The Capital Times began publishing as an afternoon daily on December 13, 1917, competing directly with the Wisconsin State Journal.

[3][4] In response, Evjue abandoned the State Journal and formed his own newspaper, The Capital Times, one that would reflect the progressive views he espoused.

[5] Fierce competition continued between the Wisconsin State Journal and The Capital Times until 1948 when the newspapers could not afford to replace their aging equipment.

On February 1, 1949, the Wisconsin State Journal moved from afternoons to mornings and became the sole newspaper published on Sunday in the partnership.

As explained in a section of The Capital Times' website devoted to the Foundation's history,[7] proceeds from Evjue's bequest "must go to organizations that best exemplify the beliefs that he championed during his lifetime, causes that could improve the quality of life for all the people in the Dane County area."

The Capital Times appears weekly in a tabloid format (moving from its long-time broadsheet style) that is included with the Wisconsin State Journal and distributed free at newsstands in the Madison area.

[8] Since 2015, the Cap Times has hosted regular community events featuring live discussions about public affairs and cultural topics.

Cap Times Talks, a monthly series, began in May 2015 and movie critic Rob Thomas has hosted regular post-film chats in local theaters since early 2015.