Viroqua Council demands state moratorium on proposed MariBell power line project

VIROQUA Wis. – The Viroqua Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Oct. 27 to petition state officials for an immediate moratorium on high voltage electric transmission lines aligning the city with regional opposition to the proposed MariBell project. The resolution urges Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and the state legislature to...

Viroqua City Council expands motor vehicle ordinance to ban rolling coal, donuts, and parking lot short-cuts

VIROQUA Wis. – The Viroqua Common Council has voted unanimously to adopt an expanded municipal ordinance targeting disorderly vehicle operation, giving local police broader authority to cite drivers for excessive engine noise, stunt driving, and cutting through private parking lots to bypass traffic signals. The council approved the measure...

Viroqua residents question changes to mayor, city administrator’s roles

VIROQUA, Wis. (WKBT) -- Viroqua residents say they have questions about a city leadership change made after a closed session of the City Council on Tuesday.

Viroqua Common Council passes resolution supporting protections for manufactured home residents

VIROQUA Wis. – The Viroqua Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday October 13 to adopt a formal resolution urging state lawmakers to pass legislation protecting manufactured home residents from rapid lot rent increases by corporate landlords. The action responds to growing concerns in Viroqua and across Vernon County regarding out...

2026 Halloween Bash brings families to the Onalaska Dash Center

Onalaska families gather for annual Trunk or Treat

ONALASKA, Wis. (WKBT) -- Families in Onalaska gathered for the annual Trunk or Treat event, where decorated cars and plenty of activities welcomed children on Halloween.

Guest opinion: Honoring veterans means recognizing lasting health risks of asbestos exposure

Military service can carry health risks that last long after a veteran leaves uniform. For Navy veterans, years spent aboard ships, working below deck or stationed at military bases may have brought exposure to hazardous materials with consequences decades later. That is why, following our nation’s celebration of the Navy’s birthday on Oct. 13, we should remember that honoring veterans means more than commemorating their service. It also means recognizing the health challenges they may continue to face long after their service.

Van Orden discusses veterans’ issues with local veterans

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Rep. Derrick Van Orden met with local veterans to discuss his work on issues affecting retired service members and their families.

Living Local – Destiny Ziel and Kirstin Putz from The Parenting Place

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – The Parenting Place is expanding its services into Monroe County, and that means it is also expanding its team. Destiny Ziel and Kirstin Putz stopped by the studios to talk about your opportunity to join the team!

La Crosse Mayor moving forward with city administrator ordinance

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey is announcing he is moving forward with his own city administrator ordinance after speaking with residents, council members, and the business community. A video message shared by Mayor Washington-Spivey is available below:. “A city administrator will bring additional management expertise,...

La Crosse considers seeking redevelopment proposals for former policing center

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- La Crosse officials are considering whether to invite redevelopment proposals for the former Community Policing Center at 713 St. James St.

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.