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Carolyn Fath Ashby
School district violates own policy with hidden surveillance cameras
Cameras hidden in hollowed-out smoke detectors were planted by district officials at East High School in a coach’s office in the boys’ locker room and a room where disabled students changed clothes. Read more
What's New
Kristian Knutsen
Repairing the republic
A new report calls for a massive investment in civics education, finding that the United States has “failed to prepare young Americans for self-government, leaving the world’s oldest constitutional democracy in grave danger.” Read more
Mar 5, 2021
Bygone Madison menus
A year into the pandemic, our food editor finally sifts through her files to set up her home office. Some beloved old menus found in the desk detritus deserve to be shared. Read more
Mar 4, 2021
Hurting, but hopeful
Are restaurants going to make it through the pandemic? An all-star panel convened by the UW Alumni Association is optimistic. Caitlin Suemnicht of Food Fight, Gabriel Stulman of the “Little Wisco” group, and Craig Culver weighed in. Read more
Mar 3, 2021
Wisconsin’s wolf hunt travesty
Opinion | Let's be clear: There was no biological or social imperative for a hunt. It only happened because some hunters just wanted to kill wolves. Read more
Mar 3, 2021
When desperation meets creativity
Isthmus Picks for March 4-11 includes a "Yahara Journal" poetry reading, a bevy of lectures drawing on topics from recent books, the debut of Madison Makes, and more. Read more
Mar 3, 2021
Photo by Devon Divine on Unsplash
Watery rave
People are itching to get out on the water. Memberships at Madison Boats are selling fast, while Canoecopia goes virtual. Read more
Mar 2, 2021
Nicole Hansen
Madison phenom Raine Stern on "The Voice"
Stern, a native of New Glarus, will be a member of "Team Nick" as the music competition's 20th season continues. Read more
Mar 2, 2021
Making Moves: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
When it comes to finding a moving company, there are plenty of options out there – so how can you choose which one is right for you? Here are some things to look for. Read more
Mar 1, 2021
courtesy Lil Rail
A new Broom
A roundup of recent releases from Broom, Lil Rail and arel happening, plus the first "Queer Madison Mixtape" Read more
Feb 27, 2021
Carolyn Fath Ashby
School district violates own policy with hidden surveillance cameras
Cameras hidden in hollowed-out smoke detectors were planted by district officials at East High School in a coach’s office in the boys’ locker room and a room where disabled students changed clothes. Read more
Feb 24, 2021
Linda Falkenstein
More housing, less neighborhood input
Opinion | A pending proposal would give automatic approval to developments of up to 60 housing units that meet basic zoning requirements. After city review, permits could be issued without any need to go to the Plan Commission or meet with neighbors. Read more
Feb 24, 2021
Hedi LaMarr Photography
DRIFTing and Share-ing
Isthmus Picks for Feb. 25-March 4 includes livestream concerts by DRIFT and Nicholas Payton, Overture's International Festival, and more. Read more
Feb 24, 2021
Vinyl Cave: Reissues by Dwight Yoakam, k.d. lang and Iron City Houserockers
It's impossible to keep up with everything being reissued on LP these days. Vinyl Cave examines some recent pick-ups of note, including two first-time-on-vinyl albums by music legends. Read more
Feb 20, 2021
10:35 AM
Courtesy YMCA
New role for the Y
“This need is not going away,” says the YMCA’s Jen Kruel. The organization went from zero to 60 in becoming a food provider as COVID-19 hit last spring. Read more
Feb 18, 2021
8:00 AM
Skidmore survives
Ald. Paul Skidmore, first elected in 2001, faces his toughest race in years. He finished second in Tuesday’s primary to challenger Nikki Conklin; both will move on to the April 6 general election. Read more
Feb 17, 2021
11:54 AM
courtesy PBS Wisconsin
Dreaming of spring
Isthmus Picks for Feb. 18-25 includes online editions of the Garden & Landscape Expo and Beloit International Film Festival, a livestream from Mars, and more. Read more
Feb 17, 2021
5:01 AM
MattBritt00 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Let’s make it “Hank Aaron Field”
Opinion | Aaron deserves more than to have his number retired (it already is) and a statue in front of the stadium (it’s already there). Read more
Feb 16, 2021
10:00 AM
Kristian Knutsen (A Room of One's Own)
A new home for Room
A Room of One’s Own has been an institution at three locations in downtown Madison. It’s time to find stability in a new home, says co-owner Gretchen Treu. Read more
Feb 15, 2021
12:05 AM
Judith Davidoff
Feeding the hungry
Some diehards turned out to frigid Lake Wingra to commemorate Grillin' 4 Peace, an annual fundraiser that raises money for a free meal program, even though the official fundraiser is largely online this year. Read more
Feb 13, 2021
12:00 PM
State Line DIstillery
“Old fashioned” packages tied up with string
The concept of the take home cocktail kit came to the fore with the pandemic. Getting just the right amounts of the right ingredients makes sense. Read more
Feb 11, 2021
2:00 PM
The mayor won’t let us have any fun!
Opinion | Before killing the idea of removing buses from State Street and turning it into a pedestrian mall, how about forming a committee to hash out the issues? Read more
Feb 10, 2021
7:00 AM
courtesy Winter is Alive
Considering climate
Isthmus Picks for Feb. 11-18 includes Winter is Alive, a multi-disciplinary arts examination of our relationship to the planet; the Virtual Venue Love Fest Valentine's Day streaming concert; and more. Read more
Feb 10, 2021
5:01 AM
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Freedom is a constant struggle
Opinion | I choose to remember those moments in time that have uplifted us, that have awed us all with people’s bravery and resolve, and have shown us the ability of the human voice to pave the path for major change. Read more
Feb 9, 2021
12:00 PM
Table Wine/Maison Noir
Table Wine highlights Black winemakers
Black winemakers are not as rare as they used to be, but only a handful of these wineries are distributed in Wisconsin. Table Wine owner Molly Moran thinks it’s important to support these makers. Read more
Feb 4, 2021
2:00 PM
Favorite reads
And then there were two
It wasn't even close. Dave Mahoney, a 26-year veteran of the Dane County Sheriff's Office, easily trounced Robbie Lowery in the Democratic primary for Dane County sheriff. Read more
A swing through divided Wisconsin
President Donald Trump will likely need battleground Wisconsin to win re-election. Are voters in key swing areas of the state still backing him? Staff writer Dylan Brogan hit the road to find out. Read more
A stitch in time
Larry Schmitt is one of the few experts in nalbinding in the country. It predates knitting and crochet and dates back to 6500 B.C. Read more
After the purge
With a “Wisconsin is open for business” mantra, former Gov. Scott Walker and legislative Republicans set a course to dramatically diminish the role of science in regulating and protecting Wisconsin’s abundant natural resources. Read more
Vinyl Cave: A piece of 1970s Wisconsin musical history
Whatever the story is with these oddly-covered 1970s albums, they are all musically worthwhile. Read more
Suzanne Caporael
"The Nature of Things," paintings and prints, 2/23-9/12, Chazen Museum of Art. Open by appointment, noon-5 pm Tuesdays-Wednesdays and noon-7 pm Thursdays-Fridays. Read more
Mar 9, 2021
12:00 PM5:00 PM
Suzanne Caporael
"The Nature of Things," paintings and prints, 2/23-9/12, Chazen Museum of Art. Open by appointment, noon-5 pm Tuesdays-Wednesdays and noon-7 pm Thursdays-Fridays. Read more
Mar 10, 2021
12:00 PM5:00 PM
ONLINE: Wednesday Nite at the Lab
Free UW Alumni Association lecture series: "Why Mosquitoes Love YOU (and Other Things You Never Knew about Skeeters & Their Microbiome)," by assistant professor Kerri Coon, via Zoom. Read more
Mar 10, 2021
7:00 PM
Suzanne Caporael
"The Nature of Things," paintings and prints, 2/23-9/12, Chazen Museum of Art. Open by appointment, noon-5 pm Tuesdays-Wednesdays and noon-7 pm Thursdays-Fridays. Read more
Mar 11, 2021
12:00 PM5:00 PM
ONLINE: The “Infamous Chicago Seven Trial" and William Kunstler
Gail Borden Library discussion of "Trial of the Chicago Seven" film by David Langum (author of "William Kunstler: America's Most Hated Lawyer"), via Zoom. RSVP for link. Read more
Mar 11, 2021
7:00 PM
