Reflecting on 50 Years of Publishing Isthmus Newspaper

On today’s show, host Douglas Haynes is joined in the studio by three representatives of Isthmus –Judith Davidoff, Linda Falkenstein, and Dean Robbins–who share their stories about Isthmus’s history and its arts and news coverage as the newspaper celebrates 50 years in the community.

Davidoff describes how Isthmus was founded back in 1976 covering the local arts scene before it expanded to become a local news outlet. Robbins says that the newspaper became a home for alternative voices, the quirky, the artsy, and the hard news that didn’t find a home elsewhere in Madison. In those years, Isthmus was the only outlet working consistently with freelance writers, and it quickly became known for its award-winning arts writing, says Davidoff.

Over the years, Davidoff says they’ve maintained their commitment to highlighting local voices, local events and news, and high-quality writing and editing. Their coverage of the Act 10 protests was a highlight of Robbins’ time at the magazine. Falkenstein says that when the magazine was located at 101 King St., the office had a “vitality” and energy that can’t be matched. 

They also discuss the current journalism landscape and how they choose to cover protests and breaking news with a limited staff. We also hear from callers who share their memories of reading Isthmus over the years.

Judith Davidoff is the editor and president of Isthmus Community Media. She led the transition of the paper to a nonprofit in 2021 and its relaunch as a print monthly. 

Linda Falkenstein is the associate editor at Isthmus. She started at Isthmus in 1999 as special sections editor.

Dean Robbins is a children’s book author and journalist who started as a freelance writer at Isthmus in 1983 and worked as the editor from 2009-2014. 

Featured image of Dean Robbins, Linda Falkenstein, Judith Davidoff, and Douglas Haynes courtesy of Sara Gabler/WORT. 

The post Reflecting on 50 Years of Publishing Isthmus Newspaper appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.