Comedian Charlie Berens joined and joked about La Crosse possibly getting the "Taj Mahal" of Kwik Trips. Also asked him about a couple other city and state issues, like the Fish Labs building in Riverside Park being converted into a wedding venue. We then talk to Kwik Trip about what's actually happening with the "Taj Mahal" KT. Around all that, discussed La Crosse Police being sued and Wisconsin Republicans holding hearings with Ted Nugent on hunting cranes.

Comedian Charlie Berens joined and joked about La Crosse possibly getting the "Taj Mahal" of Kwik Trips. Also asked him about a couple other city and state issues, like the Fish Labs building in Riverside Park being converted into a wedding venue. We then talk to Kwik Trip about what's actually happening with the "Taj Mahal" KT. Around all that, discussed La Crosse Police being sued and Wisconsin Republicans holding hearings with Ted Nugent on hunting cranes.

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

Comedian Charlie Berens on Kwik Trip, Riverside Park Fish Lab

It’s been a wild 24 hours — and an even wilder three weeks — in Wisconsin politics. Just as the latest Marquette Law School Poll wrapped up, another major candidate dropped out of the Democratic primary for governor.

So, who better to help explain that than the premier pollster in the state? Dr. Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, joins alongside UW-L political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky.

Together, they break down the latest polling data, unpack the chaos of a rapidly shifting candidate field — including Franklin’s story about hearing Mandela Barnes dropped out right after putting out a new poll and nearly driving into a ditch — and look under the hood at how modern polling actually works in a high-stakes swing state.

MAIN TOPICS:


The Primary Moving Target: Dr. Franklin shares his real-time reaction to major candidate exits (including Barnes dropping out right after polling completed) and explains how pollsters re-allocate "second choice" votes and "leaners."


The Rise of Francesca Hong: A breakdown of candidate trajectories — how Hong built steady, organic momentum among younger and very liberal voters while other campaigns remained flat or stalled out.


How Polling Actually Works Today: Busting the myth of random digit landline calling. Dr. Franklin explains Marquette's modern hybrid methodology using voter lists, text/email links, online panels, and how they filter out low-attention or "trash" responses.


MAGA, Socialist & Political Buzzwords: A look at Marquette's polling experiment on "Democratic Socialism" vs. "DSA" — and a discussion on how labels like "MAGA," "Socialist," and "Fascist" are weaponized on the campaign trail and whether overusing them dilutes their impact.


The Limited Power of Endorsements: Why 89% of state Democrats approve of Gov. Tony Evers, yet his endorsement of David Crowley hasn't automatically translated into primary vote totals — plus why primary voters consistently make up their minds in the final days.

It&rsquo;s been a wild 24 hours &mdash; and an even wilder three weeks &mdash; in Wisconsin politics. Just as the latest Marquette Law School Poll wrapped up, another major candidate dropped out of the Democratic primary for governor.
So, who better to help explain that than the premier pollster in the state? Dr. Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, joins alongside UW-L political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky.
Together, they break down the latest polling data, unpack the chaos of a rapidly shifting candidate field &mdash; including Franklin&rsquo;s story about hearing Mandela Barnes dropped out right after putting out a new poll and nearly driving into a ditch &mdash; and look under the hood at how modern polling actually works in a high-stakes swing state.
MAIN TOPICS:
<ul data-path-to-node="8">
<li>
The Primary Moving Target: Dr. Franklin shares his real-time reaction to major candidate exits (including Barnes dropping out right after polling completed) and explains how pollsters re-allocate "second choice" votes and "leaners."
</li>
<li>
The Rise of Francesca Hong: A breakdown of candidate trajectories &mdash; how Hong built steady, organic momentum among younger and very liberal voters while other campaigns remained flat or stalled out.
</li>
<li>
How Polling Actually Works Today: Busting the myth of random digit landline calling. Dr. Franklin explains Marquette's modern hybrid methodology using voter lists, text/email links, online panels, and how they filter out low-attention or "trash" responses.
</li>
<li>
MAGA, Socialist &amp; Political Buzzwords: A look at Marquette's polling experiment on "Democratic Socialism" vs. "DSA" &mdash; and a discussion on how labels like "MAGA," "Socialist," and "Fascist" are weaponized on the campaign trail and whether overusing them dilutes their impact.
</li>
<li>
The Limited Power of Endorsements: Why 89% of state Democrats approve of Gov. Tony Evers, yet his endorsement of David Crowley hasn't automatically translated into primary vote totals &mdash; plus why primary voters consistently make up their minds in the final days.
</li>
</ul>

Wisconsin primary chaos with Marquette pollster Dr. Franklin & UW-L's Dr. Chergosky

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;

Comedian Charlie Berens on Kwik Trip, Riverside Park Fish Lab

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