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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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27:28

The politics of bike lanes — and government...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/31

We kick off Friday’s La Crosse Talk by asking UW-L political scientist Dr. Anthony Chergosky what he thinks the most popular political topic in the city might be. Spoiler alert: it’s bicycle lanes. From there, we pedal that topic into a broader conversation about government priorities and how the general public reacts when the system doesn’t seem to be working for them. Locally, we also revisited past discussions about the Kmart lot and the potential closing of the north side

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29:39

Wisconsin GOP governor candidate Tom Tiffany on data...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/31

A.I. data centers, local funding, homelessness, gerrymandering, and mining were among the topics discussed with Republican Tom Tiffany in studio, as he campaigns to become Wisconsin’s next governor. Currently serving as the U.S. House representative for Wisconsin’s 7th District, the conversation with Tiffany bridged both state and federal issues. He is one of two Republicans — along with Josh Schoemann, who appeared on La Crosse Talk back in September — running to replace

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10:15

Lee and Gabe Walraven previewing Saturday's trivia...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/31

Lee Walraven and his son Gabe in studio — one of them dancing and the other talking about a trivia fundraiser happening Saturday for ABLE Inc. Doors open at 6 p.m. at Ma Cal Grove Country Club in Caledonia and trivia begins at 7 p.m., and Lee welcomes those who want to come dressed up for Halloween. ABLE has been providing residential care for people with developmental disabilities in Southeast Minnesota for over 45 years. They now have 11 community homes and one intermediate care facility,

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9:36

La Crosse Warming Center season begins November 1

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/30

La Crosse's Warming Center opens for the season this Saturday. Karla Hein, the center coordinator, said given the current situation regarding food and food programs, they're expecting to see more people in the coming weeks. Speaking with WIZM News Director Kevin Millard, she discusses what they offer those who use the shelter and how the community can get involved in helping there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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10:15

Winter Farmers Market opens on Saturday

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/30

La Crosse's Farmers Market may have moved around a bit this past summer, but it now has a place to call home during the winter months. WIZM News Director Kevin Millard spoke with Market Manager Sadee Linero about the upcoming market, what it's been like to move around a bit this past year, how successful the year was, and her thoughts on the proposal for a permanent public market in the city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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25:13

Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Doyle on school cellphone...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/30

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska) in studio discussing everything from the school cellphone “ban” that’s on Gov. Tony Evers desk to the state’s budget surplus and ability to use that for things like bridging the gap in SNAP funding from the government shutdown.We also discussed with Doyle, who is also on the La County Board, the regionalization of assets now controlled by the city of La Crosse. For example, handing over the airport to La Crosse County,

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19:35

Dillon McArdle on bringing in the big names to...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/29

Ahead of Roy Wood Jr. and Ben Folds heading to Viterbo over the next two weeks, Fine Arts Center director Dillon McArdle joined to discuss what it’s like running the facility, bringing in big name guests and connecting with the community. McAardle, a Viterbo grad, has been running the Fine Arts Center for the past five years. On Saturday, Wood Jr., the host of CNN’s Have I Got News for You and former Daily Show correspondent, will be on stage at the Fine Arts Center. Ben Folds will

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27:50

La Crosse Library director Dawn Wacek on fate of...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/29

La Crosse Library director Dawn Wacek joins to discuss the dilemma the library faces amid the city’s $2 million budget shortfall. Wacek, who’s been with the La Crosse Library for a decade and director the past four months, walks us through some of the cuts the library needs to make to help get the city under budget. One of those options is to close the north side library branch. Other options include cuts to staff, services and hours — all of which may likely happen, regardless of

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37:29

UW-L's Kovari on Kmart TIF, downtown public market,...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/10/28

UW-La Crosse professor of political science and public administration, Dr. John Kovari in studio on a slew of topics, including TIFs and the Kmart lot, La Crosse’s $2 million budget shortfall, hiring a city administrator and the regionalization of assets — like the La Crosse Center. Before any of that though, we had to talk about Kovar’s dog getting bit by a rattlesnake and the fact that — before we turned on the mics — our game-planning conversation had to do with a

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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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WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews

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