The big topic of the day wasn't Mayo Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald on COVID-19 or the La Crosse School District potentially canning police in schools. It was whether you put tater tots on top or bottom of tater tot casserole. 

The big topic of the day wasn't Mayo Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald on COVID-19 or the La Crosse School District potentially canning police in schools. It was whether you put tater tots on top or bottom of tater tot casserole.&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

Tater tot casserole -- tots on top or bottom?

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>

Culture, tech, and The Ark: La Crosse football coaches Casey Knoble & Michael Arnold

A $1.3 million jail redesign to better handle severe mental health challenges and the future of 111 acres of county farmland in West Salem are two of the big topics discussed with La Crosse County Board Chair Tina Tryggestad.

Beyond the big policy votes, Tryggestad shares a personal connection to the old Shelby ball fields on 33rd Street as the county considers a new lease agreement. Plus, a lighthearted look at why steady, "boring" county government is usually a sign that local operations are actually working.

Key Topics:


$1.3 Million Jail Redesign: Why the county is drawing $1.3M from current budget savings for redesign blueprints—a project expected to cost around $10 million total—to address severe mental health challenges, safely separate inmate populations, and protect jailers.


111-Acre West Salem Farmland Review: Where things stand with 11 concept proposals (RFIs) submitted to potentially build housing on county-owned farmland, and how county leadership is partnering with the Village of West Salem on next steps.


Personal Connections at Hillview Ball Fields: Tryggestad reflects on her adult kids playing Shelby youth baseball on 33rd Street as the county considers transferring the field lease to the School District of La Crosse for Central High School athletics.


Sunsetting SMRT Bus Funding: The practical factors behind ending La Crosse County's financial support for Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit by December 31 due to low ridership metrics and dropped contributions from neighboring counties.


$22.3M ARPA Impact Report: A recap of how federal pandemic relief funds were deployed—including $12M toward the Hillview redesign, transitional housing units, and regional childcare grants.


Why "Boring" Government Works: Rick and Tina open with a lighthearted look at why steady, reliable county operations rarely generate chaotic headlines—and why consistency is the ultimate goal.

A $1.3 million jail redesign to better handle severe mental health challenges and the future of 111 acres of county farmland in West Salem are two of the big topics discussed with La Crosse County Board Chair Tina Tryggestad.
Beyond the big policy votes, Tryggestad shares a personal connection to the old Shelby ball fields on 33rd Street as the county considers a new lease agreement. Plus, a lighthearted look at why steady, "boring" county government is usually a sign that local operations are actually working.
Key Topics:
<ul data-path-to-node="5">
<li>
$1.3 Million Jail Redesign: Why the county is drawing $1.3M from current budget savings for redesign blueprints&mdash;a project expected to cost around $10 million total&mdash;to address severe mental health challenges, safely separate inmate populations, and protect jailers.
</li>
<li>
111-Acre West Salem Farmland Review: Where things stand with 11 concept proposals (RFIs) submitted to potentially build housing on county-owned farmland, and how county leadership is partnering with the Village of West Salem on next steps.
</li>
<li>
Personal Connections at Hillview Ball Fields: Tryggestad reflects on her adult kids playing Shelby youth baseball on 33rd Street as the county considers transferring the field lease to the School District of La Crosse for Central High School athletics.
</li>
<li>
Sunsetting SMRT Bus Funding: The practical factors behind ending La Crosse County's financial support for Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit by December 31 due to low ridership metrics and dropped contributions from neighboring counties.
</li>
<li>
$22.3M ARPA Impact Report: A recap of how federal pandemic relief funds were deployed&mdash;including $12M toward the Hillview redesign, transitional housing units, and regional childcare grants.
</li>
<li>
Why "Boring" Government Works: Rick and Tina open with a lighthearted look at why steady, reliable county operations rarely generate chaotic headlines&mdash;and why consistency is the ultimate goal.
</li>
</ul>

Tater tot casserole -- tots on top or bottom?

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