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Kyle Olson
The trickle-down politics of fear
The sense of danger is less about any single rule or conflict and more about a slow drift toward a generalized cynicism. When that happens, neighborhoods and civic life are weakened.
What's New
Facts & Figures: October 2026
A collection of newsworthy statistics and quotes from the last month.
Oct 6, 2026
Low Daily Beer plans for a satellite location
The brewery will be among the first tenants at The Yards at Belleville Station, a new family-friendly food “park” at Belleville’s historic train depot.
Oct 6, 2026
Isthmus News Quiz: October 2026
Test your knowledge of local news with Isthmus' October news quiz.
Oct 5, 2026
Kyle Olson
The trickle-down politics of fear
The sense of danger is less about any single rule or conflict and more about a slow drift toward a generalized cynicism. When that happens, neighborhoods and civic life are weakened.
Oct 5, 2026
Jeremy Daniel
What to do in Madison this week: Oct. 5-8, 2026
Picks this week include Pause and Play, a benefit concert for production of a documentary on the Fight for Our Lives Democracy Tour; drone metal stars Sunn O))) at the Majestic.
Oct 5, 2026
Drake White-Bergey / Wisconsin Watch
Three more constitutional amendments on Nov. 3 ballot
Under Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, Republicans have often turned to constitutional amendments as a way to advance their priorities without confronting the governor’s veto pen.
Oct 3, 2026
Tommy Washbush
Young Blood’s taproom is working for DeForest
Young Blood Beer Co. has entered a new era with its DeForest facility that serves as both a taproom and center of brewing operations.
Oct 3, 2026
Behind the Isthmus Cover: October 2026
Cover illustrator Elizabeth Higgins goes cozy and spooky for Halloween.
Oct 2, 2026
Photos by Chali Pittman and provided by campaigns
Candidate tracker: Madison mayor's race 2027
The primary election on Feb. 16 will narrow the field to two.
Oct 2, 2026
The power of youth
Madison: The Illustrated History, 1932–1979, is Stu Levitan’s second volume on Madison history.
Oct 2, 2026
Anya Kubilus/Anya Kubilus Photography
Four Seasons’ ‘Leading Ladies of Stage & Screen’ honors icons
The show lends new takes to classic songs to appeal to newbies and veteran fans of musical theater.
Oct 2, 2026
Ed Rhee / Catherine McKenzie
Behind every great wide receiver…
The book has a Packers family connection with mother-daughter co-authors Laura Kostelnik Biskupic and Katherine Biskupic. Laura’s father, Ron, was a defensive tackle for the Packers from 1961-68.
Oct 1, 2026
10:00 AM
God, booze, and the act of paying attention
'Will and Attention' recounts Meghan O’Gieblyn’s relapse into secret drinking after 11 years of sobriety, as well as her equally clandestine return to religion, which for her proved perilous.
Oct 1, 2026
10:00 AM
Stephen Bartlett
Birth writes
‘A Womb of One’s Own’ is a compelling, colorful mosaic of surviving evidence that underlines how “telling birth stories matters — even birth stories that are two thousand years old and fragmented.”’
Oct 1, 2026
10:00 AM
Andrew Feller / Stephen Bartlett
The Wisconsin Book Festival turns 25
A happy 25th means a Fall Celebration stuffed with authors and plenty of Wisconsin content. It’s truly a Dairyland jubilee.
Oct 1, 2026
10:00 AM
Tommy Washbush / Lizzy Larson photo illustration
Wisconsin guv race: high stakes, slow burn
The national spotlight has swung away from the governor’s race in Wisconsin, but cameras could return to Wisconsin closer to Election Day. In the run-up, there’ll be limited opportunity to hear the candidates outline or defend their positions.
Oct 1, 2026
8:00 AM
Taylor Wolfram
What to do in Madison this weekend: Oct. 1-4, 2026
Weekend picks include a revival of Sarah Ruhl's 'Eurydice' by Madison Theatre Guild; a dual record release show by Heather the Jerk and Baby Tyler.
Oct 1, 2026
5:02 AM
Tiffany for Wisconsin / Crowley for Wisconsin
What did Tiffany, Crowley champion when they were state lawmakers?
Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany and Democrat David Crowley, the two major party candidates for governor, have one thing in common: They both served in the state Legislature.
Sep 28, 2026
10:00 AM
Lauren Desberg
What to do in Madison this week: Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2026
Picks this week include an album release concert by Nick Brown and band; the League of Women Voters of Dane County discusses 'Election Protection in Dane County.
Sep 28, 2026
5:05 AM
What to do in Madison this weekend: Sept. 24-27, 2026
Weekend picks include opening weekend events for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park; CodaFest brings a wide range of creative sounds to Cafe Coda.
Sep 24, 2026
5:02 AM
Magnific
Pressing health care issues should be fodder for Wisconsin candidates
Immunizations, high hospital costs are among the issues candidates should be addressing before the Nov. 3 election.
Sep 21, 2026
9:00 AM
Paul S Howell
What to do in Madison this week: Sept. 21-24, 2026
Picks this week include 'Slick,' a new exhibition considering the body at MMoCA; Ann Garvin discusses the new thriller 'Tell Two Friends.'
Sep 21, 2026
5:07 AM
Lizzy Larson
Madison journalists debate AI bots versus human touch
There were a lot of questions at a community discussion co-hosted by Isthmus on AI & Journalism.
Sep 18, 2026
2:45 PM
In the October issue
Wisconsin guv race: high stakes, slow burn
The national spotlight has swung away from the governor’s race in Wisconsin, but cameras could return to Wisconsin closer to Election Day. In the run-up, there’ll be limited opportunity to hear the candidates outline or defend their positions.
The Wisconsin Book Festival turns 25
A happy 25th means a Fall Celebration stuffed with authors and plenty of Wisconsin content. It’s truly a Dairyland jubilee.
Nothing replaces ‘boots on the ground’
Boots-on-the-ground reporting provides the best chance of getting a window into voter concerns and priorities, and an unvarnished view of a candidate.
The power of youth
Madison: The Illustrated History, 1932–1979, is Stu Levitan’s second volume on Madison history.
Behind the Isthmus Cover: October 2026
Cover illustrator Elizabeth Higgins goes cozy and spooky for Halloween.
Talkie: A Vintage Language Model from 1930
Talk by Nick Levine and Alec Radford on an AI language model trained on pre-1931 material, Room 224.
Oct 7, 2026
4:00 PM
The Wiz
Touring Broadway production, 10/6-11, Overture Center-Overture Hall, at 7:30 pm Tuesday-Friday, 2 & 7:30 pm Saturday and 1 & 6:30 pm Sunday.
Oct 7, 2026
7:30 PM
Madtown Doubledown
Mixed doubles bonspiel featuring both international and club teams, 8 am-10 pm on 10/8, 8 am-midnight on 10/9, 8:30 am-9:30 pm on 10/10 and 8:30 am-2:30 pm, 10/11, Madison Curling Club, McFarland. $5 admission ($10/weekend).
Oct 8, 2026
8:00 AM10:00 PM
Pressing Issues: Printmaking as Social Justice in 1930s United States reception
Great Depression-era prints, 9/8-12/13 (reception 5-7 pm, 10/8; click through for other related events).
Oct 8, 2026
5:00 PM7:00 PM
Pause and Play
Fundraiser for a documentary about the Building Unity Fight For Our Lives Democracy Tour, with sneak preview of film, music by Spacetime, The Bridge, Def Sonic, The Earthlings, Eric De Los Santos. $25 donation ($20 adv.).
Oct 8, 2026
6:00 PM
