Assistant Chief Rob Abraham joins from the city of La Crosse Police Department. Before that, Rick calls out the La Crosse County Republican Party on questioning leadership throughout the city.

Assistant Chief Rob Abraham joins from the city of La Crosse Police Department. Before that, Rick calls out the La Crosse County Republican Party on questioning leadership throughout the city.

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

La Crosse Asst. Police Chief Rob Abraham

Committee Week Overview

Data Centers, creating committee & bike plan

City Administrator

Public Market

It’s committee week in the City of La Crosse, where the creation of an administrator position is back on the agenda, along with new movement on a potential public market.

Mac Kiel stopped in studio to help break down the key items up for discussion across Judiciary & Administration (J&A) and Finance & Personnel (F&P).

We talk about how a 4,500+ signature petition could lead to a new committee, TID funds slotted for the old Kmart and Shopko sites, and a proposed pause on data center developments.

Plus, Kiel helps break down the city’s projected $8 million budget shortfall for next year and how that compares to this time last year, when La Crosse was facing a $5 million shortfall at this time.

Just to note, the J&A committee meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday (agenda) due to National Night Out, while the F&P (agenda) meets at its regularly scheduled 6 p.m. Thursday time.

Topics moving through committee:


Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan: Key updates and greenway adjustments


Public Market: $600,000 in TID funds proposed to update feasibility studies


Capital Improvement Project: Reviewing the $60 million CIP budget


Downtown Parking: $187,000 assessment for properties in the downtown district


Town of Campbell Incorporation: $90,000 allocation to support the city's legal appeal


Legal Settlement: $75,000 city payout for a vehicle accident claim


Public Safety & Environment: Police department SAFE camera donation and filing to reinstate La Crosse as a official "Bird City"

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.

It&rsquo;s committee week in the City of La Crosse, where the creation of an administrator position is back on the agenda, along with new movement on a potential public market.
Mac Kiel stopped in studio to help break down the key items up for discussion across Judiciary &amp; Administration (J&amp;A) and Finance &amp; Personnel (F&amp;P).
We talk about how a 4,500+ signature petition could lead to a new committee, TID funds slotted for the old Kmart and Shopko sites, and a proposed pause on data center developments.
Plus, Kiel helps break down the city&rsquo;s projected $8 million budget shortfall for next year and how that compares to this time last year, when La Crosse was facing a $5 million shortfall at this time.
Just to note, the J&amp;A committee meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday (<a href="https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1363293&amp;GUID=807E21D7-49BA-426D-8531-96742119A7E7&amp;Options=info|&amp;Search=">agenda</a>) due to National Night Out, while the F&amp;P (<a href="https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1363313&amp;GUID=0F28EE10-117F-459C-A55E-73838AE8B01C&amp;Options=info|&amp;Search=">agenda</a>) meets at its regularly scheduled 6 p.m. Thursday time.
Topics moving through committee:
<ul data-path-to-node="8">
<li>
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan: Key updates and greenway adjustments
</li>
<li>
Public Market: $600,000 in TID funds proposed to update feasibility studies
</li>
<li>
Capital Improvement Project: Reviewing the $60 million CIP budget
</li>
<li>
Downtown Parking: $187,000 assessment for properties in the downtown district
</li>
<li>
Town of Campbell Incorporation: $90,000 allocation to support the city's legal appeal
</li>
<li>
Legal Settlement: $75,000 city payout for a vehicle accident claim
</li>
<li>
Public Safety &amp; Environment: Police department SAFE camera donation and filing to reinstate La Crosse as a official "Bird City"
</li>
</ul>
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.

City admin, a public market — we preview committee week with Mac Kiel

It’s been a wild 24 hours — and an even wilder three weeks — in Wisconsin politics. Just as the latest Marquette Law School Poll wrapped up, another major candidate dropped out of the Democratic primary for governor.

So, who better to help explain that than the premier pollster in the state? Dr. Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, joins alongside UW-L political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky.

Together, they break down the latest polling data, unpack the chaos of a rapidly shifting candidate field — including Franklin’s story about hearing Mandela Barnes dropped out right after putting out a new poll and nearly driving into a ditch — and look under the hood at how modern polling actually works in a high-stakes swing state.

MAIN TOPICS:


The Primary Moving Target: Dr. Franklin shares his real-time reaction to major candidate exits (including Barnes dropping out right after polling completed) and explains how pollsters re-allocate "second choice" votes and "leaners."


The Rise of Francesca Hong: A breakdown of candidate trajectories — how Hong built steady, organic momentum among younger and very liberal voters while other campaigns remained flat or stalled out.


How Polling Actually Works Today: Busting the myth of random digit landline calling. Dr. Franklin explains Marquette's modern hybrid methodology using voter lists, text/email links, online panels, and how they filter out low-attention or "trash" responses.


MAGA, Socialist & Political Buzzwords: A look at Marquette's polling experiment on "Democratic Socialism" vs. "DSA" — and a discussion on how labels like "MAGA," "Socialist," and "Fascist" are weaponized on the campaign trail and whether overusing them dilutes their impact.


The Limited Power of Endorsements: Why 89% of state Democrats approve of Gov. Tony Evers, yet his endorsement of David Crowley hasn't automatically translated into primary vote totals — plus why primary voters consistently make up their minds in the final days.

It&rsquo;s been a wild 24 hours &mdash; and an even wilder three weeks &mdash; in Wisconsin politics. Just as the latest Marquette Law School Poll wrapped up, another major candidate dropped out of the Democratic primary for governor.
So, who better to help explain that than the premier pollster in the state? Dr. Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, joins alongside UW-L political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky.
Together, they break down the latest polling data, unpack the chaos of a rapidly shifting candidate field &mdash; including Franklin&rsquo;s story about hearing Mandela Barnes dropped out right after putting out a new poll and nearly driving into a ditch &mdash; and look under the hood at how modern polling actually works in a high-stakes swing state.
MAIN TOPICS:
<ul data-path-to-node="8">
<li>
The Primary Moving Target: Dr. Franklin shares his real-time reaction to major candidate exits (including Barnes dropping out right after polling completed) and explains how pollsters re-allocate "second choice" votes and "leaners."
</li>
<li>
The Rise of Francesca Hong: A breakdown of candidate trajectories &mdash; how Hong built steady, organic momentum among younger and very liberal voters while other campaigns remained flat or stalled out.
</li>
<li>
How Polling Actually Works Today: Busting the myth of random digit landline calling. Dr. Franklin explains Marquette's modern hybrid methodology using voter lists, text/email links, online panels, and how they filter out low-attention or "trash" responses.
</li>
<li>
MAGA, Socialist &amp; Political Buzzwords: A look at Marquette's polling experiment on "Democratic Socialism" vs. "DSA" &mdash; and a discussion on how labels like "MAGA," "Socialist," and "Fascist" are weaponized on the campaign trail and whether overusing them dilutes their impact.
</li>
<li>
The Limited Power of Endorsements: Why 89% of state Democrats approve of Gov. Tony Evers, yet his endorsement of David Crowley hasn't automatically translated into primary vote totals &mdash; plus why primary voters consistently make up their minds in the final days.
</li>
</ul>

Wisconsin primary chaos with Marquette pollster Dr. Franklin & UW-L's Dr. Chergosky

From the business community's perspective, La Crosse needs a city administrator.

La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Sam Scinta and government relations director Allyson Fergot in studio explaining why 99% of their members support the move — and why they believe operating without one is costing the city more in the long run.

HIGHLIGHTS:



Overwhelming business support: Why 99% of the Chamber's 540-plus members—from small shops to non-profits and healthcare—back the position.


Streamlining development: Why local non-profits told the Chamber they would rather have a city administrator than a new zoning code to cut through red tape.


Managing a $74 million operation: Why treating city government like a complex enterprise requires consistent, professional management alongside elected policy makers.


Predictability for local business: How a central administrator creates clear processes and stable leadership that outlasts political turnover.

Next week the city council begins again its debate on creating the charter ordinance position, beginning with the Judiciary and Administrative Committee (agenda) at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The council did get the same ordinance through by a 7-6 vote back in February, but it needed a supermajority.

NOTE: This interview was recorded prior to Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey releasing a video opposing the proposed charter ordinance. The mayor argued the specific legislation takes statutory power away from elected leadership and removes the voice of the people from City Hall. Watch and read more about the mayor's response here.

From the business community's perspective, La Crosse needs a city administrator.
La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Sam Scinta and government relations director Allyson Fergot in studio explaining why 99% of their members support the move &mdash; and why they believe operating without one is costing the city more in the long run.
HIGHLIGHTS:
<ul>
<li>
<ul data-path-to-node="7">
<li>
Overwhelming business support: Why 99% of the Chamber's 540-plus members&mdash;from small shops to non-profits and healthcare&mdash;back the position.
</li>
<li>
Streamlining development: Why local non-profits told the Chamber they would rather have a city administrator than a new zoning code to cut through red tape.
</li>
<li>
Managing a $74 million operation: Why treating city government like a complex enterprise requires consistent, professional management alongside elected policy makers.
</li>
<li>
Predictability for local business: How a central administrator creates clear processes and stable leadership that outlasts political turnover.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Next week the city council begins again its debate on creating the charter ordinance position, beginning with the Judiciary and Administrative Committee (agenda) at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The council did get the same ordinance through by a 7-6 vote back in February, but it needed a supermajority.
NOTE: This interview was recorded prior to Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey releasing a video opposing the proposed charter ordinance. The mayor argued the specific legislation takes statutory power away from elected leadership and removes the voice of the people from City Hall. Watch and read more about the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/07/30/la-crosse-mayor-opposes-city-administrator/">mayor's response here</a>.

La Crosse Asst. Police Chief Rob Abraham

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