Laura McKenna
The CFW Workday with Laura McKenna
Laura McKenna grew up in Ohio and got her first job in radio in La Crosse in 2005. She packed up her stuff, made the move, and has been in Wisconsin ever since! Her favorite season is winter but she loves to spend all summer in her vegetable garden. When she isn't in her pink kitchen cooking up vegetarian recipes, more than likely she's taking bubble baths, reading mystery novels (sometimes while in a bubble bath), cheering for THEE Ohio State Buckeyes, or officiating weddings! She married her best friend from college last year but they still don't live in the same house yet. Laura's favorite way to spend a Friday night is watching Dateline with her cat (Phil Dawson) on her lap. She's thrilled to be back keeping you company during the workday on 105-7 CFW!
Laura McKenna grew up in Ohio and got her first job in radio in La Crosse in 2005. She packed up her stuff, made the move, and has been in Wisconsin ever since! Her favorite season is winter but she loves to spend all summer in her vegetable garden. When she isn't in her pink kitchen cooking up vegetarian recipes, more than likely she's taking bubble baths, reading mystery novels (sometimes while in a bubble bath), cheering for THEE Ohio State Buckeyes, or officiating weddings! She married her best friend from college last year but they still don't live in the same house yet. Laura's favorite way to spend a Friday night is watching Dateline with her cat (Phil Dawson) on her lap. She's thrilled to be back keeping you company during the workday on 105-7 CFW!
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11.12.2025
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: Pumpkin Cookies
Thank you so much for using the Civic Media app to send messages to me- especially messages like this: I knew you’d all love my new favorite soup. If you missed that recipe, CLICK HERE for Laura McKenna’s Black Bean Pumpkin Soup. My soup calls for a bit of canned pumpkin and I put the […]
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11.12.25
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: Pumpkin Cookies
Thank you so much for using the Civic Media app to send messages to me- especially messages like this: I knew you’d all love my new favorite soup. If you missed that recipe, CLICK HERE for Laura McKenna’s Black Bean Pumpkin Soup. My soup calls for a bit of canned pumpkin and I put the […]
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11.10.25
Movie Monday: We’ve found the King & Queen of Music & Movies
Michael– the Michael Jackson biopic- is set to release in April of 2026. Yet the movie about the King of Pop is already breaking records. The teaser trailer for Michael has racked up over 116 million views globally in its first 24 hours. That makes it the largest 24-hour launch ever for a teaser trailer […]
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11.06.25
Pro Travel Tip
I was watching the news last night and they were talking about the number of flights being cancelled already and how much that number was set to grow throughout the weekend with the government shutdown. They had a travel expert talking about travel tips for airline passengers. There was one in particular that made so […]
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11.03.25
Movie Monday: Out with the SPOOKY and in with the CHEESY
While Hallmark’s Countdown To Christmas officially began in mid-October with new holiday movies and series, I have to wait until after we take the Halloween decor down before I can jump aboard. I’m a one holiday at a time gal, what can I say? But now that Halloween is over, spooky movie season is out […]
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10.31.25
Ghost Stories from Laura McKenna
My family has had quite a number of experiences on Organ Grinder Road over the years…. Read my story HERE. And how it all began with my Dad HERE. My Dad will be turning 80 tomorrow and I just asked him again, “Would you take another walk down Organ Grinder?” He simply said: “Are you […]
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10.28.25
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: The Best Black Bean Pumpkin Soup
This soup is wonderful!! So good, in fact, that I will need to make it again very soon because I’ve already almost scarfed down the entire pot. As I was flipping through the recent Eating Well Soups magazine (which is AMAZING), I came across this recipe. Pumpkin in soup? Hmm, I don’t know about that. […]
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10.27.25
Movie Monday: Some great scary movies and a big disappointment
I must have been missing something because it seems that everyone was loving the movie Sinners. It made around $279 million in the United States and Canada and a worldwide total of approximately $367 million. It’s even returning to some IMAX theaters for Halloween. I popped some popcorn on Saturday night and settled in prepared […]
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10.23.25
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: Use This To Keep Your Jack-O’-Lantern Fresh
Keep your Jack-O’-Lantern from getting too gummy too soon with lemon juice! It also works to keep the bugs from feasting on your artwork. Use a generous amount of lemon juice and brush it inside the carved pumpkin. The lemon juice slows the oxidation process (which causes the pumpkin to rot and get nasty). Bugs […]
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10.20.25
Movie Monday Review: Heretic
I now love sinister Hugh Grant more than I love the “Aww, Shucks Rom-Com” Hugh Grant (although he’s believable in those roles, too- Love, Actually (2003), Notting Hill (1999), etc.) Without giving anything anyway, let me say this: If you love scary/thriller/cat & mouse style movies, watch Heretic (2024). I loved it. That’s all I’m […]
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10.14.25
Recall Alert: Frozen Spinach
The only person who loves spinach more than I do is probably Popeye. But check your freezer because I think we’re all in agreement that NO ONE wants spinach with listeria lurking inside. Sno Pac Foods has recalled its Del Mar 35-pound Bulk Organic Frozen Spinach (that’s a pretty big package for the average consumer) […]
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10.13.25
Movie Monday: Behind the scenes of GOOD BOY with the dog himself
Have you seen the new horror movie told from the dog’s point of view? Good Boy (2025) tells the scary story of a dog and his owner that move to a rural family home to discover supernatural forces lurking there. But behind the scenes with this adorable good boy is anything but spooky. It’s adorable! […]
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10.08.25
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: Pierogi
I’m always amazed to hear that so many people have never had a pierogi! You have no idea what you’re missing. Homemade versions are delicious but there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a box from the frozen food aisle to try. You can boil these mashed potato dumplings and garnish as you wish…. Or, try my […]
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10.06.25
Movie Review: The Exorcism of Emily Rose
The fact that I waited 20 years to watch this movie is a crying shame! The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) combines two of my favorite kinds of movies: Courtroom Dramas and Scary Movies (especially the demonic possession kind). For fans of the show Ozark, you’ll recognize Laura Linney. She plays the defense attorney that […]
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09.29.25
Movie Review: Trap
It pains me to say this about an M. Night Shyamalan movie, but I found one I didn’t like. We’ve joked on the show that I should be the captain of the “Give M. Night Movies A Try” fan club because the critics are usually so harsh and while I haven’t seen all of his […]
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09.24.25
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: Orange Vinaigrette Recipe
I’ve been on an Oil & Vinegar dressing kick lately but I also like a zingy Raspberry Vinaigrette every now and again. I had a few extra oranges on hand and thought- How about an Orange Vinaigrette? That might be tasty! So I messed around and came up with this perfect ratio of a sweet […]
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09.21.25
Movie Monday: Taylor Swift is heading back to the big screen
Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl is coming to big screens starting on October 3rd. That happens to be the same day her album “The Life of a Showgirl” comes out. The screenings will be like one of Swift’s “secret sessions” and will give fans an inside look into the making of […]
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09.18.25
2025 Toy Hall of Fame Nominees
It’s time to pick your favorite toys! The Strong National Museum of Play has announced its 2025 finalists for the Toy Hall of Fame, The 12 nominees include: You can vote online for your favorites until September 24th. The three with the greatest number of votes will make up a “Player’s Choice” ballot and will be counted […]
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09.16.25
Recall Alert: Mini Beauty Fridges
I have an honest question here: what is the point of a beauty fridge? I’ve worn makeup for decades now and never once did I have a beauty refrigerator in my bathroom. Am I missing something? I really am curious…. But if you do own a Paris Hilton Mini Beauty Fridge, unplug it immediately and […]
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09.12.25
Laura McKenna’s All-Time Favorite Video Game
Take a trip back in time with my all time favorite Nintendo game on this National Video Game Day (September 12th)… Who remembers good ‘ol PAPERBOY? I can still remember the sounds, the music, the grim-reaper-looking-thing that would run out after you with what looked like a knife, all as you’d try to fling your […]
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09.07.25
Movie Monday: How to watch The Conjuring/Annabelle movies in chronological order
Laura McKenna is your gal for all things scary movies! Here’s how to watch The Conjuring movies in chronological order from beginning to now: This movie came out five years after the first movie in the Conjuring series but if you’re watching chronologically, it makes sense to start with The Nun. The evil demon (in […]
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09.05.25
Pudge The Cat- the obsession you didn’t know you needed
I know you love your favorite college football team and your pets. They’ll always be #1 in your hearts. But get ready for #2! If you don’t know about Pudge yet, I’m so glad you’re reading this. I have fallen in love (along with the rest of the country) and you will, too! Meet George […]
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09.04.25
Breakfast and Bones
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day but how often to we skip it? What’s the difference if we do? Apparently a lot! A new study says ensuing your bones are healthy involves eating breakfast. Researchers in Japan reported people who skip breakfast have a greater risk of broken bones from […]
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08.28.25
Laura McKenna Book Club: The Writer
I love a good mystery novel and I just finished a real page-turner! If you’ve read James Patterson books in the past, you know they go so fast because they have short chapters and you blast right through the pages in no time. The Writer has so many twists and turns! Just when you think […]
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08.25.25
Movie Monday: Claustrophobic Movies
I never realized this about myself but I must have the opposite of claustrophobia, at least when it comes to movies. I really love movies that take place in confined spaces with high anxiety situations. My husband pointed that out to me one day when we watched a trailer for a movie called Restless. We […]
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08.21.25
The Little Bee update
I woke up this morning to this message from my husband. While I was zonked out sleeping, he was trying to save a bee. This right here is how I know I married the right guy… Alex said when he found the bee, it was on his deck on its back. He thought it was […]
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08.18.25
Movie Monday: A little something for everyone
I’ve got a little something for everyone today! Let’s start with something for all the sappy Christmas movie fans. These are probably my least favorite of the movie genres but I know people love them! “The busy, big city boss-babe comes back to her small hometown and meets the baker/the plumber/the inn keeper/the mechanic…and by […]
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08.13.25
Recall Alert: Coffee
Everyone likes their coffee a little different. Some prefer cream and sugar. Some love flavors like caramel or french vanilla creamers. While others drink it black. But I think we can all agree that none of us want glass added to our cup of joe! Dollar General is recalling their Clover Valley Instant Coffee. The […]
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08.11.25
Movie Monday: Could your pet be the next movie star?
Everyone thinks their own pet is the cutest and smartest little ball of fur on the planet- me included! But do they have what it takes to be the next Air Bud? Remember the first movie from 1997 where the golden retriever escapes his mean master at the circus and joins a basketball team? Well, […]
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08.07.25
In The Kitchen Tip: Laura McKenna’s Zucchini Boats Recipe
I love eating these in the summer fresh from the garden. Here’s the great part about this recipe: I just throw stuff in so it is very forgiving and more of a “guide” than a strict ingredient recipe. So there’s no reason your whole family wouldn’t enjoy it! Start with a large green zucchini. Slice […]
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08.04.25
Movie Monday: Love is in the air
The reboot of The Naked Gun did a little more than bring in 17 million at the box office over the weekend. Rumor has it that it also sparked some flames between stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. I personally hope those rumors are true. I’ve always thought Pamela was a sweetheart and hoped she’d […]
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07.30.25
An Ode To Cheesecake
What a delightful dessert: Cheesecake. It’s not really a cake and despite its shape, not really a pie. It’s just delicious and it is one of my favorite sweet treats. Check out another one of my favorite videos from Weird History Food that dives into cheesecake and the famous Cheesecake Factory restaurant…. Email anytime, Laura […]
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07.18.25
TSA adding some additional lanes for Families and for the Military
I know that everyone’s favorite part of a vacation is the long lines through TSA with different orders being barked at you: “Leave your shoes on!” “No, take them off!” “Put your liquids in here!” “That liquid doesn’t count as a liquid but that solid is a liquid!” What?!?! Now add in a bunch of […]
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07.16.25
People will really buy anything.
Did you ever watch one of the million documentaries about Fyre Fest? If you haven’t, brace yourself. And pick any one of them… they’re everywhere: Hulu, Netflix, etc. Even after the creator of Fyre Fest spent time in jail for fraud, they tried to have another Fyre Fest. It got postponed indefinitely. Then they listed […]
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07.09.25
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: The Best Breakfast Sandwich Ever
This IN THE KITCHEN tip actually takes place: IN THE GAS STATION. I’ve had a lot of breakfast sandwiches in my day- from restaurants, grab-and-go convenience stores, and lots of them simply made at home. Hands down, this one is THE BEST. I’m naming it “The McKenna”. Kwik Trip doesn’t know it yet so if […]
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07.07.25
Movie Monday: A double feature movie review (and one to grow on)!
I’ve been having a lot of time on my hands with this dumb knee of mine. So while the ice packs have been doing their work, I’ve watched a few series, read a few books, and watched quite a few movies over the last couple of weeks. Here’s what I watched over the 4th of […]
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07.01.25
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: Road Trip Cooler Trick
Keep your cooler chilled without ice with this awesome trick. As you prepare for your next road trip, forget filling your cooler with ice. It’s too messy and once it starts melting, everything inside runs the risk of getting soggy. Plus, ice never seems to stay super cold in regular coolers. What about ice packs? […]
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