Newsmakers

This week on Newsmakers, it's a debate between the two candidates facing off for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, incumbent Democratic candidate Ron Kind of La Crosse, and Republican challenger, Derrick Van Orden of Hager City. Host Ezra Wall moderates the discussion. Click here to view a recording of the debate.

This week on Newsmakers, find out why a white couple from La Crosse is starting a Black Empowerment Fund at the local community foundation. Then, learn more about chef Adrian Lipscombe’s effort to preserve the history of Black foodways.

On this episode of Newsmakers, Republican Dan Kapanke and Democrat Brad Pfaff participate in a joint forum about the issues involved in the campaign for the 32 nd seat in the Wisconsin State Senate. WPR’s Ezra Wall asks about the economy, healthcare, the response to COVID-19 and more in this lively discussion.

This week on Newsmakers our election conversations continue. We’re learning about the race for Wisconsin’s 70 th State Assembly seat and talking with Democratic candidate, John Baldus. (The incumbent, Republican Nancy VanderMeer, did not respond to a series of contacts from WPR.) Then, learn more about efforts to get out the vote from Chris Haskell of the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area.

Newsmakers takes a close look at the race for Wisconsin’s 95 th State Assembly district this week. The incumbent, Democrat Jill Billings, faces Republican Jerome Gundersen in the election on Tuesday, November 3 rd . The 95 th Assembly district serves the City of La Crosse, and also has constituents on French Island and in the Town of Shelby.

This week on Newsmakers we’re joined by both candidates in the race for Wisconsin’s 96 th State Assembly district. The incumbent is Republican, Loren Oldenburg. He faces Democrat, Josefine Jaynes in the election on Tuesday, November 3 rd . The 96 th Assembly district encompasses parts of Crawford, Vernon and Monroe counties in Southwestern Wisconsin.

Today on Newsmakers, we’re focusing on the 94 th State Assembly race ahead of the November 3 rd election. The incumbent is Democratic Representative Steve Doyle. He has two challengers this time around: Republican Kevin Hoyer and Independent Leroy Brown, II. Host Ezra Wall talks in-depth with all three candidates.

This week on Newsmakers, we hear WPR host Dean Kallenbach from Eau Claire's "The West Side" welcome incumbent Treig Pronschinske, R – Mondovi, and Amanda WhiteEagle , D – Black River Falls. The 92nd District includes most of Buffalo, Trempealeau and Jackson Counties, representing the cities of Black River Falls, Arcadia, Mondovi, Whitehall, Galesville, Independence, Blair, Buffalo City, Fountain City, and Alma. Villages within the 92 nd District include Trempealeau, Strom, Eleva, Merrillan, Ettrick, Melrose, Taylor, Hixton, Cochrane, Pigeon Falls, and Nelson.

Our 2020 election coverage continues this week with a look at the race for Wisconsin’s 24 th State Senate District. The incumbent is Republican Sen. Patrick Testin of Stevens Point. He is challenged by the Democratic candidate, Paul Piotrowski, also of Stevens Point.

This week on Newsmakers we’re harnessing the power of the sun! Listen to learn more about efforts underway to bring more solar power to our listening area, learn more about how sustainability is affecting workforce training, and find out more about a student-led effort to bring solar power to the campuses of La Crosse public schools.