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WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews

WIZM News Staff

WIZM"s LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

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12:59

Pandemic was "not bad compared to this," says WAFER...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/28

Erin Waldhart, executive director of the WAFER Food Pantry in La Crosse joined to describe the "perfect storm" she's seeing right now that's led people to be in such dire need. Waldhart says the pandemic doesn't compare to what she's seeing now. Food pantries like WAFER are being stretched to the limit with a government shutdown, SNAP benefits set to end Nov. 1 and, what Waldhart describes as "government commodities" not prioritizing needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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13:22

La Crosse teachers' union president Schams on state...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/27

Jill Schams, the La Crosse Education Association president, joined to mainly discuss a recent story about the lack of transparency from the state when it comes to teacher misconduct. The story focuses on 200 sexual misconduct and grooming cases over a five-year period that were not made public. Before we got into that, however, we did lighten it up with a conversation about Halloween week and how the holiday falling on a Friday does tend to be better for students — and teachers. See

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32:02

Political (Halloween) candy with UW-L political...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/24

A Halloween-themed La Crosse Talk with UW-L political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, featuring the best and worst candies, would you love a potato while trick-or-treating and how old is too old to dress up and get free loot. In the political realm, we get into the potential for (medical) marijuana gummies from the Wisconsin state Legislature and legalizing sports gambling statewide. Chergosky also reveals his new favorite candy, which is nobody else’s favorite anywhere in the world

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29:01

La Crosse Central teacher Havlicek on education...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/24

Central High School Spanish teacher John Havlicek in studio discussing some legislation potentially going through Madison dealing with education. And, as always, because Havlicek has been teaching for over three decades, we have to do some story time about the successes of students. Most of the bills we discussed had to do with voucher schools and that system — who qualifies, open records and property tax transparency. We also hit on a bill for educators to be incorporated into the state

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22:22

Wisconsin Rep. Tara Johnson on education cuts,...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/24

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Tara Johnson (D-Shelby) was in studio last week discussing a first responders award she has now already presented, her take on the governor's race as more candidates enter. We also have a conversation on some federal education cuts, housing projects and her schools tour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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22:41

La Crosse state Rep. Billings on school cellphone...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/24

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) in studio, discussing a statewide cellphone ban in schools, the ongoing governor’s race and some legislation she has dealing with ticket sales — like to Taylor Swift concerts — and higher education. The first thing we talked about was whether Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will sign a bill that’s passed the legislature to impose limits on cellphones in schools and how Billings feels about the issue. We then got into the

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18:07

Terry Visger on the art of scaring people through...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/23

She said her mom called her a little liar as a kid — and that turned out great for storyteller Terry Visger. Those “lies” were really stories, and storytelling is what she’s been doing professionally for the past 25 years. Before that, Visger was a teacher at La Crosse's Pleasant Valley Elementary School, then at Spence Elementary, before becoming a storytelling professor at Viterbo University. This Saturday, Visger will be one of the featured storytellers at the Pump House

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9:13

Rebecca Schwarz previews Music in the Marsh at La...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/23

The Nature Place in Myrick Park is having their fourth annual Music in the Marsh, and director Rebecca Schwarz joins to tell us about the organization and their biggest yearly fundraiser. Grammy Award-winning American Roots icon Dom Flemons will be performing for the Music on the Marsh concert, in which Schwarz notes will likely sell out (tickets here). Doors open at 6 p.m. on Nov. 13 and music begins at 7 p.m. Along with previewing the event, Schwarz talks a bit about what they do at the Nature

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14:29

Abigail Spanjers discusses La Crosse Lighthouse’s...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/18

La Crosse Lighthouse executive director Abigail Spanjers stopped in the WIZM studio to discuss the organization’s unique peer-run respite program for people experiencing mental health challenges, and to preview the upcoming philanthropic breakfast. That happens from 7–9 a.m. Tuesday at the Radisson in downtown La Crosse, and guests can sign up here. The event is aimed at raising awareness and funds for the Lighthouse’s mission. Spanjers explains how community support has become

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10:27

Meme Mihalovic previews Sunday’s La Crosse Area’s...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/18

Meme Mihalovic with theDisability Action Network (DAN) joined WIZM’s La Crosse Talk to help preview the fourth annual La Crosse Area’s Disability Pride Fest. Theevent happensfrom 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday at Logan High School to celebrate disability culture, community and pride. From the conversation, it sounds like the highlight of the event might be the power wheelchair soccer scrimmage. There are a whole slew of other things happening as well, including: Mural Painting Boccia

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26:14

Charlie Berens for Wisconsin governor? UW-La Crosse...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/17

We propose a Charlie Berens run for Wisconsin governor to UW-L political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky. It was part of a circular discussion about priorities, as people’s needs are not being met by politicians. Does Berens unite a voting bass that isn’t necessarily political, but concerned about things directly related to their wallets — rising costs, health insurance, taxes — that seem to be ignored as you move up levels of government. Wisconsin Gov. Tony

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31:57

La Crosse Mayor Washington-Spivey on city's budget...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/17

La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey in studio to discuss the city’s budget shortfall, recapping the Beyond the Bridge event on homeless, when the two parks will reopen and the debate over a city administrator. We also talked about the mayor’s “Our City, Your 15” initiative earlier this month. That’s where Washington-Spivey met individually with residents for 15 minutes to hear their thoughts and concerns. He talks about some of the topics brought up. As for the

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8:30

Previewing "One Day for UW-L" with Lauren Wanders

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/16

Over 200 groups involved in “One Day for UW-L,” and Lauren Wanders stopped in studio to help preview the 24-hour event. Wanders is the Annual Giving Coordinator at UW-L. The event begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday and runs until 9 a.m. Wednesday. Wanders highlights some of the big matching campaigns, including $25,000 for the Adapted Physical Education program — a 40-year program that could lose its federal funding. There’s also a $1,000 match from WKTY Cares for River Watch —

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10:03

Power wheelchair soccer highlights Sunday's La Crosse...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/16

Meme Mihalovic with theDisability Action Network (DAN) joined WIZM’s La Crosse Talk to help preview the fourth annual La Crosse Area’s Disability Pride Fest. Theevent happens from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday at Logan High School to celebrate disability culture, community and pride.From the conversation, it sounds like the highlight of the event might be the power wheelchair soccer scrimmage. There are a whole slew of other things happening as well, including: Mural Painting Boccia

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26:42

Rivoli co-owner Jon Gelatt's best horror movies ahead...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/15

The best horror movies with Rivoli co-owner Jonathan Gelatt, who stopped in studio ahead of the theatre’s annual Schlocktoberfest this weekend — featuring a lineup of classic scary films. October is Gelatt’s “Christmas,” and we talk about how he loves using the Rivoli as a throwback venue for classic horror. He shares his picks for the scariest horror movies of all time — and his favorites, including a rather peculiar choice. We also take a few shots at Rotten

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27:08

Milwaukee Housing admin Jim Mathy on La Crosse's...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/15

Milwaukee County Housing Administrator Jim Mathy joined in studio to talk about homelessness, La Crosse’s progress, and the next steps in the city’s Pathways Home plan. Mathy, a La Crosse native, spent two days meeting with community leaders about Pathways Home and took part in an event Tuesday where the documentary Beyond the Bridge was shown, followed by a panel of homeless and housing experts in a Q&A with the audience. Mathy discusses the film and how Milwaukee County is featured

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27:29

Mac Kiel on La Crosse budget shortfall, bike lanes,...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/14

All we covered with Mac Kiel in studio was the city administrator plan, homelessness, 2nd Street cycle track funding, the 2026 budget shortfall and the potential of closing another library or pool. The last two are somewhat related, as the city deals with what La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey said last month on WIZM is a $3 million budget shortfall. Kiel, though, explains that — for example — closing the North Side Community Pool, which needs $1 million in repair, doesn’t

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28:24

Farmers Union president Von Ruden says federal cuts,...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/14

Wisconsin Farmers Union president Darin Von Ruden joins in studio to discuss how farmers are being affected by federal cuts and tariffs, the push for potential bailout funding, and how the state had to step in after farmers had already invested in crops and livestock for local farm-to-table programs. Some of these dilemmas are interconnected. China has retaliated against U.S. tariffs by not buying our soybeans, while the Trump administration has sent $20 billion to bail out Argentina. Meanwhile,

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11:09

Beth Enneking previews Pet Expo La Crosse on Sunday...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/13

Beth Enneking, the Executive Director of the Alliance of Wisconsin Animal Rehoming Efforts (AWARE), joins to talk about Sunday's Pet Expo La Crosse happening at the OmniCenter from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. This is a fundraiser for AWARE and the event will feature 13 rescue shelters, over 50 vendors, a cat show, food trucks and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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23:40

Wisconsin state Sen. Pfaff on local government...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/13

A bit of a free flowing conversation on local government control, taxes and we worked in data centers with Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) in studio last week. We also did a bit of a civics lesson on some of the inner workings of the state Legislature — a conversation that revolved around a bipartisan bill being circulated to make skateboarding legal again. In Wisconsin, it’s illegal to skateboard, rollerskate and toboggan on roads. The bill would make skateboarding legal

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