Flooding devastating for some communities.  A look from Coon Valley and Red Cross says don't go baking no casserole

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

2018-08-28 High water mark

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.

YouTube is our new father figure — A.I. might be next with Adam Murphy

Committee and council in 1 week 

Zoning code and La Crosse marsh buffer

Homelessness

"Community Fridge" free food pantries

WIZM's Faces of 2025

Bile lanes downtown

Mac Kiel is back in studio to preview committee and council week in La Crosse.

The holidays pack all the big meetings into one week, highlighted by discussions on deregulating little free food pantries, asking for new proposals for a downtown bike lane and parking plan, and tackling homelessness as the community marks the two-year anniversary of Pathways Home.

Kiel talks about her experience working with the homeless, as both La Crosse’s city council and county board — and the community — can attend a Pathways Home update at 6 p.m. Monday in the County Administrative Center.

Before that, we discuss how both committees will meet next Tuesday, with Judiciary and Administration starting at 4 p.m. and Finance and Personnel following at 6 p.m., before the full city council will take those recommendations to its 6 p.m. Thursday meeting.

We also talked about how the major zoning code overhaul affects the area, including the La Crosse River Marsh seeking a 500-foot “buffer zone,” plus a proposal to end council invocations, which Kiel explains.

The biggest topic, however, was the little free food pantries and the "Community Fridge" idea — allowing refrigerators as part of that plan.

We end the show with a quick talk on the council asking the Wisconsin DOT to develop alternative plans for 3rd and 4th streets downtown, which could include protected bike lanes or bigger sidewalks.

We note that the DOT has held 19 public meetings since 2024 on the Downtown Corridor Study and presented proposals to the council, which were apparently not good enough. The council postponed voting on those proposals for 90 days, ending next month.

Mac Kiel is back in studio to preview committee and council week in La Crosse.
The holidays pack all the big meetings into one week, highlighted by discussions on deregulating little free food pantries, asking for new proposals for a downtown bike lane and parking plan, and tackling homelessness as the community marks the two-year anniversary of Pathways Home.
Kiel talks about her experience working with the homeless, as both La Crosse&rsquo;s city council and county board &mdash; and the community &mdash; can attend a Pathways Home update at 6 p.m. Monday in the County Administrative Center.
Before that, we discuss how both committees will meet next Tuesday, with Judiciary and Administration starting at 4 p.m. and Finance and Personnel following at 6 p.m., before the full city council will take those recommendations to its 6 p.m. Thursday meeting.
We also talked about how the major zoning code overhaul affects the area, including the La Crosse River Marsh seeking a 500-foot &ldquo;buffer zone,&rdquo; plus a proposal to end council invocations, which Kiel explains.
The biggest topic, however, was the little free food pantries and the "<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2025/12/25/community-fridge-idea-used-in-other-wisconsin-cities-proposed-for-la-crosse/">Community Fridge</a>" idea &mdash; allowing refrigerators as part of that plan.
We end the show with a quick talk on the council asking the Wisconsin DOT to develop alternative plans for 3rd and 4th streets downtown, which could include protected bike lanes or bigger sidewalks.
We note that the DOT has held 19 public meetings since 2024 on the Downtown Corridor Study and presented proposals to the council, which were apparently not good enough. The council postponed voting on those proposals for 90 days, ending next month.

COUNCIL WEEK: Mac Kiel breaks down little free food pantries, homelessness and bike lanes

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio with his Top 5 Wisconsin politics topics of 2025. 

From the governor’s race to controversy around judges to the state budget and the government shutdown, Chergosky dissects what he saw as the biggest stories in Wisconsin politics.

Along with that, we also talk about whether or not people believe Santa Claus is a Republican or Democrat and at what age do kids stop believing. 

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio with his Top 5 Wisconsin politics topics of 2025.&nbsp;
From the governor&rsquo;s race to controversy around judges to the state budget and the government shutdown, Chergosky dissects what he saw as the biggest stories in Wisconsin politics.
Along with that, we also talk about whether or not people believe Santa Claus is a Republican or Democrat and at what age do kids stop believing.&nbsp;

2018-08-28 High water mark

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