Politics of District Attorney

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La Crosse County felonies

La Crosse's first mass shooting

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke joins to breakdown the city’s first-ever mass shooting — a drive-by, downtown —  tracking the origin of the gun in those incidents, plus 1,000 felonies in 2024 and the politicization of positions like the one he holds.

We began the show discussing an initiative Gruenke is going to bring back called the Citizen Prosecutors Academy, where people can learn more about his position, why they make the decisions that they do and better understand everything that happens after a crime is committed. 

After that (7:50), we got into the politics of positions like district attorney and other local elections, and whether those positions should be nonpartisan or even consolidated to cover more regions. Some of that conversation revolved around how it’s not a very coveted job, where 90% of the elections go without an opponent. 

The second half of the show (19:25), we began with a bit more on the Prosecutor Academy, before getting into La Crosse County hitting 1,000 felonies for the year (23:20) and what most of those consist of. Plus, how first-time drug offenders are heavily penalized when, perhaps that is too severe.

Then we discussed La Crosse’s only mass shooting (27:20), where Deandrew Grant was sentenced recently to 32 years in prison. Grant drove the wrong way down 3rd Street, in downtown La Crosse, and opened fire, hitting seven people. Gruenke discusses his disbelief that the shooting wasn’t more publicized. 


Gruenke was also asked about the gun in that situation, and where Grant could have gotten it — as there are no laws that would trace it back to who sold it to him. Plus, how police might want better laws surrounding guns, so they aren’t on edge for every vehicle they pull over, worried that person might shoot them.


Another aspect of the drive-by mass shooting was the victims, and just how someone who has hospital bills from being shot is compensated. 

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke joins to breakdown the city’s first-ever mass shooting — a drive-by, downtown —  tracking the origin of the gun in those incidents, plus 1,000 felonies in 2024 and the politicization of positions like the one he holds.
We began the show discussing an initiative Gruenke is going to bring back called the Citizen Prosecutors Academy, where people can learn more about his position, why they make the decisions that they do and better understand everything that happens after a crime is committed. 
After that (7:50), we got into the politics of positions like district attorney and other local elections, and whether those positions should be nonpartisan or even consolidated to cover more regions. Some of that conversation revolved around how it’s not a very coveted job, where 90% of the elections go without an opponent. 
The second half of the show (19:25), we began with a bit more on the Prosecutor Academy, before getting into La Crosse County hitting 1,000 felonies for the year (23:20) and what most of those consist of. Plus, how first-time drug offenders are heavily penalized when, perhaps that is too severe.
Then we discussed La Crosse’s only mass shooting (27:20), where Deandrew Grant was sentenced recently to 32 years in prison. Grant drove the wrong way down 3rd Street, in downtown La Crosse, and opened fire, hitting seven people. Gruenke discusses his disbelief that the shooting wasn’t more publicized. 
 Gruenke was also asked about the gun in that situation, and where Grant could have gotten it — as there are no laws that would trace it back to who sold it to him. Plus, how police might want better laws surrounding guns, so they aren’t on edge for every vehicle they pull over, worried that person might shoot them.
 Another aspect of the drive-by mass shooting was the victims, and just how someone who has hospital bills from being shot is compensated.

Breaking down La Crosse's first-ever mass shooting, tracking the gun, and more with DA Tim Gruenke

Dr. Bri Spicer, Lifestyle Program Director at the La Crosse Area YMCAs, in the WIZM studio Wednesday for La Crosse Talk PM to discuss a diabetes prevention program she’s overseeing and shame news talk hosts into getting checked out. #Sarcasm. #Kindof

The La Crosse YMCA’s National Diabetes Prevention program is for those who have pre-diabetes. Spicer talks about who that is, how you would find that out and all the things that surround being part of the program.

We talk about the mental and physical aspects of preventing diabetes, including stress and what Spicer called positive self talk. We also hit on some of the more easily known factors, including nutrition — plus reading food labels — as well as sleep and activity — though we did stump Spicer on sleep OR activity.

Spicer said around 50% of people are pre-diabetic.

Spicer also talked about a quick quiz to see how at risk for diabetes, which we had her filibuster during the show, while I took the 1 minute test.

To find out more about her program at the La Crosse Area YMCAs, click here.

La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

Dr. Bri Spicer, Lifestyle Program Director at the La Crosse Area YMCAs, in the WIZM studio Wednesday for La Crosse Talk PM to discuss a diabetes prevention program she’s overseeing and shame news talk hosts into getting checked out. #Sarcasm. #Kindof
The La Crosse YMCA’s <a href="https://www.laxymca.org/diabetes-prevention">National Diabetes Prevention program</a> is for those who have pre-diabetes. Spicer talks about who that is, how you would find that out and all the things that surround being part of the program.
We talk about the mental and physical aspects of preventing diabetes, including stress and what Spicer called positive self talk. We also hit on some of the more easily known factors, including nutrition — plus reading food labels — as well as sleep and activity — though we did stump Spicer on sleep OR activity.
Spicer said around 50% of people are pre-diabetic.
Spicer also talked about a <a href="https://donations.diabetes.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=Diabetes_Risk_Test">quick quiz</a> to see how at risk for diabetes, which we had her filibuster during the show, while I took the 1 minute test.
To find out more about her program at the La Crosse Area YMCAs, <a href="https://www.laxymca.org/diabetes-prevention">click here</a>.
<hr>
La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app, <a href="https://www.lightningstream.com/Player.aspx?call=WIZM-AM">online here</a>, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/la-crosse-talk-pm-with-rick-solem/">podcasts here</a> or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

Dr. Bri Spicer on diabetes prevention, which she knows some talk show hosts should really get checked out

Webster's Time Traveler 

The Onion buys Alex Jones' Inforwars

Robin Vos v Donald Trump

La Crosse Schools $53.5 million referendum

How to go viral on Wheel of Fortune

UW-La Crosse political scientist, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio discussing the billions Wisconsin taxpayers agreed to pay for schools, Donald Trump's "outrageous" cabinet, going viral on Wheel of Fortune, The Onion buys Infowars and words that were born the year you were.

Began the show with news of President-elect's cabinet, like Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, for example, and why this makes headlines now, but didn't four years ago, when Joe Biden was coming into office.

Then we got into the Time Traveler on Webster's (8:30), where you can see what words were born in each year — dating back to before the 12th Century, before talking about The Onion buying Infowars, the outlandish media venture of Alex Jones.

Back to some politics, we hit on Republicans reelecting Robin Vos as Assembly Speaker in Wisconsin (20:35), despite his feuding with Trump. Then we talked how the state set a record for tax money to schools (23:30), and if residents are starting to get referendum fatigue, plus will that start to show in the state Legislature. The education secretary has requested a record for school spending for the upcoming budget.

Lastly, Ryan Seacrest's first viral clip on Wheel of Fortune, how he blew it and what you should be doing on the gameshow if you want to actually win money.

UW-La Crosse political scientist, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio discussing the billions Wisconsin taxpayers agreed to pay for schools, Donald Trump's "outrageous" cabinet, going viral on Wheel of Fortune, The Onion buys Infowars and words that were born the year you were.
Began the show with news of President-elect's cabinet, like Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, for example, and why this makes headlines now, but didn't four years ago, when Joe Biden was coming into office.
Then we got into the <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/time-traveler/2020">Time Traveler</a> on Webster's (8:30), where you can see what words were born in each year — dating back to before the 12th Century, before talking about <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2024/11/14/how-alex-jones-infowars-wound-up-in-the-hands-of-the-onion/">The Onion buying Infowars</a>, the outlandish media venture of Alex Jones.
Back to some politics, we hit on Republicans reelecting Robin Vos as Assembly Speaker in Wisconsin (20:35), despite his feuding with Trump. Then we talked how the state set a record for tax money to schools (23:30), and if residents are starting to get referendum fatigue, plus will that start to show in the state Legislature. The education secretary has requested a record for school spending for the upcoming budget.
Lastly, Ryan Seacrest's first <a href="https://x.com/barstoolsports/status/1856156500323860735">viral clip on Wheel of Fortune</a>, how he blew it and what you should be doing on the gameshow if you want to actually win money.

Trump's cabinet, going viral on Wheel of Fortune, WI taxpayers spending billions for schools with UW-La Crosse political scientist Chergosky

La Crosse County Board chair Tina Tryggestad in studio fresh off a five-hour 2025 budget meeting the night before, so of course that was a focus of the conversation that also included homelessness and renaming facilities.

We also got a bit of a civics lesson from Tryggestad in how the board gets to a final budget meeting, plus some budget details, including how American Rescue Plan Act funding is incorporated and granting certain funding requests from area groups. 

We also discussed the Pathways Home plan, which is a five-year plan to end homelessness and we got into some of the details of the Hillview Healthcare Center, which Tryggestad says is not going to be renamed by selling out to a corporate sponsor — something brought up for no reason whatsoever.

La Crosse County Board chair Tina Tryggestad in studio fresh off a five-hour 2025 budget meeting the night before, so of course that was a focus of the conversation that also included homelessness and renaming facilities.
We also got a bit of a civics lesson from Tryggestad in how the board gets to a final budget meeting, plus some budget details, including how American Rescue Plan Act funding is incorporated and granting certain funding requests from area groups. 
We also discussed the Pathways Home plan, which is a five-year plan to end homelessness and we got into some of the details of the Hillview Healthcare Center, which Tryggestad says is not going to be renamed by selling out to a corporate sponsor — something brought up for no reason whatsoever.

La Crosse County Board chair Tryggestad on $206 million budget, homeless plan, selling out

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Jill Billings in studio fresh off an election win, where she holds onto her District 95 seat. On the  show we look at some of the numbers and how she did in a voting district that had new boundaries, plus what to expect from the state Legislature over the next two years. Billings points out there's a state Supreme Court race on the ballot just months from now, which could turn the state upside down in terms of voting. We also talk about some priorities going forward, when the Legislature reconvenes next year. 

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Jill Billings in studio fresh off an election win, where she holds onto her District 95 seat. On the  show we look at some of the numbers and how she did in a voting district that had new boundaries, plus what to expect from the state Legislature over the next two years. Billings points out there's a state Supreme Court race on the ballot just months from now, which could turn the state upside down in terms of voting. We also talk about some priorities going forward, when the Legislature reconvenes next year.

Democrat Jill Billings on Assembly win and what to expect — or not — from Wisconsin's Legislature

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio to help dissect the fall election cycle, where we came to the conclusion that every level of government was its own unique situation. From Wisconsin's state Assembly and Senate races to the US House and Senate, to the presidency. Before that, however, La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds may have come up with a great name for a band, as he showed some discontent with the Judiciary and Administration Committee on the idea of creating a working group for a city administrator position.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio to help dissect the fall election cycle, where we came to the conclusion that every level of government was its own unique situation. From Wisconsin's state Assembly and Senate races to the US House and Senate, to the presidency. Before that, however, La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds may have come up with a great name for a band, as he showed some discontent with the Judiciary and Administration Committee on the idea of creating a working group for a city administrator position.

Election reaction with UW-La Crosse political scientist Chergosky, plus Mayor Reynolds' new band

A day after the election, Democrats Steve Doyle and Tara Johnson, who both won on Tuesday, stopped in studio to discuss whether the new makeup of Wisconsin's state Legislature means things getting done over the next two years. Doyle won by 217 votes in Assembly District 94, while Johnson  is the first Democrat to win in the 96th District since 1985. Also talked about was the money in politics, how Republican leadership framed losses in the Legislature and how to go about tackling issues this upcoming term, including the $4.7 billion budget surplus, school funding, childcare and more. 

A day after the election, Democrats Steve Doyle and Tara Johnson, who both won on Tuesday, stopped in studio to discuss whether the new makeup of Wisconsin's state Legislature means things getting done over the next two years. Doyle won by 217 votes in Assembly District 94, while Johnson  is the first Democrat to win in the 96th District since 1985. Also talked about was the money in politics, how Republican leadership framed losses in the Legislature and how to go about tackling issues this upcoming term, including the $4.7 billion budget surplus, school funding, childcare and more.

Doyle and Johnson on if Wisconsin's new state Legislature will get things done

La Crosse County and 3rd Congressional Democratic Party chair, William Garcia, in studio, working in sci-fi and politics as the fall election cycle comes to an end.

Garcia was a good sport to come on and have a conversation that would remain relevant, even after Election Day is over, so there’s not a ton of predictions going on here but we do talk about impact and philosophy a bit — including Darth Vader, Dark Helmet and other sketchy leadership.

So, of course, that meant bringing up my Scarlett Johansson interview this week, where I asked her “Star Wars or Star Trek?,” and while her answer was perfect, we dissected it even more when it came to Donald Trump.

As for this election cycle, we got into Garcia’s role as a delegate, where he was one of about 4,000 who selected Kamala Harris to replace Joe Biden, plus all the big names that came to La Crosse County — from Harris and Trump to Tim Walz and Tammy Baldwin, or Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobuchar to Mark Cuban — and his experience with all of that.

Before that, though, we hit on the importance of a party controlling the US House or the US Senate and the idea of an electoral college tie.

La Crosse County and 3rd Congressional Democratic Party chair, William Garcia, in studio, working in sci-fi and politics as the fall election cycle comes to an end.
Garcia was a good sport to come on and have a conversation that would remain relevant, even after Election Day is over, so there’s not a ton of predictions going on here but we do talk about impact and philosophy a bit — including Darth Vader, Dark Helmet and other sketchy leadership.
So, of course, that meant bringing up my Scarlett Johansson interview this week, where I asked her “Star Wars or Star Trek?,” and while her answer was perfect, we dissected it even more when it came to Donald Trump.
As for this election cycle, we got into Garcia’s role as a delegate, where he was one of about 4,000 who selected Kamala Harris to replace Joe Biden, plus all the big names that came to La Crosse County — from Harris and Trump to Tim Walz and Tammy Baldwin, or Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobuchar to Mark Cuban — and his experience with all of that.
Before that, though, we hit on the importance of a party controlling the US House or the US Senate and the idea of an electoral college tie.

La Crosse County Dem. chair Garcia with the perfect Donald Trump sci-fi analogy

Just hours after she left La Crosse with her husband, Gwen Walz called back into La Crosse Talk PM. The wife of Tim Walz joined to talk about education, her husband and his advocacy for women and the underprivileged. And, we did ask her if Tim's getting anxious — not because of the election stuff — but because there's no deer hunting in Washington, DC., despite the deer population thriving and the need to reduce that population. 

Just hours after she left La Crosse with her husband, Gwen Walz called back into La Crosse Talk PM. The wife of Tim Walz joined to talk about education, her husband and his advocacy for women and the underprivileged. And, we did ask her if Tim's getting anxious — not because of the election stuff — but because there's no deer hunting in Washington, DC., despite the deer population thriving and the need to reduce that population.

Gwen Walz on education and her husband, VP candidate Tim Walz

Two prominent Republicans, fed up with Donald Trump, stop in the WIZM studio Friday for La Crosse Talk PM to discuss why they’re touring the country to campaign for Kamala Harris. 

Ex-Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan of Georgia and former Mike Pence national security advisor Olivia Troye deep dive into why they feel this is such a crucial time for democracy, and the Republican Party, to vote for Harris and end Trump’s run in politics.

Adding to the discussion, UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, who helps analyze the political spectrum of this election

Before starting that deep dive, though, we, of course, had to hit on Duncan’s baseball past — a standout pitcher at Georgia Tech and drafted by the Florida Marlins. We talked how he played around the same time Alex Rodriguez was with the Appleton Foxes. And we unlocked a core memory for Duncan, who used to be called “The Vulture” — as he somehow amassed 10 wins and 13 saves one season — and may now be called Vulture again, come the end of this election.

Politically, we discussed Trump flooding the media with outrageous rhetoric, and brought up two things he said just this week, including in Green Bay. At a rally there Trump said he’s going to protect all women and “I’m going to do it whether the women like it or not.”

We also discussed the “whisper caucus,” which is a group of conservatives done with the Republican Party under Trump and what that means for the future of the GOP.

In terms of National Security, we got into Trump sidling up to dictators and how the rest of the world is watching and worrying about the potential outcome of the election with a second Trump term. 

And we got into empathy, one the themes from Duncan’s book, “GOP 2.0: How the 2020 Election Can Lead to a Better Way Forward for America's Conservative Party.

To wrap up (33:20), Chergosky gave his takes on the unique position that Duncan and Troye have put themselves in, going to multiple swing states, campaigning for Republicans to make that choice of Harris this election.

Two prominent Republicans, fed up with Donald Trump, stop in the WIZM studio Friday for La Crosse Talk PM to discuss why they’re touring the country to campaign for Kamala Harris. 
Ex-Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan of Georgia and former Mike Pence national security advisor Olivia Troye deep dive into why they feel this is such a crucial time for democracy, and the Republican Party, to vote for Harris and end Trump’s run in politics.
Adding to the discussion, UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, who helps analyze the political spectrum of this election
Before starting that deep dive, though, we, of course, had to hit on Duncan’s baseball past — a standout pitcher at Georgia Tech and drafted by the Florida Marlins. We talked how he played around the same time Alex Rodriguez was with the Appleton Foxes. And we unlocked a core memory for Duncan, who used to be called “The Vulture” — as he somehow amassed 10 wins and 13 saves one season — and may now be called Vulture again, come the end of this election.
Politically, we discussed Trump flooding the media with outrageous rhetoric, and brought up two things he said just this week, including in Green Bay. At a <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/1851778142580384209">rally there Trump said </a>he’s going to protect all women and “I’m going to do it whether the women like it or not.”
We also discussed the “whisper caucus,” which is a group of conservatives done with the Republican Party under Trump and what that means for the future of the GOP.
In terms of National Security, we got into Trump sidling up to dictators and how the rest of the world is watching and worrying about the potential outcome of the election with a second Trump term. 
And we got into empathy, one the themes from Duncan’s book, “GOP 2.0: How the 2020 Election Can Lead to a Better Way Forward for America's Conservative Party.
To wrap up (33:20), Chergosky gave his takes on the unique position that Duncan and Troye have put themselves in, going to multiple swing states, campaigning for Republicans to make that choice of Harris this election.

Ex-Georgia GOP Lt. Gov. Duncan and Mike Pence security advisor Troye in WIZM studio on Harris over Trump

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

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