La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

La Crosse County Sheriff John Siegel joined for the hour. Spent a big part of the show talking about the Memphis police killing of Tyre Nichols and how that resonates within his department. That also played into a conversation about the county's police study committee. Another county initiative we discussed, was free phone calls for jail inmates, and where we're at with that being enacted. Capped off the show talking about drug overdose deaths in the county and how the Sheriff's Office is dealing with those drugs on multiple fronts. Opened things up, though, talking about Siegel's first month on the job and how his three children are doing — one playing DI college football, another shooting 3s in the Special Olympics and a third at UW-Green Bay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joins for the hour. Spent a big part of the show going through some of the ins and outs of homelessness and how it's being handled in La Crosse and what might be coming in the near future — and distant future — to help. Opened the show discussing what exactly is a "supper club," as the library hosted a documentary called "Old Fashioned." Bottom half of the show was about Gov. Tony Evers' visit to the city, updates on the $65 million wastewater treatment plan and how it might power the city with poop, and on some new hires in the parks department and on a major project.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Murphy, our political blowhard, filling in on a Friday, as the nation is consumed with a balloon, apparently from China. So, we hit on that a bit, but more along the lines of how the U.S. government talks about China to the public. Before that, however, we spent a lot of time talking about how media, in general — like TV vs. streaming — is changing, and what we say is the most popular — like Fox News — doesn't even compare to what is actually being watched (TikTok videos). All that conversation, though, started because of a viral MrBeast video on getting 1,000 people eye surgery, which of course led to a universal healthcare discussion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse outreach coordinator, Spencer Wilken, or "Mrs. Photon," in studio talking about using incredible Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT) in everyday ways, the unexpected effects of salting our roads — which, apparently, are butterfly steroids and, of course, Puxatony Phil and Groundhog’s Day. That did beg the question, ‘What would La Crosse’s groundhog-like mascot be?’ Wrapped up with some exciting upcoming programs at UW-L, as well as a weird radioactive news out of Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gundersen registered dietitian Laura Birkel joined to break down some of myths out there in the food world, how to navigate protein as a vegan, those pre-made dinners we see everywhere and some discrepancies with the new food compass — plus much more. Some of those food myths included whether things like eggs or coffee are healthy. We also talked about some sports myths, like drinking pickle juice to stave off cramps and if protein powder is a good supplement. A big thing today, since we have no time to cook as a society, we see these pre-made dinners, which look like they've replaced frozen dinners. We bet Birkel's take on whether they are actually healthy? Birkel works out of the Onalaska clinic at Gundersen Health System. We began the show talking a bit about what she does and who could/should go see her or her colleagues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Education Association — otherwise known as the teachers' union — president Jesse Martinez joined for the hour. Among the many things covered were the February and April elections with the La Crosse School Board on the ballot, as well as a $60 million operating budget referendum question. Martinez, who teachers Middle School at Logan, also discussed Lincoln Middle School closing. We hit on the teacher shortage and some ideas on using Wisconsin’s $7.1 billion budget surplus in education. Throughout the show, we also talked about some of the ups and downs that teachers go through, and whether students should have homework.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The primary for the spring elections is just weeks away. Chris Haskell from the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area joins to discuss some of the things we might see on the ballot. After that, a bit of a rant on how these elections are nonpartisan by name only and how politicians play with the ballot with their partisanship, even though the issues at hand are very much defined by voters already — like abortion, marijuana and gerrymandering.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chegosky in studio. Kicked off the show with another guest, La Crosse Airport director Ian Turner, to continue our ongoing saga of "What's going through TSA today?" And we recapped that saga of duct-taping passengers, carry-on frozen chickens and he emotional support boa constrictor named Bartholomew. After that, we talked about a 29-year-old woman posing as a high school student for four days and 7,600 people getting fake nursing degrees. Also spent time on how A.I. affects education. Ended the show with some Wisconsin politics, including how many millions in Wisconsin taxpayer funds the 2020 presidential election investigation cost and how Republicans and Gov. Tony Evers are fighting over the two-year budget.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political blowhard, small business owner and failed US Senate candidate out of Wisconsin, Adam Murphy is back. It wasn't part of the agenda, but we spent some time on the rise of Artificial Intelligence and just what movie best represents the fall of man. We also discussed Chevron's record profits and $75 billion in stock buybacks, as well as what to do with Wisconsin's now $7.1 billion budget surplus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viterbo economist John Robinson joins. Spent a lot of the time around the idea from some members of the US House to get rid of federal income tax and to replace that with a 23-30% sales tax on just about everything. Along with that discussion, we talked about filing taxes and who it might help if we did get rid of some of tax systems — like farmers or Hollywood actors. Robinson is a La Crosse native and also Viterbo's Interim Associate Dean and associate professor of business. We kicked off the show talking a bit about the La Crosse School District's building consolidation plan, as the Lincoln Middle School will close this year. Lastly, in there somewhere, we talked about egg price gouging in comparison with the Taylor Swift-Ticketmaster dilemma, as Robinson is a huge Swiftie (or is it Swifty?) and also loves cooking with eggs, apparently.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse School District superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel joined to discuss the decision by the School Board on a $60 million operating referendum and closing Lincoln Middle School. The referendum question will go on the April ballot and would encompass six years. Closing the middle school is part of the district's consolidation plan, after a referendum to build a new $194.7 million high school fell through last fall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio. After breaking down the history of 4x4s a week after a big snowstorm we got into some Madison business. Pfaff recently voted with Republicans on a bail reform question headed to the ballot that will change the state constitution. Pfaff also voted to add a welfare question to the ballot. We discussed the reasoning for his votes, while Republicans who control the Legislature didn't put an abortion question on the ballot, as the state has a 174-year-old law that bans abortion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio. Hit on a slew of topics like the southern border, abortion, gerrymandering and the Wisconsin Supreme Court and how they are used politically, versus how the general public feels about such issues. Ended the show with a quick Friday news dump on Wisconsin's 82-year-old Secretary of State doing a thing, as well as our ongoing saga of things going through TSA checkpoints. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse School Board president Dr. Juan Jimenez joins. Two big topics included the upcoming elections where four new school board members will be elected out of the pool of nine currently running. Before Jimenez joined, WIZM's Brad Williams talked about the last time he remembers that many new board members coming on, back during the 1992 school board special recall election in July. Along with the election, Jimenez spoke about what entails being a school board member. We wrapped up the conversation in how administration is beginning to discuss the future of the La Crosse School District, post the $194.7 million new high school, consolidation plan was voted down last November.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia in studio. Big topic of the day was Garcia revealing he'll be using his electric snow shovel — or "power broom" as we learned — as we get set for snow-pocalypse 2023. Politically, we spent some time on three proposals offered by freshman US House Rep., Republican Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin's 3rd District here in the La Crosse area. We also compared and contrasted what Wisconsin and Minnesota will do with their billion-dollar budget surpluses — Wisconsin's projected over $6.6 billion, while Minnesota is three times that at $17.6 billion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign executive director Matt Rothschild joined for a bit to discuss Wisconsin Republicans and voter suppression. After that, a rant about the last video rental stores closing in Minnesota. Wrapped up talking about politicians crying about politicking in an argument about dueling ballot measures that apparently only want to turn out the vote.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse city council member Dr. Mark Neumann in studio, discussing city development moving forward — like River Point District — as well as the council decisions on the eight-year Climate Action Plan and the senior center building sale offer. Neumann also discussed Mayor Mitch Reynolds' state of the city address. Began the show talking about Neumann the retired pediatric critical care doctor, who spent quite a few years working in Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joins. Hit on an array of topics from the removal of most cameras in the US House to some new businesses popping up in La Crosse. In regards to the House, we also talked about one Congressman lying about his volleyball accolades at a college he didn’t go to and Wisconsin's Derrick Van Orden proposing his first legislation. La Crosse is getting another Starbucks and are you more excited about a Five Guys or Five Below opening here? Republicans are shrinking on the likelihood of legalizing any marijuana in Wisconsin, while it’s almost a done deal for Democrats in Minnesota. A couple other things we talked about included Republicans proposing a flat tax in Wisconsin and Missouri’s GOP banning women from baring — not bearing — arms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke joins. The big topics we hit on all had to deal with potential law changes across the state in regards to theft, drugs and letting people out of jail — bonds/bail. In regards to drugs, Wisconsin is thinking about proposing legislation to legalize medical marijuana, while just about every territory around the state already has it fully legalized. With theft, lawmakers want to decrease the amount stolen that results in a felony. And, with bail/bonds, the Legislature is trying to change the system through a Constitutional Amendment in regards to bail, in reaction to the Waukesha parade massacre. Is it far enough? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse outreach coordinator Spencer Wilken joins to talk science. Among the topics was bored scientists trying to determine how smart a Tyrannosaurus rex actually was. We also discussed the Great American Beaver Drop, as well as how beavers are wreaking havoc in the wake of climate change. And in the midst, we hit on space talk, including a green comet that will fly by soon, new black hole info and how old — or young — the universe might be, thanks to the new James Webb telescope.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vicki Markussen in studio to discuss her new podcasts that dives into the business world. It dropped last week, BizCast Greater La Crosse, where Markussen talks with business owners and others in the industry about, well, just about anything. We, too, dived into some of those dilemmas local businesses face, like downtown restaurants hampered because of remote work or different aspects of tipping or tipped workers. Markussen is a former reporter, before working for business groups like the 7 Rivers Alliance and Chamber of Commerce. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds in studio. Spent a majority of the show going over situation between the city, the mayor and the Harry J Olson Senior Center. The city council takes up a proposal to sell the senior center group the city-owned building for $1. Its lease ran out at the end of 2020, and it since rejected a $1 proposal from the mayor since then. Before that, we discussed another council agenda item on how the city is updating its TIF policy. Opened the show venting a bit about the Packers loss, but that led to a funny conversation about how Reynolds "mayors" (the verb) — essentially how he "coaches."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio, while retired-US Congressman calls in. On the show, we break down the US House Speaker drama. We get Kind's opinion on the matter, after he served 26 years in the US House. Also Kind recalls his experience at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, as well as his opinion on the new, bipartisan-talking Derrick Van Orden. And we, of course, check in on Kind's plans post retirement or if the President Joe Biden White house is calling. After that, we discussed Wisconsin's state Legislature's 8-month gap in 2024, where it doesn't meet in session, as well as Assembly Speaker Robin Vos' justification to using the state's $6.6 billion budget surplus on tax cuts. Vos: "Just to be clear: [A flat tax is] not about rewarding the wealthy, even though there's absolutely nothing wrong with that." Lastly, we discuss a "Florida (wo)man" story of a House member accused of being a literal witch, and a butter factory in Wisconsin clogging the sewers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Environmental planner, Lewis Kuhlman in studio to talk about the city's Climate Action Plan. The city is working on a goal to become carbon neutral by 2050. A stepping stone to that is a multi-faceted, seven-year plan as sort of a road map to get there. Kuhlman discusses that plan — highlighting some of those 170 pages — which goes to the full city council on Jan. 12.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Tim Dale, joins. Spent most of the show breaking down Republicans in the US House selecting the Speaker. We touched on the 20 or so defectors, why they don't want Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump's role and how this might come to an end. Also, we briefly talked about talk radio, sports vs. political coverage and whether or not the Wisconsin has a full-time state Legislature.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky and Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle join. Chergosky had to be summoned a few days early to help break down Republicans in the US House not agreeing on a Speaker — something that hasn't happened in literally 100 years. Doyle joined to talk about the Legislature meeting for the first time in what seems like 100 years — though is technically about 10 months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First show of 2023, so we recap 2022 one last time with WIZM's Brad Williams — some of the biggest themes of the year will continue on in the area through this and next year. After, Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Jill Billings joined to quickly break down some of her priorities and assignments this term and the Legislature getting back together after 10 months off.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, and the WIZM year-in-review. We discuss the top clicked WIZMnews.com stories of 2022 and also go over Chergosky's Top 10 story themes of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our "political blowhard," Adam Murphy joined for the hour. Murphy is the owner of Big Bang LLC, ran for US Senate in Wisconsin and holds degrees in economics and political science. On the show we discussed Wisconsin's $6.6 billion budget surplus and the low unemployment rate. Also talked about a US House member lying about everything imaginable to get elected and how political power plays a role in his potentially being kicked out of Congress. Also talked about a GOP-selected Wisconsin DNR board member costing taxpayers $76,000. And ended with some electric vehicle talk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio. Among the topics covered, including the the projected $6.6 billion budget surplus, whether the state Legislature will have a 10-month "holiday" like it did in 2022 and what Pfaff has for ideas, after just being appointed to the WEDC Board of Directors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recovering from the Christmas holiday weekend complaining about not getting that Mercedes in the driveway, or any new Lego sets. WIZM's Brad Williams joined to talk about the Lego Masters out of Holmen and how Legos evolved but the Erector set didn't. Also ranted about how Wisconsin's DNR is politicized, somehow, and what the state is missing out on without sports gambling. Ended talking about the "free shipping" myth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio to break down the most disliked Christmas songs, most liked Christmas movies and the US House rep that seemingly lied about everything to get elected. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central Cares czar and success coach Brad Bryan in studio to talk about food insecurity and running the Central High School's food pantry. Also dropping in was Economic Support Manager Lorie Graff to talk about all the things La Crosse County does to help those in need, including food share, health care, child care and energy assistance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin Goggins, executive director of the Harry J Olson Senior Center, and her lawyer, Terry Collins, in studio to discuss the ongoing dispute/negotiations between them and the city of La Crosse on the future of that building. The lease ended in 2020, and the senior center is hoping to stay in the building permanently, buying the property at 1607 North Street from the city for $1 — an offer that was previously offered to them, which they did not accept.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Micheal Kurz, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service La Crosse in studio. Aside from reviewing the best/worst weather movies -- and he has yet to see Sharknado -- we previewed the bitter cold, snowy upcoming weather heading into Christmas, and we recapped what's perhaps La Crosse's craziest weather systems, which happened on Dec. 15, 2021. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined to discuss everything from meeting with US House-elect Derrick Van Orden to bipartisan legislation coming from, perhaps, the most opposite US Senators in the history of our country — Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson. And that legislation: The FDA doesn’t deem cranberries healthy. That bled into a Mariah Carey Christmas conversation and the show ended talking about Uncrustables PB&Js. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coulee Region Wildlife Rehabilitator Kathy KasaKaitas dropped in to tell some stories about rescuing animals. She's working with 1,000-1,200 rescues a year and is pretty much self-funded through donations and grants. She told us two big stories over the past year they've helped with, including a bald eagle that was hit by a train and some baby barn owls nesting in Onalaska — the first nest found in Wisconsin in 21 years. We also discussed the city of La Crosse ending its contract with Coulee Region Humane Society to take animal calls and how that affects them going forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse outreach coordinator, Spencer Wilken, nicknamed Mrs. Photon, in studio to talk science. The big news for, not just the week, but the century, maybe ever, is scientists at a lab in California, have fused the atom -- they did fusion. We try to dissect. Before that, we talked about the diminishing snow in Wisconsin over the past few decades, as well as some snow facts from the state. Ended the show, quick, talking about real Christmas tree vs. fake tree.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viterbo economist John Robinson joined the show to help explain how Wisconsin ended up with a $6.6 billion projected budget surplus. In reference to that conversation, we also had to dive into how inflation has played a role in the surplus, as well as record-corporate profits happening at the same time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathy Harris, the Clean Vehicle and Fuels advocate for the NRDC, joined to talk about why the world needs to transition to electric vehicles. First, of course, the why — the impact of oil/gas vehicles versus electric. After that, some of the ins and outs about that transition, including the need — or lack thereof — for charging stations at every "Kwik Trip" (gas station), how the tax credit has changed recently for buying an EV and how the US compares to the rest of the world in the transition, among other things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Fire Chief Jeff Schott in studio. He's six months into the job, but 22 years with the department. As the Chief, he did not drive the giant ladder truck to the studio, but he did say he can take it out now whenever he wants. It's been a busy week for the department and we talked about why that might be. There have also been two huge downtown La Crosse fires in the past two years, so we discussed those, as well. We got a little bio from him, as he's the new chief and we also discussed what involves becoming a firefighter, the city's future plans for new fire stations and if the department gets a lot of "cats in tree" calls, as the police department is about to take animal control responsibility in the city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Longtime La Crosse Central Spanish teacher John Havlicek joined. Among the topics discussed included the state of teachers and the teaching profession right now, where the La Crosse School District goes with a consolidation plan, and just some interesting aspects Havlicek experiences in teaching. In the middle, however, we also talked politics, including the effects of rigging district lines for one party or another.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Rep. Jill Billings of La Crosse in studio. Among the topics discussed included running for local office versus campaigning in state races. We also hit on the lack of Democratic voices being heard, when statewide races are 50-50, yet the 99 Assembly sets only have 35 Democrats. Billings also talked out where the state will go with a projected $6.6 billion budget surplus, and we hit quick on topics like marijuana legalization and PFAS. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds in studio. We discussed an upcoming lobbying effort to get the federal government to address drought along the Mississippi River. We also talked about how development is going in the River Point District, which is the old Mobil Oil site. The mayor comes on the Monday before the monthly city council meeting, which will be addressing a new contract and responsibilities with the Coulee Region Humane Society, as well as Pearl Street funding. Lastly, we hit on a south side building the city owns, and the lack of an agreement for years with the group that runs a senior center there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio. Began and ended the show on the important topics, including Dunkin' Donuts in La Crosse and suing Kraft because it takes too long to microwave Mac n Cheese. In between that, we discussed the "nonpartisan" spring elections coming up that are becoming all too partisan and why Donald Trump didn't campaign for losing GOP candidate Tim Michels, up against Gov. Tony Evers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another outside, multi-billion-dollar corporation, this time in Switzerland, is trying to come into northern Minnesota and create a copper-nickel (sulfide) mine. It's controversial in many ways — from the company itself to even state agencies skating rules — as explained by WaterLegacy Advocacy Director Paula Maccabee. She spent a majority of the show talking about the Polymet mining project that is being proposed upstream of the St. Louis River, which drains into Lake Superior. She also made arguments recently fighting the project to the Minnesota Supreme Court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Siegel, who will become La Crosse County's sheriff on Jan. 2, spent the hour in studio. A lot of the conversation centered around how Siegel wants to create and expand lines of communication with the public through town hall-like events, social media and the media. We also talked about the county being the first in the state to allow free phone calls for people in jail, and the makeup of the jail, in general. We did open the show talking about football, however, as John's son, C.J. just wrapped up his senior year a standout corner at North Dakota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse School District superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joined for the hour. We hit on a lot of topics, beginning with whether we still have snow days, being students can "remote learn" now. We spent the second half of the show going over the aftermath of not passing the $194.7 million question, to build a new high school on the south side, and where the district — and when — goes from there. Also talked about the lack of state funding that affects every other aspect of the school district. And, in there, we hit on some of the programs La Crosse does with apprenticeships that perhaps weren't a thing back when their parents were in school.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Common Cause Wisconsin executive director Jay Heck joined to talk about "gerrymandering," a term that does not elude to what is actually happening in Wisconsin and other states. Map-rigging, a better phrase, as Heck explains how this past election exploited power even more and how an upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race becomes the most important in the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in the WIZM studio. Capping off the holiday week, we talk a lot of nonsense about Black Friday and Thanksgiving themed movies. We did, however, get very serious for a bit on the La Crosse County sheriff's race that was recently and seemingly reluctantly conceded by Republican Fritz Leinfelder, giving Democrat John Siegel the win.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.