Latest news with #WLAX
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Great Rivers United Way grants $500K for mental health programs
ONALASKA, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Great Rivers United Way is giving out its first-ever round of mental health grants to twenty organizations helping those who struggle with mental health. Community impact director Liz Evans says the grants are a way for the community as a whole to work on mental health, which she says is one of the area's top needs. 'We looked at what can great rivers united way do, and we developed this granting program. We have a lot of great organizations that we're going to be able to support at 500,000 dollars a year for the next three years,' says Evans. Couleecap will use their grant to add to their SOAR program, which works with homeless individuals with a mental health diagnosis looking to apply for social security benefits. 'It's helping folks to connect with mental health services, if they're not already. It can really be a benefit to have a case manager that can help walk you through the medical system and mental health systems. Somebody that's alongside you to give you support if you're seeking those services. Just having a support person walking alongside you while you go through that process can be really beneficial,' says Couleecap housing and community services director Becky Koske. Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children is also getting a grant. The organization recruits and trains community members to advocate for children who have struggled with abuse and neglect. CASA officials say they will use their grant funds to focus on the mental well being of the children they work with. 'It's going to allow us to retain our staff, to be able to grow our programming in different ways, providing everything from mentorship to court advocacy,' says CASA for Children executive director Anne Gordon. Evans says these grants will create a community of practice for supporting mental well being. 'I'm excited for seeing what we can do at united way to help uplift and increase the capacity for organizations to do their work, setting some goals, and some things we can all do together to better serve our region,' says Evans. Funding for the grants comes from various community donations that were given to United Way. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Evers responds to Republicans' decision to back out of bipartisan budget negotiations
MADISON, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature on Wednesday backed out of months' worth of bipartisan budget negotiations with Gov. Tony Evers toward reaching bipartisan compromise on the 2025-27 Biennial Budget. Despite having secured the governor's support for Republicans' half of the proposal, which included an income tax cut targeting Wisconsin's middle-class and working families and eliminating income taxes for certain retirees, Republican lawmakers are unable to reach consensus with their caucuses in order to support the governor's half of the proposal, which included meaningful increased investments in child care, K-12 schools, and the University of Wisconsin (UW) System. Republicans' decision to cease discussions comes after meetings between Gov. Evers and Republican leaders, as well as several staff-level meetings with leaders, have occurred over the span of several months and ramped up in recent weeks, including meetings every day this week. Gov. Evers Wednesday released the following statement responding to Republican leaders' decision: 'I am grateful to the legislators and legislative staff for their efforts over the past several weeks to reach a bipartisan agreement that would have delivered on key priorities for Wisconsinites. 'The concept of compromise is simple—everyone gets something they want, and no one gets everything they want. 'I told Republicans I'd support their half of the deal and their top tax priorities—even though they're very similar to bills I previously vetoed—because I believe that's how compromise is supposed to work, and I was ready to make that concession in order to get important things done for Wisconsin's kids. 'Unfortunately, Republicans couldn't agree to support the top priorities in my half of the deal, which included meaningful investments for K-12 schools, to continue Child Care Counts to help lower the cost of child care for working families, and to prevent further campus closures and layoffs at our UW System. So, today, Republicans decided not to move forward with any more bipartisan negotiations with me. 'We've spent months trying to have real, productive conversations with Republican lawmakers in hopes of finding compromise and passing a state budget that everyone could support—and that, most importantly, delivers for the people of Wisconsin. I am admittedly disappointed that Republican lawmakers aren't willing to reach consensus and common ground and have decided to move forward without bipartisan support instead. 'I will always try to do the right thing—and compromise in order to get good things done. Wisconsinites expect their elected officials to show up, act in good faith, and work together across the aisle to get things done—that's what I've been committed to doing in these bipartisan negotiations from the get-go, and that remains my commitment.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wisconsin Senators mixed, but both pushing against, 'Big, Beautiful, Bill'
WASHINGTON, DC (WLAX/WEUX) – President Trump and Republicans call it the 'Big, Beautiful Bill.' Wisconsin's Republican Senator Ron Johnson thinks it's a bit ugly. Johnson said, 'It just misses the moment. It's not even close to adequate.' Johnson says he thinks there are enough no votes in the Senate to slow down the process. He wants cuts in the bill to go deeper. He wants a return to pre-pandemic spending levels. Johnson explained, 'It don't talk about cuts. I'm talking about using the exact same expenditures that Clinton, Obama and Trump laid out. That's not cutting, that's just returning to a reasonable spending level.' The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the tax changes add to Federal Deficits by $3.8 trillion from 2026 through 2034. It also finds cuts of about $1 trillion to Medicaid and Food Stamps. Wisconsin's Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin said, 'I am here to speak on behalf of the nearly 14 million Americans whose healthcare is on the chopping block right now in this bill. Republicans are advancing a plan to take away care from working families, so that the super wealthy can get richer.' The GOP-led House passed the bill. The debate will now turn to the US Senate. President Trump has been quoted as saying, 'We'll see what happens… it has a ways to go.' Republicans can only lose 3 GOP votes in the Senate and still pass this bill. They'll tweak the House bill to find those votes. If they can pass that version of the bill, then the House would have to ratify the changes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Community rallies around LCT's Penguin Project
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – When the National Endowment for the Arts unexpectedly withdrew grant funding for La Crosse Community Theatre's 2025 Penguin Project production of The Big Bad Musical, the news was a blow. The loss of this federal support, due to shifting national funding priorities, left a critical gap in resources for one of LCT's most inclusive and beloved programs. But the community didn't hesitate. In just a matter of weeks, individual donors, local businesses, and longtime supporters stepped forward with generosity and heart. Not only was the funding gap filled, but community contributions surpassed the original NEA grant amount, ensuring the Penguin Project continues to thrive this season. Erik Vose, Executive Director of La Crosse Community Theatre, said, 'The Penguin Project is more than a performance. It's a celebration of possibility. This community showed what it truly values. We may have lost a grant, but we gained a powerful reminder of how much people care. While we'll continue to welcome support, the very best way to uplift our Penguins right now is to come see the show. Buy a ticket. Be part of their audience. You won't regret it.' The Penguin Project is a nationwide program that provides theatre opportunities for young artists with developmental disabilities and special needs, pairing them with peer mentors for a fully staged musical production. The Big Bad Musical will be performed June 13th through the 15th in the Lyche Theatre at the Weber Center for the Arts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Center stone meant to honor and remember, damaged by storm, replaced and rededicated
AUGUSTA, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – A center stone meant for honor and remembrance was shattered after severe winds knocked it down. Augusta Veterans Park held a rededication ceremony for the new stone. Commander of the American Legion Post 291, Eric Ries, said, during the dedication, 'We were able to be here today to re-dedicate the center stone and this park in the memory of all veterans. Both past, present and future.' The stone is meant to remind the community that nothing will get in the way of honoring those who fought for freedom. Ries explained, 'It was quite a loss having it damaged, and it was several thousand dollars to get a new one to replace it. So, we got it turned around in a year for the re-dedication today. I know that meant a lot to the community.' Officials say we remember, respect and thank those who fought in every battle America was a part of. The names of veterans honored on the center stone were also read out loud. Retired US Army Sergeant 1st Class, Jonathan Elliott, explained, 'Not all of them are recognized. The American veterans, regardless of whether they were seen doing what they did, some veterans will never get the recognition. Some veterans will never be known.' Whether we know their name or not, each veteran is proof that our nation's flag was worth their sacrifice. Augusta resident Carol Peuse said, 'It flies with the breath of each American who died protecting it. They may be gone, but they are never forgotten.' Elliott added, 'I'm still fortunate enough to be standing here, but the people that didn't get to come home is the reason we do this.' Riess concluded, 'I think it's a part of our history. We were founded by people that were willing to stand up for our rights, and I think that's what veterans still do today.' Those who attended urge everyone to understand Memorial Day's deeper meaning. Elliott said, 'It's a quiet moment to reflect and remember the blessings that we have here in America, and the people that have sacrificed to get them there.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
