La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio. Spent a lot of the show discussing how a year ago the US Senate passed a bill making Daylight Saving time permanent and the US House has yet to vote on it. Also talked about debate season, with Ron Johnson and Mandela Barnes for Wisconsin's US Senate seat, as well as Derrick Van Orden refusing to debate Brad Pfaff for the US House 3rd District, that includes the La Crosse area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A record for La Crosse Talk PM with four guests in an hour, led off by WIZM’s Brad Williams, 24 hours away from the US Senate debate in Milwaukee between Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Sen. Ron Johnson. After that, La Crosse teachers’ union president Jesse Martinez on teacher pay, funding education and student mental health. After that, GOP candidate for the 94th Assembly, Ryan Huebsch on his priorities if elected. We also discussed a flat tax and the state’s $5 billion budget surplus. Lastly, unofficially, William Garcia, the La Crosse County Democratic Party chair, reared his head in studio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Murphy is what we call our political blowhard. The former Democratic US Senate candidate in Wisconsin is a successful small business owner — a tech nerd — who's gone back to get his Master's in political science and business. With news that US Senate candidate, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes just raised $20 million more, we asked Murphy what he'd have done with the money. We also discussed how campaigns and ads should be directed at the public vs. how they are now. In terms of politics themselves, Murphy straight up thinks the GOP is trying to steal power, while not focusing on anyone's issues. At the end of the show, Murphy explains inflation and the fed raising rates to combat that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke joined for the hour. Spent the majority of the show discussing the multiple controversies dealing with the parole of Terrance Shaw, who was convicted of sexual assault and murder of an Onalaska woman in the 1980s. After that we discussed the vagueness of political ads on "crime" and some of the specifics the state could do to actually help solve crime. Began the show talking quick about the idea of traffic cams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viterbo associate professor of business, John Robinson in studio. We solved the inflation crisis which then stopped the potential upcoming recession. Robinson helped navigate the idea of the fed raising interests rates to step inflation but not so much that it triggers a recession. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio. A rollercoaster of a Friday. We had some fun talking about some Oktoberfest traditions that no longer are practiced, like tossing beer into the air and selecting Mrs. Oktoberfest based on a contest judging women's "poise and personality, cooking and homemaking skills." Kicked off the show taking a deep dive on some political news, including the Wisconsin's governor race with the most ad spending in the US and candidates flip-flopping on certain issues. We also talked about Oxycontin and the pharmaceutical lawsuit, after No. 3 called.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Police Sgt. Brooke Pataska joined to talk about how they will handle Oktoberfest this weekend. Before that, Explore La Crosse executive director AJ Frels on the impact Oktoberfest has on the La Crosse Area. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Quarberg, a bit of a historian when it comes to La Crosse’s Oktoberfest, joined in studio. Quarberg was the 2016 Oktoberfest Parade Marshall and Oktoberfest Board President back in 2001. He also was chief editor and one of the authors of the book, The Fest of Times, a look back on 50 years of Oktoberfest from back in 2010. We talked Tuesday on La Crosse Talk PM about how four golfing buddies started this major event 62 years ago and how things like the Maple Leaf and Torchlight Parades came to be, as well as how becoming Mrs. Oktoberfest has evolved over the years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked Oktoberfest with WIZM's Brad Williams, as he just came from a secret meeting of fest royalty. Before that, Infection Preventionist Megan Meller with Gundersen on how the flu could be troublesome this winter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A revelation at the end of the show in regards to guest UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky. He's never seen the movie What About Bob. The reference came up in a discussion about GOP governor candidate Tim Michels walking back — "baby steps" if you will — his stance on abortion. And along those lines, we discussed how politicians base their decisions to create or adjust laws. Other topics included how US Senate Republicans denied a bill to keep dark money out of politics and Halloween candy — but those topics were unrelated. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Board chair Monica Kruse in studio. Hit on a vast amount of items, including how the county is handling childcare, homelessness and the roads. We discussed the finalization of the yearly budget, where the board is at distributing ARPA funding and the timeline for hiring a new County Administrator.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viterbo University Ethics Culture and Society professor, Dr. Keith Knutson joined. We first talked about a speaker at Viterbo, Gary Tyler, who was wrongfully convicted of murder at 17 years old and spent 41 years in prison. After that, we argued about the political atmosphere right now, what side might have the advantage heading into the midterms and the idea of having or not having candidates debate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jayne Swiggum in studio. She’s an Emergency Room Registered Nurse, who is running for state Assembly in Wisconsin’s 96th District — which is a vast area south of La Crosse. Some of the things we hit on were, of course, healthcare and legalizing marijuana. Also talked about women’s right to choose, as well as teacher pay and funding education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse city council member Chris Woodard is running for Wisconsin state Assembly here in the 95th District. The Republican is going against incumbent Jill Billings. Woodard joined the second half of the show to discuss the issues of legalizing marijuana, fixing the roads, funding schools, PFAS and working in a bipartisan matter. Before that, we took some calls and discussed some of those same issues leading up to the interview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse Outreach Coordinator, Spencer Hulsey, in studio to talk science. One topic discussed was what scientists do when they're bored, and that's apparently breaking down Game of Thrones and whether dragons could fly. We also hit on the Doomsday glacier melt in Antarctica, as well as the arms race between Australia and its Cockatoos. Oh, and we also now know how big space is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Anthony Chergosky, Ph.D, in studio. Spent some time talking about the FBI "raid" of the MyPillow guy at a Hardee's drive-thru in Mankato, Minnesota, where we broke even more news. Also talked about the scam Brett Favre pulled with Mississippi welfare money. Kicked off the show with some good news from WIZM's Brad Williams at the Logan pep rally. Also talked about the Elmer's Auto & Toy auction. Ended the show with Republican Derrick Van Orden's rejection of a debate in the US House race against Brad Pfaff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse School Board president Juan Jimenez joined. Started off with a little La Crosse history dealing with the schools and joked with him about past contention between the school board president and the superintendent. After that, talked about the newly appointed school board member and the ability of members to talk to the media. Wrapped up talking about the district's $194.7 million referendum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Onalaska Mayor Kim Smith dropped by the WIZM studio. Kicked off the show talking about her position as mayor, some of the unique things the city is doing with the fire department and where Onalaska is at with budget limits, yet rising inflation. Also got an update on what's going in the old Shopko and if we can just turn that whole area into one big roundabout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Siegel in studio, as he runs for sheriff in La Crosse County. After talking some football, we did get around to some issues that the Sheriff’s Office deals with, including making the job more appealing for deputies, as well as jailers, and how each law enforcement agency — like city police and county sheriff’s — communicates with each other. Siegel also talked about the Sheriff’s Office being a bigger part of the community and how it could be more open to the public.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elmer's Auto & Toy Museum in Fountain City, Wis., goes to auction Sept. 14-17. One of the biggest auction companies in the world, Mecum Auctions, is conducting the event. John Kraman, the TV voice of Mecum, joined to talk why Mecum is in tiny Fountain City and why the items at Elmer's are so sought after worldwide. We also talked about some of the most expensive auctions Mecum has ever hosted.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia joined. Spent quite a bit of the show talking about conversion therapy, as the La Crosse city council this week banned it. We also discussed what the Oath Keepers are about, as a Holmen Village Board member was found to be on a leaked list from the group. Other topics included a racist name being wiped from federal sites -- 28 in in Wisconsin -- ranked-choice voting and the GOP vs. Gov. Tony Evers on using opioid settlement money.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Anthony Chergosky, Ph.D, joined. A big portion of the show was spent trying to dissect some of the Donald Trump-Top Secret document saga that's brewing. We also discussed how the 2023 election cycle has already started in Wisconsin, as well as Pumpkin Spice season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We like to call him a political blowhard, Adam Murphy joined to talk about student loan forgiveness. We also discussed PPP loans, as Murphy owns a small business called Big Bang, LLC. Murphy was also one of around a dozen who ran for US Senate in Wisconsin to go up against Ron Johnson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined. Among the topics discussed included the city council meeting to discuss where they're at with helping unsheltered as we head into winter. Also talked about the school district's $194.7 million consolidation plan and how that affects the city. Hit on the River Point District and some potential cuts the city will need to make because of a lack of funding, as the state sits on a $5 billion budget surplus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky, Ph.D, on a Friday news dump. We did hit on Ozzy Osbourne leaving the US because it's too "f***ing ridiculous out there." Politically, Tim Micheals wants to get out the pitchforks and torches based on a story from open records, another GOP candidate refuses to say if he'll support Trump and Mandela Barnes is spending a lot on security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Sheriff's Office investigator Fritz Leinfelder joined in studio. Leinfelder is one of two candidates running for sheriff. He's going against John Siegel. On the show, we discussed the mental health aspect of the job, as it’s now Suicide Awareness month. We also talked about the county’s dilemma of keeping jailers and what can be done there. Leinfelder also revealed some of the endorsements he’s received.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Neumann in studio to talk about city council and local government a bit, as well as his experience in running for the US House of Representatives here for the 3rd Congressional District. Part of the conversation was about the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting coming up Thursday, which includes the Capital Improvement Budget ($40 million in spending for 2023) and the next five years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Assembly Rep. Jill Billings of La Crosse joined for the hour. The topics we covered included the DOT's roundabout plan in La Crosse and what she, as a state rep., can do in regards to plans like that. Also hit on funding education and alternatives to a partisan race for county sheriffs. Closed out the show talking about the Gov. Tony Eves tax cut proposals, that the Republicans have called a gimmick -- despite giving out $100 checks to parents at exactly this time with their party's governor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On her birthday, Rick's mom joined to start the show and tell some horror stories about raising three boys. After that, UW-La Crosse political science professor, Anthony Chergosky, Ph.D., in studio. We discussed how politics ruins state fairs and city parades, plus money in politics — the hypocrisy of governor candidate Tim Michels asking for money.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A potential lawsuit if the city enacts a conversion therapy ban. Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty president and general counsel, Rick Esenberg, joined for a bit to discuss reasoning why they might sue La Crosse. WIZM's Brad Williams joined in that conversation. Before and after that, discussed with callers and texters the student loan forgiveness plan President Joe Biden announced, as well as more on the conversion therapy ban.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spencer Hulsey, UW-La Crosse outreach coordinator, in studio to talk science. Biggest topics we hit on were a potential end to PFAS, UFOs may not be "man made," what a black hole sounds like, terrible climate news is great news for paleontology and we're following moths with airplanes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow joined. Hit on a lot of topics, led off by some of the details in the Wisconsin Promise plan that was just introduced last week. The program essentially gives students with families making under $62,000 a year tuition free college. We also hit on the UW Board of Regents release of its two-year, $2.5 billion projects list, which includes $237.4 million for UW-La Crosse — the biggest part there and what we spent the most time on, Phase 2 of the Prairie Springs Science Center. Gow also noted a record in regards to the incoming class this fall and talked about delays with the opening of the new athletic fieldhouse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Education Association president (teachers' union president) Jesse Martinez joined. Hit on a host of topics, including the number of teacher-contract positions that have left the school district, a new way of grading, how grand it is for teachers to have summers off and teacher pay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Anthony Chergosky, Ph. D., joined. One of the things we talked about was "quiet quitting" and how that's not at all what it sounds like when it comes to work. We got into that category because of another phrase, "nobody wants to work anymore," which doesn't seem quite right, either. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick's dad joins in the second half of the show to talk about his time in the Navy on the CV-19 USS Hancock Aircraft Carrier, during the Vietnam War, as well as taking the Honor Flight to DC out of Oshkosh last month. Before that, Brad Duellman discussed his dad's Auto & Toy Museum in Fountain City, which has one-of-a-kind items. It will be auctioned off by Mecum Auctions next month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Siegel joined to talk about why he's running for sheriff in La Crosse County. Among the topics discussed were, of course, Siegel’s reasoning for running, his qualifications. We also talked about Siegel’s family makeup, with three adopted African-American children and a wife who is also African-American, and how that has shaped his perspective. In terms of matters directly dealing with the sheriff’s office, we discussed the potential citizens’ policing board, school resource officers, and the big responsibilities the office deals with, including drugs and guns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Gilman, the planning group leader at ISG Inc., joined to talk about the future of Pearl Street in downtown La Crosse from the riverfront up to 4th street. No curbs, no cars, a ferris wheel? The city is in the planning phase for re-conceptualizing that section of road, ahead of future Wisconsin DOT plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We bring in the expert, UW-La Crosse political science professor, Anthony Chergosky, Ph. D., to break down how divided America is on whether they'd go out to eat if they couldn't use their phone. We also discussed some politics, including how Donald Trump's endorsement changes before and after the primary, and how a Joe Biden endorsement would work. We also hit on the $1.1 million, taxpayer-funded 2020 election investigation being ended by Wisconsin's top Republican, and whether or not that was simply to get — or not get — votes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Schools Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel joined, to talk about the district's consolidation plan down to one high school, with a $194.7 million referendum heading to the November ballot. Before that, we talked quick about the F-35 flyover and then no flyover. After, WIZM's Brad Williams gave a quick update on the city's plan to end -- sort of -- alternate side parking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite it being his 31st wedding anniversary, Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff stopped in studio, fresh off winning the Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District in the US House of Representatives. Played a little joke on Pfaff to start the show, in regards to that anniversary. After that, talked about some state Senate stuff, before diving into some of the issues he'd want to focus on if he's the US House representative.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined Monday, as he does each month the week of the city council meeting. On the show, we discussed the council's plan to sort of end alternate-side parking for snow emergencies. We also dived into the La Crosse School District $194.7 million referendum due to a lack of state funding and where the city is at with state funding. Lastly, we touched on roundabouts and a pipe-dream of an idea for housing. Oh, we did kick off the show talking about high school football.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-L political science professor Anthony Chergosky in studio, as Donald Trump holds a rally on the other side of the state for his GOP governor candidate. As we discussed that race, the number of diapers a baby uses an hour and how even the Cracker Barrel is now politicized, Chergosky rattles off tweets referring to the Trump rally.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kou Lee joined the show to talk about running for Senate, why Hmong always end up playing volleyball — and how that relates to his candidacy — and the backstory of his family's struggle coming from Laos to freedom in the United States. Lee is one of five Democratic candidates running for US Senate in Wisconsin. The voting primary ends Tuesday, Aug. 9.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fritz Leinfelder is running for sheriff in La Crosse County. He's one of two Republican candidates on the ballot looking to replace the retiring Jeff Wolf. The primary voting period ends August 9. We discussed everything from the biggest responsibilities within a sheriff's office to mental health to Leinfelder’s experiences that he believes will make him a good sheriff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another interesting La Crosse School Board meeting this week saw the resignation in protest by member Rob Abraham. School Board president Juan Jimenez joined to talk about the dilemma in how the school district consolidates, with a $194.7 million November referendum on the ballot as the focal point now. Before that, one of the five Democratic candidates left running to replace Ron Johnson, Steven Olikara joined to discuss how he would handle the role of US Senator. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marte Peterson is running for sheriff in La Crosse County. He's one of two Republican candidates on the ballot looking to replace the retiring Jeff Wolf. The primary voting period ends August 9. We discussed everything from the responsibilities within a sheriff's office to mental health to Peterson's experiences that he believes will make him a good sheriff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor joins to break down all the biggest questions, including the number of chicken sandwiches or Chipotle burritos an hour it would take for you to work in fast food. Also, would the Klondike Choco Taco exist in your school's vending machine today? We kicked off the show talking a bit about the GOP governor candidates in Wisconsin and about three-quarters through discussed how the 3rd US House district in the state is one of the biggest in the nation. Ended the show with two very important cat stories — including a Mewsuem owning in Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political blowhard is what we like to call Adam Murphy, who joined to talk a little of everything. We hit on fixing the roads and electric vehicles — his Mach-E is in the shop — to breaking down some of the primary candidates and debates. That included the GOP governor's race and Democratic US Senate race in Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show talking about a story we missed the day before, talking science, and that "necrobotic spiders" could be used to make deliveries — basically zombie spiders. After that, WIZM's Brad Williams joins to talk about the Jackson Greengrass court hearing. He's one of three teens involved in a shootout and homicide on the southside of La Crosse. That led to a guns conversation. Finished the show talking about electrical-line workers out in the midst of a lightning storm, fixing my power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse outreach coordinator Spencer Hulsey in studio. Talked about her experience behind possibly being the artist of the University of Illinois newest mascot. Before that, we discussed PFAS pollution with US Senate candidate in Wisconsin, Sarah Godlewski, who was in La Crosse. After, we discussed the Arizona plan to tap the Mississippi River for water.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.