UW-L political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk for a wide-ranging conversation on everything from West Avenue traffic, dumbing down ballot referendums, suing your neighbor for driveway basketball and the early start of the 2026 Wisconsin governor's race.

We kicked things off with a local “issue” — the traffic congestion along West Avenue, particularly around UW-La Crosse. One suggestion making the rounds on “La Crosse Reddit” involves building a pedestrian bridge to ease delays caused by students. We also noted how this hyperlocal problem compares to the much bigger traffic issues in places like the Twin Cities.

From that small-town issue to first-world problems, where we hit on a bizarre lawsuit in Saint Louis Park, Minn., where a family is suing their neighbor because the kids next door play basketball — something she can see from her kitchen window. The situation escalated to the point where they attempted (unsuccessfully) to get a restraining order against the children.

Back on the political front, Chergosky discussed Washington County executive Josh Schoemann becoming the first to announce a run for Wisconsin governor — ahead of even incumbent Gov. Tony Evers or any other potential candidates — with the election more than a year and a half away in November 2026.

We also dove into the differences between campaigning for local versus statewide and national offices — including the contrast in visibility, voter engagement, and payoff when serving on city councils, school boards, or in the state Legislature and Congress.

Finally, we wrapped with a look at a new bill in Wisconsin aimed at simplifying ballot referendum language, as Republicans continue pushing Constitutional Amendments to bypass the Democratic governor’s veto power.

UW-L political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk for a wide-ranging conversation on everything from West Avenue traffic, dumbing down ballot referendums, suing your neighbor for driveway basketball and the early start of the 2026 Wisconsin governor's race.
We kicked things off with a local &ldquo;issue&rdquo; &mdash; the traffic congestion along West Avenue, particularly around UW-La Crosse. One suggestion making the rounds on &ldquo;<a href="https://chatgpt.com/c/6814d6de-699c-8012-bb4e-2e4e784e580a">La Crosse Reddit</a>&rdquo; involves building a pedestrian bridge to ease delays caused by students. We also noted how this hyperlocal problem compares to the much bigger traffic issues in places like the Twin Cities.
From that small-town issue to first-world problems, where we hit on a bizarre lawsuit in Saint Louis Park, Minn., where a family is suing their neighbor because the kids next door play basketball &mdash; something she can see from her kitchen window. The situation escalated to the point where they attempted (unsuccessfully) to get a restraining order against the children.
Back on the political front, Chergosky discussed Washington County executive Josh Schoemann becoming the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2025/05/01/schoemann-enters-wisconsin-governors-race/">first to announce a run for Wisconsin governor</a> &mdash; ahead of even incumbent Gov. Tony Evers or any other potential candidates &mdash; with the election more than a year and a half away in November 2026.
We also dove into the differences between campaigning for local versus statewide and national offices &mdash; including the contrast in visibility, voter engagement, and payoff when serving on city councils, school boards, or in the state Legislature and Congress.
Finally, we wrapped with a look at a new bill in Wisconsin aimed at <a href="https://www.tmj4.com/news/state-capitol/democrats-and-republicans-want-to-make-ballot-referendums-easier-to-understand-can-they-agree-on-how">simplifying ballot referendum language</a>, as Republicans continue pushing Constitutional Amendments to bypass the Democratic governor&rsquo;s veto power.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.