Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Brad Williams
Combining Strength, Core, and Cardio Zones: A Balanced Workout
Your workouts should give you more than just a good sweat—they should leave you leaner, stronger, and constantly progressing, without frustrating plateaus. Multi-zone training, which combines strength, core, and cardio in 2025, is taking over women’s fitness with quicker results. A 2025 study at Ace Fitness reveals that women using multi-zone workouts achieve increased strength and fat loss. The holistic approach leaves you feeling energized and on the go.
Navigating Relationships Between Small Business and Policy
In a recent panel discussion moderated by the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Vice President of Political Affairs, Brad Williams, leaders from local government and business organizations shared their insights on how small businesses can engage with government and public policy to make an impact. As small business owners face the unending tasks and responsibilities of owning and operating a business, leveraging and maximizing advocacy efforts is key.
Running for Office? The 5 Things You Need to Know From the Detroit Regional Chamber's Latest Poll
November’s election already feels like a lifetime ago, as political attention in Michigan has shifted quickly to the next major election cycle. And what an election that will be. There’s an open U.S. Senate seat, and races for Governor and Detroit Mayor, Attorney General and Secretary of State … without an incumbent running. Not to mention that Michiganders will be asked if they want to hold a new constitutional convention to rewrite Michigan’s longest-serving governing document.
Brad Williams on Renaissance Center Update Panel During 2025 Detroit Policy Conference
Yesterday at the 2025 Detroit Policy Conference, I moderated a discussion with Jared Fleisher, Rock Family of Companies’ Vice President of Government Affairs, and David Massaron, GM’s Vice President of Infrastructure, on the Renaissance Center and the future of this pinnacle building in Detroit. The conversation was focused on the process of rehabilitating this cultural icon, utilizing existing incentive programs tied to the success of the project, known as a brownfield tax credit.
Detroit’s First Word: Renaissance Center Redevelopment
To kick off the 2025 Detroit Policy Conference, Fleisher and Massaron discussed the upcoming redevelopment of the Renaissance Center, demonstrating the continued revitalization and collective commitment to downtown Detroit, with Williams moderating the conversation. The Significance the Renaissance Center Holds for Future Detroiters The panel discussion started by explaining why the Renaissance Center is considered a cultural icon for the city of Detroit.
Exploring New Orleans' Music Scene -
New Orleans, often hailed as the birthplace of jazz, is a city where music flows as freely as the Mississippi River. This city boasts a rich and diverse musical heritage that besets various genres, from jazz and blues to brass bands and beyond. Each genre tells a story of the city’s cultural evolution, and New Orleans’ famous venues and events serve as the stages where these stories come to life.
Packers Hall of Famer Antonio Freeman in La Crosse as Scouts keynote speaker
Friendship and teamwork are valuable in everyday life, and in areas like sports and Scouting. Packers Hall of Fame wide receiver Antonio Freeman spoke about friendship in La Crosse last Thursday, as the keynote speaker at the annual Golden Eagle Gala for area Scouts. The 51-year-old, who had over 100 yards in both Super Bowl appearances for the Packers, promotes hard work and team effort among young people. He encourages them to achieve good things.
India Curry restaurant torn down after Thursday fire
There’s not much left of a popular La Crosse restaurant, just hours after it was gutted by a kitchen fire. The La Crosse fire department was called to the India Curry House on 4th Street just after 4 a.m. on Thursday, when smoke was seen coming from the building. A fire starting in the basement spread quickly to the two upper floors, and the front wall collapsed onto the sidewalk as the roof caved in.
Public workers memorial ceremony returns to La Crosse’s Green Island after pandemic downsizing
After two years of holding on-line ceremonies during the pandemic, La Crosse area labor leaders invited the public to an in-person Workers Memorial Day ceremony on Thursday. The event held every year in late April honors people who died in the line of work. City firefighters often attend, but they were excused because so many had been busy fighting a downtown fire throughout the day.
La Crosse residents quiz school superintendent about building reduction plans
A nearly $200 million building plan for the La Crosse school system is getting mixed reactions from district residents. About 40 people attended an input session at Lincoln Middle School Wednesday night, to hear about consolidation plans which could go to referendum this fall. Superintendent Aaron Engel says a new high school, combining Central and Logan, might be ready in time for the class of 2027 to graduate.
La Crosse Center adopts plan to hire consultant to study private management of building
The idea of bringing in private management to operate the La Crosse Center takes another step forward. The center’s board of directors has voted to enlist a Minneapolis consulting firm, Conventions Sports and Leisure, to look into the plan, similar to how civic centers in Rochester, Rockford, and Sioux City are run. La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds has proposed the private management option, and points out that it’s still just an idea.
Head of EPA joins governor, La Crosse mayor to promote electric buses
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency says Wisconsin is “ahead of the curve” in trying to get away from fossil fuels. EPA Administrator Michael Regan toured downtown La Crosse on an electric MTU bus Wednesday, along with Governor Tony Evers, Mayor Mitch Reynolds, and other government officials. Regan told an audience at the MTU bus barn that clean mass transit is part of a zero-emission plan that Washington is working on.
Houska Park ready for homeless again for spring and summer
Winter housing for homeless people in La Crosse will run out at a north-side motel at the end of April. After that, for the next six months, Houska Park will again be open to the homeless as a “safe space.” City and county officials have been working with the Coulee Collaborative to End Homelessness to provide support at Houska through the last week of October. More information about the summer camping at Houska Park will be discussed at a City Hall event on Wednesday.
Traffic calming and landscaping in plans for west end of King Street in La Crosse
More street changes are in the works for downtown La Crosse. The board of public works has reviewed design plans for what’s being called the King Street Greenway. The city planning office says the work planned west of 7th Street toward the river would be similar to improvements made on the east end of King., a “traffic calming” measure. La Crosse’s fire department has worries about planned speed bumps, which could severely slow down fire trucks in an emergency.
River stage in La Crosse rises to its highest level in 2 years
A dry spell appears to be ending in the La Crosse area. The National Weather Service says the Mississippi River at La Crosse rose above 9 feet on Saturday, for the first time in almost 2 years. That’s a period of 683 days of low water, since June 3rd of 2020, making it one of the 10 longest stretches on record in La Crosse. The all-time record of 1241 days below the 9-foot mark was set between October of 1986 and March of 1990, and this was the longest stretch since then.
Big rocks replace grass in front of La Crosse’s courthouse
One less lawn to mow in downtown La Crosse. This week, contractors removed the grass from the boulevard south of the La Crosse County courthouse, and installed large boulders as part of a landscaping project. FILE – La Crosse County jail. Ginkgo trees already in the boulevard will remain there, and other plants will be placed on the block. The project is similar to decorations outside the health and human services building on the other side of 4th Street.
Mayo breaks ground for new La Crosse hospital
Ground has been broken in La Crosse for a new Mayo hospital, said to be the biggest construction project in the history of the Mayo system. The centerpiece of the $200 million project will be a six-floor hospital to open in 2024, on what is now a parking lot along West Avenue. FILE: A rendering of the Mayo Clinic Health System expansion project for West Avenue in La Crosse.
Ground broken for new La Crosse fire station next to UWL
A busy La Crosse fire department has started building its first new fire house since the late 60’s. Digging at the site near Coate Hall at UWL was paused for a short time Monday, for the honorary groundbreaking. City council member Doug Happel led a task force years ago, which made plans for two new stations in the next couple of years.
Twenty-year prison term ordered for 74-year-old sex offender in La Crosse County
A convicted sex offender in La Crosse County has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. He turns 75 this month. Daniel Puckhaber of Rockland was sentenced by Judge Scott Horne this week, for repeated sexual assaults against the same girl, starting when she was 6 years old. Puckhaber was a friend of the girl’s mother. He was charged with the crimes in 2018, about three years after the assaults ended. A jury convicted him last December.
Alley vacation near Mayo could be delayed by La Crosse city council
Mayo is getting ready to break ground for its new hospital building in La Crosse, but a city council committee still has questions about removing an alley to make way for the project. The finance committee has approved a 30-day delay on the vacation of an alley near the current hospital. Mayor Mitch Reynolds says a delay isn’t going to help the hospital project. “What we’re doing is we’re limiting their ability to move forward on this incredible project for the city of La Crosse,” says Reynolds.
Copper Rocks project to replace La Crosse K-Mart up for discussion in April
La Crosse city committees will start working this week on new plans for the old K-Mart on State Road.
La Crosse man arrested after attack on trail could be tried for kidnapping, but not attempted sexual assault
A trial on a kidnapping charge may be scheduled in the case of a man accused of trying to drag a woman away from a La Crosse city trail in late March. Judge Ramona Gonzalez finds probable cause to to support the kidnapping count against Joseph Grzegorek. But the judge did not find cause to back a charge of attempted sexual assault, following the victim’s claim that Grzegorek grabbed her and she thought he might harm her. Grzegorek reportedly fled the scene when the woman called for help.
Sister Thea Bowman Center dedicated on Viterbo campus
Buildings in Philadelphia, Detroit, and other American cities have been named in honor of former Viterbo University educator Sister Thea Bowman. And now, the Viterbo campus in La Crosse where Bowman studied and later taught has its own Thea Bowman Center, dedicated Wednesday on the anniversary of her death from cancer in 1990. An official dedication ceremony was held at a chapel on campus, next to the Bowman Center.
West Coast Story (What’s Buried on Brad’s Desk, Oscar Version)
After a year of a downscaled, “different” ceremony during COVID-19, the Oscars are ready to go back to their usual big award show in a theater for 2022. In a year where one of the contenders is a remake of “West Side Story,” I wonder…is America ready for the old-fashioned Oscars?
Minnesota’s state flag could get a study and a makeover
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers are resurrecting an effort to redesign the state’s flag and seal, which proponents say are indistinct compared with other U.S. states and feature imagery that is offensive to Native Americans. The legislation, a joint effort by Democratic Reps.
Five Guys restaurant in plans for new shopping area near Valley View
Ready for another burger place near Valley View Mall? The developers preparing to build a Chick-Fil-A restaurant near Highway 16 in Onalaska later this year have posted plans to open a Five Guys outlet in the same shopping center. Reports of the La Crosse area getting a Five Guys franchise have circulated as far back as 2019. Five Guys now has 18 locations in Wisconsin, including Eau Claire and Baraboo, and there’s also a location in Rochester.
Activist Brockovich urges La Crosse residents to get busy to fight pollution
For over a year, families on French Island have been using bottled water in place of their well water that’s polluted with PFAS chemicals. How much longer will that last? Activist Erin Brockovich says solving the local pollution problem could take years, but citizens can get involved and push for results from industry and government. Brockovich became famous in the 1990’s when she helped uncover water pollution in a small California town, and Julia Roberts starred in a 2000 movie about her.
Center dedicated to Sister Thea Bowman to open at Viterbo
One of the best-known names associated with Viterbo University will soon be placed on a new campus center. The Sister Thea Bowman Center will be dedicated next week, with several days of events in honor of the occasion. Bowman was the first black nun in the Franciscan Sisters of La Crosse. Sister Laura Nettles of the Viterbo staff says Bowman was a role model well before her death from cancer in 1990, at the age of 52.
Votes on where to put a history museum still accepted at a La Crosse meeting on Wednesday
Where would you like a local history museum to go in La Crosse? Close to the riverfront, or maybe in a vacant Shopko store? You can cast votes Wednesday on more than a dozen proposed museum sites, at a “spark session” in the Black River Beach neighborhood center, from 9 to 5:30. A similar session was held on Tuesday, and Greg Clark from the La Crosse County Historical Society says the list of favored sites could be narrowed down to a handful after Wednesday’s open house.
Street restrictions for Mayo, Wettstein’s projects approved by La Crosse public works board
The street and sidewalks between the Mayo hospital and Walgreen’s on West Avenue in La Crosse will be partly closed at times over the next couple of years, while Mayo constructs a new building. The medical center is preparing to build a 70-bed hospital near the northwest corner of West Avenue and Mississippi, expected to open in 2024. On Monday, the La Crosse board of public works approved the temporary closure of Mississippi Street.
Mayo plans to partly close street in La Crosse when building new hospital
Mayo is moving right ahead with its plans for a new, smaller hospital in La Crosse. The city board of public works meets Monday, and will consider a request to close part of Mississippi Street, to the west of West Avenue, to help development of what’s being called the Mayo Bed Tower. The proposal calls for partial street and sidewalk closure beginning April 11th. Construction of the project could last until August of 2024.
La Crosse city leaders no longer interested in buying Maple Grove Motel for homeless program
La Crosse city leaders apparently have changed their minds about buying a south-side motel, to provide bridge housing for homeless residents. Special meetings of the finance committee and the common council have been scheduled for Monday, March 14th, to reconsider a plan to purchase the Maple Grove Motel on Mormon Coulee Road. The council approved the purchase at a February meeting, with plans to assume ownership of the motel at the end of March.
La Crosse council approves $25,000 more in bottled water for families with PFAS in wells
The latest vote to supply bottled water to French Island families sort of flew under the radar at Thursday’s meeting of the La Crosse city council. A plan to spend $25,000 of city contingency funds on more drinking water for families with tainted wells was approved with no debate. It was part of the consent agenda of items easily approved as a group at the end of the council meeting.
La Crosse committee approves year’s funding for more bottled water to Campbell
While the city of La Crosse and the state continue to ponder the PFAS problem on French Island, more money needs to spent on drinking water for island families. The city council finance committee has okayed $25,000 for the city share of purchasing bottled water from Culligan this year. Mayor Mitch Reynolds says the city has to pay some of the cost, because the airport reportedly caused the water pollution by using firefighting foam with PFAS.
La Crosse committee to vote on more bottled water for Town of Campbell
Many families on French Island have been getting bottled water in the past year, courtesy of La Crosse City Hall, because their private wells are contaminated. On Thursday night, a city committee may vote to keep supplying bottled water, as the investigation of PFAS pollution continues. The finance committee is being asked to spend up to $25,000 from the city’s contingency account, beyond the $15,000 sum already spent for drinking water for the Town of Campbell.
Pandemic actually helped Mayo plan for smaller hospitals, including new one in La Crosse
During two years of a COVID pandemic, hospitals around the U-S have reported occasional shortages of beds and personnel. Now, a new hospital is being planned in La Crosse, by Mayo, and it would be smaller than the current hospital on West Avenue. If that seems like a contradiction, Mayo regional vice president Dr. Paul Mueller says COVID has helped doctors who were already finding ways to be more efficient.
No 29th this February, but Leap Day has had memorable music
It may be an Olympic year, but it’s not a leap year. February 29th in history has been memorable on occasion. On that day in 1940, “Gone With the Wind” won the Oscar for best picture…and a big band hit was number 1 on the charts: On February 29th, 1940, ”In the Mood” by Glenn Miller was #1. In 1944, the top song was a Latin number, “Besame Mucho,” once covered by the Beatles. “The Great Pretender” by the Platters was a chart-topper in February of 1956.
Private management for the La Crosse Center will get some study
The idea of bringing in private management to run the La Crosse Center is something the center’s current managers want a voice in deciding. The center board is discussing the idea proposed recently by Mayor Mitch Reynolds, to have the newly expanded building run by a private firm, similar to how the Forest Hills golf course is managed. The mayor was not available to explain the plan at the board’s meeting on Monday, but board chair Brent Smith says the idea is still in the talking stage.
Mayo gets approval for new La Crosse hospital on West Avenue
A new hospital will be built in La Crosse soon, to replace an old existing hospital. Mayo Clinic has announced it will build a six-story hospital on its property along West Avenue, which will be connected to the current cancer center. Dr. Prathibha Varkey, the president of Mayo Health System, says new construction planned in La Crosse and Mankato will allow the system to enhance its medical services.
La Crosse motel could be purchased for temporary housing for homeless
FILE - A tent with a tarp sits behind the Houska Park sign in La Crosse in late October of 2021. (PHOTO: Rick Solem) One of the old south-side motels in La Crosse could be converted to temporary housing for the unsheltered. The city council has a special session Tuesday night to vote on the proposed purchase of the Maple Grove Motel on Mormon Coulee Road.
Olson senior center lease could be terminated in May
A long-time community center for seniors in La Crosse may lose its lease in 3 months, unless it can negotiate a new lease with city leaders. The Harry J. Olson Center’s lease will be terminated in May, on the advice of city attorney Stephen Matty.
Congressman Jim Hagedorn dies at 59 after fighting cancer for 3 years
U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, a conservative Republican from southern Minnesota who followed his father’s footsteps into Congress, has died after a battle with kidney cancer. He was 59. Jennifer Carnahan said in a Facebook post Friday that Hagedorn “passed away peacefully last night.” Hagedorn was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer in February 2019, shortly after he began his first term, and just a couple months after he married Carnahan, then state chairwoman for the Minnesota Republican Party.
Hello, Venus: How to Take Your Horoscope to a Whole New Level
When I first learned I was getting a reading by an astrologer to prep for this article, I was … hesitant? Resistant? I have never believed that signs explain or defend someone’s behavior, and when I hear things like, “Oh, he’s just being a Scorpio!,” I fully cringe. But after talking with and learning from Brad Williams, I realized my perception of astrology is skewed. And yours might be, too.
Funding for new marsh study on city council agenda
The state DNR isn’t satisfied with La Crosse’s current efforts to take lead deposits out of the marsh at Myrick Park, so it’s calling on the city to do another study of the problem. On Thursday, the La Crosse city council could vote on spending $200,000 for new research into the problem…although some council members have questioned the need for performing another study. The most recent study of the marsh was about a decade ago.
Sheriff’s auction for Valley View Mall scheduled March 8th
Valley View Mall could have a new owner a month from now. A sheriff’s auction of the mall along Highway 16 is scheduled for March 8th at 10 a.m., inside the main lobby of the La Crosse County courthouse. A judge ordered a foreclosure sale of the mall two years ago, after Valley View’s long-time owners, the PREIT company, announced the building would be put up for sale. The auction reportedly would not include the anchor store spaces.
City arts board gets status report on condition of popular artworks in La Crosse
About once a year, the city of La Crosse gets a report on what works of public art need repair. The latest maintenance report has been presented to the city arts board. A three-man inspection crew, including well-known local artist Mike Martino, says most of the artworks or statues owned by the city are in good shape.
WAFER wants to expand old grocery store for its new location
The century-old grocery store which used to be Gordy’s Market in north La Crosse could be restored to some of its historic look. Remodeling plans for the old store at George and Gillette have been presented to the city’s commercial design committee. Gordy’s closed in early 2020, and late last year, the WAFER food pantry announced plans to move into the building. WAFER would like to expand the store northward, into the existing parking lot.
New MRI suite added to Mayo Clinic location in Onalaska
An $8 million dollar addition to the Mayo Clinic in Onalaska is about to open. The imaging suite will have two of the newest MRI machines available for internal scanning of a patient’s body. Local Mayo vice president Dr. Paul Mueller says the clinic addition replaces a mobile truck that had been used for years. “MRI capabilities provides the state-of-the-art cutting edge imaging that our patients need and deserve,” says Mueller.
Girls’ wrestling tourney among many events set for La Crosse Center in ’22
The La Crosse Center is getting ready for another big sporting event this coming weekend. The arena will host the first ever WIAA state girls wrestling tournament on Saturday. Operations manager Kris Salzwedel is excited about the tournament coming in. “They’re startin’ it here in La Crosse, so we’re anxious to see how that’s gonna go,” says Salzwede Now that the La Crosse Center is fully reopened after remodeling and COVID, the building’s convention calendar is starting to fill up again.
Riverside ramp ready for close-ups…on security cameras
One of La Crosse’s downtown parking ramps should have security cameras in place soon. The Riverside ramp, south of the La Crosse Center and next to the Pump House, is expected to have cameras installed within the next month. Parking utility director Greg Elsen tells the city board of public works that cameras have now arrived, following supply and delivery problems. Increasing ramp security was on a wish list of 10 items for improving parking in downtown La Crosse for 2021.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Brad
Contact Brad, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack