La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

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.

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.