WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews

Here's a clip from Wisconsin state Rep. Jill Billings on what she calls manufactured Republican outrage over the term "inseminated person." In his budget proposal, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers changed terminology from "the husband of the mother" to "the spouse of the inseminated person," and Billings describes why that had to happen.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the ninth year of La Crosse Soup, and director Josh Court joins to break down just how this "crowd funding on steroids," local version of Shark Tank actually works. It begins at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Rivoli, downtown, where community members are welcome to come, donate $5, get a bowl of soup and hear pitches from four groups in how they'd make La Crosse a better place to live. Those four gro...

Milwaukee Brewers president Rick Schlesinger joined WIZM's La Crosse Talk PM to discuss ideas for maximizing the year-round use of an upgraded American Family Field, the Sausage Races coming to in La Crosse, remembering Bob Uecker, and how the team is handling rising player salaries. Began the show with Schlesinger sharing insights into how the team plans to utilize an upgraded stadium. He explain...

You've heard of wine pairing dinners and even dinners with pairings of bourbons and other spirits.  Now, from the folks at Carbon Cannabis comes The Green Table Dinner series. An infused dinner party series rooted in local tradition and elevated by nature. This plant focused dinner series was born in an effort to offer an elevated and alcohol free dining experience by blending gourmet cuisine...

A unique opportunity for School District of La Crosse students, through a one-of-a-kind program in Wisconsin. Kathi Millard runs the Futures Center in the district through a nonprofit called La Crosse Promise. Millard joined the show to talk about the opportunities and challenges high school students face as they prepare for post-graduation and what La Crosse Promise does through its Future Center...

We chatted with La Crosse city clerk Nikki Elsen after she was done with primary voting duties for the night Tuesday. We recapped how everything went, the voter turnout and compared this La Crosse mayor election to some recent past races.  Elsen has been the city clerk the past five years and was deputy clerk 21 years before that. So, we asked her about any interesting election night stories,...

Z93's Tracy Ballzer in studio helping preview the improv show, Heart of La Crosse, which opens Thursday at the Pump House, downtown. Heart of La Crosse is made up of six cast members and is best described as skits similar to shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway and Saturday Night Live, including some audience participation.  The members write all the material — except the improv, of cours...

Covered a lot with School District of La Crosse superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, including statewide proficiency tests and how students are doing, plus a timeline on tearing down the Hogan building and getting public input on renovating State Road Elementary.  We also discussed last week's visit to La Crosse from Dr. Jill Underly, the Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and...

Ahead of voting day Tuesday, we grabbed each of the four La Crosse mayor candidates for seven minutes. Here's Shaundel Washington-Spivey. You can read more about her here , as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of voting day Tuesday, we grabbed each of the four La Crosse mayor candidates for seven minutes. Here's Vicki Markussen. You can  read more about her here , as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of voting day Tuesday, we grabbed each of the four La Crosse mayor candidates for seven minutes. Here's Ellie McLoone. You can read more about her here , as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of voting day Tuesday, we grabbed each of the four La Crosse mayor candidates for seven minutes. Here's Chris Kahlow. You can read more about her here , as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has been a great deal of budget cutting from Washington already.  There will possibly be trillions more on the way.  It's more than numbers and not just dollars.  These will affect people.  So to put a face on the possible federal cuts to Medicaid we talked with Jenny Felty the CEO & President of APTIV, an organization providing services for people with disabilities.&...

Molly Fuchs stopped in the WIZM studio to discuss why she's running for La Crosse School Board, as we discussed her priorities, including emphasizing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in the district, her feelings on the elementary school plan, supporting teachers, cellphones in classrooms and school meals.  You can read more about Fuchs here . Fuchs is one of six candidates ru...

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joined WIZM’s La Crosse Talk on Wednesday discussing a range of topics, including the city's new balloon release ban, the future of the old Kmart, the impact of a federal funding freeze on La Crosse and some positive news on homelessness. We began by reflecting on his final two months as mayor before stepping down and whether he plans to endorse any candidates...

We stole Mary Beth Collins, executive director of the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies at UW-Madison, to talk about civic health in Wisconsin, a day ahead of her statewide webinar on the topic. Collins, a La Crosse native, will lead a public discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday, hosted by the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area. More info and registration Collins defines civic health...

La Crosse School Board candidate Kevin Hundt in studio discussing his key campaign objectives, including a push to fire Superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel and his commitment to advocating for vulnerable student populations, including LGBTQ students, minorities, and immigrants. Hundt also emphasized the need for the district to provide free school meals, arguing that state and federal funding is unreli...

Jill Schams, the La Crosse Education Association co-president, joins to discuss what it means when a school board candidate says they want to support teachers, the possible closure of the Department of Education, Valentine's Day in grade school and keeping kids into music. We began the show quick on the Monday after the Super Bowl and some updates on what's happening in the district and getting re...

La Crosse School Board candidate Dr. Merideth Garcia in studio, the only incumbent in the past two elections for the position, as we discuss a wide array of topics including supporting and keeping teachers, naming buildings, potential cellphone bans and school meal policies. Garcia also discusses some of the challenges for the upcoming school board, plus what her priorities are if reelected. ...

La Crosse School Board candidate Sam Morris in studio with his daughter Sydney, discussing what the future looks like for the district — including population and old buildings — plus what things he would like to see and needs to learn, including children's mental health and schools' current paths in place. Morris is a 20-year Army vet, where he served as a medic. Some of the more speci...

Ken and Sarah talk about several events going on through this weekend.  And they find time to brag about their charcuterie board making skills and Superbowl parties. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ken talked with Kathleen Graham from Downtown Mainstreet Inc. about their Open Rewards app and how it can save you 20% on all your downtown La Crosse purchases through Sunday, 2/9.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals specialist Abby Ryan presents the Miracle Achievement Award to Mid-West Family’s Jean Taylor. Mid-West Family puts on a 24-hour Radiothon each year to help raise money for CMN Hospitals. That Radiothon is organized by Taylor. Host Ken Cooper helps an emotional Taylor gather herself, and then they talk about what an honor it is to receive the award b...

Gary Padesky, who is running for city council in District 7, joined to discuss reopening City Hall, making the mayor part time with hiring a city administrator, what to do with the old Kmart and his past experience in government. We also talked about outreach and communication, the responsibility of the public to be informed and the ability for people to go into City Hall. Padesky also brought up...

La Crosse mayor candidate Chris Kahlow in studio discussing her experiences for the position, some of the accomplishments she’s had on city council, her position on hiring a city administrator and what needs to be done to help bring revenue to the area. Kahlow, who has been on city council for six years, talks of some accomplishments they’ve achieved there like a massive tree planting...