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

Ron Kind interview with Rick Solem

The Wisconsin governor's race has turned into who can run away from data centers the fastest — unless you really love cheese.

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio to break down the ironic data center clash between Tom Tiffany and David Crowley and the bizarre argument by Wisconsin's econ chief that hating data centers means giving up dairy.

But we start the show with WIZM’s Brad Williams breaking down Tiffany’s campaign stop at a Coon Valley farm and the La Crosse Park Board’s decision to shorten operating hours at Cameron and Burns Parks.

Key Topics:
Cheese vs. Data Centers: Reacting to the WEDC secretary claiming that data centers take less water than making cheese — so if we want one, then we must have the other.


"Data Center David Crowley" & Campaign Strategy: How Tom Tiffany is trying to brand David Crowley as "Data Center David," Crowley's local veto defense, and why moratorium talk is spreading across both parties.


Data Center Backlash: Why candidates in the governor's race are scrambling to pin data centers on each other, and how national public opinion has rapidly shifted against tech infrastructure.


Tom Tiffany in Coon Valley: Brad Williams recaps Tiffany’s campaign stop on a local farm to press agricultural and land preservation issues.


Shortened Park Hours: Brad Williams details the La Crosse Park Board’s vote to trim closing hours at Cameron and Burns Parks.

The Wisconsin governor's race has turned into who can run away from data centers the fastest &mdash; unless you really love cheese.
UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio to break down the ironic data center clash between Tom Tiffany and David Crowley and the bizarre argument by Wisconsin's econ chief that hating data centers means giving up dairy.
But we start the show with WIZM&rsquo;s Brad Williams breaking down Tiffany&rsquo;s campaign stop at a Coon Valley farm and the La Crosse Park Board&rsquo;s decision to shorten operating hours at Cameron and Burns Parks.
Key Topics:
<ul data-path-to-node="9">
<li>Cheese vs. Data Centers: Reacting to the WEDC secretary claiming that data centers take less water than making cheese &mdash; so if we want one, then we must have the other.</li>
<li>
"Data Center David Crowley" &amp; Campaign Strategy: How Tom Tiffany is trying to brand David Crowley as "Data Center David," Crowley's local veto defense, and why moratorium talk is spreading across both parties.
</li>
<li>
Data Center Backlash: Why candidates in the governor's race are scrambling to pin data centers on each other, and how national public opinion has rapidly shifted against tech infrastructure.
</li>
<li>
Tom Tiffany in Coon Valley: Brad Williams recaps Tiffany&rsquo;s campaign stop on a local farm to press agricultural and land preservation issues.
</li>
<li>
Shortened Park Hours: Brad Williams details the La Crosse Park Board&rsquo;s vote to trim closing hours at Cameron and Burns Parks.
</li>
</ul>

If you like cheese, you'll love data centers — UW-L's Chergosky tries to make it make sense 

City administrator drama, changing park hours, and clearing up budget confusion with La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey in the WIZM studio Thursday for the The Rick Solem Show.

Washington-Spivey discusses the council failing to pass a city administrator ordinance again and what the path forward looks like. Plus, we discuss homelessness with two meetings coming up soon, the closure of Karuna House and park hour reductions.

We also touch on the $600,000 allocation of funds for public market plans, the real story behind the city’s $8 million budget shortfall for next year, and the old north side library’s future.

 

Key Topics:
City Administrator Reset: What now after the charter ordinance failed by one vote, the mayor’s push for a flexible operational leadership model, and how the city’s ongoing workforce study factors in.
Park Hours & Public Nuisances: Adjusting operating hours at Burns and Cameron Parks to 6 a.m.–9 p.m. to curb late-night disturbances and illegal camping.
Homelessness & Regional Strategy: Previews of upcoming city and county work sessions on the Pathways Home initiative, and navigating the operational fallout of Karuna House closing.
Debunking the $8M Budget Deficit: Breaking down the baseline calculations from the budget parameter meeting and how state Expenditure Restraint Program (ERP) targets actually work.
$600K Public Market Investment: Allocating TID funds for a comprehensive market feasibility study and broader urban renewal vision.
North Side Library: Mayor offers a quick update, after one group expresses interest in the building.

Listen live weekdays at 5:05 p.m. Find the pod on Spotify, Apple Podcast or here. Tune in on the WIZM app or on air at 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska) 

City administrator drama, changing park hours, and clearing up budget confusion with La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey in the WIZM studio Thursday for the The Rick Solem Show.
Washington-Spivey discusses the council failing to pass a city administrator ordinance again and what the path forward looks like. Plus, we discuss homelessness with two meetings coming up soon, the closure of Karuna House and park hour reductions.
We also touch on the $600,000 allocation of funds for public market plans, the real story behind the city&rsquo;s $8 million budget shortfall for next year, and the old north side library&rsquo;s future.
&nbsp;
Key Topics:
<ul>
<li>City Administrator Reset:&nbsp;What now after the charter ordinance failed by one vote, the mayor&rsquo;s push for a flexible operational leadership model, and how the city&rsquo;s ongoing workforce study factors in.</li>
<li>Park Hours &amp; Public Nuisances:&nbsp;Adjusting operating hours at Burns and Cameron Parks to 6 a.m.&ndash;9 p.m. to curb late-night disturbances and illegal camping.</li>
<li>Homelessness &amp; Regional Strategy:&nbsp;Previews of upcoming city and county work sessions on the Pathways Home initiative, and navigating the operational fallout of Karuna House closing.</li>
<li>Debunking the $8M Budget Deficit:&nbsp;Breaking down the baseline calculations from the budget parameter meeting and how state Expenditure Restraint Program (ERP) targets actually work.</li>
<li>$600K Public Market Investment:&nbsp;Allocating TID funds for a comprehensive market feasibility study and broader urban renewal vision.</li>
<li>North Side Library:&nbsp;Mayor offers a quick update, after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/08/18/northside-neighborhood-group-only-ones-to-show-interest-in-library-property/">one group expresses interest</a>&nbsp;in the building.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Listen live weekdays at 5:05 p.m. Find the pod on&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1k1QCGhGrFA5KH9Rxh6fIO">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/la-crosse-talk-pm-wizm/id1445077021">Apple Podcast</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/la-crosse-talk-pm-with-rick-solem/">here</a>. Tune in on the WIZM app or on air at 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska)&nbsp;

La Crosse's mayor on city admin, park hours, homelessness and “$8M budget shortfall”

Ahead of Friday night's season openers, both of La Crosse's high school football coaches stopped in studio to talk about why kids don't watch games anymore, what it’s like preparing for the iconic "Ark" rivalry game between them and the evolution of the game — and the athletes. Central’s Michael Arnold and Logan’s Casey Knoble step away from the playbooks for a wide-ranging, lighthearted chat about the shifting culture of high school sports.

Before diving into the gridiron, we discuss how the high school experience has evolved — from cell phone bans in school to playbooks going from VHS tapes to iPads. The coaches also break down the veteran vs. rookie dynamic between Knoble (entering his 16th season) and Arnold (entering his 1st), and how today's hyper-trained athletes compare to past generations.

Topic rundown:


Teaching & Tech Culture: How cell phone bans impact school life, managing student iPads, and keeping kids focused away from screens.


16 Seasons vs. Season 1: Casey Knoble’s veteran perspective leading Logan versus Michael Arnold stepping into his first year as Central's head coach.


The Evolution of the Game: The shift from crowding around a TV to watch a VHS tape in the '90s to breaking down film on individual phones and iPads.


Toughness & Training: Why traditional two-a-day practices disappeared, how athlete conditioning has changed, and why kids don't watch games like they used to.


Modern Roster Realities: Managing 70+ player rosters, handling the physical toll on two-way starters, and navigating post-COVID athlete turnout.


The Ark of Victory: The deep tradition, school culture, and lasting memories surrounding La Crosse's iconic carved wooden rivalry trophy.


Coaching Beyond the Field: Drawing inspiration from Ted Lasso on connecting with players, building lasting relationships, and preparing kids for life after high school.

Ahead of Friday night's season openers, both of La Crosse's high school football coaches stopped in studio to talk about why kids don't watch games anymore, what it&rsquo;s like preparing for the iconic "Ark" rivalry game between them and the evolution of the game &mdash; and the athletes. Central&rsquo;s Michael Arnold and Logan&rsquo;s Casey Knoble step away from the playbooks for a wide-ranging, lighthearted chat about the shifting culture of high school sports.
Before diving into the gridiron, we discuss how the high school experience has evolved &mdash; from cell phone bans in school to playbooks going from VHS tapes to iPads. The coaches also break down the veteran vs. rookie dynamic between Knoble (entering his 16th season) and Arnold (entering his 1st), and how today's hyper-trained athletes compare to past generations.
Topic rundown:
<ul data-path-to-node="6">
<li>
Teaching &amp; Tech Culture: How cell phone bans impact school life, managing student iPads, and keeping kids focused away from screens.
</li>
<li>
16 Seasons vs. Season 1: Casey Knoble&rsquo;s veteran perspective leading Logan versus Michael Arnold stepping into his first year as Central's head coach.
</li>
<li>
The Evolution of the Game: The shift from crowding around a TV to watch a VHS tape in the '90s to breaking down film on individual phones and iPads.
</li>
<li>
Toughness &amp; Training: Why traditional two-a-day practices disappeared, how athlete conditioning has changed, and why kids don't watch games like they used to.
</li>
<li>
Modern Roster Realities: Managing 70+ player rosters, handling the physical toll on two-way starters, and navigating post-COVID athlete turnout.
</li>
<li>
The Ark of Victory: The deep tradition, school culture, and lasting memories surrounding La Crosse's iconic carved wooden rivalry trophy.
</li>
<li>
Coaching Beyond the Field: Drawing inspiration from Ted Lasso on connecting with players, building lasting relationships, and preparing kids for life after high school.
</li>
</ul>

Ron Kind interview with Rick Solem

WIZM - La Crosse

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