After nearly 25 years, Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) announced he's not seeking reelection to the US House. Political scientist Joe Heim and La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia both joined to discuss the impact that has for both Republicans and Democrats in the state and the House. 

After nearly 25 years, Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) announced he's not seeking reelection to the US House. Political scientist Joe Heim and La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia both joined to discuss the impact that has for both Republicans and Democrats in the state and the 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

Dissecting Congressman Ron Kind's "retirement"

What does the Chamber do?

Chambers role big v small business

Mississippi River ports initiative

Mayor's meeting, business climate

La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Sam Scinta on his “Lord of the Rings”-length meeting with the mayor, the business climate in the community right now, and that port initiative announced last week.

We began though with just a quick “What does the Chamber do?” as Scinta has been leading it now for the past nine months.

Next, we talked about — what is more of a long game — the new Northern Grain Belts Ports Initiative and what it means for leveraging local waterways.

After that, we spent the final half of the show deep diving into La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey’s three-hour meeting with Chamber members last week.

We break down what the meeting entailed and the "homework" to come out of it — like the push for a city administrator, a business concierge, zoning changes, and historic preservation reform.

We wrap up looking at how La Crosse is faring right now when it comes to the overall business climate, why our unique transit hub gives us a leg up on Madison, and the Chamber's possible future plans for a quarterly "La Crosse is Open for Business" series.

La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Sam Scinta on his &ldquo;Lord of the Rings&rdquo;-length meeting with the mayor, the business climate in the community right now, and that port initiative announced last week.
We began though with just a quick &ldquo;What does the Chamber do?&rdquo; as Scinta has been leading it now for the past nine months.
Next, we talked about &mdash; what is more of a long game &mdash; the new Northern Grain Belts Ports Initiative and what it means for leveraging local waterways.
After that, we spent the final half of the show deep diving into La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey&rsquo;s three-hour meeting with Chamber members last week.
We break down what the meeting entailed and the "homework" to come out of it &mdash; like the push for a&nbsp;city administrator, a business concierge, zoning changes, and historic preservation reform.
We wrap up looking at how La Crosse is faring right now when it comes to the overall business climate,&nbsp;why our unique transit hub gives us a leg up on Madison, and the Chamber's possible future plans for a quarterly "La Crosse is Open for Business" series.

Chamber CEO Scinta on 3-hour meeting with mayor and getting La Crosse "open for business"

Getting to know new LaX Dem chair

State vs. local party disconnect

Budget surplus, state convention

Rapid fire

La Crosse County Democratic Party chair Wyatt Molling was in studio last week for the Rick Solem Show discussing the friction between the state and local party over reaching rural voters. We recapped the state convention and why everyday voters don't look like convention diehards, plus the split over Gov. Tony Evers' budget surplus deal. And, we closed with some rapid-fire over everything from data centers to Trump and the World Cup.

We start though talking about Molling getting into politics and taking over role as chair in January.

After, we dive into the three Assembly seats defining La Crosse County, looking closely at the different rural landscapes facing Steve Doyle, Jill Billings and Tara Johnson. Molling airs some frustration with the state party on reaching voters in these districts that have all been redrawn.

From there, we discuss the state Democratic convention. Molling is asked about the WisPolitics governor's race straw poll that had heads turning. He explains the mindset of convention-goers versus regular voters in regards to the poll and we get into the resolutions the party comes up with at the convention.

We also hit the optics surrounding Evers’ multi-billion-dollar budget surplus package and why local Democrats split on the final vote.

To wrap up, we put Molling through a lightning-round of national and local headlines, including data center moratoriums — which the La Crosse County Board has passed — as well as the controversial $300 billion Iran memorandum, gas prices and why Donald Trump hoisting the FIFA World Cup trophy could get incredibly awkward.

La Crosse County Democratic Party chair Wyatt Molling was in studio last week for the Rick Solem Show discussing the friction between the state and local party over reaching rural voters. We recapped the state convention and why everyday voters don't look like convention diehards, plus the split over Gov. Tony Evers' budget surplus deal. And, we closed with some rapid-fire over everything from data centers to Trump and the World Cup.
We start though talking about Molling getting into politics and taking over role as chair in January.
After, we dive into the three Assembly seats defining La Crosse County, looking closely at the different rural landscapes facing Steve Doyle, Jill Billings and Tara Johnson.&nbsp;Molling airs some frustration with the state party on reaching voters in these districts that have all been redrawn.
From there, we discuss the state Democratic convention. Molling is asked about the WisPolitics governor's race straw poll that had heads turning. He explains the mindset of convention-goers versus regular voters in regards to the poll and we get into the resolutions the party comes up with at the convention.
We also hit the optics surrounding Evers&rsquo; multi-billion-dollar budget surplus package and why local Democrats split on the final vote.
To wrap up, we put Molling through a lightning-round of national and local headlines, including data center moratoriums &mdash; which the La Crosse County Board has passed &mdash; as well as the controversial $300 billion Iran memorandum, gas prices and why Donald Trump hoisting the FIFA World Cup trophy could get incredibly awkward.

La Crosse County Dem Party chair Molling on local Assembly races, state convention recap, data centers

World Cup, Loggers throwback

Beginning of pool poll talk

Packers TV fight

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio to help weave a discussion about the La Crosse pool poll, the Democratic convention governor straw poll and the Packers fighting with one Wisconsin US House member.

We did start the show, though, talking quick about not being a sports fan but being excited about something like the World Cup — plus the Loggers having Catbirds throwback night.

The poll conversation stems partly from the results from a survey of La Crosse residents about building a new indoor aquatics center, where about 52 percent were in favor — with 14% of those asked responding. Another aspect came from a straw poll last weekend at the Wisconsin Democratic Party convention that had Mandela Barnes sixth out of seven governor candidates.

We break down how these polls could be written and conducted — perhaps to gain favorability for a specific outcome — and how much stock we should take in the results. We also discuss how some polls — like the pool survey — might be sent out partly to inform people a thing is happening that they didn’t know about — and therefore the wording of those questions comes back into play. We also look at how Wisconsin Republicans put Constitutional Amendments on the ballot that are often seen as confusing and steering the voting population into getting the results the GOP wants.

Lastly, we talked about the Packers pushing back against how US House Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Clyman) is looking into the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, and this idea that TV deals have isolated Packers fans who need to subscribe to networks to watch certain games.

Or — throwing this conspiracy at Chergosky — is this a deep political ploy to prop up fellow GOP US House Reps. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) and Bryan Steil (R-Janesville), who have sided with the Packers saying what Fitzgerald is doing would hurt the team.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio to help weave a discussion about the La Crosse pool poll, the Democratic convention governor straw poll and the Packers fighting with one Wisconsin US House member.
We did start the show, though, talking quick about not being a sports fan but being excited about something like the World Cup &mdash; plus the Loggers having Catbirds throwback night.
The poll conversation stems partly from the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/06/18/la-crosse-park-board-reviews-north-side-pool-survey-results/">results from a survey</a> of La Crosse residents about building a new indoor aquatics center, where about 52 percent were in favor &mdash; with 14% of those asked responding. Another aspect came from a straw poll last weekend at the&nbsp;Wisconsin Democratic Party convention that had&nbsp;Mandela Barnes sixth out of seven governor candidates.
We break down how these polls could be written and conducted &mdash; perhaps to gain favorability for&nbsp;a specific outcome &mdash; and how much stock we should take in the results. We also discuss how some polls &mdash; like the pool survey &mdash; might be sent out partly to inform people a thing is happening that they didn&rsquo;t know about &mdash; and therefore the wording of those questions comes back into play.&nbsp;We also look at how Wisconsin Republicans put Constitutional Amendments on the ballot that are often seen as confusing and steering the voting population into getting the results the GOP wants.
Lastly, we talked about the Packers pushing back against how US House Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Clyman) is looking into the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, and this idea that&nbsp;TV deals have isolated Packers fans who need to subscribe to networks to watch certain games.
Or &mdash; throwing this conspiracy at Chergosky &mdash; is this a deep political ploy to prop up fellow GOP US House Reps. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) and Bryan Steil (R-Janesville), who have sided with the Packers saying what Fitzgerald is doing would hurt the team.

Dissecting Congressman Ron Kind's "retirement"

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