Ben Wikler, the Democratic Party chair of Wisconsin, talking only good things about Republicans heading into their state convention this weekend. Among topics, we discussed the Republican candidates for governor, Ron Johnson and Great Replacement theory. After that, WIZM's Brad Williams joined to discuss replacing the Hiawatha statue, as well as some history of the GOP endorsing governor candidates. Williams is also directing a Beatles musical in La Crescent that runs June 17-19 & 24-26.

Ben Wikler, the Democratic Party chair of Wisconsin, talking only good things about Republicans heading into their state convention this weekend. Among topics, we discussed the Republican candidates for governor, Ron Johnson and Great Replacement theory. After that, WIZM's Brad Williams joined to discuss replacing the Hiawatha statue, as well as some history of the GOP endorsing governor candidates. Williams is also directing a Beatles musical in La Crescent that runs June 17-19 &amp; 24-26.

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

Wisconsin Dem. Party chair Ben Wikler; Should parties endorse primary candidates?

Three donors are funding most of the campaign for Tom Tiffany’s run for Wisconsin governor.

Wisconsin state Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) stopped in studio and talked about getting big money out of our elections.

We also discussed the timing of a bill to eliminate tax breaks for data center construction, given that the Legislature hasn’t been in session since March — even though Republicans, who control the Legislature, could call lawmakers back to pass it.

We opened the show talking about the Brewers, how the Legislature helped fund stadium upgrades as part of a shared revenue deal with municipalities, and why La Crosse and other local governments could use a new deal as costs rise without enough state funding to keep up.

Billings is running for reelection in District 95 and again facing Republican Cedric Schnitzler.
Can Wisconsin rein in campaign spending? Billings backs a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow limits on campaign spending. What would it take to get it passed?
Data center subsidies under fire: Republicans are proposing to eliminate tax breaks for data centers after previously approving them. Billings explains why she opposed the subsidies and questions whether anything will happen before the election.
Why are property taxes going up? Billings says Wisconsin needs to change its school funding formula. Could the state's budget surplus help?
Local budgets under pressure: La Crosse is considering using reserve funds to cover a budget shortfall. Billings talks about the challenges facing cities and smaller communities across Wisconsin.
Keeping young people here: Billings points to UW-La Crosse and Viterbo as part of the solution. What else could Wisconsin do to attract and retain workers?
What could lawmakers tackle next? With the Legislature out of session, we talk about a possible lame-duck session and Billings' priorities if she's re-elected.

Three donors are funding most of the campaign for Tom Tiffany&rsquo;s run for Wisconsin governor.
Wisconsin state Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) stopped in studio and talked about getting big money out of our elections.
We also discussed the timing of a bill to eliminate tax breaks for data center construction, given that the Legislature hasn&rsquo;t been in session since March &mdash; even though Republicans, who control the Legislature, could call lawmakers back to pass it.
We opened the show talking about the Brewers, how the Legislature helped fund stadium upgrades as part of a shared revenue deal with municipalities, and why La Crosse and other local governments could use a new deal as costs rise without enough state funding to keep up.
Billings is running for reelection in District 95 and again facing Republican Cedric Schnitzler.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Can Wisconsin rein in campaign spending? Billings backs a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow limits on campaign spending. What would it take to get it passed?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Data center subsidies under fire: Republicans are proposing to eliminate tax breaks for data centers after previously approving them. Billings explains why she opposed the subsidies and questions whether anything will happen before the election.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why are property taxes going up? Billings says Wisconsin needs to change its school funding formula. Could the state's budget surplus help?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Local budgets under pressure: La Crosse is considering using reserve funds to cover a budget shortfall. Billings talks about the challenges facing cities and smaller communities across Wisconsin.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keeping young people here: Billings points to UW-La Crosse and Viterbo as part of the solution. What else could Wisconsin do to attract and retain workers?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What could lawmakers tackle next? With the Legislature out of session, we talk about a possible lame-duck session and Billings' priorities if she's re-elected.</li>
</ul>

Jill Billings on big money in politics, data center tax breaks and school funding

Donald Trump drew a packed crowd to the La Crosse Center back in 2024. 

Will Trump return to campaign for Republican governor candidate Tom Tiffany? 

On the Rick Solem Show this week, Tiffany, a U.S. House Rep. in Wisconsin's 7th District, was asked about bringing Trump back to La Crosse to campaign with him and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien).

Tiffany somewhat avoided the idea, noting the president makes his own decisions and is focused on congressional races. Tiffany explains why he's keeping his attention on what a governor can do — and lays out his priorities if he wins the November election.

Some of those topics included public school accountability — but would voucher schools be a part of that? He also was asked about an aging deer hunting population and the Wisconsin DNR’s need for funding. Plus, what to do with the state’s $3 billion budget surplus.

We started the show, however, with Tiffany recounting his plane crashing in Lake Wausau — the last time he left La Crosse.

Conversation highlights: 
Will Trump campaign in La Crosse again? Tiffany responds to the question of whether the president could return to the area, where his campaign rally drew a packed crowd and a line to the opposite side of Riverside Park.
What would Tiffany do with Wisconsin's $3 billion surplus? He explains his approach to tax relief and what he wants to change for middle-class taxpayers.
Holding schools accountable? Tiffany weighs in on public school funding, property taxes and whether voucher schools should face the same expectations.
People are leaving Wisconsin — except Dane County? Tiffany is asked how to keep people in Wisconsin, and what Dane County is doing right that could be copied by other parts of the state.
DNR funding? Tiffany’s response to combating an aging deer hunter population and strapped DNR is killing more wolves.
Reliving the plane crash: Tiffany recounts his plane crashing the last time he left La Crosse and a certain photo he wanted of his bloody face
Struggling budgets, like La Crosse? With La Crosse facing budget cuts, Tiffany explains what he thinks the state should do about shared revenue for local governments and schools.

Donald Trump drew a packed crowd to the La Crosse Center back in 2024.&nbsp;
Will Trump return to campaign for Republican governor candidate Tom Tiffany?&nbsp;
On the Rick Solem Show this week, Tiffany, a U.S. House Rep. in Wisconsin's 7th District, was asked about bringing Trump back to La Crosse to campaign with him and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien).
Tiffany somewhat avoided the idea, noting the president makes his own decisions and is focused on congressional races. Tiffany explains why he's keeping his attention on what a governor can do &mdash; and lays out his priorities if he wins the November election.
Some of those topics included public school accountability &mdash; but would voucher schools be a part of that? He also was asked about an aging deer hunting population and the Wisconsin DNR&rsquo;s need for funding. Plus, what to do with the state&rsquo;s $3 billion budget surplus.
We started the show, however, with Tiffany recounting his plane crashing in Lake Wausau &mdash; the last time he left La Crosse.
Conversation highlights:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Will Trump campaign in La Crosse again? Tiffany responds to the question of whether the president could return to the area, where his campaign rally drew a packed crowd and a line to the opposite side of Riverside Park.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What would Tiffany do with Wisconsin's $3 billion surplus? He explains his approach to tax relief and what he wants to change for middle-class taxpayers.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Holding schools accountable? Tiffany weighs in on public school funding, property taxes and whether voucher schools should face the same expectations.</li>
<li aria-level="1">People are leaving Wisconsin &mdash; except Dane County? Tiffany is asked how to keep people in Wisconsin, and what Dane County is doing right that could be copied by other parts of the state.</li>
<li aria-level="1">DNR funding? Tiffany&rsquo;s response to combating an aging deer hunter population and strapped DNR is killing more wolves.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Reliving the plane crash: Tiffany recounts his plane crashing the last time he left La Crosse and a certain photo he wanted of his bloody face</li>
<li aria-level="1">Struggling budgets, like La Crosse? With La Crosse facing budget cuts, Tiffany explains what he thinks the state should do about shared revenue for local governments and schools.</li>
</ul>

Tom Tiffany on bringing Trump back to La Crosse, $3 billion budget surplus, deer hunting

Show overview

Kyle talks SOUP

LAF overview

Outdoor enthusiasts getting hyped to watch movies inside might seem like a bit of a contradiction, but the La Crosse Adventure Film Festival is leaning all the way into the irony for its fifth anniversary. 

Mike Crawford and Paige Manges with La Crosse Adventure Films, along with La Crosse SOUP’s Kyle Petrashek stopped in studio to lay out a packed lineup spanning four venues from Oct. 13–17.

We overview the four-day La Crosse Adventure Film Festival, what it represents, and how it brings the community together through family-oriented shorts, outdoor storytelling, local conservation spotlights, and a final cinema showdown at the Rivoli. 

And, as sort of the opening act, Petrashek is quizzed about SOUP at Myrick Park, where four local nonprofits make their pitch to the community to win what was raised that night. The four competing this quarter include Mount La Crosse Ski Patrol, Outdoor Recreation Alliance Trails, Horse Sense, and the Coulee Region Humane Society.

Conversation Highlights:


LAF's Origin: How an excuse to gather friends, watch outdoor movies, and get pumped to go outside grew into a massive multi-day local festival.
Why Not La Crosse TACOS? Pitching the idea of secretly serving tacos when people show up expecting soup—and Kyle confessing they actually pulled a similar trick with summer pop-up beer events.
SOUP’s Gold Standard: Kyle explains how one legendary batch of Marge’s chicken dumpling soup completely ruined every future SOUP event for his kids.
A Classic Car Show, LAF Style: Mike and Paige break down the adventure rig show-and-tell at Mount La Crosse—from converted minivans to massive Unimogs—before joking about racing them up the ski hill.
Family-First Outdoors: Focusing on real-life stories of non-traditional families, kids, and four-legged companions getting outside together for the kickoff screening at the Pump House. 
Wiscor Takes the Screen: Highlighting how local public lands and conservation efforts take center stage at Coulee Region Arts with a premiering short documentary.
Playing Film Critic Over Pizza: How Saturday’s big-screen finale at the Rivoli turns the audience into judges, handing out votes (and eating pizza) to pick the festival winners.

Outdoor enthusiasts getting hyped to watch movies inside might seem like a bit of a contradiction, but the La Crosse Adventure Film Festival is leaning all the way into the irony for its fifth anniversary.&nbsp;
Mike Crawford and Paige Manges with La Crosse Adventure Films, along with La Crosse SOUP&rsquo;s Kyle Petrashek stopped in studio to lay out a packed lineup spanning four venues from Oct. 13&ndash;17.
We overview the four-day La Crosse Adventure Film Festival, what it represents, and how it brings the community together through family-oriented shorts, outdoor storytelling, local conservation spotlights, and a final cinema showdown at the Rivoli.&nbsp;
And, as sort of the opening act, Petrashek is quizzed about SOUP at Myrick Park, where four local nonprofits make their pitch to the community to win what was raised that night. The four competing this quarter include Mount La Crosse Ski Patrol, Outdoor Recreation Alliance Trails, Horse Sense, and the Coulee Region Humane Society.
Conversation Highlights:
<ul>
<li>
LAF's Origin: How an excuse to gather friends, watch outdoor movies, and get pumped to go outside grew into a massive multi-day local festival.
</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Not La Crosse TACOS? Pitching the idea of secretly serving tacos when people show up expecting soup&mdash;and Kyle confessing they actually pulled a similar trick with summer pop-up beer events.</li>
<li aria-level="1">SOUP&rsquo;s Gold Standard: Kyle explains how one legendary batch of Marge&rsquo;s chicken dumpling soup completely ruined every future SOUP event for his kids.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A Classic Car Show, LAF Style: Mike and Paige break down the adventure rig show-and-tell at Mount La Crosse&mdash;from converted minivans to massive Unimogs&mdash;before joking about racing them up the ski hill.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Family-First Outdoors: Focusing on real-life stories of non-traditional families, kids, and four-legged companions getting outside together for the kickoff screening at the Pump House.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Wiscor Takes the Screen: Highlighting how local public lands and conservation efforts take center stage at Coulee Region Arts with a premiering short documentary.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Playing Film Critic Over Pizza: How Saturday&rsquo;s big-screen finale at the Rivoli turns the audience into judges, handing out votes (and eating pizza) to pick the festival winners.</li>
</ul>

Wisconsin Dem. Party chair Ben Wikler; Should parties endorse primary candidates?

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