UW-La Crosse outreach coordinator, Spencer Wilken, or "Mrs. Photon," in studio talking about using incredible Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT) in everyday ways, the unexpected effects of salting our roads — which, apparently, are butterfly steroids and, of course, Puxatony Phil and Groundhog’s Day. That did beg the question, ‘What would La Crosse’s groundhog-like mascot be?’ Wrapped up with some exciting upcoming programs at UW-L, as well as a weird radioactive news out of Australia.

UW-La Crosse outreach coordinator, Spencer Wilken, or "Mrs. Photon," in studio talking about using incredible Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT) in everyday ways, the unexpected effects of salting our roads — which, apparently, are butterfly steroids and, of course, Puxatony Phil and Groundhog’s Day. That did beg the question, ‘What would La Crosse’s groundhog-like mascot be?’ Wrapped up with some exciting upcoming programs at UW-L, as well as a weird radioactive news out of Australia.

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

UW-L's Wilken on beefier, brainier butterflies due to salting our roads

The Wisconsin Badgers are pushing for a state funding bill that would take $14.6 million in taxpayer money to essentially help pay its players.

The funding would help pay down facility debt and free up funding Wisconsin could use to pay NIL money to athletes.

We tried to solve that dilemma with University of Wisconsin Athletic Director Chris McIntosh by joking that the beer sales should have been enough, but perhaps they need to move all the Badgers volleyball games to Camp Randall, where sellout crowds would surely bring in more revenue. 

McIntosh explains why even those ideas wouldn't be enough to bridge the gap.

The AD joined Friday just after the Badgers upset No. 9 Illinois in the Big Ten tournament — so that’s where we started — but the conversation quickly turned to the $20.5 million price tag now required to stay competitive in Division I sports. 

Thanks to a massive lawsuit settlement, the "pay-to-play" era is officially here, and McIntosh discusses the dilemma the university claims to have trying to satisfy the star players while keeping the less profitable sports and Olympic programs afloat.

There’s no guarantee the state Senate actually votes on the legislation this week, or that it will pass, despite sailing through the Assembly with a 95-1 vote. The Senate is only scheduled to work 1-2 days before taking the rest of 2026 off — meaning the future of the Badgers' budget is currently racing against a very short clock.

We ran McIntosh through various scenarios, weighing the positives and negatives of the bill. We covered the open records dilemma, the potential fallout if the funding stalls, plus we get into the "how we got here" context — from the transfer portal and NIL money to the court rulings that have changed college sports forever.

The Wisconsin Badgers are pushing for a state funding bill that would take $14.6 million in taxpayer money to essentially help pay its players.
The funding would help pay down facility debt and free up funding Wisconsin could use to pay NIL money to athletes.
We tried to solve that dilemma with University of Wisconsin Athletic Director Chris McIntosh by joking that the beer sales should have been enough, but perhaps they need to move all the Badgers volleyball games to Camp Randall, where sellout crowds would surely bring in more revenue.&nbsp;
McIntosh explains why even those ideas wouldn't be enough to bridge the gap.
The AD joined Friday just after the Badgers upset No. 9 Illinois in the Big Ten tournament &mdash; so that&rsquo;s where we started &mdash; but the conversation quickly turned to the $20.5 million price tag now required to stay competitive in Division I sports.&nbsp;
Thanks to a massive lawsuit settlement, the "pay-to-play" era is officially here, and McIntosh discusses the dilemma the university claims to have trying to satisfy the star players while keeping the less profitable sports and Olympic programs afloat.
There&rsquo;s no guarantee the state Senate actually votes on the legislation this week, or that it will pass, despite sailing through the Assembly with a 95-1 vote. The Senate is only scheduled to work 1-2 days before taking the rest of 2026 off &mdash; meaning the future of the Badgers' budget is currently racing against a very short clock.
We ran McIntosh through various scenarios, weighing the positives and negatives of the bill. We covered the open records dilemma, the potential fallout if the funding stalls, plus we get into the "how we got here" context &mdash; from the transfer portal and NIL money to the court rulings that have changed college sports forever.

AUDIOWisconsin’s AD on why Badgers need $14.6 million in taxpayer money to compete

Giving UW-Madison $14.6 million in taxpayer money to pay players, will sports gambling become legal and gas prices going up were the big topics we covered Friday with economist, Dr. Adam Hoffer.

Hofffer is the director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation and began by explaining what excise tax is — or sin taxes, like gambling, alcohol, marijuana. Another one of those excise taxes is gas, and Hoffer explained how Wisconsin’s gas prices could skyrocket because of the war in Iran — if certain Legislators had their way — but the way the state taxes gas now, makes the most sense. 

In the sports world, the Wisconsin state Senate is going to work one or two more days next week, before calling it quits for the rest of 2026. Among the flurry of bills that could get a vote, one would be on legalizing sports gambling, and Hoffer explains how that might work — and how that will immediately trigger lawsuits.

The other bill is a request from UW-Madison for $14.6 million. This money would be for “facilities” but it is a way to offset costs of Division I college now having the option to pay their players up to $20.5 million total a year. Hoffer explains some of the pros and cons for the state, the university and the taxpayer around that bill.

We also look at how the sports gambling bill could help the "paying the players" request. 

 

Giving UW-Madison $14.6 million in taxpayer money to pay players, will sports gambling become legal and gas prices going up were the big topics we covered Friday with economist, Dr. Adam Hoffer.
Hofffer is the director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation and began by explaining what excise tax is &mdash; or sin taxes, like gambling, alcohol, marijuana. Another one of those excise taxes is gas, and Hoffer explained how Wisconsin&rsquo;s gas prices could skyrocket because of the war in Iran &mdash; if certain Legislators had their way &mdash; but the way the state taxes gas now, makes the most sense.&nbsp;
In the sports world, the Wisconsin state Senate is going to work one or two more days next week, before calling it quits for the rest of 2026. Among the flurry of bills that could get a vote, one would be on legalizing sports gambling, and Hoffer explains how that might work &mdash; and how that will immediately trigger lawsuits.
The other bill is a request from UW-Madison for $14.6 million. This money would be for &ldquo;facilities&rdquo; but it is a way to offset costs of Division I college now having the option to pay their players up to $20.5 million total a year. Hoffer explains some of the pros and cons for the state, the university and the taxpayer around that bill.
We also look at how the sports gambling bill could help the "paying the players" request.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Economist Adam Hoffer on Badgers wanting $15M from taxpayers to pay athletes and legalizing sports gambling

It's the world's shortest race, but it's been going on for a long time. Saturday is 95.7 the Rock's 21st annual St. Paddy's Day .01K down Pearl Street in La Crosse. Bags from the Rock stopped by to help preview the event and tell some stories of past races. This is the type of race anyone can do, and brag about getting a coveted shirt that proves you're a runner. Registration happens online here or beginning at 3 p.m. at Brothers. The race happens at 6 p.m. and ends around 6:01 p.m. — if you take your time.

It's the world's shortest race, but it's been going on for a long time. Saturday is 95.7 the Rock's 21st annual St. Paddy's Day .01K down Pearl Street in La Crosse. Bags from the Rock stopped by to help preview the event and tell some stories of past races. This is the type of race anyone can do, and brag about getting a coveted shirt that proves you're a runner. Registration happens online here or beginning at 3 p.m. at Brothers. The race happens at 6 p.m. and ends around 6:01 p.m. &mdash; if you take your time.

UW-L's Wilken on beefier, brainier butterflies due to salting our roads

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