The mayoral race in Menomonie takes center stage thiselection season and it starts with a primary on February 17th.  One of the challengers to long-term mayorRandy Knaack is Grady Richartz and he joins Emilie to discuss why he wants the position.  We learn his background, hiscommunity involvement with groups like Big Brothers/Big Sisters and what his goals as mayor would be. That includes his transparent thoughts on the Data Center

#wisconsinliving#westernwisconsin #podcastrecommendations #localtalk #thingstodoinmenomonie #localpolitics#menomoniemayor #dunncounty

Join Zach and Nick as they sit down with Zac Neal of To Be Alive (TBA), singer and guitar player of Neal Brothers Acoustic Duo, and drummer of their band Shovelhead. Hear about recording and the first of hopefully many hotdish exclusive announcements.

#musicpodcast #musictalk #supportlocalmusic #hometownsounds #eauclairemusic #chippewavalleymusic #newmusic

In this episode, Brit and Susie are joined by Angela Roe,Partnership Manager at Feed My People Food Bank to talk about the critical role she and her team play in fighting hunger across our communities.  She works to connect communities over a 14-county radius, identifying where food insecurity exists and both establishing new pantries and assisting existing ones.  They also dig into the evolving needs of theregion and how food insecurity looks different than many expect.

#communitycares #hungerrelief #localimpact #nonprofitvoices#eauclaire #chippewavalley #localpodcast #foodinsecurity #foodbank

Railroaders' head girls basketball coach Michelle Peplinski returns to share insight as the team readies for the postseason later in the month. We also discuss the rise in opportunities for girls to participate in sports both directly and indirectly and why the nurturing and supportive culture of girls sports in Altoona has created strong participation numbers.

Michelle also shares with us what the team's service project was and why it hit close to home for the community, and details the experience getting to play a game inside The Sonnentag Center

#highschoolsports #podcastrecommendations #youthsports#sportsinwisconsin #localpodcast #girlsinsports #womenssports #thingstodoineauclaire

Live at 3pm on our YouTube Page and podcast posted shortly after

- One of our podcasts won "best of"

- A new video out promoting a local event will tug at your sentimental cord-

Ruh roh Shaggy, going on in Cadott

It’s About Economy, Stupid!  To give us an inside look at the current economy is Dr. Thomas Kemp, Chairman of the Department of Economics at UW Eau Claire.  He simplifies what we may hear in the news and how decisions around the world have impacts to us regionally and locally. Whatare some over-hyped risks and ones that people might be under-appreciation. The forces that shape our economy.

Pat and Jesse look ahead to the rest of the year with various changes you need to know, including increased contribution limits for IRAs and 401Ks, new tax deductions, adjustments to Social Security and Medicare and more.
The Purpose Driven Retirement Podcast is the podcast version of the weekly radio show with Pat Couture and Jesse Becker, financial advisors with Keystone, an Eau Claire, Wisconsin based firm. The program takes a look at topics related to retirement planning and the necessary areas to cover in putting together plans which are individually tailored to suit the needs to any particular individual or couple.

We hear the personal perspective of the McDonellCatholic School system with Beth Leahy and one of her kids, her oldest Cate (age 5).  Beth shares the experience of amother with a budding family, what drew her into the school system, how the balance of play vs. curriculum played a vital role. We learn the benefits mom has already seen from her daughter. The impact of the virtue-based lessons thatstudents receive?  What has surprised herthat she wasn’t expecting?

From Cate, she gives us the view of a five-year oldthe adorable way only a five-year old can provide.

#catholicpodcast  #faithandlearning #catholicschools#educationwithpurpose #chippewavalley #wisconsinschools

Scott defends Eau Claire school students protesting last week but also wonders if his mixed views make him unwelcome at Water Street eatery after it posted an aggressive sign.

Plus, important notoriety for local volunteers doing great work to help local healthcare coverage

Get the green thumb ready as Margaret Murphy, Regional Horticulture Educator with UW-Extension, talks with us about spring gardening planning.  She tells us how you can start planting some plants NOW indoors to get a head start, and shares practice advice to better your chance at success.  Also, when is the right time to clean-up your garden (too soon vs. too late),  reasons to get a soil test, the types of plants that thrive better here and resources you should know about.

#springgardening #gardentips #gardeningpodcast #growyourown #greenthumb #wisconsin #eauclaire #menomonie #pollinatorfriendly