News
Submitted photos
Polling suggests Democratic candidates for Wisconsin governor must work on name ID
The November election for Wisconsin governor will be the first vote for the state’s highest office with no incumbent since 2010.
Wisconsin Eye
College athletes’ NIL deals would be exempt from public records law under Wisconsin bill
An Assembly bill would establish regulations in Wisconsin regarding name, image and likeness deals. It would hide such deals from the public eye.
Feb 12, 2026
Liam Beran
Madison mayor: paying damages for uncounted votes sets a dangerous precedent
Madison’s argument that leaving absentee votes uncounted does not represent a constitutional violation drew sharp backlash. In response, Madison’s mayor suggests that perhaps the state should change its laws.
Feb 11, 2026
More turnover in the Wisconsin Legislature
Gone are the days when senators spent decades in the state Legislature.
Feb 9, 2026
Liam Beran
Behind the Isthmus cover: February 2026
A scene from the Jan. 25 ICE protest in downtown Madison makes the February print cover.
Feb 5, 2026
Courtesy Meyer family
Aldo Leopold, Gaylord Nelson and…George Meyer
George Meyer was a force in Wisconsin’s conservation community for 50 years. He died in December at age 78.
Feb 5, 2026
Submitted photos
Madison school board sees most contested races since 2022
Competition for Madison school board seats heats up. Two incumbents face challengers.
Feb 5, 2026
Tommy Washbush
High stakes in Madison’s uncounted absentee ballots lawsuit
Madison City Attorney Michael Haas says the lawsuit filed by some voters whose absentee ballots were not counted could set a dangerous precedent for all local governments whose clerks conduct elections.
Feb 5, 2026
9:00 AM
Beth Ivankovic
Farm to fleece to market
Wisconsin’s fibersheds are supporting the labor of small-scale farmers and connecting consumers to farmers through markets and farm tours.
Feb 5, 2026
9:00 AM
Tiffany for Wisconsin
Disclaimer missing on likely AI-generated Tom Tiffany campaign ad
Though a campaign ad for gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany contains irregularities that ‘point toward an AI-generated video,’ the ad contains no disclaimer, as is required by Wisconsin state law.
Jan 29, 2026
10:00 AM
Spring 2026 Primary Isthmus voter guide
A Dane County circuit court race and three Dane County board seats have primaries on Feb. 17.
Jan 28, 2026
1:00 PM
Kayla Wolf for Wisconsin Watch
DeForest announces it won’t move forward with controversial $12 billion data center
The Madison suburb of DeForest, where a $12 billion data center proposal has been in development for months, abruptly announced Jan. 27 that the data center “is not feasible.”
Jan 28, 2026
1:00 PM
Guía del votante del Isthmus Elecciones Primarias Primavera 2026
Una carrera para el Tribunal del Circuito del Condado de Dane y tres carreras para la Mesa Directiva del Condado de Dane tendrán primarias el 17 de febrero.
Jan 28, 2026
10:00 AM
In the February issue
Farm to fleece to market
Wisconsin’s fibersheds are supporting the labor of small-scale farmers and connecting consumers to farmers through markets and farm tours.
Behind the Isthmus cover: February 2026
A scene from the Jan. 25 ICE protest in downtown Madison makes the February print cover.
Madison Opera’s premiere of ‘Everlasting Faint’ engages with history — and the present moment
An opera about 19th century ghosts and moms taking down the patriarchy couldn’t be more relevant.
Aldo Leopold, Gaylord Nelson and…George Meyer
George Meyer was a force in Wisconsin’s conservation community for 50 years. He died in December at age 78.
Memorial hoops coach Collins tops 500 wins
After winning three state and 14 conference titles, changing his approach to accommodate the game’s evolution, and surviving COVID, the dean of Madison-area basketball coaches contemplates retirement.
