News

News Release: 10/6/2026

Karly Anderson, a scientist and trainer with the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Humane Handling Institute (HHI), is leading a new $300,000 research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The project is also supported by a faculty research fellowship through Wisconsin's Dairy Innovation Hub (DIH). Working with co-investigator Kurt Vogel, director of HHI, Anderson will study the effectiveness of captive-bolt devices

USDA food safety leader Mindy Brashears to speak at UW-River Falls

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears will discuss food safety issues during a public presentation at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Brashears will speak from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Kinnickinnic River Theater in the University Center, 501 Wild Rose Ave. The event is free and open to the public.  Brashears’ research has focused on advancing food safety in meat and poultry production with a focus on public health, including

UW-River Falls professor discovers new orchid species in Palau

A University of Wisconsin-River Falls faculty member has discovered a previously unknown species of orchid found only on an island in the western Pacific. Assistant Professor of Biology Benjamin Crain is the lead author of research published in August in the journal, Harvard Papers in Botany, describing the species Agrostophyllum lkou. Crain found the rare orchid on Babeldaob Island in the Republic of Palau, located in the Caroline Islands north of New Guinea.  The discovery came through years of

Assistance dogs arrive at UW-River Falls for semester of student training, campus life

Ten assistance dogs in training arrived at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Monday, beginning a semester where they will live in residence halls, attend classes and experience college life alongside UWRF students. The yellow Labrador retrievers, ranging in age from 15 to 24 months, are part of the Falcon FETCH (Fostering Education Through Campus Hosting) program, a partnership between UWRF and Can Do Canines that gives students hands-on experience helping raise and train future assistance dogs.

UW-River Falls to celebrate Homecoming Oct. 5-11

The public is invited to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to celebrate Homecoming festivities featuring a wide range of activities throughout the week of Oct. 5-11. Events will bring together students, families, alumni and the River Falls community.  “Homecoming is about reconnecting with the people, places and experiences that shape the Falcon community,” said Alumni Relations Officer Pedro Renta. “We look forward to welcoming alumni, students, families and friends back to campus for a week

UWRF honored by U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has once again been recognized by multiple publications as one of the top public regional universities in the Midwest, a sign of the university’s ongoing commitment to providing students a high-quality education. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review have each selected UWRF for its excellence in educating students. The rankings also reflect college affordability and students being prepared for successful careers. The U.S. News & World Report’s 2027

UWRF students get a taste of Italy during study abroad opportunity

Over winter break in January, 19 students joined the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Agriculture and Food Experience on a tasting tour of Italy, visiting Milan, Reggio Emilia, Bologna, Florence and Rome. The students participated in food tours, cooking classes, cultural experiences and more.  Anthony Fuchs, a food science major from Monroe, was a junior when he took the two-week trip. He said each stop on the trip had its own points of interest, starting with the visit to the small town of Reggio

Falcon Futures: UW-River Falls stage and screen arts major gains professional experience through prestigious summer theater apprenticeship

Ryan Bartley of New Berlin, a University of Wisconsin-River Falls stage and screen arts major, needed to find an internship experience for the summer before his senior year. The prestigious apprenticeship he landed on the East Coast gave him a taste of life as a working actor and memories to last a lifetime.  Bartley spent five weeks as a member of the training company of Vassar College’s Powerhouse Theater in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The theater is known for hosting workshops for Broadway-bound musicals in

UW-River Falls faculty awarded national grant to strengthen mathematics teaching

A new University of Wisconsin-River Falls professional development program is helping middle school mathematics teachers build deeper content knowledge, strengthen classroom instruction and expand opportunities for students to engage in real-world problem solving.  UWRF mathematics faculty, Professor Erick Hofacker and Assistant Professor Brooke Krejci, have received a grant for $11,993 from the Mathematical Association of America and the John and Mary Neff Foundation for the project, titled

Sustainability Office invites community to participate in Watershed Week Sept. 21-25

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Sustainability Office invites the community to participate in a variety of activities and events during Watershed Week, Sept. 21-25.  Watershed Week is a chance to celebrate the local watershed with presentations, volunteer activities, demonstrations and field experiences that explore water quality, habitat restoration, native plants and other watershed topics. Events are scheduled on and off the UWRF campus and are free and open to the public. Watershed Week

Chalmer Davee Library to host reading of U.S. Constitution Sept. 23

Ptacek's Family Market owner Pat Ptacek to speak at UW-River Falls Sept. 22

The University Business Collaboration Center (UBCC) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls will host the first guest speaker in the 2026-2027 Innovators Speaker Series Tuesday, Sept. 22. Pat Ptacek, owner of Ptacek’s Family Market, will speak at 6 p.m. in room 194 of the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech), 262 E. Cascade Ave.  Introducing a successful, century-old brand to a new community can be challenging. For Ptacek, it was about more than just filling shelves with groceries, it

Creative Advertising Products

Hi! I’m reaching out with a great local advertising opportunity at West Wind Supper Club in River Falls, WI. West Wind is putting together two new 30" × 40" LED advertising boards, and we’re currently selecting local businesses to be featured for the upcoming 24-month advertising term. Each advertising space will be approximately 7.41" × 7.5", giving your business a large, highly visible spot on the new LED display.What’s Included Your advertising package includes: 24 months of advertising inside West

River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau Celebrates Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Month

RIVER FALLS, WI. — Following an official statewide proclamation by Governor Tony Evers recognizing September as Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Month, the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau is proud to join communities across the state in highlighting the immense value of local enterprise. Wisconsin remains one of the few states nationally to formally set aside a month honoring chambers of commerce and their impact.Throughout September, the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau is

UWRF study shows university has $295 million annual impact on region’s economy

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2026 Economic Impact Study shows that, by a conservative estimate, UWRF generates approximately $295 million in annual economic output for Pierce and St. Croix counties, accounting for 19% of the region’s gross domestic product.  “The surrounding community and its members contribute immeasurably to the success of UW-River Falls and our students,” said Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth. “We are proud to be able to demonstrate—even conservatively—how much UWRF

Chamber Insights: Support Your Team With Confidence in Today’s Workplace

At the risk of starting the year off with doom and gloom, this is a topic that’s becoming increasingly important. Whether it’s personal uncertainties leaking into the workplace or your employees have concerns about the business or their place in it, many of them are feeling like they’re operating on unstable ground. This topic, while uncomfortable, is not something to be ignored or swept under the business welcome mat.Yet for business owners, this can feel like one more thing on an exhaustive to-do list.

Chamber Insights: How to Stop Being the Best-Kept Secret in Town

If you ask a small business owner where most of their opportunities come from, you’ll usually hear some version of the same answer: referrals, word of mouth, “someone who knew someone.”Behind nearly every thriving local business is an invisible network of relationships quietly moving opportunities from one person to another. No big announcements. No flashy campaigns. Just a steady flow of trust being passed along behind the scenes.This is how local economies work.Not just through marketing. Not just through