Isthmus Cover Stories
Supreme divide
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race could decide the future of reproductive rights in Wisconsin, determine whether the state’s political maps will continue to favor Republicans, and have huge implications for future fights over election rules. Read more
Feb 2, 2023
Guilty until proven innocent
Keith Findley not only pioneered Wisconsin’s Innocence Project, but helped cofound and for several years head the Innocence Network, a worldwide coalition of some 70 innocence projects. Read more
Jan 5, 2023
Policing pregnancy
Wisconsin is one of just five states that allow civil detention for pregnant people accused of substance use. Its legal proceedings take place out of public view, under seal and with a low standard of evidence. Read more
Dec 1, 2022
The new Epic
If the feds had not pulled some huge contracts from Epic Systems a few years back, the company and Dane County would be rolling in new riches. But Epic is likely probably better off without them. Read more
Nov 4, 2022
What’s at stake in the Wisconsin governor’s race?
The race for Wisconsin governor between Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican challenger Tim Michels isn’t a choice between two extremes, at least when it comes time to govern. Read more
Oct 19, 2022
Ready, willing, but not able
Dane County's median age in 2019 was 35.5 years, which means there are lot of millennials in the Greater Madison area. Many are ready to put down roots and become part of a community. But many are priced out of the housing market. Read more
Sep 2, 2022
The plot thickens
Steven Wright has dual careers in law and fiction writing. Each plays off the other. Read more
Aug 4, 2022
9:00 AM
The coast of Wisconsin
Wisconsin has two coasts — one along Lake Michigan, one along Lake Superior. It’s not the east coast or the west coast, even though sometimes and in some places it can masquerade as either. Read more
Jun 2, 2022
8:00 AM
‘Created for people of color. Period.’
Anesis Therapy aims to “provide more culturally competent mental health care in Dane County,” says owner and psychotherapist Myra McNair. Read more
May 5, 2022
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Back on the big screen
Wisconsin Film Festival organizers seek out venues that have the equipment to show the films that are now in digital, rather than analog, format. “It’s like opening seven pop-up movie theaters every year,” says Ben Reiser, director of operation Read more
Apr 7, 2022
8:00 AM
Hip-hop heavyweight
In addition to being a rapper, K.I.L.O is the co-founder of LessWork Lifestyle, a company that assists local rappers with studio recording, apparel and promotion. It’s a response to the city’s reputation as an unwelcoming place for rap artists. Read more
Mar 10, 2022
6:00 AM
A ‘perfect storm’
Madison is facing a staffing shortage and struggling to keep in-person classes going during the pandemic. But critics say years of district leadership not supporting teachers has turned a short-term problem into a full-blown crisis. Read more
Feb 3, 2022
5:00 AM
In the paper
The Madison mayor's race is a referendum on the last four years
The results of the February primary for Madison mayor were the most lopsided in two decades. Heading into the April 4 general election, Mayor Rhodes-Conway may be in the strongest position of any incumbent mayor in recent history. Read more
High stakes for high court race
The usual Republican playbook in dealing with liberal contenders is to portray them as criminal-coddling threats to public safety. But that won’t be easy to do with Protasiewicz, who served 25 years as a Milwaukee County prosecutor before being elect Read more
Housing, transit and public safety are top issues in Monona mayor’s race
Whoever wins the Monona mayor’s office will be managing transit issues, big new projects, and a housing crisis, while operating under a state law that makes it tough to raise new revenue. Read more
Some good news for civics education
“What is most noticeable to me is that the field of civic education is probably the most organized that it has been in my lifetime,” says Michael Blauw, a former social studies teacher who is now an education consultant. Read more
The Fharmacy Public House in Lake Mills has 24 taps
What’s on tap at The Fharmacy? Look for flagship brews and rarer vintages. Read more