Homepage
What's New
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
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
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
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoes GOP bills at record rate
Since taking office in January 2019, Evers has vetoed 219 bills outright and seven others partially — vetoes denounced by Republicans who passed those bills. Read more
Apr 29, 2024
What to do in Madison this week: MarchFourth, Amor Towles and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for April 29-May 2 includes visits by veteran rock bands Los Straitjackets, Electric Six and The Supersuckers; Children's Theater of Madison's Young Playwrights Festival. Read more
Apr 29, 2024
Madison Opera wraps up its season with a strong ‘Candide’
The energy-filled production radiates optimism and wit with Leonard Bernstein's Candide — an unexpected choice that proves successful. Read more
Apr 27, 2024
Alvvays show up for Madison
The show was the Canadian indie-pop quintet’s fifth stop on their 18-city spring U.S. tour, and it marks their first concert in Madison since they performed for the post-COVID UW-Madison Homecoming show in 2022. Read more
Apr 26, 2024
AJ Storr should have had a contract
Last week Bucky buckets lost AJ Storr, its leading scorer and only genuine NBA-caliber player, to Kansas, and it lost its veteran point guard and team leader, Chucky Hepburn, to the transfer portal. Read more
Apr 26, 2024
Readers support indies on Independent Bookstore Day
Swag. Prosecco. A prize wheel. And best of all, books. On Independent Bookstore Day, shoppers can see how each bookstore has its own style. Read more
Apr 25, 2024
What to do in Madison this weekend: Udder Chaos, Dayna Stephens and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for April 25-28 includes 'Candide' from Madison Opera; 'The Progressive hosts a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Robert La Follette's presidential campaign. Read more
Apr 25, 2024
End-of-life care facility for people experiencing homelessness opens on Monona Drive
Solace Friends, a Madison-area nonprofit, has opened a care facility for people with terminal illnesses who are unhoused or experiencing housing insecurity. Solace Home, a four-bedroom house at 4142 Monona Dr. is now accepting referrals. Read more
Apr 23, 2024
A light-colored coffee beer from The Lone Girl defies convention
Russell’s secret for getting it right is placing whole beans in a steeping bag he hangs inside the fermenter with the beer. Ground beans could introduce darker, stronger coffee flavors, even becoming astringent. Read more
Apr 22, 2024
What to do in Madison this week: The Skatalites, Fred Armisen and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for April 22-25 includes readings by poets Alison Thumel and Aurora Shimshak; 'The Progressive' hosts a conference examining founder Robert M. La Follette's third party presidential run a century ago. Read more
Apr 22, 2024
5:07 AM
Wisconsin voters’ worries about PFAs in water grow
Professor Amber Wichowsky: The issue of PFAs contamination 'could be very much at play in some parts of the state, especially when we do have new [legislative district] maps in some places that will be competitive.' Read more
Apr 22, 2024
3:30 AM
For Record Store Day, a celebration of B-Side
Filmmaker Mitch Deitz’s intention was to show “a slice of life of the shop,” and to get owner Steve Manley’s story “out there.” Plus: a roundup of RSD events. Read more
Apr 19, 2024
8:00 AM
Judge will weigh whether to appoint a special prosecutor for Ridglan Farms
Dane County Circuit Court Judge Rhonda Lanford sets evidentiary hearing for July 10 as animal rights activists allege mistreatment of beagles. Read more
Apr 18, 2024
3:42 PM
What happened to NPR and PBS?
The NewsHour and the NPR news shows were, in their best days, the gold standard for what broadcast journalism — or any journalism — should be. Read more
Apr 18, 2024
3:00 PM
What to do in Madison this weekend: Midwest Horse Fair, Polka Party and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for April 18-21 includes a concert celebrating the birthday and musical legacy of Clyde Stubblefield; the name for Madison's new Northwoods League Softball team is revealed. Read more
Apr 18, 2024
5:05 AM
Additional $1 million in city funds would move Park Street grocery forward, says owner Kristie Maurer
Kristie Maurer has been waiting for a year to sign a lease with the city of Madison for the grocery store she hopes to open on Park Street. She is now waiting to see if an additional $1 million in city funding is approved for final improvements. Read more
Apr 16, 2024
5:30 PM
Exiting Wisconsin legislators face declaration deadline
The state’s new legislative boundaries have dozens of legislators, and potential first-time candidates, deciding whether to run from where they now live or move to new districts or retire. Read more
Apr 15, 2024
11:00 AM
One dish: Cacio e pepe bagel from Mermaid Kitchen
Mermaid Kitchen’s cacio e pepe bagel has a satisfying crunch on the outside and a soft-but-chewy texture. The pickup process is fun and a little clandestine. Read more
Apr 15, 2024
8:00 AM
What to do in Madison this week: King Iso, Valeria Luiselli and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for April 15-18 includes a much-anticipated La Follette School of Public Affairs talk by journalist Ezra Klein; MOMIX dance takes on Lewis Carroll in 'Alice.' Read more
Apr 15, 2024
5:07 AM
The blood-stained wedding dress
Our friends came over for a costume party — we still had a basement full of liquor from our wedding to get rid of—and we proudly showed off our costumes, including the bloodstains.’ Read more
Apr 13, 2024
8:00 AM
Where the jokes flow like lava
New York City-based comic Ben Miller is on a new tour featuring an hour of stand-up on volcanoes, aptly called 'Volcano.' Read more
Apr 12, 2024
11:45 AM
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
Culinary History Enthusiasts of Wisconsin
“Breathing Life into Your Community Cookbook Collection: A Culinary Yearbook," by Catherine Lambrecht. Free. Read more
May 1, 2024
7:00 PM