La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

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.

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.