La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds in studio. Spent a majority of the show going over situation between the city, the mayor and the Harry J Olson Senior Center. The city council takes up a proposal to sell the senior center group the city-owned building for $1. Its lease ran out at the end of 2020, and it since rejected a $1 proposal from the mayor since then. Before that, we discussed another council agenda item on how the city is updating its TIF policy. Opened the show venting a bit about the Packers loss, but that led to a funny conversation about how Reynolds "mayors" (the verb) — essentially how he "coaches."

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio, while retired-US Congressman calls in. On the show, we break down the US House Speaker drama. We get Kind's opinion on the matter, after he served 26 years in the US House. Also Kind recalls his experience at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, as well as his opinion on the new, bipartisan-talking Derrick Van Orden. And we, of course, check in on Kind's plans post retirement or if the President Joe Biden White house is calling. After that, we discussed Wisconsin's state Legislature's 8-month gap in 2024, where it doesn't meet in session, as well as Assembly Speaker Robin Vos' justification to using the state's $6.6 billion budget surplus on tax cuts. Vos: "Just to be clear: [A flat tax is] not about rewarding the wealthy, even though there's absolutely nothing wrong with that." Lastly, we discuss a "Florida (wo)man" story of a House member accused of being a literal witch, and a butter factory in Wisconsin clogging the sewers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Environmental planner, Lewis Kuhlman in studio to talk about the city's Climate Action Plan. The city is working on a goal to become carbon neutral by 2050. A stepping stone to that is a multi-faceted, seven-year plan as sort of a road map to get there. Kuhlman discusses that plan — highlighting some of those 170 pages — which goes to the full city council on Jan. 12.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Tim Dale, joins. Spent most of the show breaking down Republicans in the US House selecting the Speaker. We touched on the 20 or so defectors, why they don't want Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump's role and how this might come to an end. Also, we briefly talked about talk radio, sports vs. political coverage and whether or not the Wisconsin has a full-time state Legislature.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky and Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle join. Chergosky had to be summoned a few days early to help break down Republicans in the US House not agreeing on a Speaker — something that hasn't happened in literally 100 years. Doyle joined to talk about the Legislature meeting for the first time in what seems like 100 years — though is technically about 10 months.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First show of 2023, so we recap 2022 one last time with WIZM's Brad Williams — some of the biggest themes of the year will continue on in the area through this and next year. After, Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Jill Billings joined to quickly break down some of her priorities and assignments this term and the Legislature getting back together after 10 months off.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, and the WIZM year-in-review. We discuss the top clicked WIZMnews.com stories of 2022 and also go over Chergosky's Top 10 story themes of the year. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our "political blowhard," Adam Murphy joined for the hour. Murphy is the owner of Big Bang LLC, ran for US Senate in Wisconsin and holds degrees in economics and political science. On the show we discussed Wisconsin's $6.6 billion budget surplus and the low unemployment rate. Also talked about a US House member lying about everything imaginable to get elected and how political power plays a role in his potentially being kicked out of Congress. Also talked about a GOP-selected Wisconsin DNR board member costing taxpayers $76,000. And ended with some electric vehicle talk. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio. Among the topics covered, including the the projected $6.6 billion budget surplus, whether the state Legislature will have a 10-month "holiday" like it did in 2022 and what Pfaff has for ideas, after just being appointed to the WEDC Board of Directors.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recovering from the Christmas holiday weekend complaining about not getting that Mercedes in the driveway, or any new Lego sets. WIZM's Brad Williams joined to talk about the Lego Masters out of Holmen and how Legos evolved but the Erector set didn't. Also ranted about how Wisconsin's DNR is politicized, somehow, and what the state is missing out on without sports gambling. Ended talking about the "free shipping" myth.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.