La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

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.

Disappointing, La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds has yet to do his homework and watch the show Reacher. We will do a review on that when he does. What we did discuss was the street projects going on in town, new firework regulations -- for the puppies, and maybe some people -- and fines, the 467-page city council agenda, and the city’s reaffirmation on being climate neutral by 2050.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newly elected La Crosse Education Association president Jesse Martinez joined. We discussed how La Crosse students have been helped by the federal free school lunch program, which is ending this month. We also talked about the need for teacher raises. That conversation continued in the second half of the hour with calls and texts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Godlewski is looking to take Ron Johnson's seat in the US Senate representing Wisconsin. One big issue we hit on was the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Godlewski, though, is also the Wisconsin state treasurer. We start the show breaking down a couple of things the state is doing through her office and add to how the US Senate could also be helping. Isn't helping but could be, as we discuss how most legislation dies in the Senate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Tim Dale, joined the show. His expertise is in the "philosophy of politics." We discussed how things like the Texas elementary school massacre or the overturning of Roe vs. Wade become hyper politicized. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, joined. Of course we broke down the breastfeeding mother who saved her pet goose from an eagle swooping away with it. Before that, we talked about how long voters can stand candidates attacking each other in their party, before the primary is over and they can attack the "other side." We see this in the Wisconsin GOP governor race and the Democratic US Senate race. Also, what percent of people are paying attention months before the election, let alone local government issues. The homeless situation in La Crosse also came up, as people tend to make jokes or light of people who are in a terrible situation in life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Nelson is a county executive where Rick's parents currently live. He's a former state Assembly representative in Wisconsin and running to take Ron Johnson's seat in the US Senate here in Wisconsin. On the show, we hit on student debt relief vs. corporate tax breaks, state taxpayers funding pro sports teams and foreign companies and the idea that a US Senate seat is America's easiest job because all they do is filibuster everything and rarely actually vote on issues affecting people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse finance professor, Dr. Adam Stivers, joined to talk about what's happening with cryptocurrency, which appears to be in a free fall. We also discussed the stock market and how that's swung like a pendulum, up to and through the pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse School District superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joined. Among the discussion was the revised plan for School Resource Officers in schools and the proposed $194.7 million building referendum the community was just surveyed on. We also talked about how times now vs. the 1990s have changed in terms of preparing students for "life" and some of the programs, schools the district has to offer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussed the shooting death of a 15-year-old Logan student and some of the recent history on similar incidents for most of the show. Did start off talking about how the downtown cameras helped me out with a hit-and-run. A caller did chime in to complain about the southside gauntlet that is the creating of a roundabout at Hwy. 35/14/61.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse's Dr. Anthony Chergosky joins. We discuss the idea of a political party endorsing candidates in a primary. We also took some calls on the vitriol in politics, the name calling. Capped off the show on a couple weird McDonald's stories and a Minnesota US House candidate demanding to be on Survivor — yes, the show Survivor — because "racism."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Wikler, the Democratic Party chair of Wisconsin, talking only good things about Republicans heading into their state convention this weekend. Among topics, we discussed the Republican candidates for governor, Ron Johnson and Great Replacement theory. After that, WIZM's Brad Williams joined to discuss replacing the Hiawatha statue, as well as some history of the GOP endorsing governor candidates. Williams is also directing a Beatles musical in La Crescent that runs June 17-19 & 24-26.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse outreach coordinator Spencer Hulsey joined. We discussed how the new Prairie Springs science buildings will not include a planetarium and there are no plans on replacing it — therefore the public is losing its planetarium. Also discussed, on this date in 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, and the US House held a committee on UFOs. What would aliens look like?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelly Fortner, the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse executive director joined. We talked about the Kane Street gardens, how tough life is for those in financial distress and a bit on the baby formula shortage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crescent Sgt. Michael Ernster joined to talk about the black bear that visited town last night. Before that, Matt Rothschild with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign talking about the US Supreme Court decision that will allow more unchecked cash to flow into politicians' pockets. We also discussed Republicans wanting to dissolve the Wisconsin Election Commission -- maybe, as long as they get power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central High School Spanish teacher and La Crosse Education Association outgoing president John Havlicek joined. We discussed how the upcoming $192 million La Crosse School District referendum, teacher raises and all the economic situations surrounding schools goes back to state funding — or lack thereof. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined for the hour. He did not, however, do his homework and watch Reacher on Prime. We did talk about No Mow May and joked the city should pass legislation to allow creeping charlies. Also hit on the state's 20-year plan to fix La Crosse Street, privatizing the La Crosse Center and powering the city's electric busses with poop (or methane gas).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show, ranting about a recent story one one Wisconsin 3rd District US House candidate getting caught with a loaded gun in his bag at the airport. After that, talked to another 3rd District candidate, Rebecca Cooke, about multiple things going in the area and beyond, including the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade and corporate price gouging, but blaming it on inflation -- despite record profits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky is now a father. We discuss the rights a man has during what was his wife's 27-hour labor. Can you sneak out to get something to eat? After that, we talked about how someone bought a 2000-year-old priceless piece of art at a Goodwill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Rasch, executive director of Leader Ethics Wisconsin, joined to talk campaign financing and ranked-choice voting. After that, WIZM's Brad Williams stopped in to describe the protest at the La Crosse County courthouse over the potential Roe v. Wade overruling by the US Supreme Court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, we talked with 95.7 the Rock and the Rock Foundation's Jean Taylor (6:15) about Big Bikes for Little Tikes, which happens May 14, trying to make the wish come true for 5-year-old Rhett Carroll. After that, Star Wars fanatic Jon Weisbrod joined (18:00) to talk May the Fourth, as we geek out on everything from the movies, the cartoons and all the Disney series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.