Homepage
Courtesy Lakestone Properties
Mariner’s Inn waterfront site to host restaurant in new development
The Mariner’s Inn site in the town of Westport will be redeveloped with multi-unit housing and space for a first-floor, waterfront restaurant.
What's New
Tommy Washbush / Freepik
Let’s vote in person on Election Day
Early voting reinforces our current polarization and gives candidates less time to make their case.
Jan 16, 2026
Courtesy QTS Data Centers
Should Wisconsin stop — at least temporarily — or regulate large data centers?
Madison just placed a one-year moratorium on data centers. Dueling state bills are seeking to regulate these facilities statewide. And one gubernatorial candidate is proposing a statewide moratorium.
Jan 16, 2026
Scotty Kirby
What to do in Madison this weekend: Star Country’s Class Of 2026, Wisconsin Drag Awards and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Jan. 15-18 also includes the annual Otis Redding tribute by Mo' Onions; a book launch and exhibition reception for Randall Berndt.
Jan 15, 2026
Jake Piper
Children’s African Story Hour demystifies narratives about Africa
The free monthly event at Pinney Library aims to teach elementary-aged children about countries and cultures on the African continent.
Jan 14, 2026
Courtesy Lakestone Properties
Mariner’s Inn waterfront site to host restaurant in new development
The Mariner’s Inn site in the town of Westport will be redeveloped with multi-unit housing and space for a first-floor, waterfront restaurant.
Jan 14, 2026
Robin Shepard
Smoothie or seltzer?
Beers from Karben4, Delta, Flix and Tyranena are worth seeking out.
Jan 14, 2026
Community Shares of Wisconsin Backyard Hero: Robin Conkey
Each month Community Shares of Wisconsin presents the Backyard Hero Award to organizations and people making change happen in our community. This month’s hero is Robin Conkey.
Jan 13, 2026
Joe Timmerman / Wisconsin Watch
Evers schedules final appeal to GOP lawmakers
Gov. Tony Evers is expected to ask, for the eighth time, that the Legislature expand Medicaid coverage to more middle-income residents.
Jan 12, 2026
Drake White-Bergey
UW campuses skew female
In 2025, UW-Madison enrolled almost 1,000 fewer men than women. Similar gender gaps exist across the UW system.
Jan 12, 2026
Emilie Heidemann
Madison Public Market murals give a taste of what’s to come
All the murals celebrate immigrant groups that have brought so much to the Madison region, including food, says Karin Wolf.
Jan 10, 2026
Amber Marz
Behind the Isthmus Cover: January 2026
A cozy winter scene from illustrator Amber Marz: board games and close friends.
Jan 9, 2026
Tommy Washbush
Onward and upward
Among the developments for the new year, Isthmus is providing employee health benefits for the first time since becoming a nonprofit in 2021.
Jan 9, 2026
Lizzy Larson
Madison dining 2025
Despite rising menu prices, there was plenty of play in the Madison restaurant scene in 2025.
Jan 8, 2026
8:00 AM
Jess Miller
On thin ice
The Madison Fire Department warns that no ice is ever considered safe, regardless of how long it’s been cold or how thick the ice may appear to be. If you do venture out, take precautions.
Jan 8, 2026
8:00 AM
Ruthie Hauge
What to do in Madison this weekend: Freezing Man, Silvesterchlausen and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Jan. 8-15 also includes the return of ‘Hamilton’ at Overture Hall; the Wisconsin Fest series from FPC Live gets rolling with a focus on folk.
Jan 8, 2026
5:02 AM
Who’s running for office in Madison this spring?
The April 7 election includes races for state Supreme Court, the Madison city council, Dane County board and Madison school board.
Jan 7, 2026
1:05 PM
Submitted photo
Two Crows returns at the Slowpoke Lounge
Two Crows’ first play of the season, ‘Before the Mountains of Madness,’ runs Jan. 22-Feb. 1. It’s a two-actor horror-thriller about a fateful Antarctic adventure at the turn of the century.
Jan 7, 2026
10:30 AM
Courtesy Rob Dz
An on-stage heart attack leads to reflection and change for Rob Dz
As he finished his opening set at the Gamma Ray Bar in mid-November, the 52-year-old emcee and hip-hop veteran collapsed on stage. But he will be back for the Wisconsin Hip-Hop Fest on Jan. 17 at the High Noon.
Jan 6, 2026
2:00 PM
Judge Ben Jones for Circuit Court
Gov. Tony Evers appointed 63 circuit court judges over seven years in office
Over seven years in office, Gov. Tony Evers had made 140 appointments in county government to fill vacancies.
Jan 5, 2026
2:00 PM
Ruthie Hauge
Freezing Man: ‘Rock camp for musicians’
This year’s Joey’s Song benefit concert, now billed as Freezing Man, features Grammy winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, alt-rock heroes, and Top 40 hitmakers spanning several generations.
Jan 1, 2026
12:30 PM
Robbie Jeffers
What to do in Madison this week: Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Model Railroad School and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Jan. 1-8 also includes a concert at High Noon celebrating the life of Brian Jansen; Lucille's jazz series features bands led by drummers for January, kicking off with Cameron Spann Quartet.
Jan 1, 2026
5:21 AM
Courtesy Bernell's
Live music and women's sports jockey for attention at Bernell's
On Dec. 18, Tate’s Blues Jam was set to perform at Bernell’s at the same time that UW-Madison’s women’s volleyball team was playing Kentucky in the Final Four.
Dec 31, 2025
2:00 PM
Kill these words
At the end of the day, I would like to see everybody lean into my plea to stop using these words.
Dec 31, 2025
9:00 AM
Photos courtesy Tony Evers and Josh Kaul
Wisconsin’s top political news of 2025
Gov. Tony Evers announces he would not seek re-election; the Legislature bans cell phones in schools; and other big Wisconsin stories of the year.
Dec 30, 2025
9:00 AM
In the December issue
Courting Cash
More than $140 million was spent on a Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Loose campaign finance laws, lax recusal rules, a purple electorate, and even the spring election cycle all help explain why high court races have become so expensive.
Support local news — just don’t call it journalism
A large scale study of people’s views on local news has some surprising findings.
‘We need these stories’
Women share their stories of struggle and empowerment at ¡Yo Quiero Dinero! Our Stories Have Value, an annual storytelling event hosted by Midwest Mujeres.
Ice cover and other fun facts about Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota is one of the most studied lakes in the world. So what’s happening there?
Bringing Broadway to State Street
Extensive behind-the-scenes work by Overture staff brings Broadway to Madison, season after season.
Hamilton
Touring Broadway production, 1/6-18, Overture Center-Overture Hall, at 7:30 pm Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 & 8 pm Saturdays and 1 & 7pm Sundays.
Jan 18, 2026
1:00 PM
Oakwood Chamber Players
Music by Gabriela Lena Frank, Alexander Glazunov, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gabriel Allier, 7 pm, 1/16, Oakwood Village-Prairie Ridge; 7 pm, 1/17, Oakwood Village-University Woods; 2 pm, 1/18, Arts + Literature Laboratory. $25.
Jan 18, 2026
2:00 PM
Winter Festival of Poetry
Wisconsin Festival of Poets series, 2 pm Sundays, 1/18-2/8, Cafe Coda; and 2/15-3/8, Delta Beer Lab. Free/donations. Click through for readers.
Jan 18, 2026
2:00 PM4:00 PM
Wisconsin Drag Awards
With guest headliner Joey Jay, hosts by Bianca Lynn Breeze and Kayos Lynn Mirage. $20/$10.
Jan 18, 2026
5:00 PM10:00 PM
Hamilton
Touring Broadway production, 1/6-18, Overture Center-Overture Hall, at 7:30 pm Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 & 8 pm Saturdays and 1 & 7pm Sundays.
Jan 18, 2026
7:00 PM
