Blair takes action on rat infestation spreading through neighborhood

BLAIR, Wis. (WKBT) — The city of Blair is taking aggressive action to address a rat infestation that started at one home and has spread to surrounding properties, prompting concerns from residents and local businesses. The infestation has grown so severe that rats have migrated from the original property...

Community members help with aging playground

VIROQUA, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – A local community is replacing its aging playground with a modern, inclusive play space, and many community members are coming out to help. First News at Nine’s Dashal Mentzel shares more. Construction is underway for a new playground at Eckhart Park in Viroqua. “We’ve got two shifts every day with about […]

This Small-Town Minnesota Owl Museum Is So Well Hidden That Even Locals Don’t Know About It

If you told someone from Minneapolis that one of the most fascinating wildlife education centers in the entire country was sitting in a small town in southeastern Minnesota, they’d probably nod politely and then immediately forget you said it. That would be a mistake, because the International Owl Center...

Two downtown La Crosse bars begin suspensions for serving to underage customers

With Oktoberfest done, two bars in downtown La Crosse will now close for more than a week, under orders handed out by city hall Sept. 10. Bennett O’Riley’s and Del’s Bar begin 10-day suspensions Monday, after illegally serving minors. The suspensions were delayed until after the Oktoberfest,...

Onalaska’s Laufenberg Uses Home-Water Knowledge to Win Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Mississippi River-Prairie du Chien

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. (Sept. 28, 2026) – Boater Cade Laufenberg of Onalaska, Wisconsin, caught a total of 10 bass weighing 34 pounds, 4 ounces, over two days to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien. The tournament was the fifth and final event of the season for the BFL Great Lakes Division. Laufenberg earned $5,580, including a $2,500 Phoenix bonus, for his victory.

The Iconic California-Based Restaurant That Has More Stores In Wisconsin Than Anywhere Else

A&W Restaurants has more locations in Wisconsin than in its home state of California. When it comes to U.S. geography and food, some pairings are classic: New York and bagels, Philadelphia and cheesesteak sandwiches, Chicago and deep-dish pizza. And then there are burgers and California, which is considered the unofficial birthplace of fast food due to the fact that McDonald's, In 'n Out, Carl's Jr., Jack in the Box, and a handful of other burger joints were founded in the state.

Thousands turn out for Maple Leaf Parade

The smell of brats and the sounds of marching bands and polka music filled the air from the north side to the south side of La Crosse on Saturday for the Maple Leaf Parade. Thousands gathered along the route that began at Clinton Street and ended at King Street. Many...

Oktoberfest wraps up final day with pancake breakfast

Reports of rat infestation triggers emergency City Council meeting in Blair

Reports of rat infestation triggers emergency City Council meeting in Blair.

2026 Phoenix Bass Fishing League – Mississippi River Super Tournament weigh-in Day 1 (9/26/2026)

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. – Watch the weigh-in from Day 1 of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Super Tournament on the Mississippi River at Prairie Du Chien on Sept. 26, 2026. View full results here. Sign up for a future Phoenix Bass Fishing League event.

Maple Leaf Parade brings Oktoberfest tradition through downtown La Crosse

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Dozens of floats, marching groups and community organizations made their way through La Crosse Saturday morning for the annual Maple Leaf Parade, a signature event of Oktoberfest.

The Charmant Hotel retains One MICHELIN Key designation for 2026

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Geronimo Hospitality Group is celebrating a three-peat, with four of its boutique hotels earning One MICHELIN Key for the third consecutive year. Hotel Goodwin in Beloit, Wisconsin; The Charmant Hotel in La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Bottleworks Hotel and Ironworks Hotel Indy, both in Indianapolis, Indiana, have once again been recognized by the MICHELIN Guide for delivering exceptional hotel experiences.

For a big Oktoberfest, you need a big bratwurst, and they served one at the La Crosse Legion Hall

Before you tap the Golden Keg at Oktoberfest, you have to slice the Golden Brat. The early Friday morning tradition at La Crosse’s Oktoberfest is serving a very large bratwurst, 8 feet long and 80 pounds and covered in sauerkraut, during a breakfast at the American Legion Post 52 on 6th Street. New Festmaster Jon Erickson and Frau Jane made the first cut to the big brat, using a large sword.

Pancake breakfast low-key but beneficial part of Oktoberfest

There isn’t the pageantry of the parades or hubbub of the fest grounds but the Oktoberfest Parade Marshals Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning was still a busy event for festgoers. Held this year at the Harry J. Olson Senior Center, past parade marshal Brad Quarberg said the timing of...

Torchlight Parade for Oktoberfest carries on through rain on Thursday

It may have rained a bit on the parade, but the Torchlight Parade through north La Crosse went on as planned, as the highlight for the first night of Oktoberfest. The hour-long parade was led off by several groups of past and present Fest royalty, followed by dignitaries from other area festivals. Many of the marching bands, including visitors from West Salem and Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau, wore lights on their heads or their uniforms as part of the festivity. The parade was followed by an Oktoberfest party at Copeland Park.

Coffee shop in Wisconsin closing immediately, cites “significant challenges”

HOLMEN, Wis. (WFRV) – Citing “significant challenges” a coffee shop in western Wisconsin is closing immediately until further notice. According to a post on social media, Kandu Coffee announced it is closing due to challenges behind the scenes, including challenges within the business and in the business owners’ personal lives.

2 Wisconsin Horses Test Positive for Strangles

Two horses in Wisconsin have tested positive for strangles. In Dane County, one horse has tested positive, and one horse is suspected to be positive. The horses are quarantined. In Richland County, a yearling Standardbred colt tested positive on Sept. 17 after presenting with nasal discharge. Three additional horses have...

Craving A Real Old-Fashioned Root Beer Float? These 7 Wisconsin Drive-Ins Still Pour Their Own

Nothing beats a root beer float made the old way, with root beer that the drive-in mixes up itself instead of pouring from a can. Wisconsin still has a handful of these classic spots where carhops, thick mugs, and homemade recipes are part of the deal. Some have been around...

From Freighthouse to Fest: restaurant owners Jon and Jane Erickson are 2026 Festmaster and Frau for La Crosse’s Oktoberfest

The secret is now out. La Crosse’s 2026 Festmaster for Oktoberfest is Freighthouse restaurant owner Jon Erickson. Jon and his wife Jane made their public debut as the reigning couple of this year’s fest at the Festmaster’s Ball on Wednesday. Erickson tells us that back in April, on his daughter’s birthday, he was visited by two past Festmasters, Mike Bakalars and Terry Cowgill, bearing an envelope from Forks and Corks, the summer event where the Oktoberfest button design is usually unveiled. Jon has worked on that event, and he says “I just thought they had some more information, seating, something like that, and they handed me the envelope,” and inside, “there was my feather,” indicating he had been selected as Festmaster.