Dylan Brogan
Todd Hubler
The Taco Bell Cantina effect
Former Mayor Paul Soglin said alcohol licenses are a privilege, not a right. However, Taco Bell Cantina proved you can fight city hall. Read more
Sharon Vanorny
Technicality trouble
Freelance journalist Steven Potter attempted to confirm Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes graduation status in early July. Barnes came clean to Isthmus a few weeks later. Read more
Sharon Vanorny
Barnestorming
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is Wisconsin’s second highest state office holder. Just two years ago, his political future was uncertain. Isthmus finds out how Barnes got here and why he wants to clear the air about some bumps along the way. Read more
Dylan Brogan
The House of Sin
Deep within the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood, there is a house. The House of Sin. Read more
Chase Hammond
Busker blues
Bassist Josh Cohen says Madison is missing out by tightly regulating buskers who use amplifiers. He’s contesting a municipal ticket in the hopes that a judge will find the city’s ordinance unconstitutional. Read more
Placemaking pitfalls
Madison rejected two ideas — a zipline and a public restroom — for activating the top of State Street and curbing bad behavior. Read more
Dylan Brogan
Ruffling feathers
Will a new pilot program end Madison’s annual geese slaughter? The Alliance for Animals and new parks volunteers hope so. Read more
Dylan Brogan
Slushie fun(d)
The flagship Taco Bell Cantina in Las Vegas is known for adding shots of hard liquor to its “Twisted Freezes.” The Madison Taco Bell Cantina only has a beer and wine license but found a creative way to still serve the spiked slushies. Read more
Dylan Brogan
O say, can you see?
The city of Madison adopted a new flag in 2018 but the old flag still flies at several city facilities. Read more
Carolyn Fath Ashby
“Safer cages” or a “moral responsibility”?
Dane County Board approved a $76 million jail project in 2017. That plan hit a snag last year and the cost of a new jail has doubled. But it’s still expected to be approved by a wide margin at the county board’s June 6 meeting. Read more
A rotten year
A lot people in Madison are wondering what the hell is happening in our schools. Even Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham has called it a “trying year.” Isthmus talked to nearly 30 teachers to find out what’s happening behind the scenes. Read more
Dylan Brogan
Jennifer Cheatham resigns
The Madison school board will announce an interim superintendent by the end of May. Cheatham will leave her post on August 30. Read more
Narayan Mahon
Jennifer Cheatham resigning as Madison school superintendent
Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham is expected to announce her resignation at a May 8 news conference. Read more
David Michael Miller
Roadside assistance
Former Mayor Paul Soglin and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi argued for months over the reconstruction of Buckeye Road. Satya Rhodes-Conway was able to reach an agreement during the two weeks she was mayor-elect. What changed? Read more
AMY STOCKLEIN
School of hard nots
Before being sworn into office, eight new members of the Common Council get a crash course on Robert’s Rules of Order and the state’s and city’s ethics rules. Apply the “smell test,” they are told, and say goodbye to free beers. Read more
Kori Feener
Does the fire still Bern?
Bernie Sanders is picking up his 2020 campaign for president right where he left off his 2016 one. But will his message resonate with enough voters to secure the Democratic nomination? Read more
Kori Feener
Meet the 2020 Bernie, same as the 2016 Bernie
A crowd of 2,500 strong came out to “feel the Bern” at a chilly, lakeside rally at James Madison Park. Sanders says his 2016 campaign changed the priorities of Democratic candidates. He asked voters for support to “complete the revolution” in 2020. Read more
Carolyn Fath Ashby
Family threatens Leopold principal after student’s false accusation
A family rushed to Leopold Elementary on March 15 believing their fifth grader had been struck by the principal. They threatened to beat the principal’s “white ass,” but video surveillance showed the student fabricated the incident. Read more
AMY STOCKLEIN
Call her mayor
Satya Rhodes-Conway won voting wards across the city Tuesday night. Her victory ends what may be longtime mayor Paul Soglin’s last election. Read more
Chef Week, not hell week
The fifth annual Chef Week is all about the chefs. It celebrates what they most love to do: make great food. Read more
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Dylan Brogan
Planetarium director Geoff Holt shows off an extreme ultraviolet image of the sun before the “Romance Under the Stars” program.
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Dylan Brogan
Carrie Stenerson (left) and Joe Schraven orchestrate City Channel’s broadcast of an Alcohol License Review Committee meeting.
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Dylan Brogan
Artwork by Faisal Abdu’Allah at the Madison Municipal Building.
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Dylan Brogan
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Dylan Brogan
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Dylan Brogan
