La Crosse judge orders North Side home closed after years of drug complaints

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — A La Crosse County judge signed an order Friday to immediately close a North Side home tied to years of drug complaints.

Downtown Mainstreet shutdown brings change in La Crosse Center concessions

The disbanding of La Crosse’s Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. (DMI), may have a ripple effect on a few local businesses. That includes the La Crosse Center. DMI, which voted this week to disband at the end of the year, has provided concessions at Center events, but that will end on Dec. 1.

Western Wisconsin school districts face budget gaps after voters reject funding referendums

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WKBT) — Voters in several local school districts rejected requests for more funding Tuesday, leaving districts with budget problems to solve.

8 County Outdoor Recreation Project Event - November 9th

Join us as we celebrate the completion of two major outdoor recreation plans, reconnect with partners across the region, and look ahead to what's next for the 8-County Outdoor Recreation Project!. Monday, November 9, 2026. 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Roger Marten Center. 120 S Franklin St. Mondovi, WI 54755. Who...

Sheriff’s races appear on Tuesday’s ballots

Three county sheriff’s races went before voters on Tuesday. The most notable one was in Monroe County where Mike Krause won against current Sheriff Wes Revels, who was running as a write-in candidate. Revels’ endorsed candidate Chris Weaver lost to Krause in the August primary, prompting the sheriff to...

Winona voters extend school equipment budgets

WINONA, Minnesota – Voters in the Winona schools district renewed a $16.8 million tax levy for maintaining facilities and acquiring equipment the next 10 years. The margin, in the general election Tuesday, was wide: 62%to 38%. Superintendent Brad Berzinski thanked voters for “a reliable funding source for systems that support nearly every part of the student and staff experience.” Among targeted projects for digital equipment in the district’s Center for Career and Technical Education. In 2007 it is expected to produce $1.7 million.

Eau Claire council members propose changes to downtown paid parking hours, rates

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Less than four months after the start of paid parking in downtown Eau Claire, changes in the rates and times are being proposed. Paid parking went into effect in downtown Eau Claire on August 1, 2026. It’s been met with criticism from the community and many business owners.

Repeal Winona’s 13.4% levy increase

In all of my 74 years, my grandparents, great uncles and aunts, cousins, parents, brothers and sister never got a 13.4 % increase in wages. When I worked in a place that had a union shop the most we ever got was a 2% or 3 % increase in wages.

Gas prices fall in Wisconsin and La Crosse County

LA CROSSE COUNTY, Wis. (WKBT) -- Gas prices have dropped since the midterm elections, with regular unleaded averaging $4.10 per gallon in Wisconsin and $3.98 in La Crosse County.

Winona to consider final approval of St. Paul’s shelter Monday

On Monday, the Winona Planning Commission will consider final approval for an overnight shelter at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The meeting will include a public hearing where community members can provide comments on the proposal. Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota’s Winona overnight shelter was previously located downtown at the Edge...

Historic Eau Claire cemetery entered into state register

EAU CLAIRE — History is everywhere, according to UW-Eau Claire University Archivist Greg Kocken. It’s often just a matter of recognizing it. The State Historic Preservation Review Board has approved Forest Hill Cemetery to enter the State Register of Historic Places, a promising step into the location eventually being seen as an entrant in the national register, administered by the National Park Service (NPS). With Forest Hill Cemetery being a landscape, Kocken says those can be harder to see entered into the National Register of Historic Places compared to pieces of architecture — buildings often carry aesthetic markers of their respective eras, as well as encompassing famous figures or historic events that took place in the past. The university archivist argues that cemeteries as a whole have a place as important cultural landmarks though, and understanding their importance has become a noticeable trend in recent years. “Right now we’re starting to recognize that those cemeteries are important parts of our communities. They’re historic landscapes,” Kocken said. “They’re part of the cultural identity of a community. It’s more than just the memorials that are present there — it’s the cemetery itself as a part of the city, and recognizing that is

WisDOT seeks public input on plans to rebuild 5 miles of US 53 in La Crosse County

DFL's Dan Wilson wins closely watched Minnesota House race

This election, Democrats won back a closely watched Minnesota House seat in an area that has shown a willingness to vote for both parties. DFL candidate Dan Wilson defeated incumbent Republican Aaron Repinski in a Winona-area district. President Donald Trump narrowly carried the district in 2024, the same year Republicans flipped the House seat after decades of DFL representation.

Wisconsin Deflection Initiative aims to keep people out of  the criminal justice system

School districts often identify students they call “at-risk” who might have a learning disability or low reading or math scores in order to  provide them additional resources and attention to help them keep pace with their classmates and avoid dropping out. In the Wisconsin Deflection Initiative, the “at-risk” people are in the community at large. […]

Local school districts weigh in on school funding outcomes

WINTER, Wis., (WLAX, WEUX)- Local school districts are weighing in on the current state of school funding following Tuesdays’ election. We previously shared voters rejected 34 Wisconsin school referendums and approved 45. The Winter School District is celebrating. Their doors will now remain open. Their operational referendum passed. Taxpayers voting to approve an additional $1.5 […]

‘It gives us a smile too,’ CVTC expands annual veterans healthcare event

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - With Veterans Day less than a week away, Chippewa Valley Technical College is expanding its free veterans healthcare event as it prepares for the 10th annual “Give Vets a Smile” coming up this Saturday, November 7th. This event will provide a full roster...

Cooke speaks to media, thanks supporters for her victory

EAU CLAIRE — Rebecca Cooke thanked her supporters Friday after she defeated incumbent Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) in the Third Congressional District race Tuesday. Cooke addressed area media in a Zoom conference call, where she discussed her immediate next steps forward, from setting up her offices to her goals of her first 100 days after she's sworn in. "I'm really excited for our victory. I'm excited to be able to move the ball forward and work on the campaign promises I made," Cooke said. "Right now, people are hanging on by a thread, trying to pay for everyday things. I am focused on delivering felt results for people. We want to show people that when you vote for a Democrat, your life improves." As of Friday morning, Cooke had received 172,757 votes (52.4%), to Van Orden's 150,872 (45.8%). Two other candidates combined for another 1.7% of the vote. An estimated 99% of the vote has been counted. Cooke won only seven of the 19 counties across the district but she carried Eau Claire County, 31,706 (62.2%) to Van Orden's 18,489 (36.3%)."I was surprised by the margin," she said. "To have such a resounding victory is exciting for us,

Chippewa Valley community leaders, students react to historic diversity wave in 2026 midterms

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Following the Nov. 3 midterm elections, voters across the country and right here in western Wisconsin witnessed a historic wave of barrier-breaking victories. In Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won the gubernatorial race, becoming the first Black governor in the state’s history. Closer to...

77% of La Crosse County registered voters cast ballots

LA CROSSE COUNTY, Wis. (WKBT) -- About 77% of registered voters in La Crosse County cast ballots in the election, roughly 3 percentage points below the county’s turnout in the previous midterm elections.