Citizen Dave
Cancel the Democratic National Convention
If Joe Biden and Kamala Harris really are going to be the ticket again, Democrats will dribble into Chicago the way you line up at the DMV. Death. Taxes. Joe Biden. Read more
Feb 29, 2024
Finally, fair maps for Wisconsin
Now that Gov. Tony Evers signed his own redistricting maps into law this week, things should get better. But how much better and in exactly what ways are still open questions. Read more
Feb 20, 2024
ATC and Xcel Energy don’t want to compete
The Wisconsin Assembly approves legislation that freezes out competition to build power lines in the state. It was passed with no discussion and on a voice vote. Read more
Feb 16, 2024
The missing criteria in Madison’s superintendent search
The list of criteria used in the search for a new Madison superintendent does not require a track record of actually improving education or improving test scores. Read more
Feb 7, 2024
Madison city council rejects pay hike
The resolution to increase council pay from $15,000 to $24,218 required 15 votes from the 20-member council and it came up just short. Attempts to increase their pay by lesser amounts also failed. Read more
Jan 31, 2024
About those Madison streets
The first storm of the 2007-2008 season was just like the one this year. It was a lot of heavy, wet snow falling on relatively warm pavement and then quickly followed by an extended deep freeze. I had Rhodes-Conway’s job at the time. Read more
Jan 24, 2024
The door at Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission keeps spinning
How about appointing retired judges to the PSC? What’s really needed are the skills of a jurist. Read more
Jan 16, 2024
12:00 PM
Could there be a viable alternative for Biden?
The leading candidates for president from both parties are overwhelmingly unpopular. And yet it seems our system can’t help itself. Read more
Jan 10, 2024
2:00 PM
In defense of Joe Gow
At UW-La Crosse, Chancellor Joe Gow was well-liked and widely recognized as the force behind making his campus one of the most dynamic in the system. Turns out he also likes sex. Read more
Dec 29, 2023
11:00 AM
Wisconsin's big story for 2023: the 2021 report of the People’s Maps Commission
The fundamental issue is that Democrats cluster in cities. To get enough blue districts to equal the red ones you’d have to gerrymander the heck out of the maps to get that result. Read more
Dec 28, 2023
7:00 AM
Let’s take pretentious language offline
It’s time for my annual list of words and phrases that have been overused and need a rest for next year or, better yet, for all eternity. Let’s get started. Read more
Dec 20, 2023
10:00 AM
UW Regents reverse course and approve deal with Legislature
In a second vote, the Regents approved a compromise deal between the Universities of Wisconsin and Republican lawmakers on UW funding and DEI initiatives. Read more
Dec 15, 2023
1:30 PM
In the March issue
A crime of compassion?
In 2017 three animal rights activists removed three beagles from a dog breeding facility outside of Mount Horeb. The defendants face felony burglary and felony theft charges and are set to go on trial in Dane County court on March 18-22. Read more
Chakari Daezhare is finding her voice
Chakari Daezhare has been creating songs at a blistering rate. Last year, she released two EPs as well as a couple of singles. Then, in early January, she dropped her first full album. Read more
‘Rent down’ effect squeezes Madison tenants
The new owner of the Royal Arms apartment complex on Madison’s west side isn’t budging on large rent hikes despite tenant protests. Read more
A viewing cheat-sheet for the ‘Top Chef’ visit to Wisconsin
Madison, Milwaukee and other Wisconsin locations will be featured on the upcoming 21st season of Top Chef, a culinary reality show that sets itself apart by showcasing and celebrating a different region of the country each season. Read more
Behind the Isthmus cover: March 2024
Self-taught photographer Allison Gallipeau walks every morning, camera in tow, no matter the weather, and takes photos along the way. Her cover shot was taken along the bike path on John Nolen Drive. Read more