UW-La Crosse outreach specialist Spencer Wilken in studio, on Star Wars day, talking space news and debunking moon landing conspiracies. We spent the entire second half of the show breaking down the moon landing "hoaxes," like the radiation belt, fake film, or why we haven't gone back. Before that, however, we did talk some space news, like a Barbie Black Hole and a real life lightsaber. Began the show, though, talking about Wilken's journey in getting her doctorate in Astrophysics/Astronomy, as well as her possibly being responsible for changing the University of Illinois mascot. CORRECTION: In terms of the moon landing, we did talk about why we didn't land objects on the moon before people, but the US actually did send objects first, in the mid-1960s, called the surveyor missions.

UW-La Crosse outreach specialist Spencer Wilken in studio, on Star Wars day, talking space news and debunking moon landing conspiracies. We spent the entire second half of the show breaking down the moon landing "hoaxes," like the radiation belt, fake film, or why we haven't gone back. Before that, however, we did talk some space news, like a Barbie Black Hole and a real life lightsaber. Began the show, though, talking about Wilken's journey in getting her doctorate in Astrophysics/Astronomy, as well as her possibly being responsible for changing the University of Illinois mascot. CORRECTION: In terms of the moon landing, we did talk about why we didn't land objects on the moon before people, but the US actually did send objects first, in the mid-1960s, called the surveyor missions.

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

On this May the 4th, UW-L’s Spencer Wilken breaks down moon landing conspiracies, other space news

La Crosse teachers’ union president Jill Schams in studio discussing how political groups like theirs needs to be, how things might be different without Act 10 and her thoughts on historic status of district buildings.

Schams, who’s president of the La Crosse Education Association, also talks about the school cellphone ban, new names and mascots for the new and renovated elementary schools, and staffing as the district consolidates buildings. 

We spent most of our time, though, on politics on various topics. Generally, though, just how schools, teachers and students are all affected by what happens in Madison and Washington, DC., and how teacher groups, union groups and school districts need to navigate those waters.

That discussion includes a look at Act 10, which could be struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and how things might be different without it. There is also the matter of the $600 million deal struck by three retiring politicians in the state for education funding and how details are needed to take a stance.

In terms of direct La Crosse School District issues, Schams is asked about potential complications that come with buildings getting historic status. When Logan Middle School closed, it was deemed historic after the fact, and the same thing is happening with Emerson Elementary, which will close after next school year. The Lincoln building is still going through a selling process years later, and the district is currently fighting historic status for Emerson.

La Crosse teachers&rsquo; union president Jill Schams in studio discussing how political groups like theirs needs to be, how things might be different without Act 10 and her thoughts on historic status of district buildings.
Schams, who&rsquo;s president of the La Crosse Education Association, also talks about the school cellphone ban, new names and mascots for the new and renovated elementary schools, and staffing as the district consolidates buildings.&nbsp;
We spent most of our time, though, on politics on various topics. Generally, though, just how schools, teachers and students are all affected by what happens in Madison and Washington, DC., and how teacher groups, union groups and school districts need to navigate those waters.
That discussion includes a look at Act 10, which could be struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and how things might be different without it. There is also the matter of the $600 million deal struck by three retiring politicians in the state for education funding and how details are needed to take a stance.
In terms of direct La Crosse School District issues, Schams is asked about potential complications that come with buildings getting historic status. When Logan Middle School closed, it was deemed historic after the fact, and the same thing is happening with Emerson Elementary, which will close after next school year. The Lincoln building is still going through a selling process years later, and the district is currently fighting historic status for Emerson.

La Crosse teachers’ union president Schams on getting political, a look at Act 10 and their role in closing schools

City council president Tamra Dickinson in studio helping discuss regulating e-bikes, defining downtown, and the missing public meeting on city admin while the public hears about pools and Pearl Street.

We open the show though with a quick nugget about why United Airlines is delaying flights between La Crosse and Chicago until October. We also talked quick about filling city committee roles and whether to consolidate some of those meetings.

The two big topics though were about the council meeting Thursday over e-bike regulations, which deal somewhat with whether Riverside Park is part of downtown (because you can't bike on sidewalks downtown). 

After that, Dickinson was asked where the city administrator conversation is happening. While the city conducts public meetings on a potential indoor aquatics center and a new look for Pearl Street downtown, nothing has come on city administrator — which has been a focal point of city government talks for two years. 

Also, with the city council having intensive conversations in committee and at monthly meetings over the budget, we talked about how a city administrator might facilitate those talks.

We also hit on the council having final say on historic status of buildings, including Emerson Elementary School, the city cutting down trees on Rose Street, Drift Cycle spots on the north side.

City council president Tamra Dickinson in studio helping discuss regulating e-bikes, defining downtown, and the missing public meeting on city admin while the public hears about pools and Pearl Street.
We open the show though with a quick nugget about why United Airlines is delaying flights between La Crosse and Chicago until October. We also talked quick about filling city committee roles and whether to consolidate some of those meetings.
The two big topics though were about the council meeting Thursday over e-bike regulations, which deal somewhat with whether Riverside Park is part of downtown (because you can't bike on sidewalks downtown).&nbsp;
After that, Dickinson was asked where the city administrator conversation is happening. While the city conducts public meetings on a potential indoor aquatics center and a new look for Pearl Street downtown, nothing has come on city administrator &mdash; which has been a focal point of city government talks for two years.&nbsp;
Also, with the city council having intensive conversations in committee and at monthly meetings over the budget, we talked about how a city administrator might facilitate those talks.
We also hit on the council having final say on historic status of buildings, including Emerson Elementary School, the city cutting down trees on Rose Street, Drift Cycle spots on the north side.

Council president Dickinson on regulating e-bikes and the missing city admin talk while La Crosse has pool and Pearl Street meetings

Mac Kiel in studio helping break down what’s happening in La Crosse city government, including a look at e-bike regulation and why the seems to be no city administrator conversation, while we’re conducing pool and Pearl Street meetings.

First, though, Kiel talks a bit about the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting’s discussing Thursday about the budget. Kiel talks about how the council had some good questions for the finance director on why the city puts its budget together the way it does. This was a topic last year, as the city scrambled to balance the budget and talked about the same dilemma with the order it’s constructed.

After that, we weaved a city administrator conversation into the public meetings the city is having surrounding the potential building of a $30 million indoor aquatics facility and the other public meeting about a new vision for Pearl Street downtown.

Lastly, we talked about the Judiciary and Administrative Committee’s look at what could be considered regulation or deregulation when it comes to e-bikes and e-scooters. It’s illegal to bike in Riverside Park? That was one part of the conversation.

Mac Kiel in studio helping break down what&rsquo;s happening in La Crosse city government, including a look at e-bike regulation and why the seems to be no city administrator conversation, while we&rsquo;re conducing pool and Pearl Street meetings.
First, though, Kiel talks a bit about the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting&rsquo;s discussing Thursday about the budget. Kiel talks about how the council had some good questions for the finance director on why the city puts its budget together the way it does. This was a topic last year, as the city scrambled to balance the budget and talked about the same dilemma with the order it&rsquo;s constructed.
After that, we weaved a city administrator conversation into the public meetings the city is having surrounding the potential building of a $30 million indoor aquatics facility and the other public meeting about a new vision for Pearl Street downtown.
Lastly, we talked about the Judiciary and Administrative Committee&rsquo;s look at what could be considered regulation or deregulation when it comes to e-bikes and e-scooters. It&rsquo;s illegal to bike in Riverside Park? That was one part of the conversation.

On this May the 4th, UW-L’s Spencer Wilken breaks down moon landing conspiracies, other space news

In 1 playlist(s)

WIZM - La Crosse

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips