La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Completing a week-and-a-half run of Thanksgiving's most controversial food items, we discuss green bean casserole. Then Pat Stevens, president of Rotary Lights, discusses every aspect of the Riverside Park display that opens at 5 p.m. Friday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kicked off the show out of breath after having to shovel the heaviest snow in world history. Or just out of shape from quarantine. The Badger Project's Peter Cameron joined and discussed how his dad likes to experiment now for Thanksgiving dinner, instead of "playing the hits." We then discussed the Top 50 donors to political campaigns in Wisconsin this year. Liberals taking the Top 2 spots.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cranberry blob, why is that on the Thanksgiving Day table? Ranted about that canned blob of cranberry that gets 'used' once a year — Thanksgiving. Also, after a few weeks, the lack of "daylight saving" time is beginning to take its toll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined, talked about Thanksgiving desserts, Trump's claim on Wisconsin's elections and some terrible James Bond analogy on rigged voting machines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing the Thanksgiving food controversy, we brought La Crosse Talk / Coulee Region Cooks' host Mike Hayes on to discuss whether to have skins in your mashed potatoes. After that, Caroline Gregerson on what to do with the $500,000 the city has in CARES funding. Ended the show ranting about the idea of just giving everyone $2,000 a month to stay home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We got Congressman Ron Kind on the record over tater tot casserole (tots on top or bottom), raisins in stuffing and the big one Wednesday, that green marshmallow "salad." We also talked about his battle to keep his seat in Congress and whether he'll retire after this session, along with what to do about COVID relief.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Hunger Task Force executive director Shelly Fortner joined, and it was Day 2 of our Thanksgiving Day countdown debates over what should and shouldn't be on the table. This time, raisins in stuffing. We also talked about how the Hunger Task Force is doing with food stocks. After that, all the ridiculous COVID-19 news from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The big topic of the day wasn't Mayo Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald on COVID-19 or the La Crosse School District potentially canning police in schools. It was whether you put tater tots on top or bottom of tater tot casserole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined to discuss a wide range of topics, including why Tim Kabat hasn’t announced he’s running for mayor yet and what Donald Trump will do for the next four years. In between that, we talked about Ron Kind possibly retiring, partially due to redrawing voting maps in Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Havlicek, a Central HS Spanish teacher for 23 years, and the La Crosse teachers union president, joined to talk about the lavish lifestyle of teachers and Act 10.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, the Wisconsin DOT has had a North-South corridor on its agenda. We talked with city council member Chris Kalow about her activism fighting the highway that would destroy over 20 acres of marsh, and the La Crosse River Trail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about La Crosse Central High School moving away from the Red Raiders team name, decades after it removed the mascot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kicked off the show having La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat interview WIZM's Brad Williams on his experience competing on Jeopardy. After that, we talked the city's operating budget for 2021 and what the state legislature -- which hasn't met in 7 months -- could be doing to help city's and people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky and Rick are in for $500 each on just buying the HuHot portion of the La Crosse mall. Aside from breaking down every detail there, the two also discussed that whole presidential election thing and how Wisconsin's state government over the next two years may be WORSE than it was since the pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Schools superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel joined to talk about why the district is postponing opening schools until Jan. 18. We also discussed the School Resource Officer program, which a decision will be made on soon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of calls, venting about the elections, electoral college ... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussed the election, Brad Williams called in on location from some polling places, UW-L political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky called in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Solem rants quick about stupid time changes, so now it's dark when he leaves the studio, La Crosse County clerk Ginny Dankmeyer joined to talk about voting in the area. Before that, however, Democratic Party Chair of La Crosse County Mike Smuksta on his party's feelings heading into Tuesday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four days before the election and UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined to talk about his best and worst Halloween candies. Oh, we also talked some politics, too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mostly discussed how the voting rules are being changed and unchanged and changed again right up until days before the election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about the Trump rally and former La Crosse Talk PM host Mitch Reynolds called to discuss, of all things, Trump's attire in West Salem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked with Mandi McKinney, driver of the KQ98/Z93 No. 68 Late Model Eckelberg Family Racing team at the La Crosse Speedway. She was waiting to hear from the the Trump campaign on whether the president will deliver his speech while riding shotgun at 100 mph around the track Tuesday in West Salem to maintain proper social distancing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined to talk about Trump's visit coming up Tuesday, the Biden-Trump debate and the expectations Biden may or may not have if he wins the presidency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic state Rep. Steve Doyle joined to start, as he's in a three-way race to hold onto the 94th Assembly District seat in Wisconsin. We talked campaign finance reform, Foxconn and the idea of giving businesses tax subsidies to come/stay. After that, Rick tried to change the perception that when one group of workers has it great (which allegedly was teachers for some reason) that we need to cut them down on the level of the rest of the peon workers, instead of raising the bar for everyone else.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After ranting a minute about the La Crosse County Republican Party Facebook page being sidelined for ads, 94th District Wisconsin state Assembly candidates Leroy Brown (Independent) and Kevin Hoyer (Republican) joined. Democratic incumbent Steve Doye will be on the next pod.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After wrapping up as a panelist in the 32nd District Senate debate between Democrat Brad Pfaff and Republican Dan Kapanke, spent most of the show breaking down some of the answers -- or non-answers -- they gave, including on Foxconn and campaign finance reform in the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Badger Project's Peter Cameron joined to talk about how money can be thrown around to support candidates in Wisconsin, as we head into a debate debate Tuesday between Brad Pfaff and Dan Kapanke for the Wisconsin State Senate 32nd District.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined to talk about his moderating the three Assembly debates over the past week, what to expect in the Kapanke/Pfaff debate, the Kind/Van Orden debate. We also hit on the Supreme Court a bit, as well as the Trump and Biden dueling town halls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viterbo biology prof. Dr. Ted Wilson joined to talk about those "Lady Bugs" that aren't lady bugs, trying to get in our house. After that, La Crosse Schools superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engle, on students finally coming back to the classroom and what that looks like. Also, what he would ask a state legislature for, since they haven't met since mid-April in Wisconsin, despite a pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about some of the local debates going on this week, including Wednesday's for the 95th Assembly seat. Also discussed how we always need to blame someone for everything. Caller had the audacity (sarcasm) to complain about Hwy. 33 in La Crosse being fixed ... at 1 a.m. A city council member called to explain why that's happening. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussed the idea of a Citizens Oversight Board on policing with La Crosse County Board chair Monica Cruse. Also talked about the inevitable end to the School Resource Officer Program in the La Crosse School District.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retired UW-L political science professor Joe Heim and WIZM's Brad Williams on the debate this afternoon between Jill Billings and Jerome Gundersen for the 95th Assembly District. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined to discuss the upcoming state Assembly, Senate, along with the US Congressional debates from candidates in our area. Also, what has the state legislature done for us. Lastly, we talked about Trump's rollercoaster ride the past two days on what the Senate should be working on -- stimulus or passing a Supreme Court judge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump and Mike Pence campaigns owe the city of La Crosse thousand of dollars in unpaid bills to police. Talked with La Crosse Police Capt. Jason Melby about how they go about charging campaigns for these bills. Booting their motorcade didn't appear to be an option.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's called Proposed Budgeting. The idea that a percentage of a city's budget is set aside and the community gets to vote on what that money is used for. Eric Timmons, from LaCrosseIndependent.com joined to talk about the idea, which has been successful in communities across the globe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about the unpaid bills some campaigns dating back to 2016 still have with the La Crosse Police Dept. Before that, Scott Neumeister, owner of Neuie's Vogue Bar and Grill on the north side talked about the new state orders limiting indoor public places to 25% capacity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat on whether he's running again in April, kicking the president out of La Crosse (Rick's words), and how we get something like a Popeyes Chicken or Chipotle downtown. Oh, and how he's coming along eating all the uneaten Oktoberfest brats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayo Dr. Joseph Poterucha joined to sort of forecast where Wisconsin is at with COVID-19, as the state is in its worst position since the pandemic began. While he said doctors are baffled as to why Wisconsin is being hit so hard, Rick solved the issue. Poterucha agreed. Before that, Democratic Party Chair of La Crosse County, Mike Smuksta joined to talk about the Trump rally fiasco and what the GOP legislature did at the state level after Trump announced he had COVID-19 -- a preemptive Friday news dump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not long before the show, news broke that the MAGA rally at the La Crosse airport was cancelled. Mayor Tim Kabat came on and spoke as to the reasoning for that. La Crosse County Republican Party chair Bill Feehan came on after, criticizing the mayor and denouncing the virus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The worst debate in the past 60 years, declared UW-La Crosse's political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky. He and Rick brainstormed some ideas for the next debate. Also snuck in some Wisconsin news, as Republicans demand the Milwaukee Brewers sausages don't show up to vote.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked mostly about the Trump-Biden debate. Will anything extraordinary happen, or even just interesting ... or are we hyping up a couple of 70-year-old senile men? Also talked with La Crosse Police Sgt. Tom Walsh on preparations they're going through with Trump's visit Saturday to a hangar at the La Crosse Airport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump taxes. Donald Trump coming to La Crosse. Bill Feehan, La Crosse County Party chair calls in. Talks Donald Trump rally. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Asst. Police Chief Rob Abraham joined. Biggest topic we hit was drugs, drug overdoses. Also talked about the community discussion around policing and hit on the 17-year-old that killed protesters in Kenosha. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A good mix of serious and fun with La Crosse FD's Pat Corran. We talked about drug overdoses and Pat's experience with those as a paramedic ... and how they are in no way similar to what happened in the movie Pulp Fiction. Also discussed La Crosse County's 3rd COVID-19 death and how the case count is lowering ... but we kind of move the goalposts on what's a lot of cases, it seems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Olson, running for mayor in La Crosse. Olson is a city council member, since 2017. Mayor Tim Kabat has been in office since 2013. After the interview, reaction ...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wisconsin mask mandate, but cancelling Halloween? Joked about that for a minute, before bringing on La Crosse School Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel. We talked whether schools would re-open Oct. 5. Police in schools. And the idea that virtual learning may be better for some.---September 22, 2020: La Crosse Talk PM - Call or text (608)785-7914See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked with UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Joe Heim on the hipocracy of Republicans choosing now to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Before that, though, Lee Rasch, executive director of LeaderEthics-Wisconsin, talked about a discussion that's happening Tuesday on voting, that is bringing in state and local leaders -- called Vote Safe Wisconsin. https://www.wizmnews.com/2020/09/21/vote-safe-project-state-local-la-crosse-leaders-discuss-answer-questions-surrounding-voting-integrity-tuesday/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Had some fun on a Friday, hitting a lot of topics with Dr. Anthony Chergosky, a UW-La Crosse political science professor. Everything from political overload and meme culture to political ads that don't really say anything and don't seem to represent any particular party.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The La Crosse County Health Dept. gave three hours notice it would have a health briefing today on the rise in the virus. We recap that meeting and talk about the rise in cases, that may ultimately lead to hospitalizations and deaths.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked mostly virus, but State Senate candidate Brad Pfaff joined to discuss his running for the 32nd District. La Crosse moved to No. 1 on the New York Times list for growing COVID-19 cases. County is averaging 100 per day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.