If he's going to run for president, his slogan might be, "Washington needs a good powerwashing."

Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's former Chief of Staff, stopped in the WIZM studio ahead of a town hall at UW-La Crosse to discuss some issues with D.C.

That included his 75-year-old mandatory retirement age, banning prediction market betting for federal employees and their families, and how to help secondary education institutions, like Western Technical College.

Emanuel was also asked how he’d get the U.S. out of the war with Iran, and he agreed with the concern over a Commander in Chief whose military objectives change by the hour. Emanuel argued that while troops are risking their lives, D.C. insiders are "betting against America" through predictive markets and normalized corruption — stating that Washington needs a "2x4 upside their head" to refocus on governing.

On the domestic side, Emanuel claimed that the federal government is AWOL on job training. He proposed a massive shift in priorities, suggesting that instead of spending millions building detention centers, the U.S. should invest that money into "educational excellence" at places like Western Tech to fill the massive shortage of electricians and nurses.

He also touched on the need for federal-state partnerships to modernize technical schools and ensure the next generation is ready for high-paying, middle-class careers.

Emanuel is a former U.S. Congressman, White House Chief of Staff to Barack Obama, two-term Mayor of Chicago, and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

If he's going to run for president, his slogan might be, "Washington needs a good powerwashing."
Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's former Chief of Staff, stopped in the WIZM studio ahead of a town hall at UW-La Crosse to discuss some issues with D.C.
That included his 75-year-old mandatory retirement age, banning prediction market betting for federal employees and their families, and how to help secondary education institutions, like Western Technical College.
Emanuel was also asked how he&rsquo;d get the U.S. out of the war with Iran, and he agreed with the concern over a Commander in Chief whose military objectives change by the hour. Emanuel argued that while troops are risking their lives, D.C. insiders are "betting against America" through predictive markets and normalized corruption &mdash; stating that Washington needs a "2x4 upside their head" to refocus on governing.
On the domestic side, Emanuel claimed that the federal government is AWOL on job training. He proposed a massive shift in priorities, suggesting that instead of spending millions building detention centers, the U.S. should invest that money into "educational excellence" at places like Western Tech to fill the massive shortage of electricians and nurses.
He also touched on the need for federal-state partnerships to modernize technical schools and ensure the next generation is ready for high-paying, middle-class careers.
Emanuel is a former U.S. Congressman, White House Chief of Staff to Barack Obama, two-term Mayor of Chicago, and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

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

Detention centers or schools? Obama's former chief, Emanuel, in La Crosse on fixing DC

Mac Kiel in studio previewing committee week for the city of La Crosse, which includes potentially spending thousands of dollars in TID money like it’s an expiring gift card, that includes some big projects.

Kiel helps explain—with the help of TID expert John Kovari from UW-L speaking with us before the show—some of the potential avenues for spending the money, which includes moving up the timetable on $450,000 in Civic Center Park upgrades, covering cost overruns on the $4 million Wagon Wheel Trail grant, or making the final $120,000 payment to the wastewater treatment plant.

We also discussed the $10,000 library mural, how the Cameron Park farmers market on Sundays will be a little bit more than what’s traditionally been there, and a look back at the closed session regarding the Radisson. We also we break down the difference between those secret meetings and the "special meeting" appeal for a North Side business happening next week.

Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for providing the public with what is happening with city government. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.

Mac Kiel in studio previewing committee week for the city of La Crosse, which includes potentially spending thousands of dollars in TID money like it&rsquo;s an expiring gift card, that includes some big projects.
Kiel helps explain&mdash;with the help of TID expert John Kovari from UW-L speaking with us before the show&mdash;some of the potential avenues for spending the money, which includes moving up the timetable on $450,000 in Civic Center Park upgrades, covering cost overruns on the $4 million Wagon Wheel Trail grant, or making the final $120,000 payment to the wastewater treatment plant.
We also discussed the $10,000 library mural, how the Cameron Park farmers market on Sundays will be a little bit more than what&rsquo;s traditionally been there, and a look back at the closed session regarding the Radisson. We also we break down the difference between those secret meetings and the "special meeting" appeal for a North Side business happening next week.
Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MacKielforCityCouncil">providing the public&nbsp;</a>with what is happening with city government. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.

Mac Kiel helps preview committee with city looking to spend TID money like an expiring gift card

Holocaust survivor Irene Miller stopped in studio to tell her story, ahead of Thursday’s event at Viterbo University. 

Miller tells her tale of resilience that defies imagination, beginning when she was 6 years old, her family fleeing the Germans to Warsaw for the "safety" of the Soviet Union. What they found instead was a frozen exile in Siberian labor camps and a desperate fight against starvation in Uzbekistan.

This isn't just a history lesson; it is a conversation about the "chutzpah," as Miller tells it, it takes to survive when everything — and everyone — is taken from you.
The frozen forest: Hear Miller describe Siberian winters so cold that birds froze to the trees, and the wooden shacks where families huddled for warmth.
Survival on "Boiled grass:" Miller recounts the near-starvation in Uzbekistan where her family was forced to eat boiled leaves and onions to stay alive.
A legacy of loss: Out of an extended family of over 100 people, Miller was the only one to survive the "graveyard" that Poland had become.
A message for 2026: At 93 years old, Miller shares her candid perspective on the "hate and divisiveness" she sees today and why she still believes in the "goodness of every baby."

Miller was joined by Holocaust educator Darryle Clott, who asked, "How is it possible that after those horrible things, you are still positive?" 

Miller’s answer to that question is something every person needs to hear.

Event Details: Miller will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Viterbo Fine Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public. Guests should plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m. to get a seat.

Holocaust survivor Irene Miller stopped in studio to tell her story, ahead of Thursday&rsquo;s event at Viterbo University.&nbsp;
Miller tells her tale of resilience that defies imagination, beginning when she was 6 years old, her family fleeing the Germans to Warsaw for the "safety" of the Soviet Union. What they found instead was a frozen exile in Siberian labor camps and a desperate fight against starvation in Uzbekistan.
This isn't just a history lesson; it is a conversation about the "chutzpah," as Miller tells it, it takes to survive when everything &mdash; and everyone &mdash; is taken from you.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The frozen forest: Hear Miller describe Siberian winters so cold that birds froze to the trees, and the wooden shacks where families huddled for warmth.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Survival on "Boiled grass:" Miller recounts the near-starvation in Uzbekistan where her family was forced to eat boiled leaves and onions to stay alive.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A legacy of loss: Out of an extended family of over 100 people, Miller was the only one to survive the "graveyard" that Poland had become.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A message for 2026: At 93 years old, Miller shares her candid perspective on the "hate and divisiveness" she sees today and why she still believes in the "goodness of every baby."</li>
</ul>
Miller was joined by Holocaust educator Darryle Clott, who asked, "How is it possible that after those horrible things, you are still positive?"&nbsp;
Miller&rsquo;s answer to that question is something every person needs to hear.
Event Details: Miller will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday&nbsp;at the Viterbo Fine Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public. Guests should plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m. to get a seat.

HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR IRENE MILLER: "I am the living witness of an extremely important chapter of history."

Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Tara Johnson (D-Shelby) stopped in studio to help recap the work the state Legislature got done and what still needs to be accomplished — but won't.

We began the show discussing how the Legislature is done working for the rest of 2026, despite the need for property tax relief, education and childcare funding, along with Democratic priorities like raising the minimum wage and creating a public option for healthcare.

The latter is a recent proposal from Johnson, who describes what it means for Wisconsin to have a BadgerCare public option for health insurance.

Johnson also helps break down the final days of session, and if the state Assembly set the Senate up to fail. Last week the Senate met for one day to pass 111 bills but only got through a portion of them before calling it quits for the year. Johnson argues the Assembly didn't set the Senate up to fail, but the two branches work very differently.

She described the Assembly, run by Republican Speaker Robin Vos, as authoritarian, while characterizing the Senate GOP, led by Republican Devin LeMahieu, as anarchy.

Coincidentally enough, both Vos and LeMahieu are now retiring, which is perhaps a sign that Republicans expect a shift in power after the fall elections, as the new maps keep shaping the politics in the state.

Johnson also discussed how the governor could call the Legislature back for a special session to codify a process to create fair voting maps.

In terms of what the Legislature did get done, some of it was non-controversial and Johnson talks of these, including Gail's Law, postpartum Medicaid expansion from 60 days to a year and PFAS funding.

Others, though, like sports betting legalization and allotting $14.6 million in taxpayer dollars for the University of Wisconsin-Madison to essentially pay athletes NIL money, come with some baggage.

Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Tara Johnson (D-Shelby) stopped in studio to help recap the work the state Legislature got done and what still needs to be accomplished &mdash; but won't.
We began the show discussing how the Legislature is done working for the rest of 2026, despite the need for property tax relief, education and childcare funding, along with Democratic priorities like raising the minimum wage and creating a public option for healthcare.
The latter is a recent proposal from Johnson, who describes what it means for Wisconsin to have a BadgerCare public option for health insurance.
Johnson also helps break down the final days of session, and if the state Assembly set the Senate up to fail. Last week the Senate met for one day to pass 111 bills but only got through a portion of them before calling it quits for the year. Johnson argues the Assembly didn't set the Senate up to fail, but the two branches work very differently.
She described the Assembly, run by Republican Speaker Robin&nbsp;Vos, as authoritarian, while characterizing the Senate GOP, led by Republican Devin LeMahieu, as anarchy.
Coincidentally enough, both Vos and LeMahieu are now retiring, which is perhaps a sign that Republicans expect a shift in power after the fall elections, as the new maps keep shaping the politics in the state.
Johnson also discussed how the governor could call the Legislature back for a special session to codify a process to create fair voting maps.
In terms of what the Legislature did get done, some of it was non-controversial and Johnson talks of these, including&nbsp;Gail's Law, postpartum Medicaid expansion from 60 days to a year and PFAS funding.
Others, though, like sports betting legalization and allotting $14.6 million in taxpayer dollars for the University of Wisconsin-Madison to essentially pay athletes NIL money, come with some baggage.

Detention centers or schools? Obama's former chief, Emanuel, in La Crosse on fixing DC

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