La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

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.

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.