La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

A Volkswagen Beetle wrapped in fur, cruising down a central Wisconsin highway with eight giant spider legs dangling. That was the scene in 1975 during the filming of what turned into a cult classic, The Giant Spider Invasion — a film based in central and northern Wisconsin that became one of Mystery Science Theater 3000’s most popular episodes. Ahead of his visit to La Crosse on Friday, actor and UW-L grad Dan Davies — who plays newscaster Ted Tittman — joined to spill set secrets that coincidentally featured two distinct Wisconsin beers. One, feeding Old Styles to “The Skipper” from Gilligan’s Island, and the other, basically holding a screenwriter hostage with promises of PBR for pages, as they rewrote the movie while shooting. Davies and 89-year-old director Bill Rebane will be at the Rivoli Theatre at 7 p.m. Friday night to party with moviegoers for the 50th-anniversary screening and do a Q&A. Episode Highlights: Volkswagen Terror: How Wisconsin filmmakers slapped fur and giant legs onto a VW Beetle chassis to build a 50-foot spider—and sent it blindly driving toward terrified extras. Beer On Set: Why Hollywood stars like "The Skipper" from Gilligan's Island (Alan Hale) fell in love with northern Wisconsin culture and cold cans of Old Style. Writing for PBR: Dan breaks down the chaotic mid-shoot panic after Hollywood demanded a giant spider to rival Jaws—leaving producers no choice but to lock a writer in a room with a daily sandwich and a beer quota. MST3K Roasting: Dan breaks down how director Bill Rebane actually reacted when Mystery Science Theater 3000 poked fun at his film—and the surprise honor MST3K gave him years later. Ted Tittman's Debut: How the team created a new campy Rhinelander news anchor character to seamlessly stitch the reboot's plot holes together. UWL Nostalgia: Davies shares memories of his 40-plus family members attending UW-La Crosse and classic 1980s 3rd Street happy hours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Tara Johnson in studio breaking down the controversy over the 200-foot MariBell power lines and what a Democratic legislative majority would look like in Madison. Johnson (D-Shelby) helps explain the environmental risks in the Driftless region over those power lines, how the state’s Public Service Commission works in deciding what happens, and where this all wraps into the AI data center conversation — one in which she believes an 18-month moratorium is needed. We also discuss the top priorities that Democrats are outlining if David Crowley wins the governorship and her party flips both the Assembly and Senate. Johnson pointed out that under current Republican control, only 19 of the 500 bills Democrats authored in the last session even got a committee hearing, and what her party’s priorities are if they win the trifecta. Episode Highlights: MariBell Lines Backlash: Proposed towers threaten legacy farms and fragile karst aquifers across the Driftless region. Data Center Pause: Johnson advocates for an 18-month moratorium and a long-term plan around energy usage while studying the local impacts of massive data centers. Underground Priority: Johnson details legislation to force power companies onto existing rights-of-way and mandate underground lines over giant towers. How the PSC Works: A quick civics lesson on how the Public Service Commission operates and how local residents can actually influence their final rulings. Intervener Funding Stripped: GOP budget cuts on the Joint Finance Committee eliminated extra legal and expert assistance meant to help everyday property owners fight utility applications. Predatory Park Hikes: Mobile home residents face sudden double-digit lot fee increases and steep pet surcharges with no practical way to move their homes. Democratic Trifecta Hit List: What a unified Democratic government in Madison would prioritize on day one — and the massive legislative roadblock currently standing in their way. Brewers Magic but Not "The Big Mozzarella": We open with Milwaukee's historic 103-win season and a failed attempt at coining a pitching nickname for Jacob Misiorowski. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot happening in the La Crosse art world this week and three people crashed the WIZM studio to break everything down. From the October First Friday Art Walk downtown, to multiple events at the Pump House and on to Viterbo University, we covered it all. Joining The Rick Solem Show included Pump House Regional Arts Center director Allison Krzych along with Marlene De La Cruz-Guzman, vice president of the Thea Bowman Division of Cultural and Global Engagement at Viterbo, and Oscar Mireles, director of LOUD (Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development). This Week's Event Lineup: Wednesday, Sept. 30 (5–7 PM): Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Viterbo (Featuring live music from Kumbia Kachaka) Friday, Oct. 2 (5–8 PM): First Friday Art Walk Downtown & Ekphrastic Poetry Reading with Marlene at the Pump House (5 PM) Now through Oct. 10: Oaxacan Street Art & Print Exhibit by Lapiztola at the Pump House Conversation Highlights: Oaxacan Street Art in La Crosse: Hear how Mexican arts collective Lapiztola brought layered stencil work and political street art from Oaxaca to the Pump House walls. Viterbo Heritage Party: Preview Wednesday's campus celebration featuring traditional Colombian instruments and live music from Kumbia Kachaka. Ekphrastic Poetry: Learn how Marlene De La Cruz-Guzman turns striking visual artwork into hard-hitting verse during Friday’s gallery walk. Historic Literary First: Oscar Mireles and Marlene detail how they teamed up to produce En el cinturón del viento, the first Spanish poetry anthology in Wisconsin history. Creative Routines Exposed: We debate whether it's best to have routine or work on the fly when it comes to best practices in creative writing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With election season underway, AARP Wisconsin State director Raj Shukla stopped in studio to break down some key issues impacting local families this fall. Shukla walked through the everyday challenges voters should research before heading to the polls — from helping small-business workers without access to a 401(k) to supporting family caregivers. The conversation covers retirement, Social Security, and healthcare from multiple angles and shows how voters can dig into where candidates stand. As Shukla pointed out, these are far from being just "senior issues" — these policy debates directly affect family budgets and daily life for Wisconsinites of all ages. AARP is also hosting a Fraud Watch Trivia Night at the Pump House Regional Arts Center downtown from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 13. Episode Highlights: Workplace Retirement Access: Shukla details why one-third of Wisconsin workers lack access to 401(k)s and how a proposed "Work and Save" option could give small-business employees a simple, portable payroll-deduction savings account—clarifying it is a personal savings tool, not a state pension. Family Caregiving Challenges: Shukla and Solom discuss the policy changes and direct support needed for adult children helping aging parents navigate healthcare and daily life. Voter Candidate Resources: Where Wisconsinites can review candidate positions and election information through the AARP Voter Resource Center or check local voting details on the Wisconsin Elections Commission Portal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new committee on healthcare in the city of La Crosse is a vote away from being created. In November city of La Crosse residents will decide if the Community Healthcare Action Plan gets passed through referendum. Nick Padesky, a campaign manager with Community Action Wisconsin, stopped in studio to explain how the seven-person panel would work. He says it will give local residents, doctors, and underinsured families a platform to document medical struggles, counter policy decisions, and pressure lawmakers in Madison and Washington to expand coverage and lower prescription costs. City of La Crosse voters will see four ballot questions on the November ballot. Three were written by Republicans in the state Legislature with no Democratic support to change the state Constitution. The fourth is the local municipal referendum regarding the Community Healthcare Action Plan, which asks: "Shall the city establish a citizens advisory health care action committee to develop a biennial health care action plan and provide a public process for community input on health care?" Episode Highlights: Reason Committee is Needed: Proponents argue local residents need an official city-backed mechanism to document skyrocketing prescription drug costs and fight federal policy decisions. Signature Surge: Over 5,000 La Crosse residents signed petitions to put the measure on the ballot, outpacing signature thresholds for gubernatorial candidates. Makeup: The proposed panel will combine local doctors and public health workers with uninsured residents fighting massive out-of-pocket medical bills. Town Hall Alternative: Regular public hearings will give citizens an open microphone to share personal healthcare struggles directly on the record when federal representatives refuse to hold open town halls. City Budget Bite: Spikes in health insurance costs could add $2 million to city personnel expenses, directly threatening funding for local libraries and public pools. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a bit of a light committee week preview, but there was plenty of city business in La Crosse to discuss with Mac Kiel in studio. Kiel helped break down what was finally a public meeting on — basically — creating a city administrator position, plus major staff cuts hitting the public library and why council members might have to trim their own expense accounts. We also dove into the city's latest progress on homelessness and what looked to be a scramble to land a Chipotle on the south side. Episode Highlights: City Manager Showdown: A special council session on professional city management leaned heavily toward hiring a city administrator, raising big questions about overall costs and the future role of the mayor. Library Board Fallout: With all city departments ordered to slash 6% from their budgets, Kiel details the Library Board's painful vote to eliminate five full-time positions to erase about $430,000 from the 2027 budget. Council Expense Cut: The biggest item for committee week is from F&P, where a self-imposed trim could not just drop council expense allowances but change the entire format. Homelessness Targeted Strategy: A Pathways Home city-county update revealed homelessness is down by a third, but the immediate and long-term dilemmas are still clashing Chipotle Express Postponed: A series of special meetings was called to fast-track a south-side Chipotle near Wendy's to hit strict filing deadlines, only for the session to get postponed anyway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Godlewski stopped in studio to talk about her vision for lowering everyday costs for Wisconsin residents. The Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor outlined plans to ease pressure on local budgets — from fully funding public schools to help lower property taxes, to finding ways at the state level to combat gas prices. Godlewski also went after D.C. gridlock, pointing directly at her Republican governor opponent, U.S. House Rep. Tom Tiffany. She argued that Tiffany, and Republicans who control Congress, have not just ignored cost-of-living issues like healthcare and fuel prices, but made things worse — putting the burden on state leaders to deliver practical solutions for residents. She also discussed the oddity of Wisconsin’s primary system, where governor and lieutenant governor candidates run separately before joining forces for the general. Plus, Godlewski shared the story of being sworn in as Secretary of State in her Packers pajamas — though we didn't ask if she'll wear them again if she and Crowley win in November. In this episode: Lowering Local Costs: Godlewski’s state-level plans to lower property taxes and fuel prices. Federal Inaction: Pointing to Tom Tiffany and D.C. gridlock on healthcare and fuel costs rising. School Funding: Why she says funding public education at the state level is key to local tax relief. Navigating the Ticket: Godlewski’s take on running in Wisconsin’s split primary, then aligning with David Crowley for November. The Pajama Swearing-In: The story behind her unconventional oath of office as Secretary of State. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He manages a $1.6 billion state fund with no staff and is the only Republican aside from Ron Johnson to win statewide office in the past decade. John Leiber, Wisconsin's state treasurer, stopped in studio to help explain why an office called state treasurer is mostly tasked with buying tech for school libraries and overseeing tens of thousands of acres of timberland. We also got into the politics of the position, like how his office might be different under Democrat David Crowley or Republican Tom Tiffany as governor and the role of the Legislature of his position — and why he has no help. He is running for reelection this fall against Democratic challenger Yee Leng Xiong. Episode Highlights: Managing $1.6 Billion: Inside Leiber’s primary duty sitting on the board that oversees state trust funds, which delivered a record $73.5 million to local school libraries. Logging for Public Schools: Turning 77,000 acres of state timberland into direct revenue for UW scholarships and forestry programs without clear-cutting. The Zero-Staff Reality: What happens to a constitutional office stripped of staff when the only guy working there goes to the hospital for appendicitis surgery. Crowley vs. Tiffany Scenarios: How Leiber envisions his role shifting depending on whether a Democrat or a Republican wins the governor’s mansion. Saudi Arabia Childhood: Leiber shares what it was like living on a compound at age 13 during the Gulf War, where local tornado sirens still trigger memories of air raid alarms. Trapped Cash and Typos: Why $900 million in unclaimed property sits with the state, including $144,000 meant for UW-Madison that got frozen over a clerical error. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jill Schams is getting her accordion ready as Oktoberfest nears. The Southern Bluffs music teacher and La Crosse Education Association president stopped by to debate whether the area is running low on squeeze boxes, what it takes to land a spot on the Oktoberfest Accordion Club float, and what happened when she blasted live polka in her classroom right as Superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel walked in. Once the accordion talk settled down, Schams, the teachers’ union president, helped tackle some serious school policy — including the fight for universal free school meals, how local foundation grants fund classroom needs, the Lincoln Middle School final walkthrough, and why state budget surpluses aren't reaching local classrooms. Episode Highlights: Saving the Polka Tradition: Hunting down local accordion players, prepping for the Oktoberfest float, and surprising elementary kids (and the superintendent) with live polka. School Lunch Realities: Why feeding every student should be a basic societal baseline rather than a mountain of bureaucratic paperwork. Funding the Gap: Breaking down the heavy lifting local foundations like the La Crosse Public Education Foundation do to keep classroom grants alive. State Budget Priorities: Why relying on short-term tax cuts and surplus funds fails to address fundamental, long-term public school funding needs. Preserving School Memories: Taking a quick look back at Lincoln Middle School's final open house and finding ways to honor local school history before consolidation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican candidate for Wisconsin’s 95th Assembly, Cedric Schnitzler, in studio, discussing the critical agricultural and economic issues facing western Wisconsin, and issuing a direct call for the federal government to tackle soaring diesel prices. Schnitzler, a lifelong farmer and Monroe County Board Chair, also discussed local policy and ag issues, including the push to protect groundwater, county efforts to refine data center moratoriums, and why state lawmakers need to protect local control. Schnitzler is running against incumbent Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) in the fall elections that conclude Nov. 3. Episode Highlights: Federal Action on Diesel: Schnitzler calls on D.C. to take immediate action on $6 diesel, warning that soaring fuel costs are driving up prices on everything. Data Center Moratorium: Monroe County moves to adjust its moratorium language so small business and hospital servers don't get swept up in tech regulations. Local Control Under Siege: Schnitzler cautions that state lawmakers could strip local power over major developments, including data centers. Forever Chemicals in Water: Why growing concerns over PFAS contamination near local waterways demand real accountability and cleaner alternatives. Ag Supply Chain Under Pressure: How rising input costs, high fuel prices, and market shifts are impacting local producers and driving up grocery bills. Fair-Share Farm Taxes: Why preserving agricultural use-value property assessments is critical to keeping local producers in business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Anthropic insider recently gave humanity a decade before A.I. triggers total extinction, but we only had four minutes to chat about the end of the world on Friday’s Rick Solem Show—needing to talk about more urgent local matters, like an 11-year-old giving everyone a three-day head start before she found the Oktoberfest medallion. UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky stopped in studio, joined by WIZM’s Kevin Millard and Brad Williams to talk the decline of candidate debates, why politicians don’t go all-in on data center bans, and Chergosky's tragic unfamiliarity with Maid-Rite sandwiches. Episode Highlights: Doomsday Math: AI insiders place the odds of human extinction within ten years at over 10%, raising the stakes on technology debates close to home. Charlie Berens vs. Ben Wickler: A hypothetical matchup between the comedian and former WI Dem chair highlights the clash between political outsiders and party insiders. Data Center Drama: Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down why current candidates are walking a fine line on massive data center projects while political outsiders lean into raw voter frustration. Treasure Hunt Mastermind: An 11-year-old gave the entire city a three-day head start before snagging the Oktoberfest medallion on the bluffs in just five minutes. One and Done: Statewide candidates are ditching multi-debate traditions for single-shot appearances, fundamentally changing how voters compare politicians on air. No-Show Showdown: Congressional candidates in Wisconsin’s 3rd District continue to dodge head-to-head debates, leaving voters wondering who is ducking whom. Loose Meat Returns: A local staple makes a massive comeback as community members line up for the famous Maid-Rite sandwich fundraiser. Campus Culture Shock: Chergosky on incoming UW-La Crosse international students’ reactions to life in town—from disbelief over the 21-year-old drinking age to debates over cheese curds, health insurance, and Twizzlers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot covered with the city planning department in studio, from the old Kmart demo timeline and creating a public market to revamping the La Crosse's decades old zoning code. Planning director Andrea Trane and deputy director Tim Acklin stopped in studio to help navigate some of the city's biggest projects. Trane sets us straight on the $600,000 "public market study," while Acklin breaks down how rewriting decades-old zoning makes room for everything from doggy daycares to starter homes. Episode Highlights: Kmart Demolition Progress: Why state grant conditions are forcing a spring deadline for the old building to come down—and where city paperwork actually stands. Public Market Truth: Trane sets the record straight on the $600,000 TID 11 transfer, what happens to those funds if a market isn't built, and why that money couldn't be used to save library jobs. 1980s Zoning Overhaul: Acklin breaks down why the city is overhauling land-use policies written during the Reagan administration, and what "missing middle" zoning actually means for future neighborhood growth. Chasing Out-of-State Landlords: Trane breaks down the disconnect of dealing with Texas and New York landlords who don't understand La Crosse's key arteries, and why local ownership is the key to redeveloping areas like the old Kmart and Shopko. Preserving Neighborhood Character: Acklin explains how new multi-family design standards will require duplexes and triplexes to visually blend into existing residential streets. TID 101: Trane addresses how TIF districts work in practice and why those funds can't simply be redirected to cover general city expenses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Current Festmaster Brent Smith and last year's leader Mike Bakalars stopped in the WIZM studio for The Rick Solem Show to preview the final countdown to La Crosse’s Oktoberfest — and show how the sausage is made, literally. The two shared what it's really like to keep one of the city's biggest secrets for six months — being selected Festmaster — from an anonymous front-door beer drop to joking about being the "last resort" on the list. Beyond the ceremonial torch passing at next Wednesday's Festmasters Ball, the pair shared stories about minus-30-degree festival tours in Winnipeg, running into UW-L Chancellor James Beeby downtown in full Lederhosen, and the infamous 2 a.m. heist of the festival's 80-pound golden brat. Episode Highlights: Learning Their Festmaster Status: How both men got the secret news—from a front-door German beer drop to a joke about being fifth choice. The 80-Pound Heist: The chaotic 2017 story of when thieves actually stole the massive golden brat off the grill. Designing the Button: How Festmasters select custom symbols — from scales of justice to Navy logos — to engrave on thousands of official Festmaster buttons. Chancellor Encounter: Getting caught driving UTVs through downtown La Crosse in full festival gear and running straight into UW-L Chancellor James Beeby. Missing Gambrinus: The morning-after panic when King Gambrinus was accidentally left unattended in a hotel hallway. The Heart of Tour Week: Brent Smith reflects on why visits to local nursing homes and schools mean more than any parade crowd.Serving the Community: Mike Bakalars shares what it really feels like to spend a year as an ambassador for the city of La Crosse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does the La Crosse School District do with the gigantic Trane property? Economist Dr. Adam Hoffer in studio with a hot take: Turn the 40-acre site into a high school. Voters shot down a Trane site high school back in 2022, but with the company donating the land and the district facing facility challenges, we debate why Hoffer thinks having this property changes the math — and why past district planning hasn't worked out. We also question some La Crosse city logic — like laying off $400,000 in library staff to cover a budget deficit while approving $600,000 in TID money for a public market study. Hoffer, the excise tax director at the Tax Foundation, also discusses what a per-mile tax might look like — as Michigan experiments with that formula in place of a gas tax / EV tax — plus how prediction market state tax revenue is different from sports gambling. Also, with the start of the Green Bay Packers season, Hoffer talks about why their ownership model is so unique, it will never happen in pro sports again — but should happen with every franchise. Episode Highlights: TID Funding Maneuvers: Is the city prioritizing its actual needs when shuffling TID cash — like funding a public market study over people's jobs at the library? Trane Site Opportunity: Acquiring a 40-acre property with a 220,000-square-foot building reopens a major debate for the La Crosse School District. Wasted Community Input: Bringing the public together for a year-long Facility Advisory Committee only to toss out their plan creates massive local frustration. Per-Mile Driving Tax: Replacing state gas taxes with a per-mile fee sounds great at the pump — until heavy EVs and annual registration bills enter the math. The "Packer Rule" Paradox: Why the NFL literally rewrote its constitution to ban fan-owned nonprofits — and how that rule protects billionaire owners from public accountability. Prediction Markets vs. Sports Gambling: How federally regulated prediction markets bypass state gambling taxes — and why state regulators are scrambling to stop it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As La Crosse's Oktoberfest gets underway, we look back on how it all started — and Brad Quarberg reveals the festival wasn't actually a secret ploy for G. Heileman Brewery to sell beer. In fact, the brewery once ran the numbers on how much beer fest-goers actually drank, and how long it took to brew — and Quarberg’s reveal of those the results will shock you. It’s our annual Oktoberfest preview with 2016 Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, Quarberg, and 2013 Festmaster Dave Ring in studio to break down the five biggest myths about the fest. Plus, a look back at the year milk was served instead of beer, when the medallion was held ransom, and how Ring managed to ruin the 10-day schedule. From how the Royal Family brightens up local nursing homes with an accordion player to the hilarious story of an eight-foot golden brat getting dropped in a parking lot, the duo shared why this community tradition remains so special after 65 years. Episode Highlights: Sealed Fest Secrets: Ring jokes about the "sealed documents" and good-natured shenanigans from the year Oktoberfest made the jump from 10 days down to four. 100-Pound Brat Heist: The hilarious true story of how a massive eight-foot golden brat was "heisted" in 2017 right before its official slicing ceremony — and how the five-second rule saved the day. The 5 Big Fest Myths: Quarberg tackles the most common misconceptions locals still hold about Oktoberfest, from who actually qualifies for the Royal Family to what counts as an official event. Ransom in the Park: A look back at the 1991 medallion hunt where masked "Heistermeisters" held the medallion ransom for charity using magazine-cutout notes—and kept their identities a secret for 20 years. Spreading the Joy: We don't actually build accordion players in a lab, but the Royal Family still takes live polka into local schools and nursing homes for a full week after Sunday. Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest: How the selection evolved from a 1960s "trad-wife" contest into a modern program for community leadership. Milk over Beer: Why Oktoberfest banned beer and replaced it with milk on year. 10 Days to 4: We joke how the fest cut to four days after Ring’s reign — but also why it happened. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The demolition of the old Kmart might have a due date, and La Crosse leadership is about to restart the city administrator conversation again. Council president Tamra Dickinson stopped in studio, ahead of Thursday’s monthly meeting, where the council will vote on giving final approval to a development agreement over the old Kmart lot, while also looking at a charter ordinance that isn’t city administrator — but could be related. Following two failed charter votes to create a traditional administrator post, city leaders are pivoting to a special Sept. 22 meeting on broader municipal structures to fix city hall inefficiencies. Dickinson also breaks down how the city’s initial $8 million budget shortfall for next year is more of a department wishlist — but real cuts are still hitting, like over $400,000 next year for the library. Plus, Dickinson gives updates on King and Gillette street construction, and city-owned property sales including the old Northside Library and former Girl Scout headquarters. Episode Highlights: Kmart Demo Timeline: Dickinson breaks down the development agreement going before council to set a timeline for site demolition and spring 2027 construction. Beyond City Admin: How an upcoming municipal structure meeting finally opens the floor to discuss city operations after repeated charter votes failed to pass. Budget Reality Check: Dickinson plays down an initial $8 million shortfall as a department "wishlist," even as departments like the library are meeting on making staff and giant budget cuts. King Street Pitfall: How an unrecorded, water-filled underground cistern near the Pump House derailed downtown paving plans. Gillette Street Gridlock: Why bridge repairs over the railroad tracks will stretch Northside construction delays right up into November. Girl Scout Exit: The city moves to dissolve a 99-year lease for $1 to clear the way for a surplus property sale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A packed Friday, where we get the La Crosse airport director’s reaction after someone tried sneaking a foot-long medieval weapon through security, and dive into Kwik Trip ditching roller grills — can you really call it a Tornado if it didn't spin? Plus, UW-La Crosse political scientist Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down new Facebook rules for kids and who’s the most known politicians in the state. Also, WIZM’s Brad Williams and Kevin Millard stop in to break down why the city might strip liquor licenses from two downtown Third Street bars, accused of letting underage drinking slide. Episode Highlights: Medieval Security Snafu: Airport Director Lauren Koss reacts to TSA intercepting a foot-long medieval halberd and reveals the wildly bizarre items passengers try to fly with. Kwik Trip Shakeup: The La Crosse-based chain is ditching roller grills, moving everything to the hotspot — but can you really call it a tor-NAH-do if it didn't spin? Bar License Crackdown: Williams breaks down a city special meeting that could pull liquor licenses from two Third Street bars — and whether fake IDs are getting too good to spot. Stock Trading & Soros Hits: Williams recaps a campaign event by US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden on Congress stock trading, but questions why presidential trades weren’t — plus Van Orden brought up George Soros. Democrat Name Recognition: With a lineup of statewide Democrats in town for the corn roast, Chergosky ranks Wisconsin's most well-known politicians—and whether Ben Wikler actually moves the needle with average voters. Meta paying WI $219M: Chergosky breaks down Meta's landmark lawsuit settlement, new daily time limits for teens, and how AG Josh Kaul plans to spend Wisconsin's multi-million dollar payout. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The biggest race in Wisconsin isn't for governor — not according to Devin Remiker. He wants Democrats to win the whole thing. Remiker, who’s been the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for just over a year now, sat down with us at the 26-year running corn roast on Wednesday and made it clear that while winning the governor’s seat is critical, the party's primary goal is securing a state trifecta. Remiker also criticized US House Rep. Derek Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) for choosing Rose Garden fundraisers over public access, weighed in on where Wisconsin might sit on the gerrymandering war, and brought up Tom Tiffany's voting record in Congress when asked about the governor's race. Highlights: Chasing the Trifecta: The argument for why winning the governorship, Assembly, and Senate is the party's ultimate target. Calling Out Van Orden: How Remiker contrasts accessible local traditions with Republicans like Derek Van Orden "hiding in a little bubble." Gerrymandering Dilemma: Remeker weighs in on whether Wisconsin Democrats should continue the gerrymandering fight, and what needs to happen nationally. Retirement Wave: The real reason behind a record number of GOP legislative retirements under Wisconsin's updated maps. Crowley vs. Tiffany: Remiker targets Tom Tiffany’s House record—pointing to his votes to cut healthcare and food assistance. There was also a bit of nostalgia from Remiker, as he noted the corn roast was "his baby," as he was starting out working under former 3rd CD Rep. Ron Kind. Fast forward to Wednesday, and the event brought out the complete statewide Democratic ticket — including David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State nominee JoCasta Zamarripa, and Treasurer nominee Yee Leng Xiong — alongside all three local Assembly representatives in Steve Doyle, Jill Billings and Tara Johnson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Crowley sat down with us from the corn roast in West Salem on Wednesday. Along with why he’s the favorite parent at home, the Democratic candidate for governor was asked about how he plans to tackle housing, healthcare, and childcare affordability across Wisconsin. As La Crosse gets set for another update on homelessness next week, the Milwaukee County Executive also broke down why he thinks the "Housing First" approach to ending homelessness could work statewide. We end with some corn eating etiquette at the Brad Pfaff Corn Roast, where every statewide Democratic candidate, plus all the local Assembly reps were in attendance. Episode Highlights: Addressing Homelessness: How Milwaukee County’s "Housing First" model works and how it could scale statewide. Affordability Agenda: Crowley outlines his plans to lower living costs through housing supply, school funding, and healthcare options. Childcare & Healthcare: Legislative plans for childcare sustainability and expanding BadgerCare coverage. Corn Etiquette: Does Crowley let his kids roll the cob of corn over the stick of butter? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Hallmark Christmas movie right out of La Crosse — why not? A fun conversation with Teddy Eck, executive director of Coulee Arts in downtown La Crosse, where we get a little nuts on a La Crosse Hallmark Christmas, talk about the movie industries new tax incentives to come to Wisconsin and how decaying attention spans are ruining movies forever. Eck also broke down everything under the Coulee Arts umbrella — including stand-up comedy classes, stop-motion animation, and a dedicated Dungeons & Dragons room — ahead of its open house from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sept. 12 at their new 422 Main Street space. Episode Highlights: Grandad Bluff Rom-Com: A wild pitch for a La Crosse Hallmark movie quickly spirals into an outrageous, genre-bending trilogy featuring slashers and alien invasions on the bluff. New Downtown Home: Rebranded from RAD to Coulee Arts, the nonprofit is opening its expanded 422 Main Street space with a free, hands-on public open house on Sept. 12. Unusual Hands-On Classes: Offerings span well beyond traditional fine arts to include niche side quests like live music coding, stop-motion animation, and tabletop gaming. Stand-Up Comedy Pipeline: Local adults are taking structured comedy workshops that culminate in live open-mic performances to help build a formal Midwest comedy circuit through La Crosse. Streaming vs. Physical Media: A debate on how digital subscription models erase owned content and why physical formats like CDs and DVDs are making a serious comeback. Wisconsin Film Incentives: The state's new five-million-dollar tax incentive package aims to lure outside productions while building up local independent filmmakers. Adventure Film Fest: Four days of outdoor storytelling and extreme sports thrillers kick off October 14 across multiple local venues (schedule here). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La Crosse School District Superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel stopped in studio to unpack the massive 42-acre Trane property donation, breaking down how the surprise gift is reshaping long-term facility plans. The handoff opens up possibilities the district couldn't have imagined just a few months ago — but forces leadership to re-examine everything from future campus layouts to athletic fields. Engel also updated the timeline on selling Lincoln Middle School for affordable housing and set up the upcoming fall evaluation of the three closing elementary schools. Plus, we dive into the district's new high school drone certification program and Engel's “side gig” as a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard — including why jumping out of airplanes was a short-lived experience. Episode Highlights: Trane Campus Game-Changer: Engel explains how a surprise 42-acre donation could house charter academies or a new middle school — and why any major build will still require a community referendum. Lincoln Middle Final Walkthrough: Community members get one last chance to tour the 99-year-old building before developers turn it into 51 affordable housing units. Emerson, Spence, & Hintgen closing: With the new elementary school underway and State Road expanding, Engel breaks down the assessment process for the three closing schools — and whether the district should sell or keep the land.. Drone Pilot Certification: High schoolers are now flying drones for FAA certification, with full pilot licenses potentially on the horizon. One and Done Airborne: Engel opens up about his National Guard service, including early training jumping out of airplanes that quickly proved paratrooper life wasn't his path. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff stopped by the studio to warn that despite a landmark Meta settlement, state lawmakers are failing to pass lasting regulations on Big Tech. Coming off the multistate lawsuit settlement — where Wisconsin is set to receive over $250 million from a $17 billion national payout — Pfaff called it a major step for the state, but warned it’s only a starting point for broader tech regulation. He again criticized the GOP-controlled Legislature for ending session with eight months left in 2026, rather than tackling Big Tech, AI data centers, or school device rules head-on. That inaction, Pfaff argued, leaves local communities to fend for themselves on everything from data center expansion to Flock surveillance cameras Aside from tech, Pfaff also got into some agriculture issues — like Trump’s beef import decision and meat and seed monopolies. Wednesday, Pfaff is hosting his fifth “corn roast” that was started 26 years ago. All the big Democratic names will be at the La Crosse County Fairgrounds in West Salem — from David Crowley to Josh Kaul to Rebecca Cooke and all the area legislative Dems. The event runs 5:30-8 p.m. and will feature free brats, hot dogs, beer, soda and — of course — corn. Episode Highlights: Meta Settlement Millions: Wisconsin is set to receive over $250 million from a landmark Big Tech payout, with plans to target early youth mental health intervention. Data Center Pushback: Unlikely alliances form as left and right voters unite in opposition against massive AI infrastructure projects and Flock surveillance cameras. School Cell Banning: Local control versus statewide action on phone restrictions in classrooms sparks debate ahead of local superintendent discussions. Beef Supply Shortage: A national herd low and a 300,000 metric ton import decision from Argentina trigger sharp warnings over corporate meatpacking control. Free Corn, Big Names: State Sen. Brad Pfaff previews his 5th annual West Salem corn roast on Wednesday, featuring gubernatorial candidate David Crowley and AG Josh Kaul. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic Party Chair for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, William Garcia, stopped in studio to unpack why he believes U.S. House Rep. Derrick Van Orden is running a “desperate” re-election campaign. Garcia highlights Van Orden’s use of AI deepfake videos on social media and bringing controversial Trump cabinet officials, like RFK Jr., into the district. We also discussed state and national politics surrounding data centers — including between governor candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany — and the fallout from federal food safety rollbacks. Plus, we go off on a sci-fi tangent about how Dune and The Matrix reflect today’s tech and cultural conflicts. Episode Highlights: Deepfake AI Videos: Garcia calls out Van Orden for posting AI-generated “slop” videos of challenger Rebecca Cooke on social media to fool voters. RFK Jr. Photo Op: Why standing next to the Health Secretary backfires in a heavily rural, agricultural district currently dealing with widespread food recalls. The Debate Stand-Off: Garcia addresses the push to schedule a 3rd District debate and accuses Van Orden’s team of dodging negotiations to run out the clock. Data Center War: How Tom Tiffany is trying to label David Crowley as “pro-data center” in the governor’s race despite Tiffany’s own Congressional votes blocking restrictions on AI development. Scifi Meets Politics: A look at how Dune and The Matrix serve as modern allegories for AI overreach, technological dependency, and trans identity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One homeless meeting down, another to go in La Crosse, as Mac Kiel stopped in the WIZM studio for the Rick Solem Show to help break them down, as well as preview committee week. The homeless conversation centered on a recent two-hour special meeting with a state official, in what Kiel called a “lively discussion and debate” between department heads and council members over short-term enforcement versus long-term solutions. Our chat also looked ahead to the Pathways Home update on Sept 8, where the city and county will review progress on the five-year strategy. Plus, we unpacked the fallout after the city administrator vote fell just short of a supermajority, examine a closed-session library board meeting addressing a projected $400,000 deficit next year,, dive into new life for the old north side library community plan, and look ahead to committee week (J&A and F&P meeting agendas) — including a proposed charter ordinance on department head hiring, a municipal fine hike, and buying the Girl Scout building back for $1. Episode Highlights: Kmart Project Gridlock: Details how changing developer figures and delayed city approvals are stalling the long-awaited site revival. Homelessness Boiling Point: Recounts a packed two-hour session as city departments and council members clash over short-term enforcement versus long-term plans. Library Budget Squeeze: Unpacks a closed-session board meeting addressing potential staffing cuts amid wider city deficit fears. Department Head Oversight: Explores a proposed charter ordinance that would give the city a one-year window to dismiss new hires at will. North Side Plan Approved: Highlights ECDC’s green light for a community group’s $843,000 vision to repurpose the former library. Citation Fee Hike: Examines a proposal raising municipal court fines for the first time since 2014 to offset tight city budgets. Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for providing the public with what is happening with city government. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s data centers now, because it’s not Francesca Hong. That looks to be how the Wisconsin governor’s race is shaping up, and state Republican leader Ryan Huebsch stopped in studio to analyze the fight between Tom Tiffany and David Crowley. Huebsch, the GOP Vice Chair of the 3rd Congressional District, weighed in on whether early Republican attacks against Hong backfired by clearing a path for Crowley, while outlining how Tiffany's team plans to leverage Crowley’s remarks on data centers — plus how a “Double T” strategy, looking back to the GOP Gov. Tommy Thompson days, could be coming. We also talked about whether voters will get to see Derrick Van Orden and Rebecca Cooke debate, and the partisan argument for avoiding them and town halls. Additional topics included Huebsch's argument that local Assembly lines were redrawn to favor Democrats, as well as the divide over whether state parties should endorse candidates in primary races. which Republicans do and Democrats don’t in Wisconsin. Episode Highlights: The Early Ad Backfire: Concedes that early Republican attack ads during the primary may have accidentally weeded out a weaker opponent. The "Double T" Strategy: Details how Tom Tiffany is leaning into his shared initials with Tommy Thompson to build momentum across the state. Data Center Showdown: Explores why data centers unexpectedly became the biggest talking point in the governor's race. The Map Battle: Argues new legislative boundaries divide rural and urban communities to help Democrats retain key Assembly seats. Party Endorsement Pitfalls: Weighs whether official primary party endorsements actually help candidates or trigger grassroots voter backlash. Town Halls & Debates: Why candidates on both sides avoid partisan forums, and whether Van Orden and Rebecca Cooke will ever end up on a debate stage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She’s searching for the building blocks of life in deep space, and now UW-Madison astrochemistry Ph.D. student Alejandra Lopez Holguin is bringing that search to Trempealeau. Lopez Holguin joined The Rick Solem Show to share her journey from a small town in Mexico to studying interstellar molecules — and to preview her hosting Friday’s free “Universe in the Park” event at Perrot State Park. Lopez Holguin also breaks down the science of her search for life in deep space — including whether she gets to name any new discovery something like “Lil Alejandra” — plus we had to talk space movies — her love for Interstellar and why we’re not living on Mars like in The Martian. EVENT DETAILS WHEN: Friday, Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. WHERE: Perrot State Park in Trempealeau COST: Free (No registration required, open to all ages) WHAT TO EXPECT: A 30-to-40-minute interactive talk exploring how the chemical elements inside our bodies were forged in stars, followed by guided outdoor telescope viewing (weather permitting). EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Odds of life in space: Why discovering precursor organic molecules floating around space means life could easily exist well beyond Earth. Alejandra’s Project Hail Mary: How a chemical engineer with zero astronomy background sent 100 cold emails, survived 98 rejections, and landed the single life-changing internship that launched her career. Space Detective: What it’s actually like using giant radio telescopes to hunt down hidden molecules in deep space. We’re Not Moving to Mars: Breaking down why Elon Musk’s colonization plans hit a wall when faced with real-world space environment realities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We got the guy to blame for all the chaos in the Wisconsin primary election in studio to defend why he chose not to run for governor. Attorney General Josh Kaul played along with the bit that his decision not to run caused multiple people to drop out of the Democratic primary, before David Crowley got back in and eked out a win over Francesca Hong. Kaul was also asked how many times he’s sued Donald Trump and, while his answer was alarming, the AG got into some of those lawsuit “wins,” (that hit home over PFAS and homelessness) along with explaining another high-profile fight over Elon Musk’s $1 million voter giveaways — and why La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke ended up taking the lead as special prosecutor on the case. Key Topics: Suing Trump & Local Impact: How federal lawsuit victories over funding freezes safeguard local projects, including housing dollars tied to La Crosse's Pathways Home initiative. The Elon Musk Lottery Case: Why the legal challenge over Musk's $1 million voter giveaways landed on the desk of La Crosse County DA Tim Gruenke as special prosecutor. PFAS & Industrial Contamination: Holding polluters like Tyco and 3M accountable in places like Marinette, and how local suits connect to the widespread cleanup on French Island. CDL Privacy & Tech Guardrails: State pushback against federal attempts to access truck driver data, local concerns over Flock license plate cameras, and the push for statewide data center standards. Following His Mom's Footsteps: Reflecting on the actual day-to-day scope of the Wisconsin DOJ and serving in the same AG role his mother held in the early 2000s. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick opens the show talking some headlines, including potential cuts La Crosse's library might have to face — one over the city's budget, where a special meeting Monday could see a reduction in staff, while the other comes from the feds potentially cutting internet subsidies to libraries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They're two of La Crosse's best-ever basketballers but — for being Division I athletes headed overseas for Year 2 of the pros — we find out one of them is utterly terrible at bar-league sand volleyball. Jordan Davis and Lexi Donarski stopped by the studio before heading back to Europe. We hit on everything from how bad Jordan and his twin brother Johnny are on the sand to how many free tacos they scored after Johnny’s famous Taco Bell commercial — plus Lexi’s history of locking down WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark going back to high school. Donarski, a five-year starter at Iowa State and North Carolina, is headed to play for Cadí La Seu in Northern Spain (though she can’t quite pronounce the city name yet). Meanwhile, Jordan — who of course played for the Wisconsin Badgers before heading to Illinois State — is weighing his options after spending last year in Belgrade, Serbia. We also dive into their chaotic experiences with the transfer portal, how they missed out on big NIL money by just a year, and what it was like playing alongside Johnny as he nearly won player of the year, to getting drafted 10th overall in the NBA draft. In this episode: Life Across the Pond: Lexi prepares for Spain after a year in Budapest, while Jordan reflects on playing in Belgrade, Serbia — navigating solo roster spots, language barriers, and long bus rides across Europe. The High School Heartbreak & College Grind: Reliving the abruptly canceled 2020 state tournament runs because of COVID to everything college hoops — from best memories to the madness of surviving the transfer portal. Family Ties & Draft Day: Jordan talks of playing with his brother Johnny during an NCAA Player of the Year run and getting drafted No. 10, to his brother's next chapter in Turkey. Plus how Jordan almost played college football instead. Guarding Caitlin Clark: Lexi breaks down her matchup history facing WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark and her defensive mindset head-to-head against elite scorers. Sand Volleyball "Legends": Both stars spent their summer playing rec sand volleyball at a local bar in La Crosse — and why Lexi carries the Davis bros on the team. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wisconsin governor's race has turned into who can run away from data centers the fastest — unless you really love cheese. UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio to break down the ironic data center clash between Tom Tiffany and David Crowley and the bizarre argument by Wisconsin's econ chief that hating data centers means giving up dairy. But we start the show with WIZM’s Brad Williams breaking down Tiffany’s campaign stop at a Coon Valley farm and the La Crosse Park Board’s decision to shorten operating hours at Cameron and Burns Parks. Key Topics: Cheese vs. Data Centers: Reacting to the WEDC secretary claiming that data centers take less water than making cheese — so if we want one, then we must have the other. "Data Center David Crowley" & Campaign Strategy: How Tom Tiffany is trying to brand David Crowley as "Data Center David," Crowley's local veto defense, and why moratorium talk is spreading across both parties. Data Center Backlash: Why candidates in the governor's race are scrambling to pin data centers on each other, and how national public opinion has rapidly shifted against tech infrastructure. Tom Tiffany in Coon Valley: Brad Williams recaps Tiffany’s campaign stop on a local farm to press agricultural and land preservation issues. Shortened Park Hours: Brad Williams details the La Crosse Park Board’s vote to trim closing hours at Cameron and Burns Parks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

City administrator drama, changing park hours, and clearing up budget confusion with La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey in the WIZM studio Thursday for the The Rick Solem Show. Washington-Spivey discusses the council failing to pass a city administrator ordinance again and what the path forward looks like. Plus, we discuss homelessness with two meetings coming up soon, the closure of Karuna House and park hour reductions. We also touch on the $600,000 allocation of funds for public market plans, the real story behind the city’s $8 million budget shortfall for next year, and the old north side library’s future. Key Topics: City Administrator Reset: What now after the charter ordinance failed by one vote, the mayor’s push for a flexible operational leadership model, and how the city’s ongoing workforce study factors in. Park Hours & Public Nuisances: Adjusting operating hours at Burns and Cameron Parks to 6 a.m.–9 p.m. to curb late-night disturbances and illegal camping. Homelessness & Regional Strategy: Previews of upcoming city and county work sessions on the Pathways Home initiative, and navigating the operational fallout of Karuna House closing. Debunking the $8M Budget Deficit: Breaking down the baseline calculations from the budget parameter meeting and how state Expenditure Restraint Program (ERP) targets actually work. $600K Public Market Investment: Allocating TID funds for a comprehensive market feasibility study and broader urban renewal vision. North Side Library: Mayor offers a quick update, after one group expresses interest in the building. Listen live weekdays at 5:05 p.m. Find the pod on Spotify, Apple Podcast or here. Tune in on the WIZM app or on air at 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Friday night's season openers, both of La Crosse's high school football coaches stopped in studio to talk about why kids don't watch games anymore, what it’s like preparing for the iconic "Ark" rivalry game between them and the evolution of the game — and the athletes. Central’s Michael Arnold and Logan’s Casey Knoble step away from the playbooks for a wide-ranging, lighthearted chat about the shifting culture of high school sports. Before diving into the gridiron, we discuss how the high school experience has evolved — from cell phone bans in school to playbooks going from VHS tapes to iPads. The coaches also break down the veteran vs. rookie dynamic between Knoble (entering his 16th season) and Arnold (entering his 1st), and how today's hyper-trained athletes compare to past generations. Topic rundown: Teaching & Tech Culture: How cell phone bans impact school life, managing student iPads, and keeping kids focused away from screens. 16 Seasons vs. Season 1: Casey Knoble’s veteran perspective leading Logan versus Michael Arnold stepping into his first year as Central's head coach. The Evolution of the Game: The shift from crowding around a TV to watch a VHS tape in the '90s to breaking down film on individual phones and iPads. Toughness & Training: Why traditional two-a-day practices disappeared, how athlete conditioning has changed, and why kids don't watch games like they used to. Modern Roster Realities: Managing 70+ player rosters, handling the physical toll on two-way starters, and navigating post-COVID athlete turnout. The Ark of Victory: The deep tradition, school culture, and lasting memories surrounding La Crosse's iconic carved wooden rivalry trophy. Coaching Beyond the Field: Drawing inspiration from Ted Lasso on connecting with players, building lasting relationships, and preparing kids for life after high school. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A $1.3 million jail redesign to better handle severe mental health challenges and the future of 111 acres of county farmland in West Salem are two of the big topics discussed with La Crosse County Board Chair Tina Tryggestad. Beyond the big policy votes, Tryggestad shares a personal connection to the old Shelby ball fields on 33rd Street as the county considers a new lease agreement. Plus, a lighthearted look at why steady, "boring" county government is usually a sign that local operations are actually working. Key Topics: $1.3 Million Jail Redesign: Why the county is drawing $1.3M from current budget savings for redesign blueprints—a project expected to cost around $10 million total—to address severe mental health challenges, safely separate inmate populations, and protect jailers. 111-Acre West Salem Farmland Review: Where things stand with 11 concept proposals (RFIs) submitted to potentially build housing on county-owned farmland, and how county leadership is partnering with the Village of West Salem on next steps. Personal Connections at Hillview Ball Fields: Tryggestad reflects on her adult kids playing Shelby youth baseball on 33rd Street as the county considers transferring the field lease to the School District of La Crosse for Central High School athletics. Sunsetting SMRT Bus Funding: The practical factors behind ending La Crosse County's financial support for Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit by December 31 due to low ridership metrics and dropped contributions from neighboring counties. $22.3M ARPA Impact Report: A recap of how federal pandemic relief funds were deployed—including $12M toward the Hillview redesign, transitional housing units, and regional childcare grants. Why "Boring" Government Works: Rick and Tina open with a lighthearted look at why steady, reliable county operations rarely generate chaotic headlines—and why consistency is the ultimate goal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did a CNN interview about canceling Thanksgiving actually cost Francesca Hong the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor? UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio to break down David Crowley’s wild comeback, progressive — and GOP — strategy missteps, and how Tom Tiffany’s general election playbook changes overnight. Plus, a play-by-play of a five-hour La Crosse city council meeting that ended with no city administrator, but tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars for other priorities, with WIZM's Brad Williams and Kevin Millard helping break things down. Key Topics: The Crowley "Comeback:" Did David Crowley need to drop out of the race to pull off a razor-thin victory over Francesca Hong? The "Thanksgiving" Breakthrough: How a 2020 tweet and a viral CNN interview with Caitlin Collins became the turning point that reached casual voters. The Progressive Sitting-Out: Why Bernie Sanders and AOC opted not to endorse Hong, and what it signals about the national power struggle within the Democratic Party. GOP Primary Mind Games: Did Republicans attack Hong too early, and did seven-figure "reverse psychology" ads in Madison and Milwaukee backfire? City Administrator Denied: Brad Williams breaks down the 5-hour La Crosse City Council marathon that came up one vote short of a two-thirds majority. French Island & TIF Debates: The city's move to spend $90K fighting French Island’s incorporation, plus a $600K study for a permanent public market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh off a wild, razor-thin Democratic primary for governor, Wisconsin State Assembly Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) stopped in studio to unpack what just went down — and where state politics go from here. Plus, we dive into new state safety funding for UW-La Crosse dorms, policy realities on property taxes and marijuana, and a deeply personal story about a "Star Trek" clinical trial that saved her mom. In this episode: Primary Fallout & Strategy: We break down David Crowley’s dramatic primary victory over Francesca Hong, how key endorsements shifted momentum late, and what messaging actually broke through to nonpolitical voters as Democrats turn their focus to Tom Tiffany. Reaching the Unaligned Voter: A candid look at voter instincts on the ground, how past communications can haunt candidates, and what the primary results signal about the state of the party. Policy Realities & Revenue: The debate over legalizing marijuana, and the hard math behind funding universal childcare without a New Mexico-style oil boom. Local Action & UW-La Crosse: Securing state funding for new fire sprinklers and alarms in UW-La Crosse dorms, local development updates, and her mom's "Star Trek" cancer trial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the biggest competitor to movie theaters today? It’s not streaming — it’s the little screen in everyone’s hand. Clara and Jon Gelatt, co-owners of La Crosse’s historic Rivoli Theatre, in studio to help us take a break from politics on primary day and chat about our favorite bad movies — including a 1980s Wisconsin-based horror flick playing Friday at the Riv — the need to keep physical media, plus kids and screen addiction. In this episode: Screen Time Battles: Both being parents, we talk navigating kids on phones, attention span fatigue, and the house rule against "dual screening." Wisconsin B-Movie Horror: Jon breaks down his obsession with Blood Hook (1985) — a cult slasher about a killer fisherman shot in Hayward, WI — playing at 10 p.m. Friday, plus the upcoming screening of the regional horror film Dead Media with the director stopping at the Rivoli. Our Favorite Good-Bad Movies: Rick defends Vin Diesel’s sci-fi epic The Chronicles of Riddick, while Clara makes the case for the sheer chaos of Jurassic World Dominion. Taste of the Movies & Local Events: How pairing catered meals with films (and hosting community screenings like the International Owl Center's documentary) fills the theater. The Death of Digital Ownership: Why digital platforms deleting purchased movies help inspire the Rivoli’s new second-floor Video Rental Closet and monthly "Video Lounge" happy hours. Theater Perks: Late-night screenings, Mario Kart on the big screen, and community event programming. Check out upcoming showtimes, special event tickets, and membership details at Rivoli.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A committee meeting gets hacked, the ongoing debate over a City Administrator, a $600,000 push for a public market, and millions going toward the old Kmart and Shopko sites — those are just a couple of topics we hit on with La Crosse City Council president Tamra Dickinson in studio, ahead of Thursday's monthly meeting. The council meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall, where members could face a crucial vote on creating a city administrator position. It’s a debate that’s been building for over three years, but one of many interesting things happening at council Thursday. Topics covered in this episode: Zoom Hijacking Investigation: What happened during last week's committee meeting, how quick IT action shut it down, and where things stand with Zoom and local police. City Administrator Debate: The amount of public outreach on creating the position, how much we've covered it on the show, and what needs to happen before a final vote. Public Market Push: Allocating $600,000 to update a 2017 feasibility study and partner with the RDA on pre-development plans. Kmart & Shopko Site Funding: Redirecting up to $3 million in TID 11 funds toward critical underground utility infrastructure to support new developments at Bridgeview Plaza and the former Kmart lot. Healthcare Committee Referendum: A petition drive with around 5,000 valid signatures puts a new Citizens Advisory Healthcare Action Committee on the November ballot. North Side Railroad Crossings Saved: How local pushback forced the DOT to abandon plans to dead-end Avon and St. Cloud streets. 18-Month Data Center Moratorium: Why the city is pausing new data center builds to align with county policy while studying future land use. Bird City Designation: Why La Crosse is reapplying for Bird City status—and how local stray cat policies keep it off the "high-flying" list. Check out the full Thursday City Council meeting agenda and details on the La Crosse Legistar Page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster in studio, after touring La Crosse and local infrastructure projects across Western Wisconsin — plus we hit him with drivers' real dilemmas like orange-cone gridlock, bike lanes and roundabout madness. KEY TOPICS: The Lansing Bridge Lifeline: Why McMaster says the Mississippi River ferry might be retired sooner than expected, and what contractors are doing to accelerate the new bridge opening. The Federal Stance on Bike Lanes: Where federal taxpayer dollars are going, why motor vehicles are getting top priority under USDOT, and where that leaves city bike projects. "Turbo Roundabouts" & Traffic Lights: From multi-lane intersections to cutting 12 months off environmental reviews, McMaster breaks down how D.C. plans to fix everyday traffic. First Impressions of La Crosse: Why McMaster called La Crosse a "great little town"—and the one traffic light he made a mental note to report back on. From Corporate Executive to Federal Highways: What brought the former Boeing and HNTB leader back into government, and what his wife really complains about when they hit the road. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What issues are facing young people right now? We got the answers from three La Crosse residents who represent different factions of the Young Democrats. Jake Williams (State Chair of the Young Democrats of Wisconsin), Hannah Dull (Chair of the La Crosse Young Democrats), and Grant Mathu (Vice Chair of the La Crosse Young Democrats & La Crosse County Board Supervisor) stopped by the studio to break down the political and economic landscape for people in their 20s. SHOW TOPICS: The Affordability Grind: Why rent, groceries (frozen pizzas) and healthcare make saving for a home feel impossible — and what government is (not) doing about it. Data Centers & 160-Acre Pickleball Courts: Mathu breaks down the La Crosse County Board's 28-2 vote to pass a data center moratorium, why the issue is uniting voters across party lines, and what happens to these massive facilities in 20 years. The Governor’s Race & Primary Politics: Navigating the Dem Party's primary neutrality, candidate dropouts, ranked-choice voting, and Francesca Hong’s viral stance on data centers. Local Headlines & Pop Culture: Reacting to a bizarre Zoom-hacking incident at a La Crosse Finance & Personnel meeting, local road and pool closures, and why Real Steel and Oblivion hold the answers to modern politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Data centers, the Wisconsin governor's race, and how a failed private insurance policy turned him into a defender of BadgerCare — Republican candidate for Assembly District 95, Cedric Schnitzler, stopped in studio to talk about those topics and more. Running against Democratic incumbent Jill Billings, Schnitzler — the Monroe County Board chair — broke down why Monroe paused data center developments, slammed lawmakers in Madison for walking away from the $2.3 billion state budget surplus deal, and called for cutting red tape to aid rural childcare providers. Key Topics Data Centers: Discusses the state's role in regulating data centers as Monroe County enacts an 18-month moratorium to study local impacts. Healthcare: Explains why he supports BadgerCare based on personal family experience and calls for more cost transparency in the system. State Budget Surplus: Shares his perspective on the failed $2.3B surplus package and why lawmakers need to stay in Madison to fund special education and property tax relief. Childcare: Addresses rural childcare shortages and advocates for regulatory relief for local providers. Governor’s Race: Weighs in on potential Francesca Hong vs. Tom Tiffany matchup and advocates for a return to middle-ground governance. Schnitzler has served on the Monroe County Board for nearly 30 years — including a decade as chair — and spent 30 years as an organic dairy farmer before transitioning to beef cattle. Beyond county government, he serves on the Wisconsin Counties Association Board of Directors and acts as a caregiver at home for disabled children. Read more on his campaign page or on Facebook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School is about to start again and the La Crosse teachers' union president stopped in studio to talk about touring the old Trane building donated to the district. La Crosse Education Association president Jill Schams also discussed where the union stands politically in the Wisconsin governor's race, private school voucher funding, and the Act 10 lawsuit. Here's what we covered: Inside the Trane Building: What Schams saw during her walk-through, why the space is brighter and more usable than it looks from the outside, and how the district could roll it out in phases for teacher training, higher-ed partnerships, and sports facilities. Starting School on Aug. 20: How applying for a DPI waiver saves the district roughly $200,000 by aligning busing schedules with local private schools—and why teachers and parents prefer structured mid-year breaks. The Act 10 Lawsuit Heading to the State Supreme Court: What a potential reversal would mean for local teachers looking to regain full collective bargaining rights over class sizes, workday hours, and working conditions. Voucher School Funding & Political Endorsements: Why the state union is backing candidate Kelda Roys in the primary, plus the push to itemize private voucher school costs directly on local property tax bills, and how over $2 million leaves La Crosse public schools annually. Elementary Consolidation & Teacher Layoffs: How the merger of State Road into Pamel Creek and upcoming building closures will impact staffing, and why natural retirements should prevent major teacher layoffs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s committee week in the City of La Crosse, where the creation of an administrator position is back on the agenda, along with new movement on a potential public market. Mac Kiel stopped in studio to help break down the key items up for discussion across Judiciary & Administration (J&A) and Finance & Personnel (F&P). We talk about how a 4,500+ signature petition could lead to a new committee, TID funds slotted for the old Kmart and Shopko sites, and a proposed pause on data center developments. Plus, Kiel helps break down the city’s projected $8 million budget shortfall for next year and how that compares to this time last year, when La Crosse was facing a $5 million shortfall at this time. Just to note, the J&A committee meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday (agenda) due to National Night Out, while the F&P (agenda) meets at its regularly scheduled 6 p.m. Thursday time. Topics moving through committee: Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan: Key updates and greenway adjustments Public Market: $600,000 in TID funds proposed to update feasibility studies Capital Improvement Project: Reviewing the $60 million CIP budget Downtown Parking: $187,000 assessment for properties in the downtown district Town of Campbell Incorporation: $90,000 allocation to support the city's legal appeal Legal Settlement: $75,000 city payout for a vehicle accident claim Public Safety & Environment: Police department SAFE camera donation and filing to reinstate La Crosse as a official "Bird City" Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for providing the public with what is happening with city government. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a wild 24 hours — and an even wilder three weeks — in Wisconsin politics. Just as the latest Marquette Law School Poll wrapped up, another major candidate dropped out of the Democratic primary for governor. So, who better to help explain that than the premier pollster in the state? Dr. Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, joins alongside UW-L political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky. Together, they break down the latest polling data, unpack the chaos of a rapidly shifting candidate field — including Franklin’s story about hearing Mandela Barnes dropped out right after putting out a new poll and nearly driving into a ditch — and look under the hood at how modern polling actually works in a high-stakes swing state. MAIN TOPICS: The Primary Moving Target: Dr. Franklin shares his real-time reaction to major candidate exits (including Barnes dropping out right after polling completed) and explains how pollsters re-allocate "second choice" votes and "leaners." The Rise of Francesca Hong: A breakdown of candidate trajectories — how Hong built steady, organic momentum among younger and very liberal voters while other campaigns remained flat or stalled out. How Polling Actually Works Today: Busting the myth of random digit landline calling. Dr. Franklin explains Marquette's modern hybrid methodology using voter lists, text/email links, online panels, and how they filter out low-attention or "trash" responses. MAGA, Socialist & Political Buzzwords: A look at Marquette's polling experiment on "Democratic Socialism" vs. "DSA" — and a discussion on how labels like "MAGA," "Socialist," and "Fascist" are weaponized on the campaign trail and whether overusing them dilutes their impact. The Limited Power of Endorsements: Why 89% of state Democrats approve of Gov. Tony Evers, yet his endorsement of David Crowley hasn't automatically translated into primary vote totals — plus why primary voters consistently make up their minds in the final days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the business community's perspective, La Crosse needs a city administrator. La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Sam Scinta and government relations director Allyson Fergot in studio explaining why 99% of their members support the move — and why they believe operating without one is costing the city more in the long run. HIGHLIGHTS: Overwhelming business support: Why 99% of the Chamber's 540-plus members—from small shops to non-profits and healthcare—back the position. Streamlining development: Why local non-profits told the Chamber they would rather have a city administrator than a new zoning code to cut through red tape. Managing a $74 million operation: Why treating city government like a complex enterprise requires consistent, professional management alongside elected policy makers. Predictability for local business: How a central administrator creates clear processes and stable leadership that outlasts political turnover. Next week the city council begins again its debate on creating the charter ordinance position, beginning with the Judiciary and Administrative Committee (agenda) at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The council did get the same ordinance through by a 7-6 vote back in February, but it needed a supermajority. NOTE: This interview was recorded prior to Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey releasing a video opposing the proposed charter ordinance. The mayor argued the specific legislation takes statutory power away from elected leadership and removes the voice of the people from City Hall. Watch and read more about the mayor's response here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A day after the first and only televised debate, UW-La Crosse professor emeritus, Dr. Joe Heim, joined to give his thoughts on the Wisconsin governor's race. Most of the focus was on the race in general, though all five Democratic candidates debated the night before. Heim talks about Francesca Hong running as a Democratic Socialist and Tom Tiffany being a far-right candidate and how that might play out in a purple state, where a lot of elections are decided by just a few percentage points. We also discussed the saga over Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropping out, David Crowley getting back in the race and Gov. Tony Evers endorsing him — over his Mandela Barnes, his old lieutenant governor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We caught up with Emily Berge on the campaign trail for the U.S. House in Wisconsin's 3rd District, getting her thoughts on financial disclosure extensions granted to her opponent. Also, Brad Williams joins us to break down two cases going through the courts — the Cody Alland murder trial and the case of a 61-year-old driver who hit 27-year-old Tarianna Thompson with his pickup after failing to stop at an intersection. Thompson, who was riding her bike, died nine days later, and an inquest jury on Monday recommended charges be brought against the driver, Richard Myron. In the second half of the show, with the Aug. 11 primary just weeks away, Berge discusses her growing momentum in the district. In this segment: Gaining Ground: Berge reacts to political analysts pointing to her grassroots momentum and shares how volunteer numbers are building across the district. Voter Priorities: Key issues voters and young adults are raising on the trail, including healthcare, housing, data centers, and getting money out of politics. Campaign Finance & Transparency: Berge highlights the importance of compliance following Sarah Rodriguez dropping out of the governor's race over campaign finance errors, and addresses why opponent Rebecca Cooke’s delayed personal financial disclosure is a concern for primary voters. Federal Policy & Foreign Affairs: Her take on Congressional stock trading bans, campaign finance reforms, and voter frustration over military spending versus domestic needs like healthcare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He's worked with the city of La Crosse on many projects. A popular one right now is redeveloping the old Kmart lot. Marvin Wanders, CEO of Three-Sixty Real Estate Solutions, stopped in studio to talk about his experience working with La Crosse and other municipalities in the region, and how he feels about the need for a city administrator position. City administrator is back in front of council during the August cycle, beginning next week with the Judiciary & Administrative Committee. It could be on the City Plan Commission agenda, as well. That one isn't up yet. IN THIS INTERVIEW: Why a City Administrator? How professional management, clear structure, and department alignment impact city growth and $80M budget efficiency. Old Kmart Site Update & Timeline: Where the Copper Rocks project currently stands with the city, what needs to happen with the development agreement, and the timeline for when demolition and site work could potentially start next spring. New Local Housing Projects: A look at the newly opened CNC Residences near Mayo and the ORI studio micro-apartments at Badger West near UW-La Crosse. La Crosse Housing Trends: Meeting the demand for one- and two-person households and shifting demographics in the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electability in the Wisconsin governor's race has taken center stage as state Sen. Kelda Roys stopped in studio to discuss her bid to lead the state. With the race reshaped, we talk to Roys about candidate electability and how Francesca Hong's "Democratic socialist" label plays into the strategy to win next month, and in November. Roys also breaks down her proposal to end private school voucher funding and her priorities for lowering living costs and reforming classroom technology. UW-La Crosse political scientist Dr. Anthony Chergosky was also in studio helping decode the high percentage of undecided voters and break down the race for Wisconsin's 3rd US House District. We analyze how Republican incumbent Derek Van Orden is posturing against Democratic primary candidates Rebecca Cook and Emily Berge, including financial disclosure extensions and debate challenges. Key Topics: The Democratic Primary: Sen. Kelda Roys on campaign finance, debate strategy, and navigating a shifting candidate field. Voucher School Reform: Inside Roys' plan to phase out tax-funded private school vouchers and re-invest in public education. Electability & Strategy: Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down how Francesca Hong's "Democratic socialist" label and outside ad spending impact primary voters vs. the general electorate. 3rd Congressional District: A look at financial disclosure extensions, debate challenges, and general election strategies involving Derek Van Orden, Rebecca Cook, and Emily Berge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in studio, following his dramatic re-entry into the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor. Crowley breaks down the whirlwind timeline of stepping back into the race, after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out. That includes his post-late-night decision with his wife and how it came about getting the endorsement from Gov. Tony Evers — and if the governor used any of his key phrases during that phone call. Crowley also addressed recent reporting regarding a decade-old shared Twitter handle, disavowing crude posts made under the account and emphasizing his record of public service. We did reel the conversation in, turning to La Crosse’s $8 million budget shortfall for next year and a proposal to hire a city administrator. That discussion highlighted Wisconsin’s broken shared revenue system — noting how state lawmakers rushed to approve $500 million for the Milwaukee Brewers stadium, while local schools and municipalities face deficits — and examined how Crowley would address the funding gap. We also got Crowley's clear thoughts on AI data centers — the giant one operational now and what regulations he wants to see for them in the future. We began, though, with the recent police killing in Madison and potential reform policies. Topics covered in this show: Re-Entering the Primary: The full story behind jumping back into the race, dealing with campaign chaos, and receiving Gov. Tony Evers' endorsement. The Twitter Controversy: Addressing the "Dirt McGirk" handle, explaining the shared account access, and condemning the offensive posts. Contrasting Against Tom Tiffany: Calling out "MAGA" Tom Tiffany’s 100% alignment with Donald Trump, reproductive rights, and setting up the general election matchup. Public Safety & Madison Shooting: Balancing initial reactions with official investigations, state funding for body cameras, and investing in community violence interrupters. Shared Revenue & Budget Surplus: Why local municipalities like La Crosse are struggling with budget shortfalls, and how the state surplus should ease local property taxes. Regulating Data Centers: Requiring tech companies to pay for 100% of their clean energy infrastructure and subsidizing ratepayer costs. Milwaukee Bucks Landscape: Local fallout after Giannis Antetokounmpo's departure and rebuilding around hometown star Tyler Herro. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of his upcoming appearance at the Cappella Performing Arts Center with Ben Wikler, political commentator Todd Allbaugh stopped by The Rick Solem Show to break down an unprecedented stretch in Wisconsin politics. Allbaugh will be in La Crosse with Ben Wiklker, the former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, for an event Sunday (details below). Allbaugh — a former Republican legislative chief of staff turned independent — gives his insider perspective on the rapid twists in the governor primary, how campaigns inoculate candidates before a general election, and why local voters in Western Wisconsin could shape the entire fall election. IN THIS INTERVIEW: Unprecedented Democratic Primary Chaos: Allbaugh breaks down the historic nature of Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s sudden campaign exit, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley re-entering the race after suspending his run, and how Madison Rep. Francesca Hong emerged as the frontrunner. The "Inoculation" Strategy of Tom Tiffany: Why Tiffany’s campaign spent months running warm, rural-focused TV ads across Wisconsin, and how it sets up his general election strategy. Voter Suppression & The SAVE Act: Drawing on his time inside the state Capitol during the 2011 voter ID debates, Allbaugh outlines how election law changes disproportionately impact voters and local clerks. Western Wisconsin 3rd District Battle: Why Republican strategists are keeping a close eye on the 3rd District primary between Rebecca Cook and Emily Berge following a dramatic local straw poll shift in La Crosse County. IF YOU GO What: Ben Wikler book tour stop for This Is The Plan, hosted by Todd Allbaugh When: Sunday, July 26 | Doors open at 11:30 a.m. | Live conversation & Q&A at 12:30 p.m. Where: Cappella Performing Arts Center (721 King St., La Crosse) Details: Free admission (register here). Books available for purchase on-site through Pearl Street Books. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the La Crosse City Council prepares to vote once again on creating a city administrator position, Dr. Mike Ford joins to help break down what the role actually is, why cities have them, and whether La Crosse truly needs one. Dr. Ford, a professor of public administration at UW-Oshkosh and Director of the Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research, is one of the state's leading experts on municipal governance. He offering clear insight into the practical mechanics of local government—explaining how administrators manage multi-million dollar budgets, navigate council dynamics, and why La Crosse remains an outlier among Wisconsin cities of its size. With La Crosse facing a projected $8 million budget shortfall, rising healthcare costs, and major long-term decisions ahead, the conversation centers on what having a professional manager actually means for how the city runs on a day-to-day basis. Key Points Covered in the Episode: Politics Decides, Administration Does: How the city administrator role originated during the Progressive Era to separate day-to-day operations from political bickering. Why La Crosse is in the Minority: Why more than 100 Wisconsin cities already rely on a professional manager or administrator to handle multi-million-dollar budgets. The Cost vs. Savings Debate: Can hiring a high-level administrator actually save the city money in the long run through operational efficiencies and long-term planning? Charter Ordinance vs. Simple Ordinance: The procedural differences, supermajority requirements, and how city residents hold the legal power to trigger a referendum on the decision. Tackling the $8 Million Deficit: How an independent administrator presents objective budget-cutting options to the city council without a political agenda. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.