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Date: 1/6/2026
Subject: January 6, 2026 News Update
From: LWV of La Crosse



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January 6, 2026 News Update
Empower Voters, Defend Democracy
The League shall not support or oppose any political party or candidate.

Welcome to 2026! We've got a lot of work ahead.
This is an exciting year with four elections ahead! Mark your calendars and make a commitment to vote in every election this year. Your participation makes all the difference. Turn it into a party and make sure your friends vote too!
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February 17 - Spring Primary
April 7 - Spring Election
August 11 - Partisan Primary
November 3 - General Election

Make sure your voter registration is up to date: Visit myvote.wi.gov
Find important deadlines for the Spring Primary and Spring election here: Voter Deadlines
Want to vote by mail? Request your absentee ballot.

January Lunch & Learn
January 14 , 2026 
11:30 am - 1 pm 
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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.
Registration will reserve lunch and provide a Zoom link for virtual attendance.  The public is welcome to join us for lunch or at no cost to attend the 12:00 p.m. program only. A recording of the program will be posted on our website shortly after the live event.
Lunch orders must be received by January 7, 2026.  If you have any difficulty with registration, please contact us at lwvlawi@gmail.com.

January Book Club
January 26, 2026
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Turning away from the privileged world of the "eminent Victorians," Gertrude Bell (1868—1926) explored, mapped, and excavated the world of the Arabs. Recruited by British intelligence during World War I, she played a crucial role in obtaining the loyalty of Arab leaders, and her connections and information provided the brains to match T. E. Lawrence's brawn. After the war, she played a major role in creating the modern Middle East and was, at the time, considered the most powerful woman in the British Empire.
In this masterful biography, Janet Wallach shows us the woman behind these achievements–a woman whose passion and defiant independence were at odds wit the confined and custom-bound England she left behind. Too long eclipsed by Lawrence, Gertrude Bell emerges at last in her own right as a vital player on the stage of modern history, and as a woman whose life was both a heartbreaking story and a grand adventure.
~ Goodreads
 Monday, January 26, 2026, 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM

RiverPlace Apartments meeting room
1 Riverplace Dr.
La Crosse, WI 54601

February Book Club
February  23, 2026
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Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third Reich's plans while at her husband's side and understood more than anyone would guess. She devised a plan to flee in disguise from their castle, and the whirlwind escape landed her in Hollywood. She became Hedy Lamarr, screen star.
But she kept a secret more shocking than her heritage or her marriage: she was a scientist. And she had an idea that might help the country fight the Nazis and revolutionize modern communication...if anyone would listen to her.
A novel based on the true story of the glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication.
~ Goodreads
 

Help Wanted 
LWV La Crosse Vote411 Team
Join our volunteer team! Vote411 (www.vote411,org) is committed to ensuring voters have the information they need to successfully participate in every election. LWV La Crosse publishes non-partisan voter information for La Crosse County for local elections such as country . city council, municipal and town boards, and school boards.
Vote411 volunteers commit a few hours in mid-February to personally email contact and invite about ten local candidates to participate in our local Vote411 election guide. Volunteers receive candidate contact information and messaging materials. Contact Deb Lutjen and Ina Felsheim if you would like more information or would like to join our team. Vote411@lwvlacrosse.org.
To see all our teams follow this   link 

Observer Corps and League Lens
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Read news from local sources. Find the latest League Lens here.  Our observer corps continues to provide important information about government in action. The entire page can be found at the link below. Be more engaged in how our local communities work. 

Make a Difference. 
Let Your Voice Be Heard. 
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We The (Informed) People
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https://www.pbs.org/  PBS.org    ttps://wisconsinwatch.org/  Wisconsin Watch                                 
https://theracquet.org/  The Raquet 
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/    Wisconsin Examimer

Unite and Rise 8.5
League of Women Voters Wisconsin
Stepping up to run for office is one of the most powerful ways to shape the future of your community. Local leaders drive real change, our democracy is strongest when new voices and fresh perspectives show up. If you’ve ever thought “I wish things were different,” this is your chance to be that change. We’ve got the tools and resources to help you get started. Find the LWVWI Run for Office Toolkit HERE.


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website: lwvlacrosse.org
email: lwvlawi@gmail.com
PO Box 363
La Crosse, WI 54601