After ranting a bit about how to open up Wisconsin for business, La Crosse Area YMCA CEO Bill Soper joined to discuss their plans for getting people back in the building. After that, La Crosse County Board president Monica Kruse joined to talk about what issues have come through their offices today. 

After ranting a bit about how to open up Wisconsin for business, La Crosse Area YMCA CEO Bill Soper joined to discuss their plans for getting people back in the building. After that, La Crosse County Board president Monica Kruse joined to talk about what issues have come through their offices today.&nbsp;

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

Opening up the YMCA, and La Crosse County ...

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

Marker 01

Marker 02

Marker 03

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>

Dem leader Garcia on Van Orden’s AI ‘slop,’ data center politics

One homeless meeting down, another to go in La Crosse, as Mac Kiel stopped in the WIZM studio for the Rick Solem Show to help break them down, as well as preview committee week.

The homeless conversation centered on a recent two-hour special meeting with a state official, in what Kiel called a “lively discussion and debate” between department heads and council members over short-term enforcement versus long-term solutions. Our chat also looked ahead to the Pathways Home update on Sept 8, where the city and county will review progress on the five-year strategy.

Plus, we unpacked the fallout after the city administrator vote fell just short of a supermajority, examine a closed-session library board meeting addressing a projected $400,000 deficit next year,, dive into new life for the old north side library community plan, and look ahead to committee week (J&A and F&P meeting agendas) — including a proposed charter ordinance on department head hiring, a municipal fine hike, and buying the Girl Scout building back for $1.

Episode Highlights:
Kmart Project Gridlock: Details how changing developer figures and delayed city approvals are stalling the long-awaited site revival.
Homelessness Boiling Point: Recounts a packed two-hour session as city departments and council members clash over short-term enforcement versus long-term plans.
Library Budget Squeeze: Unpacks a closed-session board meeting addressing potential staffing cuts amid wider city deficit fears.
Department Head Oversight: Explores a proposed charter ordinance that would give the city a one-year window to dismiss new hires at will.
North Side Plan Approved: Highlights ECDC’s green light for a community group’s $843,000 vision to repurpose the former library.
Citation Fee Hike: Examines a proposal raising municipal court fines for the first time since 2014 to offset tight city budgets.

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.

One homeless meeting down, another to go in La Crosse, as Mac Kiel stopped in the WIZM studio for the Rick Solem Show to help break them down, as well as preview committee week.
The homeless conversation centered on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/08/24/la-crosse-homeless-special-meeting/">two-hour special meeting</a>&nbsp;with a state official, in what Kiel called a &ldquo;lively discussion and debate&rdquo; between department heads and council members over short-term enforcement versus long-term solutions. Our chat also looked ahead to the&nbsp;<a href="https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1363128&amp;GUID=DB4F45B8-C046-4EE8-B875-24A622D0D6B9&amp;Options=info%7C&amp;Search=">Pathways Home update on Sept 8</a>, where the city and county will review progress on the five-year strategy.
Plus, we unpacked the fallout after the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/08/21/la-crosse-mayor-after-city-administrator-vote/">city administrator vote fell just short</a> of a supermajority, examine a closed-session library board meeting addressing a projected $400,000 deficit next year,, dive into new life for the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/08/27/northside-neighborhood-center-group-shares-vision-for-former-library/">old north side library community plan</a>, and look ahead to committee week (<a href="https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=21839&amp;GUID=965B0C78-BA24-4C13-B8BD-72479AE9FADC">J&amp;A</a> and <a href="https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=21838&amp;GUID=AB3D3127-B200-48ED-A4D6-764E7E303B9F">F&amp;P</a> meeting agendas) &mdash; including a proposed charter ordinance on department head hiring, a municipal fine hike, and buying the Girl Scout building back for $1.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li>Kmart Project Gridlock:&nbsp;Details how changing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/08/12/state-gives-8-million-loan-for-la-crosses-old-kmart-site-while-developer-speaks-out-about-costly-delays/">developer figures</a>&nbsp;and delayed city approvals are stalling the long-awaited site revival.</li>
<li>Homelessness Boiling Point:&nbsp;Recounts a packed two-hour session as city departments and council members clash over short-term enforcement versus long-term plans.</li>
<li>Library Budget Squeeze:&nbsp;Unpacks a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/08/24/double-squeeze-la-crosse-library-faces-local-staff-cuts-federal-funding-threat/">closed-session board meeting</a>&nbsp;addressing potential staffing cuts amid wider city deficit fears.</li>
<li>Department Head Oversight:&nbsp;Explores a&nbsp;<a href="https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8189740&amp;GUID=CFA571DD-A11E-4EB2-8882-42373D9753E2&amp;Options=&amp;Search=">proposed charter ordinance</a>&nbsp;that would give the city a one-year window to dismiss new hires at will.</li>
<li>North Side Plan Approved:&nbsp;Highlights&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/08/26/old-north-library-purchase-approved/">ECDC&rsquo;s green light</a>&nbsp;for a community group&rsquo;s $843,000 vision to repurpose the former library.</li>
<li>Citation Fee Hike:&nbsp;Examines a&nbsp;<a href="https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8189751&amp;GUID=FA7BA102-F73F-493F-BDDF-2A155A3A159A&amp;Options=&amp;Search=">proposal raising municipal court fines</a>&nbsp;for the first time since 2014 to offset tight city budgets.</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.

Opening up the YMCA, and La Crosse County ...

In 1 playlist(s)

WIZM - La Crosse

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips