The best photos from the Madison area in 2025
Each year, State Journal photojournalists take tens of thousands of pictures from news, sports and daily life in and around Madison.
People play in the King of the Kourt 3-on-3 basketball tournament organized by the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity outside Sellery Residence Hall on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 at UW-Madison in Madison, Wis.
U.S. Army veteran Lew Harned, 100, takes a ride on a 1942 Boeing Stearman through Dream Flights, an organization that takes military veterans on flights in World War II-era biplanes, at Middleton Municipal Airport in Middleton, Wis. Tuesday, July 1, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
A person walks past the North Gallery stairs inside the Wisconsin State Capitol on Monday, March 24, 2025 in Madison, Wis.
Raindrops collect on a window as a pedestrian takes cover under a midday shower while walking along Langdon Street in Madison, Wis. Wednesday, June 18, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Donna King, of Madison, joins other volunteers collecting seeds at Blue Mounds Wildlife Area for Dane County’s native seed program in Blue Mounds, Wis. Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Through the program, roughly 3,000 pounds of clean seeds are harvested each year, from over 100 species of plants, for prairie restoration. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Madison artist John Hitchcock’s work, “Ceremonial (Pow-wow ribbon chair)” is installed in the atrium of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison, Wis. Thursday, April 24, 2025. The site-specific piece, comprised of blue blanket, silk ribbon, metal, plastic, paint and thread, is part of the museum’s upcoming Wisconsin Triennial, which opens May 2 and continues through Sept. 14. A cornerstone of MMoCA’s exhibition calendar, this year’s show features 24 artists working in a diverse range of mediums. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Christina Clardy and her son, River, 14, are recovering from the Dec. 16 shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, at their home in the town of Bristol, Wis. Wednesday, March 5, 2025. The incident, which killed a student and a teacher and led the 15-year-old shooter to take her own life, critically injured River, who spent 46 days in the hospital. Christina is a teacher at the school. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wearing a quilted jacket she created, Carol Gaas of Richmond, TX peruses entries in a competition space at the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show at Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. The annual three day gathering, which features workshops, exhibits and vendor offerings, continues through Saturday. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Painters add geometric patterns to the exterior of the future Spark by Hilton Madison Central hotel as renovation work on the structure progresses along Rimrock Road in Madison, Wis. Wednesday, July 23, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Athletes ride down a spiral parking ramp to start the 112-mile biking section of IRONMAN Wisconsin on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 at Monona Terrace in Madison, Wis.
Large scale labyrinth artist Anne Drehfal and fellow artist and farmer Linnea Phillips created a labyrinth on Phillip’s farm, Rock Lake Organics, that includes flowers and vegetables in Waterloo, Wis. Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Taylor Duffrin, aka Taylor Flows, of Milwaukee, Wis. left, guides participants in a hooping workshop during the initial day of the Cheeselandia Hoop Affair convention at Madison Circus Space in Madison, Wis. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Over 100 participants from 30 states are attending the two-day event which features a variety of workshops and social events celebrating the performance art of hooping. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A bess beetle walks across UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab Director Patrick "PJ" Liesch’s forehead on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at UW-Madison Russell Labs in Madison, Wis.
Kindergartener Narya Summerville looks at Gov. Tony Evers as he helps her put her helmet on for a bike ride on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Lowell Elementary School in Madison, Wis.
Emmalyn Kopplin, a first-grader at Washington Elementary School in Beaver Dam, Wis. attempts to capture a drink from an unusually challenging water fountain during a trip with classmates to the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Claire Schraufnagel, 7, a Cloverbud with Brooklyn’s Mighty Mites 4-H Club, cuddles with Caylee, a Brown Swiss calf born in April, during the second day of the 99th annual Stoughton Fair at Mandt Park in Stoughton, Wis. Thursday, July 3, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Cliff Gonyer stands outside his barn with a basket full of eggs on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Cliff Gonyer’s farm outside Dodgeville, Wis.
A horse and jockey approach the Alliant Energy center for the 21st Annual Midwest Select horse sale on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in Madison, Wis.
UW-Madison veterinary student, Hannah Carlson, is met by an alpaca named Ivanhoe after he jumped out of the trailer while being unloaded, with owner, Elden Harms of Token Creek Alpacas in Evansville, at left, for the Great Midwest Alpaca Festival and the Wisconsin Alpaca and Fiber Fest at Alliant Energy Center’s New Holland Pavilion in Madison, Wis. Friday, April 25, 2025. Carlson, along with other veterinary students, were assisting with checking in the animals. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Workers lift a 185,000-pound steam locomotive engine for transfer to a flatbed trailer at Spec Machine in Middleton, Wis. Monday, July 7, 2025. After a more than 11-year, $3 million restoration effort at Spec Machine a few miles north of Middleton, the 1385 steam locomotive began its week-long journey back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
At the commencement of a Veterans Day ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol, color guard members prepare to present flags at the event in Madison, Wis. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. From left are Tom Trimble of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and Sons of the American Revolution members Bob Haglund and Bill Austin. The annual gathering is held to honor the service, sacrifice, and continuing contributions of those who have worn our nation’s uniform. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Trinity Manzke, of Milwaukee, who recently graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in dance, leaps for a photo in front of the Abraham Lincoln statue on Bascom Hill in Madison, Wis. Monday, May 12, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Ella Eklund, a UW-Madison senior from Eagan, Minnesota, gets her photo taken by a friend as she does a cartwheel surrounded by plastic pink flamingos on Bascom Hill during the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association’s annual Fill the Hill fundraising event on campus in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
Wisconsin band members huddle up before performing on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Overturned by high winds, an inflatable seasonal decoration hangs from a balcony at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity on the campus of UW-Madison in Madison, Wis. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
People fish on a freshly thawed Lake Monona on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in Madison, Wis.
Members of the Madison Speed Skating Club, Hudson Lee, 8, left, and Caleah Sitton, 10, both of Middleton, practice at the Oregon Ice Arena in Oregon, Wis. Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin players, including Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew, left, and libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon (7) celebrate the team’s win over UNC during a second round NCAA Tournament match between the teams at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A pedestrian makes their way on Capitol Square during a snowfall in Madison, Wis. Wednesday, March 5, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Placid lake conditions and mild temperatures offer an ideal kayaking opportunity for a boater exploring Lake Wingra near Vilas Park in Madison, Wis. Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Evan Corkery, emerging professional at OPN Architects, helps set up an installation for the Blood Cancer United Light the Night event that evening at Vilas Park in Madison, Wis. Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. The illuminated umbrella installation, called “Remembrance Island,” includes four stands with photos of individuals who lost their lives to cancer. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Local artist Audifax, left, with help from Chad Gulseth, of Seidr Solutions, installs 10 metal panels to complete her 40-foot by 10-foot mural on a fence at a City of Madison Water Utility building at Reynolds Park in Madison, Wis. Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The work is inspired by the history of the neighborhood, which incorporates the native landscape and the area’s Native American and African American history. The mural effort was organized by the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 12 p.m. at the site. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Ridgewood swimmer Kira Wagner comes up for air while doing the butterfly stroke portion of heat six of the women's 100 meter individual medley preliminary round at the 2025 All-City Swim Meet on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Hill Farm Swim Club in Madison, Wis.
Jalisa Wallerson, left, and Heaven Wilburn perform during the UW-Madison Dance Department’s 19th annual presentation of “Moonshine” at Lathrop Hall on the campus in Madison, Wis. Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. The annual gathering brings together campus alumni and students as well as guest artists in performances whicfh celebrate Black artistic scholarship and the Black experience with live music, contemporary theater and dance during Black History Month. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) high-fives fans before playing Green Bay on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Mount Horeb/Barneveld's Jack Wilson (2), left, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Colin Haag (1) in the first half of a game against Stoughton at Stoughton High School in Stoughton, Wis. Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Madison Police Department Acting Chief John Patterson on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Madison Police Department Central Division in Madison, Wis.
A Madison-area man who is paralyzed sits for a portrait in his home on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The man, who is a quadriplegic, was at risk of losing his at-home intensive care from a Central American caregiver with a deportation order from United States Immigration, Customs and Enforcement.
Bill and Cindy Nonn with their 1959 Ford Custom 300 at their home in Belleville, Wis. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. Bill bought the car in 1974, the couple sold it in 1981, and bought it back in 2022 after finding it for sale on Craigslist in Muskego. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Shelby Ellison, assistant professor in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at UW-Madison, shows hemp being grown for research in the Walnut Street Greenhouse on campus in Madison, Wis. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
With the summer cycling season in full swing, visitors to Budget Bicycle’s used bicycle shop peruse the retailer’s array of offerings at their Regent Street location in Madison, Wis. Tuesday, July 15, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
(From left) Joan Armbrecht, of Madison, and Kathy Sosnouski, of Fitchburg, shop for books during an outing with their book club, called Books and Birds, to the Friends of Madison Public Library’s Fall Book Sale at the bookstore in Central Library in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
With the warmest temperatures of the season settling in to the region, UW-Madison neurobiology student Owen Crowell enjoys a few minutes to work on his soccer handling skills before heading to a research lab on the campus in Madison, Wis. Friday, March 14, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
By the light of an ascending, just-past-full moon, Joseph Toelle of Oconomowoc, Wis. guides his hand-sewn four string stunt kite in the city’s Rockwell Park Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Dr. Megan Gussick, an emergency medicine physician at UW Health and medical director for the Madison Fire Department, shows the emergency vehicle she uses when responding to calls, at UW Hospital in Madison, Wis. Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Gussick was on the scene during the Abundant Life Christian School shooting on Dec. 16, 2024, and helped coordinate at American Family Children’s Hospital. She has organized reunions between first responders and two of the patients’ families. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Tyler Leeper of Madison Boats assembles “kayak condos” on Lake Wingra in Madison, Wis. as the watercraft rental business prepares for a May 10th opening of their four area lake locations Monday, April 14, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A keg taped to the back of former UW-Madison student Jadyn Schulke explodes at the Mifflin St. Block Party on Saturday, April 26, 2025 in Madison, Wis.
“Long Live the Pope! Long Live the Pope!” chanted sixth graders from Everest Academy, a Catholic School in Lamont, Il., in front of Holy Name Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Chicago, following the election of Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and the first American Pope in history on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Chicago, Ill.
Creator’s Cottage owner Catrina Sparkman, right, greets Sherry Lucille during a gathering of the Memory Collectors Storytelling Project at Sparkman’s art space in Madison, Wis. Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers perform on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis.
Performers with Hispanic Flamenco Ballet present a program showcasing Latin American culture and history for area high school students at the Barrymore Theater in Madison, Wis. Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Through dance and music, the countries of Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Argentina were among those represented during the lively, colorful and educational event. A second program highlighting the country of Spain was also presented by the performers for a separate audience of visiting students. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Emily Oswald of Jefferson, Wis. juggles multiple duties while walking through the city’s downtown with her 10-month-old son, Graham, and her dogs, from left, Mav, Stella and Spud, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Terri Meyers, of Monticello, Minnesota, gets 18-month-old toy poodle, Norman, ready to show during the Renaissance Cluster dog show at Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
Workers with Madison Window Cleaning employ rappelling gear while performing a seasonal cleaning of windows on the Overture Center in Madison, Wis. Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Overture Center theater technician Patrick Bley assists with a lighting stringing effort in the rotunda of the building as the center prepares for the upcoming holiday season in Madison, Wis. Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Lisa Thurrell, left, artistic director, and Stormy Gaylord, right, help Edward Salas secure his hair piece as dancers prepare for rehearsal for Kanopy Dance’s upcoming production of “Puppet Master” at the studio in Madison, Wis. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Lilith Kievskaya walks down the stairs of her apartment with her AK-47 on the way to a gun range on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Protesters march on State Street toward the Wisconsin State Capitol during the “No Kings” rally in opposition to President Donald Trump’s administration in Madison, Wis. Saturday, June 14, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Ryan Pertzborn, wearing red, white and blue face paint, poses for a Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Token Creek, Wis.
Wisconsin forward Kelly Gorbatenko (7) yells after scoring a goal against Minnesota on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 at La Bahn Arena in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin fans celebrate a key point during the third set of a second round NCAA Tournament match against UNC at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin linebacker Tyreese Fearbry (7) waves a towel while standing on a bench as time expires during the Badgers' 13-10 victory over #24 Washington on Saturday, Nov 8, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis. It was the first Wisconsin win over a ranked team since 2021.
A pedestrian crosses W. Johnson St. at State St. during a snowstorm on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Madison, Wis.
Martha Siravo applies acne treatment to her daughter Jaz’s face before bed in October in Madison. “I want to put good things out there, so Jaz and I try to exude that out there. And I think when that is what resonates with people, hopefully that's something that speaks louder and lasts longer than if someone just goes about life in a very negative way and considers everything a burdensome challenge.”
Ellie Mumford of Wayzata, Minn., kisses her husband Cooper Mumford on the forehead after he finished his first marathon Madison Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Madison, Wis. Cooper Mumford is an ultramarathoner, but the Madison Marathon was his first time running a normal marathon.
Pat Sargent, left, reacts during a game of Euchre with Julie Mucilli, right, who is learning to play the game, during a class at the Driftless Historium in Mount Horeb, Wis. Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Sargent, one of the teachers at the event, has been playing Euchre for over 75 years. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Jack Hurst, 92, and his wife, Marlene, 94, at their home in Madison, Wis. Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. Jack is the oldest member of the Yahara Fishing Club, which is celebrating 80 years. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Tony Robinson, Jr., a 19-year-old who was shot by Madison Police responding to a distress call at a residence on Williamson Street, vigil attendees gather outside the site of the shooting in Madison, Wis. Thursday, March 6, 2025. Taking part in the gathering is Sharon Irwin, Robinson’s grandmother. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Caron Cabezas and Lois Hall, right, both of Mineral Point, react as the new marquee sign on the Mineral Point Opera House is lit during an event in Mineral Point, Wis. Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) and Wisconsin middle blocker Carter Booth (52) yell after a block to win the first set against Purdue on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
(From left front) Lily Palfe, 10, from the Twin Cities, Isabela Velazquez, 10, and Ivy Cosgrove Bisek, 9, both of Madison, link hands as they play a game during a weeklong unicycle camp held at Nuestro Mundo Community School in Madison, Wis. Tuesday, June 17, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Tyler Leeper holds his son Torin, 6, while watching the 45th Annual Tribute and Ceremony for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis.
Sadie Armenta, 9, of the Paoli Fireballs 4H club holds her Netherland dwarf rabbit prior to judging of the breed during the Dane County Fair at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Friday, July 18, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Sydney Seyfferth, of Dodgeville, picks up her 2-year-old son, Kouvr, to give money to Patty Rowe, right, to pay for their hamburger buns at Quality Bakery in downtown Dodgeville, Wis. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. Seyfferth stood in line earlier that morning to pick up two dozen donuts from the bakery, which is permanently closing on Saturday after 97 years in business. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
A billboard included as part of Madison artist Thomas Ferrella’s “Drift” project, a series of what he calls “single word poems,” shares a presence above Atwood Avenue in Madison, Wis. Monday, March 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Muffle the first long cries of Baby New Year with these five events.
