La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Talked with Washington DC corespondent David Levinthal from Business Insider about his coverage of campaigns paying or not paying their security bills to local police. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show talking about property taxes. Added another candidate for La Crosse mayor. Capped things off talking about presidential campaigns stiffing police for security bills.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined to talk about lame duck mayors, lame duck congress, lame duck presidents. We also talked about how local elections are more important but the voter turnout is terrible. Finally, we broke some news on the Trump election lawsuits at the Wisconsin Supreme Court and US Supreme CourtSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

County employees getting raises, city employees getting raises. Talked with Eric Timmons of the La Crosse Independent about the idea that we tend to get upset when government employees get raises, but perhaps need to change that thought process a bit, and be happy middle class workers are getting a pay bump and should make it the expectation for everyone to get raises.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Probably hit on 15 topics today: A new feature on Netflix, why are we watching TV with commercials, where to spend Christmas bonuses locally, best Christmas songs, the new COVID-19 metrics ... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With two very important things happening in the world, we tried to divide the time evenly between the mysterious monoliths showing up all over the world and this vaccine for COVID-19. Dr. Chris Mayne, who studies immune regulation and is a biology professor at Viterbo U., was able to talk both with a high degree of expertise — but perhaps more so on the vaccine thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Kabat joined to talk about what controversial things he'll be doing as a lame-duck mayor for La Crosse. Also, Rob Abraham talked of the Kruk sentencing (he shot a police officer), along with police getting raises and pausing alternate-side parking fines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined to talk a wide range of things — from how pistachio green fluff "salad" should be the "Pumpkin Spice" of the Christmas Holiday season to Wisconsin Assembly leader Rob Vos' anti-COVID-19 relief and election "fraud" hearing next week. Also, Congress just decriminalized weed. Does it matter (ahem, Mitch McConnell, ahem, no). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vaccines, COVID-19, viruses, gun rights, self defense, murder, elections, Supreme Court decisions ... we've become experts on it all, and nobody knows better than us. Except, maybe, La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke, who joined to talk about the guy who shot a La Crosse police officer being sentenced today, along with the Kyle Rittenhouse ruling, and the state Supreme Court's decision not to take up Trump's election lawsuit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He operates a restaurant in downtown La Crosse but now wants to run for La Crosse mayor. Greg Saliaras joined to talk about why he's decided to do that. After that, we talked about the idea of giving city workers raises. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussed the news that Mayor Tim Kabat is not seeking reelection in April. Also, the Badgers won by 40.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Had some fun joking with the new Executive Director of Downtown Mainstreet, Inc., Terry Bauer. After that, free-for-all on things like automatic checkouts and got schooled about how I missed out on Pizza Doctors downtown, which had to close a few weeks ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joined in as WKTY's Hunter Baumgardt gave us the play-by-play of Rotary Lights going live. Then UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky on what the political talk is like at his Thanksgiving Day table, Black Friday shopping, Facebook leading to the spread of misinformation and campaign finance (in that order).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.