La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

You'll see the story on WIZMNews.com on The Badger Project managing editor Peter Cameron's story about how 200 police in Wisconsin were fired or let go, then rehired at another department/agency.  ---- La Crosse Talk PM with Rick Solem See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Told some animal stories with Heather Drievold, executive director of the Coulee Region Humane Society. Some of the weirder animals that she's seen there. Also, some of the needs the group has right now, with over 200 animals in care — like  events "Rounds for Rescues" and "Sip to Save." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was the Democrats' turn to head to Fort McCoy and tour facility that now houses about 8,000 evacuees. Also talked about Labor Day and how a whole lot of people were working. Did they get double time or holiday pay? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We bring in UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky to break down why McDonald's ice cream machines are always breaking and how important it is the federal government is looking into that. We also talked some politics, because, well, political science professor.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Threw everything at Jared Flick with La Crosse's parks and rec., from Riverside Park updates (big boat docks, Eagle statue, Fish Hatchery building) to Trane Park to swimming pool season to Winter Rec. Fest. ... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Started the show with WIZM's Brad Williams, who was at North Woods Elementary today to watch Gov. Tony Evers shoot hoops with students. After that, talked about the event recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day and how to deal with addicts. Ended talking about Wisconsin taxpayers being on the hook for $676,000 for an election that happened 10 months ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

A bid, a contract, a job hiring ... La Crosse city council member Doug Happel joined to discuss how the city goes about these things, in reference to Mayor Mitch Reynolds pulling an agenda item off Thursday's committee meeting to hire a PR firm. After that, La Crosse Schools superintendent, Aaron Engel, the night before the first day of school, in person for him for the first time here in the city...

Started the show talking about rezoning a property near the La Crosse Y, that's not going to happen, it appears. Also brought up the dilemma at a grocery store while you're waiting in line and a new checkout opens up — who gets that spot? And spent most of the show talking about a Wisconsin school's ending free lunch for kids because of ridiculous reasons.  See omnystudio.com/listener f...

We bring in the expert, UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky to discuss the cow that was seen in a McDonald's drive-thru in Marshfield. We did also discuss the partisan delegations that headed to Ft. McCoy this week and whether public comment is useful for city government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam in studio. Started the show talking about how hotdogs are not so good for you, but he didn't want to take one side or the other. We did have a productive conversation after that, however, on some of the things that might happen if the area got hit with a forest fire — like what is happening in northern Minnesota. We also discussed some of the new fire buildin...

What's La Crosse County doing with the Biden bucks and might it help Afghan refugees? La Crosse County Administrator Steve O'Malley joined. We talked the 2022 county budget, the $23 million Biden bucks the county has coming and how La Crosse might help Afghan refugees. Began the show talking about Republicans visiting Ft. McCoy, Ron Johnson pig shaming and how no Democrats from the La Crosse area...

A Chilean-billionare's company is trying to mine upstream of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Becky Rom, National Chair of the campaign to Save the Boundary Waters joined to break everything down with that. Before her interview, however, Ambassador Gus Fimple opened the show talking about how the Italian government selected him to rep. the US at a food conference there. Fimp...

La Crosse Education Association president John Havlicek joined. Over his 25 years in teaching, we talked about the evolution of cellphones in the classroom, and the idea of teaching kids Spanish early vs. in high school. We also discussed the district starting the year with masks.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pretty good deal when you're fired but also still get a vote on your own severance package. Talked about that, along with the Jeopardy host, a rotating waterslide and Afghanistan with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viterbo biology professor and immunologist, Dr. Chris Mayne joined to talk COVID-19, the vaccine and questions people are having as the pandemic continues into maybe now an epidemic.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse County and Wisconsin farming, agriculture will soon be getting millions in COVID-19 relief funding. Talked to county board member Rick Cornforth about how the board plans to distribute what looks to be about $22 million. Also discussed with Wisconsin Farmers Union president, Darrin Von Ruden, some of the struggles and how that relief will be used in their industry.  See omnystudio.c...

Matt Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign joined. We discussed the state's multiple election investigations, along with a slew of other things, including campaign spending in the state, gerrymandering, and the origins to the phrase "Six ways from Sunday." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Cardinal, someone pretty high up in the Catholic Church in Rome, who headed the La Crosse Diocese, is on a ventilator due to COVID-19. This person has been outspoken about precautions surrounding the virus. Discussed the moral conundrum we face when these people are hospitalized. Also talked about getting rid of tickets for minor traffic violations as well as the situation in Afghanistan. &...

Viterbo political science professor, Dr. Keith Knutson, joined. Put up with talking about some nonsense, before discussing Congressman Ron Kind's not seeking re-election, gerrymandering, the situation with pulling troops out of Afghanistan, and a few other things on a Friday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding the Holy Grail of plants, one that hasn't been seen in Wisconsin since 1958. Ryan O'Connor with the DNR joined, to tell us how he found it, what happens after that and how it was a note from his 6-year-old daughter that may have been the key to it all.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covered a lot of interesting topics with La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke, including how crime has changed over the past couple years, the idea that jurors' names should or shouldn’t be made public, the hate-crime enhancer in a recent incident at Copeland Park, a citizens police oversight board and updates on the triple homicide in the county and the Todd Kendhammer murder appe...

After nearly 25 years, Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) announced he's not seeking reelection to the US House. Political scientist Joe Heim and La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia both joined to discuss the impact that has for both Republicans and Democrats in the state and the House.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined, discussed flooding in the city and how to better relay problems like that to the public, the homeless situation in Houska Park, as well as where the city is at with a public market and the River Point District's future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duct taping unruly passengers on a flight and Lake Tahoe shuts down because too many squirrels have the bubonic plague. Covered a lot of ground Friday with UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky. The La Crosse Airport director chimed in on whether you can carry on duct tape. A Viterbo biology professor gave us the scoop on the bubonic plague. We also covered some Wisconsin...

Talked about the just-released "The Suicide Squad" movie with La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia. After that, we did talk some politics, including corporate campaign contributions in Wisconsin, the state's voter purge and the now deemed "hate crime" that happened at Copeland Park. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.