The La Crosse mayor primary: Voting, campaign finance numbers, absentee numbers with city clerk Nikki Elsen. Before that, WIZM's Brad Williams talked the 10-year anniversary of Act 10 and Scott Walker getting his car rocked by La Crosse protesters (something that's been disputed).

The La Crosse mayor primary: Voting, campaign finance numbers, absentee numbers with city clerk Nikki Elsen. Before that, WIZM's Brad Williams talked the 10-year anniversary of Act 10 and Scott Walker getting his car rocked by La Crosse protesters (something that's been disputed).

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

Finalists for La Crosse mayor

As La Crosse's Oktoberfest gets underway, we look back on how it all started — and Brad Quarberg reveals the festival wasn't actually a secret ploy for G. Heileman Brewery to sell beer. 

In fact, the brewery once ran the numbers on how much beer fest-goers actually drank, and how long it took to brew — and Quarberg’s reveal of those the results will shock you.

It’s our annual Oktoberfest preview with 2016 Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, Quarberg, and 2013 Festmaster Dave Ring in studio to break down the five biggest myths about the fest.

Plus, a look back at the year milk was served instead of beer, when the medallion was held ransom, and how Ring managed to ruin the 10-day schedule.

From how the Royal Family brightens up local nursing homes with an accordion player to the hilarious story of an eight-foot golden brat getting dropped in a parking lot, the duo shared why this community tradition remains so special after 65 years.

Episode Highlights:
Sealed Fest Secrets: Ring jokes about the "sealed documents" and good-natured shenanigans from the year Oktoberfest made the jump from 10 days down to four.
100-Pound Brat Heist: The hilarious true story of how a massive eight-foot golden brat was "heisted" in 2017 right before its official slicing ceremony — and how the five-second rule saved the day.
The 5 Big Fest Myths: Quarberg tackles the most common misconceptions locals still hold about Oktoberfest, from who actually qualifies for the Royal Family to what counts as an official event.
Ransom in the Park: A look back at the 1991 medallion hunt where masked "Heistermeisters" held the medallion ransom for charity using magazine-cutout notes—and kept their identities a secret for 20 years.
Spreading the Joy: We don't actually build accordion players in a lab, but the Royal Family still takes live polka into local schools and nursing homes for a full week after Sunday.
Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest: How the selection evolved from a 1960s "trad-wife" contest into a modern program for community leadership. 

Milk over Beer: Why Oktoberfest banned beer and replaced it with milk on year.
10 Days to 4: We joke how the fest cut to four days after Ring’s reign — but also why it happened.

As La Crosse's Oktoberfest gets underway, we look back on how it all started &mdash; and Brad Quarberg reveals the festival wasn't actually a secret ploy for G. Heileman Brewery to sell beer.&nbsp;
In fact, the brewery once ran the numbers on how much beer fest-goers actually drank, and how long it took to brew &mdash; and Quarberg&rsquo;s reveal of those the results will shock you.
It&rsquo;s our annual Oktoberfest preview with 2016 Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, Quarberg, and 2013 Festmaster Dave Ring in studio to break down the five biggest myths about the fest.
Plus, a look back at the year milk was served instead of beer, when the medallion was held ransom, and how Ring managed to ruin the 10-day schedule.
From how the Royal Family brightens up local nursing homes with an accordion player to the hilarious story of an eight-foot golden brat getting dropped in a parking lot, the duo shared why this community tradition remains so special after 65 years.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Sealed Fest Secrets: Ring jokes about the "sealed documents" and good-natured shenanigans from the year Oktoberfest made the jump from 10 days down to four.</li>
<li aria-level="1">100-Pound Brat Heist: The hilarious true story of how a massive eight-foot golden brat was "heisted" in 2017 right before its official slicing ceremony &mdash; and how the five-second rule saved the day.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The 5 Big Fest Myths: Quarberg tackles the most common misconceptions locals still hold about Oktoberfest, from who actually qualifies for the Royal Family to what counts as an official event.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ransom in the Park: A look back at the 1991 medallion hunt where masked "Heistermeisters" held the medallion ransom for charity using magazine-cutout notes&mdash;and kept their identities a secret for 20 years.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Spreading the Joy: We don't actually build accordion players in a lab, but the Royal Family still takes live polka into local schools and nursing homes for a full week after Sunday.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest: How the selection evolved from a 1960s "trad-wife" contest into a modern program for community leadership.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Milk over Beer: Why Oktoberfest banned beer and replaced it with milk on year.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">10 Days to 4: We joke how the fest cut to four days after Ring&rsquo;s reign &mdash; but also why it happened.</li>
</ul>

FACT OR MYTH: Did Heileman start Oktoberfest just to sell beer?

The demolition of the old Kmart might have a due date, and La Crosse leadership is about to restart the city administrator conversation again.

Council president Tamra Dickinson stopped in studio, ahead of Thursday’s monthly meeting, where the council will vote on giving final approval to a development agreement over the old Kmart lot, while also looking at a charter ordinance that isn’t city administrator — but could be related.

Following two failed charter votes to create a traditional administrator post, city leaders are pivoting to a special Sept. 22 meeting on broader municipal structures to fix city hall inefficiencies. 

Dickinson also breaks down how the city’s initial $8 million budget shortfall for next year is more of a department wishlist — but real cuts are still hitting, like over $400,000 next year for the library. Plus, Dickinson gives updates on King and Gillette street construction, and city-owned property sales including the old Northside Library and former Girl Scout headquarters.

Episode Highlights:
Kmart Demo Timeline: Dickinson breaks down the development agreement going before council to set a timeline for site demolition and spring 2027 construction. 
Beyond City Admin: How an upcoming municipal structure meeting finally opens the floor to discuss city operations after repeated charter votes failed to pass.
Budget Reality Check: Dickinson plays down an initial $8 million shortfall as a department "wishlist," even as departments like the library are meeting on making staff and giant budget cuts.
King Street Pitfall: How an unrecorded, water-filled underground cistern near the Pump House derailed downtown paving plans.
Gillette Street Gridlock: Why bridge repairs over the railroad tracks will stretch Northside construction delays right up into November.
Girl Scout Exit: The city moves to dissolve a 99-year lease for $1 to clear the way for a surplus property sale.

The demolition of the old Kmart might have a due date, and La Crosse leadership is about to restart the city administrator conversation again.
Council president Tamra Dickinson stopped in studio, ahead of Thursday&rsquo;s monthly meeting, where the council will vote on giving final approval to a development agreement over the old Kmart lot, while also looking at a charter ordinance that isn&rsquo;t city administrator &mdash; but could be related.
Following two failed charter votes to create a traditional administrator post, city leaders are pivoting to a special Sept. 22 meeting on broader municipal structures to fix city hall inefficiencies.&nbsp;
Dickinson also breaks down how the city&rsquo;s initial $8 million budget shortfall for next year is more of a department wishlist &mdash; but real cuts are still hitting, like over $400,000 next year for the library. Plus, Dickinson gives updates on King and Gillette street construction, and city-owned property sales including the old Northside Library and former Girl Scout headquarters.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Kmart Demo Timeline: Dickinson breaks down the development agreement going before council to set a timeline for site demolition and spring 2027 construction.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Beyond City Admin: How an upcoming municipal structure meeting finally opens the floor to discuss city operations after repeated charter votes failed to pass.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Budget Reality Check: Dickinson plays down an initial $8 million shortfall as a department "wishlist," even as departments like the library are meeting on making staff and giant budget cuts.</li>
<li aria-level="1">King Street Pitfall: How an unrecorded, water-filled underground cistern near the Pump House derailed downtown paving plans.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Gillette Street Gridlock: Why bridge repairs over the railroad tracks will stretch Northside construction delays right up into November.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Girl Scout Exit: The city moves to dissolve a 99-year lease for $1 to clear the way for a surplus property sale.</li>
</ul>

Council president on Kmart demo timeline, restarting city admin talks

A packed Friday, where we get the La Crosse airport director’s reaction after someone tried sneaking a foot-long medieval weapon through security, and dive into Kwik Trip ditching roller grills — can you really call it a Tornado if it didn't spin? 

Plus, UW-La Crosse political scientist Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down new Facebook rules for kids and who’s the most known politicians in the state.

Also, WIZM’s Brad Williams and Kevin Millard stop in to break down why the city might strip liquor licenses from two downtown Third Street bars, accused of letting underage drinking slide.

Episode Highlights:
Medieval Security Snafu: Airport Director Lauren Koss reacts to TSA intercepting a foot-long medieval halberd and reveals the wildly bizarre items passengers try to fly with.
Kwik Trip Shakeup: The La Crosse-based chain is ditching roller grills, moving everything to the hotspot — but can you really call it a tor-NAH-do if it didn't spin?
Bar License Crackdown: Williams breaks down a city special meeting that could pull liquor licenses from two Third Street bars — and whether fake IDs are getting too good to spot.
Stock Trading & Soros Hits: Williams recaps a campaign event by US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden on Congress stock trading, but questions why presidential trades weren’t — plus Van Orden brought up George Soros.
Democrat Name Recognition: With a lineup of statewide Democrats in town for the corn roast, Chergosky ranks Wisconsin's most well-known politicians—and whether Ben Wikler actually moves the needle with average voters.
Meta paying WI $219M: Chergosky breaks down Meta's landmark lawsuit settlement, new daily time limits for teens, and how AG Josh Kaul plans to spend Wisconsin's multi-million dollar payout. 

A packed Friday, where we get the La Crosse airport director&rsquo;s reaction after someone tried sneaking a foot-long medieval weapon through security, and dive into Kwik Trip ditching roller grills &mdash; can you really call it a Tornado if it didn't spin?&nbsp;
Plus, UW-La Crosse political scientist Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down new Facebook rules for kids and who&rsquo;s the most known politicians in the state.
Also, WIZM&rsquo;s Brad Williams and Kevin Millard stop in to break down why the city might strip liquor licenses from two downtown Third Street bars, accused of letting underage drinking slide.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Medieval Security Snafu: Airport Director Lauren Koss reacts to TSA intercepting a foot-long medieval halberd and reveals the wildly bizarre items passengers try to fly with.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Kwik Trip Shakeup: The La Crosse-based chain is ditching roller grills, moving everything to the hotspot &mdash; but can you really call it a tor-NAH-do if it didn't spin?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Bar License Crackdown: Williams breaks down a city special meeting that could pull liquor licenses from two Third Street bars &mdash; and whether fake IDs are getting too good to spot.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Stock Trading &amp; Soros Hits: Williams recaps a campaign event by US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden on Congress stock trading, but questions why presidential trades weren&rsquo;t &mdash; plus Van Orden brought up George Soros.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Democrat Name Recognition: With a lineup of statewide Democrats in town for the corn roast, Chergosky ranks Wisconsin's most well-known politicians&mdash;and whether Ben Wikler actually moves the needle with average voters.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Meta paying WI $219M: Chergosky breaks down Meta's landmark lawsuit settlement, new daily time limits for teens, and how AG Josh Kaul plans to spend Wisconsin's multi-million dollar payout.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Finalists for La Crosse mayor

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