Did you know the Amazon rainforest is burning? Not many did until about a few days ago, but it's been going on for over two weeks. 

Also, La Crescent Police Chief Doug Stavenau talks about how they've enforced Minnesota's new cellphone-driving law.

Plus, the Animal Fact of the Day.

Did you know the Amazon rainforest is burning? Not many did until about a few days ago, but it's been going on for over two weeks.&nbsp;
Also, La Crescent Police Chief Doug Stavenau talks about how they've enforced Minnesota's new cellphone-driving law.
Plus, the Animal Fact of the Day.

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

The Amazon rainforest is burning ...

Invocation from Brad Williams

La Crosse ends invocations

Local, state, national invocations 

Chergosky eavesdrops a 1st date

First date topic: Afraid to go to space

Caller on invocations

UW-L students on prayer in Congress

MN Gov. Walz dropping out

From governments holding invocations — like prayers before meetings — to the best and worst first-date topics, we covered it all with University of Wisconsin-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky.

The conversation comes as the La Crosse City Council voted Thursday to end invocations before meetings. WIZM’s Brad Williams helped open the show with his own rendition of an invocation, before breaking down that council decision and the local history surrounding the practice.

We somehow wove the invocation conversation into a talk about first-date topics, as Chergosky shared a story about studying up for the show at a coffee shop only to overhear a couple talking about the exact same thing — religion.

Chergosky also shared how his students ended up interested in the topic for an entirely different reason, almost by accident. During one of his classes on Congress, his students gravitated to the opening of Senate and House meetings with a prayer, leading to four distinct types of reactions.

From governments holding invocations &mdash; like prayers before meetings &mdash; to the best and worst first-date topics, we covered it all with University of Wisconsin-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky.
The conversation comes as the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/01/09/vote-against-invocations/">La Crosse City Council voted Thursday to end invocations</a> before meetings. WIZM&rsquo;s Brad Williams helped open the show with his own rendition of an invocation, before breaking down that council decision and the local history surrounding the practice.
We somehow wove the invocation conversation into a talk about first-date topics, as Chergosky shared a story about studying up for the show at a coffee shop only to overhear a couple talking about the exact same thing &mdash; religion.
Chergosky also shared how his students ended up interested in the topic for an entirely different reason, almost by accident. During one of his classes on Congress, his students gravitated to the opening of Senate and House meetings with a prayer, leading to four distinct types of reactions.

UW-L's Chergosky on the politics of prayer, plus good (and bad) first-date conversations

Seven-time log rolling world champion, Livi Pappadopoulos, stopped in studio to talk about how ending up alone balancing on a log in the water can be an amazing third space.

All week, La Crosse Talk PM has focused on third spaces — so not home, not work, but that third space where you can be social or feel part of the community.

As the director of Coulee Region Log Rolling, Pappadopoulos talked about her start in the sport being far less than phenomenal. She first bugged her dad to let her try it at the YMCA when she was 8 years old, admitting she was "bad" at first and could only stay on for a couple of seconds. She also got a certain radio talk show host to try the sport and, like the world champ, he too was bad at first — but time will tell how much worse he can get.

Pappadopoulos' career, though, proves that with work, it can become a lifelong passion. That passion has been passed down, too. Pappadopoulos has a bit of a protegee, in fellow Holmen native Iny Anderson. While the 22-year-old Pappadopoulos is ranked No. 1 in the world, 17-year-old Anderson is right behind her, ranked second. We talked about their rivalry, plus the only female to ever beat Pappadopoulos in a sanctioned event, Ellie Davenport, back in 2019.

Another big topic was the history of the sport, which Pappadopoulos knew all about. She explained how a dangerous 19th-century job became a modern sport built on core strength and balance. While it originated with lumberjacks risking their lives on "river drives," it has evolved into a safe, accessible community activity at the La Crosse YMCA and at Coulee Region Log Rolling events in the area.

To get involved, new winter sessions at the La Crosse YMCA begin Jan. 18. Pappadopoulos will be there to help and perhaps be ready for the La Crosse Open on June 20 at Pettibone this summer.

Seven-time log rolling world champion, Livi Pappadopoulos, stopped in studio to talk about how ending up alone balancing on a log in the water can be an amazing third space.
All week, La Crosse Talk PM has focused on third spaces &mdash; so not home, not work, but that third space where you can be social or feel part of the community.
As the director of <a href="https://www.couleeregionlogrolling.org/">Coulee Region Log Rolling</a>, Pappadopoulos talked about her start in the sport being far less than phenomenal. She first bugged her dad to let her try it at the YMCA when she was 8 years old, admitting she was "bad" at first and could only stay on for a couple of seconds. She also got a certain radio talk show host to try the sport and, like the world champ, he too was bad at first &mdash; but time will tell how much worse he can get.
Pappadopoulos' career, though, proves that with work, it can become a lifelong passion. That passion has been passed down, too. Pappadopoulos has a bit of a protegee, in fellow Holmen native Iny Anderson. While the 22-year-old Pappadopoulos is ranked <a href="https://uslogrolling.com/page-18096">No. 1 in the world</a>, 17-year-old Anderson is right behind her, ranked second. We talked about their rivalry, plus the only female to ever beat Pappadopoulos in a sanctioned event, Ellie Davenport, back in 2019.
Another big topic was the history of the sport, which Pappadopoulos knew all about. She explained how a dangerous 19th-century job became a modern sport built on core strength and balance. While it originated with lumberjacks risking their lives on "river drives," it has evolved into a safe, accessible community activity at the La Crosse YMCA and at Coulee Region Log Rolling events in the area.
To get involved, new winter sessions at the La Crosse YMCA begin Jan. 18. Pappadopoulos will be there to help and perhaps be ready for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/712482361684865">La Crosse Open</a> on June 20 at Pettibone this summer.

On top of the (log rolling) world with 7-time champ Livi Pappadopoulos 

Amanda Worman Holmgaard stopped in studio to talk about how The Good Fight Community Center in La Crosse is a third space for kids.

La Crosse Talk PM has focused this first week of the new year on third spaces — so not home, not work, but that third space where you can be social or feel part of the community.

Worman Holmgaard, the executive director at The Good Fight, tells us how the center isn’t simply boxing. It’s a place for mentoring and education, where they’re holistically supporting kids ages 10-18.

While the "sweet science" is a hook for many, Worman Holmgaard explains that boxing is used as a vessel to teach discipline, resilience and self-control. She said for some of the kids, they may come from at-risk or low-socioeconomic backgrounds, and The Good Fight serves as a "home away from home."

The center, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this August, offers much more than a gym. Worman Holmgaard talks about how the 6,800-square-foot space has a game room with foosball and gaming computers, an art area, and a lounge, where meals are served daily. She said they also focus on education as a pillar of the program, including using a "March Madness" academic incentive competition, tutoring, and the "Becoming" program, which helps 8th graders transition into high school.

We also discussed the logistics for parents, including their robust subsidy program that ensures the $25 monthly fee is never a barrier for a child.

Worman Holmgaard noted that while they see more boys than girls, the program is open to everyone — and you don't even need to bring your own gear to get started, or even need to come for boxing at all. 

Amanda Worman Holmgaard stopped in studio to talk about how The Good Fight Community Center in La Crosse is a third space for kids.
La Crosse Talk PM has focused this first week of the new year on third spaces &mdash; so not home, not work, but that third space where you can be social or feel part of the community.
Worman Holmgaard, the executive director at The Good Fight, tells us how the center isn&rsquo;t simply boxing. It&rsquo;s a place for mentoring and education, where they&rsquo;re holistically supporting kids ages 10-18.
While the "sweet science" is a hook for many, Worman Holmgaard explains that boxing is used as a vessel to teach discipline, resilience and self-control. She said for some of the kids, they may come from at-risk or low-socioeconomic backgrounds, and The Good Fight serves as a "home away from home."
The center, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this August, offers much more than a gym. Worman Holmgaard talks about how the 6,800-square-foot space has a game room with foosball and gaming computers, an art area, and a lounge, where meals are served daily. She said they also focus on education as a pillar of the program, including using a "March Madness" academic incentive competition, tutoring, and the "Becoming" program, which helps 8th graders transition into high school.
We also discussed the logistics for parents, including their robust subsidy program that ensures the $25 monthly fee is never a barrier for a child.
Worman Holmgaard noted that while they see more boys than girls, the program is open to everyone &mdash; and you don't even need to bring your own gear to get started, or even need to come for boxing at all.&nbsp;

The Amazon rainforest is burning ...

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