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How Wisconsin electoral maps might have looked under the Iowa model
Fair map advocates have been pushing for Wisconsin to adopt Iowa's nonpartisan process for drawing electoral districts for more than 10 years. In 2014 Isthmus graphic designer David Michael Miller created maps to show what that might look like. Read more
Sep 22, 2023
A non-alcoholic Oktoberfest beer?
An NA Oktoberfest from Untitled Art lets those who don’t drink alcohol (or don’t want to at the moment) enjoy the fall beer fests. Plus: a juicy hop bomb from O’so and a kölsch from G5 is now in the Madison market. Read more
Sep 21, 2023
What to do in Madison this weekend: Udder Chaos, 'Give The Drummer Some' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Sept. 21-24 includes the final weekend for acclaimed University Theatre and Forward Theater productions; the debut of the Emerson-East Eken Park Art Walk. Read more
Sep 21, 2023
Vos at a loss
The latest turns of events make Robin Vos look like a guy who’s flailing around, looking for some kind of foothold to save his rigged (well, they are) majorities in the Legislature. Read more
Sep 20, 2023
From Madison to Maui
Brad Starks and his team were one episode away from completing filming on a new comedy show that focuses on the lives of three native Hawaiian friends when the wildfires hit Maui on Aug. 8 Read more
Sep 19, 2023
Wisconsin Republicans’ reversal on redistricting calls for adopting Iowa maps model
The Assembly-passed plan would require nonpartisan professionals working for the Legislative Reference Bureau to draw up new legislative district lines that give no advantage to either party and do not favor incumbents by Jan. 31. Read more
Sep 18, 2023
What to do in Madison this week: Bryce Vine, 'Project Projection' and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for Sept. 18-21 includes the opening of a new exhibit remembering Wisconsin artist Truman Lowe; a book talk on 'Sing a Black Girl’s Song,' collecting unpublished work by the late Ntozake Shange. Read more
Sep 18, 2023
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin: ‘As of Monday, the team is ready’ to resume abortion services
‘The people of Wisconsin once again can access the full range of reproductive healthcare, including abortion,’ says Tanya Atkinson, president and CEO. Read more
Sep 17, 2023
Five things
“Adding to the sense of dread is the suspicion that this is the ‘new normal,’ to use a phrase we’ve all come to hate. You don’t like it this hot? Well, it’s only going to get worse, we’re told.” Read more
Sep 17, 2023
One Dish: Crispy noodle lad na from Hot 'n Spicy
Everything is good at Monona's hidden gem, Hot 'n Spicy, but this crispy noodle-based dish steals the show. Read more
Sep 15, 2023
From hobbyist to war photographer
Local photographer Craig Schreiner noticed photos Iva Sidash posted on Facebook of the war in Ukraine. He reached out and a friendship grew. Sidash will soon be in Wisconsin to exhibit her work at UW-Whitewater and to speak at UW-Madison. Read more
Sep 15, 2023
A train station near Blount and Livingston streets is now being considered for downtown Madison
Monona Terrace has been the potential site downtown for a Madison train station. Now the city is also considering the area around Blount and Livingston streets. Read more
Sep 14, 2023
Do we need another committee to study Madison’s housing crisis?
Ald. Burris' resolution would invite various stakeholders to explore solutions to Madison's housing crisis, including partnerships between employers and developers and a review of relevant city processes. Read more
Sep 14, 2023
12:00 PM
Rookery Brewery carves out a niche with farmhouse ales
A Wauwatosa brewery specializing in farmhouse ales begins to distribute more of its beers in Madison. Plus, a triad of saisons from The Great Dane. Read more
Sep 14, 2023
8:00 AM
A spiffed-up Deerfield Coffeehouse
“This building has been around forever, and many people who have been in Deerfield for a long time have fond memories,” says Teresa Pelletier, owner of Deerfield Coffeehouse, which opened in 2019 at 50 N. Main St. Read more
Sep 14, 2023
8:00 AM
What to do in Madison this weekend: Willy Street Fair, Yard Act and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Sept. 14-17 includes screenings of the new documentary 'Blackwaters: Brotherhood in the Wild'; more fall fests including Urban Harvest Festival, Viva México Festival and Wauktoberfest. Read more
Sep 14, 2023
5:05 AM
Don’t cut my taxes
Wisconsin needs more young people. We need people in the workforce and entrepreneurs who will create jobs. The last thing we need is more old folks who are net consumers of resources. Read more
Sep 13, 2023
10:00 AM
‘The Garbologists’ from Forward Theater is more than an unusual buddy comedy
This odd couple dramedy, playing through Sept. 24 in the Overture Center's Playhouse, reveals itself like an Agatha Christie novel. Read more
Sep 13, 2023
10:00 AM
What’s happened since cops were called on a Pride event in the town of Berry
About 50 people showed up to support the LGBTQ community and celebrate Pride Month in the town of Berry. It was a celebration, until someone called the police. Read more
Sep 13, 2023
9:00 AM
The shaper of moods
UW-Madison lured Davis away from a full-time performing career in New York City to join the music faculty — one of the greatest gets in Wisconsin history. For nearly 50 years, he performed and taught here. Read more
Sep 12, 2023
12:00 PM
A talk with Jane Rotonda, new director of the Wisconsin Book Festival
The festival’s new 35-year-old director says it’s “fun to think back about that; I was in the audience then, and I’m still in the audience. But it’s a very different experience now.” Read more
Sep 12, 2023
8:00 AM
When a small, nonprofit news site gets sued for defamation
Founder and publisher Shereen Siewert says the Pilot did its due diligence before naming Cory Tomczyk, now a state senator, as the source of a homophobic slur. She says she is '100 percent confident in our reporting.' Read more
Sep 11, 2023
9:00 AM
Graying demographics drive Wisconsin Republicans’ tax cut
The plan the Assembly may pass this week would exempt pensions and IRA and 401(k) investments for most residents over 67 Read more
Sep 11, 2023
9:00 AM
What to do in Madison this week: Diana Ross, Chasten Buttigieg and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for Sept. 11-14 includes English buzz band Yard Act; the latest edition of sideways stand-up show 'Nate Chappell Asks You Several Questions.' Read more
Sep 11, 2023
5:07 AM
In the September issue
MSO, WCO, Madison Opera cozy up to contemporary composers, but still embrace old friends
For Madison’s major classical music performance groups, the fall season balances old masterworks with newer compositions from lesser known, more diverse composers. The result is a blend of music and social history. Read more
‘It’s a management situation’
'You can’t train an aggressive dog,' says Shannon Meyer, a lead worker with Public Health Madison & Dane County. 'It’s just something you have to manage for the dog’s life.' Read more
Cinematheque is packed with new and old, premieres and restorations, and special guests
Okay, Madison. Here’s your chance to prove that there is interest in moviegoing besides commercial fare in Sun Prairie or Fitchburg. Read more
Brian Cowing is more than just an interim artistic director at CTM
CTM veteran Brian Cowing is assuming the role of interim artistic director of the youth theater company, while a national search is under way for a permanent replacement for the organization’s outgoing leader, Roseann Sheridan. Read more
Behind the Cover: September 2023
For September’s Fall Arts Preview cover, he took a cue from our SummerTimes issue, drawing inspiration from cover artist Hannah Jilk’s use of hand lettering. Read more
The Earthlings, CoMingle, Maestranza, Enchanted Onion, M Shays, Rezurec, DJ Stacktrace
“Concert For Mental Health Awareness," annual benefit for Journey Mental Health Center and NAMI Wisconsin. Read more
Sep 22, 2023
7:00 PM11:00 PM
Authors' Showcase
With more than 20 regional writers, open mic, scavenger hunt. Read more
Sep 23, 2023
10:00 AM12:00 PM
Emerson-East Eken Park Art Walk
10 am-3 pm, 9/23, locations: emersonekenarts.org. Read more
Sep 23, 2023
10:00 AM3:00 PM
Udder Chaos
Invitational roller derby tournament hosted by Madison Roller Derby, with games at 1, 3, 5 and 7 pm on 9/23 and noon, 2 and 4 pm, 9/24, Alliant Energy Center. $25/day ($40/weekend). Read more
Sep 23, 2023
1:00 PM7:00 PM
Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt. 2B
University Theatre: Roommates emerge from the pandemic as a mystery-solving duo, 7/27-8/6 and 9/14-24, Vilas Hall-Mitchell Theatre, at 7:30 pm Thursday-Saturday and 2 pm Saturday-Sunday. Read more
Sep 23, 2023
2:00 PM