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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
What's New
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Robin Shepard
Just one more IPA…
Interest in IPAs never seems to wane — there are new versions available every week. Plus our recommendations for the best local pumpkin beers. Read more
Oct 12, 2024
Courtesy Ryan Matthes
Sign of the times
A creative, interactive yard sign is counting down the days until the election and getting attention in an east-side neighborhood. Read more
Oct 11, 2024
Shawn Harper
In a time of flood and flame, Kanopy Dance’s ‘Polaris’ draws on ancestral wisdom
Wolf: A Transformation is the centerpiece of the evening, a work of poetic concision, which like a great work of music resonates after it is over. Read more
Oct 11, 2024
Local issues in the shadows
There are local issues on the Nov. 5 ballot that are getting lost in the national political drama. These issues should really be on the April ballot, where local issues traditionally are decided. Read more
Oct 11, 2024
9:00 AM
Ian Schultz
What to do in Madison this weekend: Spine Stealers album release, WCO's ‘Convergence’ and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Oct. 10-13 also includes Kanopy Dance's season-opening program, 'Polaris;' a book talk by Mike Bass on 'Frightful Folklore of North America.' Read more
Oct 10, 2024
5:06 AM
Natural Intuition Photography
A wine destination in Fitchburg
Since opening in 2020, Four Winds has hosted a winter holiday market, classes, pop-up dinners and more. Now Jay Hutchison, a sommelier with an extensive background in wine and fine dining, has brought new focus to the food and beverage offerings. Read more
Oct 9, 2024
1:00 PM
Darren Bush
Under the speed limit
On an interstate we go faster, but at a price. I think it’s a high one. Slow down and soak in Wisconsin’s Rustic Roads. Read more
Oct 9, 2024
8:00 AM
Ridglan Farms cited for new violations as hearing nears
In advance of an Oct. 23 hearing in Dane County court, an inspection report from state regulators found ongoing violations at Ridglan Farms, a dog breeding and research facility in Blue Mounds. Read more
Oct 8, 2024
10:00 AM
Courtesy OMAI's YouTube channel
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
Oct 8, 2024
8:00 AM
Drake White-Bergey
Journalism in the service of democracy
With a stipend from Democracy Day, Isthmus and WORT teamed up to gauge whether Wisconsin’s new electoral maps increased civic engagement in a newly competitive district. Read more
Oct 8, 2024
8:00 AM
Liam Beran
Hate crimes at UW-Madison more than doubled in 2023
The number of hate crimes on UW-Madison’s campus in 2023 was 14, compared to six in 2022, according to the federally mandated Clery report. Read more
Oct 7, 2024
10:30 AM
Tommy Washbush
Sheriffs behaving badly
It’s not unusual for sheriffs to have a partisan bias. Unlike police chiefs, sheriffs are elected on a partisan ticket. Read more
Oct 7, 2024
10:00 AM
Both parties now push voting early
More than 3.2 million votes were cast in the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin, and all signs — including high turnout in the August partisan primary — point to another heavy turnout in just four weeks. Read more
Oct 7, 2024
9:00 AM
Dana Flor
What to do in Madison this week: Danielle Trussoni, '1-800-ON-HER-OWN' and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for Oct. 7-10 includes an Antiwar Film Series screening of short films from Gaza; the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra performs a concert to be recorded for the 'Musical Landscapes in Color' project. Read more
Oct 7, 2024
5:07 AM
Robin Shepard
Back in Madison
After focusing on sales closer to home during the pandemic, Dead Bird Brewing and Hop & Barrel are amping up thei distribution and returning to Madison stores. Read more
Oct 6, 2024
8:00 AM
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
Madison Night Market
Arts & other vendors, music, games, food & more, along Gilman & State streets, and the Capitol Square. Click through for monthly specifics. Read more
Oct 17, 2024
5:00 PM9:00 PM
Gamehole Con
Fantasy tabletop gaming convention, 10/17-20 Alliant Energy Center, with celebrity appearances, vendors. $50/$40 per day ($80 weekend). Read more
Oct 17, 2024Oct 20, 2024
Wisconsin Book Festival
Free readings & discussions, 10/17-20, at Central Library and other locations. Read more
Oct 17, 2024Oct 20, 2024
Fall Art Tour
Self-guided tour of studios, 10 am-6 pm, 10/18-20, in Baraboo, Dodgeville, Mineral Point and Spring Green areas. Read more
Oct 18, 2024
10:00 AM6:00 PM
Nordic Utopia? African Americans in the 20th Century Co-Curator Conversation
Talk by Ethelene Whitmire. Free. Read more
Oct 18, 2024
4:00 PM
