Good Day
Eau Claire
Friday, April 17th, 2026
Good morning, Eau Claire. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 17th of April.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Carter Lage, a local receptionist and marketing assistant, published his first children’s book 'Carter’s Haircut' after four years of work. The book, inspired by Marc Brown and his experience with autism, is available at Not Just a Coffee Shop in Eau Claire and online. WEAU
- ➤ Chippewa Valley-based filmmaker Nathan Deming is bringing his film Winter Hymns to Eau Claire theaters (inspired by his own family history), offering a fresh look at regional storytelling. Leader-Telegram
- ➤ Over 1,000 people joined the premiere of 'A Half Century Home' at Pablo Center last night. The locally produced documentary by Eau Claire’s Volume One magazine explores Hmong history and will be available for free soon (accompanied by two feature stories). WEAU
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Thursday night at Florian Gardens, the Eau Claire Area School District held its 11th Annual Golden Apple Award Banquet to honor 21 staff members from local public schools who inspired their students — each received a $500 grant to support classroom impact. WEAU
- ➤ Raj Dakshinamurthy – the final candidate for UW-Eau Claire chancellor – addressed Blugolds at the Davies Center Thursday night and outlined how educators can help students master AI tools while boosting human ingenuity. WEAU
- ➤ Keyana Watkins overcame temporary homelessness during high school and graduated from Eau Claire North this winter after receiving support from dedicated programs. She will study child psychology at Grand Canyon University & aims to help kids facing similar challenges. WQOW
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Sonnentag Center will host Earth Fest, a community event set to boost sustainability + environmental awareness in the area as it becomes a hub for local green initiatives. Leader-Telegram
- ➤ The 2026 turkey season began Wednesday with all seven management zones open, and hunters in Eau Claire must carry a spring turkey license, wild turkey stamp & valid harvest authorization. The season runs through May 26, and recovered turkeys must be registered by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. WQOW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Chippewa County will manage the former Rod & Gun Boat Landing on Lake Wissota—renamed Lake Wissota Reserve Boat Landing—under a new lease with Xcel Energy to maintain public access. The transition will mirror previous operations to keep access steady for all visitors. WEAU
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ On Thursday, Apr. 16, local baseball teams played at Carson Park as Eau Claire Memorial faced Chippewa Falls and McDonell hosted Regis, while prep softball saw Altoona challenge Baldwin-Woodville and McDonell compete against Cadott. Eau Claire North hosted Wisconsin Rapids in girls soccer, and its boys basketball coach stepped down. WEAU
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20th Annual Jeanne Richie Memorial Puddle Jump 5k
8:00 AM — Phoenix Park — Check website for entry fees — Participate in a lively 5k run supporting Longfellow Elementary School's wellness and academic programs.
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Randy & John Lebrun Concert
7-10 p.m. — 2 Roots Art & Wine Gallery — No cover charge — Enjoy classic folk and rock tunes in a cozy gallery setting.
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Lanue - The 715 Series
7:15 p.m. — Pablo Center at the Confluence — $18.96 — Experience heartfelt songwriting and velvety vocals layered over rich synths and percussion.
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Here We Grow Again 2026 Spring/Summer Sale
8 a.m.-1 p.m. — Hobbs Municipal Ice Center — Free admission — Discover the area's largest children's consignment sale with 400+ families offering gently used items and toys.
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Conectando Dreamers 3 with Ross Mintzer
9-11:30 p.m. — The 410 Bar — $5 donation from each ticket — Experience an inspiring evening of electronic music while supporting youth music education.
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Leadership in Peer Support Summit
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire — Check website for details — A day of empowerment, learning, and networking for peer support leaders featuring keynote speaker Johanna Lohman.
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CEDC 2026 Annual Meeting
7-9:30 a.m. — Eau Claire Event District — Free entry — Engage with local leaders and innovators to envision Eau Claire's future.
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