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News 8 Now is based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Share your story ideas and photos, offer insights
La Crosse Promise hosted its first professional etiquette dinner at Union Market Bistro on Wednesday, teaching students essential business and dining skills.
La Crosse Promise hosts inaugural professional etiquette dinner for students
The Brief
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January 15, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Town of Campbell Supervisor Lee Donahue and La Crosse County Supervisor Margaret Lawson delivered keynote remarks, highlighting the significance of government at the local level and critical issues facing the community.
League of Women Voters emphasizes local government engagement at civic luncheon
LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The League of Women Voters hosted a civic engagement luncheon Wednesday at the Waterfront, bringing together community members to discuss the importance of local government participation.
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January 15, 2026 at 5:45 AM
Automated buying tools and third-party resale sites are creating significant challenges for venues, where tickets for popular events sell out almost instantly.
Growing ticket bots problem impacting venues nationwide
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Venues around the world are grappling with a growing problem that's making it increasingly difficult for fans to purchase legitimate tickets at fair prices.
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January 15, 2026 at 5:00 AM
The extensive renovation was funded through a state grant awarded in fall 2024 and includes new large and small meeting rooms, a new creation space and an updated computer lab.

La Crosse Main Library nears completion of $3 million renovation project
LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The La Crosse Main Library is putting the finishing touches on a $3 million renovation project that will significantly expand the facility's capacity and services.
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January 15, 2026 at 4:15 AM
Assembly Bill 677 passed by 93-6 and would establish grooming as a criminal offense in Wisconsin. Currently, no specific criminal grooming laws exist on the state's books.

Wisconsin Assembly passes bill to criminalize grooming
MADISON, Wis. — A bill to make grooming a felony and define it in state law passed the Wisconsin Assembly on Tuesday and now heads to the state Senate.
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January 15, 2026 at 3:30 AM
The Department of Children and Families held a briefing Wednesday to discuss reforms Wisconsin implemented following the 2009 "Cashing In on Kids" investigation and recent steps to prevent fraud in the state's childcare assistance program.
Wisconsin child care subsidy program avoids federal funding freeze amid fraud concerns
LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The Department of Children and Families held a briefing Wednesday to discuss reforms Wisconsin implemented following the 2009 "Cashing In on Kids" investigation and recent steps
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January 15, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Galesville Pharmacy announced the closure in a notice posted on its doors, surprising customers who learned about the decision when they arrived to pick up medications.

Galesville community reacts to city's only pharmacy closing
LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The only pharmacy in Galesville will close permanently on February 13, forcing residents to travel outside the city to fill their prescriptions.
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January 15, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Layla, a Doberman rescue, comes to work with Deputy David Jones, the bailiff for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Jones says her calm demeanor makes her a comforting presence for victims involved in sensitive cases.
Rescue dog brings comfort to victims in Monroe County courtrooms
MONROE COUNTY, Wis. (WKBT) -- Walking into court can be one of the most stressful moments in someone’s life — but for victims in Monroe County, a four-legged friend named
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January 15, 2026 at 12:45 AM
GrassWorks, Inc, is a Hillsboro based 501(c)(3) non-profit that aims to provide ‘leadership and education to farmers and consumers for the advancement of managed grass-based agriculture to benefit present and future generations.’ It is among three organizations awarded by Dairy's Foundation.
Local non-profit awarded dairy grant
HILLSBORO, Wis. (WKBT) -- A local nonprofit providing outreach to farmers is among several others who received grants from Dairy’s Foundation, according to a release.
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January 15, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Investigators allege that Peyton Littlegeorge-Dietzler shared and received child pornography material in the form of photos and pictures on online platforms like Telegram and MEGA, with some depicting children as young as three years old.

UPDATE: Black River Falls man charged with over 30 child sex crimes, bestiality
[UPDATE]TOWN OF BROCKWAY, Wis. (WKBT) -- A Black River Falls man is facing 35 charges relating to the possession and production of child pornography and bestiality, according to a criminal
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January 14, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Nearly 300 community members gathered for the 4th annual fundraiser on October 23 at Celebrations on the River.
Family & Children's Center surpasses goal for annual fundraising event
COULEE REGION, Wis. (WKBT) -- Family & Children’s Center announced on Wednesday that it had surpassed its $700,000 Bridges to Better Tomorrows’ goal in 2025.
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January 14, 2026 at 10:30 PM
The employee, identified as Theah Loudemia Russell, is in custody and will face a second-degree murder charge, as well as additional charges, Savage Police Chief Brady Juell said.
18-year-old day care employee confessed to "intentionally suffocating" infant boy, police say
SAVAGE, Minnesota, (WCCO) -- An 18-year-old former employee of a Savage, Minnesota, day care confessed to "intentionally suffocating" two children, one of whom died, last fall, police say.
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January 14, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Verizon said some of its wireless services were down Wednesday, leaving many customers without access to voice and data services.
Verizon network outage: Some wireless customers can’t place calls or access data
(CNN) — Verizon said some of its wireless services were down Wednesday, leaving many customers without access to voice and data services.
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January 14, 2026 at 8:31 PM
The Madison Police Department said on Wednesday that it has requested a formal review of the deadly Abundant Life Christian School shooting.
Madison police requesting review of ALCS shooting response
MADISON, Wis. — The Madison Police Department said on Wednesday that it has requested a formal review of the deadly Abundant Life Christian School shooting.
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January 14, 2026 at 7:19 PM
In the TV biz, when talking about what's next, it's called a "Tease." And no one teases local sports better than Ken Kosirowski. And no one covers local sports better than Jacob Lenzendorf. Every weeknight on News 8 Now. #localsports #lacrosse #sports #tease
January 14, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Illinois and Minnesota, joined by their city counterparts, are now separately pursuing legal action against the administration, filing lawsuits Monday in federal courts over immigration enforcement they call unlawful and unconstitutional.
Why this legal expert says the Minnesota and Illinois immigration lawsuits ‘are close to completely meritless’
(CNN) — Over the last several months, Chicago, Minneapolis and St. Paul have seen a dramatic escalation in federal immigration enforcement along their chilly streets, with agents arresting thousands –
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January 14, 2026 at 5:23 PM
"With immense gratitude to our Galesville community, we regret to inform you of the closing of Galesville Pharmacy," the post reads. "We are proud to have served the Galesville community for many years. We will cherish the relationships that were made."
Galesville Pharmacy closing next month
GALESVILLE, Wis. (WKBT) -- The Galesville Pharmacy will close next month.
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January 14, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Fire crews responded to a structure fire on County Road B early Wednesday morning that destroyed a detached garage but left the main residence undamaged.
Garage fire in Town of Medary results in total loss, no injuries reported
TOWN OF MEDARY, Wis. (WKBT) — Fire crews responded to a structure fire on W 5290 County Road B in Medary early Wednesday morning that destroyed a detached garage but
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January 14, 2026 at 4:06 PM
MISSING
The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office is searching for an 18-year-old woman who disappeared Monday afternoon.
Missing 18-year-old last seen walking from Eau Claire County business
EAU CLAIRE (WKBT) — The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office is searching for an 18-year-old woman who disappeared Monday afternoon.
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January 14, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Saks Global announced late Tuesday that they are filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, following a heavy debt after acquiring Neiman Marcus in 2024.
Saks Global files for bankruptcy amid luxury market strains
(CNN) — Saks Global, the parent company of luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Tuesday. The company had struggled with a heavy debt load
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January 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM
The court hearing involves the Minnesota lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, which is seeking a court order halting immigration enforcement operations.
A hearing is expected today in lawsuit against immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. Here’s the latest
(CNN) — A hearing is expected Wednesday in the lawsuit filed by the state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities challenging the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation there, which the
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January 14, 2026 at 10:30 AM
During a Supreme Court session Tuesday over whether states may ban transgender women from participating in women and girls’ sports, the majority appeared ready to uphold bans in about 27 mostly Republican-controlled states.
Kavanaugh and Roberts are already looking ahead to the next major transgender controversy
(CNN) — During a marathon Supreme Court session Tuesday over whether states may ban transgender women from participating in women and girls’ sports, some justices were already focused on what
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January 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM
"At least five prosecutors have resigned amid controversy over how the U.S. Justice Department is handling the investigation."
Minnesota protesters, agents repeatedly square off while prosecutors quit after Renee Good's death
Days of demonstrations against immigration agents and a new lawsuit have left Minnesota tense. Federal officers sprayed eye irritant and dropped tear gas at activists on Tuesday in Minneapolis. Students,
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January 14, 2026 at 7:30 AM
It was a back and forth affair all night long in the Dairyland Conference battle but in the end the Norse took control in overtime for a 77-66 win.
Whitehall outlasts Cochrane-Fountain City in overtime
It was a back and forth affair all night long in the Dairyland Conference battle but in the end the Norse took control in overtime for a 77-66 win.
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January 14, 2026 at 5:31 AM
The La Crosse Central junior was a brick wall on Tuesday night as he helped blank the Winhawks.
Tripp logs 16 save-shutout in Onalaska-La Crosse's 4-0 win over Winona
The La Crosse Central junior was a brick wall on Tuesday night as he helped blank the Winhawks.
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January 14, 2026 at 5:16 AM