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Wisconsin schools are forced to rely on referendums to keep running
Wisconsin’s system of funding public education is outdated, and the state Legislature has failed to fund it properly. Read more
What's New
Guía Isthmus para el votante en otoño de 2024
Isthmus explica en detalle lo que debemos esperar en la papeleta de votación del 5 de noviembre. Read more
Oct 28, 2024
2024 Isthmus General Election voter guide
Isthmus breaks down what to expect on the Nov. 5. ballot. Read more
Oct 28, 2024
Submitted photo
Don’t cut support for people with disabilities
Steven Salmon, a Madison-based writer who has cerebral palsy, is able to live independently with the help of such programs as Social Security. Read more
Oct 28, 2024
Beth Skogen Photography
What to do in Madison this week: Griefcat, Downtown Madison Family Halloween and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for Oct. 28-31 also includes a release party for a new ghost particles album; readings by Wisconsin People & Ideas Fiction and Poetry Contest winners. Read more
Oct 28, 2024
Wisconsin schools are forced to rely on referendums to keep running
Wisconsin’s system of funding public education is outdated, and the state Legislature has failed to fund it properly. Read more
Oct 26, 2024
Billionaires and super PACs fuel record spending in tight Wisconsin Senate race
According to pre-election campaign finance filings released on Thursday, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican challenger Eric Hovde have spent the most among any candidates in a Wisconsin Senate race. Read more
Oct 25, 2024
Liam Beran
But dude, you were mayor
Former Mayor Paul Soglin has been attacking the woman who defeated him in 2019, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, for the city’s need for a referendum to exceed state taxing limits and for not lobbying the Legislature enough. Read more
Oct 24, 2024
David James Swanson
Jack White to play 'secret' show in Madison
Tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. for High Noon Saloon concert on Oct. 24. Read more
Oct 24, 2024
Ty Helbach
What to do in Madison this weekend: Boograss Ball, The Moth Madison GrandSLAM and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Oct. 24-27 also includes a tour stop by New Zealand dubstep duo Truth; final weekends for current productions by Broom Street Theater, Children's Theater of Madison, Madison College Performing Arts and Madison Public Theatre. Read more
Oct 24, 2024
Bill Lueders
Ridglan Farms accused of the wholesale abuse of dogs
Animal rights activists are seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor to weigh whether the facility, home to more than 3,000 beagles, should be charged with violating state animal cruelty laws. Read more
Oct 23, 2024
Submitted photo
Just before fatal police shooting, Kevin Price placed call to 911
A Fitchburg police sergeant fatally shot Kevin Price on Aug. 12 after responding to a “disturbance” related to a violent domestic altercation. Body camera footage has still not been released. Read more
Oct 23, 2024
Leading from the heart
Lucía Núñez, a Cuban American social justice advocate led Centro Hispano's purchase of its first headquarters. Read more
Oct 23, 2024
Liz Lauren
Two men, many questions
APT veterans Gavin Lawrence and Jim DeVita are commanding in the taut jailhouse drama ‘Nat Turner in Jerusalem’ Read more
Oct 21, 2024
11:30 AM
Colorado voters consider ranked choice voting
Colorado voters are considering shifting to ranked choice voting, an election reform approach championed nationally by a Wisconsin native. Read more
Oct 21, 2024
8:30 AM
Ebru Yildiz
What to do in Madison this week: Middleton Community Orchestra, Yasmin Williams and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for Oct. 21-24 also includes the latest stand-up/storytelling tour by Mike Birbiglia; an evening of poetry by Uruguayan women at ALL Read more
Oct 21, 2024
5:06 AM
Christian Heeb
What to do in Madison this weekend: Leroy Jones, Wisconsin Book Festival and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Oct. 17-20 also includes release parties for new music by Free Dirt and Ruin Dweller; comedian Lewis Black makes a stop on his final tour. Read more
Oct 17, 2024
5:05 AM
Liam Beran
Soglin holds news conference to rally opposition to Madison budget referendum
Former Mayor Paul Soglin is emerging as the loudest voice in the campaign to defeat Madison's $22 million budget referendum on Nov. 5. Read more
Oct 16, 2024
8:10 PM
Tommy Washbush / Freepik assets
Madison’s not crying wolf
Some are saying that Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is trying to scare voters into approving the referendum by putting popular items on the chopping block. But the cuts being proposed are pretty standard at this stage of the budget process. Read more
Oct 16, 2024
12:50 PM
Madison author Heather Swan’s 'Where the Grass Still Sings' embraces both art and science
This hybrid of personal essay and environmental reportage also includes reporting on the arts. Read more
Oct 16, 2024
11:00 AM
Liam Beran
Anonymous texts warning of “prison” time for improperly voting are reported to Dane County DA
A text sent to an unknown number of Wisconsinites warns of “up to $10,000” fines or “3.5 years in prison” for voting in a state where 'you're not eligible' to vote. Read more
Oct 15, 2024
3:30 PM
Tommy Washbush
City of Madison workers urge passage of budget referendum
In an unusual move, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced two proposals for the city’s 2025 operating budget — one based on the Nov. 5 budget referendum passing and the other based on it failing. Read more
Oct 14, 2024
5:00 PM
Noticing Mary Jo Hoffman
Mary Jo Hoffman’s 'STILL: The Art of Noticing' is what used to be called a coffee-table book, interspersed with illuminating essays that put the author/photographer in the spotlight. Read more
Oct 14, 2024
3:00 PM
Questions for Wisconsin’s legislative candidates at your door
Chances are that you might find a candidate for state Assembly or Senate at your door in the next three weeks. Here are some things you might want to ask them. Read more
Oct 14, 2024
9:00 AM
courtesy Wisconsin Science Festival
What to do in Madison this week: Wisconsin Science Festival, 'Bad Faith' and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for Oct. 14-17 also includes the opening days of Wisconsin Book Festival and Gamehole Con; book talks by Rebekah Taussig and Jeffrey Boldt. Read more
In the October issue
Can Monona help solve Madison’s housing crisis?
Monona may be landlocked but it isn’t airlocked. City leaders are looking upward for how one small suburb can do its part — and, maybe, much more — to help address the Madison area’s housing needs. Read more
They put the Wisco in the Wisconsin Book Festival
Memoirs, essays, poems, micro-histories and more shine the spotlight on the Badger State and those who write about it. Read more
A generation of art lovers
Youth programming at the Overture Center for the Arts includes the OnStage field trip program, Kids in the Rotunda, the Jerry Awards and Jerry Ensemble. Read more
The dean of Wisconsin pollsters
Charles Franklin launched the Marquette Law School poll in 2012, one of the most accurate in the nation. He is a respected national pollster and in-demand source for journalists. Read more
Open to all
Madison’s longest-running, all-ages open mic is also noteworthy for its inclusivity of genre, welcoming dance, visual art, stand-up and spoken word. Read more
Nat Turner in Jerusalem
Nathan Alan Davis examines the story of an enslaved man who led a rebellion, 10/17-11/10, American Players Theatre-Touchstone, Spring Green. Read more
Oct 29, 2024
7:00 PM
Wisconsin People & Ideas Fiction and Poetry Contest Reading
Wisconsin Book Festival: Readings by Bob Wake, C.E. Perry and Linda Falkenstein (fiction) and Diya Abbas, Han Raschka and Lisa Vihos (poetry). Free. Read more
Oct 29, 2024
7:00 PM
Nat Turner in Jerusalem
Nathan Alan Davis examines the story of an enslaved man who led a rebellion, 10/17-11/10, American Players Theatre-Touchstone, Spring Green. Read more
Oct 30, 2024
1:00 PM
Downtown Madison Family Halloween
Madison Central Business Improvement District's annual event for ages 12 & under, at businesses on State Street & the Square, with crafts, trick or treating. Schedule at Downtown Visitor Center or visitdowntownmadison.com. Read more
Oct 30, 2024
3:00 PM6:00 PM
