Talked with Pat Stephens of Rotary Lights on how the Riverside Park holiday display kicked off its opening weekend and what it takes to put on such a thing for the past 27 years. Before that, Bill Soper, CEO of the La Crosse Area YMCA, joined to discuss the new 24-7 plan at the Y, as well as some major building updates in La Crosse and Onalaska. 

Talked with Pat Stephens of Rotary Lights on how the Riverside Park holiday display kicked off its opening weekend and what it takes to put on such a thing for the past 27 years. Before that, Bill Soper, CEO of the La Crosse Area YMCA, joined to discuss the new 24-7 plan at the Y, as well as some major building updates in La Crosse and Onalaska.&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

Working the smores assembly line for Rotary Lights; La Crosse Y goes 24-7

A new committee on healthcare in the city of La Crosse is a vote away from being created.

In November city of La Crosse residents will decide if the Community Healthcare Action Plan gets passed through referendum.

Nick Padesky, a campaign manager with Community Action Wisconsin, stopped in studio to explain how the seven-person panel would work.

He says it will give local residents, doctors, and underinsured families a platform to document medical struggles, counter policy decisions, and pressure lawmakers in Madison and Washington to expand coverage and lower prescription costs.

City of La Crosse voters will see four ballot questions on the November ballot. Three were written by Republicans in the state Legislature with no Democratic support to change the state Constitution.

The fourth is the local municipal referendum regarding the Community Healthcare Action Plan, which asks: "Shall the city establish a citizens advisory health care action committee to develop a biennial health care action plan and provide a public process for community input on health care?"

Episode Highlights:


Reason Committee is Needed: Proponents argue local residents need an official city-backed mechanism to document skyrocketing prescription drug costs and fight federal policy decisions.


Signature Surge: Over 5,000 La Crosse residents signed petitions to put the measure on the ballot, outpacing signature thresholds for gubernatorial candidates.


Makeup: The proposed panel will combine local doctors and public health workers with uninsured residents fighting massive out-of-pocket medical bills.


Town Hall Alternative: Regular public hearings will give citizens an open microphone to share personal healthcare struggles directly on the record when federal representatives refuse to hold open town halls.


City Budget Bite: Spikes in health insurance costs could add $2 million to city personnel expenses, directly threatening funding for local libraries and public pools.

A new committee on healthcare in the city of La Crosse is a vote away from being created.
In November city of La Crosse residents will decide if the Community Healthcare Action Plan gets passed through referendum.
Nick Padesky, a campaign manager with Community Action Wisconsin, stopped in studio to explain how the seven-person panel would work.
He says it will give local residents, doctors, and underinsured families a platform to document medical struggles, counter policy decisions, and pressure lawmakers in Madison and Washington to expand coverage and lower prescription costs.
City of La Crosse voters will see four ballot questions on the November ballot. Three were written by Republicans in the state Legislature with no Democratic support to change the state Constitution.
The fourth is the local municipal referendum regarding the Community Healthcare Action Plan, which asks:&nbsp;"Shall the city establish a citizens advisory health care action committee to develop a biennial health care action plan and provide a public process for community input on health care?"
Episode Highlights:
<ul data-path-to-node="15">
<li>
Reason Committee is Needed: Proponents argue local residents need an official city-backed mechanism to document skyrocketing prescription drug costs and fight federal policy decisions.
</li>
<li>
Signature Surge: Over 5,000 La Crosse residents signed petitions to put the measure on the ballot, outpacing signature thresholds for gubernatorial candidates.
</li>
<li>
Makeup: The proposed panel will combine local doctors and public health workers with uninsured residents fighting massive out-of-pocket medical bills.
</li>
<li>
Town Hall Alternative: Regular public hearings will give citizens an open microphone to share personal healthcare struggles directly on the record when federal representatives refuse to hold open town halls.
</li>
<li>
City Budget Bite: Spikes in health insurance costs could add $2 million to city personnel expenses, directly threatening funding for local libraries and public pools.
</li>
</ul>

Padesky: November ballot question aims to give La Crosse a voice on healthcare

It's a bit of a light committee week preview, but there was plenty of city business in La Crosse to discuss with Mac Kiel in studio. 

Kiel helped break down what was finally a public meeting on — basically — creating a city administrator position, plus major staff cuts hitting the public library and why council members might have to trim their own expense accounts. 

We also dove into the city's latest progress on homelessness and what looked to be a scramble to land a Chipotle on the south side. 

Episode Highlights:
City Manager Showdown: A special council session on professional city management leaned heavily toward hiring a city administrator, raising big questions about overall costs and the future role of the mayor.
Library Board Fallout: With all city departments ordered to slash 6% from their budgets, Kiel details the Library Board's painful vote to eliminate five full-time positions to erase about $430,000 from the 2027 budget.
Council Expense Cut: The biggest item for committee week is from F&P, where a self-imposed trim could not just drop council expense allowances but change the entire format.
Homelessness Targeted Strategy: A Pathways Home city-county update revealed homelessness is down by a third, but the immediate and long-term dilemmas are still clashing
Chipotle Express Postponed: A series of special meetings was called to fast-track a south-side Chipotle near Wendy's to hit strict filing deadlines, only for the session to get postponed anyway.

It's a bit of a light committee week preview, but there was plenty of city business in La Crosse to discuss with Mac Kiel in studio.&nbsp;
Kiel helped break down what was finally a public meeting on &mdash; basically &mdash; creating a city administrator position, plus major staff cuts hitting the public library and why council members might have to trim their own expense accounts.&nbsp;
We also dove into the city's latest progress on homelessness and what looked to be a scramble to land a Chipotle on the south side.&nbsp;
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">City Manager Showdown: A special council session on professional city management leaned heavily toward hiring a city administrator, raising big questions about overall costs and the future role of the mayor.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Library Board Fallout: With all city departments ordered to slash 6% from their budgets, Kiel details the Library Board's painful vote to eliminate five full-time positions to erase about $430,000 from the 2027 budget.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Council Expense Cut: The biggest item for committee week is from F&amp;P, where a self-imposed trim could not just drop council expense allowances but change the entire format.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Homelessness Targeted Strategy: A Pathways Home city-county update revealed homelessness is down by a third, but the immediate and long-term dilemmas are still clashing</li>
<li aria-level="1">Chipotle Express Postponed: A series of special meetings was called to fast-track a south-side Chipotle near Wendy's to hit strict filing deadlines, only for the session to get postponed anyway.</li>
</ul>

Mac Kiel on city administrator debate, library cuts, and council pay

Sarah Godlewski stopped in studio to talk about her vision for lowering everyday costs for Wisconsin residents.

The Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor outlined plans to ease pressure on local budgets — from fully funding public schools to help lower property taxes, to finding ways at the state level to combat gas prices.

Godlewski also went after D.C. gridlock, pointing directly at her Republican governor opponent, U.S. House Rep. Tom Tiffany. She argued that Tiffany, and Republicans who control Congress, have not just ignored cost-of-living issues like healthcare and fuel prices, but made things worse — putting the burden on state leaders to deliver practical solutions for residents.

She also discussed the oddity of Wisconsin’s primary system, where governor and lieutenant governor candidates run separately before joining forces for the general. Plus, Godlewski shared the story of being sworn in as Secretary of State in her Packers pajamas — though we didn't ask if she'll wear them again if she and Crowley win in November.

In this episode:
Lowering Local Costs: Godlewski’s state-level plans to lower property taxes and fuel prices.
Federal Inaction: Pointing to Tom Tiffany and D.C. gridlock on healthcare and fuel costs rising.
School Funding: Why she says funding public education at the state level is key to local tax relief.
Navigating the Ticket: Godlewski’s take on running in Wisconsin’s split primary, then aligning with David Crowley for November. 
The Pajama Swearing-In: The story behind her unconventional oath of office as Secretary of State.

Sarah Godlewski stopped in studio to talk about her vision for lowering everyday costs for Wisconsin residents.
The Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor outlined plans to ease pressure on local budgets &mdash; from fully funding public schools to help lower property taxes, to finding ways at the state level to combat gas prices.
Godlewski also went after D.C. gridlock, pointing directly at her Republican governor opponent, U.S. House Rep. Tom Tiffany. She argued that Tiffany, and Republicans who control Congress, have not just ignored cost-of-living issues like healthcare and fuel prices, but made things worse &mdash; putting the burden on state leaders to deliver practical solutions for residents.
She also discussed the oddity of Wisconsin&rsquo;s primary system, where governor and lieutenant governor candidates run separately before joining forces for the general. Plus, Godlewski shared the story of being sworn in as Secretary of State in her Packers pajamas &mdash; though we didn't ask if she'll wear them again if she and Crowley win in November.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Lowering Local Costs: Godlewski&rsquo;s state-level plans to lower property taxes and fuel prices.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Federal Inaction: Pointing to Tom Tiffany and D.C. gridlock on healthcare and fuel costs rising.</li>
<li aria-level="1">School Funding: Why she says funding public education at the state level is key to local tax relief.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Navigating the Ticket: Godlewski&rsquo;s take on running in Wisconsin&rsquo;s split primary, then aligning with David Crowley for November.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Pajama Swearing-In: The story behind her unconventional oath of office as Secretary of State.</li>
</ul>

Working the smores assembly line for Rotary Lights; La Crosse Y goes 24-7

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