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

Lansing bridge explosion

2025 words of the year

Skeleton Crew Brew needs a bridge beer

2025 word of the year

La Crosse's 2025 top Google searches

A fun show brainstorming a new beverage to commemorate the 94-year-old Lansing bridge explosion, and recapping the 2025 words of the year with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky.

WIZM News Director Kevin Millard shared his experience watching the bridge blow, and we cold-called Todd Wiedenhaft, owner of Skeleton Crew Brew, to see if he could craft a "Blown Bridge Beer." Wiedenhaft didn't skip a beat, pitching an incredible idea.

In between, we reviewed Merriam-Webster’s top words of 2025. Some seemed controversial as actual words, like "six seven" and "touch grass," while we got into the politics over some others, such as "gerrymander" and "slop."

Lastly, we briefly looked at the 2025 most-searched topics on Google for the La Crosse-Eau Claire area to see what local residents were actually curious about as the year comes to a close.

A fun show brainstorming a new beverage to commemorate the 94-year-old Lansing bridge explosion, and recapping the 2025 words of the year with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky.
WIZM News Director Kevin Millard shared his experience watching the bridge blow, and we cold-called Todd Wiedenhaft, owner of Skeleton Crew Brew, to see if he could craft a "Blown Bridge Beer." Wiedenhaft didn't skip a beat, pitching an incredible idea.
In between, we reviewed Merriam-Webster&rsquo;s top words of 2025. Some seemed controversial as actual words, like "six seven" and "touch grass," while we got into the politics over some others, such as "gerrymander" and "slop."
Lastly, we briefly looked at the 2025 most-searched topics on Google for the La Crosse-Eau Claire area to see what local residents were actually curious about as the year comes to a close.

Creating a Lansing blown bridge brew and reviewing the 2025 words of year with UW-L's Chergosky

Show rundown

La Crosse city council plan meeting

Charmant sells to billionaire

American Queen paddlewheeler contract

City admin update

Airport director, Allegiant Air to LaX

Sell the airport

Mac Kiel in studio with the latest update on La Crosse hiring a city administrator and the recent conversations around that, plus the sale of the Charmant to billionaire Diane Hendricks and what that might mean for downtown.

We discuss city administrator a couple different times during the show, first talking about the council structure — plus Kiel geeking out on seating charts — and the idea of adding amendments to the city administrator legislation. Later in the show we talk about the city council working group studying the administrator position and presenting that info to the council.

With the Charmant sale to Hendricks, we talk a bit about her work revitalizing the her hometown, Beloit, Wis., and what that might mean for La Crosse. We also talk about the building being in a TIF district and how a sale like that goes through, after the city put money up front to help renovate the building.

Other things we hit on included the La Crosse Queen getting a 20-year contract, the airport needing a new director and adding Allegiant Air and — again — needing to regionalize assets the city owns, like the airport and the La Crosse Center. 

Mac Kiel in studio with the latest update on La Crosse hiring a city administrator and the recent conversations around that, plus the sale of the Charmant to billionaire Diane Hendricks and what that might mean for downtown.
We discuss city administrator a couple different times during the show, first talking about the council structure &mdash; plus Kiel geeking out on seating charts &mdash; and the idea of adding amendments to the city administrator legislation. Later in the show we talk about the city council working group studying the administrator position and presenting that info to the council.
With the Charmant sale to Hendricks, we talk a bit about her work revitalizing the her hometown, Beloit, Wis., and what that might mean for La Crosse. We also talk about the building being in a TIF district and how a sale like that goes through, after the city put money up front to help renovate the building.
Other things we hit on included the La Crosse Queen getting a 20-year contract, the airport needing a new director and adding Allegiant Air and &mdash; again &mdash; needing to regionalize assets the city owns, like the airport and the La Crosse Center.&nbsp;

Mac n Rick on Charmant sale to a billionaire — Wisconsin's richest woman — and what that could mean for La Crosse, plus a city admin update

Making fun of Gelatt siblings

Best seats in the Riv

Gremlins, a Christmas movie

It's a Wonderful Life free Thursday

Movie theatre etiquette 

Rivoli theme nights

Riv's version of Movie Pass

How Riv does new releases

It's A Wonderful Life bombed in theatres

Riv kids' party w/Santa Saturday

YouTubers Found Footage Fest at Riv Saturday

Jon's review of Dutch

Uniqueness of Riv

Edward Scissorhands a Christmas movie

Crafts at the Riv

More movie etiquette 

Rivoli co-owner Jonathan Gelatt in studio talking holiday movies, theatre etiquette, and some of the unique events they’re having this month, including the hit YouTubers, Found Footage Fest.

The Wisconsin-born comedy duo behind Found Footage Fest will bring their best VHS finds for a live comedy show, beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday. The duo boasts over 160,000 subscribers on YouTube.

On the show, we get Gelatt’s take on whether Gremlins and Edward Scissorhands — now playing at the Rivoli — count as Christmas movies. We also get his review of Dutch, a 1991 “Thanksgiving movie,” featuring Ed O’Neil of Married with Children and finally, Modern Family fame.

We also talk about how Gelatt — despite owning a theatre — has never seen It’s A Wonderful Life, but that will change with a free showing at the Riv at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Gelatt will be there to watch it for the first time.

On the show he explains why what's widely thought of as the top Christmas movie of all time initially bombed at the box office and the real reasoning behind the movie’s lasting popularity. Have we all been dupped into loving this movie?

The theatre is also hosting a holiday kids ' party featuring Santa Claus and the movie The Muppet Christmas Carol, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Gelatt talks about some of the unique comedy behind the movie, and how critics say it’s the closest movie rendition to the Charles Dickens’ book.

Other things we got from Gelatt were the best places to sit at the Rivoli, plus their new membership club and unique food options. We also hit on some movie theatre etiquette, like talking during the previews.

Rivoli co-owner Jonathan Gelatt in studio talking holiday movies, theatre etiquette, and some of the unique events they&rsquo;re having this month, including the hit YouTubers, Found Footage Fest.
The Wisconsin-born comedy duo behind <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@FoundFootageFest">Found Footage Fest</a> will bring their best VHS finds for a live comedy show, <a href="https://tickets.rivoli.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=964054~e3c66030-62d8-4282-9886-16d09f1887f2&amp;amp;epguid=ede1d7b6-59fe-438b-acc4-d87fc3880065&amp;amp;mdy=12/20/2025&amp;amp;">beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday</a>. The duo boasts over 160,000 subscribers on YouTube.
On the show, we get Gelatt&rsquo;s take on whether Gremlins and <a href="https://prod3.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/list.aspx?epguid=860d7874-6e0b-4967-89c5-bd2947a38ea3&amp;amp;view=detailed&amp;amp;">Edward Scissorhands</a> &mdash; now playing at the Rivoli &mdash; count as Christmas movies. We also get his review of Dutch, a 1991 &ldquo;Thanksgiving movie,&rdquo; featuring Ed O&rsquo;Neil of Married with Children and finally, Modern Family fame.
We also talk about how Gelatt &mdash; despite owning a theatre &mdash; has never seen It&rsquo;s A Wonderful Life, but that will change with a <a href="https://tickets.rivoli.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=978698~e3c66030-62d8-4282-9886-16d09f1887f2&amp;amp;epguid=ede1d7b6-59fe-438b-acc4-d87fc3880065&amp;amp;mdy=12/18/2025&amp;amp;">free showing at the Riv at 5:30 p.m. Thursday</a>. Gelatt will be there to watch it for the first time.
On the show he explains why what's widely thought of as the top Christmas movie of all time initially bombed at the box office and the real reasoning behind the movie&rsquo;s lasting popularity. Have we all been dupped into loving this movie?
The theatre is also hosting a <a href="https://tickets.rivoli.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=977168~e3c66030-62d8-4282-9886-16d09f1887f2&amp;amp;epguid=ede1d7b6-59fe-438b-acc4-d87fc3880065&amp;amp;mdy=12/20/2025&amp;amp;">holiday kids ' party</a> featuring Santa Claus and the movie The Muppet Christmas Carol, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Gelatt talks about some of the unique comedy behind the movie, and how critics say it&rsquo;s the closest movie rendition to the Charles Dickens&rsquo; book.
Other things we got from Gelatt were the best places to sit at the Rivoli, plus their new membership club and unique food options. We also hit on some movie theatre etiquette, like talking during the previews.

The fight to retain power in Wisconsin for the next decade

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