1410 WIZM

La Crosse county still has one of the best unemployment rates in the state. New numbers from the state this week shows La Crosse county with the eighth-best unemployment rate in the state for the month of July. that's a couple spots better than last month. The county unemployment rate is at 6.2% for the month. Best in the state, as always, is Dane county at 5.4%. Worst unemployment is Menominee at over 20%. The county as a whole is better than the city of La Crosse, which posted an 8% unemployment rate for July, which is actually a little better than the month before.  The same report tallied 200 jobs lost in the La Crosse metro area in July.

Under current Wisconsin law, when there is a vacancy in the State Senate or Assembly, the Governor is directed to call a special election to fill the vacancy, yet state law is silent on the amount of time that can elapse between vacancy and election. Today, State Representative Mark Pocan and State Senator-Elect Jennifer Shilling circulated a bill amongst their colleagues that would require the Governor to call a special election within 60 days of the vacancy.

Under the proposed bill, the Governor would be required to order an election within 60 days after the vacancy occurs. Current law, which requires the Governor to select an election date within 62 and 77 days after he orders an election, would remain in place under this bill.

On January 3, 2011, Representatives Huebsch, Gottlieb and Gundersen each resigned their seats after receiving appointments from Governor Walker. Walker called for the special elections to fill these vacancies February 23, 2011 and the elections were held May 3, 2011. Representative Joe Parisi resigned his seat April 14, 2011 and Walker called for a special election May 24, 2011. Parisi’s seat was filled August 9, 2011. A fifth special election will be needed to fill Shilling’s La Crosse, Wisconsin Assembly seat after she was recently elected to the State Senate in a recall election.

A rollover accident in Juneau County has claimed the life of a woman.....her children.....injured.

According to the Juneau County Sheriff's Department, the woman lost control of her SUV on Highway 80 just south of Necedah last night. The woman over-corrected and rolled her vehicle.

The woman's three children had non life threatening injuries. Her name has not yet been released.

Might cost you a bit more to stay at a hotel in Onalaska soon. The city's tourism committee approved a 1 percent hike in the room tax last night.

Tourism Director, Gene Lundy, says changes coming out of Madison forced the committee to look at money raising alternatives. She says monies raised will go towards additional marketing and sales of not only the city but also the new cultural center that is in the works of being built.

The hike still has to pass the mayor and city council. Mayor Mike Giese and several council members were in attendance at last night's meeting. It would bring the Onalaska room tax to 8 percent.