Federal funding dilemma

As the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking approaches, UW-Madison Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Dr. Steve Ackerman joined to preview his upcoming Badger Talk in La Crosse on the mysterious tragedy and the song behind it.

Ackerman, a longtime weather and climate researcher and former director of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, will speak at 10 a.m. Monday at the Main Street Library. 

On the show, we discuss some of the factors that led to the mysterious sinking in November of 1975 and how modern forecasting might have kept the vessel on a safer route. Ackerman also weaves in the legacy of Gordon Lightfoot’s song, which he says helped popularize the story far beyond the Great Lakes.

Ackerman also reflected on his own memories from 1975, when he first read of the sinking as a college senior, and how he later came to understand the power of Lake Superior’s storms. He said part of the mystery remains how such a massive vessel disappeared from radar in just minutes with no distress call.

The conversation also turned to Ackerman’s career in satellite meteorology. He warned that recent federal funding cuts threaten to halt the development of the next generation of weather satellites, leaving the U.S. at risk of “going back to 1975” in terms of forecasting ability. He emphasized that these satellites — the product of cooperation between NOAA, universities, and private industry — are critical both for daily weather prediction and long-term climate monitoring.

Ackerman said he welcomes audience questions at Monday’s free event, noting that many people bring personal stories of where they were when the Fitzgerald went down.

As the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald&rsquo;s sinking approaches, UW-Madison Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Dr. Steve Ackerman joined to preview his upcoming Badger Talk in La Crosse on the mysterious tragedy and the song behind it.
Ackerman, a longtime weather and climate researcher and former director of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, will <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2214644342344775">speak at 10 a.m. Monday at the Main Street Library</a>.&nbsp;
On the show, we discuss some of the factors that led to the mysterious sinking in November of 1975 and how modern forecasting might have kept the vessel on a safer route. Ackerman also weaves in the legacy of Gordon Lightfoot&rsquo;s song, which he says helped popularize the story far beyond the Great Lakes.
Ackerman also reflected on his own memories from 1975, when he first read of the sinking as a college senior, and how he later came to understand the power of Lake Superior&rsquo;s storms. He said part of the mystery remains how such a massive vessel disappeared from radar in just minutes with no distress call.
The conversation also turned to Ackerman&rsquo;s career in satellite meteorology. He warned that recent federal funding cuts threaten to halt the development of the next generation of weather satellites, leaving the U.S. at risk of &ldquo;going back to 1975&rdquo; in terms of forecasting ability. He emphasized that these satellites &mdash; the product of cooperation between NOAA, universities, and private industry &mdash; are critical both for daily weather prediction and long-term climate monitoring.
Ackerman said he welcomes audience questions at Monday&rsquo;s free event, noting that many people bring personal stories of where they were when the Fitzgerald went down.

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.

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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.

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UW’s Steve Ackerman on the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy, Gordon Lightfoot’s song, and why cuts to satellite programs put future weather prediction at risk