Isthmus

05/28/2026

Dane County's data center advisory committee unanimously approved a moratorium on May 25, updated from a previous proposal to refer specifically to permits for large, “hyperscale” data centers.

The moratorium now heads to the Dane County Board for a vote on June 4. Under the proposal, county planners would have 18 months to “fully explore, analyze, and research” aspects of large data centers popping up elsewhere across Wisconsin, and “develop reasonable zoning regulations” to manage them.

If approved, the moratorium would cover most towns in the county. It wouldn’t apply to cities or villages, which manage their own zoning. Nor would it apply to towns that have “opted out” of county zoning. County Board chair Patrick Miles says he hopes those municipalities follow the county's example.

For more on this story, see isthmus.com

05/15/2026

SPONSORED | TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST TO CTM's Taste of Broadway
May 30 at the Sylvee!
Directed and Choreographed by Brian Cowing

Join us for a one-night-only dinner theater experience. Enjoy great food and a cabaret-style concert filled with singing and dancing from talented local adult and youth performers. Featuring favorite Broadway hits, this event is perfect for the whole family. Get Balcony seats starting at $45 or grab seats at a table with dinner!

Find out more: https://ctmtheater.org/series/taste-of-broadway-at-the-sylvee/

BUY TICKETS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

05/14/2026

SPONSORED | Each month Community Shares of Wisconsin presents the Backyard Hero Award to organizations and people making change happen in our community. This month’s hero is Deirdre Garton, a board member for Rooted. Deirdre continues her decades-long support of youth and families in Dane County through her work with Rooted, which provides youth and families with access to urban agriculture education, community spaces, and land to grow food. Thank you, Deirdre!

The Backyard Hero Awards are sponsored by Isthmus, 105.5 Triple M, and Budget Signs Specialties.

Each month Community Shares of Wisconsin presents the Backyard Hero Award to organizations and people making change happen in our community. Deirdre Garton This month’s hero is Deirdre Garton, a board member for Rooted since 2014. Deirdre has decades of experience protecting youth and families in ...

05/12/2026

The first 150 of 500 beagles from Ridglan Farms arrived at the Dane County Humane Society Monday morning. The release of the beagles from the dog breeding and research facility is the result of a deal between two animal rights groups and Ridglan, located about 30 miles from Madison in the town of Blue Mounds. In all, 1,500 of the facility’s roughly 2,000 dogs were sold to the animal rights groups.

The Beagle Freedom Project organized Monday’s transfer. Another 350 beagles will be transferred this week to the DCHS. They will receive shots, vaccines, microchips and general care. Some will remain at the humane society for adoption, and others will be sent to various other centers throughout the Midwest.

As of May 6, DCHS says more than 1,300 individuals had submitted forms indicating interest in adopting the 50 beagles that will remain.

Photos by Lizzy Larson.

05/06/2026

"It's a legacy, y'all": The Center for Black Excellence and Culture opened its doors on Wednesday, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting and open house. The Center, led by Dr. Alex Gee, and his sister Lilada Gee, is a forum for Black creativity, expression, gathering, and culture.

"When culture is resourced, people don't just survive. They transform the world around them," said Rev. Dr. Gee, who led the project to build the roughly $32 million, 37,000 sq. ft space.

The Center features multi-use rooms for events, performing arts spaces, visual arts spaces, a sound recording booth, an exhibition gallery, a youth library, and a space for seniors. "Let every generation find its place in this place. Let them learn from each other, walk with each other, and build something that will outlive us all," said Lilada Gee.

The Center is located at 671 W Badger Rd, next to the Fountain of Life Church, where Gee is lead pastor. It sits near the top of the hill, and is a ten minute walk from Madison College, the Black Business Hub, and Centro Hispano.

Photos by Chali Pittman.

05/04/2026

Welcome, Chali Pittman!

Chali Pittman is Isthmus’ new staff writer. Liam Beran is leaving the paper to move to the Netherlands.

05/01/2026

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture hosts a library, Black studies reading room, recording studio, and women’s empowerment center. The building’s central gallery, display spaces, 280-seat fine arts theater and smaller black box theater are also ready to welcome artists from around the city, the state and the broader Black diaspora.

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture opens on May 6, with new performing arts and gallery spaces.

04/22/2026

If you are seeing a lot of news about the attempted rescue of dogs at Ridglan Farms but are new to the issue, we've compiled links to all of our coverage on the breeding and research facility, dating back 10 years.

The attempted ‘open rescue’ of beagles at Ridglan Farms on April 18 is the latest effort by animal rights activists to take the remaining dogs at the facility. Law enforcement defended the property rigorously with tear gas and force.

04/21/2026

61 of the 120 screenings sold out, a 20% increase over 2025 sell-outs.
Grant Phipps has more:

An impressive 61 of the 120 screenings sold out, reports the fest's director of operations, Ben Reiser.

04/20/2026

Wondering what's up with the Madison Public Market?

Same here!

Isthmus has tried since late December to schedule an interview with market CEO Keisha Harrison, who came on board with the market in July 2024. All interview requests have either been ignored or declined.

People have questions about the opening of the Madison Public Market, and answers are in short supply.