It's the 60th annual Holiday Fair at the La Crosse Center, and Bri Beining, the marketing coordinator for the Center, joined to help preview the event, which runs Thursday-Sunday. We talk about what you can expect from the arts and crafts show, how Santa Claus will be taking gift requests and some of the special promotions running for year No. 60 — like a free tote for the first 1,000 guests each day.  Here's the schedule: Thursday, Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

La Crosse city council Rep. Chris Woodard called in to discuss his displeasure with the decision to not add about $105,000 to the 2025 budget and include large-item pickup, plus pushing back a vote on hiring a city administrator until after the mayoral election. At the council's monthly meeting this week, it voted 8-4 not to add large-item pickup back into the budget, after it had been cut the year before. Woodard talks about why he wanted that back. We also discussed the council's decision last month to delay a decision on a city administrator until May of 2025, which would come after a new mayor is elected, plus half the council is on the ballot, as well. The council did vote, this week, to create a working group to study the administrator idea. First, though, we got Woodard's reaction to the news that Mitch Reynold would not be seeking reelection. 

UW-La Crosse football coach Matt Janus joined WIZM's La Crosse Talk on Tuesday to discuss, not just being back in the playoffs for a fourth-consecutive season, but how this one means just a bit more because these seniors are his first recruiting class. We also talk about the three-game skid the 18th-ranked Eagles (7-3) went through early and how that changed Janus' perspective and got the team back on track. In ending the season with a five-game win streak, UW-L has won four of those by one score. The Eagles host unranked Northwestern at noon Saturday — a game that will stream on WKTY.

Rotary Lights founder Pat Stephens joins to preview the upcoming holiday display that will go live the day after Thanksgiving in Riverside Park. This is the 30th year of Rotary Lights, which seeks food and cash donations from visitors to be given out to multiple pantries in the area. Stephens talks about how Rotary Lights got started in the 1990s and how it's grown. He also tells us is he's a one marshmallow or two marshmallow guy for the free smores area in the park. All the favorites are back — smores, ice rink, fireworks, reindeer, sleigh rides and more — plus Stephens tells us the tunnel will be fully lit and there's a new maze this season. Rotary Lights runs until New Years Day.

School District of La Crosse superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joins to talk about what’s next now that the $53.5 million elementary school referendum plan passed, plus we discuss his thoughts on the Trump administration potentially closing the Department of Education. We also brought up the idea of $4 billion in the next budget to fund public education, which is nearly the same as the state’s budget surplus. Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jill Underly, made that proposal recently. With the referendum, we discussed what happens next and when — tearing down the Hogan Administration building, creating blueprints for the new elementary, and renovating State Road Elementary with eight new classrooms and a new gym.  Began, though, talking quick about Logan High’s football team getting to the state semifinals.

Lacey Hein and Johnny Wadzinski from Catholic Charities in studio, discussing how the impact of the city of La Crosse's camping ban has already strained the Warming Shelter in the first two week's that it's been open. The two are encouraging volunteers to sign up, people to bring meals and donations of clothing, cash, and cleaning products.

A fun conversation with Aquinas High School football coach Tom Lee, as his team gets set to play in the Division 4 state semifinals and defend its three consecutive state championships. The second-ranked Blugolds (11-1) face No. 5 Racine St. Catherine's at 7 p.m. Friday. We talk about what makes Racine such a tough matchup, how Aquinas managed to pull off last week's victory and we hyped up a couple of his players. That included Trey Bahr's performance in the 29-28 comeback win over Columbus and who Aquinas has get off the bus first — which coach Lee made no hesitation about naming. 

Logan High School football coach Casey Knoble joins to talk about his team being in the Division 3 state semifinals, playing to get to a state to Camp Randall and just coaching life with three young kids at home. Knoble was literally doing this interview from home, his 1-year-old daughter in the background chiming in. The Rangers (10-2) face fifth-ranked Notre Dame (12-0) out of Green Bay at 7 p.m. Friday to get to the state championship. That game will stream on WKTY, too. To get here, Logan came back to beat Medford (10-2) — and the state's top rusher — in the final 30 seconds last week. So, we talk about what worries him about Notre Dame and what that team would say if they were asked about Logan.  

La Crosse School District superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joins the morning after the $53.5 million referendum passed in the fall election. Voters in the district were in favor of the elementary school plan with 60.9% of the 34,240 votes cast. The plan:  — $53.5 million referendum question on November ballot for new schools / 8 classrooms, new gym at State Road Elementary — Build a new elementary school at the Hogan Administrative site, while tearing down that building. — Consolidate Emerson and Spence into new elementary at the Hogan site.  — Close Hintgen and consolidate those students to State Road.

La Crosse County clerk Ginny Dankmeyer joins, the morning after the fall election, and probably running on no sleep. Dankmeyer discusses how election night went from their offices, as every polling place in La Crosse County reports to her throughout election night. 

Actor Scarlett Johansson joined to promote a “get out the vote” effort and discuss women’s health care rights, among other — sillier — things. Johansson has been an actor nearly her entire life. She’s also married to Colin Jost, the anchor of Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live, which was discussed. Johansson, 39, is known to do many of her own stunts and that was part of where the healthcare chat came in but we also discussed women's healthcare and how that might continue to deteriorate under Donald Trump.  Johansson was the highest-paid actress in 2018 and 2019. Her films have grossed over $15.4 billion worldwide. La Crosse Talk airs weekdays at 6-8 a.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska).

It was a Mack and Mac morning on La Crosse Talk with city council members Mac Kiel and Mackenzie Mindel in studio, discussing city administrator, homelessness and a new parking ramp ordinance proposal. We also talked about Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) zoning changes and the impact of District 5 not having representation for what will be a year, which was voted for by the council.  This comes ahead of next week's Judiciary and Administration Committee meeting, which will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, because of the election. Mindel is the chair of the committee and Kiel also sits on it. One piece of legislation there is to have a working group for city administrator, which the council voted to put off deciding to create until after the April elections. Another thing on the agenda is basically making it illegal to do anything in La Crosse parking ramps except park. 

Country Boom did a thing this past week and we called co-founder Jon Holthaus to talk about it, even though he didn't really want the publicity. What they did was get 1,000 pumpkins and deliver them to every pre-K, kindergartener and first grade student in West Salem and Bangor, plus more in pre-K in Onalaska. Holthaus also talks about what's upcoming for Country Boom, which happens July 10-12 at the Maple Grove Venues in West Salem, plus some history of the concert series.

La Crosse Education Association co-president, Jesse Martinez, joined to further discus the school district's $53.5 million referendum, plus the idea of starting school a few weeks early, in late August. Martinez noted that, while there have been multiple ways for the community to hear about the referendum, he's noticed while knocking doors not everyone knows about it.  The plan:  — $53.5 million referendum question on November ballot for new schools / 8 classrooms, new gym at State Road Elementary — Build a new elementary school at the Hogan Administrative site, while tearing down that building. — Consolidate Emerson and Spence into new elementary at the Hogan site.  — Close Hintgen and consolidate those students to State Road. We also discussed what was on the school board agenda, last week, to ask the state for an exemption to start school earlier, and what input the teachers union has in that.

The League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area marketing representatives in studio discussing their focus on using multimedia to encourage all voters, but particularly those under the age of 34, to show up at the polls this election cycle. Jim Jorstad and Chris Haskell spoke to the more than 67,000 new voters eligible to vote this election. Jorstad said he joined the League of Women Voters’ efforts to help them with videos showcasing younger individuals and why they value voting. League member Chris Haskell said the group’s efforts include showing the power of their vote as well as getting into high schools to emphasize voting. The League is using yard signs, billboards, and more using donations to reach potential voters. When asked how they promote voting in a neutral way, Jorstad and Haskell said they try to emphasize that voting is a way to ensure the issues people value are being addressed. The League directs people wanting to know the fundamentals of voting to https://myvote.wi.gov . The website can help you determine where to vote, if you are already registered to vote, what will be on your ballot, and in weeks leading up to the election, how to get an absentee ballot and where it is in the process once it is received.

After an approximately two year hiatus, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is holding its economic indicators breakfast this week to give a snapshot of our local potential for growth – both personally and as business leaders T.J. Brooks joined WIZM’s La Crosse Talk last week and said he primarily looks at employment numbers as a major indicator and also surveys area businesses and leaders to determine local consumer sentiment and how it plays into national outlooks. Brooks will put these into context with national trends at the event. The Economic Indicators Breakfast is Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00 a.m. at the UW-La Crosse student union. Other data included in the analysis is earnings, gross domestic product, cost of living, and more. A panel of speakers includes Marvin Wanders with Three Sixty Real Estate Solutions, Tim Johnson with The Insurance Center, and David Twite with McDonald & Owen Lumber. Brooks said each business owner will discuss how of they have adjusted their business strategies because of inflationary increases. Reports from prior Economic Indicators can be found here. Tickets for Wednesday’s event are $30 and include breakfast. Register here.

Mike Quam joined WIZM’s La Crosse Talk on Thursday, discussing an annual tradition for the Rotary Club of Downtown La Crosse. More than 900 fruit baskets will be be distributed mid-December if you buy one from either a Rotarian or www.rotaryfruit.com. Presale orders have already begun. A shipment of fruit and peanuts arrives two days prior to deliveries starting. Downtown Rotarians spend four hours assembling the fruit baskets. Then delivery begins December 14-16. Quam says this sale helps pay for Rotary Lights and other projects the Rotarians support throughout the year. Early bird discounts end December 6. Ask a Rotarian or go to www.RotarianFruit.com.

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge ranger Katie Julian joins to talk about the 100-year anniversary, the importance of the Mississippi River for migrating birds and how to help protect them, plus how one can get her job. One of the big reasons Julian came on was to spread awareness that, in Lake Onalaska, they put out buoys as “avoidance areas” because those areas have plentiful food sources for migrating birds, and they don’t want boaters to disturb them. Julian also talked about the 100-year anniversary and how it’s been their mission to promote conservation and keep a healthy wildlife habitat. Lastly, as we learned that Julian gets to hang out at overlooks and take pictures of migrating birds and other wildlife, we had to ask just what someone has to do to get a job like hers.

La Crosse County and 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party chair William Garcia in studio, recapping Kamala Harris' visit to UW-La Crosse and Brad Pfaff's state Senate debate against Republican Stacey Klein. We also talked about the missing Republicans campaigning in Wisconsin, as Democrats like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and US Sen. Elizabeth Warren stop in La Crosse.

School District of La Crosse superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joins to discuss the $53.5 million referendum that's on the fall ballot, plus changing the school start date to help alleviate added private school costs with bussing.  The state requires public schools to start on or after Sept. 1. But what we discussed was how the school district is required to bus private school students, and the added burden to do that. Private schools don't have to adhere to the state's Sept. 1 rule, and that adds to the burden to add bus routes when La Crosse public schools aren't going. We also reviewed a bit, the elementary school referendum, and how the public meeting have been attended. The plan is to tear down the Hogan Administration building, built a new elementary school there, upgrade State Road Elementary with eight new classrooms and a new gym, while closing Hintgen, Emerson and Spence. 

West Salem Village Administrator Teresa DeLong said on La Crosse Talk the municipality’s proposal to purchase 10 acres from La Crosse County is the first of two purchase offers that will occur before their agreement with La Crosse County expires at the end of the year. DeLong said the $250,0000 purchase utilizes their first right to purchase that has been in place for about 15 years. The land is known as the County Farm. The West Salem Village Administrator says all purchases follow the plan developed for the area. The new development is then part of the Lakeview Business Park. At that point, the County can sell the land to anyone without the West Salem Village getting first rights. All projects need to come to the Village Board for zoning approval. The purchase before the County Board is an additional property to be owned by Kenrich Foods, for a future expansion. The administrator revealed there is a second property likely to be purchased before the end of the year, which is when their first right to purchase would expire.

Businesses with fewer than 10 employees are feeling uncertainty at a historic level, said the Wisconsin representative, Bill Smith, with the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Smith was on La Crosse Talk stating inflation, soft employment, and rising compensation all add up to businesses being highly uncertain — to a record level. The Wisconsin director said it’s common for businesses to slow down operations as the nation approaches a presidential race, however this is the 33rd month that numbers are low for business sentiment. The NFIB conducts a quarterly survey of its members since 1973 and monthly surveys since 1986. The organization randomly surveys its member businesses. Data from this survey is from September 2024. The full survey asks about a company's ability to hire, plans to hire. The full NFIB report can be found here: https://www.nfib.com/surveys/small-business-economic-trends/

Scott Robert Shaw retirement tribute. Shaw is retiring from WIZM after 35 years with Mid-West Family. 

He’s been the voice of, not just WIZM and not just Mid-West Family, for 35-plus years. Scott Robert Shaw has been the voice of the La Crosse Community since 1989. That’s when he was hired as a reporter at WIZM. After Wednesday, however, Mr. “As I See It with Scott Robert Shaw” is putting down the microphone. Retiring. Mid-West Family's Ken Cooper sat down with Shaw at his favorite watering hole, Howie's, for one sendoff interview.

River City Youth Hockey leaders Matt Binsfeld and Lucas Schwaller in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk last week discussing welcoming everyone to play at the Green Island Ice Arena on the south side, and maybe even getting to ride the zamboni. The two say the public-private partnership with the City of La Crosse has made the organization stronger. An upcoming event, “Try Hockey for Free” will allow people to get in the gear, put on the skates and feel out being on the ice Oct. 20. Binsfield and Schwaller said they’re proud of how they turned a major change at the arena into a success. Just before the pandemic, the city approached the organization about running all of the use of ice inside Green Island. The group now plans figure skating, free skating, adult hockey, youth hockey and more inside the city-owned facility. This parent-led group talks about the positive, co-ed opportunities that bond, not only the kids, but also parents. Learn more about the the "Try Hockey For Free" event here.

Jed Olson, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Alliance, joined La Crosse Talk last week to discuss some of the completed and ongoing projects, including a huge one on the south side that’s about to get started. That projects is the Community Trail Farm and a campaign to kickoff fundraising for the 277-acre site begins at noon Saturday. The old ski hill, turned farm is now ready to be converted into world class hiking trails and more. Olson also talks about some of the other projects — like the West Salem Bike Playground, which has a grand opening Oct. 24 — they have going, plus the goal of ORA Trails itself, in getting people outside and connected in a third space.

One person seeking another person's Facebook post has led to a caravan of vehicles headed Friday to the hurricane-impacted areas of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Patience Running joined to talk about how her connection with someone in Winona wanting to go down south with supplies that grew into several SUVs, trucks and trailers creating a caravan to help those in need in the south.  Running said there is a hub system of connected supplies locations they are in contact with to know exactly what location things will go to when they arrive. Donations were plentiful, resulting in Running relying on a group out of Richland Center to come pick up her surplus items as that semi heads south to North Carolina with supplies as well.

Jared Flick joins and tells us what it’s like hosting a Donald Trump rally, getting comics like Charlie Berens next month, and everything in between at the La Crosse Center. We also talk about things happening with Parks, Recreating and Forestry, in which Flick is the deputy director of it all.  Began the show talking about running the La Crosse Center, plus the stress of being in charge of a building that’s hosting a presidential nominee. We also got into the conventions vs. concerts conversation and some of the swings Flick says they’re taking at the Center with artists like Yung Gravy last month and Theo Von this weekend. Lastly, with the Center, we talked about hosting sporting events, the slim possibility of getting the Milwaukee Bucks G-League team again, and adding more high school playoffs. We ended the conversation discussing the Parks Department, which is again hosting a Halloween event called the Pettibone Haunted Mile, senior programming is through the roof and a big boat company is signing on with the city.

La Crosse Education Association co-president, Jesse Martinez, joins to discuss the upcoming elections, as well as the district's $53.5 million referendum for upgrades to the elementary schools. We began with Martinez, who is a seventh-grade math and social studies teacher at Logan Middle School, on the upcoming election and how he urges voters to look at candidates who are supporting public education both in the Wisconsin state Legislature and in Congress. We also discussed if the referendum is common knowledge at this time, mentioning that the League of Women Voters hosting a forum Thursday on the matter. We also hit on some of the repercussions if the referendum does not pass in November. 

The new pavilion at Forest Hills is more than 70% completed. Retired tourism director Dave Clements joins to talk about how he's led the fundraising effort, which has just a few pavers left to get the campaign across the finish line. The pavilion recognizes the golf course’s history as one of the oldest in the country. The group is also featuring the more than 200 caddies, who learned life lessons while employed carrying bags and assisting with hitting balls on the course over the years. If you want to help with the campaign, reach out to Clements 608.397.3336.

If you want a front seat to the stories behind those who are homeless in the area, Catholic Charities provided that opportunity Thursday on La Crosse Talk with guest Rob Grove. He's the Catholic Charities advancement director, and says there are many individuals who sleep at the shelter and then head to work. For others, kind words or playing cards is the best part of their day. Catholic Charities offers services to those coming to help find housing. Grover said they often help get finances in order and are then welcomed by landlords because they know the families are working with Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities also runs a Warming Center in downtown La Crosse, which will open Nov. 1. 

Ken Cooper introduces the audience to another new WIZM personality, Andy Parrish. The two chat a bit about life and politics. After that (13:10), they go to a an interview Parrish had done with Donald Trump campaign advisor, Corey Lewandowski. 

For 24 hours next week, three Mid-West Family radio stations will be sharing stories from children and their families as part of raising awareness and support during the Children's Miracle Network radiothon. Abby Ryan, with Gundersen, who spent some of her childhood at the CMN Hospitals, joined Ken Cooper on Friday to help preview the radiothon. The two day event will run 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday on 95.7 the Rock, Z93 and KQ98, broadcasting from Gundersen. Donations made during the event stay completely local for CMN Hospitals. To donate go online, call (608) 784-KIDS (5437) or text CMNKIDS to 51555 to make your gift today. 

Vicki Markussen has been on WIZM plenty of times, but on this occasion, host Ken Cooper officially introduces her to the La Crosse Talk audience, including some news that she will be helping out live on air. Markussen has had weekly spots through her Bizcast Greater La Crosse show, but she will now be helping with hosting duties on Thursdays.  So, we get to know Markussen a bit, and also delve into some issues facing La Crosse.

LeaderEthics-Wisconsin executive director joins host Ken Cooper to discuss an upcoming election security town hall, that will include four former members of Congress plus La Crosse County clerk Ginny Dankmeyer.  The event takes place from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Pump House Regional Arts Center in downtown La Crosse. It will feature Hon. Ron Kind (D-WI), Hon. Scott Klug (R-WI), Hon. Tim Petri (R-WI), and Hon. Reid Ribble (R-WI).  After the panel discussion there will be a Q&A.  It's free and open to the public. Register here.

La Crosse MTU director Adam Lorentz may not have gotten the joke on whether or not he was driving to work Tuesday morning, but he did join to talk about the city taking part in "a week without driving." The event is happening in multiple areas throughout the US, and groups across the area are helping promote it. With Lorentz, we began simply talking about his job, how the EV busses are working, before getting into what the city is doing in regards to "a week without driving." 

Former US House Rep. Ron Kind of Wisconsin's 3rd District joins to help preview an election security town hall happening Thursday in La Crosse. We also talk about his old job, how the US House has fared this cycle and the upcoming elections. Kind was a US House Rep. for 26 years, before retiring in 2020. After talking about why a town hall on election security is now needed, we discussed about how unproductive the US House has been this cycle — perhaps the least productive in history — including how it is passing bare minimum resolutions to keep the government funded and has yet to pass a Farm Bill.   We also chatted about the upcoming election, and how Republicans in the area — including Derrick Van Orden and all state Assembly GOP — are refusing to debate their Democratic opponents. Kind the only Democrat, along with three former Republicans, taking part in the town hall that happens from 7-9 p.m. at the Pump House in downtown La Crosse. That event also includes Hon. Scott Klug (R-WI), Hon. Tim Petri (R-WI), and Hon. Reid Ribble (R-WI), as well as La Crosse County Clerk, Ginny Dankmeyer. After the panel discussion there will be a Q&A. 

School District of La Crosse superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joins to discuss more on the $53.5 million referendum to build one elementary and update another, plus how nervous he was when fifth-graders had Wisconsin's governor in a precarious situation. Engel discusses how the weekly public sessions have been attended over the past month, with six more to go before the November election cycle is over. We also talked about how some of the staff would be affected by the referendum passing and schools being closed, or if it doesn't pass — and schools still close.  Last week, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visited an elementary school in the district, and fifth graders had him sitting in the middle of a canoe and took him for a ride on a French Island pond, which likely made everyone a little nervous — including security.  We also talked about how the bands did in the Oktoberfest parades.

La Crosse County and Third Congressional District Democratic Party chair, William Garcia, in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk on Sept. 30, 2024. La Crosse County and Third Congressional District Democratic Party chair, William Garcia, in the WIZM studio Monday for La Crosse Talk, discussing how local Republicans are ducking debating Democrats for Wisconsin state Assembly and US House, plus the state GOP has added another confusing Constitutional Amendment to the November ballot. Republican candidates Ryan Huebsch and Cedric Schnitzler and GOP Rep. Loren Oldenburg, cite “scheduling conflicts” for refusing to debate Democratic Reps. Jill Billings and Steve Doyle, as well as candidate Tara Johnson. In the US House race, Republican Derrick Van Orden has also ignored calls for the second consecutive election to debate his opponent — this time being Rebecca Cooke. In 2022, Van Orden refused to debate challenger Brad Pfaff. Ironically, it's Pfaff that has the only local debate for the November election. Garcia gave credit to Republican candidate Stacey Klein for agreeing to debate Sen. Pfaff (D-Onalaska) for District 32.  Garcia also answered calls and texts from listeners. 

Mac Kiel, on La Crosse’s city council, joins WIZM’s La Crosse Talk and gives an update on the homeless situation, another update on when the Kmart is getting torn down, plus a committee preview where they could decide on adding a city administrator Kiel, who represents District 7, is on the Judiciary and Administration Committee, which meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, where there is legislation to add a city administrator. So we talk about that cost, if the mayor’s salary would decrease and the role of that position. We also talk about a couple items on the J&A agenda, including a zone change for a roominghouse, plus if the city will be changing its parking regulations, after the Neighborhood Revitalization Commission met earlier this month on that. When it comes to the Kmart lot, which is in Kiel’s district, we talk how the real estate company that’s redeveloping that lot was granted a delay by the council for 18 months. We’re now six months away from that deadline. One other thing we discussed was the homeless situation. Kiel goes out at least once a week with the homeless outreach team. We’re around a month removed from the council banning camping on city property and clearing out homeless from areas like the marsh trail. So,we talk about where they’ve gone and how difficult things have been since that rule change. La Crosse Talk airs weekdays at 6-9 a.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, joins to discuss how there is only one debate happening locally heading into the November election, plus the ongoing saga of new coffee joints popping up in the city. Spent the first half of the conversation on debates. Only Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff and his opponent Stacey Klein are debating. In the state Assembly locally, all three Republicans — Rep. Loren Oldenburg and candidates Ryan Huebsch and Cedric Schnitzler — declined to debate citing scheduling conflicts. Huebsch is up against Democrat Steve Doyle in the 94th District, Schnitzler faces Jill Billings in the 95th and Oldenburg faces candidate Tara Johnson for the 96th. After that, we talked a bit about if the vice presidential debate between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and US Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) matters. That debate happens Tuesday. We ended the show talking, again, about how La Crosse is getting another coffee shop. This time, a Dunkin'. We also hit on how The Onion is back in print, just like UW-L's Racquet Press.

Two rounds of the La Crosse Oktoberfest family stops by the studio, as they get set to kickoff a fest weekend, including the Festmaster and Frau, plus Mrs. and Miss Oktoberfest. First round included Miss Oktoberfest, Savannah Horstman of Onalaska, and her Grenadiers, Marie and Cody Zimmermann. We learn of a unique major and future profession that Horstman wants to get into, now that she's graduated from UW-Milwaukee, plus what some of her priorities are with her role as Miss O. After that, Festmaster Mike Bakalars and Frau, his wife Bethany, plus Mrs. Oktoberfest, Kate Dunnum, who talked quick about being a cancer survivor.

La Crosse's Oktoberfest kicks off Thursday morning with the Senior Breakfast and doesn't stop until Sunday evening. Hannah Amundson, the Oktoberfest executive director, joined Ken Cooper on WIZM's La Crosse Talk to talk about it all, including what's new -- like buying beer with your wristband and Sunday's free admission -- plus what she loves about fest. This is Amundson's third year as executive director. 

Willie Bittner joins La Crosse Talk telling us how he helped find this year's Oktoberfest medallion, along with his friend Kerry Pischke and the kids.  It took seven clues to find it, which happened on Sunday. We talk about those clues and tried to pry some secrets out of Bittner on just how to decipher them, as this was the second time he's found the medallion — the first being back in 2013, atop Grandad Bluff. 

Brad Quarberg and Brian Rude in the WIZM studio talking Oktoberfest past and present, including how the fest wasn't just started to sell beer, the popularity of the buttons, two women as parade marshals and members lost the past year. Quarberg was the 2016 Oktoberfest Parade Marshall and the Oktoberfest Board President back in 2001. He was also chief editor and one of the authors of the book, The Fest of Times, a look back on 50 years of Oktoberfest from back in 2010. Rude was the 2017 Festmaster and is also the former Wisconsin state Senate president — though we only talked politics during the break. This is the third year Quarberg has joined to talk about the history of Oktoberfest. Some of the other topics we rehashed from those shows was the year the medallion was held hostage, the year Oktoberfest didn't have beer and how controversial it would be if we picked Mrs. O like we did in the past. Also joining the show was co-host Ken Cooper and WIZM's Brad Williams.

School District of La Crosse superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joins to talk about a new survey going out on possibly changing school start times, the $53.5 million referendum and how the vape detectors are doing in bathrooms. Engel said the survey to parents, faculty and staff in the district went out in email Monday with the idea of possibly changing start times for both elementary and middle/high schools. With the referendum, we talked about what might become of the buildings that get consolidated — Emerson, Spence and Hintgen. 

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, joins to hit on an array of topics from those in his classroom, to Wisconsin's presidential election ballots to catching UW-L's mascot without its head and, finally, La Crosse gets a coffee drive-thru. We began with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., trying to get off Wisconsin's ballot and some of the ways the state might do that — including stickers over his name. So, of course, we discussed possible sticker ideas, such as googly eyes. After that (8:30), we hit on the politics of Republicans, who control the US House, shutting down the government, and whether that will hurt them on the ballots.  That also led to a discussion about what a "rabble rouser" is and if Chergosky might be in hot water over using the phrase. Next (17:15), we set aside politics and talked about mascots, of all things, including a story where the UW-La Crosse mascot was caught with his head off.  mascots. That also led to a conversation about a former UW-L employee and guest of La Crosse Talk PM, Spencer Wilken, creating the University of Illinois new mascot, the Kingfisher. Wilken once told the WIZM audience she came up with the idea doodling in her notebook during class, so of course we discussed whether students nowadays still use a physical notebook.  Lastly (25:50), we discussed how La Crosse is getting, yet, another coffee business, though this one is not a Starbucks. We, of course, had to dive back into how there are five Starbucks near the Valley View Mall, where this new, more local place — 7 Brew Coffee out of Eau Claire — will open up some time down the road. Coffee (25:50)

Right after his talk with the AFL-CIO at the La Crosse Center, Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler dropped by the WIZM studio to talk about the US Senate race, workers' rights, public funding and more. This conversation, of course, came right before Wikler and  Julia Louis-Dreyfus announced they would be getting the Veep crew back together for a table read, hosted by Stephen Colbert. With Wikler, however, we began talking about where Gov. Tony Evers favorite place in Wisconsin is — outside of Madison — because that's probably La Crosse. We also hit on public education funding, including UW-La Crosse's Prairie Springs Science Center, and how new voting maps change the game in the state. After that, we hit on the US Senate race in Wisconsin (6:40) between Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin and Republican challenger Eric Hovde. We discussed whether Hovde's talking points came before or after GOP VP candidate JD Vance's sound bites.  We also talked Senate policies (12:45) and workers' rights (14:20), before capping things off with Wikler's speech (17:30) to the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) at the La Crosse Center earlier that day. 

Republican candidate Ryan Huebsch in studio discussing immigration, inflation, transgender athletes, spending on public education and roads, plus PFAS and campaign cash. Huebsch is running for the 95th Assembly District seat in Wisconsin. He's up against Democratic incumbent Steve Doyle. Ken Cooper was also in studio. The three of us also took some calls, read some texts and gave a shout out to WIZM's Mike Hayes.

La Crosse Education Association co-president, Jesse Martinez, joins to discuss when is the best time to start school in the morning, how teachers are taught A.I., union bargaining rights and banning cellphones. Martinez is the teachers union co-president and teachers math and social studies at Logan Middle School, which is headed into its second year of banning cellphones in school.  We also discussed the union building rep. meeting, which included issues such as school funding and teachers' bargaining rights — two issues that are negotiated on at the state level. Before that, though, we eventually got into a conversation about A.I., after trying to decipher the phrases "can of worms" and "ball of wax."