We got the flamethrower conversation out of the way, right away. Also hit on some position cuts proposed by the mayor, PFAS regulation being delayed in the state, new police/fire command center, and a bit on the homeless in La Crosse.

We got the flamethrower conversation out of the way, right away. Also hit on some position cuts proposed by the mayor, PFAS regulation being delayed in the state, new police/fire command center, and a bit on the homeless in La Crosse.

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

Flamethrower talk with La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam

With voters headed to the polls in just days, there could be drama that comes afterward — but not from the election results.

Citizen Action Wisconsin executive director Robert Kraig joins, and warns that the Trump administration could intervene in the midterm elections by targeting ballots after voting ends — a scenario he says could threaten the ability to verify results in closely contested races, including Wisconsin’s 3rd U.S. House District.

We also talked about what Democrats could accomplish if they win control of Wisconsin state government and how different those expectations compare to if Dems control Congress while Trump remains president.

Kraig also draws a distinction between Trump using federal funding as political leverage — including threats involving veterans’ funding — and Democrats promising policies such as universal health care.

We also get into campaign finance, including Elon Musk’s spending on Republicans compared with George Soros’ political contributions, elected officials trading stocks, and the policy changes Kraig wants to see in Wisconsin.

Topics include:


Election security: Kraig’s concerns about possible federal intervention involving ballots after the midterms, and what that could mean for Wisconsin’s 3rd U.S. House District.


Tiffany and Donald Trump: How Tiffany is balancing his relationship with Trump against the political risks of having him campaign in Wisconsin.


If Dems control Congress: What Democrats could do with Trump still in the White House, including investigations and oversight.


Wisconsin Dems’ policy agenda: Health care, including a BadgerCare public option, child care, education and the minimum wage if Democrats win control of the governor’s office and Legislature.


Political corruption: Kraig’s criticism of elected officials trading stocks, campaign finance practices and the need for more meaningful anti-corruption reforms.


Elon vs. Soros: Why Kraig says billionaires shouldn’t have outsized political influence — and argues Musk is using his wealth to enrich himself.


Energy costs and policy: Kraig’s criticism of the Trump administration’s approach to wind power and coal.


Citizen Action Wisconsin: How the organization works through local organizing co-ops, including the Driftless Area Organizing Co-op, and its priorities for health care, wages, energy and democracy.

With voters headed to the polls in just days, there could be drama that comes afterward &mdash; but not from the election results.
Citizen Action Wisconsin executive director Robert Kraig joins, and warns that the Trump administration could intervene in the midterm elections by targeting ballots after voting ends &mdash; a scenario he says could threaten the ability to verify results in closely contested races, including Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd U.S. House District.
We also talked about what Democrats could accomplish if they win control of Wisconsin state government and how different those expectations compare to if Dems control Congress while Trump remains president.
Kraig also draws a distinction between Trump using federal funding as political leverage &mdash; including threats involving veterans&rsquo; funding &mdash; and Democrats promising policies such as universal health care.
We also get into campaign finance, including Elon Musk&rsquo;s spending on Republicans compared with George Soros&rsquo; political contributions, elected officials trading stocks, and the policy changes Kraig wants to see in Wisconsin.
Topics include:
<ul>
<li>
Election security: Kraig&rsquo;s concerns about possible federal intervention involving ballots after the midterms, and what that could mean for Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd U.S. House District.
</li>
<li>
Tiffany and Donald Trump: How Tiffany is balancing his relationship with Trump against the political risks of having him campaign in Wisconsin.
</li>
<li>
If Dems control Congress: What Democrats could do with Trump still in the White House, including investigations and oversight.
</li>
<li>
Wisconsin Dems&rsquo; policy agenda: Health care, including a BadgerCare public option, child care, education and the minimum wage if Democrats win control of the governor&rsquo;s office and Legislature.
</li>
<li>
Political corruption: Kraig&rsquo;s criticism of elected officials trading stocks, campaign finance practices and the need for more meaningful anti-corruption reforms.
</li>
<li>
Elon vs. Soros: Why Kraig says billionaires shouldn&rsquo;t have outsized political influence &mdash; and argues Musk is using his wealth to enrich himself.
</li>
<li>
Energy costs and policy: Kraig&rsquo;s criticism of the Trump administration&rsquo;s approach to wind power and coal.
</li>
<li>
Citizen Action Wisconsin: How the organization works through local organizing co-ops, including the Driftless Area Organizing Co-op, and its priorities for health care, wages, energy and democracy.
</li>
</ul>

Wisconsin politics, election security and the influence of billionaires

La Crosse Loggers co-owner Dan Kapanke has been a Milwaukee baseball fan — since listening to the Braves on WKTY radio as a kid working on his family's farm.

Now, with the Brewers on the brink of their first World Series championship, Kapanke looks back at the 1957 Braves title, the heartbreak of 1982 and what makes this year's Brewers team different.

Kapanke also shares stories from his time with Brewers manager Pat Murphy, including Murphy's unconventional approach to keeping players loose while holding them accountable.

Plus, why the Brewers' old-school style of baseball is working, how the team has come together and what a championship would mean to Wisconsin fans after more than four decades of waiting.

La Crosse Loggers co-owner Dan Kapanke has been a Milwaukee baseball fan &mdash; since listening to the Braves on WKTY radio as a kid working on his family's farm.
Now, with the Brewers on the brink of their first World Series championship, Kapanke looks back at the 1957 Braves title, the heartbreak of 1982 and what makes this year's Brewers team different.
Kapanke also shares stories from his time with Brewers manager Pat Murphy, including Murphy's unconventional approach to keeping players loose while holding them accountable.
Plus, why the Brewers' old-school style of baseball is working, how the team has come together and what a championship would mean to Wisconsin fans after more than four decades of waiting.

From Braves to Brewers — Dan Kapanke on baseball in Milwaukee

The La Crosse Area Family YMCA is aiming to raise $375,000 during its fifth annual Y Giving Day, with donations supporting 13 projects focused on food access, mental health, cancer survivorship and youth programs.

Becca Zajkowski, director of development, and Kathleen Graham, volunteer and donor experience director, explain what those projects provide to the community — from delivering meals to people facing transportation barriers to supporting cancer survivors and veterans' mental health.

The 36-hour fundraiser runs from noon Tuesday, Oct. 27, through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28. The YMCA also has several matching gift opportunities planned to help reach its goal.

The La Crosse Area Family YMCA is aiming to raise $375,000 during its fifth annual Y Giving Day, with donations supporting 13 projects focused on food access, mental health, cancer survivorship and youth programs.
Becca Zajkowski, director of development, and Kathleen Graham, volunteer and donor experience director, explain what those projects provide to the community &mdash; from delivering meals to people facing transportation barriers to supporting cancer survivors and veterans' mental health.
The 36-hour fundraiser runs from noon Tuesday, Oct. 27, through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28. The YMCA also has several matching gift opportunities planned to help reach its goal.

Flamethrower talk with La Crosse Fire Chief Ken Gilliam

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