Good morning, La Crosse.

The Oktoberfest Ladies Day Luncheon will be held Monday, Sept.

29 — from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Waterfront Cargill Room, 328 Front St. S.

The 1st Annual Make a Difference Fishing tournament will take place Saturday at Arctic Springs Park outside of Galesville from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.—each person with special needs will receive a free fishing rod and a swag bag.

Organizer Keith Braunreiter was inspired by a similar event in Florida and said community support continues to grow as registration remains open.

The 33rd Freedom Honor Flight will leave La Crosse early Saturday morning with 101 veterans heading to Washington to visit war memorials near the Reflecting Pool and Arlington National Cemetery — volunteers will help them on the trip.

Sendoff ceremonies at Hangar 4 will begin at 5:30 a.m.—the plane is set to take off at 6:50 a.m. and return later that evening as community donations help cover the $185,000 cost.

Eight of the 13 UW schools, including UW-La Crosse, reported increased enrollment for fall with a preliminary total of 164,340 students—96 fewer than last fall as freshman enrollment rose by 3%.

The system also noted a steep expected drop in international enrollment, with an official count coming later this fall.

UW-La Crosse reported a record 2,385 first-year students enrolling this fall — an increase from 2,325 last year—and the total student body rose to 10,627, with newcomers arriving from all 72 counties and various countries.

This strong enrollment reflects the university’s growing appeal for a residential, in-person learning experience.

La Crosse college students lead Operation: RiverWatch — a program that patrols the Mississippi River to help prevent drownings and emergencies during the academic year.

La Crosse city officials closed Cameron and Burns parks on Tuesday because behaviors by both sheltered and unsheltered community members raised safety concerns.

City officials said the parks will remain closed indefinitely—while a permanent solution is developed to address these risks.

At Tuesday’s Judiciary and Law Committee meeting, District 3 County Board member David Pierce proposed lowering fines for small marijuana possession from $100 to $1 plus statutory costs.

The ordinance will be reviewed at next week's county board meeting and then taken for a second reading in October — lawmakers will decide its final form.

La Crosse's City Administrator Working Group is finalizing an online survey (to gather public feedback on a proposed city administrator position with an estimated salary of $248,000 including benefits) and scheduling public engagement sessions.

The council postponed its vote until February to allow more input and is comparing this role with a director of operations (costing about $100,000 less) proposed by the mayor.

WisDOT is holding a public meeting on Oct.

2 in La Crosse to talk about the WIS 16 Corridor Study and collect ideas on making Hwy. 16 safer and work better+ the study will help guide plans to improve traffic flow and lower risks along the highway.

UW-La Crosse football coach Matt Janus appeared on La Crosse Talk today ahead of the first game this weekend and discussed a waterpark outing where 100 players hit the pool unexpectedly—he also noted the need to replace record-setting receiver Jack Studer as the team gears up for a challenging schedule starting with a road trip to Pittsburgh against No. 17 Carnegie Mellon.

Whose Live Anyway?

7:30-9 p.m. — Viterbo University Fine Arts Center — Tickets required — Enjoy a night of laughs with world-renowned improv artists performing comedic acrobatics.

Coulee Rock Club Rock Swap

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. — Onalaska Omni Center — Free entry — Explore a vibrant rock swap with the whole family.

Wisconsin-La Crosse vs. Wayne State Warriors Football

1-5 p.m. — Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex — Tickets required — Enjoy an intense college football matchup between the Eagles and the Warriors.

40th Anniversary Celebration

4:30-7:00 p.m. — Franciscan Spirituality Center — Free entry — Celebrate four decades of community service and spirituality at this joyous anniversary event.

64th Oktoberfest USA

12:00 AM – 11:59 PM — Oktoberfest Grounds — Admission varies — Celebrate the longest-running Oktoberfest in the Midwest with parades, local food, and live music.

Herb Mocktail Happy Hour

4-5 p.m. — Art House La Crosse — $45 — Explore herbal flavors while crafting seasonal mocktails using fresh ingredients.

Oktoberfest Race Weekend - Day 1

3 PM — La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway — Access included with subscription — Experience an exciting day of racing events featuring multiple tours and series.

TLW Fall Convention & Trade Show

9 a.m. - 6 p.m. — La Crosse Center — Check Official Website — A gathering for industry professionals featuring keynote speakers and an expansive trade show floor.

6th Annual Drive the Road to Recovery

Join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiring stories, delicious food, and performance by the ATCWW choir. Every dollar we raise goes directly to the care of women who are struggling with addiction. We hope to see you there!

Lend Me a Tenor

7:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — La Crosse Community Theatre — Check event page for pricing — Experience a madcap comedy featuring mistaken identities and operatic chaos.