News
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Liam Beran
Report details Madison ballot security problems
The Wisconsin Elections Commission report documented repeated failures by city clerk employees to follow state laws requiring the tracking and recording of absentee ballots, and the secure storage of voting machines and other materials.
Wisconsin State Journal ‘re-reports’ Brayton Lot story after original removed for ‘unauthorized use of AI’
Much of the Sunday State Journal’s front page story about downtown development was fiction created by an 'unauthorized use of AI.'
Jul 17, 2025
Sasaki
No referendum needed for first phase of Lake Monona waterfront redevelopment
Despite public concern over a lack of transparency, the Madison city council gave a green light to the first phase of the Madison LakeWay project, which can now proceed without going through a citywide referendum.
Jul 16, 2025
Los Alamos National Laboratory
From the University of Wisconsin to Los Alamos
UW-Madison mathematician Stanislaw Ulam spent a few years at UW-Madison before going on to play a critical role in creating the implosion-type device used in the first explosion of a nuclear device. The Trinity nuclear test happened 80 years ago.
Jul 16, 2025
Tommy Washbush / Freepik
A tale of two spending plans
Wisconsin lawmakers recently negotiated a bipartisan state budget while Congress passed Trump’s spending plan on a party-line vote.
Jul 15, 2025
Liam Beran
As local news orgs shut down, alt publications step up
A need to fill the hole left by legacy outlets was a frequent theme sounded by those attending the annual conference of AAN Publishers conferring in Madison. Common challenges include the need for more revenue and stretched staff.
Jul 12, 2025
Ovjphotography
Behind the Isthmus cover: July 2025
Oberon Jagodinski’s drone shot of the Fools’ Flotilla features one of Madison’s fun summertime events from a dramatic angle.
Jul 9, 2025
Isthmus welcomes AAN Publishers convention to Madison
Editors, designers, publishers and revenue teams are convening in Madison to discuss how to succeed and grow as local, independent media outlets.
Jul 8, 2025
3:00 PM
Tommy Washbush
Paul’s in perpetuity
There are businesses you’d never guess are operating quietly out of people’s Madison homes. This is the story of a basement bookseller.
Jul 8, 2025
8:00 AM
Freepik
New Wisconsin legislative districts led to bipartisan state budget
Significant gains by Democratic candidates in Wisconsin’s new electoral districts gave Democrats newfound influence over the state budget.
Jul 7, 2025
3:00 PM
Kristin Shafel
With community gatherings and private events, Garver Feed Mill comes into its own
Hosting community events draws a range of people into the expansive former sugar beet factory. It’s a deliberate strategy to support the 15 local businesses that call Garver home.
Jul 4, 2025
8:00 AM
Liam Beran
Du-plex the right thing, city officials urge
Homeownership and affordable housing will become more accessible under a new package, city officials argue.
Jul 4, 2025
7:00 AM
Tatiana Shirasaki
Dedication to the institution
Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is retiring from the Wisconsin Supreme Court at the end of July after 30 years of service.
Jul 3, 2025
8:00 AM
In the July issue
Downtown Madison fills out
Five years after the COVID lockdown, business in downtown Madison is booming. But with that growth comes inevitable pains.
‘Scraping by’
Everyone loves Madison’s free music events. But the organizations behind them say additional support is needed to keep their finances stable.
UW-Madison investigates police officer who students say acted inappropriately
A student journalist uncovered examples of late-night texts, free rides, and sharing of police intel to help students avoid bar raids.
Du-plex the right thing, city officials urge
Homeownership and affordable housing will become more accessible under a new package, city officials argue.
Dedication to the institution
Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is retiring from the Wisconsin Supreme Court at the end of July after 30 years of service.
