News
Wisconsin Supreme Court election recast legislative session
Everything changed in the Capitol in April 2023 when Janet Protasiewicz was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, giving the court its first four-justice liberal majority in 13 years. Read more
Mar 18, 2024
Housing complaints jump in Madison
Madison residents met at Lakeview Library Thursday night to share their housing stories and find assistance. Read more
Mar 15, 2024
Angry residents shout down city staff at meeting on draft west-side Madison zoning plan
New plans for the city’s west side brought Madison homeowners out in force to a neighborhood meeting. They interrupted city staff and booed to make their feelings known. Read more
Mar 13, 2024
Demand grows for literacy services as more refugees arrive in Madison
In 2023, 170 refugees participated in Literacy Network’s programming — the largest number the organization has supported. The students came from 85 different countries, six more than in 2022. Read more
Mar 9, 2024
Ridglan Farms beagle ‘rescue’ case dismissed
The motion was filed late on March 7, the same day that an article on the case, which set to go to trial March 18, was published in Isthmus. Read more
Mar 8, 2024
Retirement perks for new Madison schools superintendent on par with big-city districts
The retirement perks for Madison’s new school superintendent rival those in much bigger districts, where supplemental accounts are a growing way to keep top administrators around. Read more
Mar 8, 2024
‘Rent down’ effect squeezes Madison tenants
The new owner of the Royal Arms apartment complex on Madison’s west side isn’t budging on large rent hikes despite tenant protests. Read more
Mar 7, 2024
1:30 PM
Vintage bar owner explores buying building
A developer who wanted to demolish Vintage Spirits and Grill on University Avenue and replace it with boutique student housing pulled his plans just before they went before key city commissions. Read more
Mar 7, 2024
1:00 PM
Poopspotting
Researchers are exploring the use of aerial imagery and artificial intelligence to monitor the spreading of manure on frozen farm fields — a practice that can contaminate water, spread pathogens, seed algae blooms and kill fish. Read more
Mar 7, 2024
8:00 AM
Referendum to raise property taxes gets support from Madison alders
A referendum to exceed state limits on property taxes looks likely as Madison alders weighed their options to close a $27 million budget shortfall. Read more
Mar 6, 2024
2:30 PM
New state aid favored Wisconsin’s smaller local governments
The 2023 revenue-sharing deal from the Wisconsin Legislature guaranteed Milwaukee and Madison a 10% increase in state aid, while all other municipalities were guaranteed 20% increases. Read more
Mar 4, 2024
11:30 AM
New Madison schools superintendent to earn $299,000 a year
The Madison school district released its employment contract with Joe Gothard, the new superintendent, the day after the school board approved and signed the deal. Read more
Feb 27, 2024
4:15 PM
In the March issue
A crime of compassion?
In 2017 three animal rights activists removed three beagles from a dog breeding facility outside of Mount Horeb. The defendants face felony burglary and felony theft charges and are set to go on trial in Dane County court on March 18-22. Read more
Chakari Daezhare is finding her voice
Chakari Daezhare has been creating songs at a blistering rate. Last year, she released two EPs as well as a couple of singles. Then, in early January, she dropped her first full album. Read more
‘Rent down’ effect squeezes Madison tenants
The new owner of the Royal Arms apartment complex on Madison’s west side isn’t budging on large rent hikes despite tenant protests. Read more
A viewing cheat-sheet for the ‘Top Chef’ visit to Wisconsin
Madison, Milwaukee and other Wisconsin locations will be featured on the upcoming 21st season of Top Chef, a culinary reality show that sets itself apart by showcasing and celebrating a different region of the country each season. Read more
Behind the Isthmus cover: March 2024
Self-taught photographer Allison Gallipeau walks every morning, camera in tow, no matter the weather, and takes photos along the way. Her cover shot was taken along the bike path on John Nolen Drive. Read more