We talked with La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat on Wisconsin's election debacle (though not so much in our area), some COVID-19 news, how the city may help small businesses, traffic lights, fixing the roads and what his dog keeps barking at in the background.

We talked with La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat on Wisconsin's election debacle (though not so much in our area), some COVID-19 news, how the city may help small businesses, traffic lights, fixing the roads and what his dog keeps barking at in the background.

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 Mayor Tim Kabat (and his dog barking in background)

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>

Bye Kwik Trip roller grills, medieval weapons at TSA, and new Facebook rules for kids

The biggest race in Wisconsin isn't for governor — not according to Devin Remiker. He wants Democrats to win the whole thing.

Remiker, who’s been the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for just over a year now, sat down with us at the 26-year running corn roast on Wednesday and made it clear that while winning the governor’s seat is critical, the party's primary goal is securing a state trifecta.

Remiker also criticized US House Rep. Derek Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) for choosing Rose Garden fundraisers over public access, weighed in on where Wisconsin might sit on the gerrymandering war, and brought up Tom Tiffany's voting record in Congress when asked about the governor's race.

Highlights:
Chasing the Trifecta: The argument for why winning the governorship, Assembly, and Senate is the party's ultimate target.
Calling Out Van Orden: How Remiker contrasts accessible local traditions with Republicans like Derek Van Orden "hiding in a little bubble."
Gerrymandering Dilemma: Remeker weighs in on whether Wisconsin Democrats should continue the gerrymandering fight, and what needs to happen nationally.
Retirement Wave: The real reason behind a record number of GOP legislative retirements under Wisconsin's updated maps.
Crowley vs. Tiffany: Remiker targets Tom Tiffany’s House record—pointing to his votes to cut healthcare and food assistance. 

There was also a bit of nostalgia from Remiker, as he noted the corn roast was "his baby," as he was starting out working under former 3rd CD Rep. Ron Kind. Fast forward to Wednesday, and the event brought out the complete statewide Democratic ticket — including David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State nominee JoCasta Zamarripa, and Treasurer nominee Yee Leng Xiong — alongside all three local Assembly representatives in Steve Doyle, Jill Billings and Tara Johnson.

The biggest race in Wisconsin isn't for governor &mdash; not according to Devin Remiker. He wants Democrats to win the whole thing.
Remiker, who&rsquo;s been the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for just over a year now, sat down with us at the 26-year running corn roast on Wednesday and made it clear that while winning the governor&rsquo;s seat is critical, the party's primary goal is securing a state trifecta.
Remiker also criticized US House Rep. Derek Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) for choosing Rose Garden fundraisers over public access, weighed in on where Wisconsin might sit on the gerrymandering war, and brought up Tom Tiffany's voting record in Congress when asked about the governor's race.
Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Chasing the Trifecta: The argument for why winning the governorship, Assembly, and Senate is the party's ultimate target.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Calling Out Van Orden: How Remiker contrasts accessible local traditions with Republicans like Derek Van Orden "hiding in a little bubble."</li>
<li aria-level="1">Gerrymandering Dilemma: Remeker weighs in on whether Wisconsin Democrats should continue the gerrymandering fight, and what needs to happen nationally.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Retirement Wave: The real reason behind a record number of GOP legislative retirements under Wisconsin's updated maps.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Crowley vs. Tiffany: Remiker targets Tom Tiffany&rsquo;s House record&mdash;pointing to his votes to cut healthcare and food assistance.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
There was also a bit of nostalgia from Remiker, as he noted the corn roast was "his baby," as he was starting out working under former 3rd CD Rep. Ron Kind. Fast forward to Wednesday, and the event brought out the complete statewide Democratic ticket &mdash; including David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State nominee JoCasta Zamarripa, and Treasurer nominee Yee Leng Xiong &mdash; alongside all three local Assembly representatives in Steve Doyle, Jill Billings and Tara Johnson.

La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat (and his dog barking in background)

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