WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews

Mac Kiel in studio breaking down La Crosse city government, including the conversation around hiring a city administrator and the stormwater utility bill possibly doubling. Kiel also talks about what it was like being a new city council member, as La Crosse swore in five new people who just went through their first meetings.  We began the show talking a bit about the La Crosse School District...

Nikki Balsamo and Brice Turgeon in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk having some fun with the origins story of this weekend's performance of the Ugly Duckling and the hat that started it all for the  La Crosse Dance Centre . The show happens at 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Heider Center in West Salem ( tickets here ). On the show, we discuss how a duck hat prompted them to do thi...

Joe Zepecki, candidate for Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair, was in La Crosse last Saturday and stopped into the WIZM studio to discuss the state of the party, the not-so beautiful bill passing the US House and state of politics in Wisconsin.  Zepecki is one of three candidates running for state chair, along with William Garcia — the La Crosse County and 3rd Congressional District De...

La Crosse School superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joined to discuss how the district did with graduation and where those students are headed. Both Logan and Central high schools held graduation ceremonies. This would be the first class that was not in high school during the pandemic, and Engel also talked about how that has affected students. We also hit on whether graduation rates have fluctuated...

Joining Vicki Markussen on La Crosse Talk this morning is Andrea Trane, La Crosse's Director of Planning and Development.  In their conversation, they discuss a number of issues related to housing issues in the city.  Specifically, they talked about how the "missing middle", what it is and how it is affecting the housing market. From there, the conversation covered the development of mul...

Holmen has been recognized as one of the fastest growing communities in the state and that growth continues with more than 350 lots for single and twin homes this Summer. Village Administrator Scott Heinig says permits for a 290 lot development just south of Old Highway NA will be available in July. Heinig says by the end of the Summer another 90 will be available North of Old NA. With that growth...

Monthly home sales are down about 18% from April 2024 -- but that's because last year was an exceptional year, said Mike Pietrick, president of the La Crosse Area REALTORS Association. According to a report from the Wisconsin Realtors Association, 92 homes sold in La Crosse County versus 112 this time last year. The median home price is down about 6% at $304,100. Pietrick says realtors look at the...

The Wisconsin Policy Forum released a new study this week as a part-2 data analysis of what could be impacted by federal tariffs. The report ”Wisconsin's Shifting Import Economy” details the $28.9 billion of goods Wisconsin residents and businesses are buying oversees. Top on the list are machinery, pharmaceuticals, and vehicles as a way to predict inflation, decreases in product avail...

It's graduation time of the year -- when scholarships are awarded -- and a fundraiser that helps raise money for 14 school scholarships is just about to close. Forks and Corks is June 5, 2025, at the Waterfront Cargill Room. This is the largest fundraising event for the Gemütlichkeit Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the La Crosse Oktoberfest Festival. Ticket sales end next week. A t...

What was a trip to Italy for conference for one of our La Crosse Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration became a once-in-a-lifetime experience .... twice. Sister Sue Ernster had an 18-day trip to Italy planned when the unexpected passing of Pope Francis occurred. She was there when the conclave began, gathering with about 1,000 fellow sisters to learn in a nearby building. Ernster says the City...

After nearly six years of fundraising and working with the City of La Crosse, the fundraisers for a $1.15 million new pavilion at Forest Hills Golf Course will be cutting the ribbon Friday at noon. The pavilion replaces the old country club building that was demolished twelve years ago, according to Dave Clements, one of the main fundraisers for the project. The course is historically significant...

More than 750 upwards to 1300 people with disabilities -- or diversabilities -- a year is VARC's success rate as it turns 50 years old. VARC President/Chief Executive Officer Liz Filter says there is much to celebrate including the impact they have not only on individuals lives but on the caregivers and often the employers who benefit from the skills VARC teaches individuals. The organization bega...

The imposter syndrome is real — even for new city Council members jokes new District 12 La Crosse City Council member Lisa Weston. Weston was a guest on La Crosse Talk to discuss what the first month has been like being new to the elected position. The conversations start before the inauguration / first meeting with people vying to be the president of the council. Quick appointments follow t...

One of four ideas being pitched next week could become a community-changing project at the La Crosse Soup event May 28. Josh Court, executive director of La Crosse Soup, spotlighted the four projects that their board of directors voted to move forward at the quarterly competition. Check out the projects here >> that people will be perfecting their sales pitch for in hopes that they get the m...

Given the federal budget uncertainty, Assemblyman Steve Doyle believes it will be unlikely the State will have a budget ready by the end of June. Without an approved budget, last year's budget numbers will continue until the Wisconsin Legislature passes a budget. Even then, budget repairs, as it's called, will update the budget to what changes have occurred since budget talks began. Right now, Doy...

In his last days as co-president of the La Crosse Education Association (LEA), Jesse Martinez says a recent Federal vote and changes to Wisconsin Governor Tony Ever's Education budget have him concerned about kids in school. Martinez accused 3rd District Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) of breaking his word that there would not be cuts to Medicaid and SNAP when he voted for th...

La Crosse housing week, paying $20 million a year for the Vikings 9-year-old stadium and taxing sins — like sports betting — with Adam Hoffer, director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation. Started the show talking about La Crosse housing week, where Hoffer was one of the panelists for the Economics of Redevelopment talk, and the area’s housing crisis.  After that, we...

Summer programs, the pools opening a mystery trip for seniors with Kat Craugh, La Crosse’s recreation and community enrichment manager. Kraugh stopped in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk to break down some of the things the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is doing this summer, which included a lot of activities for children. Parks and Rec summer programs That included summer day...

U.S. House candidate Emily Berge in the WIZM studio talking about her run for Wisconsin’s 3rd District. Some of the big topics we hit on were the PFAS dilemma throughout the district — including French Island — housing and homelessness, trying to keep up with the Trump administration and Berge’s experience in government. Now, selfishly, we had to ask Berge about La Crosse t...

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky on school cellphone bans, pickleball noise lawsuits and Republicans trying to pass budgets federally and in Wisconsin without Democrats.  We started La Crosse Talk with the race in Wisconsin’s 3rd District for US House, as candidate Emily Berge was on the hour before. There are three Democrats in the race so far — Lau...

La Crosse’s first-ever hyphenated Mayor, Shaundel Washington-Spivey, in the WIZM studio a month after winning the election. The new mayor talks city administrator, as the council put off hiring that position again — this time until February. We also discuss his first month in office, and the bit of chaos that happens in the two-week period before taking over.  Another thing W...

Onalaska Mayor Kim Smith in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk discussing their city administrator, summer in Ona, the Crumbl Cookie and a new community center. Smith has been mayor since 2019 and had roles on the city council before that. A big part of the conversation was about their city administrator and the how she works with that position, as La Crosse’s city council debates hiring a s...

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff was in the WIZM studio this week. We talked about the budget process, the missing “no tax on tips” bill, other priorities he’d like to get done, and a few things UW-La Crosse.  We began the show on the state budget process, and how Republicans scheduled just four listening sessions. Pfaff (D-Onalaska) himself, along with area Assembly Democrat...

Every year, for nearly three decades, they ride through the Coulee Region to help a child facing medical challenges that no one should have to endure. It’s called Big Bikes for Little Tikes — the La Crosse version of Make-A-Wish. And this year’s wish might not sit quite right with a Wisconsin crowd. But for a 15-year-old Hillsboro kid, named Dallas … well that’s all...

Hidden Springs Peony Farm — the region’s own “fields of flowers” — is about to burst into bloom. Co-owner Laura Kubes joined La Crosse Talk to invite visitors to come take in the sights and scents of 16,000 blooming peonies. Kubes and her husband, Bryan, care for over 600 varieties on their 2.5-acre farm just north of Spring Grove, Minn. ( map ) They welcome guests to...