Program Recordings - The League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area

Home2025-26 LWVLA Program Recordings

Winter Webinar

Environmental Impacts of Data Centers

Program Information:
With the dramatic increase of AI applications, cloud services, and crypto-mining, data centers are proliferating across the country (and world), and Wisconsin is not immune. Data centers promise to be a boon to local economies, including employment opportunities and large increases in local tax revenues. And yet there are questions. What we do know from locations that now have data centers is that there are a number of concerns that should be addressed sooner rather than later. The questions include whether there will be long-term employment opportunities vs near-term construction jobs, demand on local water resources and the impact on local electrical capacity. Local revenues are also questionable at this point since current locations with data centers have not recouped the promised resources. In addition to these questions, there are additional concerns that have been pushed into the background like noise and light pollution, increased electrical bills, ecological degradation.

In a recent WPR article [3], which is one of several over the past 6 months or so, it was noted that concerned citizens were raising the alarm and criticizing the non-disclosure agreement over a proposed $1.6B data center in Menomonie for which the City Council has already annexed and rezoned around 300 acres of farmland. The city estimates that the data center would use about 75,000 gallons of water per day. Data centers typically feature non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that may obscure energy and water designs and usage. In a recent report [4], it was noted that “Researchers in Virginia found that at least 80% of local governments that approved or were considering data center projects had signed NDAs with the companies involved.” This means that a lot of negotiations and information are out of local community hands.

According to a report from the Alliance of the Great Lakes States [5] no state in the region has the legal authority to halt or curb ground water use before detrimental impacts actually occur. The report explores the challenges facing Great Lakes’ water use, it also offers a suite of potential solutions.

A lot has been promised, though a lot is obscure. The potential for destructive impact is troubling. It’s up to us to be informed and exercise the citizenry’s right to know. On 11 February 2026 at 6:30pm the La Crosse Area and Dane County Chapters of the League of Women Voters will host an all-state forum on Wisconsin Data Centers. This program will address the environmental impacts and concerns of data centers, including non-renewable electrical generation and increased demand, impact on local water supplies, noise and light pollution, and ecological degradation, as well as discuss the approval process for data centers and highlight opportunities for public discourse. We hope your Chapter and your community will join us!!

The 2023 Wisconsin state budget established broad sales and use tax exemptions to attract certified data centers that include land, equipment and electricity exemptions. Additionally, in an executive order last January, President Trump encouraged a loosening of ecomomic and environmental regulations to pave the way for hyper-scale (major cloud service providers that can house over 5000 servers) data centers. A more recent executive order “seeks to limit the ability of states to regulate artificial intelligence, while attempting to thwart some existing state laws.” [1]

There are worrisome examples in Wisconsin. In an analysis released in September [2], Clean Wisconsin
( https://www.cleanwisconsin.org/ ) found that “two data centers approved for construction in Ozaukee and Racine counties will consume enough energy to power 4.3 million homes - nearly double the 2.8 million housing units in the state”. A Microsoft data warehouse scheduled to open next year, is located at the intended Foxconn site and “was already at the center of a controversial plan to divert 7 million gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan.”

Speakers:
Amy Barrilleaux oversees Clean Wisconsin’s external communication strategy, including media relations, public affairs, content marketing, digital advertising and social media. She also hosts Clean Wisconsin’s State of Change podcast. Amy has worked as an award-winning journalist in television, print, radio news, and she leans on that vital storytelling experience every day.

Michael Grief is a Legal Fellow at Midwest Environmental Advocates, where his work has focused on legal pathways to safeguard Wisconsin’s air, water, and climate. Michael is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and lives in Madison.

Gretchen Sabel spent 35 years working in environmental programs for the State of Minnesota, retiring in 2014, when she was able to find her second career with the League of Women Voters. She became the first Chair of LWV Upper Mississippi River Region when it was formed in 2015, and has served on the Board since that time. Her current role with UMRR is as Communications Director, where she manages the website, writes blog posts and sends out a monthly newsletter. As well, Gretchen is President of her local League (LWV ABC in Minnesota).

Program Resources:

[1].https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/trump-signs-executive-order-seeking-ban-state-laws-ai-rcna248741

[2].https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/09/16/environmental-groups-raise-alarm-on-ai-data-center-use-of-energy-water/?emci=18384a51-5e93-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&emdi=31960e1d-c493-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&ceid=626255

[3].https://www.wpr.org/news/data-center-proposed-menomonie-strong-response-concerned-citizens

[4] Big Tech Unchecked - a toolkit for community action; created by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Sierra club, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Healthy Climate Wisconsin and Wisconsin’s Greenfire. https://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/big-tech-unchecked-toolkit-community-action

[5].https://greatlakes.org/2025/08/great-lakes-region-unprepared-for-increasing-water-use-demands/. https://greatlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AGL_WaterUse_Report_Aug2025_Factsheet.pdf

January Lunch & Learn

Civic Engagement in Local Government

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.

Speakers:
Lee Donahue
Lee Donahue is an Army combat veteran. She managed radio/TV news operations in Germany, Croatia, South Korea and Bosnia, and deployed to 13 other foreign countries. She earned 7 Department of the Army and Department of Defense (excellence in broadcast journalism) awards. As an Army Public Affairs professional she wrote training doctrine and led Press Conferences. She's served 40+years in all forms of government service.

She is a 5 year Town of Campbell supervisor for Health Education and Welfare. Lee was appointed as a Town of Campbell supervisor 5 months before the town was notified of PFAS contamination. Nearly 4,500 residents in Campbell are under a state-wide health advisory to use an alternate safe source of water.

Margaret Larson

Civics, part of my high school senior year curriculum, was taught by the varsity football coach. I’ve learned more about the structure of government from the League of Women Voters. And I’ve lived it by serving on the La Crosse School Board, the La Crosse City Plan Commission, and the La Crosse County Board. I also have participated in local campaigns, contacted local, state, and federal legislators, and testified at local and state government hearings.

December Lunch & Learn

Civic Education:
What's Happening in La Crosse Area Schools and Beyond?

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.

Speakers:
Chris Haskell was a public school teacher for 35 years. Those years were spent teaching high school English and ESL in elementary, middle and high school. She also served as the District ESL Coordinator for the La Crosse Public Schools.

Kathie Tyser worked in various levels of public education for 36 years as a teacher and administrator, retiring in 2008 as Associate Superintendent for La Crosse Public Schools.

November Lunch & Learn

Immigration: Coulee Region Update

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,

Speaker: Ben Sonsalla
Ben is the Immigrant Advocate for Catholic Charities.

LWV's Position on Immigration
“The League of Women Voters believes that immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business, and employment needs of the United States; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises.”

Full League Position Here (pages 167-169): https://www.lwv.org/sites/default/files/2024-12/ImpactOnIssues_2024-FINAL-DIGITAL.pdf

October Lunch & Learn

The Impact of News Media on Civic Engagement

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.

September Lunch & Learn

Preview of Beyond the Bridge:
A Solution to Homelessness

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.

Speakers:
Don Sawyer, Producer/Director
Sawyer, the film's director, founded A Bigger Vision Films in 2014. Sawyer produced, directed and co-wrote the 2016 film "UNDER THE BRIDGE: The Criminalization of Homelessness" and won Best Hoosier Lens award at the Indy Film Fest, as well as official selection of the Chicago International Social Change Film Festival. Sawyer was also co-producer for the REELZ Channel series "HOW TO SURVIVE A MURDER." Don wrote, directed and produced the 2021 PBS Independent Lens short film “TROUBLE AT LAKE MONROE.” Don Sawyer and Tim Hashko received the 2022 Stewart B. McKinney award from the National Homelessness Law Center for their films on homelessness.

Tim Hashko, Cinematographer
Tim is the cinematographer and editor for A Bigger Vision Films. Tim shot both drone and ground footage used in "UNDER THE BRIDGE: The Criminalization of Homelessness." In addition, he was the cinematographer on the 2018 film "MY FRIEND MICKEY: Common Decency and The American Dream," as well as the director of photography on the REELZ Channel series "HOW TO SURVIVE A MURDER." Tim was the cinematographer and editor for the 2021 PBS Independent Lens short film “TROUBLE AT LAKE MONROE.” Tim Hashko and Don Sawyer received the 2022 Stewart B. McKenny Award from the National Homelessness Law Center for their films on homelessness.

James Mathy, Milwaukee County Housing Administrator
James Mathy is the Housing Administrator of the Milwaukee County Housing Division. James is responsible for the management of Milwaukee County's Community Development Block Grant funds, HOME funds, Milwaukee County's Housing Authority, Continuum of Care Homeless Programs, and Special Needs Housing programs. He is the author of Milwaukee County's Plan to End Chronic Homelessness leading to a 45 percent reduction in overall homelessness since 2015 and Milwaukee County remains on pace to be the largest county in the nation to end chronic homelessness by the end of 2018. James has 20 years experience working in the housing and community health field with a focus on the development of homeless programs and permanent supportive housing. James possesses a Master's Degree from Marquette University in Public Service.