Isthmus (newspaper)
Encyclopedia
Isthmus is an alternative weekly newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin. It was founded in 1976, and has built a reputation for authoritative writing on news, arts and features. The paper prints more than 60,000 copies each Thursday, reaching an estimated 40% of all adults in Dane County, which includes Madison and several dozen other communities. It also runs TheDailyPage.com, a popular local website.
The paper was founded by Vincent P. O’Hern and Fred Milverstedt. Milverstedt, a Madison journalist, left the paper after serving as editor for the first three years. O'Hern, a Madison transplant originally from Detroit, remains the paper's publisher. Isthmus somewhat ominous motto is “To the death.” The paper gets its name from the land mass that forms the heart of Madison’s downtown and houses the twin engines of the city’s economy, the University of Wisconsin–Madison
and the Wisconsin State Capitol
.
Isthmus belongs to the national Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, but unlike some papers in this group is not given to advocacy journalism. Its mission, as expressed by O’Hern, is “to inform, not persuade.” It has long sought to include both conservative and liberal voices and prided itself on its willingness to take on sacred cows.
The paper carries investigative and in-depth articles, as well as incisive coverage of the arts and features stories on trends and culture. It has won numerous awards for journalistic excellence over the years, including more than three dozen first-place awards from the Milwaukee Press Club
and two Golden Quills, the top honor from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors. Two former interns – Anthony Shadid
and Abigail Goldman – have gone on to win Pulitzer prizes.
Isthmus employs about three dozen fulltime staff members. Longtime staffers include editor Dean Robbins, associate editor Michana Buchman, news editor Judy Davidoff, staff writer David Medaris, creative director Ellen Meany, associate publisher Linda Baldwin, administrative director Kathy Bailey and online editor Jason Joyce. In June 2011, news editor Bill Lueders left the paper after 25 years to work for the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.
The paper was founded by Vincent P. O’Hern and Fred Milverstedt. Milverstedt, a Madison journalist, left the paper after serving as editor for the first three years. O'Hern, a Madison transplant originally from Detroit, remains the paper's publisher. Isthmus somewhat ominous motto is “To the death.” The paper gets its name from the land mass that forms the heart of Madison’s downtown and houses the twin engines of the city’s economy, the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
and the Wisconsin State Capitol
Wisconsin State Capitol
The Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison, Wisconsin, houses both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature along with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor. Completed during 1917, the building is the fifth to serve as the Wisconsin capitol since the first territorial legislature...
.
Isthmus belongs to the national Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, but unlike some papers in this group is not given to advocacy journalism. Its mission, as expressed by O’Hern, is “to inform, not persuade.” It has long sought to include both conservative and liberal voices and prided itself on its willingness to take on sacred cows.
The paper carries investigative and in-depth articles, as well as incisive coverage of the arts and features stories on trends and culture. It has won numerous awards for journalistic excellence over the years, including more than three dozen first-place awards from the Milwaukee Press Club
Milwaukee Press Club
The Milwaukee Press Club, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the oldest continuously operating press club in North America. The club comprises journalists and others in the media in the Milwaukee area, as well as journalism educators, public relations and marketing professionals, students, and members of...
and two Golden Quills, the top honor from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors. Two former interns – Anthony Shadid
Anthony Shadid
Anthony Shadid is a foreign correspondent for The New York Times based in Baghdad and Beirut. He has won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting twice, in 2004 and 2010.-Career:...
and Abigail Goldman – have gone on to win Pulitzer prizes.
Isthmus employs about three dozen fulltime staff members. Longtime staffers include editor Dean Robbins, associate editor Michana Buchman, news editor Judy Davidoff, staff writer David Medaris, creative director Ellen Meany, associate publisher Linda Baldwin, administrative director Kathy Bailey and online editor Jason Joyce. In June 2011, news editor Bill Lueders left the paper after 25 years to work for the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.