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Nick Spanos
What to do in Madison this weekend: Holiday Express, Margaret Cho and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Dec. 4-7 also includes a pair of receptions for the Madison Public Library's '150 Artists x 150 Years' exhibition; release parties for new jazz albums by Wisconsin-based composers and pianists Tim Whalen and Johannes Wallmann.
What's New
Tommy Washbush
Madison nonprofit EXPO moves into housing to address recidivism
Madison nonprofit EXPO has opened two housing projects within the last two years. So far, no residents have returned to prison.
Dec 5, 2025
Colin Droster
‘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.
Dec 5, 2025
Joe Timmerman / Wisconsin Watch
Sick of those state Supreme Court campaign ads, Wisconsin? Here’s how other states avoid them.
Polls show Wisconsin prefers to elect justices, but the timing, term limits and vetting of candidates could be different.
Dec 5, 2025
Kyle Olson
Behind the Isthmus cover: December 2025
Kyle Olson studied curling videos to get better acquainted with the sport that he features in his Isthmus cover illustration.
Dec 5, 2025
Eric Anders
The Deliciouser thrives on a spice-driven menu
The Deliciouser, a spice shop turned buzzy restaurant, succeeds on its own terms. I can’t see anyone asking for the salt here.
Dec 5, 2025
Joe Timmerman / Wisconsin Watch
Unlimited donations, weak recusal rules led to record Wisconsin Supreme Court spending
Democrats seek to revive public financing of Supreme Court elections after previous attempts failed
Dec 4, 2025
Nick Spanos
What to do in Madison this weekend: Holiday Express, Margaret Cho and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Dec. 4-7 also includes a pair of receptions for the Madison Public Library's '150 Artists x 150 Years' exhibition; release parties for new jazz albums by Wisconsin-based composers and pianists Tim Whalen and Johannes Wallmann.
Dec 4, 2025
John Touscany / iStock
The field for the Wisconsin governor’s race…as of now
Gov. Tony Evers announced in July he would not seek office again. There are now several candidates vying to be Wisconsin's next governor.
Dec 3, 2025
Freepik assets
The assisted living industry is not ready for the tsunami
Assisted living facilities, unlike nursing homes, have never been regulated by the federal government.
Dec 3, 2025
Elena Delzer
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.
Dec 3, 2025
Forward Theater Company
Forward Theater casts noteworthy Madisonians in 'Gutenberg! The Musical!'
Secret guest stars ‘added such a sense of liveness’ to the well-received production from Madison’s professional theater company.
Dec 2, 2025
Jason Joyce
On Giving Newsday, help Isthmus pay a printing bill
On this annual day of global giving, help Isthmus cover printing costs.
Dec 2, 2025
Wisconsin State Journal
WisconsinEye in demand as network faces uncertain future
WisconsinEye, the state’s nonprofit version of C-SPAN that provides unedited coverage of Capitol policies, politics and personalities, could shut down within two weeks due to a funding gap.
Dec 1, 2025
7:00 AM
Cedrick Jones
What to do in Madison this week: Kashus Culpepper, 'How Can Universities Survive?' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Dec. 1-4 also includes the latest one-time-only band at Majeska Monday; tour stops by Rhett Miller and Miki Yamanaka Trio.
Dec 1, 2025
5:06 AM
Madison's holiday fairs, pop-up markets are in full swing
It's never too early to start looking for the perfect holiday gift.
Nov 27, 2025
11:01 AM
Tamara Gruber
What to do in Madison this weekend: Aya, Dark Holiday Bazaar and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Nov. 27-30 also includes the final weekend for the Forward Theater hit 'Gutenberg! The Musical!' and the debut of a new artist concert series from MAMA and Tone Madison.
Nov 27, 2025
5:01 AM
Drake White-Bergey / Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin online betting fight continues decades of controversy over gambling
Next year, the Legislature is expected to resume debating a bill allowing online bets placed in tribal casinos or over tribal servers — a bill Democratic Gov. Tony Evers hopes he can sign into law.
Nov 24, 2025
9:00 AM
Steve Noll
What to do in Madison this week: Scrounge, 'HO Ho HO!' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Nov. 24-27 also includes the 20th anniversary Thanksgiving eve comedy showcase hosted by Kevin Bozeman; the final chance to view 'Women's Work,' featuring applicants for the 2025 Forward Art Prize.
Nov 24, 2025
5:07 AM
Hamilton Home Design
Shorewood Hills residents organize against two new single-family homes
A Madison-area developer is looking to build two single-family homes in Shorewood Hills. The projects have proven contentious.
Nov 22, 2025
10:40 AM
Freepik
The lost community of deer hunters
The loss of required in-person deer registration has also meant the loss of community.
Nov 22, 2025
9:00 AM
Lauren Hafeman
WORT radio volunteers sound off on layoffs, finances
About 40 radio staff, volunteers and listeners filled the station’s vinyl library to detail complaints with the board’s handling of a budget deficit.
Nov 21, 2025
12:00 PM
Liam Beran
Drag star Trixie Mattel packs Wisconsin Union theater
Hundreds of students turned out to UW-Madison’s Shannon Hall Thursday evening to see one of the world’s most famous drag queens.
Nov 21, 2025
10:00 AM
Joe Timmerman / Wisconsin Watch
Vos is blocking breast cancer screening bill, advocates say
The bill would require insurance companies in Wisconsin to cover supplemental diagnostic examinations for women with dense breast tissue.
Nov 20, 2025
5:00 PM
Jacob Blickenstaff
What to do in Madison this weekend: Flannel Fest, 'The Marriage of Figaro' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Nov. 20-23 also includes the 'Turkey Slaughter' metal fundraiser for Second Harvest Foodbank; the WIAA State High School Football Championships.
Nov 20, 2025
5:02 AM
In the November Nonprofit issue
Five nonprofits you should know about
Nonprofits are navigating challenging times while doing important work in Dane County.
Isthmus is a nonprofit, pass it on!
Isthmus will celebrate five years as a nonprofit next year yet some people in the community are unaware of the transition and many changes at the paper.
Access takes center stage
Audio description, live captioning and ASL interpretation are a few of the services offered by Madison’s performing arts groups for people with disabilities.
‘The 100 deadly words’
It’s been a fraught time for nonprofits since Donald Trump returned to the White House, especially organizations that serve immigrants, BIPOC communities, and women.
Past is present
Stonemason Jason Arndt works out of a converted creamery in Lake Mills. He’s made few updates to the 1878 building.
Holiday Black Bazaar
Madison Black Chamber of Commerce and Urban League of Greater Madison event, 11 am-8 pm on 12/6 and noon-6 pm, 12/7.
Dec 6, 2025Dec 7, 2025
150 Artists x 150 Years reception
Exhibition celebrating Madison Public Library's 150th anniversary, 11/15-2/28, Ashman, Central, Goodman South Madison, Hawthorne, Meadowridge, Pinney and Sequoya branches (reception 7-9 pm on 12/5 and 10 am-noon, 12/6, Central).
Dec 6, 2025
10:00 AM12:00 PM
Holiday Express
Annual flower & model train show, 10 am-4 pm, 12/6-31, Olbrich Gardens. Closed at 2 pm, 12/24 & all day 12/25. $10 ($6 ages 6-12). Advance tickets are timed entry; admission at the door will only be available if space allows.
Dec 6, 2025
10:00 AM4:00 PM
Dane Arts Holiday Market
Local artists, 5-8 pm on 12/5 and 11 am-4 pm, 12/6.
Dec 6, 2025
11:00 AM2:00 PM
A Christmas Carol
Children's Theater of Madison's annual holiday tradition, 12/6-21, at 2 pm Saturday-Sunday, plus 7 pm, 12/13 and 19-20.
Dec 6, 2025
2:00 PM
