A debate that began quietly on Monday morning quickly became a defining civic moment for the City of La Crosse. Word spread that the City Council’s Judiciary & Administration Committee was preparing to consider a resolution that would eliminate the long-standing practice of opening council meetings with a brief prayer.

By Tuesday evening, residents responded. Members of the community filled the committee chambers to voice their views, many expressing concern that removing the invocation would sever an important tradition that encourages reflection, humility, and respectful deliberation in local government. A previous special-report episode captured much of that public testimony, including remarks from Alder Mackenzie Mindel, who explained her rationale for introducing the resolution. You can listen to Chris Muller's special report on this HERE

Despite the overwhelming sentiment expressed during public comment, the Judiciary & Administration Committee voted 5–1, with one abstention, to advance the resolution to the full council. That decision further energized residents, who organized peacefully, formed prayer chains, and sent a wave of emails urging council members to reconsider before the final vote. My sources tell me it was 80% for prayer and 20% against prayer.

Those appeals ultimately went unanswered. The La Crosse City Council voted to remove the opening prayer while continuing a moment of reflection acknowledging the Ho-Chunk Nation. For many residents, this raised questions about consistency and equal treatment when it comes to expressions of reflection at public meetings.

Supporters of the prayer argue that moments of silence or invocation should be applied fairly and that longstanding traditions should not be discarded without broad public support. More importantly, this episode has become a clear reminder of why local elections matter.

For voters in the City of La Crosse, the message is simple: civic engagement cannot end at public comment. Lasting change requires citizens to support, recruit, and elect leaders who reflect the values of the community. When voters stay home, decisions are made for them. When they engage, they shape the future of their city.