The battle for power in Wisconsin, as the state argues over drawing political maps that are some of the most gerrymandered in the U.S. Common Cause Wisconsin's Jay Heck joins to discuss the process. He has been covering these fights for 26 years. 

The battle for power in Wisconsin, as the state argues over drawing political maps that are some of the most gerrymandered in the U.S. Common Cause Wisconsin's Jay Heck joins to discuss the process. He has been covering these fights for 26 years.&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

The fight to retain power in Wisconsin for the next decade

From 8k to 100-miles, we covered the distance runners with UW-La Crosse national champions, Aidan and Grant Matthai, and ultramarathoner Julia Hartig in studio.

The Matthais are in the midst of trying to win back-to-back triple crowns — winning national titles in cross county, plus indoor and outdoor track. So far, the seniors have four wrapped up, as they’re in the midst of indoor season.

Meanwhile, Hartig is coming off winning La Crosse’s Hixon 50 and breaking the course record in the Midwest States 100K, as she gears up for multiple ultramarathons this spring. 

On the show, we talk about the emotions leading up to winning — and losing — a national championship, what you eat before a big race and the mindset you need to run an 8K vs. a 100K.

We also talk about “The Mahthai Twins” channel on YouTube, and their recently released documentary “The Road to Repeat,” chronicling winning last fall’s cross country national title.

The origins of that channel are funny, as it didn’t start because of running and one of the most popular videos on there is “Cell Analogy - How an Animal Cell is Like a School,” from eight years ago. That video only needs about 3,000 more views to be their most popular one ever. 

We also joke about being identical twins — as both the Matthais and Hartigs are just that — and how that hasn’t seemed to pay off in their running careers. 

From 8k to 100-miles, we covered the distance runners with UW-La Crosse national champions, Aidan and Grant Matthai, and ultramarathoner Julia Hartig in studio.
The Matthais are in the midst of trying to win back-to-back triple crowns &mdash; winning national titles in cross county, plus indoor and outdoor track. So far, the seniors have four wrapped up, as they&rsquo;re in the midst of indoor season.
Meanwhile, Hartig is coming off winning La Crosse&rsquo;s Hixon 50 and breaking the course record in the Midwest States 100K, as she gears up for multiple ultramarathons this spring.&nbsp;
On the show, we talk about the emotions leading up to winning &mdash; and losing &mdash; a national championship, what you eat before a big race and the mindset you need to run an 8K vs. a 100K.
We also talk about &ldquo;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thematthaitwins">The Mahthai Twins</a>&rdquo; channel on YouTube, and their recently released documentary &ldquo;<a href="https://youtu.be/mVPzEBUzWmg">The Road to Repeat</a>,&rdquo; chronicling winning last fall&rsquo;s cross country national title.
The origins of that channel are funny, as it didn&rsquo;t start because of running and one of the most popular videos on there is &ldquo;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqXU1GeYpEE">Cell Analogy - How an Animal Cell is Like a School</a>,&rdquo; from eight years ago. That video only needs about 3,000 more views to be their most popular one ever.&nbsp;
We also joke about being identical twins &mdash; as both the Matthais and Hartigs are just that &mdash; and how that hasn&rsquo;t seemed to pay off in their running careers.&nbsp;

From 8Ks to 100 miles — the mindset of winning national titles and ultramarathons with the Matthai twins and Julia Hartig

Covered a lot with Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska), including the GOP-led Legislature ending its work for the year by Feb. 19.

We looked at bills butting up against that clock to legalize recreational marijuana, ban cellphones in schools, and exempt tips from taxes — thought Pfaff would like to see that coupled with raising the minimum wage.

We also discussed the situation with ICE in Wisconsin and whether the Legislature could implement regulations, such as banning agents from wearing masks.

Additionally, Pfaff talked about passing "Bubba’s Law." Bubba’s Fund recently got funding to provide defibrillators to every childcare facility in the city of La Crosse and Pfaff now wants to see the $1 million initiative expanded statewide.

Pfaff acknowledged that many of the bills he’d like to see pass won’t move forward with Republicans keeping such a short legislative clock.

He also broke down why "no-brainer" legislation — like securing defibrillators for all state childcare facilities — likely won’t clear the GOP, nor will any kind of legal marijuana.

Covered a lot with Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska), including the GOP-led Legislature ending its work for the year by Feb. 19.
We looked at bills butting up against that clock to legalize recreational marijuana, ban cellphones in schools, and exempt tips from taxes &mdash; thought Pfaff would like to see that coupled with raising the minimum wage.
We also discussed the situation with ICE in Wisconsin and whether the Legislature could implement regulations, such as banning agents from wearing masks.
Additionally, Pfaff talked about passing "Bubba&rsquo;s Law." Bubba&rsquo;s Fund recently got funding to provide defibrillators to every childcare facility in the city of La Crosse and Pfaff now wants to see the $1 million initiative expanded statewide.
Pfaff acknowledged that many of the bills he&rsquo;d like to see pass won&rsquo;t move forward with Republicans keeping such a short legislative clock.
He also broke down why "no-brainer" legislation &mdash; like securing defibrillators for all state childcare facilities &mdash; likely won&rsquo;t clear the GOP, nor will any kind of legal marijuana.

Onalaska state Sen. Pfaff on school cellphone ban, no tax on tips vs. raising minimum wage and regulating ICE

Measles is making a comeback, chicken pox hides in your brain and — once more — we discuss why vaccines don’t cause autism with immunologist Dr. Chris Mayne.

The Viterbo University biology professor joins us as Wisconsin sees its first case of measles — a University of Wisconsin student — and as outbreaks occur in ICE detention facilities and in various states — mostly amongst kids.

Mayne explains that measles is the most contagious virus known to man — there are already more cases in 2026 than in all of 2024 — how vaccine hesitancy is fueling a resurgence, and why the virus is so dangerous.

Mayne also explains how the autism-vaccine hoax began.

Measles is making a comeback, chicken pox hides in your brain and &mdash; once more &mdash; we discuss why vaccines don&rsquo;t cause autism with immunologist Dr. Chris Mayne.
The Viterbo University biology professor joins us as Wisconsin sees its first case of measles &mdash; a University of Wisconsin student &mdash; and as outbreaks occur in ICE detention facilities and in various states &mdash; mostly amongst kids.
Mayne explains that measles is the most contagious virus known to man &mdash; there are already more cases in 2026 than in all of 2024 &mdash; how vaccine hesitancy is fueling a resurgence, and why the virus is so dangerous.
Mayne also explains how the autism-vaccine hoax began.

The fight to retain power in Wisconsin for the next decade

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