Started the show on the idea of having to label someone Democrat or Republican, before you even know what they stand for — whether that's a new politician or a talk show host. Then discussed Donald Trump's executive order to keep meat "plants" open, as well as Mike Pence's actions at Mayo in Rochester. Lastly, we grill La Crosse County Health director Jen Rombalski on the Covid-19.

Started the show on the idea of having to label someone Democrat or Republican, before you even know what they stand for &mdash; whether that's a new politician or a talk show host. Then discussed Donald Trump's executive order to keep meat "plants" open, as well as Mike Pence's actions at Mayo in Rochester. Lastly, we grill La Crosse County Health director Jen Rombalski on the Covid-19.

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

Mike Pence did WHAT? Trump's forcing the meat industry to stay open?

La Crosse School District Superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel stopped in studio to unpack the massive 42-acre Trane property donation, breaking down how the surprise gift is reshaping long-term facility plans.

The handoff opens up possibilities the district couldn't have imagined just a few months ago — but forces leadership to re-examine everything from future campus layouts to athletic fields.

Engel also updated the timeline on selling Lincoln Middle School for affordable housing and set up the upcoming fall evaluation of the three closing elementary schools. 

Plus, we dive into the district's new high school drone certification program and Engel's “side gig” as a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard — including why jumping out of airplanes was a short-lived experience.

Episode Highlights:
Trane Campus Game-Changer: Engel explains how a surprise 42-acre donation could house charter academies or a new middle school — and why any major build will still require a community referendum.
Lincoln Middle Final Walkthrough: Community members get one last chance to tour the 99-year-old building before developers turn it into 51 affordable housing units.
Emerson, Spence, & Hintgen closing: With the new elementary school underway and State Road expanding, Engel breaks down the assessment process for the three closing schools — and whether the district should sell or keep the land.. 
Drone Pilot Certification: High schoolers are now flying drones for FAA certification, with full pilot licenses potentially on the horizon.
One and Done Airborne: Engel opens up about his National Guard service, including early training jumping out of airplanes that quickly proved paratrooper life wasn't his path.

La Crosse School District Superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel stopped in studio to unpack the massive 42-acre Trane property donation, breaking down how the surprise gift is reshaping long-term facility plans.
The handoff opens up possibilities the district couldn't have imagined just a few months ago &mdash; but forces leadership to re-examine everything from future campus layouts to athletic fields.
Engel also updated the timeline on selling Lincoln Middle School for affordable housing and set up the upcoming fall evaluation of the three closing elementary schools.&nbsp;
Plus, we dive into the district's new high school drone certification program and Engel's &ldquo;side gig&rdquo; as a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard &mdash; including why jumping out of airplanes was a short-lived experience.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Trane Campus Game-Changer: Engel explains how a surprise 42-acre donation could house charter academies or a new middle school &mdash; and why any major build will still require a community referendum.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Lincoln Middle Final Walkthrough: Community members get one last chance to tour the 99-year-old building before developers turn it into 51 affordable housing units.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Emerson, Spence, &amp; Hintgen closing:&nbsp;With the new elementary school underway and State Road expanding, Engel breaks down the assessment process for the three closing schools &mdash; and whether the district should sell or keep the land..&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Drone Pilot Certification: High schoolers are now flying drones for FAA certification, with full pilot licenses potentially on the horizon.</li>
<li aria-level="1">One and Done Airborne: Engel opens up about his National Guard service, including early training jumping out of airplanes that quickly proved paratrooper life wasn't his path.</li>
</ul>

Reshaping La Crosse schools: Superintendent Engel on Trane gift & what’s next

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff stopped by the studio to warn that despite a landmark Meta settlement, state lawmakers are failing to pass lasting regulations on Big Tech.

Coming off the multistate lawsuit settlement — where Wisconsin is set to receive over $250 million from a $17 billion national payout — Pfaff called it a major step for the state, but warned it’s only a starting point for broader tech regulation. He again criticized the GOP-controlled Legislature for ending session with eight months left in 2026, rather than tackling Big Tech, AI data centers, or school device rules head-on.

That inaction, Pfaff argued, leaves local communities to fend for themselves on everything from data center expansion to Flock surveillance cameras 

Aside from tech, Pfaff also got into some agriculture issues — like Trump’s beef import decision and meat and seed monopolies.

Wednesday, Pfaff is hosting his fifth “corn roast” that was started 26 years ago. All the big Democratic names will be at the La Crosse County Fairgrounds in West Salem — from David Crowley to Josh Kaul to Rebecca Cooke and all the area legislative Dems. The event runs 5:30-8 p.m. and will feature free brats, hot dogs, beer, soda and — of course — corn.

Episode Highlights:


Meta Settlement Millions: Wisconsin is set to receive over $250 million from a landmark Big Tech payout, with plans to target early youth mental health intervention.


Data Center Pushback: Unlikely alliances form as left and right voters unite in opposition against massive AI infrastructure projects and Flock surveillance cameras.


School Cell Banning: Local control versus statewide action on phone restrictions in classrooms sparks debate ahead of local superintendent discussions.


Beef Supply Shortage: A national herd low and a 300,000 metric ton import decision from Argentina trigger sharp warnings over corporate meatpacking control.


Free Corn, Big Names: State Sen. Brad Pfaff previews his 5th annual West Salem corn roast on Wednesday, featuring gubernatorial candidate David Crowley and AG Josh Kaul.

Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff stopped by the studio to warn that despite a landmark Meta settlement, state lawmakers are failing to pass lasting regulations on Big Tech.
Coming off the multistate lawsuit settlement &mdash; where Wisconsin is set to receive over $250 million from a $17 billion national payout &mdash; Pfaff called it a major step for the state, but warned it&rsquo;s only a starting point for broader tech regulation. He again criticized the GOP-controlled Legislature for ending session with eight months left in 2026, rather than tackling Big Tech, AI data centers, or school device rules head-on.
That inaction, Pfaff argued, leaves local communities to fend for themselves on everything from data center expansion to Flock surveillance cameras&nbsp;
Aside from tech, Pfaff also got into some agriculture issues &mdash; like Trump&rsquo;s beef import decision and meat and seed monopolies.
Wednesday, Pfaff is hosting his fifth &ldquo;corn roast&rdquo; that was started 26 years ago. All the big Democratic names will be at the La Crosse County Fairgrounds in West Salem &mdash; from David Crowley to Josh Kaul to Rebecca Cooke and all the area legislative Dems. The event runs 5:30-8 p.m. and will feature free brats, hot dogs, beer, soda and &mdash; of course &mdash; corn.
Episode Highlights:
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
Meta Settlement Millions: Wisconsin is set to receive over $250 million from a landmark Big Tech payout, with plans to target early youth mental health intervention.
</li>
<li>
Data Center Pushback: Unlikely alliances form as left and right voters unite in opposition against massive AI infrastructure projects and Flock surveillance cameras.
</li>
<li>
School Cell Banning: Local control versus statewide action on phone restrictions in classrooms sparks debate ahead of local superintendent discussions.
</li>
<li>
Beef Supply Shortage: A national herd low and a 300,000 metric ton import decision from Argentina trigger sharp warnings over corporate meatpacking control.
</li>
<li>
Free Corn, Big Names: State Sen. Brad Pfaff previews his 5th annual West Salem corn roast on Wednesday, featuring gubernatorial candidate David Crowley and AG Josh Kaul.
</li>
</ul>

Despite $250M Facebook settlement, Pfaff says Wisconsin isn't doing enough regulating tech

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Democratic Party Chair for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, William Garcia, stopped in studio to unpack why he believes U.S. House Rep. Derrick Van Orden is running a “desperate” re-election campaign.

Garcia highlights Van Orden’s use of AI deepfake videos on social media and bringing controversial Trump cabinet officials, like RFK Jr., into the district.

We also discussed state and national politics surrounding data centers — including between governor candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany — and the fallout from federal food safety rollbacks.

Plus, we go off on a sci-fi tangent about how Dune and The Matrix reflect today’s tech and cultural conflicts.

Episode Highlights:
Deepfake AI Videos: Garcia calls out Van Orden for posting AI-generated “slop” videos of challenger Rebecca Cooke on social media to fool voters.
RFK Jr. Photo Op: Why standing next to the Health Secretary backfires in a heavily rural, agricultural district currently dealing with widespread food recalls.
The Debate Stand-Off: Garcia addresses the push to schedule a 3rd District debate and accuses Van Orden’s team of dodging negotiations to run out the clock.
Data Center War: How Tom Tiffany is trying to label David Crowley as “pro-data center” in the governor’s race despite Tiffany’s own Congressional votes blocking restrictions on AI development.
Scifi Meets Politics: A look at how Dune and The Matrix serve as modern allegories for AI overreach, technological dependency, and trans identity.

Democratic Party Chair for Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd Congressional District, William Garcia, stopped in studio to unpack why he believes U.S. House Rep. Derrick Van Orden is running a &ldquo;desperate&rdquo; re-election campaign.
Garcia highlights Van Orden&rsquo;s use of AI deepfake videos on social media and bringing controversial Trump cabinet officials, like RFK Jr., into the district.
We also discussed state and national politics surrounding data centers &mdash; including between governor candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany &mdash; and the fallout from federal food safety rollbacks.
Plus, we go off on a sci-fi tangent about how&nbsp;Dune&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Matrix&nbsp;reflect today&rsquo;s tech and cultural conflicts.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li>Deepfake AI Videos:&nbsp;Garcia calls out Van Orden for posting AI-generated &ldquo;slop&rdquo; videos of challenger Rebecca Cooke on social media to fool voters.</li>
<li>RFK Jr. Photo Op:&nbsp;Why standing next to the Health Secretary backfires in a heavily rural, agricultural district currently dealing with widespread food recalls.</li>
<li>The Debate Stand-Off:&nbsp;Garcia addresses the push to schedule a 3rd District debate and accuses Van Orden&rsquo;s team of dodging negotiations to run out the clock.</li>
<li>Data Center War:&nbsp;How Tom Tiffany is trying to label David Crowley as &ldquo;pro-data center&rdquo; in the governor&rsquo;s race despite Tiffany&rsquo;s own Congressional votes blocking restrictions on AI development.</li>
<li>Scifi Meets Politics:&nbsp;A look at how&nbsp;Dune&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Matrix&nbsp;serve as modern allegories for AI overreach, technological dependency, and trans identity.</li>
</ul>

Mike Pence did WHAT? Trump's forcing the meat industry to stay open?

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