Eau Claire Hometown Media

Longtime area business owner, Natasha Plank-Ottum knowsintimately the strain of healthcare on employees and employers.  Costs cut into business growth and employee paychecks.  As such, she has become an advocatefor Advancing Free Market Healthcare, a group of employers who are working to raise awareness among policymakers on the impacts rising costs are having. Dr. Usher and her discuss some roadb...

The number one concern amongst parents across the country is a fear of bullying at schools.  Altoona Middle School Guidance Counselor Kaitlyn Ingrebretsen and the Middle School Dean of Students Kyle Rundquist go in depth on the topic from a local lens. What defines bullying?  Is the perception its increasing accurate?  The role bystanderscan appropriately play and how does the school teach proper...

Presented by Visit Eau Claire The heartbeat of a community is downtown and Eau Claire isno different.  This area of the community has seen spectacular growth over the past 20 years, and during the holidays inparticular, shines with lights and activity.  Erin Klaus is a downtown business owner and president of Downtown EauClaire Incorporated, a non-profit that assists and markets this slice of the...

The warehouse at Feed My People Food Bank stores itemswall-to-wall and floor to ceiling, with a team that helps to manage it all.  On this episode, we meet two guyswho help to make sure it stays organize and run smoothly.  Warehouse Associates Carter Fridlund and Scott Mirkin, give us a perspective we don’t usually get.  Join us for this authentic conversation about community, teamwork and friends...

We head back to the hardwood and catch up with theRailroader’s boys basketball team.  Head Coach Paul Heinrichs and players Greyson Becker and Owen Gunderson discuss the season and what they are looking to accomplish this season. Greysen and Owen also share insight into their favorite and least favorite classes and their preferred postgame eats.

Menomonie Mayor Randy Knaack is back looking ahead into2026.    -            The possibility of an event center/sportsfacility coming to Menomonie is attainable with prospective developers.  Randy details some recent developments withthis. -           The winter excitement around Wolski Bay and hisadvocacy for state wide natural resources -           The arrival of Amazon -           Upcoming city...

The creative magic at the Pablo isn’t only on the stagebut exists on the walls too!  Erika Crotty the Center’s Gallery Manager and Teva Dekel with the Confluence of Artproject discuss an exhibit currently running and the overall art gallery program that exists at the building.   Erika takes us through what is displayed, the rotation of pieces, how items are selected and more. Teva’s own background...

Hail the Champs!  We celebrate the 2026 McDonell Macks State Championship football with head coach Mark Maloney ’68 and Senior running back/linebacker Eli Stepp joining Molly.  They discuss the season, the memories and theway faith plays a role in their lives.  Mark has announced this championship season will be his last as he is retiring and we get his emotions.  Eli gives us the player’s perspec...

On the debut episode of this new series that will dive into legal matters from a local lens in the Chippewa Valley, we set the foundation by learning more about this particular law firm from Sam Schlewitz - Using attorneys to prevent issues, not just rectify - What should people look for in an attorney - Advice for people contemplating a career in law

Connecting students to STEAM careers is a focus ineducation, including at CFAUSD.  Superintendent Jeff Holmes provides a window into these efforts at CFAUSD with senior student Chloe Johnson, Science Teacher Nick Gagnon and local business professional Katie Rurup with Cadrex Manufacturing Solution. They highlight the STEAM Night the district hosts which since2012 has semi-annually showcased what t...

Presented by Fries Financial Group Soon to be retiring Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Holmes discusses why he felt now was the time to step aside and shares insightsinto the strengths but also the challenges that face the community going forward. The lessons in leadership he gained over his career and the moment hisperspective on education changed.

Along with running, many in the area have taken to one ofthe fastest-growing activities in the country in pickleball!  Karen McDermott, the chair of the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club shares how the club is building community on and off thecourt and why players of all ages are getting hooked.   DozensCV Pickleball Club members volunteer on marathon weekend and is one of the non-profit beneficiari...

In this episode, we dive into what inclusion really lookslike in public schools, beyond the buzzwords and social media discourse.  Dr. Amy Jablonski with the Swift EducationCenter at the University of Kansas is the guest.  She, and the Swift Center, work with school districts around the country to ensure all students are included in education.  The goal is to allow students to truly feel they can...

The effort to combat hunger is expansive throughout WesternWisconsin and along with Feed My People, in Dunn County Stepping Stones leads those efforts.  New Stepping Stone’s Executive Director, and longtime staffer with the program, Corrisa Villeneuve shares insights into the program, including their pantry, homeless shelter and supportive services offered.  How’d they deal with the Government shu...

The Altoona Railroader’s girls basketball team is off to ahot start on the hardwood.  Head Coach Michelle Peplinski and Senior Braylin Siverling join us to discuss not only whathas made them effective on the court, but the lessons that can be applied beyond sports.  They share insights intothe best ways for adults to effectively communicate with youths and what makes for the best postgame eats.

We enjoy a hot cup of coffee and get the latest on Menomoniehappenings with the mayor Randy Knaack.  He provides the latest on the data center, the ongoing pause to theproject and the important discussions the city council held this month.  We also get insight into the GROW organization,its efforts with housing in Wisconsin and how it can apply to Menomonie. Also, in addition to being the mayor, R...

It always feels like a win for the entire area when one ofour own, goes off and finds success. Anthony Laguardia shares his path from Memorial High School to Broadway to Nashville. Anthony grew up in Eau Claire and is now the Dance Director,Tour Manager and a performer with the Ranch Hands show.  When not on tour, the show has a residency in Nashville. He joins this show to share insights into the...

We get to meet a new member of the McDonell team, asClint Berge has joined as the new Strategic Campaign Marketing Manager.  His is a familiar name in the area having been on-air on local television for years, before moving into the marketing world. In addition to this new role, he is also in the process of becoming a deacon, bringing full circle a life that has seen him be very active with his fa...

Whether its dieting, fiscal planning or DOG BEHVAIOR training, there is the temptation to chase “quick fixes”.  From viral hacks to one-size-fits-all solutions, Heather explores why so-called shortcuts often create more problems than they solve. Whether you’re a new dog owner or a seasoned handler, this episode offers honesty and a clearer path to sustainable behavior training.

If you have a child or grandchild considering a career in law, this episode explores what high schooland college aged students can do now.  AttorneyKeenan Crawford from Poquette, Donnellan and Schlewitz Law, discusses his pathinto the career and looks back at what he recommends along with changes hewould do differently and suggests for the next generation.  What classes should be taken, the import...

From sports cards to Poke’mon, this episode explores howSlab Factor in Eau Claire has turned a shared hobby into a sought out local hangout and small business success story. One of the owners Jordan Stoll stops by to share the ins and outs of the business.  What their objective was forstarting and the role KICKSTARTER played in their initial beginning.  He shares insight into the growth of the car...

The Chippewa Youth Hockey Arena holds the distinction as the only entirely volunteer run hockey facility in the entire Midwest.  Not a single dime of public monies goes to the operation of the facility, as it was built and has been sustained over the decades solely on the support of the community.  Longtime Chippewa Youth Hockey Association board member Steve Gibbs shares insight into this arena t...

At the core, even public schools must operate as a business inwhich revenues must cover expenses.  In the state of Wisconsin, school financing is arguably a broken system, making revenue generation difficult for public schools.  Altoona Superintendent Heidi Eliopoulous is joined by Eleva-Strum Superintendent Cory Kulig and Altoona School District Director of Finance and Operations Brian Misfeldt t...

In this podcast, listeners explore the rich history of Menomonie, Wisconsin, from its logging roots to its role in regional development. The episode highlights one passionate local who is working to preserve and promote this heritage through tourism initiatives and educational programs. By organizing surprising and new rides around town, she brings stories of the past to life for both residents an...

If you can’t be an athlete, be an athletic supporter!  The president of the CHI-HI Athletic Boosters,Steve Gibbs, explains the role their association plays with school sports.  The stark reality is that school’s can no longer fund co-curriculars the same way as they used to, thus organizations like the CHI-HI Boosters provide a necessarysupplement.  Their efforts have kept participationFREE for Ch...