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

An Anthropic insider recently gave humanity a decade before A.I. triggers total extinction, but we only had four minutes to chat about the end of the world on Friday’s Rick Solem Show—needing to talk about more urgent local matters, like an 11-year-old giving everyone a three-day head start before she found the Oktoberfest medallion.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky stopped in studio, joined by WIZM’s Kevin Millard and Brad Williams to talk the decline of candidate debates, why politicians don’t go all-in on data center bans, and Chergosky's tragic unfamiliarity with Maid-Rite sandwiches.

Episode Highlights:


Doomsday Math: AI insiders place the odds of human extinction within ten years at over 10%, raising the stakes on technology debates close to home.


Charlie Berens vs. Ben Wickler: A hypothetical matchup between the comedian and former WI Dem chair highlights the clash between political outsiders and party insiders.


Data Center Drama: Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down why current candidates are walking a fine line on massive data center projects while political outsiders lean into raw voter frustration.


Treasure Hunt Mastermind: An 11-year-old gave the entire city a three-day head start before snagging the Oktoberfest medallion on the bluffs in just five minutes.


One and Done: Statewide candidates are ditching multi-debate traditions for single-shot appearances, fundamentally changing how voters compare politicians on air.


No-Show Showdown: Congressional candidates in Wisconsin’s 3rd District continue to dodge head-to-head debates, leaving voters wondering who is ducking whom.


Loose Meat Returns: A local staple makes a massive comeback as community members line up for the famous Maid-Rite sandwich fundraiser.


Campus Culture Shock: Chergosky on incoming UW-La Crosse international students’ reactions to life in town—from disbelief over the 21-year-old drinking age to debates over cheese curds, health insurance, and Twizzlers.

An Anthropic insider recently gave humanity a decade before A.I. triggers total extinction, but we only had four minutes to chat about the end of the world on Friday&rsquo;s Rick Solem Show&mdash;needing to talk about more urgent local matters, like an 11-year-old giving everyone a three-day head start before she found the Oktoberfest medallion.
UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky stopped in studio, joined by WIZM&rsquo;s Kevin Millard and Brad Williams to talk the decline of candidate debates, why politicians don&rsquo;t go all-in on data center bans, and Chergosky's tragic unfamiliarity with Maid-Rite sandwiches.
Episode Highlights:
<ul data-path-to-node="6">
<li>
Doomsday Math: AI insiders place the odds of human extinction within ten years at over 10%, raising the stakes on technology debates close to home.
</li>
<li>
Charlie Berens vs. Ben Wickler: A hypothetical matchup between the comedian and former WI Dem chair highlights the clash between political outsiders and party insiders.
</li>
<li>
Data Center Drama: Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down why current candidates are walking a fine line on massive data center projects while political outsiders lean into raw voter frustration.
</li>
<li>
Treasure Hunt Mastermind: An 11-year-old gave the entire city a three-day head start before snagging the Oktoberfest medallion on the bluffs in just five minutes.
</li>
<li>
One and Done: Statewide candidates are ditching multi-debate traditions for single-shot appearances, fundamentally changing how voters compare politicians on air.
</li>
<li>
No-Show Showdown: Congressional candidates in Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd District continue to dodge head-to-head debates, leaving voters wondering who is ducking whom.
</li>
<li>
Loose Meat Returns: A local staple makes a massive comeback as community members line up for the famous Maid-Rite sandwich fundraiser.
</li>
<li>
Campus Culture Shock: Chergosky on incoming UW-La Crosse international students&rsquo; reactions to life in town&mdash;from disbelief over the 21-year-old drinking age to debates over cheese curds, health insurance, and Twizzlers.
</li>
</ul>

AI ending humanity in 10 years — but first, the 11-year-old Oktoberfest medallion mastermind

A lot covered with the city planning department in studio, from the old Kmart demo timeline and creating a public market to revamping the La Crosse's decades old zoning code.

Planning director Andrea Trane and deputy director Tim Acklin stopped in studio to help navigate some of the city's biggest projects.

Trane sets us straight on the $600,000 "public market study," while Acklin breaks down how rewriting decades-old zoning makes room for everything from doggy daycares to starter homes.

Episode Highlights:
Kmart Demolition Progress: Why state grant conditions are forcing a spring deadline for the old building to come down—and where city paperwork actually stands.
Public Market Truth: Trane sets the record straight on the $600,000 TID 11 transfer, what happens to those funds if a market isn't built, and why that money couldn't be used to save library jobs.
1980s Zoning Overhaul: Acklin breaks down why the city is overhauling land-use policies written during the Reagan administration, and what "missing middle" zoning actually means for future neighborhood growth.
Chasing Out-of-State Landlords: Trane breaks down the disconnect of dealing with Texas and New York landlords who don't understand La Crosse's key arteries, and why local ownership is the key to redeveloping areas like the old Kmart and Shopko.
Preserving Neighborhood Character: Acklin explains how new multi-family design standards will require duplexes and triplexes to visually blend into existing residential streets.
TID 101: Trane addresses how TIF districts work in practice and why those funds can't simply be redirected to cover general city expenses.

A lot covered with the city planning department in studio, from the old Kmart demo timeline and creating a public market to revamping the La Crosse's decades old zoning code.
Planning director Andrea Trane and deputy director Tim Acklin stopped in studio to help navigate some of the city's biggest projects.
Trane sets us straight on the $600,000 "public market study," while Acklin breaks down how rewriting decades-old zoning makes room for everything from doggy daycares to starter homes.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Kmart Demolition Progress: Why state grant conditions are forcing a spring deadline for the old building to come down&mdash;and where city paperwork actually stands.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Public Market Truth: Trane sets the record straight on the $600,000 TID 11 transfer, what happens to those funds if a market isn't built, and why that money couldn't be used to save library jobs.</li>
<li aria-level="1">1980s Zoning Overhaul: Acklin breaks down why the city is overhauling land-use policies written during the Reagan administration, and what "missing middle" zoning actually means for future neighborhood growth.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Chasing Out-of-State Landlords: Trane breaks down the disconnect of dealing with Texas and New York landlords who don't understand La Crosse's key arteries, and why local ownership is the key to redeveloping areas like the old Kmart and Shopko.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Preserving Neighborhood Character: Acklin explains how new multi-family design standards will require duplexes and triplexes to visually blend into existing residential streets.</li>
<li aria-level="1">TID 101: Trane addresses how TIF districts work in practice and why those funds can't simply be redirected to cover general city expenses.</li>
</ul>

La Crosse city planners Trane, Acklin on Kmart timeline, Public Market, and 1980s zoning

Current Festmaster Brent Smith and last year's leader Mike Bakalars stopped in the WIZM studio for The Rick Solem Show to preview the final countdown to La Crosse’s Oktoberfest — and show how the sausage is made, literally.

The two shared what it's really like to keep one of the city's biggest secrets for six months — being selected Festmaster — from an anonymous front-door beer drop to joking about being the "last resort" on the list.

Beyond the ceremonial torch passing at next Wednesday's Festmasters Ball, the pair shared stories about minus-30-degree festival tours in Winnipeg, running into UW-L Chancellor James Beeby downtown in full Lederhosen, and the infamous 2 a.m. heist of the festival's 80-pound golden brat.

Episode Highlights:
Learning Their Festmaster Status: How both men got the secret news—from a front-door German beer drop to a joke about being fifth choice. 
The 80-Pound Heist: The chaotic 2017 story of when thieves actually stole the massive golden brat off the grill.
Designing the Button: How Festmasters select custom symbols — from scales of justice to Navy logos — to engrave on thousands of official Festmaster buttons.
Chancellor Encounter: Getting caught driving UTVs through downtown La Crosse in full festival gear and running straight into UW-L Chancellor James Beeby.
Missing Gambrinus: The morning-after panic when King Gambrinus was accidentally left unattended in a hotel hallway.

The Heart of Tour Week: Brent Smith reflects on why visits to local nursing homes and schools mean more than any parade crowd.Serving the Community: Mike Bakalars shares what it really feels like to spend a year as an ambassador for the city of La Crosse. 

Current Festmaster Brent Smith and last year's leader Mike Bakalars stopped in the WIZM studio for The Rick Solem Show to preview the final countdown to La Crosse&rsquo;s Oktoberfest &mdash; and show how the sausage is made, literally.
The two shared what it's really like to keep one of the city's biggest secrets for six months &mdash; being selected Festmaster &mdash; from an anonymous front-door beer drop to joking about being the "last resort" on the list.
Beyond the ceremonial torch passing at next Wednesday's Festmasters Ball, the pair shared stories about minus-30-degree festival tours in Winnipeg, running into UW-L Chancellor James Beeby downtown in full Lederhosen, and the infamous 2 a.m. heist of the festival's 80-pound golden brat.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Learning Their Festmaster Status: How both men got the secret news&mdash;from a front-door German beer drop to a joke about being fifth choice.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The 80-Pound Heist: The chaotic 2017 story of when thieves actually stole the massive golden brat off the grill.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Designing the Button: How Festmasters select custom symbols &mdash; from scales of justice to Navy logos &mdash; to engrave on thousands of official Festmaster buttons.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Chancellor Encounter: Getting caught driving UTVs through downtown La Crosse in full festival gear and running straight into UW-L Chancellor James Beeby.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Missing Gambrinus: The morning-after panic when King Gambrinus was accidentally left unattended in a hotel hallway.</li>
</ul>
The Heart of Tour Week: Brent Smith reflects on why visits to local nursing homes and schools mean more than any parade crowd.Serving the Community: Mike Bakalars shares what it really feels like to spend a year as an ambassador for the city of La Crosse.&nbsp;

Comedian Charlie Berens on Kwik Trip, Riverside Park Fish Lab

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