La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

After a little rant about parking in La Crosse (a $100,000 parking study) we talked with Mayo's Dr. Andrew Jagim, director of sports medicine research, on how pro sports are restarting, and how to do that at a high school / college level -- if possible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you do when there's no "humane society" for stray animals in your county? Aside from a quick hit on Rick's stray kitten dilemma and sports being back, spent most of the time discussing why a mask mandate is a good thing for states -- because you can just blame the Democrats -- and a caller brought up the trouble with a backlog in testing and having to quarantine yourself until results come.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 700 things covered today. Everything from tearing down statues because communism (?) to mask mandates to defunding the police, who need not be on kitten patrol.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Schools superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel joined to talk about reopening schools, along with the relationship with La Crosse Police over School Resource Officers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat joined. Talked about masks mandates, the statue, a boat dock for Riverside Park, shootings in La Crosse and whether he's running for mayor in April 2021.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show talking a bit about the first COVID-19 deaths in La Crosse and Trempealeau counties. Spent the rest of the hour letting people "vent" about the La Crosse parks board voting unanimously to remove the Hiawatha statue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another day, another discussion about whether or not the Hiawatha "native/Indian" statue should be taken out of Riverside Park. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a "Scott's comment" from the La Crosse County Republican Party chair on how the gerrymandered political maps in Wisconsin aren't gerrymandered, Viterbo University political science professor Keith Knutson joined to discuss how they are, in fact, gerrymandered. Before that, hit on a couple different topics from the virus, to schools reopening to unemployment benefits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked mostly about how schools are going to reopen. A little different with a virus running wild in US vs. other countries. Also, discussed the Hiawatha statue some more. Time to protest in support of keeping the statue? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Callers sound off on the notion moving the Hiawatha "native American" like statue out of Riverside ParkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked a bit about a FB post sharing some of the La Crosse community's thoughts on a recent BLM protest, which exposed some people as pretty racist, and not caring about showing their racism on Facebook. Brad Williams also broke some news about a Dakota, Minn., man calling into police, saying he shot his wife. Lastly, talked about how the NFL solved the pandemic by banning jersey exchanges after tackling each other for three hours.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about 100 things, from items on the city council budget tonight, to the virus, to funding the police to bringing schools back in session. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While part of the national talking point since the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis has hovered around defunding the police, in La Crosse it could be the exact opposite. Part of potential plans for the city, a $36 million police/fire center. La Crosse city council members Doug Happel and Jessica Olson both joined to discuss Thursday's vote. Before that, talked a bit about the mayor's wife being changed after getting pepper sprayed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winona imposes citywide mask order. La Crosse next? Also, La Crosse School Board president Laurie Cooper Stoll on the creating of a committee to look into the relationship of the school with the city's School Resource Officer program. Oh, and Brook and Robin Lopez of the Bucks sneaking into Walt Disney World. "Sorry folks, we're closed."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Had some fun talking with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky. We discussed Kanye running for president, worked that into the Supreme Court decision on electors, and also talked about the narrow path of going after Bubba Wallace in NASCAR, by the president. Began the show talking a bit about the La Crosse School Board voting on a committee to look into city police's School Resource Officer program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spent most of the show discussing all the different ways the La Crosse Loggers should and shouldn't be playing baseball, as the case count in county surges. The health director wasn't happy to hear those events were happening, as the city was doing things like cancelling the fireworks show at Riverside ParkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OK, not really. But La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam joined and we did talk about defunding the police, and, in relation to that, all the responsibilities that the La Crosse Fire Dept. has. We also hit on fireworks and took some calls. Started the show ripping on signs that were posted across town threatening homeless people — because that's who we're picking on now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC) 18-year exec. director Phil Jennings joined to tell stories about rescuing animals. The Roseville, Minn., center has had more animals each of the past eight years, including a week in June with the most ever patients in its 41-year history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked for a bit about the cancellation of La Crosse's Oktobefest, which comes about two months after Germany cancelled its fest. After that, New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Center exec. director Ann Kappauff joined to talk about domestic violence amid a global pandemic. People "staying at home" when home isn't exactly safe.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick Solem is back ... talked quite a bit about the murder that happened in downtown La Crosse on Saturday morning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Hayes filling in for Rick Solem, capping off the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 4 with Mike Hayes filling in for Rick Solem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 3 with Mike Hayes filling in with Rick Solem. Hayes in joined by US congressional candidate Derrick Van Orden, who is trying to unseat Ron Kind in Wisconsin's 3rd District.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 2 of Mike Hayes filling in for Rick Solem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 1 of Mike Hayes filling in for Rick Solem (June 22).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soon-to-be La Crosse School District Superintendent Aaron Engel joins. We talked fall classes, fall sports, whacky ideas for teaching in a pandemic, year-round schools and where the school might go with resource officers. Before that, a quick COVID-19 update as La Crosse County, again, set a case record.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Assistant Chief Rob Abraham joins from the city of La Crosse Police Department. Before that, Rick calls out the La Crosse County Republican Party on questioning leadership throughout the city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After discussing the rise again in COVID-19 cases, we talked with La Crosse School Board president Laurie Cooper Stoll, about the idea of not having school resource officers in the district. After, Kaitlyn Riley of WIZM, discussed what the county health department has been talking about during their weekly public briefings, as we see businesses shutting down due to exposure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After discussing quickly the single-day high 21 COVID-19 cases in La Crosse County, we changed gears and talk with Will VanRoosenbeek, who is on the board at the LGBTQ Center in La Crosse. Will and Rick discuss the U.S. Supreme Court decision to back protections for the LGBTQ community in the workplace ... three days after the Trump administration rolled back rules that protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination in health care ... during pride month ... on the "anniversary" of the Orlando shooting. Another coincidence?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show talking about Donald Trump's strange walk down a ramp and even stranger way he drank a small glass of water. After that, Megan Meller, infection specialist at Gundersen Health System, joined to talk about how opening up has exposed La Crosse to the virus. Seven bars and the beach are on the health department's list of possible exposure June 5-7. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked Covid-19 numbers to start and end the show. In between, talked to WIZM's Kaitlyn Riley about Holmen schools removal of its memorial wall, sending family members with plaques on that wall a letter, out of the blue, saying, essentially, "come get your family's plaque." After that, talked to the Fat Porcupine's owner, Brie Roland about a policy change of no longer accepting "gratuities." A pandemic has customers in restaurants way down. How does someone live off tips when there are no tips?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First talked about the new COVID-19 numbers, after the jump in cases lately. After that, talked with Viterbo political science professor Keith Knutson about how the letter that wasn't from the La Crosse County Republican Party to HS seniors was actually from the La Crosse County Republican Party ... perhaps a rogue member of the executive committee. After that, discussed ways the state GOP is trying to bypass Gov. Evers' ability to veto district maps come 2021. So, a complete takeover by one party on how voting maps are drawn in Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show talking about the "fake" letter that was denounced by La Crosse County Republican Party chair Bill Feehan on this show two weeks ago. Today, it came out that letter was written by a member of the county party's executive committee — without approval. After that, La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke was nice enough to spend the hour with us, first talking about how the La Crosse police, and Wisconsin policing, compares with the 8cantwait.org campaign — in how to reform police. We also talked about systemic racism and how it exists in La Crosse, and took some calls on that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat joined, talked about the protests, more of what the city is doing to adjust to the social inequality felt after those protests. Callers asked the mayor about what is open, which is odd, because everything's been open since mid-May. Kabat addressed the situation with his wife being pepper sprayed. And we briefly discussed the budget cuts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergowsky joined for the hour. We start by breaking down the Lincoln Project, because another guest, executive director Sarah Lenti, joins a few minutes in. A new ad they have out does not mince words on Trump's actions lately. After, we talk the jobs report and end with a quick word on Mayor Kabat's wife being deemed the instigator when she was pepper sprayed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After talking about the protest in La Crosse from the day before, Libertarian Party presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen joined. We discussed everything -- and agreed on almost nothing -- from health care to billionaires, the environment, COVID-19 and social injustice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about the protest that's happening in La Crosse and, in between that, Gundersen internal medicine Dr. Michael Nolan joined to talk about COVID-19, opening up, and what the protests might reveal in a few weeks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked with St. Paul native and musician, Robert Ellis, who was at a few of the protests in the Twin Cities, including watching when the Third Precinct in Minneapolis was burned down. Before that, Rick rants about Trump's speech, draws comparisons from Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail and brings up Scott Walker's tweet on it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam joined to talk about the protests happening across the country, how La Crosse is prepared. Gilliam spent a majority of his career working for the St. Paul fire department, so he has a unique perspective as to what his colleagues there have gone through the past few days.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hit on a lot of stuff. First, talked about how unpredictable the COVID-19 numbers have been, for anybody trying to use those as a political argument, they always seem to be a letdown. After that, Shelly Fortner, the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse executive director, joined to update us on the Food Drive Friday finale and how they're now giving out food boxes each Friday. Lastly, we talked about Trump's "looting-shooting" tweet and the Minneapolis protests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about the bluegreen algae bloom that can really be bad for dogs, along with a new study being down at Goose Island on the southside of La Crosse with Mississippi River Water Quality specialist at the Wisconsin DNR, Shawn Giblin, a La Crosse area native. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brought in Dr. Gary Weigel at Thompson Animal Medical Center | Veterinary Clinic, on how they're handling things pandemic, what you might need to be getting done for your pets and, best of all, we talked about Thunder, their 15-year-old paralyzed cat, they took in as a kitten that had broke its back. After that, Dr. Wayne Bottner, Medical director of the blood bank at Gundersen Health System, talked all things blood and donations.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked about quite a few things on this Memorial Day, including remembering some past veterans from Rick's family and a few callers. Also discussed how 675,000 people in Wisconsin have yet to get unemployment. Lastly, Rick stopped by Pettibone Beach just before the show. It was packed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talked a little about the daily COVID-19 tally, before bringing on Shelly Fortner with the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse. Food Drive Fridays' second last week was another good one. After that, GasBuddy.com petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan joined to talk about the Sauid v. Russia oil war and gas prices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talked meat processing plants, big v. small farms gardening and more with MOSES Organic Specialist Chuck Anderas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was supposed to be a NASCAR race but instead, La Crosse Talk PM during a rain delay. Rick and friend-of-show No. 3 both got their $1,200 checks. But how should we be better taking care of society, than these random checks? $2,000 a month to citizens? A bottom-up strategy, instead of the "trickle down" system?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talked with US Congressman Ron Kind and then about US Congressman Ron Kind. Hit on Covid-19 funding, getting people $2,000 monthly payments, the HEROES Act, the Joe Biden round-table coming up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting politics out of drawing political lines is something Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly want to do. We talk with Common Cause in Wisconsin executive director Jay Heck about that, including how Ron Kind will never have a competitive race with these district lines. We also hit on the state Supreme Court and voting by mail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussion surrounding how we get back into competitive sports (from kids to pros to weekend warriors) with Dr. ANDREW JAGIM, Dir. of Sports Medicine Research at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After ranting a bit about how to open up Wisconsin for business, La Crosse Area YMCA CEO Bill Soper joined to discuss their plans for getting people back in the building. After that, La Crosse County Board president Monica Kruse joined to talk about what issues have come through their offices today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.