Fresh off a wild, razor-thin Democratic primary for governor, Wisconsin State Assembly Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) stopped in studio to unpack what just went down — and where state politics go from here.

Plus, we dive into new state safety funding for UW-La Crosse dorms, policy realities on property taxes and marijuana, and a deeply personal story about a "Star Trek" clinical trial that saved her mom.

In this episode:


Primary Fallout & Strategy: We break down David Crowley’s dramatic primary victory over Francesca Hong, how key endorsements shifted momentum late, and what messaging actually broke through to nonpolitical voters as Democrats turn their focus to Tom Tiffany.


Reaching the Unaligned Voter: A candid look at voter instincts on the ground, how past communications can haunt candidates, and what the primary results signal about the state of the party.


Policy Realities & Revenue: The debate over legalizing marijuana, and the hard math behind funding universal childcare without a New Mexico-style oil boom.


Local Action & UW-La Crosse: Securing state funding for new fire sprinklers and alarms in UW-La Crosse dorms, local development updates, and her mom's "Star Trek" cancer trial.

Fresh off a wild, razor-thin Democratic primary for governor, Wisconsin State Assembly Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) stopped in studio to unpack what just went down &mdash; and where state politics go from here.
Plus, we dive into new state safety funding for UW-La Crosse dorms, policy realities on property taxes and marijuana, and a deeply personal story about a "Star Trek" clinical trial that saved her mom.
In this episode:
<ul data-path-to-node="2">
<li>
Primary Fallout &amp; Strategy: We break down David Crowley&rsquo;s dramatic primary victory over Francesca Hong, how key endorsements shifted momentum late, and what messaging actually broke through to nonpolitical voters as Democrats turn their focus to Tom Tiffany.
</li>
<li>
Reaching the Unaligned Voter: A candid look at voter instincts on the ground, how past communications can haunt candidates, and what the primary results signal about the state of the party.
</li>
<li>
Policy Realities &amp; Revenue: The debate over legalizing marijuana, and the hard math behind funding universal childcare without a New Mexico-style oil boom.
</li>
<li>
Local Action &amp; UW-La Crosse: Securing state funding for new fire sprinklers and alarms in UW-La Crosse dorms, local development updates, and her mom's "Star Trek" cancer trial.
</li>
</ul>

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 Rep. Billings on governor's race, universal childcare math & UW-L upgrades

Republican candidate for Wisconsin’s 95th Assembly, Cedric Schnitzler, in studio, discussing the critical agricultural and economic issues facing western Wisconsin, and issuing a direct call for the federal government to tackle soaring diesel prices.

Schnitzler, a lifelong farmer and Monroe County Board Chair, also discussed local policy and ag issues, including the push to protect groundwater, county efforts to refine data center moratoriums, and why state lawmakers need to protect local control.

Schnitzler is running against incumbent Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) in the fall elections that conclude Nov. 3.

Episode Highlights:
Federal Action on Diesel: Schnitzler calls on D.C. to take immediate action on $6 diesel, warning that soaring fuel costs are driving up prices on everything.
Data Center Moratorium: Monroe County moves to adjust its moratorium language so small business and hospital servers don't get swept up in tech regulations.
Local Control Under Siege: Schnitzler cautions that state lawmakers could strip local power over major developments, including data centers.
Forever Chemicals in Water: Why growing concerns over PFAS contamination near local waterways demand real accountability and cleaner alternatives.


Ag Supply Chain Under Pressure: How rising input costs, high fuel prices, and market shifts are impacting local producers and driving up grocery bills.


Fair-Share Farm Taxes: Why preserving agricultural use-value property assessments is critical to keeping local producers in business.

Republican candidate for Wisconsin&rsquo;s 95th Assembly, Cedric Schnitzler, in studio, discussing the critical agricultural and economic issues facing western Wisconsin, and issuing a direct call for the federal government to tackle soaring diesel prices.
Schnitzler, a lifelong farmer and Monroe County Board Chair, also discussed local policy and ag issues, including the push to protect groundwater, county efforts to refine data center moratoriums, and why state lawmakers need to protect local control.
Schnitzler is running against incumbent Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) in the fall elections that conclude Nov. 3.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Federal Action on Diesel: Schnitzler calls on D.C. to take immediate action on $6 diesel, warning that soaring fuel costs are driving up prices on everything.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Data Center Moratorium: Monroe County moves to adjust its moratorium language so small business and hospital servers don't get swept up in tech regulations.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Local Control Under Siege: Schnitzler cautions that state lawmakers could strip local power over major developments, including data centers.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Forever Chemicals in Water: Why growing concerns over PFAS contamination near local waterways demand real accountability and cleaner alternatives.</li>
<li>
Ag Supply Chain Under Pressure: How rising input costs, high fuel prices, and market shifts are impacting local producers and driving up grocery bills.
</li>
<li>
Fair-Share Farm Taxes: Why preserving agricultural use-value property assessments is critical to keeping local producers in business.
</li>
</ul>

Republican Assembly candidate Schnitzler on ag issues, gas price fallout, and data centers

An Anthropic insider recently gave humanity a decade before A.I. triggers total extinction, but we only had four minutes to chat about the end of the world on Friday’s Rick Solem Show—needing to talk about more urgent local matters, like an 11-year-old giving everyone a three-day head start before she found the Oktoberfest medallion.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky stopped in studio, joined by WIZM’s Kevin Millard and Brad Williams to talk the decline of candidate debates, why politicians don’t go all-in on data center bans, and Chergosky's tragic unfamiliarity with Maid-Rite sandwiches.

Episode Highlights:


Doomsday Math: AI insiders place the odds of human extinction within ten years at over 10%, raising the stakes on technology debates close to home.


Charlie Berens vs. Ben Wickler: A hypothetical matchup between the comedian and former WI Dem chair highlights the clash between political outsiders and party insiders.


Data Center Drama: Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down why current candidates are walking a fine line on massive data center projects while political outsiders lean into raw voter frustration.


Treasure Hunt Mastermind: An 11-year-old gave the entire city a three-day head start before snagging the Oktoberfest medallion on the bluffs in just five minutes.


One and Done: Statewide candidates are ditching multi-debate traditions for single-shot appearances, fundamentally changing how voters compare politicians on air.


No-Show Showdown: Congressional candidates in Wisconsin’s 3rd District continue to dodge head-to-head debates, leaving voters wondering who is ducking whom.


Loose Meat Returns: A local staple makes a massive comeback as community members line up for the famous Maid-Rite sandwich fundraiser.


Campus Culture Shock: Chergosky on incoming UW-La Crosse international students’ reactions to life in town—from disbelief over the 21-year-old drinking age to debates over cheese curds, health insurance, and Twizzlers.

An Anthropic insider recently gave humanity a decade before A.I. triggers total extinction, but we only had four minutes to chat about the end of the world on Friday&rsquo;s Rick Solem Show&mdash;needing to talk about more urgent local matters, like an 11-year-old giving everyone a three-day head start before she found the Oktoberfest medallion.
UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky stopped in studio, joined by WIZM&rsquo;s Kevin Millard and Brad Williams to talk the decline of candidate debates, why politicians don&rsquo;t go all-in on data center bans, and Chergosky's tragic unfamiliarity with Maid-Rite sandwiches.
Episode Highlights:
<ul data-path-to-node="6">
<li>
Doomsday Math: AI insiders place the odds of human extinction within ten years at over 10%, raising the stakes on technology debates close to home.
</li>
<li>
Charlie Berens vs. Ben Wickler: A hypothetical matchup between the comedian and former WI Dem chair highlights the clash between political outsiders and party insiders.
</li>
<li>
Data Center Drama: Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down why current candidates are walking a fine line on massive data center projects while political outsiders lean into raw voter frustration.
</li>
<li>
Treasure Hunt Mastermind: An 11-year-old gave the entire city a three-day head start before snagging the Oktoberfest medallion on the bluffs in just five minutes.
</li>
<li>
One and Done: Statewide candidates are ditching multi-debate traditions for single-shot appearances, fundamentally changing how voters compare politicians on air.
</li>
<li>
No-Show Showdown: Congressional candidates in Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd District continue to dodge head-to-head debates, leaving voters wondering who is ducking whom.
</li>
<li>
Loose Meat Returns: A local staple makes a massive comeback as community members line up for the famous Maid-Rite sandwich fundraiser.
</li>
<li>
Campus Culture Shock: Chergosky on incoming UW-La Crosse international students&rsquo; reactions to life in town&mdash;from disbelief over the 21-year-old drinking age to debates over cheese curds, health insurance, and Twizzlers.
</li>
</ul>

AI ending humanity in 10 years — but first, the 11-year-old Oktoberfest medallion mastermind

A lot covered with the city planning department in studio, from the old Kmart demo timeline and creating a public market to revamping the La Crosse's decades old zoning code.

Planning director Andrea Trane and deputy director Tim Acklin stopped in studio to help navigate some of the city's biggest projects.

Trane sets us straight on the $600,000 "public market study," while Acklin breaks down how rewriting decades-old zoning makes room for everything from doggy daycares to starter homes.

Episode Highlights:
Kmart Demolition Progress: Why state grant conditions are forcing a spring deadline for the old building to come down—and where city paperwork actually stands.
Public Market Truth: Trane sets the record straight on the $600,000 TID 11 transfer, what happens to those funds if a market isn't built, and why that money couldn't be used to save library jobs.
1980s Zoning Overhaul: Acklin breaks down why the city is overhauling land-use policies written during the Reagan administration, and what "missing middle" zoning actually means for future neighborhood growth.
Chasing Out-of-State Landlords: Trane breaks down the disconnect of dealing with Texas and New York landlords who don't understand La Crosse's key arteries, and why local ownership is the key to redeveloping areas like the old Kmart and Shopko.
Preserving Neighborhood Character: Acklin explains how new multi-family design standards will require duplexes and triplexes to visually blend into existing residential streets.
TID 101: Trane addresses how TIF districts work in practice and why those funds can't simply be redirected to cover general city expenses.

A lot covered with the city planning department in studio, from the old Kmart demo timeline and creating a public market to revamping the La Crosse's decades old zoning code.
Planning director Andrea Trane and deputy director Tim Acklin stopped in studio to help navigate some of the city's biggest projects.
Trane sets us straight on the $600,000 "public market study," while Acklin breaks down how rewriting decades-old zoning makes room for everything from doggy daycares to starter homes.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Kmart Demolition Progress: Why state grant conditions are forcing a spring deadline for the old building to come down&mdash;and where city paperwork actually stands.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Public Market Truth: Trane sets the record straight on the $600,000 TID 11 transfer, what happens to those funds if a market isn't built, and why that money couldn't be used to save library jobs.</li>
<li aria-level="1">1980s Zoning Overhaul: Acklin breaks down why the city is overhauling land-use policies written during the Reagan administration, and what "missing middle" zoning actually means for future neighborhood growth.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Chasing Out-of-State Landlords: Trane breaks down the disconnect of dealing with Texas and New York landlords who don't understand La Crosse's key arteries, and why local ownership is the key to redeveloping areas like the old Kmart and Shopko.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Preserving Neighborhood Character: Acklin explains how new multi-family design standards will require duplexes and triplexes to visually blend into existing residential streets.</li>
<li aria-level="1">TID 101: Trane addresses how TIF districts work in practice and why those funds can't simply be redirected to cover general city expenses.</li>
</ul>

La Crosse Rep. Billings on governor's race, universal childcare math & UW-L upgrades

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