WPR-La Crosse News Specials

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REED GRIMM: AN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEW WITH LA CROSSE’S AMERICAN IDOLFAVORITE

UW-La Crosse graduate and musician Reed Grimm was recently a contestant onAmerican Idol, but his run on the show came to an end last week. Still, the Shoeless Revolution singer and drummer will remain a staple in the area’s music scene. WPR’s Maureen McCollum talked with him about the sudden national exposure and what lies ahead in his music future. (broadcast 3-9-12)

You can also listen to Maureen McCollum’s extended interview with Reed Grimm.

HOUSING IN LA CROSSE: EXPLORING ITS MANY LAYERS AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

In this special three-part series, WPR’s Maureen McCollum looks into La Crosse’s property taxes, rentals, and neighborhoods to see how each plays a role in making the city what it is. These were among the key topics discussed by the Joint City/County of La Crosse Housing Task Force during a six-month series of meetings that commenced in 2011; the group was charged with improving the city’s housing stock.

Part 1: There’s a long-held notion in La Crosse that property taxes are high due to the number of tax-exempt properties in the city. But a UW-Extension report,Challenging Trends Facing Housing in La Crosse, and city officials suggest it’s more complicated than that. The rates people pay are actually more influenced by the city’s housing stock. (broadcast 2-28-12)

Photo: UW Extension’s Karl Green looks at a map of La Crosse’s housing values. Green studied how low value housing affects the city’s taxes. (Maureen McCollum/WPR)

Part 2: Rentals make up more than half of La Crosse’s housing stock. College students make up a good portion of the renters, and they can face challenges of their own as tenants. Meanwhile, city officials have steps in place to ensure residents are living in safe rental conditions. (broadcast 2-29-12)

Photo: Vine Street in La Crosse is one of the many streets that provides student housing for mostly UWL students. (Maureen McCollum/WPR)

Part 3: The Powell-Hood-Hamilton neighborhood is one of the oldest and most diverse communities in La Crosse. There’s a group of people who want to revitalize the neighborhood and improve housing. While some say that could help residents, others worry it could push them out too. (broadcast 3-1-12)

Photo: Shoua Moua and his mother, Mai Yang, in front of their house in the Powell-Hood-Hamilton neighborhood. The family has lived there for over 10 years. (Maureen McCollum)

Wrapping up the series, WPR’s Newsmakers hosted a concluding discussion about these issues and how they shape future efforts to improve housing in La Crosse. That program is available on ourNewsmakers: Online archives page. (broadcast 3-1-12)

To learn more about the future of housing in La Crosse, check out these links:
* The Joint City/County of La Crosse Housing Task Force Final Report (2012)
* La Crosse Housing Task Force meeting minutes and resources (2011-12)

CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS: NEW YEAR’S AND MORE…WLSU student producer Julia VanSusteren reports on how UW-La Crosse Hmong students and their families blend cultural celebrations of the holidays, including the new year. Hear her report here. (broadcast 1-11-12)

DAN KAPANKE: Looking Back…as 2011 comes to an end, former state Senator Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) looks back at the year in politics and what he’s been up to since losing his seat in an August recall election. Maureen McCollum’s report can be heard here (broadcast 12-30-11). An extended interview with Kapanke can be heard here.

ADDERALL…a medication prescribed to help people with ADHD — attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — is also the subject of abuse, often by college students seeking an extra studying “boost”. With semester finals fast approaching, WLSU student producer Krista Hagman reports on efforts to increase awareness of the problem on the UW-La Crosse campus. Hear her report here.(broadcast 12-6-11)

UWL PROFESSOR NAMED ‘PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR’

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse professor Gregory Wegner has been named Wisconsin’s 2011 Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The announcement was made Thursday, November 17. He spoke with WPR’s Maureen McCollum; listen to her Morning Edition report here. (broadcast 11-17-11) An extended interview with Wegner can be heard here. Learn more about the award here.

WISCONSIN’S 95TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION

The field of candidates to fill western Wisconsin’s 95th District Assembly seat has been narrowed to two; voters go to the polls November 8 in a special election to fill the seat vacated by former Assembly member Jennifer Shilling who was elected to the Senate this summer.

WPR’s La Crosse News Bureau discussed a wide range of issues with each of the candidates for a recent series of special broadcasts; archives of extended interviews with the candidates can be found below, in alphabetical order:

Jill Billings (D-La Crosse)
Billings is vice chair of the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors. She spoke with WPR’s Maureen McCollum.

Hear her interview here.

Dave Drewes (R-La Crosse)

Drewes is retired from sales and was the chairman of the watchdog group Citizens for Responsible Government, but says he has stepped down while campaigning to avoid a conflict of interest. He spoke with WPR’s John Davis.

Hear his interview here.

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RWANDAN DOCUMENTARY FILM AT VITERBO

Kenyan filmmaker Patrick Mureithi shares his film ICYIZERE:hope with an audience at Viterbo University. The film examines experiences of those caught up in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He talked about the film with WPR’s Maureen McCollum. Listen to her report here. (broadcast 9-21-11) Learn more about the film at Josiah Films.

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KAYAKING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BACKWATERS

Maureen McCollum accompanied participants in a kayaking class in the backwaters of the Mississippi near Goose Island, south of La Crosse. Listen to her report here. (broadcast 7-26-11)

Yu Ting Fu (left) launches her kayak on Lake Neshonoc in West Salem, WI. She’s about to join the River Divas, a weekly women-only paddle group hosted by Three Rivers Outdoors. (Maureen McCollum/WPR)

Kayak and canoe rentals that also offer classes and trips:

* Three Rivers Outdoors
* UW-La Crosse Outdoor Connection

Kayak and Canoe rental:
* Buzz’s Bikes and Boats (kayaks only) 608-785-2737 608-785-2737
* Fort McCoy
* Goose Island Campground

La Crosse River, Rockland, WI
* Ellistone Canoe Rental

Kickapoo River, Ontario, WI
* Drifty’s Canoe Rental
* Mr. Duck’s Canoe Rental
* Titanic Canoe Rental

Black River
* Black River Express
* Lost Falls Campground
* Riverview Inn (canoe only)

Root River
* Geneva’s Hideaway

Water Routes and Resources:
* City of La Crosse
* Coulee Canoe and Kayak Club
* DNR Water Routes

Locally made canoes and kayaks:
* Wenonah
* Wet Coulee Kayaks

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“AGING OUT” – WPR’s Steve Roisum reports on teens “aging out” of the foster care system. In part one of this two-part series, we hear from foster care professionals who support youth in their transition to independence; listen to part one here (aired 6-16-11). In part two, we talk with two young adults who recently “aged out” of the system; listen to part two here (aired 6-17-11).

Learn more at:

Kids are Waiting Campaign, a project of Pew Charitable Trusts

Child Welfare League of America

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WISCONSIN’S 94TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION

Prior to the 2011 special election, candidates seeking Wisconsin’s 94th Assembly District seat explained their positions and reasons for their candidacy. Voters elected:

Steve Doyle (Onalaska-D)
Doyle is an attorney for Doyle Law Office and is the chair of the La Crosse County Board. He spoke with WPR’s Steve Roisum.

Hear his interview here.

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AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH, April 2011

Autism afflicts an estimated 1- to 1.5-million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it’s among the fastest-growing developmental disabilities in the country. La Crosse County is no different; local officials report they continue to see the numbers grow, with a similar increase in the demand for services to support families challenged by the disorder.

In 2010, on the occasion of National Autism Awareness Month, WPR-La Crosse reporter Steve Roisum prepared the following series of reports and interviews on autism in the La Crosse area.

Part one: An overview of the disorder with Dr. Deb Olufs, an education specialist with Gunderson Lutheran Health System. Hear part one here. (aired 4-28-10)

Listen to an extended interview with Dr. Olufs here.

Part two: We meet 15-year-old Spencer Mahlun, of rural Holmen, and his family who discuss the challenges of living with autism. Hear part two here. (aired 4-29-10)

Part three: Living with asperger syndrome, a form of autism. Willtrude Aumon talks about how the disorder has impacted her life and her search for employment. Hear part three here. (aired 4-30-10)

Additional information can be found at the following links:

National Autism Association

Autism Society of Wisconsin

Gunderson Lutheran Health System

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare

Chileda

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Arts & Entertainment: Weekly reports on the Great River region’s arts and cultural activities are broadcast Fridays after 8:30 a.m. on Morning Edition; John Gaddo hosts. Selected reports are archived here:

“Everything Rhubarb” and Lanesboro’s 2010 Rhubarb Festival (aired 6-4-2010)

The 2008 Viroqua Writers Conference (aired 12-19-08)