A deepening federal probe into a sweeping fraud scandal in Minnesota complicated Governor Tim Walz's bid for an unprecedented third term in the state. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but Republicans have sought to blame Walz and Democrats for the massive abuse of taxpayer dollars. Tuesday on La Crosse Talk, Sean Dwyer spoke to WCCO political reporter Susie Jones, who has been covering the scandal and the Governor's political career. Topics included the fallout from the scandal and future developments. Walz's announcement and the continuing scandal is and will change the political landscape in the Gopher State.

A deepening federal probe into a sweeping fraud scandal in Minnesota complicated Governor Tim Walz's bid for an unprecedented third term in the state. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but Republicans have sought to blame Walz and Democrats for the massive abuse of taxpayer dollars. Tuesday on La Crosse Talk, Sean Dwyer spoke to WCCO political reporter Susie Jones, who has been covering the scandal and the Governor's political career. Topics included the fallout from the scandal and future developments. Walz's announcement and the continuing scandal is and will change the political landscape in the Gopher State.

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.

WIZM - La Crosse

Analysis of Walz's decision to drop out of the governor's race

The La Crosse Regional Airport, commercial real estate, workforce challenges were some of the topics discussed on La Crosse Talk on Thursday. 



Vicki Markussen is the executive director for the La Crosse Area Development Corporation, or LADCO.  She joined host Sean Dwyer to talk about the business community in the region.



During the discussion, Markussen emphasized the importance of the airport to local businesses and travelers. 



She says the addition of Allegiant airline flights is a boon for area travelers and the community. 



She also talked about the LADCO annual meeting which is set for January 29 at the Cargill Room at the Waterfront in La Crosse. That event is open to the public. Vicki talked challenges, opportunities and future endeavors.

The La Crosse Regional Airport, commercial real estate, workforce challenges were some of the topics discussed on La Crosse Talk on Thursday.&nbsp;
 
Vicki Markussen is the executive director for the <a href="https://www.ladcolax.com/">La Crosse Area Development Corporation,</a> or LADCO.&nbsp; She joined host Sean Dwyer to talk about the business community in the region.
 
During the discussion, Markussen emphasized the importance of the airport to local businesses and travelers.&nbsp;
 
She says the addition of Allegiant airline flights is a boon for area travelers and the community.&nbsp;
 
She also talked about the LADCO annual meeting which is set for January 29 at <a href="https://www.ladcolax.com/#!event/2025/12/22/ladco-apos-s-54th-annual-meeting">the Cargill Room at the Waterfront in La Crosse.</a> That event is open to the public. Vicki talked challenges, opportunities and future endeavors.

Markussen discusses business growth in area

UW-La Crosse is inviting the community to Mitchell Hall on Saturday for a day of play and remembrance, dedicated to the legacy of Charlie “Bubba” Lonning Weber.

The festivities kick off at from noon-2:45 p.m. with the Charlie's Kids fest, and lead into the UW-L women's basketball game after that, where attendance is free and they hope to break the WIAC single-game attendance record of 2,112 fans.



erseys. Each jersey will be inscribed with the names of 19 infants who have passed away, serving as a visual memorial to raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss.

  Know before you go: Bubba's Youth Day & Charlie's Kids fest  

If you are planning to help "Fill Mitchell Hall" Saturday, here is the schedule and what you need to know:


Charlie's Kids fest (Noon–2:45 p.m.): The pre-game party takes place in the Mitchell Hall Fieldhouse. It features inflatables, obstacle courses, and activity stations for kids (preschool through 8th grade).

The Big Game (3 p.m.): Stick around as UW-La Crosse Women’s Basketball takes on UW-Platteville. This is the official push to break the WIAC attendance record of 2,112 fans.

Admission is FREE: Both the fest and the basketball game are free for fans of all ages.

Registration & Waivers: While the event is free, children participating in the fest must be accompanied by an adult. You can save time by signing the required waiver online before you arrive.

The Cause: The event is hosted by Bubba’s Fund, which supports the Charlie’s Kids Foundation. Their mission is to provide SIDS education and "sleep safe" resources to new parents, a mission that has already significantly impacted childcare safety in the La Crosse area.



While the record is a target, organizers say the primary goal is to "Fill Mitchell Hall" with support for a cause that has already transformed local childcare safety.





The event supports Bubba’s Fund, established by UW-L women’s basketball coach Moran Lonning and her husband, Alex Weber, after their son Charlie passed away in 2024 at just three months old.



Since then, the fund has reached a major milestone in successfully providing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to every state-licensed childcare facility in La Crosse.



Saturday’s events will help sustain that momentum and support "Rising Athletes," a nonprofit that removes financial barriers for local youth sports.



Charlie’s Kids Fest at Mitchell Hall Fieldhouse is free for children (preschool through 8th grade) and features inflatables, obstacle courses, plus a chance to play alongside UW-L student-athletes.



Parents are encouraged to sign a participation waiver in advance at bubbasfund.org.

UW-La Crosse is inviting the community to Mitchell Hall on Saturday for a day of play and remembrance, dedicated to the legacy of Charlie &ldquo;Bubba&rdquo; Lonning Weber.
The festivities kick off at from noon-2:45 p.m. with the Charlie's Kids fest, and lead into the UW-L women's basketball game after that, where attendance is free and they hope to break the WIAC single-game attendance record of 2,112 fans.

erseys. Each jersey will be inscribed with the names of 19 infants who have passed away, serving as a visual memorial to raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss.
 Know before you go: Bubba's Youth Day &amp; Charlie's Kids fest 
If you are planning to help "Fill Mitchell Hall" Saturday, here is the schedule and what you need to know:
 
<ul>
<li>Charlie's Kids fest (Noon&ndash;2:45 p.m.): The pre-game party takes place in the Mitchell Hall Fieldhouse. It features inflatables, obstacle courses, and activity stations for kids (preschool through 8th grade).</li>

<li></li>

<li>The Big Game (3 p.m.): Stick around as UW-La Crosse Women&rsquo;s Basketball takes on UW-Platteville. This is the official push to break the WIAC attendance record of 2,112 fans.</li>

<li></li>

<li>Admission is FREE: Both the fest and the basketball game are free for fans of all ages.</li>

<li></li>

<li>Registration &amp; Waivers: While the event is free, children participating in the fest must be accompanied by an adult. You can <a href="https://www.bubbasfund.org/">save time by signing the required waiver online</a> before you arrive.</li>

<li></li>

<li>The Cause: The event is hosted by Bubba&rsquo;s Fund, which supports the Charlie&rsquo;s Kids Foundation. Their mission is to provide SIDS education and "sleep safe" resources to new parents, a mission that has already significantly impacted childcare safety in the La Crosse area.</li>
</ul>
 
While the record is a target, organizers say the primary goal is to "Fill Mitchell Hall" with support for a cause that has already transformed local childcare safety.


The event supports Bubba&rsquo;s Fund, established by UW-L women&rsquo;s basketball coach Moran Lonning and her husband, Alex Weber, after their son Charlie passed away in 2024 at just three months old.
 
Since then, the fund has reached a major milestone in successfully <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2025/12/17/bubbas-fund-gets-aeds-to-childcare-centers-in-honor-of-uw-l-coachs-son-who-passed-away-at-3-months/">providing automated external defibrillators</a> (AEDs) to every state-licensed childcare facility in La Crosse.
 
Saturday&rsquo;s events will help sustain that momentum and support "Rising Athletes," a nonprofit that removes financial barriers for local youth sports.
 
Charlie&rsquo;s Kids Fest at Mitchell Hall Fieldhouse is free for children (preschool through 8th grade) and features inflatables, obstacle courses, plus a chance to play alongside UW-L student-athletes.

Parents are encouraged to sign a participation waiver in advance at <a href="https://www.bubbasfund.org/">bubbasfund.org</a>.

UW-La Crosse aims to break attendance record Saturday during Bubba’s Youth Day 

Ann Christianson is the Executive Director of the Children's Museum of La Crosse, was on La Crosse-Talk Wednesday.

Christianson told host Sean Dwyer that the focus and mission of the museum is fun. That includes fun for children, fun for parents, grandparents adults and visitors. 

Among the highlights for the past year included new programs, new displays and infrastructure improvements, including remodeling bathrooms. 

On the more fun notes, future 2026 plans include what Christianson says will be an uptick in the programming targeted for children and families.

Christianson talked about the importance of volunteers. The people who help the museum impacts programming throughout the year.

Ann Christianson is the Executive Director of the Children's Museum of La Crosse, was on La Crosse-Talk Wednesday.
Christianson told host Sean Dwyer that the focus and mission of the museum is fun. That includes fun for children, fun for parents, grandparents adults and visitors.&nbsp;
Among the highlights for the past year included new programs, new displays and infrastructure improvements, including remodeling bathrooms.&nbsp;
On the more fun notes, future 2026 plans include what Christianson says will be an uptick in the programming targeted for children and families.
Christianson talked about the importance of volunteers. The people who help the museum impacts programming throughout the year.

Analysis of Walz's decision to drop out of the governor's race

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