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Civics vs politics

Understand civics in action

Another candidate for Wisconsin governor

We're back on La Crosse Talk PM with UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky, who helps us take a deep dive into civics vs. politics.

Before we get to that, we had to reset after nearly a year away from the Friday slot. The last PM show we did, Chergosky was ironically trying to start a cheese curd war between Kwik Trip and Culver’s.

After that, we discuss the top Google trending stories of 2025, ranging from the Epstein files to a new Pope and the Charlie Kirk murder.

Then we take a deep dive into civics education as Chergosky explains the Wisconsin requirements to graduate from high school and we watch a certain talk show host fail the questions.

We also talk about the difference between civics and politics and how education can further build knowledge on how government works.

Lastly, we hit on the Wisconsin governor's race. Joel Brennan has become the eighth Democrat to enter the field, pushing the total number of candidates to replace Tony Evers into double digits.

We're back on La Crosse Talk PM with UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky, who helps us take a deep dive into civics vs. politics.
Before we get to that, we had to reset after nearly a year away from the Friday slot. The last PM show we did, Chergosky was ironically trying to start a cheese curd war between Kwik Trip and Culver&rsquo;s.
After that, we discuss the top <a href="https://trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2025/us/">Google trending stories of 2025</a>, ranging from the Epstein files to a new Pope and the Charlie Kirk murder.
Then we take a deep dive into civics education as Chergosky explains the Wisconsin requirements to graduate from high school and we watch a certain talk show host fail the questions.
We also talk about the difference between civics and politics and how education can further build knowledge on how government works.
Lastly, we hit on the Wisconsin governor's race. Joel Brennan has become the eighth Democrat to enter the field, pushing the total number of candidates to replace Tony Evers into double digits.

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

Civics vs. politics with UW-La Crosse political scientist Chergosky

Show rundown

La Crosse city council plan meeting

Charmant sells to billionaire

American Queen paddlewheeler contract

City admin update

Airport director, Allegiant Air to LaX

Sell the airport

Mac Kiel in studio with the latest update on La Crosse hiring a city administrator and the recent conversations around that, plus the sale of the Charmant to billionaire Diane Hendricks and what that might mean for downtown.

We discuss city administrator a couple different times during the show, first talking about the council structure — plus Kiel geeking out on seating charts — and the idea of adding amendments to the city administrator legislation. Later in the show we talk about the city council working group studying the administrator position and presenting that info to the council.

With the Charmant sale to Hendricks, we talk a bit about her work revitalizing the her hometown, Beloit, Wis., and what that might mean for La Crosse. We also talk about the building being in a TIF district and how a sale like that goes through, after the city put money up front to help renovate the building.

Other things we hit on included the La Crosse Queen getting a 20-year contract, the airport needing a new director and adding Allegiant Air and — again — needing to regionalize assets the city owns, like the airport and the La Crosse Center. 

Mac Kiel in studio with the latest update on La Crosse hiring a city administrator and the recent conversations around that, plus the sale of the Charmant to billionaire Diane Hendricks and what that might mean for downtown.
We discuss city administrator a couple different times during the show, first talking about the council structure &mdash; plus Kiel geeking out on seating charts &mdash; and the idea of adding amendments to the city administrator legislation. Later in the show we talk about the city council working group studying the administrator position and presenting that info to the council.
With the Charmant sale to Hendricks, we talk a bit about her work revitalizing the her hometown, Beloit, Wis., and what that might mean for La Crosse. We also talk about the building being in a TIF district and how a sale like that goes through, after the city put money up front to help renovate the building.
Other things we hit on included the La Crosse Queen getting a 20-year contract, the airport needing a new director and adding Allegiant Air and &mdash; again &mdash; needing to regionalize assets the city owns, like the airport and the La Crosse Center.&nbsp;

Mac n Rick on Charmant sale to a billionaire — Wisconsin's richest woman — and what that could mean for La Crosse, plus a city admin update

Making fun of Gelatt siblings

Best seats in the Riv

Gremlins, a Christmas movie

It's a Wonderful Life free Thursday

Movie theatre etiquette 

Rivoli theme nights

Riv's version of Movie Pass

How Riv does new releases

It's A Wonderful Life bombed in theatres

Riv kids' party w/Santa Saturday

YouTubers Found Footage Fest at Riv Saturday

Jon's review of Dutch

Uniqueness of Riv

Edward Scissorhands a Christmas movie

Crafts at the Riv

More movie etiquette 

Rivoli co-owner Jonathan Gelatt in studio talking holiday movies, theatre etiquette, and some of the unique events they’re having this month, including the hit YouTubers, Found Footage Fest.

The Wisconsin-born comedy duo behind Found Footage Fest will bring their best VHS finds for a live comedy show, beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday. The duo boasts over 160,000 subscribers on YouTube.

On the show, we get Gelatt’s take on whether Gremlins and Edward Scissorhands — now playing at the Rivoli — count as Christmas movies. We also get his review of Dutch, a 1991 “Thanksgiving movie,” featuring Ed O’Neil of Married with Children and finally, Modern Family fame.

We also talk about how Gelatt — despite owning a theatre — has never seen It’s A Wonderful Life, but that will change with a free showing at the Riv at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Gelatt will be there to watch it for the first time.

On the show he explains why what's widely thought of as the top Christmas movie of all time initially bombed at the box office and the real reasoning behind the movie’s lasting popularity. Have we all been dupped into loving this movie?

The theatre is also hosting a holiday kids ' party featuring Santa Claus and the movie The Muppet Christmas Carol, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Gelatt talks about some of the unique comedy behind the movie, and how critics say it’s the closest movie rendition to the Charles Dickens’ book.

Other things we got from Gelatt were the best places to sit at the Rivoli, plus their new membership club and unique food options. We also hit on some movie theatre etiquette, like talking during the previews.

Rivoli co-owner Jonathan Gelatt in studio talking holiday movies, theatre etiquette, and some of the unique events they&rsquo;re having this month, including the hit YouTubers, Found Footage Fest.
The Wisconsin-born comedy duo behind <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@FoundFootageFest">Found Footage Fest</a> will bring their best VHS finds for a live comedy show, <a href="https://tickets.rivoli.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=964054~e3c66030-62d8-4282-9886-16d09f1887f2&amp;amp;epguid=ede1d7b6-59fe-438b-acc4-d87fc3880065&amp;amp;mdy=12/20/2025&amp;amp;">beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday</a>. The duo boasts over 160,000 subscribers on YouTube.
On the show, we get Gelatt&rsquo;s take on whether Gremlins and <a href="https://prod3.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/list.aspx?epguid=860d7874-6e0b-4967-89c5-bd2947a38ea3&amp;amp;view=detailed&amp;amp;">Edward Scissorhands</a> &mdash; now playing at the Rivoli &mdash; count as Christmas movies. We also get his review of Dutch, a 1991 &ldquo;Thanksgiving movie,&rdquo; featuring Ed O&rsquo;Neil of Married with Children and finally, Modern Family fame.
We also talk about how Gelatt &mdash; despite owning a theatre &mdash; has never seen It&rsquo;s A Wonderful Life, but that will change with a <a href="https://tickets.rivoli.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=978698~e3c66030-62d8-4282-9886-16d09f1887f2&amp;amp;epguid=ede1d7b6-59fe-438b-acc4-d87fc3880065&amp;amp;mdy=12/18/2025&amp;amp;">free showing at the Riv at 5:30 p.m. Thursday</a>. Gelatt will be there to watch it for the first time.
On the show he explains why what's widely thought of as the top Christmas movie of all time initially bombed at the box office and the real reasoning behind the movie&rsquo;s lasting popularity. Have we all been dupped into loving this movie?
The theatre is also hosting a <a href="https://tickets.rivoli.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=977168~e3c66030-62d8-4282-9886-16d09f1887f2&amp;amp;epguid=ede1d7b6-59fe-438b-acc4-d87fc3880065&amp;amp;mdy=12/20/2025&amp;amp;">holiday kids ' party</a> featuring Santa Claus and the movie The Muppet Christmas Carol, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Gelatt talks about some of the unique comedy behind the movie, and how critics say it&rsquo;s the closest movie rendition to the Charles Dickens&rsquo; book.
Other things we got from Gelatt were the best places to sit at the Rivoli, plus their new membership club and unique food options. We also hit on some movie theatre etiquette, like talking during the previews.

Rivoli owner Jon Gelatt on hit YouTubers headed to La Crosse, never seeing It's A Wonderful Life and questionable Christmas movies

Milwaukee's "small market" teams

Data Centers Pt 1

What is Citizen Action of WI

Health insurance

Campaign finance reform

Citizen Action's focus

Data Centers and profits on energy

WI's US House maps

Citizen Action of Wisconsin executive director Robert Kraig joins to discuss how the state should handle data centers and energy costs. We also talk healthcare at both the state and federal level, and Wisconsin's gerrymandered US House maps, as there are two lawsuits pending seeking to change them.

We began the show, though, since Citizen Action is based in Milwaukee, discussing the Bucks potential trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Brewers talk of getting rid of ace pitcher Freddy Peralta — using “small market” as the excuse.

Next we dive into healthcare. At the state level, we talk about a recent report showing Wisconsin teachers spending 20% of their salaries on healthcare. Federally, we hit on the US Senate voting down both the extension of ACA subsidies and a GOP plan that would have let people buy into high-deductible bronze or catastrophic plans and receive a direct deposit of up to $1,000 into a Health Savings Account to cover out-of-pocket costs.

In the second half of the show, we deep dive on data centers in Wisconsin and how the state should handle their massive energy consumption with more solar power. We also talk about how there’s literally rules against residents creating solar farms and no incentive for power companies to create more solar because it’s not profitable.

Lastly, we talk about Wisconsin’s gerrymandered US House maps, as two lawsuits go through the courts that could upend the current lines.

Citizen Action of Wisconsin executive director Robert Kraig joins to discuss how the state should handle data centers and energy costs. We also talk healthcare at both the state and federal level, and Wisconsin's gerrymandered US House maps, as there are two lawsuits pending seeking to change them.
We began the show, though, since Citizen Action is based in Milwaukee, discussing the Bucks potential trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Brewers talk of getting rid of ace pitcher Freddy Peralta &mdash; using &ldquo;small market&rdquo; as the excuse.
Next we dive into healthcare. At the state level, we talk about a recent report showing Wisconsin teachers spending 20% of their salaries on healthcare. Federally, we hit on the US Senate voting down both the extension of ACA subsidies and a GOP plan that would have let people buy into high-deductible bronze or catastrophic plans and receive a direct deposit of up to $1,000 into a Health Savings Account to cover out-of-pocket costs.
In the second half of the show, we deep dive on data centers in Wisconsin and how the state should handle their massive energy consumption with more solar power. We also talk about how there&rsquo;s literally rules against residents creating solar farms and no incentive for power companies to create more solar because it&rsquo;s not profitable.
Lastly, we talk about Wisconsin&rsquo;s gerrymandered US House maps, as two lawsuits go through the courts that could upend the current lines.

Civics vs. politics with UW-La Crosse political scientist Chergosky

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