Newsmakers

This week on Newsmakers, it’s all about the 2020 Census. First we hear from a Census spokesperson who offers a statewide perspective on how the count is going across Wisconsin. Then, an official with the City of La Crosse talks about his community’s Complete Count Committee. And we learn more about the perspective of someone working to make sure more of La Crosse’s Hmong residents respond to this year’s Census.

This week on Newsmakers we’re talking about “Back to School” plans in two area school districts. La Crosse schools are adopting a 100% remote learning model for the first month, with a wait-and-see approach thereafter. We’re hearing from the superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel. Viroqua Area Schools are activating a hybrid model, with K-6 students in-school full time and grades 7-12 alternating between digital learning and in-school classes, according to Administrator Tom Burkhalter. Then, Dr. Leah Morken of the Family and Children’s Center talks about the psychological needs of students starting the school year.

Democratic primary candidates Ron Kind, the incumbent, and Mark Neumann; both from La Crosse, debate before the August 11 primary election for the Wisconsin's 3rd district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ezra Wall, host of WPR’s “Newsmakers,” moderates the discussions. The primary election is on August 11.

Republican primary candidates Jessi Ebben of Eau Claire and Derrick Van Orden of Hager City debate before the August 11 primary election for Wisconsin's 3rd district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This week on Newsmakers, we turn our attention to the race for Wisconsin’s 32 nd State Senate district seat. The Republican candidate, Dan Kapanke, is running unopposed for his party’s nomination. We’ll hear from him closer to the general election in November. Today we hear from two Democratic candidates running for that party’s nomination, Brad Pfaff and Jayne Swiggum. The other candidate on the Democratic ballot, Paul Weber, was not available for an interview. Today’s show was produced with the assistance of the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area. More election information is available from [email protected] .

This week on Newsmakers, with the state's primary election just around the corner, we are getting the information listeners need about voting. First, we hear from two representatives of the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse area. They discuss how they are working to get out the vote, and how they are celebrating their organization's 100th anniversary. We then get a local perspective on running elections form the clerk of the Town of Holland.

This week on Newsmakers, we talk to educator, activist, actor and musician, Dodie Whitaker. She talks about three generations of activism in her family, and living as an African American in the small town of Viroqua. Then, learn how the Franciscan Spirituality Center is aiming to bring voices together in online conversations about racism in our listening area.

The impact of artificial intelligence and robotics in health care and the dairy industry in the Coulee Region is the topic of this program that was recorded in March 2020.

We talk with the new superintendent and the retiring superintendent of the La Crosse School District as the district prepares for a change in leadership July 1. We also talk about the delayed start of La Crosse Loggers baseball as the summer entertainment staple prepares to welcome fans in the midst of a pandemic.

A sudden spike in the number of coronavirus cases in La Crosse County this week has raised the threat level to red⌐ the most severe risk level the La Crosse County Health Department measures. We also talk about the local food movement with a farmer and meat processor from the area.