WIZM - La Crosse Talk Interviews

 A La Crosse tradition that has brought musicians, artists and audiences together since 1976 will celebrate its 50th festival Aug. 28-30 at Riverside Park. La Crosse Area Community Foundation awarded a $3,000 microgrant to Great River Festival of Arts Inc., the nonprofit organization behind Great River Folk Festival. The funding will help the volunteer-led organization improve festival admission and ticketing, reach new audiences and document the milestone celebration. Great River Folk Festival is La Crosse’s longest-running nonprofit music festival. Doug McVey spoke to LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer about the folk culture event rooted in the Driftless Region.  

Joe Cody brings his talents and history to W-I-Z-M Music Friday.  Joe is a longtime La Crosse area musician well know for his decades of performing, songwriting and collaboration in the region. Friday he spoke about upcoming events and sang Cat Stevens and CCR songs.

The 5K Honor Run/Walk and 10K Road Race is to honor those we lost to the disease of addiction. The event is also an event to help those struggling with addiction and those who are thriving in recovery.  Home Run for Recovery helps raise awareness of what addiction is and raise funds to continue providing  support and pay for prevention programming.  Director Rita Von Haden spoke to Sean Dwyer about the center and the Road Race event.

Annual golf tournament to benefit the Coulee Region Humane Society.  Executive Director Heather Drievold talks to LaCrosseTalk host A Sean Dwyer about the annual benefit.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of  La Crosse County is hosting a Town Hall with state lawmakers on Monday August 31st.  Find out more information from Carissa Pagel-Smith as she speaks to Sean Dwyer on W-I-Z-M LaCrosseTalk.

This week's segment asks the questions when did you realize you were an adult.  Bridget Garrity-Brown of, The Therapy Place of La Crosse leads the is discussion with Ezra a Gen "Z" er and Tom a Millennial.  They share their unique perspectives on growing up and taking on adult responsibilities.

A simple blood test measuring a protein in the brain linked to Alzheimer's disease may help predict future brain impairment in older adults.  The research was published in JAMA and Dr. Jessica Caldwell of UW-Health speaks about the test and its promise with LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer.

Principal Axness talks about the rhythm of the school year.  It is back to school week with staff development, freshmen orientation and welcoming new students into River Hawk culture. Mr. Axness appeared on LaCrosseTalk with Sean Dwyer

Listen to a preview conversation about this week's Moon Tunes.  See you in the park.

A plan to renovate the La Crosse County Jail, improving conditions for staff, incarcerated women, and people with mental health needs, should take a step forward this week. The County Board will vote on a $1.3 million proposal for design and construction of the jail renovation. The jail was built in 1997 and expanded in 2010 to meet the needs of the population at that time. In recent years, more individuals with serious mental health needs have entered the jail, straining staff and resources. The new plan was developed with input from jail staff and would expand special‑needs units and create new and improved housing for incarcerated women. La Crosse County Sheriff John Siegel spoke to LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer about the needs, the plan and the future of the jail.

Local program helps people in need with transportation that can change lives.  Nyhus Schaffer spoke to Sean Dwyer about the Chariots 4 Hope and how it can change a life's trajectory.

Celebrating 50 years, the La Crosse Area Builders Association hosts the parade of homes.  The annual event runs Thursday through Sunday.  Tena Bailey of L.A.B.A. talks about the event that lets guests walk  through and tour some of the area's most beautiful homes. 

Kirk Bennet has officially stepped into his role as President of Western Technical College.  He sat down with W-I-Z-M LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer to talk about his new role and expectations.

A "Taste of The Garden" is a fundraiser where great food local beverages, live music and a beautiful setting come together to support a meaningful cause. 

Holmen's Kornfest is the annual summer festival held at Halfway Creek Park.  It is one of the longest running community events in the La crosse area.  The event includes music, softball, a parade, car show and of course Wisconsin Sweet Corn. Listen to a conversation about the summer event.

The Women's Fund will host its annual fall luncheon on Thursday September 10th at the La crosse center.  The event features Oklahoma City bombing survivor Amy Downs to keynote Women's Fund La Crosse Fall luncheon.  Beth Davidson from the Women's Fund talked about the event with Host Sean Dwyer on LaCrosseTalk.

For more than 20 years Dunkin Donuts has teamed up with local law enforcement officials to raise money for Special Olympics program. That includes police from the La Crosse area. Sergeant Whitney Hughes spoke to W-I-Z-M LaCrosseTalk Friday morning about the fun fundraiser.

Gary Walth brings his original song and "Marty" his guitar to perform on Music Friday on W-I-Z-M.

Details of this weekend event in La Crosse.

Erin Goggin so spoke to LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer about the many significant items on Thursday's Council Agenda. 

The All of Us Research Program is a nationwide NIH initiative aiming to build one of the largest and most diverse health databases in history by enrolling one million or more people across the U.S. Its purpose is to accelerate precision medicine—research that tailors prevention and treatment to each individual. Participants share surveys, electronic health records, physical measurements, and biological samples, creating a rich dataset and extensive health information. Gundersen Foundation's Dr. Todd Mahr discussed the program on W-I-Z-M's LaCrosseTalk.

UW-LL Political Science Professor Anthony Chergosky shares insights, comments and analysis of the Primary election results with W-I-Z-M LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer.

New program works to address addiction, dangerous habits and risk reduction.

Motown takes center stage at this week's Moon tunes.

Zoo Director Amos Morris says the park works to balance guest experience with the needs of the animals and conservation.  Listen to his conversation with LaCroseseTalk host Sean Dwyer about the Zoo's mission.

Kyle Kriegel, the Executive Director of the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross, talks to Kevin Millard about the need for donations and the nationwide blood crisis. Supply levels are at historic lows at a time of year when donations are typically down. 

There are many types of headaches, migraine is very well known because of the symptoms it causes. They are also more common than you might think, impacting about 11 to 17% of the United States population, according to research published in the journal Headache. Another interesting fact is they tend to impact women more than men. These are headaches that are so severe that they often cause the individual to avoid social situations, miss work, and can lead to depression or even suicidal ideation. Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, anesthesiologist, UW Health, and professor of anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, talks about treatment, causes and symptoms. 

Wisconsin Better Business Bureau has warning about Pet Scams which can take advantage of your anxiety and hope for finding that lost animal.

Long Time City arborist Pat Bonadurer talks about tree, planting, choosing and growing on LaCrosseTallk with host Sean Dwyer.

Megan Bradley with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Genoa discusses the importance of mussels in the river ecosystem and how they can be affected by predators, pollution, and other mussels such as zebra mussels. 

It's Music Friday on La Crosse Talk. This week, we're featuring the music of Gregg "Cheech" Hall. 

Eight-year-old Ben Appleman's journey with Type 1 Diabetes began in 2022.  It began with a slight cold as he headed off to school.  To e learn the rest of the story listen to this Interview with Sean Dwyer of LaCrosseTalk

The Highland games take place this Saturday.  It is all part of the fun of Irish Fest.  It is also some pretty serious heavy lifting and competition all while wearing a Kilt. Get the skinny about these heavyweitght athletes.

So raise a toast to those who stood in the first hard island fight, Leathernecks who held the line through every brutal night. For in their grit the tide was turned and history of found its way. On Guadalcanal where ordinary men were forged into Marines that day.

Gov. Evers interviews with LaCrosseTalk Host Sean Dwyer on W-I-Z-M.

Bridget Garrity Brown discusses men, depression, anxiety and resources.  Listen to her discussion with LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer.

It is Fall sports season for many local high school athletes.  Athletic Trainer Shawn Bloyer from Emplify by Gundersen spoke on W-I-Z-M LaCrosseTalk about about how trainers help, volunteer and mentor local athletes. 

This week Moon Tunes takes a decidedly Irish turn as bands from Irish fest take the stage to entertain and preview the upcoming festival.  It is a fun collaboration between two La Crosse summer traditions.

Matt Dougherty of the Coulee Region Humane Society talks about the mission, upcoming events and needs of the Humane Society.

Ginny Dankmeyer discusses her commitment to accuracy and transparency and procedures for the upcoming Primary.  Ms. Dankmeyer says elections are accurate and has praise for Municipal Clerks and poll workers.

Brave Spaces Co-Owner and Clinical therapist Nicole Milliren spoke to LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer about their Being Brave through Art event held this week.

Mr. Engel talks to LaCrosseTalk Host Sean Dwyer about his National Guard service shapes who he is and his personal and professional enrichment.

Longtime YMCA leader Bill Soper has been a central figure in shaping the "Y" and the community for more than three decades.  That includes the major expansion that added the Houser Y in Onalaska. Over his 42-year YMCA career, 31 of them as CEO in La Crosse, Soper became known for strengthening community partnerships, supporting vulnerable families, and leading major initiatives such as emergency childcare, youth meal programs, and expanded health services during the COVID‑19 pandemic.  Mr. Soper was a guest on LaCrosseTalk with Sean Dwyer.  

Kelly Bahr and Tracy Mullaney speak to LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer about this weekend's Irishfest.

USFWS Heidi Keuler talks about the multi-state program designed to implement sustainable practices on farms, engaging landowners to improve and enhance soil health and fish habitat.

Nick Temte has been producing music for years. Nick is developing his own catalogue.  Nick has performed with his Father Andy Temte and the Remainders.  You can listen to Nick on this podcast from LaCrosseTalk.

Here are 10 tops from the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau to remember that will help you avoid most scams while protecting yourself and your family. 

Nic Brown is a writer and a musician.  His book Violent Femmes' 33 1/3 was released this year. Mr.  Brown's writings have appeared in the New York Times, Oxford American and the Harvard Review.  Nic Brown is a graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop.  Mr. Brown spoke to LaCrosseTalk host Sean Dwyer about the Violent Femmes and his own personal music journey.