Shirley Hefti joined in studio, just days ahead of her 100th birthday. She shared a couple of La Crosse childhood memories with us, including being born at Grandview in La Crosse and going to Franklin Elementary School. She'll be celebrating from 11-:12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Harry J. Olson Senior Center on the north side, before her actual birthday on Sunday. And she said she's taking it easy that day.

Shirley Hefti joined in studio, just days ahead of her 100th birthday. She shared a couple of La Crosse childhood memories with us, including being born at Grandview in La Crosse and going to Franklin Elementary School. She'll be celebrating from 11-:12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Harry J. Olson Senior Center on the north side, before her actual birthday on Sunday. And she said she's taking it easy that day.

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

La Crosse's Shirley Hefti in studio celebrating her 100th birthday

Meghan Roh, Program Director at Opportunity Wisconsin, joined La Crosse Talk to preview an upcoming town hall featuring special guest U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (D–Madison).

The event begins at 5 Tuesday at the Capella Performing Arts Center (register here).

Opportunity Wisconsin is helping organize the event, which aims to engage residents on key federal issues. Roh noted that U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden (R–Prairie du Chien), who represents the district, was invited to participate. While representatives from Opportunity Wisconsin recently met with Van Orden for two hours in Washington, D.C., she said it appears unlikely he will attend.

Roh detailed what Van Orden shared during that D.C. meeting, particularly regarding potential federal funding cuts that could impact people on Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare.

We also asked Roh about the format of the town hall — will attendees have the chance to speak directly with Rep. Pocan? — and who is welcome to attend.

She referenced a similar town hall held last month in Eau Claire, which featured Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski. Van Orden was invited to that event as well but did not attend.

Roh also responded to criticism from the La Crosse County Republican Party, which recently labeled the upcoming La Crosse town hall a “fake event.”

The interview began with an overview of Opportunity Wisconsin’s mission, its advocacy work, and the top priorities they’re hearing from Wisconsin residents at events like this one.

Opportunity Wisconsin describes itself as a coalition of advocates, small business owners, and seniors committed to building support for policies that support working families.

Other groups involved in organizing Tuesday's town hall include: 
Main Street Alliance
Climate Power
Protect Our Care
Working Families Power
Family Friendly Wisconsin
Committee to Protect Health Care

Meghan Roh, Program Director at Opportunity Wisconsin, joined La Crosse Talk to preview an upcoming town hall featuring special guest U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (D&ndash;Madison).
The event begins at 5 Tuesday at the Capella Performing Arts Center (<a href="https://www.mobilize.us/owi/event/776170/">register here</a>).
Opportunity Wisconsin is helping organize the event, which aims to engage residents on key federal issues. Roh noted that U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden (R&ndash;Prairie du Chien), who represents the district, was invited to participate. While representatives from Opportunity Wisconsin recently met with Van Orden for two hours in Washington, D.C., she said it appears unlikely he will attend.
Roh detailed what Van Orden shared during that D.C. meeting, particularly regarding potential federal funding cuts that could impact people on Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare.
We also asked Roh about the format of the town hall &mdash; will attendees have the chance to speak directly with Rep. Pocan? &mdash; and who is welcome to attend.
She referenced a similar town hall held last month in Eau Claire, which featured Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski. Van Orden was invited to that event as well but did not attend.
Roh also responded to criticism from the La Crosse County Republican Party, which recently labeled the upcoming La Crosse town hall a &ldquo;fake event.&rdquo;
The interview began with an overview of Opportunity Wisconsin&rsquo;s mission, its advocacy work, and the top priorities they&rsquo;re hearing from Wisconsin residents at events like this one.
Opportunity Wisconsin describes itself as a coalition of advocates, small business owners, and seniors committed to building support for policies that support working families.
Other groups involved in organizing Tuesday's town hall include:&nbsp; Main Street Alliance Climate Power Protect Our Care Working Families Power Family Friendly Wisconsin Committee to Protect Health Care

Opportunity Wisconsin's Meghan Roh previews La Crosse town hall featuring US House Rep. Pocan

Federal funding cuts

Budget surplus

What programs could get cut

La Crosse County land sale

WI political parties working well together?

Did state ignore La Crosse area

Onalaska budget listening session

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle in studio for La Crosse Talk discussing a range of issues, including his recent budget listening session in Onalaska, how the Legislature is grappling with federal funding cuts, and whether bipartisanship is improving this term.

Doyle (D-Onalaska), who also serves on the La Crosse County Board, weighed in on the county’s potential sale of 111 acres of farmland in West Salem — discussing the priorities behind the sale and the possible timeline.

We kicked things off by digging into how federal funding cuts are making the state budget process more challenging, and whether more money should be added to the rainy day fund.

After that, Doyle shared insights on how the Legislature is functioning under new district maps that have eased gerrymandering in Wisconsin. While tensions remain among leadership — like Gov. Tony Evers and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos — Doyle said lawmakers are finding common ground on key issues behind the scenes.

Lastly, we recapped the local budget listening session Doyle held with state Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) at the Onalaska Public Library — one of several sessions organized by area Democrats in response to the state’s Joint Finance Committee holding meetings far from the region. Around 100 people attended. Doyled shared how that went and what people’s concerns are.

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle in studio for La Crosse Talk discussing a range of issues, including his recent budget listening session in Onalaska, how the Legislature is grappling with federal funding cuts, and whether bipartisanship is improving this term.
Doyle (D-Onalaska), who also serves on the La Crosse County Board, weighed in on the county&rsquo;s potential sale of 111 acres of farmland in West Salem &mdash; discussing the priorities behind the sale and the possible timeline.
We kicked things off by digging into how federal funding cuts are making the state budget process more challenging, and whether more money should be added to the rainy day fund.
After that, Doyle shared insights on how the Legislature is functioning under new district maps that have eased gerrymandering in Wisconsin. While tensions remain among leadership &mdash; like Gov. Tony Evers and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos &mdash; Doyle said lawmakers are finding common ground on key issues behind the scenes.
Lastly, we recapped the local budget listening session Doyle held with state Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) at the Onalaska Public Library &mdash; one of several sessions organized by area Democrats in response to the state&rsquo;s Joint Finance Committee holding meetings far from the region. Around 100 people attended. Doyled shared how that went and what people&rsquo;s concerns are.

Onalaska state Rep. Doyle on fed funding cuts, local listening session, selling county land

More on running for chair

A break to talk Tron

Deportation of Maryland father to El Salvador

Wrap up

William Garcia is in studio discussing his running for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair on the platform of “Grow - Persist - Resist.”

Garcia has been the chair of the La Crosse County Democratic Party for the past five years — he is co-chair this year. He is also the chair of the 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party and the Secretary/Treasurer of the DPW Latino Caucus. 

Garcia discusses the idea behind his platform in supporting and enhancing local parties, as he sees things have gotten too top-down.

Mid-show we took a break from politics to talk movies — as we typically do with Garcia — with the new Tron trailer recently coming out.

After that, we spent quite a bit of time discussing the Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia situation — the Maryland father, who the Trump administration said they accidentally deported to an El Salvador prison.

 

William Garcia is in studio discussing his running for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair on the platform of &ldquo;Grow - Persist - Resist.&rdquo;
Garcia has been the chair of the La Crosse County Democratic Party for the past five years &mdash; he is co-chair this year. He is also the chair of the 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party and the Secretary/Treasurer of the DPW Latino Caucus.&nbsp;
Garcia discusses the idea behind his platform in supporting and enhancing local parties, as he sees things have gotten too top-down.
Mid-show we took a break from politics to talk movies &mdash; as we typically do with Garcia &mdash; with the new Tron trailer recently coming out.
After that, we spent quite a bit of time discussing the Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia situation &mdash; the Maryland father, who the Trump administration said they accidentally deported to an El Salvador prison.
&nbsp;

La Crosse's Shirley Hefti in studio celebrating her 100th birthday

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