Sometimes we feel disconnected and powerless when it comes to making our government more responsive and effective. Yet, our government starts right here with our neighbors and communities. How do these agencies work, collaborate, and respond to voters? We are thrilled to have two of our very own League members who play a key role in local government in La Crosse county. Lee Donahue, a Town of Campbell Supervisor, and Margaret Larson, a La Crosse County Supervisor, will be speaking about civic engagement at the local level. From local government organization to how citizens can be heard and make a difference, they will address some of the critical issues facing our community now.

Program Information:
It’s been said by many that Civic Education is the bedrock of democracy. Given all of the political unrest these days, do you often wonder how K-12 schools are handling government and civics instruction in classrooms? And how might we support this challenge? Join us for the Dec. 10 Lunch and Learn to hear an update on current legislation and interviews with area teachers, plus a summary of significant LWV Voter Services Committee work that is now occurring in area schools. Kathie Tyser and Chris Haskell–both LWV members and retired educators/administrators in La Crosse–will facilitate the session, allowing some time for discussion about ideas for the future.

Program Information:
Issues surrounding immigration are much in the news and producing a wide spectrum of public responses. The LWV has identified Immigration as a social issue to impact through education and advocacy. Please join us for November’s Lunch and Learn when we welcome Ben Sonsalla, Immigrant Advocate for Catholic Charities. Ben will present an overview of immigration in the US, current issues in the Coulee Region, his work with Catholic Charities, and suggestions for actions we can take to support our neighbors who are immigrant workers,

Local news reporting plays a critical role in the health of our communities—and our democracy. What is the impact -- here and nationwide -- of declining news coverage on civil discourse and emerging hyper-partisanship in local non-partisan government? Rusty Cunningham discusses changes in local news coverage and the impact on civic engagement, government accountability, erosion of community connections and increased political polarization. He will discuss strategies for the LWV to create and promote civil discourse and citizen engagement in local government.

Speaker: Rusty Cunningham
Rusty Cunningham is an award-winning journalist with a 41-year career with Lee Enterprises newspapers. Rusty served as editor and publisher of the La Crosse Tribune and River Valley Media Group for nearly 25 years. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2024.

The LWVLA opened its 2025-26 Lunch & Learn series with an opportunity for a virtual conversation with Don Sawyer and Tim Hashko—creators of "Beyond the Bridge: Solutions to Homelessness"—and La Crosse native James Mathy, Milwaukee County Housing Administrator.

This powerful documentary about effective strategies to eliminate homelessness includes the Housing First approach that has seen success in Milwaukee—Sawyer and Hashko will be joined by James Mathy, Milwaukee County Housing Administrator. The League’s lunch program is a precursor to an October 14 Weber Center screening of Beyond the Bridge in support of the La Crosse County/City Pathways Home program.