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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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27:18

A look at who's "winning" the government shutdown...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/07

We dive deep into the government shutdown with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, looking at the optics, who’s “winning,” how it might end and the repercussions to those choices between Republicans and Democrats. We also looked at the Tuesday elections a bit and began the show discussing Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signing into law a school cellphone ban, how that was a Friday news dump last week and his hesitation in doing so. In between all that, there

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12:38

The life of a bull rider and rodeo clown ahead of...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/07

Bull riders Cody Nance and Matt Palmer, and rodeo clown, Nick Kaup, in studio as they get set for the Professional Championship Bull Riders event at the La Crosse Center on Friday and Saturday night. All three talk about how they got into the profession and, of course, some of the incidents they’ve had riding or dodging bulls — how that eight seconds can seem like an eternity. Nance, a Paris, Tenn., native, has been riding bulls for 23 years and is a 12-time professional Bull Riders

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25:33

From previewing tick, tick ... BOOM! to why it's...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/06

From why it’s theatre and not theater to working on our British accents and Muppet voices to the upcoming musical “tick, tick … BOOM!” getting underway this weekend with UW-La Crosse assistant professor of theatre and production director, Dr. Nic Barilar. The show — which is also a Netflix movie — opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday from the Frederick Theatre in Morris Hall, which is unique in itself. Barilar said they haven’t had a musical in that theatre, which has

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8:16

Locken and Riley promote United Fund for Arts and...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/06

Jay Locken and Ken Riley in studio to talk about the United Fund for Arts and Humanities — better known as UFAH — and its annual fundraising campaign. The organization serves as a vital source of support for La Crosse’s arts and cultural community, providing funding to a dozen local nonprofit member groups, including theatre companies, music ensembles, museums, and historical societies. This year, UFAH’s campaign goal is $140,000, with every dollar raised going directly

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29:32

La Crosse School Board president Suchla on naming the...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/06

La Crosse School Board president Deb Suchla in studio discussing the process of what to do with three close schools, naming a new elementary, student truancy, the state’s new school cellphone ban and the 2026 budget. Suchla also talked about food scarcity in the district, as SNAP benefits have been cut off, and some of the ways students and teachers can get help. Suchla, who announced she’s running for reelection in the spring, noted that the board recently recognized local businesses

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24:21

Klekamp on budget, government shutdown’s impact on La...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/05

La Crosse County Administrator Jane Klekamp in studio discussing how the government shutdown is affecting the county — including food stamp distribution. We also talked the upcoming vote to pass the 2026 budget, homelessness and the 111-acre “county farm” that could be put up for sale. Began the show discussing the budget with the county board meeting this coming Monday for passage. After that, we talked quickly about some city-related issues — like the council reviewing the

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11:29

Tracy Ballzer, Brad Williams preview upcoming Heart...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/04

One could call it the La Crosse version of Whose Line Is It Anyway or Saturday Night Live. The improv group, Heart of La Crosse, begins this week, as Tracy Ballzer and Brad Williams stopped in studio to preview their upcoming shows. The two tease an appearance by La Crosse's mayor, multiple favorite characters and sketches, plus their unique version of a local news cast. Shows run Thursday-Saturday this week and next week. Tickets can be had at the Pump Housewebsite.See omnystudio.com/listener for

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23:23

Wisconsin Sen. Pfaff breaks down high beef prices,...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/03

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) studio diving into a range of agriculture topics — from why beef prices are sky-high to a new deal with China on U.S. soybeans, and even the challenge of PFAS-contaminated sludg Pfaff also shared his take on the financial pinch many Wisconsinites are feeling right now, with rising costs for everything from food to electricity to, even, the cost of tires. We kicked things off with the latest on President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. will

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15:16

La Crosse Schools superintendent Engel discusses...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/03

La Crosse Schools Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joined to discuss a new state law banning cellphones in classrooms, the district’s efforts to address food insecurity among students and proposed legislation related to dual enrollment opportunities. We kicked off the show, though, getting a quick update on the Hogan Administration building site, as the district gets ready to build a new elementary school there, as part of last year's $53.5 million referendum. In what felt like a Friday news

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28:38

Economist Adam Hoffer on closing La Crosse's...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/03

Covered everything from the possible closure of the north side pool and plans for a public market in La Crosse to legalizing sports betting by bypassing the state Constitution — all in a conversation with economist Dr. Adam Hoffer. We began La Crosse Talk with a piece Hoffer — the director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation — recently wrote about “creative destruction,” which examines how major societal shifts reshape the economy — like the move from horse

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27:28

Mac Kiel on more downtown La Crosse bike lanes,...

WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews ·

2025/11/03

Mac Kiel in studio helping preview committee week in the city of La Crosse with meetings that will include talk of possible bike lanes on 3rd and 4th streets, along with parking changes, the potential TIF district at the old Kmart site. We also discuss the upcoming decision on closing the north side library. Kiel serves on the library board, and a public info session on what budget cuts the library needs to make happens at 4 p.m. Tuesday. We did two segments on the Downtown Corridor Study, where the

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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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WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews

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