Speak Out on Data Centers

 From Sierra Club

Good news: Legislation proposed to address data center risks

Legislation has been proposed by Senator Habush Sinykin and Representative Angela Stroud that would address some of the major concerns about data centers. This legislation requires data centers to be transparent about their energy and water use, meet strong labor and environmental standards, and use at least 70% renewable energy. It also ensures they pay their fair share and prevents costs from being pushed onto regular customers.

Sent your message here.

Learn more about data centers and those pushing back
Join us on Monday to learn more about the risks data centers pose and what communities are doing in response. Wisconsinites are ramping up their fight against unchecked data center expansion—from DeForest to Port Washington. Learn about the environmental and health impacts of data centers, how to inform your neighbors, and how to get involved.

November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
RSVP to attend the Zoom here.

Want to do even more? Announcing our new Action Nights!
Starting in December, the Wisconsin Chapter will host monthly Action Nights where you can gather with others and take action on some of the most pressing issues. Data center protections will be one of the topics at our first-ever Action Night.

Action Night
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
5:30–6:30 PM
RSVP here for the Zoom link.

###

For more about how data center fever threatens to undo climate action and environmental protection gains, read Future data centers are driving up forecasts for energy demand and U.S. Data Centers Could Consume as Much Water as 10 Million Americans by Decade’s End

BUDGET public hearing tonight

PUBLIC HEARING on 2026 CITY OPERATING BUDGET at 6 p.m.at City Hall.

Will it do any good? Isn't this demockracy where all the decisions are MADE and THEN they have a public hearing?

Still, there's a chance to make some changes.

If you want to speak, show up by 5:45 p.m. to sign in. 

Call for Nominations

Call for Nominations: 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award 

Fast Facts: 

 • For questions, information, and nomination forms, reach out to Anouk Goreta, goretaa@westerntc.edu. 

   • Click here to retrieve a nomination form. 

 • Deadline is Friday, December 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. 

 Criteria: 

 Do you know someone who embodies Dr. King’s legacy? This award was established in 2009 and honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to building community, enhancing diversity, and working for justice in the Greater La Crosse area in the following: 

  • Building inclusive communities and celebrating diversity 

• Advancing justice, equity, and systemic change 

• Championing social justice, peace, and nonviolence 

• Empowering future generations 

• Going above and beyond their professional roles 

• Making a difference locally—and beyond 

Invitation: 

Join us for the MLK Community Celebration featuring Rev, Adam Russell Taylor, president of Sojourners, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, 7 p.m. Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre, La Crosse. 

Rev. Adam Russell Taylor is president of Sojourners, and author of A More Perfect Union: A New Vision for Building the Beloved Community. Sojourners is a Christian organization that promotes justice and a multiracial democracy. Rooted in Jesus’ teachings and the vision of the Beloved Community, Taylor seeks to replace fear and division with a vision that uplifts the vulnerable, promotes the common good, and enables all communities to thrive. www.viterbo.edu/ethics

Saturday events

Coulee DSA is holding its monthly coffee social at Oh Oh Coffee  332 Front Street on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Learn more about Coulee DSA here https://coulee.dsawi.org

Also on Saturday from noon to 2:30 at or around Burns Park, there will be a picnic with free food, bring some if you can, and a collection of non-perishable food items.

And from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Fokus Photo, Studio 307, 123 4th St. S., is offering A FREE studio portrait of anyone who brings a shelf-stable food or money donation to support our unsheltered neighbors through WINN (What I Need Now).

SHOW UP FOR BIKE LANES!!

SHOW UP FOR BIKE LANES!  

THURSDAY, NOV. 13, CITY HALL AT 6 P.M.!

If at all possible, please show up to support the 3rd and 4th Street bike lanes NOVEMBER 13 at City Hall at 6 p.m. There is no public input allowed at this meeting (if you haven't yet emailed and/or called your council rep about this, please do it Thursday before 6!!)

Signs are not allowed at council meetings, so PLEASE WEAR YOUR BIKE HELMET whether you bike there or not. Some council members are apparently waffling. We need all the advocacy we can get!

WisDOT will be reconstructing 3rd and 4th Streets, both state highways, and have given the city two options. One would remove one lane of car parking to give enough space for a parking protected bike lane on each street. The other option would keep all car  parking, narrowing the parking lanes a bit in order to widen the sidewalks with zero bike infrastructure. 

 

The La Crosse City Council will vote on which option to recommend. They should recommend Alternative 1. 

The La Crosse Climate Action Plan calls for increasing and improving safe-for-all-ages-and-abilities bike infrastructure in order to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from Vehicle Miles Traveled. This is an opportunity to invite more people to bike to shopping, events, and social engagements, paid for by WisDOT. 

Thirteen years' worth of studies have proven that ONLY protected bike lanes (not paint, not sharrows) provide actual safety for bike riders AND for all other road users. 

Studies also show that better bike infrastructure increases business at bike lane-adjacent businesses. It slows traffic and makes it easier for those walking and biking by to stop and check out stores and restaurants on the route. In fact, when a Toronto politician tried to remove a bike lane from a shopping street, the business owners fought back.

There are some concerns from those with disabilities, but there are models and examples of best practices to take special needs of those with mobility and vision impairments into consideration. 

Please contact your council member and come to the City Council meeting Thursday night at 6 p.m. at City Hall! Wear your helmet!!