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. 

Garcia is one of seven candidates running for La Crosse School Board. You can read more about them here. Voting has started for the primary and the field will be cut down to six after the voting period ends Feb. 18. 

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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 specific things we got into is the district's child in crisis policy and where there might be gaps in learning. We also talked about his being part of the La Crosse Schools leadership council and attending Gov. Tony Evers' budget listening session at Northside.

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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.

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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. 

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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 but also to have a nonprofit like CMN Hospitals in La Crosse helping children and families in need.

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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 how talks have died on the land agreement with Shelby, how his district is about to get a new elementary school and some of his past accomplishments when he was on city council before.

Read all the candidates' answers to a WIZM questionnaire here.

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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 program and some small business aid that came during COVID, like lowering liquor license fees and allowing outdoor seating in parking spaces. 

We also discussed the potential of hiring a city administrator and where she stands right now in that process. That led to a conversation about the city’s budget and her votes over large-item pickup and charging for the brush drop-off site. 

Other topics discussed included her recommendation to leave the District 5 city council seat open, how La Crosse could bring in more revenue through housing promotion, and how she feels on outreach with the public. 

La Crosse Talk airs weekdays at 6-8 a.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk wherever you get your podcasts.

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La Crosse City Council member and candidate Mac Kiel (District 7) in studio discussing the future of the old Kmart, housing & zoning changes, homelessness and city services ahead of the primary election.

Perhaps one of the more curious issues for city residents is the old Kmart, which is located in District 7. Kiel breaks down a recent update she listened to from the development group and when the building is coming down.

Kiel is also on the working group studying the potential hiring of a city administrator, so she breaks down what they've learned so far and they will be doing next.

Other topics included housing/zoning/homelessness, which all kind of correlate.

We got into the weeds a bit on zoning changes that could promote housing.

We also discussed some other changes with amenities, like the city ending large-item pickup and beginning to charge for use of the brush site.

Kiel is one of three candidates running for District 7, so primary voting starts Feb. 4 and ends Feb. 18. You can read more about her and opponents John Reiman and Gary Padesky on the WIZM election page here.

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La Crosse mayor candidate Shaundel Washington-Spivey stopped in the studio to discuss his priorities for mayor, including how he might deal with something like the federal funding freeze news last week, working to end homelessness and his position on hiring a city administrator.

We also talked about how campaigning is going, how he'd help promote small business and tourism, and his priority to make city government more transparent. 

Washington-Spivey is one of four candidates running for mayor. You can read his answers to the WIZM questionnaire here and how to get in touch with him.

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Ken had a chance to talk about the 20th year of The Frozen River Film Festival in Winona with Managing Director, Eileen Moeller.  She came to the festival during the pandemic and has been excited to see things start to get back to normal.  There are over 60 documentary films in the festival thins year, including some as short as 3 minutes.  Listen to the end to find out Eileen's favorite movie of all time, I'll give you a thousand guesses and you won't get it.  Check the link for everything you need to know about The Frozen River Film Festival.  Viewing options begin on February 16th.

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