Latest news with #WLAX
Yahoo
4 days ago
- 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
5 days ago
- 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
7 days ago
- 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.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
UW La Crosse utilizes Win-Win Program to help finish degrees
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – UW La Crosse is providing a chance for students who left the university early to finish their degrees. Director of the UWL Career Services Office, Becky Vianden, explains, 'Sometimes they don't even realize how close they were or that it's even possible to come back and do classes at UWL, even if they've been gone for a certain amount of time. By us reaching out to them, they're given this opportunity that can help improve their lives economically, educationally, or even career-wise to help them progress in their careers.' To be eligible for the Win-Win Program, students cannot have enrolled elsewhere in the past 2.5 years, have earned at least 50 credits, and are close to completing an associate's or bachelor's degree. Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Sally Grunwald, adds, 'If they are close, we reach out to them and let them know that they have actually either earned their degree or are really close to earning their degree. We encourage them to reach back out to us and to finish the paperwork in order for them to get their degree.' University officials say it's usually a surprise when students receive a call from UWL years after they leave school. Grunwald explains, 'They usually see it as a great gift to them that they actually have enough to earn their degree. It can really be a life-changing event for the student to realize that the time they have spent at UW-La Crosse is time well spent.' Vianden adds that students obtaining degrees is not only beneficial for the student and the university, but also important for the state of Wisconsin. 'We think that the more students that we can help to complete their bachelor's degree or their associate degree, it will not only help themselves as an individual, but it us collectively as a state of Wisconsin to have people who have education that can help them progress in their careers and improve that state of Wisconsin.' According to university officials, the Win-Win Program has helped 126 former students over the last four years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Van Orden in favor of getting rid of Spring Elections
MADISON, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – In an interview with Wis-Eye, Congressman Derrick Van Orden says that he is in favor of getting rid of Wisconsin's Spring Election. Van Orden says Spring Elections are inefficient, waste money on campaigns, and they cause voter fatigue. Van Orden noted that Republicans do not vote in Spring Elections. He believes Spring Elections could be rolled into Midterms or Presidential Elections. 'Republicans don't vote. We just don't vote. Period. In Spring Elections. I don't think we should have a Spring election. I think we need to… these guys in the State House, I think they should get rid of that and fold it into a midterm or a four-year cycle.' This comes after Republican (GOP) backed candidates like Eric Hovde and Brad Schimel lost high-profile races in recent elections. Wisconsin's Spring Elections are currently required by the state's constitution and are written into state law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
