If you do the crime, you better be able to pay ... the fine? 
La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke joined. One of the things discussed was how the person who vandalized Hatched Baby might have to pay. Later we talked how the system favors people who can better afford to do the crime (as opposed to doing the time, or paying the fine). We also talked about the discussion in the county about a Citizens Police Board, as well as where we're at with some murder cases and how technology has affected the system.

If you do the crime, you better be able to pay ... the fine?&nbsp; La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke joined. One of the things discussed was how the person who vandalized Hatched Baby might have to pay. Later we talked how the system favors people who can better afford to do the crime (as opposed to doing the time, or paying the fine). We also talked about the discussion in the county about a Citizens Police Board, as well as where we're at with some murder cases and how technology has affected the system.

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 cost of vandalizing Hatched (Blue) Baby

It’s the sixth-most expensive U.S. House race in the country — and the price tag keeps climbing.

Why is so much money pouring into the race between U.S. House Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) and Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke, and what does it say about the fight for control of Congress?

UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky stops in studio to break down the spending and what it reveals about the race.

Chergosky also dissects whether negative ads actually work — a topic his students brought up this week as political advertising floods the airwaves. Why do attack ads stick with voters, and when can they backfire?

We also look at the Minnesota U.S. Senate race and Wisconsin’s governor’s race, including the challenges facing Democrats in Minnesota, where no Republican has won a statewide race since 2006.

We began the show quizzing WIZM's Brad Williams on his memories of La Crosse's Kmart and the ceremonial groundbreaking that happened this week — plus his coverage of House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigning in Sparta for Van Orden.

Conversation topics:
Groundbreaking at La Crosse’s Kmart: We reminisce about the Kmart days with Williams, who covered the Copper Rocks groundbreaking.
Van Orden-Cooke cash: Chergosky explains why a small number of competitive races can help determine control of the House.
Do negative ads work? UW-L students wanted Chergosky’s insight on all the ads they’re seeing.
Wisconsin's governor's race: The money behind Tom Tiffany vs. David Crowley and the role of national politics in a state-level campaign.
House Speaker, others campaign in WI: WIZM’s Brad Williams recaps House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Sparta visit for Derrick Van Orden, former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester campaigning with Rebecca Cooke, and who could come next.
The Minnesota Senate race: Peggy Flanagan vs. Michelle Tafoya, the impact of Minnesota's fraud scandal, and the challenges facing both parties.
Trump and Obama on the campaign trail: Could appearances by the president or the former president help their parties' candidates in Wisconsin?

It&rsquo;s the sixth-most expensive U.S. House race in the country &mdash; and the price tag keeps climbing.
Why is so much money pouring into the race between U.S. House Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) and Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke, and what does it say about the fight for control of Congress?
UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky stops in studio to break down the spending and what it reveals about the race.
Chergosky also dissects whether negative ads actually work &mdash; a topic his students brought up this week as political advertising floods the airwaves. Why do attack ads stick with voters, and when can they backfire?
We also look at the Minnesota U.S. Senate race and Wisconsin&rsquo;s governor&rsquo;s race, including the challenges facing Democrats in Minnesota, where no Republican has won a statewide race since 2006.
We began the show quizzing WIZM's Brad Williams on his memories of La Crosse's Kmart and the ceremonial groundbreaking that happened this week &mdash; plus his coverage of House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigning in Sparta for Van Orden.
Conversation topics:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Groundbreaking at La Crosse&rsquo;s Kmart: We reminisce about the Kmart days with Williams, who covered the Copper Rocks groundbreaking.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Van Orden-Cooke cash: Chergosky explains why a small number of competitive races can help determine control of the House.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Do negative ads work? UW-L students wanted Chergosky&rsquo;s insight on all the ads they&rsquo;re seeing.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Wisconsin's governor's race: The money behind Tom Tiffany vs. David Crowley and the role of national politics in a state-level campaign.</li>
<li aria-level="1">House Speaker, others campaign in WI: WIZM&rsquo;s Brad Williams recaps House Speaker Mike Johnson&rsquo;s Sparta visit for Derrick Van Orden, former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester campaigning with Rebecca Cooke, and who could come next.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Minnesota Senate race: Peggy Flanagan vs. Michelle Tafoya, the impact of Minnesota's fraud scandal, and the challenges facing both parties.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Trump and Obama on the campaign trail: Could appearances by the president or the former president help their parties' candidates in Wisconsin?</li>
</ul>

UW-La Crosse's Chergosky on millions spent on Van Orden-Cooke race, plus do negative ads work

He wants to swing the wrecking ball, but that might have to wait.

Fresh off a couple of groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings, La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey stopped in studio to discuss the old Kmart development, before moving into deeper conversations about the state of the city — from the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old by another teen to homelessness to the budget challenges that often get ignored in Madison.

As the city gets closer to voting on the 2027 budget, we get into the City Council's vote this week against changing its expense reimbursement model to save money. We also discuss the state's shared revenue formula and how it puts municipalities in a bind.

Washington-Spivey also speaks about last week's shooting and homelessness — the impact both are having on the community and some of the ideas for addressing each.

Conversation highlights:


Kmart's demolition — with a twist: After the ceremonial groundbreaking, could a public demolition event involving sledgehammers or a wrecking ball raise money for charity?


Homelessness and the city's image: We get into the city's short- and long-term approaches to homelessness — and how concerns about public safety affect perceptions of La Crosse.


Sharing responsibility for homelessness: The burden often falls on cities like La Crosse, but should other communities do more to help address the problem?


City Council pay: Why Washington-Spivey wanted to change how council members are reimbursed for expenses — and what happened when the proposal came to a vote.


Flock cameras: What Washington-Spivey learned from police about the city's license plate readers and how they're used.

He wants to swing the wrecking ball, but that might have to wait.
Fresh off a couple of groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings, La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey stopped in studio to discuss the old Kmart development, before moving into deeper conversations about the state of the city &mdash; from the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old by another teen to homelessness to the budget challenges that often get ignored in Madison.
As the city gets closer to voting on the 2027 budget, we get into the City Council's vote this week against changing its expense reimbursement model to save money. We also discuss the state's shared revenue formula and how it puts municipalities in a bind.
Washington-Spivey also speaks about last week's shooting and homelessness &mdash; the impact both are having on the community and some of the ideas for addressing each.
Conversation highlights:
<ul data-d-component="list" data-d-marker="bullet" data-d-marker-layout="native">
<li data-d-component="list-item" data-d-marker-layout="native">
Kmart's demolition &mdash; with a twist: After the ceremonial groundbreaking, could a public demolition event involving sledgehammers or a wrecking ball raise money for charity?
</li>
<li data-d-component="list-item" data-d-marker-layout="native">
Homelessness and the city's image: We get into the city's short- and long-term approaches to homelessness &mdash; and how concerns about public safety affect perceptions of La Crosse.
</li>
<li data-d-component="list-item" data-d-marker-layout="native">
Sharing responsibility for homelessness: The burden often falls on cities like La Crosse, but should other communities do more to help address the problem?
</li>
<li data-d-component="list-item" data-d-marker-layout="native">
City Council pay: Why Washington-Spivey wanted to change how council members are reimbursed for expenses &mdash; and what happened when the proposal came to a vote.
</li>
<li data-d-component="list-item" data-d-marker-layout="native">
Flock cameras: What Washington-Spivey learned from police about the city's license plate readers and how they're used.
</li>
</ul>

La Crosse mayor on public safety, the city's image and budget challenges

La Crosse School Board President Trevor Sprague in the WIZM studio for The Rick Solem Show discussing the district’s new brand and how they’re competing for students.

We get into the thinking behind the new ‘Grow here, go anywhere’ identity — and why Sprague sees the $100,000 rebranding effort as an investment in keeping students in the district.

We also discuss schools providing childcare, a lack of state funding, and Sprague details the latest meeting among La Crosse County area school board presidents on how one of their goals is to put the cost of school vouchers on property tax bills.

Lastly, Sprague shares two success stories: building a winning Harley-Davidson racing bike and Polytechnic being named an Apple Distinguished School for its innovative work, including with Apple Vision Pro.

Episode Highlights:
The new brand: What the district is trying to accomplish with a new name, logo, colors and “Grow here, go anywhere” motto.
The enrollment battle: La Crosse has gained more transfer students than it has lost — but the numbers tell a more complicated story.
The child care equation: Could the public schools play a bigger role in helping families with young children?
AI vs. story time: We joke about having AI read to your kids while you're doing the dishes — and get into why early literacy still starts at home.
A Harley winner: Central students built and customized a motorcycle for a flat-track racing competition — and won.
Apple Vision Pro: How Polytechnic is using the tech in a project that earned the school international recognition.
Voucher transparency: La Crosse area school boards want taxpayers to see the cost of voucher programs on their property tax bills.

La Crosse School Board President Trevor Sprague in the WIZM studio for The Rick Solem Show discussing the district&rsquo;s new brand and how they&rsquo;re competing for students.
We get into the thinking behind the new &lsquo;Grow here, go anywhere&rsquo; identity &mdash; and why Sprague sees the $100,000 rebranding effort as an investment in keeping students in the district.
We also discuss schools providing childcare, a lack of state funding, and Sprague details the latest meeting among La Crosse County area school board presidents on how one of their goals is to put the cost of school vouchers on property tax bills.
Lastly, Sprague shares two success stories: building a winning Harley-Davidson racing bike and Polytechnic being named an Apple Distinguished School for its innovative work, including with Apple Vision Pro.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The new brand: What the district is trying to accomplish with a new name, logo, colors and &ldquo;Grow here, go anywhere&rdquo; motto.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The enrollment battle: La Crosse has gained more transfer students than it has lost &mdash; but the numbers tell a more complicated story.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The child care equation: Could the public schools play a bigger role in helping families with young children?</li>
<li aria-level="1">AI vs. story time: We joke about having AI read to your kids while you're doing the dishes &mdash; and get into why early literacy still starts at home.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A Harley winner: Central students built and customized a motorcycle for a flat-track racing competition &mdash; and won.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Apple Vision Pro: How Polytechnic is using the tech in a project that earned the school international recognition.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Voucher transparency: La Crosse area school boards want taxpayers to see the cost of voucher programs on their property tax bills.</li>
</ul>

The cost of vandalizing Hatched (Blue) Baby

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