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Mariah Moneda
The 2025 Wisconsin Triennial at MMoCA lays out the welcome mat
The Wisconsin Triennial, at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art through Sept. 14, is more than a showcase of 24 working artists from around the state. This exhibition challenges visitors to connect with modern art in new ways.
What's New
Keith Wessel
What to do in Madison this week: Lynette Margulies, Meagan Ankney + Paige Miller and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for July 28-31 also includes tour stops by Flamy Grant, mc chris, Andy Bianco and Pat & the Pissers.
Jul 28, 2025
Robert Keith Wessel
What to do in Madison this weekend: The Decemberists, AtwoodFest and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for July 24-27 also includes University Theatre production of Clare Barron's 'Dance Nation;' more summer fun at Disability Pride Festival and the Unity Picnic.
Jul 24, 2025
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.
Jul 21, 2025
courtesy Matt Lorenz
What to do in Madison this week: The Suitcase Junket, 'Fantastic Worlds' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for July 21-24 also includes tour stops by American Aquarium and poets Daryl Gussin and James Norman; a University Theatre production of Clare Barron's Pulitzer-nominated play 'Dance Nation.'
Jul 21, 2025
Tommy Washbush / Freepik
Tony Evers is still best bet for Wisconsin governor
People already know who Evers is and threatening he is not. He comes off like the school principal he once was.
Jul 18, 2025
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
Andres Sanchez
What to do in Madison this weekend: Opera in the Park, Dane County Fair and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for July 17-20 also includes a reception for the current cohort of LAB^4 exhibitions at Arts + Literature Laboratory; Tango with Winnie Sextet brings together an international ensemble for a concert and dance at Cafe Coda.
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
Bob Koch
What to do in Madison this week: Brave New Voices Festival, Los Chechos and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for July 14-17 also includes opening day for the Dane County Fair; Madison artist Natalie Jo Wright brings 'Four Eyed Cats in Mid Century Spaces' to Flying Low Skateshop.
Jul 14, 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
Robin Shepard
Public opinion
Lakefront Brewery stepped in last summer to purchase Public Brewing and has since focused on producing a smaller set of core brands and styles, especially sours.
Jul 11, 2025
8:00 AM
Courtesy Mint Mark
One Dish: Earl Grey crème brûlée at Mint Mark
In this month’s One Dish, we rejoice over a twist to a dessert classic.
Jul 10, 2025
8:00 AM
Rory Doyle
What to do in Madison this weekend: Fête de Marquette, 'Reconstituting' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for July 10-13 also includes the Broadway tour of 'Wicked;' the annual collision of Art Fair On the Square and Art Fair Off the Square.
Jul 10, 2025
5:02 AM
Hannah Jo Anderson
Gavin Dillon Lawrence’s new play premieres at American Players Theatre
‘The Death of Chuck Brown,’ written and directed by Lawrence, explores themes of family relationships, community safe spaces, Black history, and gentrification’s impacts in historically Black neighborhoods.
Jul 9, 2025
3:30 PM
Eat the still life
Is it a cookbook? An art book? A lifestyle manifesto? ‘The Watercolor Feast’ is a delightful combo of all three.
Jul 9, 2025
12:00 PM
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
Mariah Moneda
The 2025 Wisconsin Triennial at MMoCA lays out the welcome mat
The Wisconsin Triennial, at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art through Sept. 14, is more than a showcase of 24 working artists from around the state. This exhibition challenges visitors to connect with modern art in new ways.
Jul 8, 2025
8:00 AM
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
Jim Gill / WPR
A time of upheaval for public media
Even before federal funding cuts seemed imminent, public media has been struggling.
Jul 7, 2025
10:00 AM
Michael Brosilow
American Players Theatre comes full circle with ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
The heart of this production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is the play-within-the-play.
Jul 7, 2025
10:00 AM
Tommy Washbush / Freepik
Bucky needs a union
Under the settlement in House v. NCAA, universities can pay all of their players in all sports collectively up to about $20.5 million per year. The settlement was supposed to go into effect on July 1, but is now on appeal.
Jul 7, 2025
9:15 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.
Blooming Butterflies
Live insects hatching in the Bolz Conservatory, 10 am-4 pm, 7/16-8/10, Olbrich Gardens; Butterfly Bike Parade 11 am, 7/26; Butterfly Action Day activities, 10 am-2 pm, 8/1; Wisconsin Insect Fest 1-6 pm, 8/1. $10 ($6 ages 6-12).
Jul 29, 2025
10:00 AM4:00 PM
Meagan Ankney & Paige Miller
Discussing "Spooky Science: Dissecting the Mysteries of Ghosts, Cryptids, Aliens, and Other Oddities," new book. RSVP recommended (livestream available).
Jul 29, 2025
6:00 PM
RSVP for 60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act Celebration
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin event, 9 am-4:30 pm, 8/6, with speakers, legislator visits, workshops, call to action for legislators to support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Free, but RSVP by 7/30.
Jul 30, 2025
Blooming Butterflies
Live insects hatching in the Bolz Conservatory, 10 am-4 pm, 7/16-8/10, Olbrich Gardens; Butterfly Bike Parade 11 am, 7/26; Butterfly Action Day activities, 10 am-2 pm, 8/1; Wisconsin Insect Fest 1-6 pm, 8/1. $10 ($6 ages 6-12).
Jul 30, 2025
10:00 AM4:00 PM
