Citizen Dave
-
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
Tommy Washbush / Freepik assets
NIMBY v. YIMBY
Most Madisonians agree on a few things: Housing costs are too high; sprawl is bad; and mass transit is good. How to translate into policy is where things get gnarly. Read more
Apr 11, 2024
Tommy Washbush / Freepik assets
Keep private money out of Wisconsin elections
Most of the funding from the Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life for Wisconsin went to five cities, all of which voted for Joe Biden in 2020. Read more
Mar 30, 2024
Some concerns about incoming Madison schools superintendent Joe Gothard
Joe Gothard was the best of the three finalists for Madison superintendent. But low achievement scores in the last school district he ran are concerning. Read more
Mar 21, 2024
Isthmus photo illustration / file photos
What if the Dems were must-see TV?
Joe Biden was feisty and energetic for his State of the Union address but how’s he going to hold up out there on the stump in less controlled environments? Read more
Mar 11, 2024
Isthmus photo illustration / Frederick J. Nachman photo
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
8:00 AM
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
9:00 AM
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
1:00 PM
Jason Joyce
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
12:00 PM
Courtesy Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
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 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
