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City Cast Madison

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

 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!

Rob Thomas

The Madison City Council has 20 members, all part-time and elected to their seats. Is that too many? Too little? Just right, Goldilocks style?

It’s been up for debate in the city for years. While a city task force recommended reducing the size from 20 to 10 council members and making them full-time positions, voters said in a 2021 advisory referendum that they liked the makeup of the council the way it was.

Earlier this month, Council President Regina Vidaver revived the debate in the city’s Executive Committee, floating the idea of reducing the size to 15 members. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, executive producer Hayley Sperling and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos 

hash out the pros and the cons of each side,

 and whether anything is ever really going to change.

I put the call out to newsletter readers for your thoughts on city council size, and you responded! It’s clearly an issue that sparks a lot of different perspectives. Thanks to everyone who wrote in, and drop me a line with your thoughts at 

“We should have less. 20 is too many.” – 

“Wisely, Madison voters rejected the idea of full-time alder positions in 2021, the last time the idea was floated.There are already too many special interest groups meddling in the alder election process: developers, realtors, and partisan political parties to name a few. Career alder positions would offer more incentives for individuals and groups to try to capture and hold them.

We saw what happened to the State Legislature when the positions became full time with a generous benefits package. Elected officials and political parties became entrenched and the legislature became more dysfunctional. Being an alder should remain a side gig, not a path to full-time employment.” – 

“I like the idea of an odd number to avoid ties, and redistributing salaries is appealing (how much do alders make, anyways?) but generally speaking, more representatives translates to better representation. Maybe cut it to 19 for now? Ideally there would be rules in place scaling the number of alders to the population of the city.” – 

“ [I] like [the] 15 [alders] idea. Larger districts means they each have to support a broader and more diverse base.” – 

“Yes I think we should go down to 15 alders that are full time. A city of our size needs full time staff to focus on issues - and the position should pay well enough that they can dedicate their time to our needs.” – 

“Should be kept at 20. Our population keeps growing & thus each alder is representing more & more people. Plus, the mayor SHOULD vote the tie breaker!! It's their job!! It also gives us a perspective on s/he feels about that issue.” – 

The Madison City Council has 20 part-time members. Is that the right size? As city officials talk about potentially reducing its size, we asked City Cast Madison readers to tell us what they thought. 

Readers Sound Off On Madison's City Council Size

How Many City Council Members Do We Need?

This week's news quiz dives into everything from a new downtown restaurant to a big shake-up at UW-Madison. Can you get every question right? 

Take Our Quiz on Recent Madison News! 

Test Your Madison News Knowledge!

Madison voters, get ready. 2026 is going to be another busy election year, with momentous decisions on the ballot in both the spring and fall.

It all starts with the spring election primary on 

, host Bianca Martin talks to Isthmus staff writer Liam Beran about what’s on the ballot this spring.

Here’s more of what you need to know – how to vote, who’s on the ballot, and what’s at stake.

 to make sure you’re registered to vote. At this point, it's too late to register online or by mail for the Feb. 17 election, but you can still do it in person. You can register now in person at the Madison City Clerk’s office in the City County Building, or at any in-person absentee voting location through Feb. 13. Or you can wait and register at your polling place on Election Day.

 at several locations in Madison (not necessarily the same as your local polling place.) 

There are several Dane County races with primaries on the ballot.

All Dane County voters will cast ballots in the election for Dane County Circuit Court Branch 1, with incumbent Judge Ben Jones running against challengers Huma Ahsan and Nathan Wagner.

A couple of Dane County Supervisor races will also have contested primaries

. In District 12, which covers the north side of Madison, including the Dane County Regional Airport, Sup. Tommy Rylander is running against challengers Otis Harris Jr. and Sean Burke.

In District 15, there is a rare open race after Sup. April Kigeya moved outside of her district on the far west side. Amy Larson — who’s running for the seat — was appointed to fill the seat until the April 7 general election. (Though her appointment still needs to be confirmed by the full board.) In the Feb. 17 primary, Larson is running against Rick Cruz and Anthony “Nino” Amato. Last year, Amato lost a race for Madison City Council District 19 by just nine votes.

The big race on the spring general election ballot will be 

a contest for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court

 left by departing conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley. Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Chris Taylor, who is backed by Democrats, will face another Wisconsin appeals court judge, Maria Lazar, who is backed by Republicans.

While the court is technically nonpartisan, recent races have become the focus of intense partisan interest and record spending levels, given that the court could make decisions on everything from abortion rights to legislative redistricting.

The court currently has a 4-3 slant in favor of its progressive wing, which means that if Lazar wins, that 4-3 balance will remain. If Taylor wins, it will shift the court even further to the left with a 5-2 majority.

While the Lazar-Taylor race has seemed quieter compared to recent 

hotly contested Wisconsin Supreme Court races

, that could change as the election draws nearer. Recently, the candidates split on the hot-button issue of federal immigration disputes, with Lazar saying such disputes are a federal issue, and Taylor saying state courts should play a role.

Two of the seven seats on the Madison School Board are up for election

, with Seat 6 incumbent Blair Mosner Feltham facing challenger Daniella Molle, and Seat 7 incumbent Nicki Vander Meulen faces challenger Dana Colussi-Lynde.

even-numbered Madison City Council district

, your district is on the ballot this spring. (Odd-numbered districts are up for a vote in 2027.)

There are only a handful of contested races for the council. In District 8, with Ald. MGR Govindarajan stepping down, UW-Madison students Bobby Gronert and Ellen Zhang are vying for the seat.

In District 14, with Isadore Knox Jr. stepping down, Kate Blood and Noah Lieberman are competing to represent the district covering parts of south Madison near Monona.

And in District 18, the only district in which an incumbent is defending their seat, Ald. Barbara Harrington-McKinney is being challenged by Islam Khilji.

All 37 seats on the Dane County Board are also up for election on April 7.

Who's running, what's at stake, and how to vote in this February's primary election. Plus, get to know who's running in the April spring election as well.

Everything You Need To Know About Madison's Spring Primary Election

Your Guide to the Spring Elections in Madison

Well, we got through last weekend’s extreme cold, and the high temperatures are skyrocketing up to the low teens (yay?) for the rest of the week.

But it’s still January, and there’s plenty more cold days ahead until spring, with the temperature plunging below zero at night. Here’s some tips to stay safe during the winter freeze, whether it’s merely an annoyance for you or if it’s more of a life-threatening circumstance.

Since October 2025, Wisconsin has seen 20 cold-related deaths, according to the 

. Last winter, WDHS said there were 103 deaths in Wisconsin related to the cold.

If you or someone you know is in need of shelter, call 211.

It’s important to know the symptoms of frostbite or hypothermia. 

According to Public Health Madison and Dane County

, symptoms of hypothermia can often resemble that of intoxication, including shivering, exhaustion, confusion and slurred speech. If you or someone else exposed to the cold displays these symptoms, call 911.

Frostbite symptoms include redness or pain on the skin. If you see those symptoms, get out of the cold if you can and/or protect any exposed skin.

In general, limit outdoor time as much as you can when there are winter storms, wind chill or extreme cold. That goes for your pets as well. If you have to go out, dress in several loose-fitting layers, and wear a hat, mittens and a scarf or other face covering.

Water expands when it freezes, which puts pipes at risk of bursting, especially outdoor pipes such as water sprinkler lines, or pipes in unheated areas such as basements and garages. The 

Red Cross has some good tips to prevent pipes

 from bursting, such as closing inside valves to the outdoors, adding insulation to unheated areas, and removing and storing hoses.

Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors. All Wisconsin homes are required to have such detectors on every level. Also make sure you have a well-stocked home emergency kit, including a first aid kit, flashlight and batteries, cell phone and charger, and food and water.

. If the power goes out, your refrigerator will keep food cold for four hours, and your freezer will keep its temperature for 48 hours. Once the temperature reaches 40 degrees or higher, it’s no longer safe to eat and should be thrown away. Make sure you have plenty of non-perishable food on hand, as well as a gallon of water for each person in the home.

That thing your parents told you about keeping the gas tank full during cold weather? It’s true (or at least keep the tank half full.)

Also, have a weather emergency kit in your car as well, including shovels and sand in case your wheels get stuck in the snow, blankets, jumper cables, snacks, and drinking water. 

 has some good tips for building an emergency kit for your home or vehicle, and even for your pets.

While we got past last weekend's subzero temperatures, there's plenty more winter left in Madison. Here are some tips from staying safe and warm, including how to keep your home and car prepared.

Tips For Staying Safe During a Madison Winter

The Cold Facts About Staying Safe in Winter

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, once known as Dane County Coliseum, is about to enter a new era. The concert promoter FPC Live / Live Nation has proposed investing $100 million to transform the aging arena into a modern entertainment destination that would attract tourists and drive economic activity.

, host Bianca Martin talks with Nick Pjevach, chair of the Madison Arts Commission, who says the county should be cautious before entering into a public-private partnership over the Coliseum.

But how did we get here? Here’s a look back at how the Coliseum got started, some of the biggest names to play on its stages, and what comes next.

The Coliseum’s history dates back to 1895, when the county and the Agriculture Society purchased 250 acres of land to be home to the Dane County Fair. Over the ensuing decades, roads, parking lots, and other services were added to the site, and the Dane County Expo Center (renamed the Alliant Energy Center) opened in 1951.

But it wasn’t until 1967 that the Coliseum itself was built, becoming the home for UW men’s hockey, the World Dairy Expo, and Zor Shrine Circus. The Coliseum had a reputation for being the loudest college hockey arena in the country, and 

reportedly it was the place where the “sieve” chant

 (taunting an opposing goalie who lets a puck into the net) was started.

Local concert promoters Herb and Sylvia Frank

, who had been managing local theaters like the Capitol Theater and the Majestic Theatre, contracted with the county to run the Coliseum box office.

What was originally known as Madison Ticket Agency grew into Frank Productions, and the Franks brought big-name acts to Madison, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, and more. (Frank Productions 

, so the renovation would in some ways bring the Coliseum full circle.)

The shows led to some historic moments in Madison music history. In 1977, on the way to his hotel before playing at the Coliseum, 

Presley reportedly witnessed a fight at a local gas station

. He jumped out of his limousine and posed in a karate stance. A plaque commemorates the incident.

Frank became close friends with several of the performers he worked with, especially Cash. In a Coliseum show in 1982, Cash tricked Frank into coming on stage and then tied him to a chair as a prank.

By 1992, the arena had welcomed an estimated 16 million visitors inside its doors. Big shows that played there during its second 25 years include Bob Dylan, Metallica, Green Day, and the Beastie Boys.

But when the Kohl Center opened on the UW-Madison campus in 1998, its updated facilities and larger capacity proved to be more attractive for many touring acts. In 2025, 

the county said the arena needed $150 million in renovations

, including upgraded seating and the addition of luxury suites, a new ceiling that could support heavier rigging, the ability to offer more concession options, and more backstage amenities for touring bands and opposing sports teams.

Facing that hefty price tag, the county announced last year that it was looking for a private partner with someone who could take over operations or have exclusive booking rights in exchange for paying for the renovations. FPC Live was the only company who made an offer.

With the Veterans Memorial Coliseum facing a historic $100 million renovation, let's take a look back at the arena's long history in Madison, including hosting shows by icons like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

Looking Back at the Madison's Veterans Memorial Coliseum

The Rocking History of Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Adrian González

For all of their majesty, many ships have met their demise in the Great Lakes — experts estimate there 

 and the vast majority of them remain undiscovered. It’s no wonder there’s so much excitement whenever a new shipwreck is discovered, like the 

lot of ancient canoes found in Lake Mendota

 in 2025. Let’s put on our captain hats and dive into some of the most famous shipwrecks found in Wisconsin waterways.

The Fitzgerald was built in 1958 and was 

 to navigate the Great Lakes. For three months in 1959, the ship was docked in its homeport of Milwaukee and open to the public while awaiting a steelworker’s strike. It was the only time the Fitzgerald visited Milwaukee before sinking during a severe storm on Nov. 10, 1975. It’s still 

The radius around the shipwreck is protected by the Ontario Heritage Act (since it sank on the Canadian Side of the lake) and a number of special archeological permits are required to go near it. It was also immortalized in 

The vastness of the water makes it difficult to find even the largest ships, and that’s exactly what happened to the 244-foot Canadian freight steamer Bannockburn when it vanished on Nov. 21, 1902 while transporting wheat. The ship is said to have sailed through a crack in the lake and the ghostship lore has only grown into what is now called “

The Gallinipper has the distinction of being 

, with ties to the fur trade and early settlement. It was originally built in 1832 as the Nancy Dousman, exchanged ownership a handful of times, and eventually sank near Cleveland, Wisconsin in 1851. Most notably, the vessel did not immediately sink after hitting a storm. Efforts were made to recover it to no avail.

The wreckage was discovered by a commercial fisherman in 1994, but was only confirmed as the Gallinipper in 2009.

Maritime archeologists and scientists aren’t the only ones who find shipwrecks. Boat tour guide Matt Olson discovered a “dark blob” while looking at satellite images of Rowleys Bay in 2025. Olson went to investigate with sonar and a GoPro camera and discovered the remains of a massive vessel. He reported it to the Wisconsin Historical Society and archeologists confirmed the Barker had been found 

The Great Lakes are home to an estimated 10,000 shipwrecks, many of them undiscovered. This is the story of some of the most famous shipwrecks in Wisconsin.