If you’ve spent any time in La Crosse lately, you know the vibe is... complicated. It’s one of those weeks where the weather is acting like it’s mid-April and the local headlines are jumping from high-stakes real estate deals to tense protests in the streets. Honestly, keeping up with la crosse wi news right now feels a bit like watching a fast-paced drama where the scenery keeps changing.
One minute we’re talking about record-shattering rain—seriously, 1.25 inches in a single January day—and the next, we’re processing the sale of a downtown landmark.
The Big Shakeup Downtown: The Charmont Has a New Owner
The biggest splash in the local business world just dropped: The Charmont Hotel has been sold.
If you aren't familiar with the backstory, this place used to be a 19th-century candy factory. It’s basically the crown jewel of our boutique lodging scene. The news broke on January 16, 2026, that Diane Hendricks (yes, the founder of Hendricks Commercial Properties and one of the wealthiest women in the country) scooped it up.
Why does this matter? Well, Hendricks isn't just a passive investor. When her group moves into a city, they tend to reshape the block. This isn't just about a 67-room hotel changing hands; it's a signal that big money still sees a lot of value in the Mississippi riverfront. People are already whispering about what this means for the surrounding retail and dining spots.
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A lot of folks assume these big sales are just "business as usual." But in a town the size of La Crosse, a shift in ownership for a marquee property like the Charmont can change the gravity of downtown. It’s about more than just beds and a rooftop bar; it’s about who controls the narrative of our tourism industry.
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Tension in the Streets: Protests and the "Ice Out" Rally
While the business elite are moving pieces on the board, a very different scene played out downtown on January 12. About 300 people gathered for a rally that was part "No Blood for Oil" and part "Ice Out."
It wasn't just a generic protest. The energy was fueled by the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Even though that happened a couple of hours away, the ripples hit La Crosse hard.
- Direct Action: Organizers were literally teaching people how to document ICE activity safely.
- Solidarity: There’s a growing push to make Wisconsin cities more resistant to federal immigration enforcement, a topic that has even sparked a rift between Governor Tony Evers and his Lieutenant Governor, Sara Rodriguez.
- Global Ties: The "No Blood for Oil" side of the march was tied to the recent violence in Venezuela.
It’s rare to see that many people out in the cold for a march, but it shows that the political temperature in the Coulee Region is way higher than the actual thermometer.
The Weather is Broken (And Your Pipes Might Be Too)
Let’s talk about that rain. On January 8 and 9, we didn't get the "winter wonderland" everyone expects. We got a deluge.
The National Weather Service office here in La Crosse recorded 1.25 inches of rain. That sounds like a drizzle in July, but for January? It broke the all-time 24-hour precipitation record for the month. Our neighbors in La Farge had it even worse, seeing over 2 inches.
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The Hidden Risk of "Warm" Winters
Ironically, the City of La Crosse just issued a "Frozen Pipe Prevention" warning. You’d think with record rain and warm temps, we’d be safe. Nope. The "yo-yo" effect of these temperatures—thawing the ground with rain and then flash-freezing it when the clipper storms hit—is actually more dangerous for your plumbing than a steady deep freeze.
The city is basically begging people to:
- Keep a tiny trickle of water running if your pipes are on an exterior wall.
- Seal up those crawl space vents you forgot about in November.
- Watch out for "bank full" river levels. The Kickapoo River is already seeing minor flooding because the rain had nowhere to go but the tributaries.
What’s Coming Up: The 2026 Election Cycle
It’s easy to forget because it feels so far away, but the wheels are already turning for the April 7, 2026, election.
If you’re a local politics nerd, you should know that the deadline to file candidacy paperwork for the Municipal Judge position passed on January 6. If we need a primary, that’s happening on February 17. It’s a four-year term, and these are the roles that actually decide how local law is applied to your neighbors.
Money Talks: The $209 Million Budget
The La Crosse County Board recently approved a massive 2026 budget. Here’s the "basically" version of where your tax dollars are going:
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- Property Tax Relief: The rate is actually projected to fall by about 5.5%.
- Infrastructure: $14 million is earmarked for county roads. If you’ve hit a pothole on Highway 33 lately, help is technically on the way.
- Innovation: A new "Re-Entry Social Worker" position was created to help people coming out of jail get back on their feet. The goal is to lower recidivism, which is fancy talk for "keeping people from going back to jail."
Sports and Campus Life
It hasn't been a great week for the Eagles. The UW-La Crosse men's basketball team (ranked #18) took a tough 77-74 loss against UW-Eau Claire on January 17.
The Sonnentag Event Center was packed, and while our guys put up a late surge—outscoring the Blugolds 42-33 in the second half—it wasn't enough to overcome Eau Claire’s record-tying 14 three-pointers. The Eagles are now 11-5. It’s a bit of a slump, but the WIAC conference is always a meat grinder.
Your "Right Now" Action Plan
If you’re living through this week’s la crosse wi news cycle, here is what you actually need to do to stay ahead of the curve.
First off, check your basement. With that record rainfall soaking the ground followed by a freeze, "hydrostatic pressure" is a real jerk. If your sump pump hasn't kicked on lately, go pour a bucket of water in the pit to make sure it still works. You don't want to find out it's dead during the next thaw.
Secondly, if you’re a fisherman, remember that Jan 17-18 is the Free Fishing Weekend. No license needed. Just make sure you’re wearing "creepers" on your boots. With the weird rain-freeze cycle we just had, the ice is going to be incredibly slick and potentially inconsistent.
Lastly, keep an eye on those City Hall hours. They’ve changed. The lobby is now closing at noon on Fridays. Don't be the person walking up to a locked door at 1:00 PM with a permit in your hand.
It’s a weird time to be in La Crosse, but honestly, it’s never boring. Between the high-dollar hotel sales and the record-breaking weather, we’re all just trying to keep our feet under us—literally and figuratively. Stay safe out there on the ice.