La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

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.

US House Rep. Ron Kind of La Crosse joined. He and WIZM's Brad Williams talked a bit about the Jan. 6 committee hearings. After that, we discussed whether we're having a dueling culture war in politics right now between the left and the right. Concluded talking about Congress again rubber stamping an increase to the military budget, which is around $840 billion next year. Before that, we talked with National Weather Service La Crosse's Kate Abbott on this past weekend's tornado and storms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Anthony Chergosky, Ph.D., joined. His take after the Jan. 6 finale was the need for movie credit bloopers to come back. We also discussed how many telephone numbers you have memorized and that La Crosse cracked the Top 100 of most livable cities. Politics wise, Chergosky spent time breaking down the Vos-Trump meeting and the dirt on GOP governor candidate Tim Michels that's been coming out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke joined. Hit on a bunch of topics, including a rise in gun violence, Wisconsin's dueling, the benefits of decriminalizing/legalizing marijuana and ancient abortion-ban laws. Started the show quick talking about a need for increased ability to get help with mental health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three-tiered show today. Spent the first half talking about the PFAS dilemma with, first, WIZM's Brad Williams and then Town of Campbell board member Lee Donahue. This comes hours after Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers was in town. After that, we talked about the week-long airshow at the EAA with Dick Knapinski. Lastly, I rant about BMW charging a subscription fee for heated seats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spent most of the show talking about a photo on the La Crosse County Sheriff's Facebook page, which shows one deputy flashing the "OK" sign that has been hi-jacked by white supremacist groups. Also talked a bit about the La Crosse School Board's decisions to put a $194.7 million referendum question to the ballot and approve a 2% raise for teachers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Democratic candidates running for federal offices on the show today. The first, 3rd Congressional District, US House candidate Rebecca Cooke stopped in from knocking on doors in 90-degree heat and no a/c in her SUV. After that. US Senate candidate Peter Pakarsky, who was left off the debate stage, called in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We bring in the expert, UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, to talk about, of course, state fair food. We precluded that, however, with the notion of legalizing marijuana in Wisconsin — something the GOP-controlled Wisconsin state Legislature can't do, because it's off for 10 months this year. Opened the show, though, talking about the timing for former President Donald Trump announcing a 2024 run. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse city clerk Nikki Elsen joined to talk about the process for replacing a city council member, as Justice Weaver announced his resignation earlier that day. She also breaks down the city's plan to add absentee ballot boxes, as the state Supreme Court ruled they're illegal. Before that, talked about the Taj Mahal of Kwik Trips that opened. The second half of the show, we took some calls, including the council revisiting a conversion therapy ban and marijuana penalties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Round 2 of turning Adam Murphy into a radio pundit. We hit on the US Senate race in Wisconsin and how some are excluded from the debate. Also took some calls on past topics this week, which included homelessness and funding schools. And spent a few minutes on Amazon Prime Day and inflation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Education Association president Jesse Martinez joined. The teachers' union president discussed where the district is at with pay increases. We also compared teacher pay in La Crosse to other nearby areas and similar districts. Before that, discussed La Crosse County putting marijuana legalization on the ballot for referendum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds stopped in studio. After doing a quick overview of the show Reacher, and a bit on La Crosse native Johnny Davis at the NBA's Summer League, we hit on both the River Point and Copper Rocks (Kmart lot) developments, before talking about the homeless situation in the city. Ended with a little snow shovel talk in July.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia joined. Kicked off the show chatting about what the nightlife was like when the Democratic Party of Wisconsin convention was held in downtown La Crosse. After that, we argued about when the primary elections should be held and Garcia agreed with Republican candidates for governor (and others) they should be moved. Wrapped up taking some calls, talking about the Supreme Court decisions both federally and in the state and hit on the Jan. 6 insurrection, as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, joined. We discussed some of the major decisions by both the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court recently, including one in the state that could allow partisan-appointed positions to never have to leave office. We also hit on a GOP governor primary debate, where Rebecca Kleefisch and Kevin Nicholson can't talk around making an admission on the 2020 election. And, of course, the $1 million-plus, taxpayer-funded Michael Gableman investigation accumulating more lawsuits — which will also be fought with taxpayer money.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kicked off the show talking about a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision to allow the DNR policy board member, whose term expired over a year ago, to stay on indefinitely. After that, Brian Fukuda, Community Development Manager, for La Crosse County, talked about a new $2 million grant funding program for housing projects. And, lastly, International Owl Center exec. director Karla Bloem broke down the baby barn owl drama in Onalaska and a new ambassador owl at the Houston, Minn., center, beginning work Friday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's called the Dark Sky Initiative, but it's not as sinister as it sounds. Scott Lind is a retired electrical engineer, who is working on a project to get three areas in Wisconsin to become part of what's called the International Dark Sky Association -- essentially a place where you can look up and see the stars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Rupar, who just survived a toddler meltdown at DQ and went over 750,000 followers on Twitter, joined to talk about covering right-wing media and politics. We hit on some of the national talking points, including the recent news of Ron Johnson's role in trying to overturn the election, as well as the Republican Senator's ability to use the media for his benefit. Also, as a couple of Minnesota residents, we discussed the upcoming governor's race between Tim Walz and Scott Jensen. Find his stuff on Public Notice at AaronRupar.SubStack.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio. No, we did not deep dive into women's right to choose being taken away, left for each state to decide. We did discuss how the GOP-hired investigator into the 2020 election in Wisconsin was working out of the public library using his personal email, deleting records and not taking notes during seminars dealing with "election fraud." We also discussed ketchup Popsicles, Captain Morgan in your root beer float (as opposed to just root beer) and how Chergosky's dad still using cassette tapes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Jill Billings joined. We discussed the GOP gaveling in and out of another special session in Madison, this time to do something about the state's archaic 1849 abortion ban. Also asked Billings what's she is up to, since the state Legislature is out of session for 10 months. We also hit on the near $1 million in taxpayer money to fund the GOP investigation into the 2020 election, which was at one point being done on a public computer at a library by Michael Gableman. Ended quick on teacher pay in La Crosse and school funding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia in studio. We discussed the evolving story of Republican US Sen. Ron Johnson's role in the Jan. 6 insurrection, which also includes the GOP party chair in La Crosse County, Bill Feehan. We also previewed the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's state convention, which is being held at the La Crosse Center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Johnson was supposed to be on the show today, but for some reason had to cancel. Also, news dropped during the US House committee hearing on Jan. 6 that Sen. Johnson may have been scheming to hand false GOP electoral college votes in Wisconsin and Michigan to Mike Pence to overturn Joe Biden's victory. Since Johnson cancelled, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is running for US Senate in Wisconsin, made time and called Johnson out, saying he should resign. Also discussed were some local issues, including a mural project on a downtown parking ramp and teacher pay increases.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Talk host Mike Hayes and WIZM's Brad Williams in studio to talk about Hayes being honored this week by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. Hayes has been doing La Crosse Talk on WIZM for 36 years. Williams started at WIZM a month before.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. Kicked off the show breaking down all the controversies in the news right now, including — and most importantly — a new taco restaurant promotion for a honey BBQ fried chicken taco. After that, hit on taxpayers funding politicians' lawyer fees, the $1 million taxpayers have put in for the GOP-election investigation. Ended ranting about a five agency manhunt, including a MN State Patrol helicopter for a guy who ran a stop sign.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former US Senate candidate in Wisconsin, Adam Murphy joined. Spent quite a bit of the show discussing how we ended up here with $5 gasoline and tried to myth bust the dumb-it-down arguments thrown out there in politics. Also hit on the guns v. video games v. internet porn and introduced Murphy to Eric from Sparta, who asked about red flag laws.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When US House member Ron Kind doesn't join, you rant about what you were going to complain about to the Congressman -- $35 insulin prices, gas price gouging, and how a lot of consumer problems is because like four companies control the market on things like gas, meat, milk. After that, WIZM's Brad Williams discusses the "whoops, too late" protest that happened outside La Crosse City Hall against a conversion therapy ban.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse Youth & STEM outreach coordinator Spencer Hulsey joined to talk science-y stuff. She busts the Jurassic Park movies and its worst villain, along with getting into other dino nonsense. After that, we talk the origins of climate change, and wrap up with the George Webb (as Rick put it) telescope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central High School Spanish teacher John Havlicek, the former teachers' union president joined. We talked about La Crosse teacher pay, building consolidation and rifted a bit about when we should be teaching kids a foreign language, among other things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky helps break down what we saw at the US House commission hearing on the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. We also hit on some Friday news dumps that included a Wisconsin Republican governor remaining on the ballot, the Wisconsin Republican "investigator" into the 2020 election having a spat in court over withholding public records and the free school lunch program getting House hearings. Lastly, we talked about the Disney wedding proposal debacle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retired long-time UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Joe Heim, spent the hour with us. We hit on some broad ideas surrounding the Jan. 6 commission's prime-time TV hearing, which isn't being aired on FOX but is on every other channel.  Is it political or historically important? What are some comparisons in history to this hearing? Before that, we discussed how unusual Wisconsin's state government is being run — or not running. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jared Flick from the La Crosse Parks and Rec. Department joined to talk about some of the things going on this summer (pools are open), but also how those things all end in the summer, and how if only the city had a giant indoor facility that could be utilized year round. Also talked about two other things: La Crosse Police busting a pill lab and the EU mandating all electronics use the same charging cords.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse School Board president Juan Jimenez joined to talk about the recent survey results asking community's opinion on supporting a $195 million referendum to consolidate, basically, to one city public high school. We also discussed the dozen teachers that commented at the board meeting over compensation. Before that, Parks and Rec. project supervisor Jim Flottmeyer updates us on two Riverside Park projects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.