Good morning, La Crosse.

ORC Industries brought 12 employees to ring Salvation Army Red Kettle bells at Hy-Vee on Monday.

The company & Hy-Vee matched funds raised during the event to support the annual campaign.

Wisconsin DOT figures show 518 highway deaths this year, including five in La Crosse County, with fewer than 50 recorded in both October and November and the state expected to end 2025 with one of its lowest tolls in years.

On Dec. 14 at 8:00 p.m., the La Crosse Fire Department put out a small kitchen fire at a home on the 1700 Block of 21st Street S - no one was hurt, and the incident marked the second red bulb for their Keep the Wreath Green campaign.

Over 2,400 visitors experienced the interactive Bethlehem event at English Lutheran last weekend when volunteers recreated a street scene from Jesus' time with live animals, merchant roles, and Roman soldiers.

The church hosts this elaborate tradition every four years (preparations began in October) to engage locals.

The La Crosse School District approved a $32.7m bid to build a new elementary school at the Hogan Administrative site, with Market & Johnson selected to work on the project; the building is slated to open for the 2027-28 academic year using referendum funds.

A new state report shows La Crosse teachers pay 27% of their income for health insurance, compared with 17% in Holmen and 13% in Onalaska.

Education advocates say high costs strain budgets and hope lawmakers will soon consider a statewide plan (proposals under review).

Demonstrators in La Crosse gathered to urge Congressman Van Orden to back a law extending ACA subsidies as local families face rising health care costs — his office stated he supports quality, affordable care.