9/7/25 CVTW: UWEC Bldg; School/Safety; DNR; Poverty

                                                                 Chippewa Valley This Week

Friday's topping-out ceremony marked the completion of phase one construction at UW-Eau Claire's Science and Health Sciences building. The four people we hear from from Friday's ceremony include Dr. Doug Dunham, interim director of strategic partnerships and program development; David Minor, the Pres. & CEO of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce; UWEC Student Body President, Kaitlyn Hevrin; and UWEC Interim Chancellor, Michael Carney. 

Also, with the start of the school year, Mike Moen, reports on "Respecting the Survivor's Journey After the Minneapolis School Shooting." We bring you Gov. Tony Evers' Democratic weekly radio address on the kick off of the new school year and Rep. Chanz Green with the GOP radio address criticizing the DNR saying its allocation of funds to the state's Fish and Wildlife Account hurt hunters and anglers. Finally, Angela Harms, Chief of Policy Programs at The Century Foundation says a recent survey shows some Wisconsinites are skipping meals to make ends meet.

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8/31/25 CVTW: State Sup.Ct; Parking; Nine Devines; Love Chippewa

                                                                Chippewa Valley This Week

Wispolitics.com's J.R. Ross reacts to Friday's stunning announcement from conservative State Supreme court justice, Rebecca Bradley, that she will not run for a second ten-year term on the state's highest court. Former Eau Claire City Council member and owner of Eau Claire Outdoors, Kate Felton, offers her take on this week's vote from the Council to resume paid parking in downtown EC beginning next June. Deb Johnson, Exec. Dir., of the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association, tells us about the free "Nine Devines and Packers Pride" event beginning at 2pm Sept. 7th at Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls. Finally, Touched Twice United Executive Director, Perry Polnaszek, looks ahead to the Sept. 27th "Love Chippewa" Free Clinic being held at Chippewa Falls High School from 9-noon.

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8/24/25 CVTW: Life Relaunch Weekends--Joel Allard

                                                               Chippewa Valley This Week

37 year old Truck driver, Joel Allard, shares openly and honestly about his journey as a recovering addict and the way God has used "Life Relaunch" weekends in his life. Since attending a free "Life Relaunch" weekend a few years back at the Pleasant Valley Christian Center in Eleva Allard says he's gone on to serve as a Facilitator for 12 other "Life Relaunch" weekends and he says there's still openings for the next one coming up on Sept. 27-28.

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8/17/25 CVTW: Aspirus Health in CF; Men's Conference; Eileen Turns 105!

                                                              Chippewa Valley This Week

Aspirus Health Northwest Division President, Jason Troxell, talks with us about this week's groundbreaking in Chippewa Falls for their initial 35,000-square-foot facility that will expand the area's emergency, inpatient, and primary care. Next, Brent Welch, talks about the "Fire on the Mountain" men's conference coming up this Saturday, August 23rd, in La Crosse at the Loggers Stadium from 8-noon. Finally, we hear from Eau Claire's Eileen Smiskey on her 105th birthday.

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8/10/25 CVTW: BackPack to School Challenge; Mental Health; Mr. Kitty's

                                                             Chippewa Valley This Week

Mike and Trish Houle tell us about the 15th annual Backpack and school supply distribution coming up Sunday, Aug. 17th, from 12:30-2:30pm at Valley Vineyard on Bridgewater Ave. in Chippewa Falls. Secondly, with kids soon returning to school, Molly Shea, Program Coordinator with the WI Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI) urges mental health experts to provide more back-to-school support for kids. Finally, we hear from Shelli Schuppel, the owner of Mr. Kitty's Cat Cafe & Boutique, tells us about their new pet food pantry offering free pet food and supplies, as well as all the homes they've found for cats.

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8/3/25 CVTW: Back(Pack) to School Challenge: "Shakespeare Shorts"

                                                            Chippewa Valley This Week

As WWIB and WOGO radio are in the midst of their one-week "Back(Pack) to School Challenge" to help provide at least 300 kids in the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls School Districts, as well as Liberia, West Africa, with backpacks, school supplies, and even, in some cases, school shoes, we hear from Teamwork Africa Executive Director, Peggy Halvorsen, and We Care Eau Claire Volunteer Coordinator, Julie Smith. Plus, Jim and Jane Jeffries invite folks out for their latest dramatic production, "Shakespeare Shorts," performed by the Community Theater at Regis group August 8-9 at 7pm and August 10 at 2pm at the Regis High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 each and those 5 and under are free.

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7/27/25 CVTW: WI's Wide Open Race for Governor; Transportation/EMS Funding

                                                                      Chippewa Valley This Week

State Rep. Rob Summerfield(R-Bloomer)

With WI Gov. Tony Evers announcing this past Thursday he's not seeking re-election Mark Halvorsen provides an overview of the announced candidates in both parties as well as speculating who may run, plus we hear from Gov. Evers; New Berlin Republican businessman, Bill Berrien; and Democratic Lt. Gov, Sarah Rodriguez. We close out with 68th District Rep. Rob Summerfield's (R-Bloomer) GOP weekly radio address highlighting what he says are wins in the biennial budget in transportation and EMS funding.

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7/13/25 CVTW: Hope Village & Miracles for Grady & Jace Golf Events

                                                                    Chippewa Valley This Week

Chamber Ambassador Vice Chair, Hannah Cowan, with Trust Point, celebrates Hope Village's completion of their new 6-plex of workforce housing apartments. Hope Village also has their golf outing coming up July 28th. Speaking of golf, Erin Binder of Eau Claire, updates us on her twin sons, Grady & Jace, and their battle against the progressive disease PKAN and the upcoming "Miracles for Grady & Jace Golf Tournament" coming up Aug. 16th at Pine Crest Golf Course in Dallas, WI.

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7/6/25 CVTW: Fierce Freedom Reactions; Elder Abuse, Part 2

                                                                   Chippewa Valley This Week

Fierce Freedom Executive Director, Cat Morgan, responds to two national stories in the news this week: First, Rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs found not guilty of sex trafficking but found guilty of lesser charges, and the SCOTUS' 6-3 decision in favor of age verification for children on porn sites. We also bring part 2 of our conversation with Eau Claire County Social Work Manager, Nancy Weltzin, on Elder Abuse.

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6/29/25 CVTW: The Growing Problem of Elder Abuse

                                                                  Chippewa Valley This Week

Eau Claire County Social Work Manager, Nancy Weltzin, talks with us about the growing problems of elder abuse during Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Weltzin says elder abuse affects people across all backgrounds, income levels, and care settings--including private homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. In part one of our conversation with Nancy she takes us halfway through a list of 10 facts she says everyone should know about elder abuse.

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6/22/25 CVTW: State Sen.Jesse James(R-Thorp); Bradyn's Law; Eau Freedom Fun Run & Fest

                                                                 Chippewa Valley This Week

State Senator, Jesse James(R-Thorp) weighs in on last week's "No Kings" march in Eau Claire, as well as last Saturday's assassination of a State Rep. and her husband in Minnesota. Finally, Sen. James, along with Fierce Freedom Exec. Dir., Cat Morgan, celebrate the passage of Bradyn's Law(regarding "sextortion") in the Assembly. Morgan and FF's Community Engagement Specialist, Joyce Orth, also look ahead to their Eau Freedom Fun Run & Fest July 16th at Carson Park in Eau Claire.

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6/15/25 CVTW: MN Lawmaker Killed; "No Kings" Protest in EC; Farmer App. Dinner

                                                                Chippewa Valley This Week

We get immediate reaction to the assassination of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband from State Sen., Chris Larson(D-Milw.), State Sen. Jeff Smith(D-EC), State Rep. Christian Phelps(D-EC) and Congressional candidate, Laura Benjamin. All four of them along with the area leader of Chippewa Valley Indivisible, Cindy Greening, discuss the estimated 25-hundred people who turned out with signs to march in the "No Kings" protest. Finally, Angela Kapp, the Programs and Partnership Director at the Chippewa Chamber of Commerce, previews the 55th Annual Farmer Appreciation Dinner June 18th from 4-8pm at the Northern WI State Fairgrounds in CF.

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6/8/25 CVTW: Radio Addresses; June Events; OneFest '25

                                                               Chippewa Valley This Week

From this week's radio addresses we hear from State Sen., Dan Feyen(R-Fond du Lac), who says he believes Republicans will craft a budget by the July 1st deadline despite the recent breakdown in talks, while WI Governor, Tony Evers, used the Democratic address to celebrate June as Pride month, saying he'll fight to protect the rights of all LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites. Other June events we promote include the June 10th "Housing Solutions Forum" at CVTC's Energy Education Center in Eau Claire, the June 18th Chippewa Country Farmer Appreciation Dinner from 4-8pm at the Northern WI State Fairgrounds in CF, and the June 21st WI Makers Market at the EC County Expo Center from 10-4pm. Finally, we conclude by reairing our interview from June 5th with OneFest Founder and Executive Director, Heather Flashinski.

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6/1/25 CVTW: Teamwork Africa Turns 14!; Different Ministry Launches in Willard!

                                                                    Chippewa Valley This Week

Jason Gray

Teamwork Africa Executive Director, Peggy Halvorsen, invites listeners to their Dessert Celebration this Friday night June 6th. The 6pm event at Bethesda Lutheran Brethren church in Eau Claire is in celebration of all that God has done in the ministry's first 14 years and to learn what's on the horizon. Plus, Paul Kaetterhenry, tells us all about the threefold ministry of Different Ministry--Different: Stories of Change and Grace, Build a Stage Productions(concerts, beginning with Jason Gray, June 21st), and Made New Recovery.

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5/25/25 CVTW: Eau Claire Police Dept. Officer, Chaz Walton

                                                                   Chippewa Valley This Week

Detective Chaz Walton(center)

 Detective Chaz Walton has been with the Eau Claire Police Dept. for the last 25 years, but only became a Sensitive Crimes Detective in 2021, primarily working Internet Crimes Against Children. Here, he talks with Fierce Freedom Executive Director, Cat Morgan, and me after he was recognized earlier in May as the state of Wisconsin's Internet Crimes Against Children(ICAC) Investigator of the Year.

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5/18/25 CVTW: First Annual Siri Strong Fundraiser

                                                                  Chippewa Valley This Week

 Martha Basham and Lani Burki help us remember the late Siri Basham, who went home to be with the Lord on 2/29/24 at the age of 16 after a six month battle with osteosarcoma.

 Inspired by her beautiful, courageous life the Siri Strong Foundation, a new 501(c)(3), is seeking to empower young people who want to continue shining God's light in our world. They seek to do this by providing a variety of scholarships and access to programs in her memory.

The organization's first annual fundraiser is coming up June 7th at the Exeland Trout Fest Grounds featuring a Volleyball Tournament, an Uno Tournament, a Chicken dinner, and capped off by a Britt Nicole concert.

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5/11/25 CVTW: Empty Bowls '25; Options Menomonie, Part 2

                                                                 Chippewa Valley This Week

 Caleb Svendsen talks with Padraig Gallagher, the new Executive Director of Feed My People Food Bank in Eau Claire about their biggest annual fundraiser of the year, Empty Bowls, going on this Thursday, May 12th, from 11am-7pm at 2610 Alpine Rd. in Eau Claire. Then, it's part two of Mark Halvorsen's conversation with Ronda Luna, Executive Director of Options for Women Menomonie, discussing, among other things, their outreach to women grieving the loss of a child through miscarriage.

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