Viterbo's Keith Knutson joined us to talk Trump losing his 47th high-profile administration official, a special election in N.C. and how that relates to one coming up in Wisconsin. We also hit on gerrymandering and Constitution Day at Viterbo.

Viterbo's Keith Knutson joined us to talk Trump losing his 47th high-profile administration official, a special election in N.C. and how that relates to one coming up in Wisconsin. We also hit on gerrymandering and Constitution Day at Viterbo.

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

In studio, Viterbo political science prof. Dr. Keith Knutson

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.

Pools, polls and Packers with UW-L political scientist Chergosky 

Third-party ticket sales

Tank Creek Bridge update

Data Centers

Budget surplus deal

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio discussing A.I. data centers, the budget surplus deal and — with Alabama and Megadeath coming to La Crosse — ticket prices and third-party sellers.

Pfaff also came in hyped that June is dairy month and will be hosting a dairy breakfast from 6-11 a.m. at Creamery Creek Farms in Bangor.

When it comes to legislation, though, the state did nothing the last two years with data centers, as multiple counties in Pfaff’s district debate moratoriums and study committees to address the issue. Democrats and Republicans had data center proposals, but neither passed the Legislature, which has now been out of session since March.

Pfaff also talked about voting against the budget surplus deal that was negotiated in private between Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislators, Robin Vos and Devin LeMahieu. The deal included no tax on tips/overtime, $300 checks and one year of special education funding and property tax relief. It was introduced to the public Monday and the Legislature voted on it two days later. After that, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau came out with a report that the deal would have put Wisconsin in a structural budget deficit. 

Before the data center conversation, we did talk about the Tank Creek Bridge that an arsonist burned down last year — part of the Great River Trail in La Crosse County.

We had some fun to begin the show, first asking what Pfaff was doing the last time Alabama came to the La Crosse Center in 1984. He revealed his first-ever concert was at the La Crosse Center but a year later — Huey Lewis and the News. 

With Alabama in town Sept. 10 — tickets just went on sale — and Megadeth at the Oktobefest Grounds on July 31, Pfaff also discussed whether the state needs to look into third-party ticket sellers and if there needs to be some laws created to protect concert goers. Viterbo University brought this issue up in the past, where these third-parties rip people off on ticket prices.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio discussing A.I. data centers, the budget surplus deal and &mdash; with Alabama and Megadeath coming to La Crosse &mdash; ticket prices and third-party sellers.
Pfaff also came in hyped that June is dairy month and will be hosting a dairy breakfast from 6-11 a.m. at Creamery Creek Farms in Bangor.
When it comes to legislation, though, the state did nothing the last two years with data centers, as multiple counties in Pfaff&rsquo;s district debate moratoriums and study committees to address the issue. Democrats and Republicans had data center proposals, but neither passed the Legislature, which has now been out of session since March.
Pfaff also talked about voting against the budget surplus deal that was negotiated in private between Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislators, Robin Vos and Devin LeMahieu. The deal included no tax on tips/overtime, $300 checks and one year of special education funding and property tax relief. It was introduced to the public Monday and the Legislature voted on it two days later. After that, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau came out with a report that the deal would have put Wisconsin in a structural budget deficit.&nbsp;
Before the data center conversation, we did talk about the Tank Creek Bridge that an arsonist burned down last year &mdash; part of the Great River Trail in La Crosse County.
We had some fun to begin the show, first asking what Pfaff was doing the last time Alabama came to the La Crosse Center in 1984. He revealed his first-ever concert was at the La Crosse Center but a year later &mdash; Huey Lewis and the News.&nbsp;
With Alabama <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/06/16/country-legends-alabama-at-the-la-crosse-center-in-september/">in town Sept. 10</a> &mdash; tickets just went on sale &mdash; and <a href="https://www.957therock.com/megadeth/">Megadeth at the Oktobefest Grounds</a> on July 31, Pfaff also discussed whether the state needs to look into third-party ticket sellers and if there needs to be some laws created to protect concert goers. Viterbo University <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2025/07/25/buyer-beware/">brought this issue</a> up in the past, where these third-parties rip people off on ticket prices.

Wisconsin state Sen. Pfaff on data centers, no tax on tips/OT deal, concert tickets

The logrolling champion of the world, seven years running, La Crosse’s own Livi Pappadopoulos, in studio to hype up Saturday’s La Crosse Open and give us the inside scoop on how she dominates the sport.

Pappadopoulos owns Coulee Region Logrolling, and it’s hosting the 25th annual La Crosse Open, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Pettibone Lagoon.

She tells us what to expect during the event, who might give her fits on the water, and some insider tips on what she sees on the log to get her opponent to fall.

Pappadopoulos also talks about Coulee Region Logrolling and invites anybody to get involved here.

The logrolling champion of the world, seven years running, La Crosse&rsquo;s own Livi Pappadopoulos, in studio to hype up Saturday&rsquo;s La Crosse Open and give us the inside scoop on how she dominates the sport.
Pappadopoulos owns Coulee Region Logrolling, and it&rsquo;s hosting the 25th annual La Crosse Open, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Pettibone Lagoon.
She tells us what to expect during the event, who might give her fits on the water, and some insider tips on what she sees on the log to get her opponent to fall.
Pappadopoulos also talks about Coulee Region Logrolling and invites anybody to get involved here.

In studio, Viterbo political science prof. Dr. Keith Knutson

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