La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

It's PI Day, and Spencer Wilken is back on La Crosse Talk PM to discuss the upcoming solar eclipse, how her PhD is going in Astronomy at the University of Illinois and, we’re still doing our regular segment, where we break news that happened from 50-150 years ago.

We saved that for last, but it has to deal with the invention of the jetpack and how the three men involved ended up being, kidnapped, murdered and serving jail — all while the original jetpack was hidden and has still never been found.

Wilken also gives me a basic astronomy quiz that college students take, including knowing the difference between astronomy and astrology. She also gives a kind of amazing fact about astrology, for those who identify with a certain sign — you may not actually be that sign anymore.

But, we began the show just getting an update on studying for an astronomy PhD and how Wilken takes to heart being a woman in science and inspiring girls to also be interested in the field.

After that, we discuss multiple facets of the eclipse, including the weird things animals do — like tortoises getting down.

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Talked about the world’s shortest race back for its 19th year this Saturday in downtown La Crosse, plus what it was like when downtown La Crosse wasn’t one-way streets and the top priorities for Rick Cornforth, as he seeks reelection on the La Crosse County Board. 

Began the show with Bags from 95.7 the Roc to talk about the 19th “running” of the St. Patty’s Day .01K that happens down Pearl Street at 2 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds for the event go to the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse — the only food bank between Madison and Rochester, distributing goods to 120 meal sites, food pantries, youth and backpack programs in the region.

After that, WIZM’s Brad Williams joined, as we discussed some comments from La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds on Monday’s show about wishing 3rd and 4th streets in downtown La Crosse could be two-way streets again. Williams also talked about the La Crosse County Judiciary and Law Commission meeting Tuesday, discussing how to implement a Citizen Review Board of law enforcement.

Lastly, Cornforth joined to talk about some of his top priorities working on the La Crosse County Board, as he seeks reelection for a fifth term in District 19. That conversation hovered around the aforementioned Citizen Review Board, road funding, childcare and the Hillview Healthcare Center renovation and modification. 

Cornforth’s opponent in the race is Brooke Bahr.

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La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds in studio discussing the sale of the former south side library, an update on the homeless situation, parking minimums and rethinking traffic — including making downtown two-way streets again.

Began the show, however, talking about Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visiting La Crosse to tour the wastewater treatment plant, which is set to open in late summer. We also spent some time discussing the $68 million plant’s features — like it powering itself and coming coming off the grid. That also led to a conversation about electric vehicles, including city busses.

After that (16:45), we talked the potential sale of the south side former library and just how that process will work and how it’s decided who to sell to.

The bottom half of the hour (20:10) started with how this month is the 24th year of the show — which Mitch started in 2005 — followed by some city council business coming up Thursday, including committee approved funding for the Legal Action of Wisconsin to assist with evictions.

Then (22:15) we got into a bit of an update on the city-count effort’s Pathways Home plan to end homelessness in the city. 

Lastly (28:15), we began talking about the city’s parking minimums for residential properties but that led to a traffic conversation, including Reynolds’ wish that 3rd and 4th streets downtown could go back to two-way traffic. 

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UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Cherosky, in studio discussing Republican US Senate candidate for Wisconsin, Eric Hovde’s odd campaign challenge, Wendy’s and Kellogg’s CEOs trying to normalize a dystopian society, and the La Crosse Steam gearing up for softball, in need of a celebrity fan.

Began the show, though, talking a bit averting a government shutdown by kicking multiple cans down the road or into the future, how 82-year-old Mitch McConnell is stepping down as leader, but not retiring and how doorbell cams play into campaigns. 

Then we got into Republican US Senate candidate, Eric Hovde, in multiple ways — his moustache, his shirtless campaign challenge, where takes a dip in Lake Mendota to prove how Wisconsin — not California — he is, and the GOP’s need for rich people to fund their campaigns.

We began the second half of the show (19:00) talking about the La Crosse Steam softball team getting ready to start and how it needs a celebrity fan in the front row, like the Lakers with Jack Nicholson or the Knicks with Spike Lee. 

After that, we got into the dystopian society talk with Wendy’s CEO (26:10) talking about surge pricing but not surge wages during those busiest hours, and the Kellogg’s CEO trying to normalize eating cereal for breakfast if food is too expensive. 

Lastly (34:50), we chatted about how many times the GOP-led US House is going to partially fund the government to avoid a shutdown. US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) voted against the last partial funding but for this one. 

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Mac Kiel and Mackenzie Mindel in studio discussing the culture of La Crosse’s city council, three years into the first-ever female majority. We also talked about the city’s EV busses in the cold, homelessness and recapping last month’s meeting and next week’s Judiciary and Administration (J&A) Committee. 

Mindel is the chair of the J&A committee and Kiel is also on it. Toward the end of the show we talk about two items on Tuesday’s agenda — essentially rezoning proposals for a UW-La Crosse parking ramp and updates at the REACH Center.

Before that, however, we began the show with the most important thing from the February meeting — (2:45) allowing us to drink and play pickleball — the saga of Blue Zone Pickleball getting their alcohol license at the north side building that used to be Shopko.

After that, (7:20) we talk about how things have changed three years into a female majority on La Crosse’s city council.

Began the second half of the show with a couple of updates from Kiel on how the city’s EV busses handled last month’s very cold spell, along with a bit of a homeless update (25:50), as she goes out with the outreach team weekly.

We then recapped (29:30) a couple of items passed in the February council meeting, including allowing Accessory Dwelling Units and setting aside $7.6 million for Phase 3 of the River Point District (32:50) and how that came to be.

Lastly, a look at the J&A meeting Tuesday and a quick breakdown (34:20) of the UW-La Crosse and REACH Center rezoning requests.

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Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. and La Crosse County board member Steve Doyle joins to discuss the details of a civilian review board of law enforcement, the state Legislature’s leftover priorities as its off the rest of the year and new voting maps.

Doyle represents the 94th Assembly District, which will change to some extent and we talked about those changes and how representatives can best get to know their new constituents.

Before that, however, we complained about priorities the state could and should tackle if it were still in session, but the Assembly adjourned last week for the rest of the year, while the state Senate works one more day next month.

In the second half of the show, Doyle breaks down what the Civilian Review Board is all about. It was passed recently by the La Crosse County Board and will be more of what Doyle calls a liaison between people and law enforcement. 

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Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio talking about his new district, how the Legislature gives itself the next 10 months off and what still needs to be done.

We start the show with the ridiculous 60-degree weather but also what this lack of winter means for farmers. 

Then we get into the Wisconsin Legislature having the next 10 months off and what Pfaff sees as a priority list of things that need to get done during that time. But that would mean calling the Legislature back into session, and if Pfaff sees that happening.

The second half of the show, we got into one of the big things the state still needs to work on and that’s PFAS “forever chemicals.” Pfaff talks about the Town of Campbell being on bottled water the last four years due to that and what the state could do to fight PFAS.

After that (27:15), we hit on a couple other priorities the Legislature could deal with over the next 10 months, instead of campaigning, which included childcare funding and tax relief. 

Pfaff talks (30:15) about a property tax relief bill he’s proposed for working class that’s sort of a combination of income and property value.

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Candice Tlustosch in studio discussing her run for judge in La Crosse County. 

Tlustosch, an attorney out of La Crosse, talks about the big issues she sees in the courts, what could be improved and how her experience makes her the right fit for Circuit Court Branch 3.

Of course, we start the show with some nonsense and what lawyer-like TV shows are the best and worst, and her answer may or may not surprise you. 

Tlustosch was appointed by then-Gov. Scott Walker to the District 5 bench in La Crosse County and served out that term. So, we also talked about the race being nonpartisan but also having hints of partisanship.

Tlustosch got her law degree in 2005 from the University of Wisconsin and has been practicing ever since.

Her opponent, current Branch 5 Judge, Mark Huesmann, was appointed by Gov. Tony Evers back in July to replace Judge Todd Bjerke, who retired.

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UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio discussing the Wisconsin state Legislature being out of session the next 10 months, a look at the most famous person in La Crosse County, and the nonpartisan judge race.

Began the show with the legislative calendar and how Wisconsin’s full-time state Legislature is taking the final 10 months of the year off. 

The Assembly’s last day was this week and the Senate will meet for one day in March. 

So, we discussed how that might go over, hitting the campaign trail on issues such as PFAS and legalizing marijuana, while being a full-time Legislature that could actually legislate, instead of campaign with the promise to legislate. Does this give an advantage to Democrats, who don’t control the Legislature, or outside candidates who want to take someone’s seat? 

In the second half of the show, we began with a story about how Joe Biden’s dog, Commander, has bitten an exorbitant amount of Secret Service members. What happens if we bit that many people?

After that, we talked about the judge race in La Crosse County between Mark Huesmann and Candice Tlustosch — who both recently were interviewed on the show — and how partisanship comes into play. 

Then, we finally got into La Crosse County’s most famous person (27:50), and the most famous people in each Wisconsin county. Sadly, three of the top four spots are literal killers. 

Ended the show with a message to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (32:45), and how he could use the state Legislature being out of session for the next 10 months to his advantage.

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La Crosse County administrator, Jane Klekamp, in studio discussing the new civilian review board of law enforcement, a bit of an update on the city-county homeless project, Pathways Home and details on the county board strategic plan.

Began the show, however, talking a bit about the spring elections, how every board member is up for election but also how the board works with the county administrator — as part of the ongoing theme where Klekamp describes how government works to talk show host.

After that, we hit on the county board strategic plan, how a consultant firm is going about it and just what might be some priorities with it.

In the second half of the show, started off asking Klekamp what the county could do with some of the state’s $7 billion in budget surplus.

After that, we got some dates and details into the Pathways Home project to end homelessness, and an optimistic outlook on how it might come to a conclusion.

Spent the last part of the show discussing some of the details on the citizens review board of law enforcement, which has been two years in the making.

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