Opened with a story from PdC Lt. Timothy Deluhery Jr., about a unique rescue they performed last Saturday on the Mississippi River. After that, talked with Keonte Turner about his experience with racism, what we should do, after a pair of racist incidents happened to a Viterbo student.

Opened with a story from PdC Lt. Timothy Deluhery Jr., about a unique rescue they performed last Saturday on the Mississippi River. After that, talked with Keonte Turner about his experience with racism, what we should do, after a pair of racist incidents happened to a Viterbo student.

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

A Mississippi River rescue, and addressing racism after incident at Viterbo

From the business community's perspective, La Crosse needs a city administrator.

La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Sam Scinta and government relations director Allyson Fergot in studio explaining why 99% of their members support the move — and why they believe operating without one is costing the city more in the long run.

HIGHLIGHTS:



Overwhelming business support: Why 99% of the Chamber's 540-plus members—from small shops to non-profits and healthcare—back the position.


Streamlining development: Why local non-profits told the Chamber they would rather have a city administrator than a new zoning code to cut through red tape.


Managing a $74 million operation: Why treating city government like a complex enterprise requires consistent, professional management alongside elected policy makers.


Predictability for local business: How a central administrator creates clear processes and stable leadership that outlasts political turnover.

Next week the city council begins again its debate on creating the charter ordinance position, beginning with the Judiciary and Administrative Committee (agenda) at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The council did get the same ordinance through by a 7-6 vote back in February, but it needed a supermajority.

NOTE: This interview was recorded prior to Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey releasing a video opposing the proposed charter ordinance. The mayor argued the specific legislation takes statutory power away from elected leadership and removes the voice of the people from City Hall. Watch and read more about the mayor's response here.

From the business community's perspective, La Crosse needs a city administrator.
La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Sam Scinta and government relations director Allyson Fergot in studio explaining why 99% of their members support the move &mdash; and why they believe operating without one is costing the city more in the long run.
HIGHLIGHTS:
<ul>
<li>
<ul data-path-to-node="7">
<li>
Overwhelming business support: Why 99% of the Chamber's 540-plus members&mdash;from small shops to non-profits and healthcare&mdash;back the position.
</li>
<li>
Streamlining development: Why local non-profits told the Chamber they would rather have a city administrator than a new zoning code to cut through red tape.
</li>
<li>
Managing a $74 million operation: Why treating city government like a complex enterprise requires consistent, professional management alongside elected policy makers.
</li>
<li>
Predictability for local business: How a central administrator creates clear processes and stable leadership that outlasts political turnover.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Next week the city council begins again its debate on creating the charter ordinance position, beginning with the Judiciary and Administrative Committee (agenda) at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The council did get the same ordinance through by a 7-6 vote back in February, but it needed a supermajority.
NOTE: This interview was recorded prior to Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey releasing a video opposing the proposed charter ordinance. The mayor argued the specific legislation takes statutory power away from elected leadership and removes the voice of the people from City Hall. Watch and read more about the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/07/30/la-crosse-mayor-opposes-city-administrator/">mayor's response here</a>.

Should La Crosse hire a city administrator? The Chamber makes its case

A day after the first and only televised debate, UW-La Crosse professor emeritus, Dr. Joe Heim, joined to give his thoughts on the Wisconsin governor's race. 

Most of the focus was on the race in general, though all five Democratic candidates debated the night before. 

Heim talks about Francesca Hong running as a Democratic Socialist and Tom Tiffany being a far-right candidate and how that might play out in a purple state, where a lot of elections are decided by just a few percentage points.

We also discussed the saga over Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropping out, David Crowley getting back in the race and Gov. Tony Evers endorsing him — over his Mandela Barnes, his old lieutenant governor. 

A day after the first and only televised debate, UW-La Crosse professor emeritus, Dr. Joe Heim, joined to give his thoughts on the Wisconsin governor's race.&nbsp;
Most of the focus was on the race in general, though all five Democratic candidates debated the night before.&nbsp;
Heim talks about Francesca&nbsp;Hong running as a Democratic Socialist and Tom Tiffany being a far-right candidate and how that might play out in a purple state, where a lot of elections are decided by just a few percentage points.
We also discussed the saga over Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropping out, David Crowley getting back in the race and Gov. Tony Evers endorsing him &mdash; over his Mandela Barnes, his old lieutenant governor.&nbsp;

Political scientist Dr. Joe Heim on Wisconsin governor's race

Brad Williams on fatal La Crosse trials

Berge on biggest issues

Berge on Cooke's disclosure extension

We caught up with Emily Berge on the campaign trail for the U.S. House in Wisconsin's 3rd District, getting her thoughts on financial disclosure extensions granted to her opponent.

Also, Brad Williams joins us to break down two cases going through the courts — the Cody Alland murder trial and the case of a 61-year-old driver who hit 27-year-old Tarianna Thompson with his pickup after failing to stop at an intersection. Thompson, who was riding her bike, died nine days later, and an inquest jury on Monday recommended charges be brought against the driver, Richard Myron.

In the second half of the show, with the Aug. 11 primary just weeks away, Berge discusses her growing momentum in the district.

In this segment:


Gaining Ground: Berge reacts to political analysts pointing to her grassroots momentum and shares how volunteer numbers are building across the district.


Voter Priorities: Key issues voters and young adults are raising on the trail, including healthcare, housing, data centers, and getting money out of politics.


Campaign Finance & Transparency: Berge highlights the importance of compliance following Sarah Rodriguez dropping out of the governor's race over campaign finance errors, and addresses why opponent Rebecca Cooke’s delayed personal financial disclosure is a concern for primary voters.


Federal Policy & Foreign Affairs: Her take on Congressional stock trading bans, campaign finance reforms, and voter frustration over military spending versus domestic needs like healthcare.

We caught up with Emily Berge on the campaign trail for the U.S. House in Wisconsin's 3rd District, getting her thoughts on financial disclosure extensions granted to her opponent.
Also, Brad Williams joins us to break down two cases going through the courts &mdash; the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/07/28/prosecution-rests-in-la-crosse-murder-trial-as-defense-prepares-to-call-witnesses-wednesday/">Cody Alland murder trial</a> and the case of a 61-year-old driver who hit 27-year-old Tarianna Thompson with his pickup after failing to stop at an intersection. Thompson, who was riding her bike, died nine days later, and an inquest jury on Monday <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/07/27/jury-recommends-charges-against-truck-driver-in-fatal-la-crosse-bike-crash/">recommended charges be brought</a> against the driver, Richard Myron.
In the second half of the show, with the Aug. 11 primary just weeks away, Berge discusses her growing momentum in the district.
In this segment:
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
Gaining Ground: Berge reacts to political analysts pointing to her grassroots momentum and shares how volunteer numbers are building across the district.
</li>
<li>
Voter Priorities: Key issues voters and young adults are raising on the trail, including healthcare, housing, data centers, and getting money out of politics.
</li>
<li>
Campaign Finance &amp; Transparency: Berge highlights the importance of compliance following Sarah Rodriguez dropping out of the governor's race over campaign finance errors, and addresses why opponent Rebecca Cooke&rsquo;s delayed personal financial disclosure is a concern for primary voters.
</li>
<li>
Federal Policy &amp; Foreign Affairs: Her take on Congressional stock trading bans, campaign finance reforms, and voter frustration over military spending versus domestic needs like healthcare.
</li>
</ul>

A Mississippi River rescue, and addressing racism after incident at Viterbo

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