rush-only at the door for that screening, but “Normal” will officially open in theaters on April 17.

Do you think the people of Normal, and of Wisconsin, will embrace your film as a representation of the Midwest?

I grew up in Madison, and most of my family still live throughout the state, as well as Michigan and northern Minnesota. These are the kinds of towns I grew up in. I don't mock anything. I embrace it, and everything is kind of a love letter to them. I think they'll pick up on what I'm cooking here.

Was Wisconsin a place of excitement and danger for you growing up here?

I always lived in my head, man. I grew up on the west side, and every weekend I was at the Marcus Theatres, and then there was a 99-cent theater in Middleton. I loved Madison, and the idea of moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in movies, which was a dream that I had had since I was 11, it felt easier going to Mars.

But as far as (the idea for) “Normal,” a lot of my family is still out in Mazomanie. And I would drive through the downtown section and there’s always that one store that’s open where you’re like “How the hell is that store open? Is there really enough business here for a yarn store?”

So “Nobody 2” was inspired by the Wisconsin Dells, and “Normal” was inspired by Mazomanie. If you were adding a third movie to the Wisconsin action trilogy, where would it be set?

There’d have to be a quintet. You have to have one up in Green Bay, because not only am I a Packers fan, I’m a shareholder. My parents lived in Junction, just outside of Wausau. And then I have a lot of family up in Superior. Those are the core-memory locations that I got.

Do you have any other favorite Madison memories?

A lot of memories I have of downtown Madison are going to the Orpheum. My favorite experience was one time going to the Orpheum, and not knowing what movie we were going to watch. And it was “The Hunt For Red October,” which was awesome.

I love Madison. I go back there a couple of times a year. The thing about “Normal” is that it’s a thank you to the people and the places where I grew up.

Derek Kolstad may be best known for writing the first three "John Wick" movies. His latest action film, "Normal" starring Bob Odenkirk and Henry Winkler, is a love letter to Wisconsin.

Madison-Born Derek Kolstad Goes From 'John Wick' To 'Normal'

After ‘John Wick,’ Madison-Born Writer Wants Something ‘Normal’

Find the best of everything that Madison has to offer.

Madison’s Best

Madison's Best

It’s spring in Wisconsin, which means the weather is a rollercoaster and your coat closet is full of both heavy winter parkas and light spring jackets, just in case. You decide what to wear, and I’ll tell you about some of the great things in Madison this month to go out and experience! Deal?

🍅 The Farmers’ Market Goes Back Outside

Along with the nicer weather comes the return of the 

 to the Capitol Square on April 11. The market will be there every Saturday through November 14, except for July 11, where it will move to Breese Stevens Field to make room for 

On April 18, Madison record stores will be packed for Record Store Day, with exclusive limited-edition vinyl releases and used records for sale. A week later, on April 25, a dozen Madison indie bookstores are getting together to celebrate 

, with in-store parties and readings and special giveaways, 

including a free print by Madison artist Megan Stout featuring all 12 bookstores

It just isn’t spring in Madison until the 

, which for 44 years has brought thousands of Madisonians together to celebrate UW-Madison. This year’s race is on April 25, and includes an 8K run, an 8K wheelchair race, and a 2-mile walk through downtown and the campus.

Forward Theater closes out its 2025-26 season with a biggie, 

 running in the Overture Center Playhouse April 9-26. Lauren Gunderson’s comedy is an update on “Much Ado About Nothing” set in the world of romantasy audiobook narrators.

 is coming to the Orpheum Theater on April 16, as hosts Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark take an amusing deep dive into a surprise topic. They’ve recorded 2,000 episodes, but there’s always something new to learn!

 returns to the Alliant Energy Center from April 17-19. It’s the largest three-day horse fair in America, with 300 clinics, seminars and educational events, over 500 vendors, and of course hundreds of horses.

Your Guide to April 2026 in Madison

April 3 will be the end of an era for Madison journalism. 

Tone Madison, the proudly independent online publication

 that has challenged Madison’s institutions from political to cultural since 2014, is closing its doors.

“We didn’t water down our voice to placate advertisers or funders,” the editors wrote in their announcement. “There were no unaccountable executives, no rich men turning our publication into a plaything, no compromise. We’re proud that we were always willing to poke the bear, even when other outlets were busy trying to make friends with the bear.”

The Tone Madison archive will remain online, so readers can enjoy some of their favorite stories and headlines that Tone published over the years. Here are some of our faves. Who else but Tone could have written about a feud between a local editorial cartoonist and a witch?

This one’s a bit of a homer, as City Cast Madison’s Executive Producer Hayley Sperling wrote for Tone Madison back in 2018 to share a sneak peek into the delight that is late-night 

 and what makes the experience quite so magical.

Writer Reid Kurkerewicz makes the case for 

why John Wilde is Wisconsin’s most famous painter, 

not without some reader pushback, and the fascinating legacy he leaves behind.

That Time a Witch Cursed Phil Hands’ Dick

As Tone Madison’s editor’s note declares: “I don’t know if Tone Madison has ever published a headline more attention-grabbing than this one.” A feud between a cartoonist and a professor ended with…

dismantling of the statue of the “Forward” symbol 

during the summer of 2020, and how hollow the act feels in the face of racism she was intimately familiar with and facing during her undergraduate time at UW-Madison.

UW-Madison professor Sami Schalk started a movement of amplifying pleasure activism, and others contributed their own forms of pleasure activism – from 

 last-minute Tuesday night concert by “metalcore giants” Underoath 

and found sad pizza, empty chairs, and good music, interspersed with a band Q&A all in an arcade.

Breese Stevens Field’s $500 ‘Curated Picnic Basket’ Experience’

Tone co-founder Scott Gordon highlights the moment when access to

 entertainment in Madison began to feel, “uncontainable and unhinged”

: the $500 “curated picnic basket” that included apples, pears, and… disposable plates? This might seem more commonplace in the days of luxury cabanas at Breese Stevens Field, but back in 2017, the price tag was shocking.

state’s greatest bizarro digital communication,

 or something,” when Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine commented “cool building” about the state’s Capitol Building, just a few years shy of its centennial celebration.

For a film culture writer, it’s easy to criticize the multiplexes. But it’s not so easy to criticize the indie theatrical scene. So kudos to Tone film editor Grant Phipps for being willing to take on both in his piece questioning why theaters of all sizes are still showing films by problematic directors like Roman Polanski and Luc Besson. It’s a no-sacred-cows essay that encapsulates what makes Tone Madison so special.

For a decade, Tone Madison has been an essential part of Madison’s independent media landscape. As the website announces that it's shutting down on April 3, we revisit some of our favorite stories and headlines.

The Most Memorable Tone Madison Headlines

People, places, and scenes from Madison's past.

Madison History

 as a result of the United States and Israel’s war with Iran, and they seem to go higher every day. The average price of regular gas in Dane County is $3.67 per gallon. That’s about in line with the state’s overall average, and up nearly 60 cents from a year ago, 

Here are some tips on ways to save on gas in Madison.

check the Madison Metro Transit bus schedule

 and use public transportation to get where you’re going. 

 that will not only help you plan your trip, but tell you where your bus is in real time and when you need to be at your stop.

a network of over 100 miles of shared bike trails

 that can get you quickly and safely to every part of the city, and the warming temperatures make a bike ride a lot of fun as well as cost-effective.

Madison BCycle offers a bike-sharing service

 throughout the city. To celebrate its 15th anniversary, 

 for all Dane County residents and workers through April 30.

 is free and tracks gas prices in your area. Enter your address or route, and it will show you the current gas prices at stations along the way. It’s crowdsourced, and you can enter your receipts to earn points toward rewards, including discounts on gas. You can also play games to earn points.

⛽ Take Advantage of Free Rewards Programs

Stretch your gas dollar a little farther with special programs. 

Kwik Trip offers its Fleet Rewards Program

 for people who drive as part of their jobs. While Hy-Vee doesn’t have any gas stations in the Madison area, 

 they can use on items in the store, and when they’re traveling to areas that have Hy-Vee Gas stations.

 keeping tires properly inflated, and making sure to drive the speed limit. As speeds exceed 50 mph on the highway, aerodynamic drag reduces fuel economy. Limiting air conditioner use helps save on gas. Use a windshield shade to lessen heat buildup inside the car, and remove bulky items — it takes more fuel to accelerate in a heavier car.

Fuel saving tips

 What are your fuel-saving tips?

The average price of a gallon of regular gas is 60 cents higher in Dane County than it was a year ago.

How To Avoid High Gas Prices in Madison

How To Beat High Gas Prices in Madison

The Spring Election is just two weeks away! On April 7, Dane County voters will head to the polls to vote in a number of non-partisan local, county, and state races, from the Madison School Board to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

In-person absentee voting locations opened today. Here’s what you need to know to go to the polls, and what to expect to see on your ballot

Check online and make sure you are registered to vote

. The deadline to register online has passed, but you can still register at the city clerk’s office through Friday, April 3, or at your polling location on Election Day.

If you’ve changed addresses or your name since the last election, you’ll need to re-register. In addition to your voter ID, make sure to 

, this can be as simple as pulling up a recent utility bill or lease agreement on your phone.

you can request an absentee ballot online

 by April 2 and track its progress to your mailbox. If you are planning to return it in the mail, though, do it as soon as possible so it gets counted! Elections officials advise allowing at least 10 days for your ballot to make it through the postal system, which would mean sending it back by March 28.

Otherwise, you can drop your ballot off at one of the 14 absentee drop boxes around town.

In-person absentee ballot locations will be open through April 

No matter how you vote, here’s what you’ll see on the ballot.

This year’s race for an open seat on the state’s highest court is relatively low-key compared to previous elections, because the liberal majority on the court will endure through 2028 no matter who wins. With conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley retiring, 

, who is backed by Republicans, is running against

In the race for Branch 1 seat, a civil court division that oversees family law cases, 

incumbent Judge Ben Jones is facing challenger Huma Ahsan

Jones was appointed to the seat by Gov. Tony Evers last year after Susan Crawford was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He had previously served as chief legal counsel for the state Department of Public Instruction. Meanwhile, Ahsan runs an immigration law firm and served as a legislative attorney for Ho-Chunk Nation.

All 37 Dane County Supervisor Seats are up for election, but only 13 of those elections are contested. In the Madison area, that includes:

, with incumbent Heidi Wegleitner faces Carlos Rodriguez Lewison.

 representing the Lake Wingra area, with incumbent Erin Welsh facing challenger John Fons.

, with Simran Arora and Aria Trucios vying for an open seat.

 covering the East Towne Mall area, incumbent Tommy Rylander facing challenger Sean Burke in a rematch of the 2024 race.

 in Middleton, interim board member Amy Larson is facing challenger Nino Amato.

 in northeast Madison, incumbent Rick Rose is challenged by Goodwill Obieze.

Even-numbered seats on the city council are on the ballot this year, and only three of those feature contested races.

, two UW juniors, Bobby Gronert and Ellen Zhang, are competing for the open seat left by Ald. MGR Govindarajan.

, where Noah Lieberman and Kate Blood are competing for an open seat.

, in the one city council race where an incumbent is being challenged, Ald. Barbara Harrington-McKinney faces Islam Khilji.

There are two seats on the school board on the ballot

. In Seat 6, incumbent Blair Mosner Feltham faces UW-Madison education researcher Daniella Molle. For Seat 7, incumbent Nicki Vander Meulen is being challenged by IT manager Dana Colussi-Lynde.

The spring nonpartisan election is just two weeks away, and voters in Madison and Dane County will have plenty of statewide and local races to weigh in on. Here's your guide to what's on the ballot and how to make sure you're ready to vote.

What To Know About the April 7 Election in Madison

Your Guide to the April Election in Dane County

today’s City Cast Madison episode featuring Madison trivia master Paul Guse

, you might think you know everything there is to know about Madison. Well now is your chance to prove it. Here’s five more questions to test your knowledge!

Take the City Cast Madison Quiz!

It’s a big year for classical music fans in Madison. This is John DeMain’s 32nd and final year as music director of the Madison Symphony Orchestra. He has a new book, “

he’ll talk about it on March 24 at Madison Central Library

to talk to host Bianca Martin about his long career, and what he wants to accomplish before he finally sets down the baton.

The MSO is just one part of a symphony of classical music performances in Madison that take place in the biggest concert halls to the most intimate rooms. Here’s where to hear some of the most beautiful music the city has to offer.

Now in its centennial year, the MSO is one of the best-regarded regional orchestras in the country. DeMain is world-renowned for his contributions to classical music, and the acoustics of the MSO’s home base in Overture Hall is the envy of many orchestras.

wildly popular “Concerts on the Square” series

 every summer, the orchestra conducted by Andrew Sewell (now in his 25th season as conductor) performs year-round in the Capitol Theater and elsewhere.

Madison’s long-running professional opera company is staging three productions a year in Overture Hall (including 

last month’s world premiere of “Everlasting Faint”

), as well as bringing opera to the masses with the free “Opera in the Park” in the summer.

For over a century the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Performing Arts Committee has been booking touring classical and opera music acts into the theater, from masterpieces by Bach and Beethoven to new classical music.

This long-running summer festival aims to make classical music accessible and just plain fun for audiences, such as last summer’s “fire”-themed series of concerts at Hamel Music Center.

WYSO has been instilling a lifelong love of classical music early in the lives of young Madisonians for decades. It’s expanded to include three full orchestras, two string orchestras, a percussion ensemble, and more.

The UW-Madison music school is dedicated not only to educating and elevating its students, but bringing classical music to the community with free performances by its faculty ensembles, student ensembles, and prestigious artists-in-residence.

This six-member group is the resident chamber ensemble for Oakwood Village Senior Living Center, blending wind and string instruments to explore a variety of styles.

Classical music is an essential part of this arts space’s eclectic cultural diet, such as a 

contemporary classical concert featuring Lia Kohl and and Zachary Good

The origins of this quartet date back to Europe over a century ago. When the touring European musicians were stranded in Madison at the onset of World War II and unable to return home, they put down roots here and became one of the city’s longest-running ensembles.

From the Madison Symphony Orchestra to the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, there are plenty of top-quality classical music groups in Madison to enjoy.

The Best Places to Hear Classical Music in Madison

Where to Enjoy Classical Music in Madison 

You may like pizza, but do you really know pizza? Madison has several popular local pizza restaurants, each serving their own distinctive signature pies. Take our quiz and see how well you know your slices.

Test Your Knowledge of Madison's Iconic Pizzas

The latest on the hottest places to eat, drink, socialize, and talk about in Madison.

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Madison. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Madison Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Madison might not be a city known for its bagels the way 

. But when it comes to the round breakfast delights, we’ve got plenty of delicious options, whether you want a full morning sammie or just a bagel and schmear.

Here are some of the best places in Madison to get a bagel:

If you’re planning to bring bagels into the office, Bagels Forever is the place you have to go to. Since 1973, the retail bakery on University Avenue has been making New York-style bagels in Madison. You can also ship a box of bagels to your favorite out-of-towner.

Mermaid doesn’t have a physical store, so I feel a little like a secret agent when I preorder my bagels days in advance and then pick them up, made-to-order, at Mermaid’s commercial kitchen on South Baldwin Street. They also sell challah bread and chocolate babka.

As the name suggests, this is the Madison spot that former New Yorkers say comes the closest to their hometown bagels. I’m a big fan of their bagel sandwiches, whether it’s the simple egg and cheddar or the chicken breast sandwich known as the Massapequa.

This bakery on East Main Street makes its bagels using small-batch sourdough breads milled with local, organic ingredients. Don’t expect any wild flavors — they keep it simple with plain, sesame, and everything bagel options, keeping the focus on the quality of the bagels.

Those on a plant-based diet or otherwise looking for grain-free bagels know to go to Paleo Mama Bakery, which offers their “Pagels” to take home. Check out the new bakery and retail space that just opened up on Park Street.

Folks line up for these hand-rolled bagels at the Monroe Street Farmers’ Market, and the owner is planning to open 

his own brick-and-mortar location on Speedway Road this fall

Madison has plenty of great bagel options, from Mermaid Kitchen to Gotham Bagels to Bagels Forever. 

The Best Bagels You Can Find in Madison

Where To Find the Best Bagels in Madison

Easter is Sunday, and you might think that with the holiday being just three days away, your chances of taking the fam out for brunch are close to nil.

But a quick survey of local restaurants offering Easter Brunch this year found that all of the below spots had at least a couple of reservation times open. Here’s where you can get your brunch on. Most offer discounts for kids.

Don't have plans for the family on Easter morning? Don't worry. Most spots in Madison have openings still for their brunch events, including the Great Dane, Madison Concourse Hotel and The Post.

Food & Drink

Test Your Knowledge of Madison's Iconic Pizzas

Rob Thomas

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