Good morning, La Crosse.

Catholic Charities is asking for volunteers to help distribute school supplies next week at the La Crosse Center as part of its Back2School program.

Volunteers are needed for setup on Monday from 1 to 3 p.m. and for assisting families on Tuesday with shifts running from 9:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.—families in need can also visit the La Crosse YMCA on Saturday, August 16 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Riverhawk Rally Booster Club is hosting a fundraiser to support upcoming rally events—official details on time and location will be released soon.

A house on the 500 block of 9th Avenue South in Onalaska burned Saturday afternoon with significant fire, smoke and water damage — first responders rescued one dog and confirmed no injuries while the cause remains under investigation.

Area students gained hands-on business experience through a four-day Pizza Project at UW-La Crosse that taught entrepreneurship and skills such as marketing fundamentals and food safety—students worked in randomly assigned teams to build business brands and develop logos and marketing strategies. The program, designed for eighth- to tenth-graders, provided early exposure to real-world business challenges.

Central High School Boosters Club will host the first Riverhawk Rally this Saturday to raise money for extracurricular activities after budget cuts reduced school funding.

The event will feature live music, dinner and silent auctions + only 250 tickets are available for those aged 21 or older.

Wildfires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have caused smoke that lowered air quality in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

Wisconsin's advisory ends at noon today, Minnesota's lasts until noon Monday, and Iowa's expires at 8 a.m. today — increased winds from the south are expected to clear the smoke next week.

La Crosse County officials plan to move female inmates into a formerly unused direct supervision pod — built in 2010 — to free up space for inmates with increasing mental health needs.

The plan is under development and will adapt the current facility for better mental health services.

Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey led a 5-mile community bike ride on Thursday morning through the North Side to review road construction and transportation challenges.

City, state, and county crews are working on infrastructure improvements — efforts aimed at making roads safer and smoother for residents.

La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey will hold a roundtable event at the La Crosse Center South Ballroom on August 21 from 5-7 p.m. to gather resident ideas on how to improve the city—residents should register to help staff prepare.

La Crosse Mayor Washington-Spivey rode with community members on August 1—joining residents to talk about how best to use the city’s roads and sidewalks for biking, walking, or driving.

City officials noted that La Crosse is one of 23 Wisconsin communities with a bicycle friendly status.

Meet the Magic 3

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. — The Court Above Main — Free entry — Dive into a day of magic with character meet-and-greets, activities, and more fun for all ages.

Great River Folk Festival 2025

10 AM – 4 PM — Riverside Park — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate folk music with a vibrant community atmosphere and performances.

The Avett Brothers Concert

7:00-8:30 p.m. — La Crosse Center — Ticket prices vary from $69 — Enjoy a night of folk rock from the renowned Avett Brothers.