1410 WIZM

Absentee Ballots for the Recall Election on August 9th are now available for City of La Crosse residents. La Crosse City residents may vote in the City Clerk's office weekdays, from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

To receive a ballot by mail, a written request MUST be received in the Clerk's office by 5:00 P.M., Thursday, August 4th. You should include the election date, printed name, address where registered, address to mail the ballot, phone number, and signature. If more than one person at the same address wants a ballot, both must sign.

The last day to vote an absentee ballot in the Clerk's office is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5th.

Wisconsin could be in all sorts of financial trouble eventually should politicians in Washington not reach a budget deal this week. A memo written to governor Walker from secretary of Administration, Mike Huebsch details a long list of programs that could take a hit if the feds hit default on the nation's debt. Just a few; medical assistance, heating assistance, federal school funding, and natural resources. All face hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts if the federal government runs short on cash and has to prioritize spending. Huebsch says the state's current cash situation allows it to operate as normal without fed money for about three months.

Three area Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse clubs will come together today in an effort to educate the public on the dangers of tobacco use. This F.A.C.T. (Fighting Against Corporate Tobacco) activity will take place at the Terry Erickson Club where West Salem, Amie L.Mathy and Erickson Club teens will come together and use sidewalk chalk to write messages and facts around the Club that are aimed at discouraging and preventing tobacco use.

The F.A.C.T. program educates teenagers about the risks of tobacco use and how corporate tobacco is targeting youth in their ads. It then asks the teens do projects to inform the public about the risks associated with tobacco use. There will be an estimated 30 kids in attendance at this activity. A

La Crosse County recently implemented and and funded the F.A.C.T program.

There might be room for optimism in the local housing market.

From State Bank Financial in La Crosse, senior v-p Wayne Oliver is encouraged by things he sees like the number of businesses that are hiring.   Something that always has to happen, he says, before the housing market picks up.   Oliver says mortgage applications are growing as hiring picks up in the area.

Biggest movement appears to be in existing homes in the 130 to 170 thousand dollar price range.

Although home sales and prices across the state for June were both down considerably from last year, the consensus is those numbers have been skewed by last year's home buyer tax credits.