Why are we so obsessed with algae in a D.C. wading pool, or a U.S. Senate candidate’s scandals in Maine of all places over what’s happening in our own backyard?

As we fixate on national sideshows like those, UW-Madison professor Dr. Mike Wagner joins to decipher why our focus shifts away from critical local decisions — like an upcoming La Crosse city budget public hearing. Wagner talks about how our media consumption is so backwards and why local news is the a place people can trust to keep us grounded.

 

We look at the strategic “flood the zone” tactics used by Donald Trump, and similarities between the president’s defenders and those backing Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner — how there’s an excuse to every scandal.

We also dive into how social media algorithms manipulate our feeds, and why bad news is always what gets the clicks. Lastly, Wagner breaks down why shows like this one — that intentionally focus on local stories, leaders and decisions shaping the La Crosse area — are exactly what’s needed to fight back against that national cycle.

About the guest:
Dr. Michael W. Wagner is the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea and Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at UW-Madison.
He serves as the Director of the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal (CCCR).
He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University and is a past winner of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award.

Before entering academia, he spent years behind the mic working as an AM radio news reporter and anchor

Listen live weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Find the pod on Spotify, Apple Podcast or here. Tune in on the WIZM app or on air at 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska)

Why are we so obsessed with algae in a D.C. wading pool, or a U.S. Senate candidate&rsquo;s scandals in Maine of all places over what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard?
As we fixate on national sideshows like those, UW-Madison professor Dr. Mike Wagner joins to decipher why our focus shifts away from critical local decisions &mdash; like an&nbsp;<a href="https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1416988&amp;GUID=898AA6D6-8A85-47F6-8046-1EA8B02F2DE8&amp;Options=info%7C&amp;Search=">upcoming La Crosse city budget public hearing</a>. Wagner talks about how our media consumption is so backwards and why local news is the a place people can trust to keep us grounded.
&nbsp;
We look at the strategic &ldquo;flood the zone&rdquo; tactics used by Donald Trump, and similarities between the president&rsquo;s defenders and those backing Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner &mdash; how there&rsquo;s an excuse to every scandal.
We also dive into how social media algorithms manipulate our feeds, and why bad news is always what gets the clicks. Lastly,&nbsp;Wagner breaks down why shows like this one &mdash; that intentionally focus on local stories, leaders and decisions shaping the La Crosse area &mdash; are exactly what&rsquo;s needed to fight back against that national cycle.
<hr>
About the guest:
<ul>
<li>Dr. Michael W. Wagner is the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea and Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at UW-Madison.</li>
<li>He serves as the Director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://cccr.wisc.edu/">Center for Communication and Civic Renewal</a>&nbsp;(CCCR).</li>
<li>He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University and is a past winner of the Chancellor&rsquo;s Distinguished Teaching Award.</li>
</ul>
Before entering academia, he spent years behind the mic working as an AM radio news reporter and anchor
<hr>
Listen live weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Find the pod on&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1k1QCGhGrFA5KH9Rxh6fIO">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/la-crosse-talk-pm-wizm/id1445077021">Apple Podcast</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/la-crosse-talk-pm-with-rick-solem/">here</a>. Tune in on the WIZM app or on air at 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska)

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