As the final few days of this year's Rotary Lights take place, Pat Stephens joined La Crosse Talk's Sean Dwyer in the studio to look back at the success of the year. 

He also discussed the many volunteers and organizations that make Rotary Lights a success. Around 3,200 people each year help with set up, during the event, and taking down afterwards. 

In addition to the success of Rotary Lights in La Crosse, Pat talked about how over the years, they've helped 17 other organizations interested in creating similar projects in their communities to help feed those in need. 

As the final few days of this year's Rotary Lights take place, Pat Stephens joined La Crosse Talk's Sean Dwyer in the studio to look back at the success of the year.&nbsp;
He also discussed the many volunteers and organizations that make Rotary Lights a success. Around 3,200 people each year help with set up, during the event, and taking down afterwards.&nbsp;
In addition to the success of Rotary Lights in La Crosse, Pat talked about how over the years, they've helped 17 other organizations interested in creating similar projects in their communities to help feed those in need.&nbsp;

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM - La Crosse

Pat Stephens on this year's Rotary Lights

Ann Christianson is the Executive Director of the Children's Museum of La Crosse, was on La Crosse-Talk Wednesday.

Christianson told host Sean Dwyer that the focus and mission of the museum is fun. That includes fun for children, fun for parents, grandparents adults and visitors. 

Among the highlights for the past year included new programs, new displays and infrastructure improvements, including remodeling bathrooms. 

On the more fun notes, future 2026 plans include what Christianson says will be an uptick in the programming targeted for children and families.

Christianson talked about the importance of volunteers. The people who help the museum impacts programming throughout the year.

Ann Christianson is the Executive Director of the Children's Museum of La Crosse, was on La Crosse-Talk Wednesday.
Christianson told host Sean Dwyer that the focus and mission of the museum is fun. That includes fun for children, fun for parents, grandparents adults and visitors.&nbsp;
Among the highlights for the past year included new programs, new displays and infrastructure improvements, including remodeling bathrooms.&nbsp;
On the more fun notes, future 2026 plans include what Christianson says will be an uptick in the programming targeted for children and families.
Christianson talked about the importance of volunteers. The people who help the museum impacts programming throughout the year.

Checking out the Children's Museum of La Crosse

Earlier this week, the Town of Campbell received nearly $40 million dollars in federal aid to help with its PFAS issue.

Residents of the town have had to use bottled water for more than five years due to PFAS contamination in its wells.

The money from the USDA's Rural Development fund allows the town to finally build out its water supply system it began 20 years ago, explains Campbell Town Supervisor Lee Donahue.

She said they put in water mains for a water utility around the town but stopped. Donahue said that the utility is now the best solution to the PFAS issue to getting water to individual homes.

There are several aspects of the utility, she said. 

"So what this money will do is it will help pay for the second municipal well. We'll need two. We've already drilled one. And it will also help pay for the pump house treatment building. Not treating for PFAS but treating for iron and manganese and so forth," Donahue said. 

The money also is for a storage tank that Donahue said would be on the western side of French Island. It is designed to hold approximately 880,000 gallons of water. 

"It will provide a lot of pressure for residents. So when you turn on your faucet, you'll get more than a drip. You'll get a traditional, you know, good amount of water that will come out of your tap."

In addition to the usual approvals, the town had to receive special clearance from the FAA due to the nearby airport. 

The final part involves piping to distribute the water to individual homes throughout Campbell.

Work on the water utility is set to begin this year with completion in 2027 according to Donahue.

Earlier this week, the Town of Campbell received nearly $40 million dollars in federal aid to help with its PFAS issue.
Residents of the town have had to use bottled water for more than five years due to PFAS contamination in its wells.
The money from the USDA's Rural Development fund allows the town to finally build out its water supply system it began 20 years ago, explains Campbell Town Supervisor Lee Donahue.
She said they put in water mains for a water utility around the town but stopped. Donahue said that the utility is now the best solution to the PFAS issue to getting water to individual homes.
There are several aspects of the utility, she said.&nbsp;
"So what this money will do is it will help pay for the second municipal well. We'll need two. We've already drilled one. And it will also help pay for the pump house treatment building. Not treating for PFAS but treating for iron and manganese and so forth," Donahue said.&nbsp;
The money also is for a storage tank that Donahue said would be on the western side of French Island. It is designed to hold approximately 880,000 gallons of water.&nbsp;
"It will provide a lot of pressure for residents. So when you turn on your faucet, you'll get more than a drip. You'll get a traditional, you know, good amount of water that will come out of your tap."
In addition to the usual approvals, the town had to receive special clearance from the FAA due to the nearby airport.&nbsp;
The final part involves piping to distribute the water to individual homes throughout Campbell.
Work on the water utility is set to begin this year with completion in 2027 according to Donahue.

What grant money means to Town of Campbell and its PFAS problem

A deepening federal probe into a sweeping fraud scandal in Minnesota complicated Governor Tim Walz's bid for an unprecedented third term in the state. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but Republicans have sought to blame Walz and Democrats for the massive abuse of taxpayer dollars. Tuesday on La Crosse Talk, Sean Dwyer spoke to WCCO political reporter Susie Jones, who has been covering the scandal and the Governor's political career. Topics included the fallout from the scandal and future developments. Walz's announcement and the continuing scandal is and will change the political landscape in the Gopher State.

A deepening federal probe into a sweeping fraud scandal in Minnesota complicated Governor Tim Walz's bid for an unprecedented third term in the state. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but Republicans have sought to blame Walz and Democrats for the massive abuse of taxpayer dollars. Tuesday on La Crosse Talk, Sean Dwyer spoke to WCCO political reporter Susie Jones, who has been covering the scandal and the Governor's political career. Topics included the fallout from the scandal and future developments. Walz's announcement and the continuing scandal is and will change the political landscape in the Gopher State.

Pat Stephens on this year's Rotary Lights

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