La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

La Crosse County administrator Jane Klekamp joined to talk about the ambitious plans for the Hillview Health Care campus. The facility would go from, basically a nursing home, to an expansive center that includes a daycare, alternative senior living, bridge housing for adults and crisis stabilization. Klekamp also talked about fixing the roads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, joins. We toy around with how the state might now spend — or not spend — it's $3.5 billion budget surplus. We also talked about Gov. Tony Evers joining La Crosse Talk PM and using the phrase "When donkeys fly." Also, we had about four Ron Johnson stories this week, including the Republican US Senator diving into all the conspiracy theories during a YouTube interview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Murphy, owner of the small business, Big Bang, LLC, joins and explains taxes for us a bit — in terms of the how we got a budget surplus, what to do with it and how a small businesses is affected by taxes. Before that, however, we talked about his showing in the World Series of Poker that just wrapped up in Las Vegas a few days ago. We also talked a bit about Wisconsin's US Senators, Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, and what it takes now to run for those bigger political offices — and it's not just a ton of money, though news just came out that the Wisconsin state Supreme Court race cost over $54 million. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Cooke joins. She's running for a US House seat in the 3rd District here. We talked about her new job, waitressing, as she also runs a campaign. That led to a conversation about minimum wage. We also found out her favorite spots when she’s in La Crosse and discussed lived experiences that make her a good person to represent the area. On top of the new job, Cooke runs a nonprofit that helps women start up business. She was also a small business owner in downtown Eau Claire and grew up on a farm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers join to talk about child care funding in the state. In between that, we asked the governor if the La Crosse area is his favorite part of the state, as he's been to Western Wisconsin 30 times this year already. We also get him to define what it means when someone says they're going "Up north." After that, La Crosse city council member Dr. Mark Neumann joins to continue the conversation about childcare, as the council just passed $400,000 in ARPA funding to help there. We also asked Neumann about the legislation passed last week that better defines camping — or no camping — in the city, as there have been complaints about homeless people in parks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viterbo economist, Dr. John Robinson joins, to discuss inflation, a national minimum wage vs. a local minimum wage and an all-time low unemployment rate. Spent quite a bit of time on the minimum wage in various ways, including Robinson's take that the US doesn't even really have a minimum wage right now. Also talked about inflation — or when that becomes deflation — as well as Wisconsin's recent income tax plan, that the governor partially vetoed. Robinson is the interim Associate Dean of the College of Business Leadership Ethics and Education at Viterbo. The Central High School graduate and got his doctorate in finance from Arizona State. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio to break down Barbenheimer, Burger King’s 20-slice meatless cheese(burger) and the number of people that will run against Derrick Van Orden. Began the show, though talking about Waukesha’s school board firing a first-grade teacher over he outcries about the board banning the song Miley Cyrus-Dolly Parton song, Rainbowland. After that, had some fun talking about the phenomenon that people are going to see the new movie Barbie and Oppenheimer as a double feature. What kind of combo is that and how much popcorn can one person eat? That led to a discussion about original movies or sequels — and what movies are untouchable. One of the movies brought up, along the lines of Oppenheimer, is Dr. Strangelove, who actually came into the studio to tell the audience they can never remake that 1964 classic. We then got into some other politics, with Rebecca Cooke announcing her candidacy to run as a Democrat in the 3rd US House District currently held by Van Orden — and how many people might run. A big factor there, money, which eventually led us into a discussion about the North Dakota governor — running for president — offering $20 gift cards for $1 donations so he can buy his way to the Milwaukee GOP presidential debate stage. Lastly, we talked about this 20-slice Burger King monstrosity. SHOW LINKS: 20 cheese slice Burger King "burger": https://people.com/burger-king-thailand-meatless-burger-with-20-slices-of-cheese-7559683 Barbenheimer: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/07/14/the-story-behind-barbenheimer-the-summers-most-online-movie-showdown/ Rebecca Cooke running against Van Orden: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/07/10/rebecca-cooke-challenges-rep-van-orden-in-wisconsins-3rd-district-as-her-party-seeks-to-flip-house/ $20 gift cards for a $1 donation: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/11/politics/2024-fundraising-strategy-burgum/index.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Steve Hofstetter joins a week before his coming to La Crosse. A comic who dabbles in politics, we threw Hofstetter some of the headlines coming out of Wisconsin and let him work his comedic magic. Also joining in studio, former Riverfest board member Brad Pitel. Along with talking comedy, Pitel discussed bringing big acts to the fest, and how he big timed one country music star — which may or may not have led to his no longer being on the Riverfest board #Sarcasm. Some of the topics we threw at Hofstetter included Minnesota legalizing recreational marijuana and a first-grade teacher being banned over the Dolly Parton-Miley Cyrus song Rainbowland. Hofstetter also had some funny analogies on the Constitution, as well as some of his Canadian experiences, as he wraps up a tour there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Boom co-founder Jon Holthaus joins La Crosse Talk PM to talk about this weekend's event at the Maple Grove Venues in West Salem, Wis., featuring some of the biggest country stars today. We talk about the lineup, how they also like to feature local musicians, and a bit of the history of Country Boom — including booking some of the singers a year in advance, before they're really "big time," and by the time Boom rolls around, they've got a top hit on the charts. Holthaus also talked some of the history of the event, now in its fifth year, including his casually saying they had to move the entire stage that first year, because 19,000 people showed up. LINEUPThursday July 13The Pat Watters Band - 6–7 PMBlue Collar 40 - 7:30–8:30 PMJo Dee Messina - 9–10:30 PM Friday July 14Anderson Daniels - 4:30–5:15 PMMegan Moroney - 5:45–6:30 PMWarren Zeiders - 7–8 PMDylan Scott - 8:30–9:45 PMKip Moore - 10–11:45 PM Saturday July 15Lauren Watkins - 4:30-5:15 PMJackson Dean - 5:45–6:30 PMLarry Fleet - 7-8 PMChris Cagle - 8:30–9:45 PMDustin Lynch - 10:15–11:45 PM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse City Planner Tim Acklin joined to talk about the debate over Lincoln Middle School getting historic designation, but before that, Country Boom co-founder Jon Holthaus talks about the huge event in West Salem this weekend. Some of the interesting things we talked with Holthaus included booking guests a year in advance, and by the time Boom arrives, they're gigantic stars. Also, he casually mentioned having the move the entire stage the first year, because 19,000 people showed up. After that, Acklin, who sort of manages the Heritage Preservation Commission, breaks down how a debate will happen before the city council decides if Lincoln Middle should retain historical status. We also talked about why Lincoln got that designation in the first place. After that, Acklin talked more about the commissions Top 10 most endangered buildings, we threw him some new ideas for ranked lists, and we got his Top 3 most untouchable buildings in La Crosse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Garcia in studio to talk about movie sequels, how Gov. Evers took the power of funding public schools from the GOP in Wisconsin, the tax cut plan that wasn't and Rebecca Cooke's bid to unseat Derrick Van Orden in the US House. Garcia is the La Crosse County and 3rd US House District Democratic Party chair. We began the show talking about how there are multiple sequels in theaters right now — Mission Impossible, Spider-Man, Indiana Jones and whatever garbage the Transformers is putting out — and then got into whether you should watch a subbed or dubbed movie. After that, we talked about Cooke for Congress, details in how that race might turn out in the 3rd Congressional and Wisconsin's gerrymandered maps. We then dove into Gov. Evers' veto pen powers in funding public education for the next 402 years, cutting up the tax cut plan (mostly for the rich) and how the state could better spend its $7 billion budget surplus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-L outreach specialist Spencer Wilken in studio, breaking 1960s news again — this time about nefarious experiments on twins. She also delivered some space news, including finding the largest diamond and NASA’s biodome experiment for living on Mars. Began the show recapping past “Major Breaking” shows from decades-old news, including the 1876 Kentucky meat shower and the 1950s Great Beaver Drop. That was a precursor to two other 1960s experiments — one about twins and triplets separated as infants — without consent — and then studied for years. Data that’s still being fought over by these subjects today. The other about creating a mouse utopia. We also discussed a similar telescope to James Webb launching Saturday from Europe — and why the James Webb owns some sweet real estate above Earth, and we capped off the show talking about the Earth’s upper atmosphere is cooling, which apparently isn’t great news. SHOW LINKS:Mars biodome: https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-test-subjects-simulated-mars-base James Webb pal: https://phys.org/news/2023-06-europe-space-telescope-universe-dark.html Earth's atmosphere: https://www.wired.com/story/the-upper-atmosphere-is-cooling-prompting-new-climate-concerns/ Triplet experiment: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/twofold/202110/the-controversial-study-twins-and-triplets-adopted-and-reared-apart Mouse utopia: https://www.livescience.com/58257-milgram-experiment-poland-obey-authority.html Largest-ever diamond: https://www.livescience.com/space/cosmology/this-collapsed-star-is-turning-into-an-gigantic-diamond-before-our-eyes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio discussing whether government should legislate based on the Facebook comment sections, traffic shaming as an alternative to tickets, “Indiana Jones, really?” and the US Supreme Court. The show began talking about movie remakes, like the new Indiana Jones movie that just came out, but that somehow led to a discussion about social media. In the past week, guests on La Crosse Talk PM have mentioned the comment section in regards to certain issues in the city, so we talked about whether that’s how governments should be taking the pulse of a community — and are public comments before city, county meetings just an older version of the comment section. After that, we discussed a strategy in Washington where they’re public shaming bad drivers through letters and texts, but we honed it down to be more effective — including an idea from a caller. We also talked about the recent US Supreme Court decisions, and threw Chergosky three different questions. One in how the court works — like how many hours a week are they putting in? Also, if the decisions are political winners or losers and we rehashed my conspiracy theory on the court can increase its dwindled popularity. Lastly, we hit on Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers upcoming options on the state budget, which passed the Legislature this week. TOPIC LINKS: Supreme Court rulings Affirmative action in college admissions https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/06/29/divided-supreme-court-outlaws-affirmative-action-in-college-admissions-says-race-cant-be-used/ Wedding websites for gay couples https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/06/30/the-supreme-court-rules-for-a-designer-who-doesnt-want-to-make-wedding-websites-for-gay-couples/ Student loans https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/06/30/the-supreme-court-rejects-bidens-plan-to-wipe-away-400-billion-in-student-loan-debt/ Washington driver shaming: https://dcist.com/story/23/06/23/dc-text-messages-letters-dangerous-drivers/ Wisconsin state budget: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/06/29/wisconsin-republicans-send-budget-state-to-democratic-gov-evers-after-assembly-passage-thursday/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura Godden, a UW-La Crosse Archivist and member of Heritage Preservation Commission, joined to discuss the city’s most endangered buildings, the controversy over making Lincoln Middle School a historic landmark and if K-Mart is next. Began the show, however, talking about what being an Archivist is and the kind of things she’s seen, while working at UW-L. After that, we talked a bit about the city’s Top 10 most endangered buildings list and the thought process behind it. The bottom half of the show, we dissected the Lincoln Middle School dilemma, where the Heritage Preservation Commission granted it landmark status, but the La Crosse School District is unhappy about that, because it is trying to sell the building. Godden breaks down why the district might actually benefit from historic status in selling Lincoln. Lastly, we got Godden’s personal Top 10 Least Endangered Buildings list, which may or may not have had something to do with the food those buildings produced. Top 10 Most Endangered buildings: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/05/24/lincoln-hogan-schools-glory-days-bar-on-la-crosses-top-10-most-endangered-buildings/ Heritage Preservation Commission grants Lincoln historic status: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/06/22/la-crosses-lincoln-middle-school-gets-landmark-status-but-that-could-complicate-sale-of-the-building/ School Board wants to appeal Lincoln historic status: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/06/27/la-crosse-school-board-votes-to-appeal-historic-status-for-lincoln-school-building/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sherry Picah, owner of Sprout Childcare on the south side of La Crosse, joined to discuss the dilemma Wisconsin facilities and families are in, after childcare funding was cut out of the state budget. Last week, at 2:30 a.m., Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee voted to end what's called the Child Care Counts program — $340 million in funding the last two years that allowed facilities to stay in the margins. Picha talks about the repercussions from those cuts — the crunch that puts, not just childcare facilities in, but also families and other businesses. We also talk about what the next steps could be — would childcare facilities strike — and how important childcare centers are for those first years of a kid's life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff joins. We discussed the discrepancies in the GOP tax cut plan, where top earners see a sizable tax break and lower income get about $2.67 back a month. We also talked about the Joint Finance Committee cutting a childcare funding and not implementing an equal replacement in the state budget. Pfaff also hints on some some amendments to the budget Democrats want to propose when the Senate votes on Wednesday. We did take some calls, as well, including a Town of Holland bridge being unusable right now and the plan to fix that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

W-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joins La Crosse Talk PM to break down the GOP-proposed Wisconsin budget, Trump on top among state Republicans and the deal with lab-grown meat. Began the show, though, talking about Taylor Swift taking over St. Paul with a Friday night concert, where the cheapest ticket was around $800 and the most expensive just hours before the show was nearly at $10,000. Most expensive Taylor Swift ticket on Stubhub just hours before St. Paul show.Spent quite bit of time discussing the tax cut plan put forward by Republicans crafting Wisconsin’s two-year budget, along with Brewers stadium funding and cutting childcare money that has created an uproar. And how that now kind of feels like it's being fast-tracked, despite a $7 billion budget surplus, because the top Republican has a work-cation July 4. Also talked about the Wisconsin GOP Party straw poll on presidential nominees. In between that, however, we discussed billionaires offering $127,000 to be dog nannies and two companies getting approval to sell lab-grown chicken. But the latter conversation was more about the horrible terminology and terrible names of these two companies. Story links: Wisconsin GOP budget breakdown: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/06/23/tax-cuts-and-a-uw-squeeze-a-look-at-the-proposed-republican-backed-wisconsin-state-budget/ Lab-grown meat: https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/21/business/cultivated-meat-us-approval/index.html GOP cuts Wisconsin childcare funding at 2 a.m.: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/06/16/wisconsin-republicans-vote-at-2-a-m-to-end-funding-for-child-care-program/ Billionaire's dog nannies: https://www.ktvu.com/news/billionaires-offering-dog-nanny-job-with-127k-salary-pull-ad-after-surge-in-applications Wisconsin GOP Party straw poll for president: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/wispolitics-wisconsin-gop-activists-prefer-trump-for-president-tiffany-for-u-s-senate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Rep. Jill Billings joins just as the figures come out on the Republican tax cut plan for the state. We also talked about GOP's 2 a.m., bar time decision to defund childcare and we may have solved the Brewers stadium situation. Began the show on the tax cut plan that doesn't increase, but decreases the number of brackets in the state and gives the largest tax break to the wealthiest. After that, we discussed the GOP plan not to fund the UW-La Crosse Prairie Spring Science Center. I floated Billings my idea to solve the Brewers stadium situation and we ended the show trying to decipher why Republicans cut a very popular, effective childcare subsidy plan that's been working for years out of the budget — while the state sits on a $7 billion surplus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Shafer joins to talk about Wisconsin politics. Shafer, an independent journalist, runs the site The Recombobulation Area — a name with a pretty funny backstory he tells. On the show, we dive into the shared revenue plan, as well as Republicans cutting childcare funding from the state budget, the backlash from that and potential repercussions. We also discussed the state Legislature and governor fight over who can be responsible for giving money for Milwaukee Brewers stadium renovations. Also threw Shafer an idea for that plan he hadn't heard before. But, we began the show talking a bit about a tour of La Crosse's wastewater treatment plant, hosted by the superintendent of the facility, Jared Greeno. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron joined to talk about what he called "challenging incidents" over the past week, including a drive-by shooting on 3rd Street that injured seven, a big drug bust and a knife being pulled on an officer. We also talked about Minnesota legalizing recreational marijuana, and the challenges that brings. Before that, WIZM's Brad Williams updated us on the hung jury over the West Salem triple homicide and we concluded the show discussing the governor signing a shared revenue bill and the UW System president saying college campuses could close, as they're under threat of being defunded.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse city council member Barb Janssen joined to help break down better the homeless situation in La Crosse and an amendment that went before the council last week, and will go through committees in July dealing with banning camping in parks. Before that, however, and a a few days after a drive-by shooting injured seven people in downtown La Crosse, WIZM's Brad Williams calls in from the courthouse reporting on the alleged shooter's first court appearance. We also discussed the Vernon County Sheriff's deputy killing of someone during a traffic stop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joins. Broke down some middle-of-the-night votes by the Wisconsin state Legislature, ending childcare funding. Also discussed a couple conspiracy theories of Solem's on Gov. Tony Evers and the GOP Party convention, as well as the US Supreme Court. And we did have some fun with ways to get Chergosky's daughter to walk on her own, as well as a Reddit post about what purchases you shouldn't go cheap on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chanin Kelly-Rae joined to talk about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), after she was hired by the La Crosse County Board as a consultant. Kelly-Rae is gathering DEI data and help the county government come up with a five-year strategic plan. We talked about some of her findings so far, as well as simply defining the terms diversity, equity and inclusion. Kelly-Rae also recently presented the county board an initial report from her findings, so far. Kelly-Rae is the head of the aptly named Chanin Kelly-Rae Consulting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Tom Schelsinger and Nick Nichols joined. They're from Climate Alliance for the Common Good out of La Crosse. We discussed some recent news about La Crosse County's landfill becoming a "land-full," and how that relates to the Xcel incinerator on French Island. We also talked recycling in Wisconsin We also talked recycling in Wisconsin. Schlesinger has a Ph.D. in Political Science specializing in health care policy, and a master’s in international environmental policy. Nichols is the former La Crosse County sustainability coordinator. In regards to the incinerator, Tony Gibart, the executive director with Midwest Environmental Advocates out of Madison, came on for a bit to add to that conversation, including a possible dilemma with PFAS waste. We also discussed with the Climate Alliance pair the difference with recycling in Wisconsin — where about 40% of cans/plastic bottles get recycled — and in Oregon, where 98% of those items are recycled. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joins to talk about three huge topics affecting La Crosse — the recent shared revenue deal, the new homeless plan and the city about to charge for downtown parking. After some filibustering, Reynolds joined and first gave a "shout out" to the UW-La Crosse track and field team for winning the D3 National Championship and being invited to the White House. After that, we hit on the shared revenue deal — the state's way of funding local governments — and some of the good and bad there. After that, we discussed the city and county's new approach to helping the homeless, and Reynolds did some venting along those lines. Ended our talk with a new plan the city is hashing out to charge everyone to park in downtown La Crosse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio, and Wisconsin state Rep. Steve Doyle live from his parent’s estate sale, where he’s hoarding all his childhood belongings. We also get both their takes on the shared revenue deal. Began the show, however, talking about 4,000 people showing up to Thursday's Moon Tunes concert, the challenges that come with that and some half-baked solution ideas. Then we get Doyle from his parent's estate sale (they have moved out of their old home) and some of the things he's found in their two-car garage that couldn't retain any cars. We also talked about the local government funding plan announced Thursday, as well as where the state Legislature is at with a two-year budget. Lastly, we got Chergosky's take on some of the shared revenue, and the oddity Wisconsin Republicans go after Milwaukee, but also have agreed to hold the GOP National Convention there, as well as hold the first presidential debate. That led into not one, but two conspiracy theories Solem had on the matter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just a couple hours after Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced a deal with the state legislature on a shared revenue plan, Onalaska Mayor Kim Smith joined to talk about what that will mean for her city and other local governments around the state like it. Before that, however, WIZM's Brad Williams joined, back from Winona where police there held a news conference on the Madeline Kingsbury case, where it has now gone from a missing person to murder. Began the show just highlighting those two things, along with a bit of a rant on the idea of punishing homeless people for camping in parks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Sampson with the city of La Crosse and Isaac Hoffman with the county join to talk about the area's homeless situation, a day after local leaders held a public meeting on the unsheltered. Hoffman is the La Crosse County supervisor of prevention and community programming. Sampson is the city’s Homeless Coordinator. We further discussed the first steps of what the county-city collaborative announced the previous night in bringing together a five-year plan. We also talked about not just the hardships that go into helping the unsheltered, but even discussing the multi-faceted situation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Schools superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joined, we discussed some of the ins and outs with the state budget and state funding for next school year, being an unknown, how truancy has increased to alarming rates and why Hamilton will no longer be year round. Started the show, though, talking about the school year ending and just throwing some ideas at Engel about teacher or class of the year. After that, we talked about Hamilton ending year-round school and why that happened. Mid-show, we discussed the state budget process and how Wisconsin schools have no idea what their funding will be for the upcoming year, and that led us to whether there will be pay raises in the district. We also changed gears a bit and got into Artificial Intelligence and the benefits and hindrances of that in schools for teachers, students and parents. Ended the show with some alarming figures on truancy in the district and why that might be happening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County and 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party chair William Garcia in studio. We talked about a host things, including incumbents sacrificing their seat for more power, the new Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse and the upcoming state convention. In the midst of the conversation about incumbents, we discussed what Republicans would run against US Sen. Tammy Baldwin and the situation state Sen. Brad Pfaff could be in if he decides to run against Derrick Van Orden in the 3rd. We also discussed Pride month a bit, and corporations using it for profit, and ended the show on the all-caps tweet from Donald Trump basically pointing to his getting charged in the classified docs case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Bizarro World with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, as Donald Trump takes the high road, Bernie Sanders and Ron Johnson vote together, and Wisconsin is a doughnut desert — not to be confused with dessert. Began the show talking about the debt limit deal passing the Senate but the oddity of Republicans and Democrats voting together no on the package. After that, we discussed how Wisconsin Republicans voted against funding Phase II of the Prairie Spring Science Center at UW-L. After that, we break down whether or not Wisconsin is a doughnut desert, depending on what you qualify as a place to get doughnuts — does Kwik Trip count? Also discussed a couple of things Donald Trump said this week on campaigning on being "anti-woke," as well as his new ability, apparently, to make fun of himself and how that could change the game in his candidacy. Ended the show quick about a ridiculous pair of stories where a guy drained a reservoir in India to get his phone, and a bear raided a bakery in Connecticut. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse outreach specialist, Spencer Wilken, joins to talk about getting and living on Mars, NASA going public on UFOs, but not calling them that, and apparently, we just discovered that Earth has a second moon. We also talked about some of the science-type camps coming up on campus, including an International Youth Media Summit, where three 18-24 year olds from La Crosse are eligible for scholarships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A three guest Wednesday, including Chris O'Hearn with River Clean Up La Crosse, WIZM's Brad Williams on another Gov. Tony Evers visit — this one on fixing the roads — and Sam Bachmeier with the county on broadband for all. O'Hearn kicked off the show talking about River Clean Up La Crosse, and shared a funny story about one of the weirder things he's pulled out of the river. Williams came on after that talking about Evers riding a cement roller, fixing the roads in Onalaska. And Bachmeier, the county's Community Development Specialist, capped off the show talking about their effort to get everyone hooked up to the internet in an affordable fashion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Hoffer, director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation in La Crosse, joined to discuss the threat from the MLB commissioner that the Brewers could leave Milwaukee if they don't get some $500 million in stadium funding, while Green Bay Legislators want $2 million from taxpayers for hosting NFL draft. We dove into the continuing trend of billionaire owners wanting millions in taxpayer dollars to fund stadiums, as well as whether there is an economic benefit to a city for hosting a pro team. We also discussed ways money used in Green Bay to host the NFL draft could benefit the city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Central High School Spanish teacher John Havlicek in studio talking about details within the Wisconsin state budget proposal on education, manufacturing and healthcare, as well as a rally educators held in Madison last weekend. Along with that, we got Havlicek's take on some of the more national talking points when it comes to education and teachers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio discussing stealing a $500 salad, MLB threatening Brewers leaving town, Ron DeSantis presidential run. Began the show talking about a couple of nonsense stories that we just don’t have enough details about and crave more. One out of Illinois, where a man stole a backhoe to get to the airport. The other was a Georgia woman breaking into a restaurant and getting arrested after making a $500 salad. After that, stemming from an Eric from Sparta call, we discussed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis running for president. The second half of the show hovered around the politics of sports, where MLB’s commissioner, more or less, threatened the Milwaukee Brewers could leave town if they don’t get hundreds of millions in stadium funding. All that talk began when Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers preempted the GOP state Legislature on a Brewers funding proposal that has since been canned. This led to a conspiracy theory about Wisconsin Republicans and a Democratic governor in how a budget deal will never happen again. Also, with sports politics, the NFL is hosting the draft in Green Bay, and legislators there want millions to help the area prepare for the onslaught of people that come with that. Ended the show, potentially solving the mystery of the $500 salad. WOMAN ARRESTED WITH $500 SALAD: https://www.wsbradio.com/news/local/woman-arrested-after-making-salad-worth-500-closed-georgia-restaurant-police-say/GDHCICBYQJC4BEQ4IYHTDMLKJU/ ILLINOIS GUY STEALS BACKHOE TO CATCH FLIGHT: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/05/26/watch-man-steals-backhoe-for-10-mile-drive-to-illinois-airport-to-catch-flight/ GREEN BAY NEEDS NFL DRAFT MONEY: https://wktysports.com/2023/05/25/green-bay-area-legislators-ask-finance-committee-for-2m-to-support-nfl-draft/ MLB threatens Brewers could leave Milwaukee: https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/real-estate/commercial/2023/05/25/brewers-ballpark-funding-draws-concerns-from-mlb-commissioner-manfred/70253613007 RON DESANTIS TWITTER CANDIDACY ANNOUNCEMENT: https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/05/25/desantis-launches-gop-presidential-campaign-in-twitter-announcement-plagued-by-glitches/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We threw a ton of food/drink questions at Gundersen dietitian Laura Birkel, in studio, including fake sugars like diet soda, fried foods contributing to depression, stupid serving sizes and the Top 5 worst things you can put in your body. Began the show on serving sizes, after seeing a loaf of bread's serving is one slice, and just how prevalent that is among things we eat. Also discussed a study that says eating fried foods — especially french fries — leads to increased anxiety and depression. The second half of the show focused on fake sugars, like in diet soda, and what they do to your body — and whether it’s better to drink regular or diet. Also got Birkel’s Top 5 worst things you can eat/drink, as state fair season approaches, and hit on little things here and there like how good/bad coffee or energy drinks are for you. FOOD ANXIETY: http://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2221097120 FAKE SUGAR: https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/15/health/who-sweeteners-weigh-loss-guideline-wellness/index.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Administrator Jane Klekamp in studio talking about some of the initiatives they're working on surrounding homelessness, road funding, skilled trades training and PFAS. We discussed some of the important things that happened at last week's monthly county board meeting, including $2 million in funding for youth skilled trades training, potential $3 million more for fixing roads, and $500k for PFAS research. We also discussed some initiatives to help homeless and prevent homelessness, including an Eviction Defense Program, bridge housing and an upcoming meeting between the city, county and others on those who are unsheltered. Another important topic discussed was potential options of converting some of the Hillview Healthcare (senior) Center. We also learned the county has a new administrative assistance in Sara Coopman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio to discussing a lot of negotiations happening — federally with the debt ceiling, statewide with the shared revenue plan and locally with road funding. Began the show on the debt ceiling talks with Republicans in charge of the the US House and the Biden Administration. After that, we get Pfaff's point of view on the back and forth between Republicans in the state Assembly and Senate, where they are in negotiating the shared revenue plan, before sending it to Gov. Tony Evers for signature or veto. We also discuss Wisconsin energy and how the state could baby step its way to being self sufficient. Ended the show talking a bit about what the state is doing with homelessness, an issue that's getting more attention in La Crosse lately.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in the WIZM studio Friday for La Crosse Talk PM discussing about the culture wars on school boards, as a teacher is fired over the song Rainbowland. We also talked about the conspiracy of banning TikTok, luring a 300-pound pig on the loose in Wisconsin and Americans smuggling Fruit Rollups. Began the show talking about a Waukesha teacher being fired over the Dolly Parton-Miley Cyrus song Rainbowland, which led to a discussion about politics infecting nonpartisan races all the way down to school boards. After that, we got Chergosky’s first impressions of Five Guys in Onalaska, before having some fun with how Taco Bell and Taco John’s are fighting over the trademark “Taco Tuesday.” Ended the show on a Fruit Rollups controversy, where a TikTok trend led to it being out of stock in Israel, therefore leading to Americans caught smuggling, what is apparently, too much Fruit Rollups into that country. And, in the midst of that conversation, we discussed the conspiracy of banning TikTok in the US — it’s already been banned in Montana. La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts. 300-pound pig on loose in Wisconsin: https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/05/16/potbellied-pig-Albert-escaped-Green-Bay-Wisconsin/3511684263409/ Teacher suspended over Dolly-Miley Rainbowland https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/03/27/wisconsin-school-bans-miley-dolly-duet-from-class-concert/ Taco Tuesday duel between Taco Bell and Taco John's https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/05/19/taco-tuesday-trademark-tiff-flares-anew-between-fast-food-competitors/ Smuggling Fruit Rollups into Israel https://www.today.com/food/news/americans-smuggling-fruit-roll-ups-israel-rcna83408 Congress debate over banning TikTok https://www.wizmnews.com/2023/05/06/ban-social-media-for-kids-fed-up-parents-in-senate-say-yes/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse state Assembly Rep. Jill Billings joins, a day after Republicans released their amended shared revenue plan that has bipartisan opposition. We discuss that, as well as the homeless issue and what is being done at the state level. Billings represents District 95, which includes the city of La Crosse, Campbell and parts of Shelby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Bikes for Little Tikes happens Saturday, and Puck from 95.7 the Rock joined to talk about its 27-year history and why they'll be riding for Emerson Smalls, a 9-year-old West Salem Elementary student. After that, County Board chair Monica Kruse joined to break down the monthly meeting, which includes the creating of a Broadband Committee, a diversity report from a consultant recently hired and the potential allocation of an extra $3 million in road funding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big news out of the Northwoods League, as co-founder Dick Radatz, Jr., joins the show with to break the news that they're working on a softball league. Before that, we talk some of the items on the La Crosse County Board's agenda Thursday, including another committee being formed and using $2.45 million for skilled trades training. We also discuss the Wisconsin GOP unveiling a dueling plan for public defender raises — which is almost identical to the governor's plan revealed three months ago. After that, though, Radatz, Jr., joins to talk about this new Northwood League Softball, where collegiate players from around the country will play over summer, much the same way a team like the La Crosse Loggers has for baseball. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Stein, vice president and research director for Wisconsin Policy Forum joined to help dissect some bigger topics happening statewide, including school referendums, a local government funding plan and state's shrinking $6.9 billion budget surplus. We began talking about who and what Wisconsin Policy Forum is, before delving into these topics that are all sort of intertwined. The big news of the day was how the projected budget surplus didn't go up for once. After that, we talked a bit about school referendums, as La Crosse had a failed school referendum, then passed operating referendum. That discussion kind of intertwined with the Wisconsin Legislature crafting a two-year state budget. On top of that, we talked how the state is also trying to rework how local governments are funded, through a shared revenue plan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Education Association president, Jesse Martinez joined to discuss education priorities in and out of the state budget so far. We also talked about a new grading system coming to the district next year. After that, WIZM’s Brad Williams breaks down the city council meeting a bit. Ended the show talking more about that new grading system — called Standards Based Grading — and how Republicans are sending the local government state-funding plan to Gov. Tony Evers, without changing anything, after he said he’d veto itSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Garcia in studio, talking about his new role as the Democratic Party chair of the 3rd Congressional District, his main role there — unseating Republican Derrick Van Orden — and convention resolutions recently passed. We also talked about another US House representative, George Santos, being arrested and why he won’t be kicked out of Congress. That led to a discussion about Donald Trump having to pay $5 million, after a jury found him liable for sexual assault, and whether Republicans will shift to other possible Republican presidential candidates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hunger Task Force La Crosse executive director Shelly Fortner joined. While people are struggling right now with rising costs, so is the Hunger Task Force with getting donations. We talked about what the HTF does, how its distributing food, needs volunteers, and has its biggest food drive of the year this Saturday. The Post Office Food Drive on Saturday simply asks people to put donations in a bag by 8:30 a.m. and set them by your mailbox. One of the reasons behind the HTF really needing donations is because the Emergency Foodshare program ended and that kicked 700,000 people in Wisconsin off added Food Stamp benefits. Another program we discussed that is ending soon is the Badger Boxes, which not only help those in need, but also small Wisconsin farms. We also hit on a few other important dates and topics including food distribution May 19 at the Salvation Army of La Crosse County, a Remainders concert May 20 at The Main in downtown La Crosse where proceeds go to the HTF and how volunteers are needed at the Kane Street Community Gardens, which distribute 30,000 pounds of food to La Crosse each harvest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds in studio, talking about the state’s dueling plans to fund local governments, No Mow May, new business plans, and making the city more pedestrian friendly with traffic-slowing potholes. Spent a good portion of the show talking about the state's dueling plans — between the Republican Legislature and the Democratic governor — in how to fund local governments. Began the show discussing NBA Finals predictions and better ways to have a "lawn," as we're in the midst of the city's No Mow May. Ended the show talking about business development a bit, as there is a proposal going in front of the city council to put a drive-thru coffee kiosk downtown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joins, to break down a Wisconsin GOP local, state funding bill — one that has a traffic ticket and arrests quota — as well as legislators voting shirtless and what Scott Walker’s mad about. In regards to the GOP local state funding bill, that has begun circulating this week, we discussed a couple of the stipulations in it, such as counties, like La Crosse, not being able to put advisory referendums on the ballot. La Crosse County has asked voters’ opinions on recreational marijuana and the state’s 174-year-old abortion ban in recent elections. Another part of the GOP bill would cut local funding from the state by 15% if they didn’t hit a quota for arrests and another quota for traffic tickets. We also discuss gripes from former Wisconsin GOP Gov. Scott Walker that Kate Bush is in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame but Iron Maiden isn’t. Another topic included whether legislators can vote, essentially naked from their couch on legislation, which happened in Minnesota this week. Lastly, capped off the show discussing an odd YouGov poll asking what voters want their GOP nominees to represent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse outreach specialist Spencer Wilken in studio, on Star Wars day, talking space news and debunking moon landing conspiracies. We spent the entire second half of the show breaking down the moon landing "hoaxes," like the radiation belt, fake film, or why we haven't gone back. Before that, however, we did talk some space news, like a Barbie Black Hole and a real life lightsaber. Began the show, though, talking about Wilken's journey in getting her doctorate in Astrophysics/Astronomy, as well as her possibly being responsible for changing the University of Illinois mascot. CORRECTION: In terms of the moon landing, we did talk about why we didn't land objects on the moon before people, but the US actually did send objects first, in the mid-1960s, called the surveyor missions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.