Author

Christina Lieffring

A photo shows the author seated at a table at a sidewalk cafe, facing the camera.

Christina Lieffring is Tone Madison’s Managing Editor, a free-wheelin’ freelancer, and lifelong Midwesterner.

Christina's Latest Articles

A collage of Tone Madison's original editorial art. From left to right: Shaysa Sidebottom's illustration depicting the silhouette of a person in a cap standing by their bike. A building is visible next to them. It is coated in dark blues, with two streetlamps illuminated in red, casting a red glow on the outline of the bike. Next image: Andrew Mulhearn's illustration of a body cam in gold. In the body cam's lens, a depiction of a police officer raising his hands. The cam is at angle, giving the appearance of toppling over. Next image: Madeline Vogt's illustration of a woman crying, holding her hand to her mouth. A bookshelf is visible behind her. Next image: Maggie Denman's patterned, near-surrealist depiction of cell clusters, outlined in pinks and pruples, appearing in front of a series of pale pink and dark brown dots.
From the archives: Editorial art over the years
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From The Archives
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October 31, 2024

As Tone Madison's 10th anniversary approaches, we look back at some highlights from the past decade.

An illustration shows a scratchy line drawing of two single-family houses sitting atop a flat line. Underneath the houses, inverted, is a more rugged and uneven surface from which apartment buildings appear to hang downward. One of the buildings is falling down away from the inverted ground, as is a sign that reads “for rent.”
Who will really pay the cost of Madison’s budget referendum?
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Politics
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October 16, 2024

Affluent homeowners are using poor renters to mask their grievances and save $19 a month.

An illustration by Rodney Lambright II shows the face of the column's author, Dr. Sami Schalk, smiling against a rainbow background. In the foreground are a sandwich, a cup holding a steaming hot beverage, and a stack of books on which the text "Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk" appears. Two candles sit on top of the books.
From the archives: It’s been a pleasure
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From The Archives
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October 10, 2024

A tribute Dr. Sami Schalk’s exploration of pleasure as activism.

An illustration shows an image of an absentee ballot envelope processed through layers of distortion.
Has Wisconsin learned from the almost-stolen 2020 election?
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Politics
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October 7, 2024

Activists and voting officials reflect on their tactics, amid a fresh wave of disinformation and tampering.

An altered image from Gao's proposal for a mural on the East Washington wall of the Metro Transit building shows bright colors with images of cicadas, plants, geese, and bus riders against a black-and-white foreground of the road and trees.
Two years and 400 unpaid hours later, a Metro Transit mural is in limbo
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Politics
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September 23, 2024

Delays with artist Jenie Gao’s project highlight problems with Madison’s public arts programs.

An illustration shows a negative image of a window air-conditioning unit. Overlaid on top of it, visible through the gaps in the unit's grates, is a warped image of the Madison, Wisconsin, skyline.
There will be no “climate haven”
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Microtones
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September 13, 2024

Unpredictable rain and extreme heat will impact all of us.

Illustration shows a woman in a hijab, hands on her hips, looking up at a giant podium with barbed wire in the background.
Democrats continue to put Wisconsin’s ceasefire advocates in a tough position
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Politics
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September 2, 2024

Two ceasefire delegates talk about being sidelined by the "big tent" party.

A modified graphic of the "Twitter Fail Whale," created by Yiying Lu. Eight orange birds lift up a white snoozing whale with a net. The background displays labyrinthine interior architecture rendered in shades of black and muddy purple colors.
Tone Madison is reducing its social media presence
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Misc
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August 28, 2024

We want to prioritize better ways to connect with our readers.

Distorted image of a boy reading while leaning against a library shelf.
A Wisconsin Assembly candidate is facing renewed scrutiny of his complicated Kansas ties
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Politics
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August 12, 2024

A messy five-way primary collides with the legacy of welfare reform.

Photo of bread being kneaded by hand on a wooden table.
No thoughts, only dough
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Microtones
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August 9, 2024

Balancing mental and manual labor.