Ken Cooper hosting, talking about how you spend your vacations.

Also, the Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader clan was in, and a couple of students quizzed Rick Solem.

We also talked about the HR-1 bill going through the US House. 

Ken Cooper hosting, talking about how you spend your vacations.
Also, the Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader clan was in, and a couple of students quizzed Rick Solem.
We also talked about the HR-1 bill going through the US House.&nbsp;

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

Are you smarter than a fifth grader?

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.

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.

Are you smarter than a fifth grader?

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