La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Viterbo University biology chair and entomologist, Dr. Ted Wilson, joined to talk about the city of La Crosse's effort to help pollinators this spring with "No Mow May," where homeowners can volunteer not to mow their lawns. Wilson discusses whether that's a good thing or not. We also hit on some other bug topics like murder hornets, whether the mosquitoes, ticks and gnats will be bad and the bug apocalypse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interim Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Schott joined the show to recap the downtown La Crosse fire that claimed one building and temporarily closed some businesses adjacent to it. Schott discusses the investigation that will continue, how the fire started and compares the Indian Curry House fire on April 28, 2022, to the Casino Bar fire in 2021. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Senate candidate here in Wisconsin, Adam Murphy, spent the hour talking about everything from culture wars in politics to inflation, gas prices, the minimum wage and electric vehicles. Murphy is one of about 10 candidates running in the Democratic primary for Senate. He also revealed he'll get one of those little cartons of milk -- like we got at school -- when he orders from the fast food joint.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Common Cause executive director Jay Heck joined to help explain how the Wisconsin Supreme Court went back on its decision to accept one set of voting maps and then took, what most experts say, is an even worse — more politically skewed — set of maps. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past 29 years, Russell Wilson has led the effort to cleaning up the Coulee Region's waterways. River Cleanup La Crosse takes place May 7. We talked with Wilson about how this got started and the trash we're pulling out of the area's waterways.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined, as we break down both the best and worst Easter candies, and get breaking news — the holiday weekend, Friday news dump that will have Republicans dancing in the streets, a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that affects the entire state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the show Big Bang Theory an eye-roller for scientists? That was one of the things that came up in having Spencer Hulsey, the UW-La Crosse outreach specialist, in studio. She blows stuff up to help get kids interested in the field of science, where UW-L hosts a bunch of camps, most of which have scholarships. Along with the show Big Bang Theory discussion, we also talked comets and meteorites, what things we should be blowing up and how science nerds are now cool.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined. Gave the mayor some homework for next month’s show — to watch the show Reacher, where the mayor appointed himself police chief. We discussed groundbreakings on a $200 million hospital and a $5.5 million fire department this week, how the state legislature is done for the year, while a city council pounds away every month and how the La Crosse is handling Russian sister city Dubna.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jane Klekamp, La Crosse County's associate administrator, joined to talk about some of the projects they're trying to tackle, including bridge housing for the homeless and a childcare plan with the La Crosse School District. Before we embarked on those, however, we talked about the process of acclimating seven new members to the county board.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia joined to preview Tuesday's 3rd Congressional District debate between the five candidates that's taking place at UW-La Crosse. We also discussed how Wisconsin's state Legislature is done for the year and how party politics is trickling into nonpartisan elections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, joined. Talked about how the La Crosse County political parties get their hands into local "nonpartisan" elections and whether that's right or not. Also discussed the Wisconsin GOP doing nothing with the $5 billion budget surplus and Wisconsin Republican's partisan "investigation" into the 2020 election. Hired "investigator" Michael Gableman just was at Trump's Mar-A-Lago. But, before all that, we did break down Chergosky soon-to-be fatherhood, as his wife is due this month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse city planning administrator, Tim Acklin, joined to talk about a campaign that just launched called Forward La Crosse. The city is seeking the public's input into what La Crosse should be over the next 20 years. We also discussed the history of La Crosse, its historic downtown district, as Acklin oversees the Heritage Preservation Commission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam in studio for the last time, as he gets set to take over a fire department in Avondale, Ari., near Phoenix. We discussed how he doesn't golf, hates hot weather and isn't into the Phoenix Suns -- the best team in the NBA. We also talked, of course, on where he's leaving the La Crosse F.D.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff stopped in studio to talk about what could have been done in the Legislature, since it's adjourned for the rest of 2022 now. One of those items was tax reform, including personal property tax on businesses. After that, La Crosse County clerk Ginny Dankmeyer gave us her turnout prediction and some details on Tuesday's elections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick didn't show up, as rumors spread of his whereabouts, but UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky took over hosting duties and brought in Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle to play co-host. The two discuss what or where Rick may be, took some calls as to what should happen to him. They also did dive into some Wisconsin politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussed the healthcare dilemma with the Wisconsin Democratic Party chair, Ben Wikler, as well as US House candidate, Dr. Mark Neumann. Got into the politics of why healthcare with Wilker, while Neumann, a retired pediatrician, got into the nuts and bolts of what is wrong with the system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexandra Zapruder joins to talk about her work studying the Holocaust and Holocaust survivors. She will be speaking at Viterbo March 31 at 7 p.m. We also discussed her grandfather, Abe Zapruder, who happened to film the JFK assassination. Before that, we discussed La Crosse backing out of purchasing the Maple Grove Motel, which was going to be used as bridge housing for the homeless.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Board chair Monica Kruse joined. We hit on a slew of topics the county is working on, including fixing the roads, a new childcare initiative, homelessness and how partisanship has crept into nonpartisan races.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Got some takes on Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, including from WIZM's Brad Williams, who's an awards show aficionado. Also talked a bit about news last week that La Crosse County Sheriff Jeff Wolfe was not seeking re-election and just the notion that the sheriff's position is both partisan and an elected position.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We broke down the "unanimous consent" the US Senate needed to accidentally pass permanent Daylight Saving across the country with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky. Also hit on a N.D. pastor finding the K from Kmart in his front yard, how old your kid need to be to mow the lawn and the fight two Wisconsin state legislators almost had — literal fight, not political fight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican state legislators Robin Vos and Timothy Ranthum wanting to fight? La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia joined in studio. Talked first with WIZM's Brad Williams about a La Crosse history museum. Then hit on the state Democratic Party convention coming to La Crosse, before diving into Vos v. Ranthum talk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Salvation Army of La Crosse's Krista Coey and Isaiah Thomas stopped in studio to discuss the homeless situation right now in the area. We touched on a little of everything, from what the Salvation Army does to the misconceptions of the homeless and how the city of La Crosse is handling the situation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Campbell town chair Joshua Johnson joined to talk about how French Island residents are handling the PFAS dilemma and what is being done to solve the issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before and after we talked with Clark Draxler, clinical manager for Gundersen in La Crosse, about new legislation making it a felony to attack or threaten healthcare workers or their families, we discussed the city's handling of the homeless situation, as it was meeting in closed session to back out of a bridge housing deal in buying a local motel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, joins. We discussed the very important topics like switching the clocks for Daylight Saving time at noon Friday, instead of 2 a.m. Sunday. Also, are there more doors in the world or wheels? We did discuss some politics, like the $1.5 trillion package that just past the Senate and the anniversary of Act 10 in Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick De Haan, the petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.com, joined to talk about the price of gas. After that, took some calls on what the city is doing about homelessness in La Crosse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gundersen infectious specialist Megan Meller joined to talk about COVID-19 two years into a pandemic, soon to be epidemic. Why are we easing precautions, like lifting masks and how things evolved since this all began. Also talked about a very unique run/walk that is .01 kilometers, happening at 4 p.m. Saturday on Pearl Street in La Crosse. Head down for pregame at 2 p.m.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show with WIZM's Brad Williams who was at the Valley View Mall auction. After that, US House Rep. Ron Kind of the 3rd Congressional District joined to talk about Ukraine-Russia, sanctions, Congress trading stocks, high prices and redistricting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined. In honor of March Madness, we got his Final Four on the city's biggest issues, which includes water quality, housing and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. We had to get an update on the freedom trucker convoy rolling through La Crosse. After that, tried to pick Chergosky's brain on the 2020 Wisconsin election investigation report that came out this week, as well as the Wisconsin Supreme Court taking Gov. Tony Evers' voting district maps over the GOP versions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before we dived into Ukraine-Russia with Deb McGrath, who is running in the 3rd Congressional District for a US House of Representative seat, we had to talk about news on the Wisconsin Supreme Court accepting Gov. Tony Evers redistricting maps, and what that means for McGrath's campaign. After, we got McGrath's expertise from being in the CIA and Army for 25 years, how realistic those Jack Ryan moves and TV shows are. We also picked her brain the Russian invasion of Ukraine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viterbo history and political science professor, Dr. Keith Knutson joined to try and explain the Russia-Ukraine conflict. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse economics professor Adam Hoffer joined to discuss the value of the Valley View Mall, as it's up for auction March 8. We also talked about inflation, wages and thriving corporations vs. dying ones -- like the ones no longer at the mall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just over a week ago, the city designated Houska Park in La Crosse a temporary campground, which will allow the unsheltered to stay there. A committee resolution for Tuesday wants to undo that. We talked to the author of that resolution, Chris Woodard. After that, state Rep. Jill Billings joined to discuss the Legislature cramming a ton of bills through so it can be done for the year -- by the way, it's Feb. 28.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio. Had to, of course, talk about the 500-pound bear, Hank the Tank. Also hit on an Apple ring that tracks your spouse. After that, hit on potential new Wisconsin laws penalizing jerks who harass healthcare workers, mandatory jail time for shoplifters, and 3rd-party food delivery services taking orders from restaurants that have no idea they're available for delivery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Mark Neumann joined. He's the District 13 city council member, representing the area that includes the motel La Crosse just purchased to help the homeless through bridge housing. He's also running in the 3rd Congressional District for US House of Representatives. A lot of the discussion around issues affecting the area centered around how the community interacts with its representatives or how its reps interact with the community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spent most of the hour talking about the homeless issue in La Crosse, as the city just approved the purchase of a south-side motel to use for bridge housing. Also ranted about the Wisconsin state Legislature cramming what must be hundreds of bills right before they hit the campaign trail. Late in the show, WIZM's Brad Williams reports live on a body found in the Black River near Clinton Street. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Manley with the MOSES Organic Farming Conference joined. We discussed a slew of issues that deal with farming, food, food production. We also, of course, talked about coming back to to the city for what is one of the, if not the biggest event at the La Crosse Center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Education Association president John Havlicek in studio. We talked about some of the history in La Crosse dealing with school boards and the endorsement by the Education Association of three candidates. Also discussed therapy dogs in school and some of the hot button issues that schools and school board races are dealing with.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. Started off the show with another important topic, as someone in the UP stole an entire cabin. After that got into the death of a US Congressman who represents Minnesota right here in La Crescent, then talked a lot about the Wisconsin state Legislature’s not doing, then overdoing everything.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked mental health with Sam Seefeld. He's the La Crosse County Crisis Program supervisor. Hit on an array of issues when it comes to mental health, especially the dilemma of how you even diagnose it to where you go if you determine you have a problem. Also hit on the impact farming, veterans and remote work/learning have on mental health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two guests today. Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff stopped in studio quick to talk about the governor's $150 checks to residents. After that, University of Minnesota geologist, climate scientist, Dr. Peter Neff, was on to discuss his work in Antarctica, drilling two miles into the ice to study the air. Neff is a glaciologist. They pull up these ice cores to study what the climate, what the air was like as far back as 800,000 years ago.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked quite a bit about Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and the Super Bowl halftime show. Also hit on how overrated Valentine's Day is for some, and awful for others, plus how all V-day candy is terrible. Lastly, did touch on the fake flyer made to draw attention to the Holmen School Board race.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Friday news dump so important, we had to bring on Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle to join UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky. After that, Chergosky and Solem discussed partisan politics continuing to trickle into local races, what to do with Valley View Mall and how Ron Johnson DGAF.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Haskell, chair of the Voter Services Committee for the League Women Voters of the La Crosse Area joined. We discussed a bit how partisanship has trickled down to local elections, which are deemed nonpartisan. We talked what the League does, not just with elections, but in general. Also discussed how to get informed on local races, the importance of taking part and some info on when and where to vote. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke joined. We discussed the Wisconsin state Legislature's reaction to the Waukeshau parade tragedy and bail bonds, the Minneapolis Police / Amir Locke killing, in regards to no-knock warrants, as well as a county police oversight board and the show 48 Hours looking at the Todd Kendhammer murder of his wife in West Salem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined. He explains the news of a citywide tax assessment and how that differs from an individual property owner assessment. Also hit on housing in La Crosse, childcare, and the government's potential role on those issues. Also spent quite a bit of time on the unsheltered situation in La Crosse, as the motel deal ends in 2 months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. We discussed the billionaire battle between Amazon's Jeff Bezos — and his mega-yacht potentially destroying a historic Dutch bridge — and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, who might want to move to the Metaverse after he lost $31 billion in a day. We also talked some Foxconn news, as Wisconsin still waits for all the tech, it looks like there is some potential expansion into the food coloring business. Lastly, we discussed more news about the fake electors in Wisconsin casting ballots for Donald Trump in 2020.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lori Stern, the executive director of the MOSES Organic Farming Conference joined. We talked about the upcoming event at the La Crosse Center (Feb. 24-26) and then deep dove into some farming and food issues, like how four multinational meatpackers in the US control 54% of poultry processing, 66% of pork packing, and 85% of beef packing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Lasry is one of about a dozen candidates running for US Senate in Wisconsin. He's also the Senior VP of the Milwaukee Bucks -- when he's not running. Had to ask him about the Bucks a bit, but then we did dive into a lot of the issues surrounding the Senate race, including healthcare, taxes, Citizens United and, of course, Ron Johnson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.