WXCO News

Start of the final week of July after a red hot weekend. The Wisconsin Valley Fair gets underway tomorrow. The Wausau Ethics Committee meets Tuesday as the never-ending Drop Box issue continues. A tragedy in Lincoln County yesterday. Number of the Day quiz involves Bugs Bunny.

Today we discussed Governor Tony Evers deciding not to run for a third term plus this morning Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez officially launched her campaign for governor and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley indicated he is all but in as well. We also discussed great events coming this weekend including the Hmong Wausau Festival and a great event for kids and families at the Children’s Imaginarium.

We talk to Marathon County Democratic Party chair Nancy Stencil, who proposes a cross-party challenge in Marathon County: Democrats and Republicans are encouraged to donate to local school lunch programs, addressing the grim reality of ‘lunch debt.’ This initiative aims to foster bipartisanship and directly support students in need.

We also talk about this weekend’s Hmong Wausau Festival and the great activities to partake in Saturday and Sunday. Plus, Axios gives a rave review of Trump’s first six months. We discuss and think the “sportsification” of politics and public policy needs to end.

In the first hour talk to Mary Kluz, Mary Clues, member of the Wausau Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Committee, who shares her lifelong passion for environmental issues, rooted in a childhood surrounded by nature. She reminisces about the bipartisan roots of environmentalism, highlighting achievements like the Clean Water Act. Clues emphasizes the committee’s initiatives, including seasonal eco-friendly practices like ‘Slow Your Mow’ and ‘Leave Your Leaves.’ She proudly notes the city council’s unanimous resolution to reduce greenhouse gases. We also discuss the upcoming ‘Repurposeful Art’ event, encouraging collective action through creative reuse, fostering both fun and environmental awareness on the 400 Block next month.

To hear the complete unedited discussion:

Plus we discuss the hot day on tap with the potential of severe weather in central Wisconsin and comments by former Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona pushing back on Donald Trump’s “suggestion” to bring back the racist nicknames to the baseball team in Cleveland and football team in Washington.

We continue our conversation with Rob Hughes, a teacher in the Wausau School District, who shares his experiences and concerns about modern education. Awarded the Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship, Hughes discusses his 25-year journey, emphasizing the importance of relationships and community support for students. He voices fears about AI’s impact on critical thinking and highlights the loneliness epidemic exacerbated by technology. Hughes also advocates for better state funding for special education, urging local action to support schools.

You can hear and see the entire discussion with Rob Hughes on the WXCO YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88NU2CaZffc

You can also get find out more about Wausau Area Food for Hope or donate at:

https://wausauareafoodforhope.weebly.com

https://www.facebook.com/WausauAreaFoodGivesHope