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 packed Friday, where we get the La Crosse airport director’s reaction after someone tried sneaking a foot-long medieval weapon through security, and dive into Kwik Trip ditching roller grills — can you really call it a Tornado if it didn't spin? 

Plus, UW-La Crosse political scientist Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down new Facebook rules for kids and who’s the most known politicians in the state.

Also, WIZM’s Brad Williams and Kevin Millard stop in to break down why the city might strip liquor licenses from two downtown Third Street bars, accused of letting underage drinking slide.

Episode Highlights:
Medieval Security Snafu: Airport Director Lauren Koss reacts to TSA intercepting a foot-long medieval halberd and reveals the wildly bizarre items passengers try to fly with.
Kwik Trip Shakeup: The La Crosse-based chain is ditching roller grills, moving everything to the hotspot — but can you really call it a tor-NAH-do if it didn't spin?
Bar License Crackdown: Williams breaks down a city special meeting that could pull liquor licenses from two Third Street bars — and whether fake IDs are getting too good to spot.
Stock Trading & Soros Hits: Williams recaps a campaign event by US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden on Congress stock trading, but questions why presidential trades weren’t — plus Van Orden brought up George Soros.
Democrat Name Recognition: With a lineup of statewide Democrats in town for the corn roast, Chergosky ranks Wisconsin's most well-known politicians—and whether Ben Wikler actually moves the needle with average voters.
Meta paying WI $219M: Chergosky breaks down Meta's landmark lawsuit settlement, new daily time limits for teens, and how AG Josh Kaul plans to spend Wisconsin's multi-million dollar payout. 

A packed Friday, where we get the La Crosse airport director&rsquo;s reaction after someone tried sneaking a foot-long medieval weapon through security, and dive into Kwik Trip ditching roller grills &mdash; can you really call it a Tornado if it didn't spin?&nbsp;
Plus, UW-La Crosse political scientist Dr. Anthony Chergosky breaks down new Facebook rules for kids and who&rsquo;s the most known politicians in the state.
Also, WIZM&rsquo;s Brad Williams and Kevin Millard stop in to break down why the city might strip liquor licenses from two downtown Third Street bars, accused of letting underage drinking slide.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Medieval Security Snafu: Airport Director Lauren Koss reacts to TSA intercepting a foot-long medieval halberd and reveals the wildly bizarre items passengers try to fly with.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Kwik Trip Shakeup: The La Crosse-based chain is ditching roller grills, moving everything to the hotspot &mdash; but can you really call it a tor-NAH-do if it didn't spin?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Bar License Crackdown: Williams breaks down a city special meeting that could pull liquor licenses from two Third Street bars &mdash; and whether fake IDs are getting too good to spot.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Stock Trading &amp; Soros Hits: Williams recaps a campaign event by US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden on Congress stock trading, but questions why presidential trades weren&rsquo;t &mdash; plus Van Orden brought up George Soros.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Democrat Name Recognition: With a lineup of statewide Democrats in town for the corn roast, Chergosky ranks Wisconsin's most well-known politicians&mdash;and whether Ben Wikler actually moves the needle with average voters.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Meta paying WI $219M: Chergosky breaks down Meta's landmark lawsuit settlement, new daily time limits for teens, and how AG Josh Kaul plans to spend Wisconsin's multi-million dollar payout.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Bye Kwik Trip roller grills, medieval weapons at TSA, and new Facebook rules for kids

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>

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

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