La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

La Crosse mayoral candidates Mitch Reynolds and Vicki Markussen are questioned by the WIZM news staff as we lead up to the April 6 election. UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky moderates the hour-long live debate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Joe Heim joined to help break down some of the things the GOP-controlled state legislature is doing when it comes to drinks-to-go and voter suppression. We also talk about how the La Crosse mayoral race is going, as WIZM hosts a debateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year later, coming out of a pandemic, where perhaps a lot of us — Rick included — sat around, we bring on some experts to talk us through what to do now. From rec sport athletes or those trying to get back into things like running, Dr. Jake Erickson, the sports doc, and personal trainer Amy Venner (RealWellnessWithAmy.com) give advice on how to get back into the swing of sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spent a lot of time talking PFAS mess in La Crosse with UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky, but did have to make fun of Joe Biden tripping on the Air Force One steps. Mayor Tim Kabat called in to talk about a breaking story in reference to the PFAS mess in the area, and some internal emails that were made public that don't paint what the city is doing in a great light.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defund the police? See, that gets your attention. That's one of the things we talked with La Crosse mayoral candidate Mitch Reynolds about. We also talked La Crosse native Jonathan Davis and the Badgers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Rush Limbaugh resolution meant to divide and a "cocktails-to-go" bill that's literally a year too late. These are a couple items Wisconsin's state Legislature is working on, after going almost 10 months without even debating, let alone passing a single piece of legislation, as the state -- the world -- endured the worst of the pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse teachers' union president and long-time Central High Spanish teacher John Havlicek joined. Yes, we did talk Celtics but also the emotion of those first days back in school, the difficulties from online learning and the relationships teachers and students build that sort of took a year off -- in a way. But the show started with La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia with an announcement about the city's mayoral race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cancel culture at it again, the board of public works moves to cancel bills people were charged for not shoveling their city sidewalks. We went from Mr. Potato Head and Dr. Suess to watch porn to shoveling La Crosse sidewalks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse polysci prof. Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. Talked about everything from a Hatched Baby (big blue baby) situation going up in Stevens Point to the one-year anniversary of the great toilet paper shortage in the US to groups endorsing La Crosse mayoral candidates and whether that's a good thing or not.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opened with a story from PdC Lt. Timothy Deluhery Jr., about a unique rescue they performed last Saturday on the Mississippi River. After that, talked with Keonte Turner about his experience with racism, what we should do, after a pair of racist incidents happened to a Viterbo student.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse mayoral candidate Vicki Markussen joined. Spent a lot of the show talking about social media — such as the Steve O'Malley situation — media attention — as WIZM hosts a debate March 23 with her and Mitch Reynolds — and how the candidates are utilizing their own accounts to get their positions out there. Also hit on a north-south corridor and some county vs. city taxes from a caller.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Had 95.7 The Rock's Jean Taylor and Hunger Task Force of La Crosse's Shelly Fortner on to talk about the .01-kilometer charity "race" happening Saturday from 4-6 p.m. at Riverside Park. Sort of the perfect length for everyone coming out of a very lazy pandemic. Started the show talking about the weird motorized unicycle I saw cruising down 2nd Street. After that, talked about how we should be blowing our stimulus checks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked a lot about the PFAS situation on French Island, as the city has some lawsuits out now on those forever chemicals. Also broke down some ideas around a public market in La Crosse and where that would best fit. Lastly, did bring up the Steve O'Malley situation in regards to policing everyone's social media activity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky joins as we talk (Mr.) Potato Head, Dr. Suess, Star Trek vs. Star wars and actually some politics — Ron Johnson, the $1.9 trillion relief package, Foxconn and U-haul finding a new home, after bailing on the old La Crosse K-Mart plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse mayoral candidate Mitch Reynolds joined, talked some shop — literally — as well as some of the issues that city of La Crosse is going through right now, including the PFAS situation and businesses coming (or not coming) to the city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about the city's snow czar and La Crosse County administrator Steve O'Malley -- again. We did brainstorm a couple punishments for O'Malley, after his Facebook comment. Also, should we not let the public go and shovel the sidewalks that are still snowy 24 hours after a storm and collect the $75 fee, plus $2.50 a foot? That would solve the problem really quick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussed the La Crosse County Board holding an ethics meeting on County Administrator Steve O'Malley's Facebook comment about Rush Limbaugh. Also talked about how Target made more money last quarter than it has in the past 11 years combined. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the week citizens should speak up or speak out about what the La Crosse city government has on its agendas. Alternate side parking, snow code violations, rezoning for an apt. building, residential parking zones and the Outdoor Cafe program all on Tuesday's agenda. Council member Gary Padesky calls in to help preview some of Tuesday's J&A meeting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked a bit with UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky about a lawsuit field against La Crosse County Republican Party chair Bill Feehan having to do with casting fake elector votes for Donald Trump. Also discussed US Congressman Ron Kind potentially running for Ron Johnson's Wisconsin Senate seat in 2022. Lastly, hit on the $15 min. wage getting axed from the $1.9 trillion disaster relief bill thanks to the "Parliamentarian," which nobody has ever heard of until this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked with UW-La Crosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky about the Wisconsin state Legislature passing TWO bills in the past two days, after going 10 months with no bills. Spent most of the show talking about the La Crosse County administrator's comments on Facebook about Rush Limbaugh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show talking about some weird stories out of Texas. After that, Vicki Markussen joined to talk about her run for La Crosse mayor and took some calls, as well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mitch Reynolds joins after getting through the La Crosse mayoral primary. We discuss some of his priorities and take some calls -- including regular Eric from Sparta with a whacky call.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, the show ended in a flurry with both Mayor Tim Kabat and Fire Chief Ken Gilliam to call in, after a listener calls in with some misinformation. Talked mostly about the mayor's race, but also about Central High changing its mascot to River Hawks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The La Crosse mayor primary: Voting, campaign finance numbers, absentee numbers with city clerk Nikki Elsen. Before that, WIZM's Brad Williams talked the 10-year anniversary of Act 10 and Scott Walker getting his car rocked by La Crosse protesters (something that's been disputed).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A competency test for elected officials. And, perhaps, an age limit. Drug tests? We discussed that with UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky, as well as the hypocrisy of political parties holding power and never doing anything to balance things out when they could be the better "side." Also, Chergosky explains how the impeachment of Donald Trump isn't a "trial," though we call it a trial with jurors. It is far from it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First talked with Jessica Olson, who is running for mayor. Most of that discussion was about the homeless. After that, Joella Striebel, chair of the Criminal Justice Management Council subcommittee looking at a citizens police oversight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Gaul joined to discuss why he's running for mayor of La Crosse. We also talked about the one candidate of the 10 bombarding the media with campaign stop notices and political gimmicks. Also, No. 3 called with a terrible idea for homeless. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discussed, Tuesday, mostly things vaccine related on La Crosse Talk PM. La Crosse County health educator Rachel King joined to talk about that shortage we’re seeing locally, who and when will certain groups be eligible for the vaccine and some other random questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor Tim Kabat joined to discuss the 10 people running to replace him, as the primary is near (Feb. 16). We also talked about the "simple" idea of how you get property taxes in the city down to $1,500 a year, as well as redoing 20th Street with the bricks instead of a traditional road. But, we began the show with 43-year-old Tom Brady talk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hit on a lot of different topics with UW-La Crosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky and former WIZM host Mitch Reynolds, who's running for mayor. From the state Legislature to political stunts to getting elected. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briefly discussed masks, then candidate Zebulon Kemp joined to talk why he's running for mayor. After that, just broke down that conversation, including the best way to deal with La Crosse parkingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 18-year-old mayoral candidate proposed donating $30k of his salary to charity. Talked about that a bit, including with La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam. With him, though we also discussed the downtown fire and how serious it could have gotten. Also discussed regional coop and building new fire stations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten candidates are running for mayor of La Crosse. WIZM split the field into two. This is the second of those debates.  They can be viewed at WIZMNews.com/debates DEBATE 2 CANDIDATES: Tuesday’s debate will include Martin Gaul, Zebulan Kemp, Joe Konradt, Vicki Markussen, and Samuel Schneider. DEBATE 1 CANDIDATES: Katherine Blanchard, Jessica Olson, Mitch Reynolds,Chris Stolpa and Greg Saliaras.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In-person, absentee voting began in La Crosse today. Talked about how ridiculously low voter turnout is in the city but, before that, we had Katherine Blanchard on to talk about why she's running for mayor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In-person, absentee voting in the city of La Crosse begins Tuesday (Feb. 2). Interim City Clerk Nikki Elson joined to talk about some past elections, voter turnout, what people need to do to vote, vote absentee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten candidates are running for mayor of La Crosse. WIZM split the field into two. This is the first of those debates. The second runs at 6 p.m.Feb. 2. They can be watched at WIZMNews.com/debates DEBATE 1 CANDIDATES: Katherine Blanchard, Jessica Olson, Mitch Reynolds,Chris Stolpa and Greg Saliaras. DEBATE 2 CANDIDATES: Tuesday’s debate will include Martin Gaul, Zebulan Kemp, Joe Konradt, Vicki Markussen, and Samuel Schneider.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined to discuss the upcoming debates between La Crosse's 10 mayoral candidates. After that, we talked about Rob Vos taking credit for Wisconsin having a $1 billion rainy day fund and trying to blame Gov. Tony Evers vs. giving any amount of credit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show on the oversight by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos being oblivious to the fact that repealing the mask mandate would cost Wisconsin $50 million a month in federal funding. After that, candidate Joe Konradt joined to try and set himself apart from the other 10 running for mayor of La Crosse. And, lastly, Adam Stiver, a finance professor at UW-La Crosse, and I talked about buying some GameStop stock.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With students headed back to the classrooms, theorized the idea that snow days could be gone forever, since we have virtual learning as a backup. The La Crosse School District did chime in. After that, discussed the 9-month, 11-day anniversary of our GOP-led Wisconsin legislature not passing a single bill during a global pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked with Doug Happel, city council member in District 12, who is running to retain that seat against Keonte Turner. We discussed taxes in La Crosse, as well as a external police oversight committee. After that, former UW-L political science prof. Joe Heim joined and also talked some taxes and the full-time Wisconsin state Legislature, which hasn't passed a bill of any type since April 16.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After ranting about the Packers — and Packer conspiracy theorists — we mostly discussed the upcoming debate WIZM will have with the 10 candidates running to be La Crosse's next mayor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show talking, as usual, nonsense on a Friday with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky. We did then get into some political talk both at the federal and state level, along with a little "politicians on social media" discussion. Nationally, the Senate may end the filibuster. In Wisconsin, it's officially been 9 months, 6 days since the state government last passed a bill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Had a both informative and entertaining talk on vaccines with Viterbo immunologist Chris Mayne. We talked everything from the virus variant to why we're vaccinating mink farmers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hit on just about everything with Assembly state Rep., Democrat Steve Doyle of the Greater La Crosse County area (otherwise known as the 94th District). From his hobby farm, his golden retriever puppies to all the things Wisconsin's state government is not doing thanks to Republicans. Not meeting in session on unemployment. Not passing COVID legislation. It's been just over nine months since the GOP-led state Legislature has passed a bill of ANY KIND. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 10-point plan on updating downtown La Crosse parking ramps, as well as expanding pay-to-park zones around the universities and hospitals in the city. We break down those plans and then Rick offers his solution. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Schools superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joined to talk about the plan that begins Wed. getting students back into the classrooms. And while that's a phasing-in plan, the district is also phasing out police in schools, which was discussed the second half of the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the nine-month-and-one-day anniversary of Wisconsin's state Legislature passing a bill of ANY KIND. UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky has the solution to ending that streak: Legalize "Cocktails to go," or as Rick calls it, "The Roadie Bill."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Garcia has been on the job as the La Crosse County Democratic Party for two weeks. We talked a little about his background, took some calls and discussed politics, of course. The group is also hosting a forum of the state's school superintendent candidates on Tuesday.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kicked off the show with the biggest news of the day — James Harden traded to the Nets. How is that going to make it tougher, or easier on the Bucks. Oh, and Trump got impeached. After that, "the 18-year-old" candidate for mayor, Samuel Schneider. After that, Dr. Richard Kyte at Viterbo talking about the university's Monday celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rookie state Sen. Brad Pfaff joined the second half of the show to talk about some of his priorities. Before that, we discussed how it's been nine months since any legislation has been signed in Wisconsin. How cabinet positions are still unconfirmed two years into Gov. Tony Evers run. And how funny it is to add "you piece of (bleep)" to the end of Star Wars quotes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.