La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

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.

Got some numbers on drug overdose deaths in La Crosse County. Tied that into a conversation with Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Jill Billings passing some fentanyl legislation over the past week. One of those was increasing penalties for dealers, while a caller suggested we just end the war on drugs and legalize it all. Something that's being done with marijuana everywhere around here, but Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse economics professor Adam Hoffer joined. Talked about the idea of Congress trading stocks and governing its own ability to trade stocks. Also hit on Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers plan to spend a budget surplus vs. the Republican plan, and hit on "inflation."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. We discussed the strange analogies from Kevin Nicholson, the newest candidate in the GOP governor's race — calling someone Scooby-Doo and another a "bag of hammers." Also hit on the Jan. 6 committee subpoenas for a couple of Republican cosplay officials who pretended to cast electoral votes for Donald Trump. Lastly, we hit on a semi dumping potatoes onto I-94.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle joined. We hit on a mess of topics the state Legislature is dealing with — from the very unimportant (dogs vs. cats allowed in stores) to actual issues (catalytic converter thefts). We also hit on Gov. Evers making it rain $150 checks to Wisconsinites and the fight over absentee ballot drop boxes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Rom, the National Chair of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters joined to talk about some breaking news from the US Dept. of the Interior. We also dug into the foreign billionaire's company that's trying to mine Minnesota's Boundary Waters. Took some calls and digested that news on the back half of the show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

City of La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron joined. Discussed the responsibility police might have if marijuana is legalized. Also hit on the recent drug bust with 11 pounds of meth, how traffic cams might help police and what happens to the gun after an arrest. Get all these shows by searching La Crosse Talk PM wherever you download podcasts or go to WIZMNews.com/podcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked with the development group that's working on the old Kmart site in La Crosse at State Road and Losey Blvd. Brainstormed some ideas for the site, a new name for that area and what's going to happen to the Kmart building.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes joined the show, along with UW-La Crosse political science prof. Dr. Anthony Chergosky. Discussed an array of things, including the state Legislature being quite indecisive about whether Colby cheese should be the state cheese, while also passing other somewhat controversial legislation. Also asked Barnes about a CEO salary cap and his thoughts on Mitch McConnell's "he said the quiet thing out loud," on African-Americans voting just like Americans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked with RepresentUs Connor Glassen about the redistricting process in Wisconsin and the gerrymandered maps. After that, Mark Neumann came on to announce he's running for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District. And, capped things off with La Crosse Democratic Party chair William Garcia on gerrymandering.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Danaher is the new coach of Viterbo's newest sport, E-Sports. We dive into just about every aspect of e-sports and gaming. What her parents think of her new profession and what e-sports will look like at Viterbo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Board chair Monica Kruse joined to discuss the meeting happening Thursday, where they will look at the definition of Lake Onalaska, a potential dog kennel expansion and how the county plans to allocate $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding -- or Biden Bucks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Keith Knutson joined to discuss Martin Luther King, Jr., as Viterbo hosted a community celebration. We also discussed, toward the end of the podcast, some of the political battles happening in Wisconsin — including gerrymandering, as well as senate, congressional and governor races.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio. The professor sort of dropped a bomb on if Tommy Thompson were the Republican nominee for governor. Also talked about potential penalties for Republican electors in Wisconsin, including La Crosse's GOP Party Chair, Bill Feehan, casting votes for Donald Trump for president. Was there a bigger conspiracy? And, perhaps most importantly, the story about grandma stealing grandson's brownies, taking them to the senior center and ... they weren't just brownies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, President of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, joined the show to talk about the ongoing dilemma teachers are facing in Wisconsin, exasperated by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic that's shut down schools. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viterbo history professor and computer guru there, Dr. Eric Weinberg, joined and we had a fun conversation about online gaming and that as a collegiate sport. After that, we discussed Viterbo hosting the MLK Day community celebration in La Crosse and what keynote speaker Dr. Sylvia Hood Washington could focus on. Also hit on the road situation in downtown La Crosse with 4-way stops and speed bumps.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pete Marra is a Georgetown biologist and author of Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer. He discussed the proposal up for the La Crosse city council on saving feral cats. The city is looking to catch, vaccinate, fix and release feral cats back into the city, which Marra believes is wrong for a plethora of reasons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started, again, with La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds on hometown stud Johnny Davis and the Badgers. Got into the city/county effort losing out on the perfect property for a Homeless HQ (though Reynolds didn't call it that). And, of course, another session of Cat Talk PM, as city wants to save feral cats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.