La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Common Cause Wisconsin executive director Jay Heck joins to help explain the Wisconsin Supreme Court's Friday news dump before a Christmas weekend of the biggest news in the state, that new voting maps must be drawn. We discuss why that decision was made. We also hit on the rhetoric from Republicans being both against the decision and trying to side step the entire process. Also, Heck argued in the Christmas spirit that this is a good thing for democracy, while accusing Solem of being Ebenezer Scrooge, saying the conservative-led US Supreme Court will wreak havoc on this all and nothing will get done. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic US House candidate for Wisconsin’s 3rd District, Eric Wilson, stopped in the WIZM studio Wednesday for La Crosse Talk PM, as we discussed mental health, healthcare, climate and took a bunch of calls. Began the show talking about the half-marathon he just ran last weekend to help raise awareness for mental health. Next, we hit on how little the US House has done in its first year (9:45), and why Wilson feels he’d be more representative of the district than what’s currently in there. That led to how campaigning is going (15:30), and what folks that he’s talked to, going door to door, are most concerned about — which included healthcare, housing and climate. From there we got into a conversation about healthcare (16:30), which Wilson has a vast amount of personal and family experience in, and took quite a few calls in relation to that. And, that’s where we ended the show, talking a bit about climate change (34:30), protecting water, electric vehicle infrastructure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke in studio, discussing tracing a gun used in shootings — like south side killing of 15-year-old — the La Crosse County police oversight committee, streamlining court system, contesting tickets and the hung jury in the West Salem triple-homicide. Of course, we began the show with a bit of nonsense — what cop shows Gruenke likes to watch and how TV shows can exaggerate details cases, including a recent La Crosse murder. After that, we got into the hung jury in that West Salem triple murder (9:00), which began with a conversation about streamlining the court system and the oddity that we get 12 jurors to agree most of the time on a guilty-not guilty verdict. In the second half of the show (18:45), we talked a bit about how criminals coming through the court system are fairly damaged and how difficult it is to rehabilitate them. Then we hit on the southside killing of 15-year-old (22:10) and the investigation around how these teenagers — and with shootings in general — got these guns, and is there a better way to track the weapons. Next, we talked about a unique scenario a friend had in getting a ticket (28:00), which they thought was unfair, and what a person's right is to fight that ticket in court. Lastly, (37:10) we talked about the ongoing discussing in creating a La Crosse County police oversight (my name for it) committee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We got Kwik Trip on to talk about its $151 million expansion but, more importantly, Ben Leibl from the company joins (18:00) to explain to us if these plans mean that they will be building more stores right next to each other. Leibl works public relations with Kwik Trip, where it was announced the company was awarded an additional $15 million in state tax credits if it hits expansion and hiring marks. We also threw Leibl some other half-baked ideas (25:55) we've hashed out in the past on the show that Kwik Trip should be doing in La Crosse. Before that, however, La Crosse County Board chair Monica Kruse joined (00:00) to discuss the upcoming elections, this week's monthly meeting and an interesting five-year plan they're working on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse entomologist, Dr. Barrett Klein, stops in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk PM to have some fun discussions about bugs, from his childhood ant sandwich to how grumpy bees need a nap or they won’t twerk just right. Klein, who has an infectious laugh that shows up often, has been at UW-L for 11 years in entomology — the study of insects. We began the show just bouncing around on different ways people think about insects and insect things happening — like the cicadas about to hatch in the area. Then talked a bit about bugs as food, which led to Klein’s ant sandwich story. Over the summer he was in New York studying, not just bees, but bees’ sleep, so we spent quite a bit of time on them. We also discussed eating bugs and what ones are tastier fresh vs. canned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small business owner, economist, and La Crosse Talk PM’s official political blowhard Adam Murphy joined, as we discussed ranked-choice voting in Wisconsin, and how Republicans want to ban it, state taxes and electric vehicles. Began the show, however, ranting about how people continue to drive down, what’s called the bike track on Second Street, even though the road is literally green and painted with bicycles. After that, Murphy joined (2:10) to discuss the Wisconsin Senate getting a committee hearing on ranked-choice voting, what that would mean for those who go to the polls and how Republicans are trying to ban it for some reason. After that (26:40), we got into a conversation about cutting income taxes in the state, as Wisconsin’s governor vetoed another GOP plan that greatly benefits the rich. And, we ended the show (30:00) discussing some issues with EVs that nobody seems to be talking about.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economist Adam Hoffer joined to talk about some big issues locally, including the La Crosse schools building plan, and the city council tackling short-term rentals, ADUs. But first, we talked about Wisconsin having billions in budget surplus for two years now, and how Shohei Ohtani gets a $700 million MLB contract while the state of Wisconsin pays $500 million to update the Milwaukee Brewers stadium. Hoffer is the director of excise tax policy at the nonprofit, Tax Foundation. He also talk sports economics at UW-La Crosse for a decade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff joins to discuss the fight between Republicans and UW over DEI, should the state have ranked-choice voting and a year in review, plus what still needs to be done. Of course, we began the show talking about Taylor Swift? But in regards to whether the Time Person of the Year would be able to have a concert at the soon-to-be renovated Milwaukee Brewers stadium for half-a-billion dollars. After that, we got into the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) fight that Republicans have taken with the University of Wisconsin System / Board of Regents. Pfaff gives his take on the negotiation and wonders why they’re even happening. The negotiation, which is apparently over as of Tuesday, but Republicans wanted to: Cut DEI positions Create a “conservative thought” position(s) Create “student success” positions Drop an affirmative action hiring program Eliminate statements supporting diversity on student applications Meanwhile, Democrats — as strange as it is to make this the partisan fight — want: Approved the UW-Madison engineering building Approve the raises to UW employees that were already promised in the GOP-created state budget that Gov. Tony Evers signed Not part of the negotiation is the Phase II of the UW-La Crosse Prairie Spring Science Center, which has been on hold by Republicans for five years. After that, we talked about some of the legislative wins that were accomplished in Wisconsin and Pfaff discussed what still needs to be done, also expressing his dissatisfaction that the Legislature only meets in session from January to mid-April in 2024, before calling it wraps and hitting the campaign trail. Part of those legislative wins included an alcohol bill and agricultural road improvement program. What Pfaff said still needs to get done is something on child care, as well as PFAFs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joins to discuss his trip to Dubai for the UN climate summit, tearing down the old Macy’s at the mall, council decisions on “ADUs” and short-term rentals. Began the show, as we usually do, talking a bit about the Packers, before getting into Reynolds’ recent trip to COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where he was one of 30 mayors from the US to be invited. Reynolds was representing the Mississippi Rivers, Cities and Towns Initiative, in which he’s the co-chair. After that, we talked about some city legislation, coming out of the “committee week” and heading into Thursday’s monthly council meeting. That discussion included some potential deregulation for what’s called “Accessory Dwelling Units” (ADUs), where residential properties could make unattached buildings living spaces. We also talked about the dueling legislation dealing with short-term rentals in the city. And, we wrapped up discussing the city’s role in a business group’s plan to tear down the old Macy’s at the Valley View Mall to add 100 parking spaces, fast food joints and a car wash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look at the ridiculous list of Top 10 holiday movies by state, the punishment for throwing your burrito bowl at the Chipotle cashier, how confident are men in landing a passenger airline, plus some politics with Wisconsin’s the fake electors lawsuit and how campaign ads and the electoral college go together. UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Cherogksy, joins, as we finally start out light, with the top holiday movies by state, the Chipotle fiasco and a poll on landing a passenger airline — where one sex is extremely confident they can handle it. After that, we get Chergosky’s take on if it was surprising that the civil lawsuit into the Wisconsin fake electors scheme was settled, and where that plot goes now. Then we combined two not-so-related political topics, as Chergosky shows how dangerously related they are in the prediction that $16 billion in campaign ads will be spent for 2024 and how that relates to the electoral college.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katrina Shankland is running for the US House of Representatives in Wisconsin’s 3rd District. The Democrat stopped in the WIZM studio to talk about how her 11 years of experience as a Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. is what’s needed to represent the district. We went back and forth on why she’s running, as well as what’s going on in Wisconsin government — and how some of the issues she’s dealing with in the state are also things that matter across the country. Shankland is one of four Democrats running in the primary, along with Tara Johnson, Rebecca Cooke and Eric Wilson. The winner of the primary will likely face Republican Derrick Van Orden, unless he is overtaken by a GOP challenger in a primary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s an important election coming in 2024 and, no, it isn’t the one with two senior citizens on the ballot. Hannah Dull and Grant Mathu of the La Crosse Young Dems were in studio to discuss how important the spring elections are when it comes to local issues like closing schools and rent costs. Began the show just talking generally about the group, before laying out how people shouldn’t get too sucked into the 2024 presidential election, before really paying attention to the county board, city council and school board elections coming up in the spring. The La Crosse Young Dems is a new group that welcomes anyone from about the 18-40 age range but they really aren’t that picky. They meet at 6:30 p.m. the last Wednesdays of the month at the La Crosse County Democratic Party headquarters on State Road. Email them here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at the housing situation and some key legislation going currently through city committees on short-term rentals and "ADUs" with Kahya Fox, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region. It's committee week in La Crosse and the city is looking at regulations on short-term rentals and whether to allow what's called Accessory Dwelling Units. We also couldn't come up with a better name for "ADUs," though Fox called them "Mother In-Law homes." We also discussed the crunch the city is in for housing stock, and how the city's population could drop below a key threshold which would make it ineligible for government funding. The city of La Crosse saw the biggest per capita drop in population across Wisconsin in 2023. We began the show talking about a Habitat program that allows homeowners to get help working on projects around their property, and we ended the show discussing how Habitat set a record for rebuilding and rehabbing homes, and how it's in the midst of a statewide public voting competition for a $15,000 award. To vote for Habitat La Crosse, click here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse City Council members Erin Goggin and Mark Neumann in studio to help explain and preview one of the city's biggest committees, Finance and Personnel. We discuss some of the budget items, like short-term rentals, what the F&P committee represents and how the public can get involved. Other agenda items we discussed broadly was the fire chief saving the city $800,000, a couple of lease agreements, and "public way vacations." In regards to short-term rentals we dissected, a bit, how both of the city's big committees work somewhat in unison on legislation, such as short-term rentals. The F&P committee meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at city hall and online. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio Friday for La Crosse Talk PM to discuss how penguins nap thousands of times a day, a development plan to tear down the old Macy’s for fast food and parking, and how we’ve already started the 2025 campaign season. Began the show talking about the Valley View Mall, and a proposal discussed Thursday on La Crosse Talk PM to tear down the Macy’s to build a Panda Express, a Raising Cane’s, a carwash and more parking. After that, an interesting story on demographics, where the city of La Crosse has seen the largest population decrease in Wisconsin. Where are those people going? North. Just a bit north. Then we had a great call from Karen — not THAT kind of Karen — on WIZM’s Operation Poinsettia and how that brings joy to a lot of seniors like her around this time of year. She also suggested WIZM should bring animal rescues to them, as well. We still need a name for that, though, because “Operation Cat-Dog” doesn’t quite work. Karen also brought up a funny story on penguins, which we had to get into, in how these animals take thousands of four-second naps a day. We also took a couple of our own “penguin naps.” After that, we had to ask Chergosky if it’s ridiculous that former Republican Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel has announced he’s running for state Supreme Court … in 2025. So, bypassing that little 2024 election. That led to a discussion about “The Permanent Campaign," as the Wisconsin state Legislature — a full-time body — is out of session until mid-January and only working 3.5 months in all of 2024, before they hit the campaign trail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the Mac and Mack hour of La Crosse Talk PM, with city council members Mackenzie Mindel and Mac Kiel in studio to discuss legislation to demolish the old Macy's at the Valley View Mall and replace it with other businesses and look at multiple housing items, including an ordinance in regards to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Both Mindel and Kiel are on the city's Judiciary and Administration (J&A) Committee. With that we talked about how J&A, which meets the first Tuesday of the month, and the Personnel and Finance Committee, which meets the following Thursday, are the city's most powerful committees and how these are the meetings in which the public should be highly involved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Farmers Union president, Darin Von Ruden, joined to discuss the federal Farm Bill that got kicked down the road and what small farm supporters should now be lobbying Congress to include. That led to talk about factory farms v small farms. We also hit on Wisconsin legislation on grass fed farms, as well as internet access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County administrator Jane Klekamp in studio discussing potential county board strategic plan makeup, county priorities — like fixing roads — county vs. city governments, transparency, the DEI consultant's upcoming report and current survey and housing project grants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle joined to discuss the governor using a fake email, how much is too much to fix La Crosse County roads, whether he’s running again in 2024 — as we make fun of his age multiple times — and the blasphemes question of whether legislators should get a raise. We also talked with Doyle, a Democrat out of Onalaska, about the A.I. committee he's on and some things the state might need to do in various forms of education — in regards to A.I. and "fake news." Began things talking about the holidays and, while Wisconsin doesn’t have a higher minimum wage, should the state make double-time pay mandatory for people who have to work on a holiday, like Thanksgiving. From there we talked (7:00) about the county using $14 million next year to “fix the roads,” and whether that’s too much. After that, we asked if he’s running in 2024 (10:30), before discussing the story that Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers using an alias email to conduct government business (13:05), and if the Legislature should pass some rules against doing that. Concluded the show talking about my ludicrous idea of giving the state Legislature a pay raise or making it a part-time entity (23:30) and ended things discussing his work on the state A.I. committee, if a 65-year-old is the right man for the job in that regard (32:10) and what kind of education the state might need — with A.I. and fake news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The architect of the Marquette University Law School polls, Dr. Charles Franklin joined, to talk about his creation, how its evolved and some of its latest findings, including the 2024 presidential election and the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Franklin is a Professor of Law and Public Policy, as well as the Director of Marquette Law School Poll. We were also joined by UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky. Chergosky began the show talking a bit about the latest Marquette Law poll and how polls have changed. That conversation, of course, continued with Franklin throughout the show — how the questions are created and how the information is gathered from the public — phone and online. Franklin told an interesting story on how the poll began in 2012, and how it may not have become as popular as it has, if the politics at that time had not been the way they were. We then got into a conversation about the 2024 presidential election — and what the poll numbers show a year away from the election. We also asked Franklin questions on poll results affecting Wisconsin, including how the state Legislature is perceived, how the lawsuit on district lines is received, Wisconsin’s two US Senators through the last election (Ron Johnson) and this upcoming one (Tammy Baldwin), and how the public feels about the Wisconsin Supreme Court expressing its personal opinions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keeping and attracting teachers to Wisconsin was a big part of this show with Christina Brey, the public affairs manager for the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC). We discussed some legislation WEAC has proposed, why rural schools are hurting worse for teachers and some ways the state could change to create better jobs for educators. We also talked about a lawsuit over taxpayer funded voucher students that could possibly end that system in Wisconsin. With that, we discussed the double standard public and private schools have in the state and how much extra private schools cost taxpayers in the area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Jill Billings in studio, discussing ribbon cuttings for roundabouts, the end of the November legislative session, healthcare, smoking age and what it’s like at Thanksgiving dinner for a legislator. Began the show talking quick about a busy Monday for Billings, who was at a ribbon cutting for roundabouts that aren't done yet and a few healthcare meetings. That led to a conversation about civics and how legislators need to get up to speed on issues that aren't familiar to them. After that, we spent a minute on the Wisconsin Supreme Court beginning hearings on the "rigged maps" lawsuit. After that, we discussed the smoking age, should vaping be legal indoors and if we could ban smoking indoors in today's political atmosphere. In the second half of the we talked about the November legislative session, in what I like to call "cram" sessions. We also hit on healthcare/health insurance as open enrollment is underway and why not every politician isn't trying to make that a campaign issue. We also discussed how an extraordinary amount of Democratic bills had a floor vote — TWO out of 71 bills were Democratic, or 2.8%. That's nearly a 1% jump from last year, when only 1.9% of bills were from Democrats. Ended the show talking about the Thanksgiving dinner and politics at the household of a state legislator.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristie Tweed, from the group Citizen Action of Wisconsin, joined to discuss healthcare in Wisconsin, including legislation out there for a public option. Tweed, who is the Driftless Region organizer, also talked a bit about some climate solutions that Citizen Action is working on. Before that, however, we talked about Citizen Action represents and wants to accomplish. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio discussing, if you had to pick only one Thanksgiving food, third-party presidential spoilers and how Americans are divided on politics and self checkouts. Began the show in holiday tradition, discussing all the best and worst things on the table during Thanksgiving — but like avoiding politics with family at the table, we avoided the divide on green bean casserole, as well. After that, got into Wisconsin politics a bit on Republicans passing another “tax cut,” while a divided government got a $500 million Brewers stadium done. The bottom half of the show dealt with an ethics report on US House Rep. George Santos and why he’s not kicked out of Congress yesterday, and how the parties should have a backbone to dismiss members that are breaking rules. Then we got into former US House Rep. Ron Kind’s comments on the “No Labels Party” coming in as potential spoilers in the 2024 presidential election. But would their moderate candidate spoil it for Democrats or Republicans? Lastly, self checkouts, are you for them or against them? The country, there too, is divided.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School District of La Crosse Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joined to discuss a committee's final report into the potential closing of two elementary schools — North Woods and Hintgen — why that decision came about and the next steps in the process. This week, a community compiled Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) released its final report on school consolidation, after eight-plus months of work. Engel discussed the factors the district is facing in needing to consolidate, as well as the factors the FAC took into account in coming to its final conclusion. We also talked about the next steps, which include public comment sessions on Nov. 27 (online) and Nov. 29, at the Hogan Administrative Center (map), as well as what the La Crosse School Board has in store over the next few months leading up to a potential decision to close the two elementary schools.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A two-guest Wednesday, as Lisa David Olson dropped by the studio to talk about talking and her upcoming book release. After that, city councilman Mark Neumann joins to discuss the passage of the La Crosse 2024 budget, that includes a tax increase. With Olson in studio, we discuss, of course, the book, called, “From the Spotlight to Real Life,” and how the Nov. 25 launch isn’t just some boring book signing — it’s an improv show from 2-4 p.m. at the Pump House in downtown La Crosse. Olson has built a public speaking career on how to speak — but not just to the public or in public, but in every day life, too. After that, La Crosse city councilman Mark Neumann joins to talk about the 2024 budget that passed Monday at a public hearing that saw just one person from the public talk. We discuss some of the details in and out of the budget and why taxes are going up about 8% — up around $105 per $150,000 of property tax value.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The accomplishments for the UW-La Crosse football team have piled up, and Eagles coach Matt Janus took a few minutes off from watching game film ahead of the first home playoff game since 2006 to tell us about this team. UW-L is ranked fourth in the country, 9-1 overall and one of four top seeds in the playoffs, led by his dual-threat quarterback, what we learn is "The Alien" at wide receiver, and "The Joker," the guy with the funny hair, that leads this defense. We also discuss beating UW-Whitewater for the first time in 19 seasons and what's scary both about UW-L and its upcoming opponent, Minnesota-Morris (7-3).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Went down multiple rabbit holes Friday with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in regards to Joe Biden being on the 2024 ballot, the Marquette U poll being trusted and how to stay nonpartisan. The first rabbit hole was about Green Party candidate Jill Stein announcing a 2024 presidential run, where she’s been for the past seven years and where a candidate needs to start to run for office. It stems from Eric Wilson, on La Crosse Talk PM the day before, running for US House in the 3rd District with no prior experience. After that we talked about the Wisconsin state Legislature’s, what I like to call cram session, where a hundred bills get passed and the public can’t keep up. But we contrasted that with the very public way the $517 million Milwaukee Brewers stadium deal is being handled in the public’s eye. After that, we discussed how Chergosky has to walk the line of non-partisanship. That conversation began with polls, including the Marquette University Law School poll — how it’s one of the most trusted — and how else we could get the public’s take on issues — like polling the Joe Rogan podcast audience. Also, we discussed polling on the 2024 presidential race and — at the end of the show — whether we should be voting for judges. The poll conversation included how Nikki Haley beats Biden by a landslide but can’t beat Donald Trump, and whether it’s productive to believe someone with name recognition will run against Biden in 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric Wilson in studio to tell us what his passions are in running for the US House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 3rd District. We scratched the surface getting to know the Democrat, which led to a giant discussion on a need to change healthcare in the country. Not only did he suffer a giant health issue, his father is also battling cancer. We also talked about traversing the 3rd District and how he gets his name out there and his message heard. Wilson is an Eau Claire native, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a degree in economics, who played in the UW Marching Band. He works in digital product management, as well as mortgage loan rejuvenation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds in studio discussing voter turnout and re-election, as well as housing, including short-term rentals, and the 2024 budget process. Began the show talking a bit reminiscing about the first-term mayor’s election and the low — but typical — voter turnout and what his thoughts are on re-election. That included how college students — or any group — could sway a local election with a larger turnout. After that, we got into the city’s budget process a bit, rising property taxes and differences between how the city and county budgets are funded. We also talked about if that system needs to be changed, as the city has been discussing cuts to services. Also discussed housing, as Reynolds has said over and over that a lack of housing is the city’s biggest dilemma. The council is looking at regulating short-term rentals, like Airbnbs, but we talked about how the state limits a local government’s ability to do much. Lastly, we hit on where the city is at allocating it’s estimated $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, as a couple of groups have asked the council for additional money, including the city’s Arts Board.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County administrator Jane Klekamp in studio to talk about the 2024 budget, including spending $14.6 million on roads and the upcoming public comment session. We also discussed the difference between the county's and the city of La Crosse's budget makeup. Wrapped up talking about what the county is doing to help with childcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joins to talk about dismissing the facts you don't like, the A.I. we consume unknowingly and how we should fine people for bad parenting in public. Began the show, though, talking about more impeachment talk by Republicans in Wisconsin and how it's just this perpetuation of 2020 election lies to retain power in the state. After that, we talked quick how this would have been the first year of permanent Daylight Saving, which led into the weird workings of the US Senate, also retaining power, like how Republican Tommy Tuberville is holding up hundreds of military promotions. After that, we have "Certified Organic" stickers — or we used to — but do we need "Certified A.I." stickers on things we consume online? Wisconsin is working on some regulation there, but is it enough? Lastly, we talked about this Georgia restaurant that fines people who are being bad parents. So, we break down just how that would work in regards to the mishap, the age of the kid and the amount a fine should be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Farmers Union president Darin Von Ruden in studio discussing the expired farm bill, big farms v. small farms, the giant loss farmers see in consumer spending and how much you pay a kid now to pick rocks. The farm bill expired in September and Congress has yet to pass a new one or some kind of continuing resolution to keep the status quo. Von Ruden noted it doesn’t appear to change much but would love to see huge changes to it. We also got into how for every consumer dollar spent, a farmers’ piece of that has gone from $.44 in the 80s to $.14 now, and why that is. Von Ruden is a third-generation farmer and now produces organic dairy. He has been the union president for 12 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US House candidate Tara Johnson joins on a Halloween evening. She put up with the half-baked idea of having adult trick-or-treating and what that would look like, while also talking about some of the scary things about the US House of Representatives. Spent the first half of the show trying to have some fun with the holiday. The second half was more devoted to some of the revelations over the past few weeks about the current state of the House and speaking generally about those bigger issues reps in DC could tackle. Johnson was the first woman to serve as the La Crosse County Board chair — doing that nine years — where she was a member for 20 years. Before that, she was the executive director at the United Way in La Crosse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Loggers co-owner Dan Kapanke in studio, as the deadline approaches for the public to submit potential team names for the softball equivalent to the Loggers. We also talked about the state's $545 million plan to upgrade the Milwaukee Brewers stadium. Began the show hitting on those topics quick, as well as the situation in the Town of Campbell, where they've been on bottled water for nearly three years because of PFAS. Kapanke is the board chair. After that, we talked where we're at in naming the softball version of the Loggers, as the deadline for the public to submit to LaXSoftball.com is Nov. 3. After that, we talked Brewers, as Kapanke is both on a business group to keep the team in Milwaukee and also has a somewhat similar deal on Copeland Park worked out with the city of La Crosse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political scientist, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio breaking down how we can get free beer, a US map of the most bought candy in October and what that tells us about Americans, plus some politics — what it means that Mike Johnson is House Speaker, and why he was unanimous — except Derrick Van Orden wasn’t present to vote. Began the show, though, talking about a Minnesota state House Rep. announcing his candidacy to run against Joe Biden for president and if that’s news or not — because other people have also announced, but this is the first elected official. Then we got into this map that shows what candy each state has bought the most around Halloween — with Wisconsin being very dull and other states completely baffling what should be reality. After that, we dove into the GOP electing Mike Johnson as House Speaker. We discussed how that was the guy that got all but Van Orden’s vote despite Johnson’s far-right views, and why a more moderate member didn’t get the position. Ended the show with, perhaps, the most Wisconsin of things — Kwik Trip giving out free beer. We didn’t really talk about why they did it, but we do explain what you have to do within the app to see the free beer offers — yes, plural, there are multiple free beer options.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Schools superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, in studio, as we discussed potentially closing two elementary schools, how the transition to standards based grading is going and what to do as truancy is at an all-time high. Began the show, though, just talking about how kids are hopped up on Halloween candy this time of year, and also asked Engel — a Battalion Commander in the National Guard — how and the unit he commands are feeling with the continued situation in Ukraine and the escalation of war in Israel. In the first segment, we talked about truancy and why it’s continued to be at an all-time high in La Crosse at over 40 percent of students chronically absent — missed 10% of days. This is a trend that’s continued from last school year to now. After that, we talked about challenges for students, parents and teachers with standards based grading, which was implemented for the first time this year at the high school level. Wrapped up the conversation with school consolidation. The district’s Facilities Advisory Committee will hold its last of eight open-to-the-public meetings. The committee has talked of potentially closing two elementary schools — either North Woods, Spence, Emerson or Hintgen. We discussed the challenges with closing each but why it needs to be done. The committee will submit its final report to the district on Nov. 2. There will be two public comment sessions on that report Nov. 27 and Nov. 29. In between that, Engel said he will discuss the report Nov. 16 on La Crosse Talk PM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Cooke, Democratic candidate for US House in Wisconsin’s 3rd District, stopped in studio to discuss getting to voters on both sides of the aisle, issues on farming, unions and her opponent’s absence in DC as a new Speaker is elected. Cooke is one of five Democratic candidates running in the 3rd District to take on Derrick Van Orden, who we didn’t talk about until toward the end of the show. We did get an update on Cooke’s car she puts 100,000 miles on a year to campaign that didn’t have a/c all summer and apparently no rear window — at least for a bit. We also talked about how she tries to get to voters, both in terms of policy but also physically — because of how rural parts of the district are. Some of the issues she sees as important right now are ones dealing with farmers, as the US House let the five-year farm bill expire back in September and hasn’t put forth a new plan, as well as labor issues, especially when dealing with unions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region executive director, Kahya Fox, joined to discuss the state of La Crosse housing, from renting to ownership, and what needs to be done. Among the things discussed was whether the city has too many rentals, what kind of housing should be prioritized and what city and county officials can do to spur development. Habitat, this year, set a record with putting 12 families in homes, where owners have to put in 150 hours of “sweat equity,” meaning they have to spend that amount of time helping rehab their new property. The previous record for Habitat was six. Habitat is always looking for volunteers in a number of different areas. More info here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio talking brandy old fashioned as the state drink, the fight over helping with childcare and the Senate not confirming Gov. Tony Evers’ appointees. Began the show there, with the appointees, as Pfaff has personal experience in that he was fired as the state’s ag. secretary after 11 months on the job because Republicans didn’t like that he said the state should release funding for farmers’ mental health. After that, we hit on the ins and outs of having the brandy old fashioned as the state drink. This comes a year after we debated a state cheese. Spent the bottom half of the show, first, talking about the US House of Representatives and why Pfaff chose not to run. Then we dove into the debate in Wisconsin to subsidize child care and what Republicans in the Senate have proposed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio Friday for La Crosse Talk PM to discuss how Wisconsin was left out of the Top 50 burgers conversation, who considers themselves midwest, US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden heads to Israel, an Oprah-Mitt ticket and Brewers funding vs. child care. Started the show with Van Orden putting out a statement that he’s gone to Israel on a “fact-finding mission.” But it comes in the midst of House Republicans trying to elect a Speaker, so it can actually do any governing, let alone help resolve the Mid-East situation. Speaking of “mideast,” the US doesn’t have one, but it does have a midwest, and there is some confusion as to who lives there. We dissect a recent poll on that. Before that, happened, though, we did talk about this upcoming book that said Oprah Winfrey floated the idea to Mitt Romney that they run for president. Later, we ripped on a Top 50 list of the best burgers in the US, that contains no burgers from Wisconsin or Iowa. There’s also a Top 25 Wisconsin burgers list, that’s very Madison-Milwaukee based, which was disappointing. After that, we spent a minute trying to hash out why the only way Dolly Parton wants to be contacted is via FAX. Ended the show on how Wisconsin’s state Legislature is prioritizing funding the Milwaukee Brewers stadium, but split on how to help with child care. Show notes: — Derrick Van Orden leaves for Israel.— Brewers stadium funding.— Who is "midwest?"— Dolly Parton via fax only.— Student thinks she's going to U of Miami, ends up in Oho.— Oprah Winfrey-Mitt Romney ticket.— Top 50 burgers in the US, but no Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First it was a state cheese, now it's a state cocktail. Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Jill Billings was in studio to talk about these ever important issues and the process to which we see them go through the Legislature. We also discussed the irony that a legislator would propose debating what the state cocktail should be, when issues that deal with child care, transgender rights, defunding the UW System and using $545 million to update the Milwaukee Brewers stadium are major issues right now. And we did talk a bit about the Brewers deal, as well as a couple of things Billings is involved in, including what's called Steve's Law, in regards to hunting, and whether UW-La Crosse will get a new parking ramp.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We deep dive into the La Crosse budget with city council member Mackenzie Mindel. We also had to get her take on changing speed limits on County B and if she supports new legislation to save the Kmart and Hatched (Blue) Baby. Before she joined, Hunter Elsen from La Crosse Parks and Rec. joined quick to talk about the Pettibone Haunted Mile, which happens Friday evening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our political blowhard Adam Murphy joined to talk about a concept we've brought up on multiple shows recently, the shrugging our shoulders at political extremism, which is happening in real time at DC and Madison. We got into Republicans unable, again, to vote on a House Speaker, after taking a long weekend off. We also dove into the Wisconsin GOP admitting in court filings their firing of the election administrator wasn't legal, but they did it anyway because "symbolism." And we got into using $545 million in taxpayer money to fund the Milwaukee Brewers stadium. For some reason, however, we started the show rehashing Murphy's failed campaign to go against Ron Johnson in the US Senate and why Democrats, in general, lost that race. Murphy is a small business owner of Big Bang LLC in Milwaukee. He holds degrees in economics and political science from UW-Milwaukee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Believe it or not, those Nigerian Prince email scams are still out there. They're just better and use A.I. now. That was one of the things we discussed with Jay Haapala, who runs the AARP fraud awareness program in Minnesota. He joined to talk scams and fraud, as a bit of a preview to an event they'll host next week in La Crosse. We also talked about Facebook Marketplace frauds, the lack of law enforcement to go after these groups and just who is it that's getting taken advantage of — because it's not who you think. The LaX Scam Jam event, which is free, runs from 8:30 a.m.-noon Oct. 24 at the Radisson downtown and will include expert speakers and local resources. It also includes free breakfast, but you must register at the AARP website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bring back Kmart. That was the theme Friday with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio, in discussing the delay the city council gave developers of the Kmart lot and how we need to save the building. Three-Sixty Real Estate Solutions is getting another 18 months to bring their development plan online. But, if that doesn't happen, we began talks of a grassroots movement needing to start building its base now to save the building. Also dropped another big story within that conversation in how we could work Hatched Baby, the 9-foot statue of a blue baby's head coming out of an egg, into this movement. Ended the show talking about how Wisconsin state politicians are falling over themselves to be responsible using $600 million in public money to update the Milwaukee Brewers stadium. Began the show talking about two Congressmen embroiled in controversy and how they don't get thrown out of the US House or Senate because of thin margins. But, one of those controversial figures is also the Senator of New Jersey, where one of the last two Kmarts exists, so we talked of how he may be important to this Kmart movement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia in studio discussing a Wisconsin GOP anti-trans bill, reports of another Derrick Van Orden outburst. We also talked evil Star Wars and hell houses. After that, Meagan Waddell talks about recreating Thriller video in La Crescent. Began the show simply talking about William's role — he's also the 3rd US House District Dem chair — but that led into a meeting he's hosting about Republicans test running autocracies in the state. And then we got into some Star Wars, with Ahsoka just concluding. After the break, we talk about the Wisconsin GOP anti-trans bills in regards to sports. The second half of the show was a bit about reports of Derrick Van Orden's latest outburst during a White House press briefing. And, we ended talking with Waddell's fifth annual Thriller remake in La Crescent, which anyone can participate. Just search Thriller Parade on Facebook. It all culminates Oct. 29.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse city council member Barb Janssen joined the show to talk about the ongoing budget talks, where the library has already stated its closing the south side branch, police and fire are seeing cuts, and a pool could be on the block in a few years. Janssen is in her seventh year on the council and represents District 3. She talks about some of the reasons for why this is happening and what the city might have to do for a few years going forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Central High School Spanish teacher John Havlicek joins to discuss proposed teaching bills, how per pupil state funding is way behind — despite Gov. Tony Evers 400-year plan — standards based grading and sharks giving new meaning to water hazard on golf courses. Began the show running down the eight bills proposed in Madison by the state teacher's union and then discussed the school district's transition to standards based grading. After that, we talked about how per pupil funding has lagged in the state for over a decade and will continue to do so, despite Gov. Tony Evers' veto trick to boost it for the next 402 years. Ended talking about sharks on a golf course and touching on each of the aforementioned (and below) teacher bills.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined La Crosse Talk PM on Monday to discuss city’s budget process and what looks to be cuts in regards to police, fire, libraries and pools. We also talked about how he’s involved in protecting the Mississippi River from piping water to the west. Before we got into any of that, however, we did open with sports, including UW-La Crosse beating UW-Whitewater for the first time since 2005. In regards to the compact (10:50), Reynolds is co-chair of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) and one of the talking points we hit on was this notion of a water pipeline to water-starved Arizona. After that, we talked about Monday’s Board of Estimates meeting (21:00) and how the city will have to make some sacrifices, including possibly closing the South Branch Public Library, potentially closing a swimming pool down the road, and some cost-saving measures within the police and fire departments, including leaving open positions unfilled.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.