La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Viterbo biology professor and immunologist, Dr. Chris Mayne joined to talk all things COVID-19 -- from the new variant to vaccines to some of the myths people are hearing. Before that conversation began, however, we did discuss a funny story about how a professor offered students an easy $50 but nobody figured out how to get it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. We ranted about Congress easily passing a $768 billion military budget for 2022. After that, we got to the TikTok challenge of school threats and how the area has been inundated with them over the past two months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin Waldhart with the WAFER Food Pantry in La Crosse joined to discuss just how the community has been impacted over the past year and a half and what kinds of things they offer to help. Before that, WIZM's Brad Williams discusses Rotary Lights damage — a conversation that continued later in the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kicked off the show with longtime meteorologist Todd Shea from the National Weather Service - La Crosse giving us an update on Wed. night's weather and how out of the ordinary it is. After that, talked a bit more about the weather, that Rotary Lights closed and also hit on the La Crosse Center open house and the guy that was arrested for setting a La Crosse home on fire -- which killed a dog -- and pointing a gun at someone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grace Schrope with Lake Superior Helicopters joined the show to talk about the helicopter rides coming Thursday-Sunday to Rotary Lights in downtown La Crosse. Also talked about Elon Musk as the Times Person of the Year in parallel to teachers in S.D. on display grabbing $1 in a dash for cash game for school supplies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Longtime La Crosse Center director Art Fahey joined to break down the completion of the $42 million expansion/renovation in a bit of a preview to Wednesday's open house, where at least one big statewide guest will be present. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. We hit on some Christmas music, the movie Elf, and trying to cover politics down the middle, despite sometimes there being no middle. Ended talking about the idea of a WIZM studio built into the Fish Labs event center project at La Crosse's Riverside ParkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse Planetarium director Bob Allen joined in studio to talk about all things out of this world. A cube-like structure found on the moon, an asteroid buzzing the tower that is Earth, billionaires headed to space and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's Matt Rothschild joined for a bit to talk about what's going on around the state, including election investigations. That conversation continued a bit afterward, along with some talk about another school threat in the area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined for the hour. Talked a bit about Badgers star Johnny Davis. We hit on the object a rover has seen on the horizon of the dark side of the moon. And we did discuss some city biz, like the roundabout project on the southside and the purchase of the $2 million Chamber building downtown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, joined. Yes, we had a conversation about how even there, the Valley View Mall -- and malls in general -- might not succeed. Other things discussed included the school threats in La Crosse and beyond, the election investigation in Wisconsin and how Roe vs. Wade is used in politics, but Citizens United never seems to be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barn owl nests haven't been seen in Wisconsin in 22 years ... until a few months ago, when one was discovered in a La Crosse family's backyard up in a dead maple tree. International Owl Center executive director Karla Bloem joined to talk about getting that call and what happened after that. We also talked about big plans the Center in Houston, Minn., has coming up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Congressman Ron Kind talked about the infrastructure deals vs. the Pentagon budget, how PFAS are affecting La Crosse County residents and how politics have turned into one side hating the other. Kind is in his final term, after serving 13 years in the US House. After that, WIZM's Brad Williams joined to talk about the city-county plan to buy the Chamber building and turn it into a headquarters to help the un-sheltered.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Common Cause Wisconsin executive director Jay Heck joined to talk about all things redistricting and voting, as the Wisconsin Supreme Court has made a decision in the process of map-making for the next decade. Heck has been working with the nonpartisan group for the past 27 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked with Pat Stephens of Rotary Lights on how the Riverside Park holiday display kicked off its opening weekend and what it takes to put on such a thing for the past 27 years. Before that, Bill Soper, CEO of the La Crosse Area YMCA, joined to discuss the new 24-7 plan at the Y, as well as some major building updates in La Crosse and Onalaska. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. We ate some Festival fluff in honor of Thanksgiving, talked about how unproductive a day Black Friday is. We also discussed the new COVID-19 variant and wrapped up talking about how whatever the problem is in the US — the $1 store being the $1.25 store now, bc "inflation" and not corporate greed — just point to whoever's president. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show talking about a big study showing that Thanos couldn't have snapped his fingers with the glove he was wearing, in a movie that must be two years old. Peter Cameron with the Badger Project joined to discuss that, as well as rural broadband across Wisconsin, gerrymandering in the state and Thanksgiving foods. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura Gooden, archivist at the UW-L library and on La Crosse's Heritage Preservation Commission, joined to talk about the city's most endangered buildings, the ones it lost in 2021 and what the commission could do to save others on the upcoming 2022 list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retired criminal law attorney Pat Heim joined to discuss the finale of the Kyle Rittenhouse case and whether or not the state needs to make some changes to laws that surrounded it. Also discussed a similar case in Kenosha about a black girl, Chrystul Kizer, who did not get the same treatment as Rittenhouse. Finished up hitting on the three Georgia men on trial for what's often called a modern day lynching and the upcoming Ghislaine Maxwell case that involved Jeffery Epstein.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hit a bit of everything with UW-L political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky, from editing anime videos where we kill co-workers and then get censured to moving homeless indoors in La Crosse. We also discussed politicians ignoring important, popular legislation which then dies without debate and, most importantly, what's Bri craving, 4 months into her pregnancy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Tim Dale joined for the first time ever. We hit just about every political spectrum and what or why we're driven to the left or the right. Also discussed voter turnout hitting 68% at UW-L in the 2020 presidential election.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Schools superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel joined. We discussed the potential consolidation of high schools in the city and perhaps buying a new building. Also discussed the state report card that just came out and where La Crosse sits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Council member Doug Happel breaks down the some of the details with the 2022 city of La Crosse budget. After that, because he's also on the Police and Fire Commission, we talk about La Crosse County's plan for some type of police oversight board.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Center Board president Brent Smith joined to talk about the completion of the $42 million expansion. We talk about what updates we'll see — like a new outdoor terrace — and what the new Center means for the city, the area. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. Among the discussion was a new baby on the way, what kind of pregnancy cravings are we seeing ... how many is too many mini candy bars, the 3rd Congressional District race and an idea proposed by Republicans US Sen. Ron Johnson in having the Wisconsin Legislature control its own elections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Beyer joined the show. She's homeless and living in Houska Park in La Crosse. Spent most of the show discussing the situation with those who are unsheltered.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show ranting about Daylight Saving, before Viterbo biology professor and immunologist, Dr. Chris Mayne, talked some of the recent news in the COVID-19 pandemic, including 5-11-year-old vaccinations and getting a booster.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County board chair Monica Kruse joined to discuss them passing a study committee at looking into creating a police oversight board, as well as passing the 2022 budget.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined. Started off listening to Rick rant about Aaron Rodgers. After that, got into city issues and spent a majority of the final half of the show discussing the homeless situation in La Crosse. Reynolds not happy with state government essentially ignoring the issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio, to discuss the Build Back Better social infrastructure bill and how Democrats really don't do a great job promoting. Also hit on how we consume news, Joe Biden and the Wisconsin election investigation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's Matt Rothschild joined. We talked about buying politicians, continuing election investigations and ignoring citizens when it comes to how Wisconsin determines who represents them in office.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She wants Ron Kind's seat in Congress. Rebecca Cooke joined, running for the 3rd Congressional District. Cooke's a small business owner, runs a nonprofit for women entrepreneurs and grew up on a Dairy Farm. If she were a Navy Seal, she'd have all the boxes checked. We talked about about healthcare, broadband, water, the Build Back Better plan in Congress now and her opponents, Democrats Brad Pfaff and Brett Knudsen, and Republican Derrick Van Orden.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke in studio. We talked about communities not charging and not even pulling people over for basic traffic violations. Also hit on where La Crosse County is at with a Police Board or oversight board. And we talked about the judge in the Rittenhouse case and some homicide cases coming up in the county.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al Bliss, from Alliance to Heal, joined to talk about drugs, overdoses and deaths in La Crosse County and what they're doing to help bring those numbers down. After that, city council member Chris Woodard joined to talk about a big vote Tuesday on a $15 million plan for affordable apartments, including some dedicated to the unsheltered.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joins. Along with all things Halloween candy, we do talk about the terrible optics Democrats create around Biden's Build Back Better plan and how Congress removes things in the bill that they literally have as part of their job.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam joined. Along with talking about best-worst Halloween candies, we did discuss things like electric fire trucks, the new speed bumps in front of the La Crosse Center and bringing the giant rig to call like a heart attack, as opposed to a fire.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle joined. Since he's a lawyer, we asked him about the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, and a judge ordering the people shot and killed can't be called "victims" but can be called "looters" and "rioters."  Also talked about the Wisconsin election investigations and how bills move (or don't) through the state Legislature heading into an election year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All kinds of government agencies are "fishing" for invasive carp in the Mississippi River here in La Crosse this week. We talked with Randy Hines about that process and about working for the US Geological Survey over on French Island. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about consolidating into one high school in La Crosse. Would it save money in the long run? Is it worth ending an intra-city rivalry? Also discussed the John Deere strike, CEO pay vs. worker pay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. Briefly discussed some streaming favorites and how crime shows are actually solving real world murders. After that, we talked about the 3rd Congressional District race and a final report that came out on what Wisconsin could do to improve elections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked to Becky Rom, the national chair for the Save the Boundary Waters campaign, about the recent decision from the Biden Administration putting, at least, a temporary halt on copper-nickel mining upstream from Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Before that, discussed the haunted houses, walks going on in the city and we've solved the mystery on video of the Hatched Baby being vandalized.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The battle for power in Wisconsin, as the state argues over drawing political maps that are some of the most gerrymandered in the U.S. Common Cause Wisconsin's Jay Heck joins to discuss the process. He has been covering these fights for 26 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked with Tiffany Smith and Marty Wallesar of Hatchery, LLC, about their plans for the Fish Hatchery building on the north end of Riverside Park. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked a bit about Dan Bongino, who is on WIZM before La Crosse Talk PM, and his peculiar hypothetical about quitting his job due to his employer requiring the vaccine. That turned into a conversation about supply-chain issues and backlogs on the west coast, as well as talk about immigration at the southern border.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss Spaceballs, President Scroob and the dystopian society they had where canned oxygen was needed to survive, which is now a reality in stores today. On Earth. Also, La County Democratic Party chair William Garcia talks with us about the Democratic equivalent to Wisconsin Republicans bringing in Ted Nugent to promote hunting sandhill cranes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about the lawsuit filed against the La Crosse Police Department on behalf of the Badger Project with Tom Kamenick, president of the Wisconsin Transparency Project. He's representing the news site. We also discussed why La Crosse Police haven't released the Hatched Baby vandalism video. Before that, Audra Martine, director of the La Crosse County Health Department, talked COVID, including whether Oktoberfest contributed to a jump in numbers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Charlie Berens joined and joked about La Crosse possibly getting the "Taj Mahal" of Kwik Trips. Also asked him about a couple other city and state issues, like the Fish Labs building in Riverside Park being converted into a wedding venue. We then talk to Kwik Trip about what's actually happening with the "Taj Mahal" KT. Around all that, discussed La Crosse Police being sued and Wisconsin Republicans holding hearings with Ted Nugent on hunting cranes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rookie La Crosse City Council member Mac Kiel and her 8-week old daughter Lilly joined. We talked about some of the bigger issues coming up for the council, including housing, the “get off my lawn” / “not in my neighborhood” mentality and how we spend the Biden Bucks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined and hit on multiple topics from housing in the city, to spending the Biden Bucks. We talked Hatched Baby and some development projects in the city, as well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, joined to discuss the 925 notable police calls from La Crosse's Oktoberfest, including the stealing of a light pole. We also broke down the multiple stories involving retired Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Michael Gableman's handling of the 2020 presidential election investigation. Other things that were covered: the jobs report, stripping the added $300 a week unemployment benefits, talking cash registers for lonely people and Chergosky makes a blanket statement on whether Senator Ron Johnson will run in 2022.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.