New Winona play brings local WWII heroine’s story to life

WINONA, Minn. (WXOW) — A young woman’s journey through World War II is taking center stage in Winona this weekend, as a new production brings her story of courage, resistance and survival to life. "Squirrel is Alive" tells the true story of Mary Rostad, who was just 17...

Viroqua City Council moves mayor’s office and limits staff contact following closed session

VIROQUA Wis. – The Viroqua Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Oct. 27 following a closed session to move Mayor Krista Browne’s office and restrict direct one on one contact between the mayor and City Administrator Julie Emslie. The unprecedented action signals that the working relationship between Viroqua’s top...

Driftless duel: Candidates in western Wisconsin congressional district campaign ahead of second showdown

LA CROSSE, Wis. — One of the most closely watched congressional races in the country is unfolding in western Wisconsin, where two-term Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden is locked in a rematch against Democrat Rebecca Cooke. Cooke wasn’t able to unseat Van Orden in 2024, but she’s giving it...

Houston Commissioners decide not to establish a data center moratorium yet

During a discussion about data centers and battery storage facilities, the Houston County commissioners decided to not implement a moratorium yet. “We should not put a moratorium in because it is a timestamp,” Commissioner Kurt Zehnder said during the July 14 workgroup session. “If somebody proposes to put (a data center) in, then we put our moratorium down and start really putting the screws to this thing. I’m not in favor of it, but we should do it the right way.”

Vernon County selected for national heat preparedness initiative

VERNON COUNTY, Wis. — Vernon County is among 40 communities nationwide selected to receive funding through a federal program aimed at helping local governments and organizations prepare for extreme heat events. Vernon County Emergency Management announced the county, in partnership with Wisconsin Emergency Management and River 2 Ridge Disaster...

Two Wisconsin high school seniors named 2026 US presidential scholars

(WFRV) – Two Wisconsin high school seniors have been selected as 2026 US Presidential Scholars, placing them among 161 students nationwide recognized with one of the country’s highest academic honors. The US Department of Education named Joel Janssen of Delavan-Darien High School and Elizabeth Matz of Onalaska High School to this year’s class of scholars. […]

Wisconsin attorney general candidate Eric Toney holds public safety roundtable in La Crosse

The Brief

Genoa (WI) Awarded $450K Grant for New Fire Engine; Will Replace 30-Year-Old Apparatus

The town of Genoa has been awarded a $450,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help buy a new fire engine for its volunteer fire department. The announcement was made Wednesday by U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson. “Volunteer firefighters play a...

Mill Day draws visitors despite cloudy, rainy start

Annual celebration features historic mill tours, food, vendors, and special recognition of Rep. Aaron Repinski for his role in securing $400,000 for preservation work. A little early-morning rain wasn't enough to dampen the spirit of Pickwick Mill Day, as more than 600 visitors, neighbors, and mill supporters gathered Saturday, September 12, at the historic Pickwick Mill to celebrate local history, community, and the continuing preservation of one of southeast Minnesota's most distinctive landmarks.

UWL Democrats host local representatives on campus for Dems Fest

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse College Democrats hosted Dems Fest on the Student Union lawn. UWL Democrats Co-Chair Madeline Maxson said the event provided an opportunity for students to engage with local politics, learn more about their representatives and make voting more approachable. The occasion featured...

Four Trempealeau County supervisors resign

WHITEHALL, Wis. (WKBT) — Four Trempealeau County supervisors, including former county board chair Andy Todd, resigned just before a special meeting to elect a new board chair, marking a major shakeup on the board after weeks of tension.

A long way from Decorah

Behind the campaign trail and political spotlight lies Rob Sand, who never quite left his hometown behind. As Iowa’s race for governor reaches its final stretch, the people who knew Rob Sand before the campaign signs, television advertisements, and political spotlight remember a boy with a skateboard, a plan, and a hometown that never quite let him go.

Dems outraising GOP challengers in 3 La Crosse-area Assembly districts

Based on political climate, district makeup and money, GOP candidates face an uphill climb against several La Crosse-area Democrats in the state Assembly, according to one expert. Three Democratic incumbents representing the La Crosse area are winning the money game in the fight to defend their seats in the Wisconsin...

Jackson Co. residents share top concerns

McIntosh Memorial Library to host Food for Fines program

VIROQUA, Wis. –– The annual Food for Fines program to benefit a local food pantry will take place November 2-14, 2026, at the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua. During the first two weeks of November patrons can bring non-perishable food items or hygiene products to the library circulation desk to have their fines reduced. For every item donated, $1.00 worth of fines will be removed for a maximum of $10.00.

Here are the 14 Wisconsin districts that will decide which party controls the Legislature

At a recent Oktoberfest parade through downtown Prairie du Chien, Republican state Sen. Howard Marklein tossed candy and shook hands with constituents. A few weeks earlier on the same strip, his Democratic challenger state Rep. Jenna Jacobson spoke with voters on the final stop of what her campaign dubbed “The Marklein Markup Tour.”

Repinski and Wilson face off before Election Day

During the final week before the election on November 3, candidates for House District 26A, incumbent Aaron Repinski (R) and Dan Wilson (DFL), met for a student-led dialogue at Winona State University. Candidates addressed issues such as fraud, the cost of living, and gun control. House District 26A represents most...

Tom Tiffany brings 55-stop campaign tour to Prairie du Chien

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. (WKBT) -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany brought his 55-stop “Common Sense Bus Tour” to Prairie du Chien Tuesday afternoon.

Commission passes solar farm moratorium to County Board

Following residents' concerns from earlier this year about a series of solar arrays installed along Apple Blossom Drive Scenic Byway impacting the area's natural beauty, the Winona County Planning Commission considered an interim ordinance this month that would ban new solar projects, or expansions, for up to one year. During that time, staff would study potential impacts of solar, wind turbines, and cell tower development county-wide and develop some regulations to protect scenic byways and scenic resources. Planning Commission members questioned how something would be designated “scenic,” but voted to pass the interim ordinance to the County Board with some changes. A solar developer with farms on Apple Blossom Drive said the ban feels targeted, and an apple orchard owner in the same area defended solar farms, saying it helps make his businesses possible.

A town hall meeting in Preston (MN) leads to questions about Minnesota power transmission around Fillmore and Houston Counties

A town hall meeting hosted by NO765MN on October 21 at the Preston Riverfront Center drew a full house. Concerned citizens gathered to learn more about the proposed 765 kV transmission line. The transmission line is to extend from the South Dakota border and run all across the southern edge of Minnesota to Wisconsin. The proposal includes a 139-mile electric transmission line (the proposed Gopher-Badger Link) extending from the North Rochester Substation near Pine Island through Marion area to Bell Center, Wisconsin. Opponents believe this transmission line is being planned to power a proposed Google data center near Pine Island. The Gopher to Badger Link includes the Minnesota segment of the Maribell transmission line.