For more than three decades, Newsmakers has been taking La Crosse-area listeners beyond the headlines with extended interviews
and in-depth conversations that advance the top stories of the day.
Listen Thursday mornings at 10 for Newsmakers on Ideas 90.3 WHLA. Repeat broadcasts can be heard Saturdays at 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. on La Crosse's 88.9 WLSU.
Newsmakers' senior producer is John Davis; WPR reporter Maureen McCollum hosts the series.
Contributors to Newsmakers include Mary Meehan-Strub, Director of UW-Extension for La Crosse County, and WPR's southwest regional manager and executive producer John Gaddo.
We invite your feedback, comments and questions. You can email members of the Newsmakers production team above.
The online archives for Newsmakers are available for streaming anytime using most online media players.
Programs may also be downloaded to your PC or other device.
Same sex couples in the state of Minnesota could marry legally starting August 1. Same sex marriage is not legal in Wisconsin, and some Badger state couples headed to Minnesota to be legally wed. We attended the ceremony of a Fountain City couple and talk to them about what being legally married means to them.
While polls show more people are supportive of same sex marriage now than in the past, and about one-fourth of states have legalized same sex marriage, the issue remains controversial for many reasons. We talk about some of the nuances of the debate with Rick Kyte, the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University.
Kwik Trip is the latest company in southwestern Wisconsin to offer health care services to its employees. We talk about the benefits of starting such a program with Kwik Trip benefits manager Mila Spencer and Gundersen Health Systems Sr. Vice President of Business Services Jerry Arndt. A new facility that will provide basic health and wellness options to 3,000 area employees and their families is set to open later this year at Kwik Trip's La Crosse campus.
The Great River Road, which stretches along the Mississippi River, celebrates 75 years in 2013. The road in western Wisconsin is 250 miles long and runs through 33 communities. We talk with members of the Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commission about the road's history, impact and just some of the fun things to do if you travel the Great River Road.
The unique geology of the Driftless Area's bluffs is adored by people who love to get out in nature, but it's considered prime real estate to others. There's a new effort underway among leaders in La Crosse County to develop a regional bluffland protection plan to preserve the natural resource and limit development. La Crosse City Planner Larry Kirch and Mississippi Valley Conservancy Board President Pat Caffrey weigh in on the collaboration.
Nature and silent sports like biking, hiking and fishing have always been a big reason why people love the Coulee Region. Now groups like the Outdoor Recreation Alliance and the La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau are working together to improve the chances the area will become even more of a destination for silent sports enthusiasts from around the World.
We update you on flood recovery efforts in southwestern Wisconsin after late June's severe weather. Also, in recent years, parts of southwestern Wisconsin have become accustomed to flooding as a result of heavy rainfall. We talk about what Wisconsin Emergency Management can do for communities that encounter flooding, using Vernon County as an example. Flooding in 2007 and 2008 exposed problems at several dams, and the county has turned to the state and federal government for help in fixing them.
We talk with Prescott, Wisconsin Mayor Mark Huber who is a member of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, a privately funded group of mayors that are advocating for Mississippi River issues in Washington DC. We talk about national efforts to control flooding on the Mississippi River.
Work is complete on the 2013-15 State of Wisconsin budget. We get different perspectives on the budget from Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch and 32nd district State Senator Jennifer Shilling of La Crosse.
The internet has made the work of the genealogist much easier than it was decades ago. But Cindy Jacobson of West Salem says there are many basic research elements that will ensure family history research is accurate. With 20 years of experience as a genealogist, Jacobson has advised members of the La Crosse Area Genealogical Society on writing and publishing a family history in the 21st Century.
The La Crosse County Board of Supervisors is weighing whether or not to sell its long-time Administrative Center to be used as student housing. That's one of three big property issues La Crosse County is dealing with right now. La Crosse County Board Chair Tara Johnson and County Administrator Steve O'Malley also talk about the future of the Park Plaza property between La Crosse and La Crescent and the Lakeview Health Care Center in West Salem.
Farmers, nutritionists and school officials were in La Crosse this week for a summit on Wisconsin's Farm to School program. We talk with coordinators of the program from the La Crosse County Health Department and UW-Madison's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems.
Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin recently visited the La Crosse area. She talked to us about some of the issues of the day including the Patriot Act, immigration reform and gun control.
U.S. News recently ranked the top 50 counties in the United States that are the healthiest for children. La Crosse County was rated the 28th healthiest county in the nation and 4th healthiest county in the state of Wisconsin. We talk with the director of the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium about the study, and the work the consortium has been doing to improve the health of the region.
Independent Wisconsin cranberry growers are struggling with low prices right now. Flat domestic cranberry sales, the world-wide recession and an unexpected influx of cranberries from Canadian Producers are a big part of the issue. Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association Executive Director Tom Lochner and Warrens area cranberry grower Mike Gnewikow are our guests.
While Wisconsin's unemployment rate continues to hover around 7 percent, there are thousands of jobs available in the state's signature industry of agriculture. We talk with Paul Larson of Wisconsin's Agricultural Education Workforce Development Council about the need for workers in a wide-variety of agricultural jobs now and in the future. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has launched a program to promote agricultural careers.
After two people were murdered in 2012 in a La Crosse business, The La Crosse City Vision Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to improving the central business district, started raising money for a security camera system for the downtown. The goal of the Safe-Cam Project is to donate the cameras to the La Crosse Police Department, which would view them on a mostly passive basis to help identify crime.
What does it take to be a mentor? We talk about the important impact mentorship programs can have on the lives of young people, and the life-long friendships often forged when an adults takes the time to be a positive influence on a child. We highlight the work of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, several mentorship programs offered by the YWCA of the Coulee Region, and the work of the La Crosse School District's and YMCA's Boyz II Gentlemen and Annie Ruth's Girls.
We take you to a number of mentor programs in the La Crosse area. They include Logan Middle School's Bike Works program, the Teen Center at the La Crosse YMCA and the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association's blacksmith shop.
The Wisconsin legislature is considering an expansion of the state's private school voucher program. Vouchers give families money from the state to send students from the public school system in Wisconsin to a private school. Right now, the program is in Milwaukee and Racine, but Governor Scott Walker has proposed expanding private school choice to nine other school districts. The La Crosse area would not be impacted by the governor's proposal, but there has been a lot of opposition to the idea from this part of the state.
The race is on for more than 40,000 Wisconsin residents to complete the GED testing program by the end of the year, or begin the process over. The high school equivalency exam will be updated for the first time in more than a decade, starting in 2014. The changes could impact many students in the Western Technical College district. Chad Dull, WTC's dean of instructional support services talks about what the changes mean.
The state of Wisconsin is behind most other Midwestern states when it comes to creating energy from wind. Iowa and Minnesota are by far the leaders in the upper Midwest, and Wisconsin is a state that has some of the fewest wind farm projects in the planning stages. We debate the pros and cons of Wisconsin's current wind power siting laws, and look at the prospects for future wind energy projects.
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Newsmakers Web Extra
We have the entire discussion on Wisconsin wind energy policy between Green Bay area Republican state Senator Frank Lasee and Chris Kunkle, the energy and telecommunications project manager at the Madison law firm of Cullen, Weston, Pines & Bach.
How did an organic food producer and a regional health system come together to work on a wind energy generation project? Cashton Greens wind farm has been working for about a year in the Monroe County village of Cashton. Learn more about the wind farm from representatives of Organic Valley and Gundersen Health System which partner on the project.
The Passive House, a home constructed with high energy efficiency that can save as much as 90 percent on home energy costs, hasn't really taken off in this country. They are more popular in Europe. But the Center for Building Innovations at Western Technical College is planning to start construction this summer on the first of three Passive Homes in the city of La Crosse.
Senior citizens in the La Crosse area are invited to a Town Hall Meeting about proposed changes to Social Security and Medicare. We compare competing federal budget proposals that would affect Social Security and Medicare. The director of La Crosse County's Aging Unit also talks about the impact of potential cuts to the Meals on Wheels program.
UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow discusses university budget reserves; Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Ben Brancel talks agriculture.
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UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow on university budget reserves
A recent report by Wisconsin's Legislative Fiscal Bureau shows the University of Wisconsin System is carrying a $648 million surplus that's being saved to help fund programs at campuses around the state. Since the report was released, system leaders have told lawmakers that the surplus is expected to grow more by the end of June. Lawmakers have suggested the large surplus could cost the UW System a proposed $181 million state budget increase and should mean a tuition freeze for students. UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow talks about the issue and what the surplus means for UW-L. He recently sent this email to staff and students about how the reserves are used at UW-L.
With the weather starting to turn from winter to spring, Wisconsin Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Ben Brancel talks about a challenging start to the spring planting season, and how the state is planning to cope with a second season of drought. He also touches on the proposed state budget and how that will impact on agriculture and a recent trade mission to China.
As Trane Company celebrates its founding 100 years ago in the city of La Crosse this week, we examine the heating and cooling manufacture's history and future in La Crosse. Trane's workforce in La Crosse has declined substantially in the last 30 years, but there is hope that with some help from the city of La Crosse, jobs at Trane could possibly grow again.
There are some positive signs that the home construction industry is improving. The home construction industry was hit hard by the home mortgage troubles that contributed heavily to the worldwide recession of recent years. We talk with Wisconsin Builders Association Executive Vice President Jerry Deschane and Jon Olson, the owner of Jon Olson Construction of La Crosse about the future for new home construction.
La Crosse's 42nd Mayor Tim Kabat talks about his priorities as he begins his first four years as the city's leader.
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La Crosse's Neighborhood Revitalization Commission
Neighborhood revitalization in La Crosse was a big part of the recent campaigns of mayoral candidates. The City Council recently approved a masterplan for neighborhood improvements. We talk with Chair Sara Sullivan and Vice Chair Andrew Londre of the city's Neighborhood Revitalization Commission about the work commission members have been doing in the past year to improve the city's neighborhoods.
Gundersen Lutheran Advance Directive; Partners in Excellence Autism treatment
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Gundersen Lutheran Advance Directive
Having a written plan that will help medical professionals and family know what kind of end-of-life care you want has been prescribed for years in the La Crosse area. Now Gundersen Lutheran Health System is working to bring the idea around the world. Gundersen Lutheran CEO Dr. Jeff Thompson and Medical Humanities Director Dr. Bud Hammes recently spoke at a national Advanced Care Planning conference about using the La Crosse program as a model.
The Centers for Disease Control says autism affects one in 88 children in America. Autism is a development disorder often manifesting itself as problems with social behavior and communication, and each child with autism is different. There is success in treating a child with autism. Partners in Excellence in La Crosse is a place an autistic child can go to learn ways to modify their behavior. We spoke with Director Jackie Vick and parent Alex Berry about the program.
April and warmer temperatures have local gardeners preparing for this year's growing season - and it can't come soon enough, especially for those participating in the new Seed Library project underway through the La Crosse Public Library - a project focusing on growing heirloom seeds. Joining us to discuss the topic are La Crosse Public Library's Seed Library Coordinator, Kelly Becker; Cindy Mischnick, a La Crosse Public Library reference librarian; and the co-founder of Decorah, Iowa-based Seed Savers Exchange, Diane Ott Whealy. We'll also hear what participants in the library's workshops are saying about the project.
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UW-System update
UW System President Kevin Reilly updates us on this week's Regents meeting being held at UW-La Crosse, including what the state budget potentially holds for higher education.
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New ethics book
An interview with Rick Kyte, director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University, author of the new book, An Ethical Life: A Practical Guide to Ethical Reasoning. A reception and book signing for Kyte is scheduled for April 12.
Wisconsin voters go back to the polls Tuesday, April 2, to cast their votes in a variety of state and local races, including La Crosse's mayoral race. On this edition of Newsmakers, one last word from La Crosse mayoral candidates Doug Farmer and Tim Kabat. Co-sponsors of the debate included the UW-La Crosse Student Association, Political Science/Public Administration Department and Joint Legislative Relations Committee, WKBT-TV, WIZM Radio, League of Women Voters, La Crosse Tribune and Wisconsin Public Radio.
A recording of the entire debate is available below.
A discussion on frac sand mining, a contentious issue on both sides of the Mississippi River. Some say the industry could bring jobs to the region, while others say mining could negatively impact the environment. One thing that is certain is that neither state has developed frac sand mining regulations and chosen instead to leave it a local issue.
(photo) Houston County Frac Sand Study Committee member Kelly Stanage encourages county commissioners in March 2013 to extend the frac sand mining moratorium for another year.
Regulating Frac Sand Mining - Part 1
Part one of a discussion on frac sand mining in western Wisconsin and Southeast Minnesota with guests including MN State Senator Matt Schmit, WI State Senator Kathleen Vinehout, WI Towns Association Executive Director Rick Stadelman, and MN Industrial Sand Council Representative Kirsten Pauly.
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Regulating Frac Sand Mining - Part 2
Part two of a discussion on frac sand mining in western Wisconsin and Southeast Minnesota with guests including MN State Senator Matt Schmit, WI State Senator Kathleen Vinehout, WI Towns Association Executive Director Rick Stadelman, and MN Industrial Sand Council Representative Kirsten Pauly.
This week, we look at Mississippi River issues and then new Wisconsin budget proposals and tips on filing our 1040 personal income tax forms.
Rallying Around Mississippi River Issues
Governmental and private groups are working to make the Mississippi River a priority in Washington this year. Two new Mississippi River caucuses and a group of mayors have banded together, and existing commerce and environmental interest groups have high hopes that the river starts getting the federal support they say it needs.
State Budget Proposals and Tips on Filing Our Income Taxes
From new budget proposals to filing our personal 1040s, taxes continue to be a major topic on our minds these days. Joining us with insights into Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's recently proposed state budget, as well as a few tips on filing personal income taxes, is Rick Chandler, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
La Crosse residents who want to improve neighborhoods and the economy through the arts had a chance to attend a presentation this week on the concept of "Creative Placemaking". We talk with presenter Ann Markusen (photo left) of the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Learn more about "creative placemaking" in this Presentation to the National Council on the Arts.
We talk with Dr. Jane Fernandes (photo left). The Iowa native was born deaf but learned how to speak as a child, and learned American Sign Language in her 20s. As a provost and vice chancellor at the University of North Carolina-Asheville she is an advocate for the deaf and works against white privilege. She was in La Crosse this week to talk with the UW-La Crosse community.
This week we look at the State of the Regional Business Climate, and we meet with a "Botanist-turned-Artist" who's committed to preserving unique landscapes.
The economic challenges of business and the hope for more jobs are on the minds of political leaders at both the national and state levels, but there's little agreement on just how 'good' or how 'bad' things really are -- and even less agreement on how to improve things. Vicki Markussen, executive director of the 7 Rivers Alliance, and UW-La Crosse associate economics professor TJ Brooks, share their perspectives on the local business climate and what the future holds.
Preserving unique tracts of land for future generations is a long-held belief by a growing number of area residents, helped along by the efforts of area land trusts. In turn, these land trusts are now being helped along by one area resident who has embarked on a project she calls River Sojourn. We talk with southeast Minnesota scientist-turned-artist Sara Lubinski about her commitment to create greater awareness of the need to conserve the landscapes unique to the Upper Mississippi River valley.
This week we examine the funding for Mental Health Services, and then we look at Wisconsin's Extreme Weather.
Proposed Wisconsin funding for Mental Health Services
We have local reaction to Governor Scott Walker's recent announcement that he has plans to increase state funding for mental health programs as part of his proposed state budget. Guests include La Crosse County Human Services Director Jason Witt, and Lacie Anthony, Director of Mental Health Services at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. Listen to the WPR News story on the governor's proposal.
A recent national report from the Natural Resources Defense Council says Wisconsin was among the top ten states in the country in 2012 for extreme weather. We talk about local weather patterns with Warning Coordination Meteorologist Todd Shea and Forecaster Jeff Boyne from the National Weather Service office in La Crosse.
In this hour, we talk about funding regional transportation needs, and natural gas-fueled transportation.
Funding Regional Transportation
This could be an important year for future transportation funding in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Transportation Finance and Policy Commission has come up with a report on how the state should fund road maintenance and construction and public transportation over the next decade. The state legislature could make decisions about future transportation funding this year. We talk with western Wisconsin's 94th district state representative Rep. Steve Doyle who is also on the Assembly Transportation committee. He's joined by La Crosse County Highway Department Highway Commissioner Ron Chamberlain who adds some perspective about county road maintenance and funding issues.
