Blue Replicant disappears.  May have been consumed.  Hunt continues.  Breaking news on how Doc Powell died.  From Doc Powell.  And Kwik Trip's property rights.

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area.  Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

WIZM - La Crosse

2018-05-10 Blue Replicant mourned

Third spaces are an ever-growing need for communities, and Jake Erickson leads an organization that’s providing these spaces for kids across La Crosse County.

Erickson, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse, stopped in studio to talk about how their facilities serve as these unique social hubs — but also how they prepare youth for their "second spaces," like school and future careers.

With a reach of 5,000 kids a year and 1,000 daily across Holmen, Onalaska, West Salem, and La Crosse, the organization is entering a landmark 60th year.

And the biggest thing to happen during this anniversary is the upcoming opening of the 16,000-square-foot Workforce Readiness Center, which Erickson describes as a transformative space designed to help kids from middle school to their early 20s prepare for life across multiple career fields. The center is set to fully open this spring.

Beyond the new facility, Erickson discussed the structured and extensive programming that defines the B&G Clubs — running from comprehensive sports leagues to creative art and music initiatives.

To learn more or get involved, visit the Boys and Girls Club website at bgclax.org.

Third spaces are an ever-growing need for communities, and Jake Erickson leads an organization that&rsquo;s providing these spaces for kids across La Crosse County.
Erickson, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse, stopped in studio to talk about&nbsp;how their facilities serve as these unique social hubs &mdash; but also how they prepare youth for their "second spaces," like school and future careers.
With a reach of 5,000 kids a year and 1,000 daily across Holmen, Onalaska, West Salem, and La Crosse, the organization is entering a landmark 60th year.
And the biggest thing to happen during this anniversary is&nbsp;the upcoming opening of the 16,000-square-foot Workforce Readiness Center, which Erickson describes as a transformative space designed to help kids from middle school to their early 20s prepare for life across multiple career fields. The center is set to fully open this spring.
Beyond the new facility, Erickson discussed the structured and extensive programming that defines the B&amp;G Clubs &mdash; running from comprehensive sports leagues to creative art and music initiatives.
To learn more or get involved, visit the Boys and Girls Club website at <a href="https://www.bgclax.org/" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahcKEwiG4d77ovaRAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQXA">bgclax.org</a>.

B&G Clubs' Jake Erickson on importance of 'third spaces' for youth and impact of new workforce readiness center

We recap the most popular genres at the La Crosse Library in 2025, the most checked out books, whether paper can keep up with eBooks and more with the library's Lindsay Schmitt and Bill Ives.

While thrillers remain the most popular genre overall because they are "fast and satisfying," Schmitt said, the single most checked-out book — for the second consecutive year — was Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction novel, The Women.

The La Crosse Library's top 5 most popular books of 2025 were:


The Women by Kristin Hannah


Great, Big, Beautiful Life by Emily Henry


Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger


Nightshade by Michael Connelly


The Tenant by Freida McFadden

The episode also explored the rise of "genre-blending," including the popularity of "cozy fantasy" and the "romantasy" trend — which Bill jokingly referred to as "fairy smut".

Of the surprising things we learned, like how library staff have no required reading list, Schmitt also noted that eBooks are not even close to more popular than print. People are checking out the real thing three to four times more than digital in La Crosse.

Getting into another digital style, Ives settled the debate on whether listening to audiobooks is considered "reading." He noted that while it doesn't utilize the same eye muscles, scientific studies show that listening to a story activates the same parts of the brain as physical reading—particularly the areas responsible for imagination and processing oral storytelling.

Other topics discussed were some of the not-so-traditional things the library does, like checking out chainsaws, and how both kids and adults can utilize the library as a "third space" with all kinds of different programming.

We recap the most popular genres at the La Crosse Library in 2025, the most checked out books, whether paper can keep up with eBooks and more with the library's Lindsay Schmitt and Bill Ives.
While thrillers remain the most popular genre overall because they are "fast and satisfying," Schmitt said, the single most checked-out book &mdash; for the second consecutive year &mdash; was Kristin Hannah&rsquo;s historical fiction novel, The Women.
The La Crosse Library's top 5 most popular books of 2025 were:
<ol data-path-to-node="5">
<li>
The Women by Kristin Hannah
</li>
<li>
Great, Big, Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
</li>
<li>
Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger
</li>
<li>
Nightshade by Michael Connelly
</li>
<li>
The Tenant by Freida McFadden
</li>
</ol>
The episode also explored the rise of "genre-blending," including the popularity of "cozy fantasy" and the "romantasy" trend &mdash;&nbsp;which Bill jokingly referred to as "fairy smut".
Of the surprising things we learned, like how library staff have no required reading list, Schmitt also noted that eBooks are not even close to more popular than print. People are checking out the real thing three to four times more than digital in La Crosse.
Getting into another digital style, Ives settled the debate on whether listening to audiobooks is considered "reading." He noted that while it doesn't utilize the same eye muscles, scientific studies show that listening to a story activates the same parts of the brain as physical reading&mdash;particularly the areas responsible for imagination and processing oral storytelling.
Other topics discussed were some of the not-so-traditional things the library does, like checking out chainsaws, and how both kids and adults can utilize the library as a "third space" with all kinds of different programming.

La Crosse's most popular genres — it wasn't "fairy smut" — books and more with Lindsay Schmitt and Bill Ives

A.I. slop and help

Wisconsin Legislature priorities

YouTube is now our dad

Small business owner Adam Murphy joins to discuss issues surrounding A.I. that often go overlooked, what to expect from the Wisconsin state legislature in 2026 and how YouTube has replaced traditional mentors.

The conversation began with the rise of A.I. "slop" videos, plus the technology's potential benefits for healthcare — as well as manual labor jobs like plumber or electrician. Murphy also discussed how A.I. may affect tech businesses, like his own company, Big Bang LLC.

Turning to politics, we looked at a long interview with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Murphy shared his perspective on marijuana legalization — which Vos indicated won’t be addressed — along with proposals to end taxes on tips and overtime.

We also deconstructed the GOP argument that “Gov. Tony Evers increased property taxes for 400 years,” contrasting that claim with the reality of state funding for public schools.

Finally, we discussed the shift in how we approach projects around the house. We explored the idea that YouTube has effectively replaced our fathers and mentors when it comes to DIY tasks —a change that brings both good and bad consequences, like trying to fix a leaky sink by going to YouTube rather than calling your dad.

Murphy is the owner of a small business in Wisconsin called Big Bang LLC, he also ran for US Senate for the Democrats in Wisconsin, and holds degrees in economics and political science.

Small business owner Adam Murphy joins to discuss issues surrounding A.I. that often go overlooked, what to expect from the Wisconsin state legislature in 2026 and how YouTube has replaced traditional mentors.
The conversation began with the rise of A.I. "slop" videos, plus the technology's potential benefits for healthcare &mdash; as well as manual labor jobs like plumber or electrician. Murphy also discussed how A.I. may affect tech businesses, like his own company, Big Bang LLC.
Turning to politics, we looked at a long interview with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Murphy shared his perspective on marijuana legalization &mdash; which Vos indicated won&rsquo;t be addressed &mdash; along with proposals to end taxes on tips and overtime.
We also deconstructed the GOP argument that &ldquo;Gov. Tony Evers increased property taxes for 400 years,&rdquo; contrasting that claim with the reality of state funding for public schools.
Finally, we discussed the shift in how we approach projects around the house. We explored the idea that YouTube has effectively replaced our fathers and mentors when it comes to DIY tasks &mdash;a change that brings both good and bad consequences, like trying to fix a leaky sink by going to YouTube rather than calling your dad.
Murphy is the owner of a small business in Wisconsin called&nbsp;<a href="https://bigbangllc.com/">Big Bang LLC</a>, he also ran for US Senate for the Democrats in Wisconsin, and holds degrees in economics and political science.

2018-05-10 Blue Replicant mourned

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