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Andrey Ivanov, Tanya and Slava stand outside in Platteville.

Platteville man’s parents fled a battered Ukraine

Andrey Ivanov, a history professor at University of Wisconsin-Platteville, received a worrisome call in late February from his parents in Ukraine. They had 60 minutes to gather what they needed to...Read more

Hope Is the Thing: Wisconsinites on Perseverance in a Pandemic, a new book published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2021

Area writers discuss new book exploring hope on 'Newsmakers'

Listen to authors from our southwest region on WPR’s “Newsmakers” as they discuss “Hope Is the Thing: Wisconsinites on Perseverance in a Pandemic.” The new book is a collaboration of writers...Read more

Photo courtesy of La Crosse Symphony Orchestra

Join WPR in supporting community arts and cultural events

WPR is proud to support our area's arts and cultural organizations! Organizations with current and upcoming events are listed below:

LA...Read more

'Newsmakers' highlights Hmong youth podcast

WPR is host to a podcast produced by Hmong high school students from La Crosse and Holmen. Entitled “HmongBAEs,” the podcast covers issues such as racism, gender roles and historical trauma. The...Read more

Democratic US Senate candidates call for ending filibuster to restore federal abortion protections

June 26, 2022 - 4:00pm

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin's state convention in La Crosse Sunday

Democrats running for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin are calling for an end to the 60-vote filibuster in order to restore federal abortion protections. The demands came during a Democratic Party of Wisconsin's state convention in La Crosse dominated by the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.

Evers offers clemency for doctors prosecuted for performing abortions in Wisconsin

June 25, 2022 - 9:20pm

Dozens of abortion rights protesters gather in the Wisconsin state Capitol rotunda

Gov. Tony Evers says he will offer clemency to doctors prosecuted for performing abortions in Wisconsin. The statement came during the Wisconsin Democratic Party convention, in which Evers warned Democrats to hold the line against Republican candidates "running a scorched earth campaign to divide our state."

Shows

Newsmakers

Newsmakers, June 24, 2022

Members of the Enduring Families Project in La Crosse. Photo by Phil S. Addis.

Friday, June 24, 2022, 7:00pm

(Encore) We welcome guests from La Crosse’s Enduring Families Project on our “Newsmakers” program this week. Host Ezra Wall speaks with four involved actors, including producer Denise Christy, who cofounded the theatre project involving a public school-based educational program and community-based historical reenactments. With the support of La Crosse County Historical Society, the Enduring Families Project presents positive portrayals of the contributions, struggles and perseverance of early non-white settlers.

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Newsmakers

Newsmakers, June 17, 2022

Friday, June 17, 2022, 10:00am

Today on “Newsmakers,” we learn about the advocacy services of New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers in La Crosse and Trempealeau County. Host Ezra Wall speaks with Executive Director Ann Kappauf about the troubling statistics of abuse, accessing help when needed, and how the organization is highlighting support of the LGBTQ+ community during pride month. Next, we continue our new ‘Meet the Mayor’ series as Wall is joined by Sparta Mayor Kevin Riley. Riley shares many interesting aspects that make the small town unique, including having the oldest ‘rails to trails’ path in the country with the 32+ mile Elroy-Sparta State Trail. We then hear from members of the La Crosse Juneteenth Planning Committee ahead of this year’s celebration taking place Saturday, June 18, at Riverside Park. Wall speaks with Shaundel Spivey of Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge and Mia Davis of Black Student Leaders about the history of Juneteenth and what to expect at this year’s celebration.

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Newsmakers

Newsmakers, June 10, 2022

Musicians Walter and Wagner Caldas, identical twins known as the Brazillian 2wins, headline the annual Artspire community arts celebration Saturday, June 11.

Friday, June 10, 2022, 10:00am

This week on “Newsmakers” we kick off a new series, ‘Meet the Mayor,’ as host Ezra Wall speaks with Mayor Kim Smith, the first woman to be elected mayor of Onalaska. Smith shares her experience with the role that she was first appointed to in 2019, before being formally elected in 2020. Next, we hear about the annual Artspire community arts celebration event taking place June 10 and 11 at the Pump House Regional Arts Center in downtown La Crosse. Wall speaks with Allison Krzych, Assistant Director of the Pump House, on what to expect during the free festival, including live entertainment, an art fair and interactive arts activities. We then hear from B2wins, the performing name of identical twin brothers from Brazil, who will be headlining the closing concert of Artspire Saturday night with their impressive violin music.

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Newsmakers

Newsmakers, June 3, 2022

A Pride flag is displayed at the entrance of 'The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection' advocacy organization in downtown La Crosse.

Friday, June 3, 2022, 10:00am

As June gets underway, we celebrate Pride month on this week’s “Newsmakers” program. Host Ezra Wall is joined by the Executive Director of ‘The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection’ advocacy organization in La Crosse. They discuss the mission and work of The Center as well as upcoming pride related events, including a family picnic on June 11. Wall also speaks with the organizer of Lake Pepin Pride Celebration in the Park, taking place June 11. This is the second annual Pride event for the small Stockholm, Wisconsin community of 79 residents. We then learn about several awards received by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Theatre Department for its production “Severe Clear: September 11 from Memory to History.” We hear audio from last October’s interview with those involved with the original documentary drama written by UWL students and faculty.

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Newsmakers

Newsmakers, May 27, 2022

Musician Bill Miller will open La Crosse Moon Tunes at Riverside Park on Thursday, June 2, 2022; Photo courtesy of Bill Miller

Friday, May 27, 2022, 10:00am

As the warmer weather leads to summer, this week’s “Newsmakers” show features several area communities about to kick-off their annual concerts in the park series. Host Ezra Wall speaks with the Co-founder of Moon Tunes La Crosse, as they announce 10 years since the first series began at Riverside Park. We then hear from Sparta Chamber’s Executive Director about what to expect at this year’s “Concerts in the Park" downtown, and organizers with Vernon County’s “Music in the Park” series, which begins Wednesday, June 1 at Sidie Hollow Park. That series also includes concerts at Esofea Park, and organizers mention other outdoor concerts planned for this summer in Viroqua.

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Platteville man’s parents fled a battered Ukraine

Area writers discuss new book exploring hope on 'Newsmakers'

Join WPR in supporting community arts and cultural events

'Newsmakers' highlights Hmong youth podcast

Southwestern News

Wisconsin solar power projects delayed by months

Democratic US Senate candidates call for ending filibuster to restore federal abortion protections

Evers offers clemency for doctors prosecuted for performing abortions in Wisconsin

Tornado rips through central Wisconsin, causing damage, power outages

More Southwestern News

Newsmakers, June 24, 2022

Newsmakers, June 17, 2022

Newsmakers, June 10, 2022

Newsmakers, June 3, 2022

Newsmakers, May 27, 2022

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