Ahead of election, county staff candidates take questions

In two short weeks, voters will decide on the new leadership among Winona County staff. John Hazleton and Charles Rolbiecki are running to replace retiring sheriff Ron Ganrude, and longtime Winona County Recorder Bob Bambenek is facing a new challenger, Annette Deyo. Rebecca Church is running unopposed to replace retiring county attorney Karin Sonneman, and Chelsea Wilbright is running unopposed to maintain her auditor-treasurer position. During a League of Women Voters forum last month, candidates addressed a range of issues including cyber security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Flock cameras.

La Crosse Street to close at Losey Boulevard intersection for water main installation

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — La Crosse Street will close at its intersection with Losey Boulevard for nearly a month starting next week as crews install a new water main, according to the City of La Crosse.

In Wisconsin, a bipartisan revolt is building against a 140-mile transmission line

"It will absolutely destroy the Driftless Region."

15 Vernon County Small Businesses Awarded $10,000 Elevate Vernon Grants

Vernon County, WI — Fifteen Vernon County businesses have been awarded $10,000 each through the 2026 Elevate Vernon Grant Program, helping local entrepreneurs invest in their businesses, strengthen operations, and pursue opportunities for growth. Vernon County allocated a portion of the funds received from the Ho-Chunk Nation to make this year’s program possible.

La Crosse school board delays decision on social media lawsuit

Veterans Expo connects veterans with regional resources

ONALASKA, Wis. (WKBT) -- The Tomah VA and La Crosse County Veterans Service Office hosted a Veterans Expo today, offering resources, support services and connections for veterans of all eras.

Wisconsin AG Kaul talks farm issues just before election at Westby area farm

Wisconsin’s attorney general makes a campaign stop near Westby. Incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul says tariffs on farm supplies and equipment are causing financial problems for farmers around the state. Kaul also is speaking in favor of “right to repair” bills, fighting corporate practices that make it difficult for farmers...

GOP governor candidate Tiffany campaigns in Onalaska

Wisconsin governor candidate, U.S. House Rep. Tom Tiffany talked to about 20 people on Monday in Onalaska, deemed a roundtable on affordability. Afterward, Tiffany (R-Minocqua) answered a few questions from the media on his priorities, data center regulation, the budget surplus, taxes and workforce. Like he did in an interview...

Pumpkinfest gets underway this week

The 4th annual Richland Center Pumpkinfest is fast approaching! Downtown businesses are encouraged to get into the spirit of Pumpkinfest by having your windows decorated by Monday (October 19) to celebrate. The community is also reminded to bring decorated pumpkins to the Richland County Courthouse this Wednesday (October 21) between 3:00 and 6:30 PM.

Measles reported in Richland County

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Measles is now being reported in another southern Wisconsin county. One person has tested positive in Richland County. This case is linked to the current outbreak in Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties. There are now eight counties across the state of Wisconsin with a total of...

Houston Approves Trail Extension Joint Powers Board

Larry Kirch of the Citizen Exploratory Commission for the Root River Trail Extension presented the group’s 2025-2026 report to the Houston City Council at their regular council meeting on October 13. This exploratory group was created with a memorandum of agreement between La Crescent, Hokah, Houston County and Houston. The group eventually chose to use a trail plan created by the DNR in 2011.

Vernon County rejects pause on dam decommissioning as downstream flood anxieties mount

VIROQUA, Wis. — A fresh push by local county supervisors to halt the decommissioning of six flood control dams in the Town of Christiana collapsed earlier this month. The vote laid bare deep community anxieties and lingering confusion over how downstream valleys will survive extreme flash floods once federal earthen dams are carved open.

Measles reported in Richland County

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. — Wisconsin health officials on Tuesday confirmed one case of measles in Richland County, bringing the statewide total to nearly 300 cases.

Engage Winona, Winona Post host housing forum Nov. 12

Engage Winona and the Winona Post are hosting a community convening on innovative housing solutions on Thursday, November 12, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Winona County Historical Society's Wanek Hall, 160 Johnson Street. The event is part of Leading Local, an initiative that brings together trusted local journalism with learning and conversation to help people connect and engage with their communities.

Tom Tiffany discusses affordability, skilled trades in Onalaska

ONALASKA, Wis. (WKBT) -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany met with voters in Onalaska Monday, discussing skilled trades and ways to expand affordable career paths for the next generation.

Wisconsin DOJ settles $245K in manure discharge violation case

MAUSTON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Justice on Friday announced a $245,000 settlement with Central Sands Dairy LLC over alleged violations of the state’s wastewater discharge laws.

Sunday Summary: Local stories carried on VernonReporter.Com over the last week

VIROQUA, Wis. — From Emplify Health’s proposed 80,000-square-foot medical campus and the Viroqua Area School District referendum public forum to Vernon County’s legal challenge against the MariBell transmission line and two decades of trail building by Vernon Trails, VernonReporter.com highlighted a wide variety of critical local issues across Southwest Wisconsin over the past week. From a county effort to pause dam decommissioning to tracking municipal budget reviews, watershed conservation tours, public health survey initiatives, and emergency incident reports, our reporting captured the Driftless Area in motion.