First, had to vent about the Milwaukee Bucks, down by as many as 49 points ... in a playoff game. After that, Airfest's Dave Larsen joined to break down what to expect from this weekend's shows. After that, we had some fun with earlier conversations about bringing in a Popeyes Chicken and if Costco were to come to the area. 

First, had to vent about the Milwaukee Bucks, down by as many as 49 points ... in a playoff game. After that, Airfest's Dave Larsen joined to break down what to expect from this weekend's shows. After that, we had some fun with earlier conversations about bringing in a Popeyes Chicken and if Costco were to come to the area.&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

What to expect from Airfest, and more Popeyes Chicken talk

The biggest race in Wisconsin isn't for governor — not according to Devin Remiker. He wants Democrats to win the whole thing.

Remiker, who’s been the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for just over a year now, sat down with us at the 26-year running corn roast on Wednesday and made it clear that while winning the governor’s seat is critical, the party's primary goal is securing a state trifecta.

Remiker also criticized US House Rep. Derek Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) for choosing Rose Garden fundraisers over public access, weighed in on where Wisconsin might sit on the gerrymandering war, and brought up Tom Tiffany's voting record in Congress when asked about the governor's race.

Highlights:
Chasing the Trifecta: The argument for why winning the governorship, Assembly, and Senate is the party's ultimate target.
Calling Out Van Orden: How Remiker contrasts accessible local traditions with Republicans like Derek Van Orden "hiding in a little bubble."
Gerrymandering Dilemma: Remeker weighs in on whether Wisconsin Democrats should continue the gerrymandering fight, and what needs to happen nationally.
Retirement Wave: The real reason behind a record number of GOP legislative retirements under Wisconsin's updated maps.
Crowley vs. Tiffany: Remiker targets Tom Tiffany’s House record—pointing to his votes to cut healthcare and food assistance. 

There was also a bit of nostalgia from Remiker, as he noted the corn roast was "his baby," as he was starting out working under former 3rd CD Rep. Ron Kind. Fast forward to Wednesday, and the event brought out the complete statewide Democratic ticket — including David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State nominee JoCasta Zamarripa, and Treasurer nominee Yee Leng Xiong — alongside all three local Assembly representatives in Steve Doyle, Jill Billings and Tara Johnson.

The biggest race in Wisconsin isn't for governor &mdash; not according to Devin Remiker. He wants Democrats to win the whole thing.
Remiker, who&rsquo;s been the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for just over a year now, sat down with us at the 26-year running corn roast on Wednesday and made it clear that while winning the governor&rsquo;s seat is critical, the party's primary goal is securing a state trifecta.
Remiker also criticized US House Rep. Derek Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) for choosing Rose Garden fundraisers over public access, weighed in on where Wisconsin might sit on the gerrymandering war, and brought up Tom Tiffany's voting record in Congress when asked about the governor's race.
Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Chasing the Trifecta: The argument for why winning the governorship, Assembly, and Senate is the party's ultimate target.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Calling Out Van Orden: How Remiker contrasts accessible local traditions with Republicans like Derek Van Orden "hiding in a little bubble."</li>
<li aria-level="1">Gerrymandering Dilemma: Remeker weighs in on whether Wisconsin Democrats should continue the gerrymandering fight, and what needs to happen nationally.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Retirement Wave: The real reason behind a record number of GOP legislative retirements under Wisconsin's updated maps.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Crowley vs. Tiffany: Remiker targets Tom Tiffany&rsquo;s House record&mdash;pointing to his votes to cut healthcare and food assistance.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
There was also a bit of nostalgia from Remiker, as he noted the corn roast was "his baby," as he was starting out working under former 3rd CD Rep. Ron Kind. Fast forward to Wednesday, and the event brought out the complete statewide Democratic ticket &mdash; including David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State nominee JoCasta Zamarripa, and Treasurer nominee Yee Leng Xiong &mdash; alongside all three local Assembly representatives in Steve Doyle, Jill Billings and Tara Johnson.

WisDems chair Remiker: Why the goal is more than just the governor’s mansion

David Crowley sat down with us from the corn roast in West Salem on Wednesday.

Along with why he’s the favorite parent at home, the Democratic candidate for governor was asked about how he plans to tackle housing, healthcare, and childcare affordability across Wisconsin.

As La Crosse gets set for another update on homelessness next week, the Milwaukee County Executive also broke down why he thinks the "Housing First" approach to ending homelessness could work statewide.

We end with some corn eating etiquette at the Brad Pfaff Corn Roast, where every statewide Democratic candidate, plus all the local Assembly reps were in attendance.

Episode Highlights:


Addressing Homelessness: How Milwaukee County’s "Housing First" model works and how it could scale statewide.


Affordability Agenda: Crowley outlines his plans to lower living costs through housing supply, school funding, and healthcare options.


Childcare & Healthcare: Legislative plans for childcare sustainability and expanding BadgerCare coverage.


Corn Etiquette: Does Crowley let his kids roll the cob of corn over the stick of butter?

David Crowley sat down with us from the corn roast in West Salem on Wednesday.
Along with why he&rsquo;s the favorite parent at home, the Democratic candidate for governor was asked about how he plans to tackle housing, healthcare, and childcare affordability across Wisconsin.
As La Crosse gets set for another <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2026/08/24/la-crosse-homeless-special-meeting/">update on homelessness</a> next week, the Milwaukee County Executive also broke down why he thinks the "Housing First" approach to ending homelessness could work statewide.
We end with some corn eating etiquette at the Brad Pfaff Corn Roast, where every statewide Democratic candidate, plus all the local Assembly reps were in attendance.
Episode Highlights:
<ul data-path-to-node="3">
<li>
Addressing Homelessness: How Milwaukee County&rsquo;s "Housing First" model works and how it could scale statewide.
</li>
<li>
Affordability Agenda: Crowley outlines his plans to lower living costs through housing supply, school funding, and healthcare options.
</li>
<li>
Childcare &amp; Healthcare: Legislative plans for childcare sustainability and expanding BadgerCare coverage.
</li>
<li>
Corn Etiquette: Does Crowley let his kids roll the cob of corn over the stick of butter?
</li>
</ul>

In West Salem, David Crowley talks affordability, Housing First, and corn etiquette

A Hallmark Christmas movie right out of La Crosse — why not?

A fun conversation with Teddy Eck, executive director of Coulee Arts in downtown La Crosse, where we get a little nuts on a La Crosse Hallmark Christmas, talk about the movie industries new tax incentives to come to Wisconsin and how decaying attention spans are ruining movies forever.

Eck also broke down everything under the Coulee Arts umbrella — including stand-up comedy classes, stop-motion animation, and a dedicated Dungeons & Dragons room — ahead of its open house from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sept. 12 at their new 422 Main Street space.

Episode Highlights:


Grandad Bluff Rom-Com: A wild pitch for a La Crosse Hallmark movie quickly spirals into an outrageous, genre-bending trilogy featuring slashers and alien invasions on the bluff.


New Downtown Home: Rebranded from RAD to Coulee Arts, the nonprofit is opening its expanded 422 Main Street space with a free, hands-on public open house on Sept. 12.


Unusual Hands-On Classes: Offerings span well beyond traditional fine arts to include niche side quests like live music coding, stop-motion animation, and tabletop gaming.


Stand-Up Comedy Pipeline: Local adults are taking structured comedy workshops that culminate in live open-mic performances to help build a formal Midwest comedy circuit through La Crosse.


Streaming vs. Physical Media: A debate on how digital subscription models erase owned content and why physical formats like CDs and DVDs are making a serious comeback.


Wisconsin Film Incentives: The state's new five-million-dollar tax incentive package aims to lure outside productions while building up local independent filmmakers.


Adventure Film Fest: Four days of outdoor storytelling and extreme sports thrillers kick off October 14 across multiple local venues (schedule here).

A Hallmark Christmas movie right out of La Crosse &mdash; why not?
A fun conversation with Teddy Eck, executive director of <a href="https://couleearts.org/">Coulee Arts</a> in downtown La Crosse, where we get a little nuts on a La Crosse Hallmark Christmas, talk about the movie industries new tax incentives to come to Wisconsin and how&nbsp;decaying attention spans are ruining movies forever.
Eck also broke down everything under the Coulee Arts umbrella &mdash; including stand-up comedy classes, stop-motion animation, and a dedicated Dungeons &amp; Dragons room &mdash; ahead of its <a href="https://couleearts.org/open-house">open house</a> from 11 a.m.&ndash;3 p.m. on Sept. 12 at their new 422 Main Street space.
Episode Highlights:
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
Grandad Bluff Rom-Com: A wild pitch for a La Crosse Hallmark movie quickly spirals into an outrageous, genre-bending trilogy featuring slashers and alien invasions on the bluff.
</li>
<li>
New Downtown Home: Rebranded from RAD to Coulee Arts, the nonprofit is opening its expanded 422 Main Street space with a free, hands-on public open house on Sept. 12.
</li>
<li>
Unusual Hands-On Classes: Offerings span well beyond traditional fine arts to include niche side quests like live music coding, stop-motion animation, and tabletop gaming.
</li>
<li>
Stand-Up Comedy Pipeline: Local adults are taking structured comedy workshops that culminate in live open-mic performances to help build a formal Midwest comedy circuit through La Crosse.
</li>
<li>
Streaming vs. Physical Media: A debate on how digital subscription models erase owned content and why physical formats like CDs and DVDs are making a serious comeback.
</li>
<li>
Wisconsin Film Incentives: The state's new five-million-dollar tax incentive package aims to lure outside productions while building up local independent filmmakers.
</li>
<li>
Adventure Film Fest: Four days of outdoor storytelling and extreme sports thrillers kick off October 14 across multiple local venues (<a href="https://lacrosseaf.com/event-schedule">schedule here</a>).
</li>
</ul>

What to expect from Airfest, and more Popeyes Chicken talk

In 1 playlist(s)

WIZM - La Crosse

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips