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Starving Wisconsin’s public universities is not the answer
Years of defunding the UW System have laid the groundwork for implementation of Republicans’ higher education agenda. Read more
May 7, 2024
New owner promises few changes for 77-year-old Esquire Club
The Esquire Club is “already hip,” says new owner Craig Spaulding. He is mindful of keeping traditions that are working. Read more
May 7, 2024
Wisconsin's legislative candidates face strict rules, deadlines to get on the November ballot
Dozens of first-time candidates in Wisconsin are learning about the many reports and other hurdles that must be cleared before — hopefully — their name is on the Nov. 5 ballot. Read more
May 7, 2024
Q: Where do new plays come from?
Wisconsin Wrights’ new plays explore contemporary issues with an eye to history. Read more
May 7, 2024
Madison’s ‘housing first’ complexes will shift approach, offer less supportive housing
After two troubled affordable housing complexes are sold, far fewer of their units will be devoted to supportive housing. City officials say that change, along with new management, will help avoid some of the problems that plagued the buildings. Read more
May 6, 2024
Auntie Luke explains why constitutional referendums are so confusing
Auntie Luke Explains, a new series by T.L. Luke, demystifies complex topics through the use of comics. She begins this month with an explainer on constitutional amendments that go to statewide referendum. Read more
May 6, 2024
Jamming with strangers
Why would a performer put together three hours of music with players he won’t see until the day of a show? “It’s as exciting as all get out,” explains Ben Majeska. Read more
May 6, 2024
What to do in Madison this week: The Ballroom Thieves, 'Your Fat Friend' and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for May 6-9 includes an opening for paired exhibits on climate change by Sharon Kilfoy and TetraPAKMAN at Social Justice Center; a co-headlining metal tour by Wage War and Nothing More at The Sylvee. Read more
May 6, 2024
Revolutionary Monteverdi
Monteverdi was a Renaissance maverick, and the beginning of opera is accredited to him. Madison Bach Musicians will perform his groundbreaking sacred work ‘Vespers’ of 1610. Read more
May 5, 2024
Explainer: What are pro-Palestinian protesters at UW-Madison asking for?
Pro-Palestinian protesters and university leaders continued to meet through the weekend to negotiate protester demands. Read more
May 4, 2024
Reasons to run
Running is a big sport in Madison, with many excellent paths to explore and clubs to join, in addition to opportunities to compete. Read more
May 4, 2024
Springtime saisons, Cinco de Mayo lagers and other beers for May
Saisons are a wonderful springtime beer, but so are Mexican lagers, honey blonde ales and hazy IPAs, and area craft brewers are outdoing themselves. Read more
May 4, 2024
Change ‘for the long haul’
WPR director Sarah Ashworth says that the restructuring, a product of a two-year planning process, does not change the station’s mission which is still to 'inform and inspire and to build communities throughout Wisconsin and the world.' Read more
May 3, 2024
10:00 AM
Madison’s BRT enters the homestretch
A rapid transit project more than a decade in the making is coming close to reality as final stations are built and finishing touches are added along Metro’s Route A. Read more
May 2, 2024
3:00 PM
Do Madison's restrictive covenants trump zoning?
Pushing back against proactive rezoning proposed by the city of Madison in its West Area Plan, homeowners in Madison’s Highlands neighborhood created agreements limiting what could be built and the minimum lot size on their properties Read more
May 2, 2024
2:30 PM
If Madison builds a pedestrian mall, will they come?
City officials hope that closing the 400 through 600 blocks of State Street to vehicles in favor of pedestrians and bikes this summer will bring more visitors to the area. Read more
May 2, 2024
2:00 PM
An intentional goodbye
Before Centro Hispano moved into its much expanded headquarters on Cypress Way, staffers bid adieu to the organization’s longtime home on Badger Road. Read more
May 2, 2024
10:00 AM
Wisconsin is for the birds
By almost any measure, birdwatching in Wisconsin has never been more popular — with technology making it easier than ever to tell a nuthatch from a chickadee or to post colorful photos on social media sites. Read more
May 2, 2024
9:00 AM
What to do in Madison this weekend: Mascot Theory album release, MSO's 'Fiesta Finale' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for May 2-5 includes art exhibits opening in conjunction with MMoCA's biennial Gallery Night; a stage adaptation of 'The Diary of Anne Frank' presented by Children's Theater of Madison. Read more
May 2, 2024
5:05 AM
In praise of pork
Tammy Baldwin is a master at bringing home the bacon. She even touts it on her own website. Read more
May 1, 2024
7:00 PM
Train whistles? Long waits at train crossings?
Some 300 residents attended a Zoom meeting co-hosted by east-side Ald. Marsha Rummel to discuss the potential impacts of passenger rail on city neighborhoods. Read more
May 1, 2024
5:15 PM
UW-Madison administrators make good on their threat to tear down pro-Palestinian encampment
Police arrest nearly three dozen protesters, including two UW-Madison professors, and tear down a pro-Palestinian encampment on UW-Madison’s Library Mall. Read more
May 1, 2024
1:40 PM
Madison tech scene reacts to FTC ban on noncompete clauses
The Federal Trade Commission’s move to strike down noncompete clauses in employment contracts seems sure to shake up the Madison tech scene, given that medical software giant Epic has enforced them for workers who leave the company. Read more
Apr 30, 2024
4:15 PM
Despite warnings, defiant pro-Palestinian supporters establish encampment on UW-Madison campus
With its new encampment on the UW-Madison Library Mall, pro-Palestinian protesters join students at campuses across the country in protesting the war in Gaza. Read more
Apr 29, 2024
8:30 PM
In the April issue
You are entering…The Wisconsin Zone
This year 141 films were submitted for Wisconsin’s Own, with 40 making it into the festival. Isthmus talks to eight of the filmmakers. Read more
Desperately seeking choice
A number of third party candidates have emerged to address voter dissatisfaction in the all-but-certain presidential candidates. Votes for the 'uninstructed' camp are another sign of frustration. Read more
Ridglan Farms critics want their day in court
Denied a trial, animal rights activists are seeking a special prosecutor to go after dog breeding and research facility. Read more
Hank’s Burgers & Fish Fry takes indulgence to different areas
The focus is on what some call guilty pleasure food: hamburgers, cheesesteaks, fried chicken sandwiches, and Wisconsin fish fry. Read more
Behind the Isthmus cover: April 2024
The front cover this month honors the gardeners who tend to thousands of community garden plots around Dane County. And hey, April is National Gardening Month! Read more
Emily Raboteau
Wisconsin Book Festival: Discussing "Lessons for Survival: Mothering Against 'The Apocalypse,'" new book, with Erika Meitner. Read more
May 8, 2024
7:00 PM
Stand Up and Sing for Kids
Canopy Center fundraiser, with music by Sean Michael Dargan, food & drink, silent auction. $45. Read more
May 9, 2024
5:30 PM9:30 PM
Sharon Kilfoy, TetraPAKMAN
"Foragings Forged in the Inferno" and "Time is Running Out," respectively, 5/6-8/9, Jackie Macaulay Gallery (reception 5-9 pm, 5/17). Hours: 9 am-5 pm Mon.-Fri. Read more
May 6, 2024Aug 9, 2024