Z93's Tracy Ballzer in studio helping preview the improv show, Heart of La Crosse, which opens Thursday at the Pump House, downtown.

Heart of La Crosse is made up of six cast members and is best described as skits similar to shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway and Saturday Night Live, including some audience participation. 

The members write all the material — except the improv, of course.

Some fan favorites are back, including Doris and Betty, Cletus and Lurleen, plus 819 News — Heart's version of local news, which Ballzer says will change each of the three performances.

Heart of La Crosse has been going for over 40 years. Its upcoming shows happen Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Pump House. Tickets can be purchased at Around River City.

Z93's Tracy Ballzer in studio helping preview the improv show, Heart of La Crosse, which opens Thursday at the Pump House, downtown.
Heart of La Crosse is made up of six cast members and is best described as skits similar to shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway and Saturday Night Live, including some audience participation.&nbsp;
The members write all the material &mdash; except the improv, of course.
Some fan favorites are back, including Doris and Betty,&nbsp;Cletus and Lurleen, plus&nbsp;819 News &mdash; Heart's version of local news, which Ballzer says will change each of the three performances.
Heart of La Crosse has been going for over 40 years. Its upcoming shows happen Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Pump House. Tickets can be purchased at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aroundrivercity.com/">Around River City</a>.

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

The talk of the town is La Crosse Talk with Mike Hayes. Catch all the best interviews from La Crosse Talk and Scott Robert Shaw's As I See It editorial.

The talk of the town is La Crosse Talk with Mike Hayes. Catch all the best interviews from La Crosse Talk and Scott Robert Shaw's As I See It editorial.

WIZM - La Crosse

Ballzer previews improv show Heart of La Crosse, which opens Thursday

Viterbo immunologist, Dr. Chris Mayne, in the WIZM studio discussing the measles outbreak happening in the U.S. right now, and the origins of the conspiracy linking vaccines to autism. 

Mayne, an associate professor of biology at Viterbo, says the measles is the most contagious virus known to man, and talks of how the MMR vaccine nearly eliminated it. 

He also breaks down Andrew Wakefield's 12-child, illegal study and how he tried to link autism to the measles portion of the vaccine, basically to get rich. 

Viterbo immunologist, Dr. Chris Mayne, in the WIZM studio discussing the measles outbreak happening in the U.S. right now, and the origins of the conspiracy linking vaccines to autism.&nbsp;
Mayne, an associate professor of biology at Viterbo, says the measles is the most contagious virus known to man, and talks of how the MMR vaccine nearly eliminated it.&nbsp;
He also breaks down Andrew Wakefield's 12-child, illegal study and how he tried to link autism to the measles portion of the vaccine, basically to get rich.&nbsp;

Viterbo's Dr. Mayne on measles outbreak and autism conspiracy

La Crosse Education Association co-president Jesse Martinez joins to talk about the plans for the new elementary, what it probably won’t be named, plus their process to endorsing school board candidates.

Martinez is a seventh-grade social studies and math teacher at Logan Middle School, along with being the teachers’ union co-president, so we also talked about some funny stories he’s experienced in the classroom.

In discussing the school board elections, Martinez told us the process for why they endorsed Merideth Garcia, Jeff Jackson and Molly Fuchs. 

Part of that was filling out their questionnaire but only four of the seven candidates — the three listed here, plus Kevin Hundt — took the time to answer the teachers’ union.

In regards to the new elementary school building, Martinez talked about the teachers' union input into those plans and how they used Northside Elementary as a reference point.

La Crosse Education Association co-president Jesse Martinez joins to talk about the plans for the new elementary, what it probably won&rsquo;t be named, plus their process to endorsing school board candidates.
Martinez is a seventh-grade social studies and math teacher at Logan Middle School, along with being the teachers&rsquo; union co-president, so we also talked about some funny stories he&rsquo;s experienced in the classroom.
In discussing the school board elections, Martinez told us the process for why they endorsed Merideth Garcia, Jeff Jackson and Molly Fuchs.&nbsp;
Part of that was filling out their questionnaire but only four of the seven candidates &mdash; the three listed here, plus Kevin Hundt &mdash; took the time to answer the teachers&rsquo; union.
In regards to the <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2025/03/16/layout-unveiled-for-new-school-at-hogan-administrative-site/">new elementary school building</a>, Martinez talked about the teachers' union input into those plans and how they used Northside Elementary as a reference point.

La Crosse teachers' union president Martinez on school board endorsements, new elementary school plans

Are you done with politics?

Mitch on former Mayor Medinger

Advice for next mayor

La Crosse Airport situation

How people feel about him as mayor

Favorite accomplishments as mayor

Biggest disappoinment

More proud accomplishments

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joins with less than a month left in office. We discuss what he’s most proud of over the past four years, and things he wish he could have accomplished. Plus whether he’s going to get back into politics and some city business currently happening.

Started out with the big unknown, ‘Is Reynolds going to get back into politics at some point?’

After that, we talked about former Mayor John Medinger’s endorsement in the current mayor’s race and his being a role model for Reynolds.

We then got into the La Crosse Regional Airport. That included the city council's decision to put aside $250,000 for the revenue guarantee fund for airlines, in case they don't break even on flights.

The rest of the show included some of the ups and downs as mayor, including additions to the police and his thoughts on the council not hiring a city administrator. 

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds joins with less than a month left in office. We discuss what he&rsquo;s most proud of over the past four years, and things he wish he could have accomplished. Plus whether he&rsquo;s going to get back into politics and some city business currently happening.
Started out with the big unknown, &lsquo;Is Reynolds going to get back into politics at some point?&rsquo;
After that, we talked about former Mayor John Medinger&rsquo;s endorsement in the current mayor&rsquo;s race and his being a role model for Reynolds.
We then got into the La Crosse Regional Airport. That included the city council's decision to put aside $250,000 for the revenue guarantee fund for airlines, in case they don't break even on flights.
The rest of the show included some of the ups and downs as mayor, including additions to the police and his thoughts on the council not hiring a city administrator.&nbsp;

Ballzer previews improv show Heart of La Crosse, which opens Thursday

In 1 playlist(s)

WIZM - La Crosse

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips