La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem
  • 3.7 (3)
  • News
  • Updated Daily

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

  1. 1d ago

    Culture, tech, and The Ark: La Crosse football coaches Casey Knoble & Michael Arnold

    Ahead of Friday night's season openers, both of La Crosse's high school football coaches stopped in studio to talk about why kids don't watch games anymore, what it’s like preparing for the iconic "Ark" rivalry game between them and the evolution of the game — and the athletes. Central’s Michael Arnold and Logan’s Casey Knoble step away from the playbooks for a wide-ranging, lighthearted chat about the shifting culture of high school sports. Before diving into the gridiron, we discuss how the high school experience has evolved — from cell phone bans in school to playbooks going from VHS tapes to iPads. The coaches also break down the veteran vs. rookie dynamic between Knoble (entering his 16th season) and Arnold (entering his 1st), and how today's hyper-trained athletes compare to past generations. Topic rundown: Teaching & Tech Culture: How cell phone bans impact school life, managing student iPads, and keeping kids focused away from screens. 16 Seasons vs. Season 1: Casey Knoble’s veteran perspective leading Logan versus Michael Arnold stepping into his first year as Central's head coach. The Evolution of the Game: The shift from crowding around a TV to watch a VHS tape in the '90s to breaking down film on individual phones and iPads. Toughness & Training: Why traditional two-a-day practices disappeared, how athlete conditioning has changed, and why kids don't watch games like they used to. Modern Roster Realities: Managing 70+ player rosters, handling the physical toll on two-way starters, and navigating post-COVID athlete turnout. The Ark of Victory: The deep tradition, school culture, and lasting memories surrounding La Crosse's iconic carved wooden rivalry trophy. Coaching Beyond the Field: Drawing inspiration from Ted Lasso on connecting with players, building lasting relationships, and preparing kids for life after high school. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Culture, tech, and The Ark: La Crosse football coaches Casey Knoble & Michael Arnold

  2. 3d ago

    $1.3M jail redesign, next steps in selling La Crosse County farmland with board chair Tryggestad

    A $1.3 million jail redesign to better handle severe mental health challenges and the future of 111 acres of county farmland in West Salem are two of the big topics discussed with La Crosse County Board Chair Tina Tryggestad. Beyond the big policy votes, Tryggestad shares a personal connection to the old Shelby ball fields on 33rd Street as the county considers a new lease agreement. Plus, a lighthearted look at why steady, "boring" county government is usually a sign that local operations are actually working. Key Topics: $1.3 Million Jail Redesign: Why the county is drawing $1.3M from current budget savings for redesign blueprints—a project expected to cost around $10 million total—to address severe mental health challenges, safely separate inmate populations, and protect jailers. 111-Acre West Salem Farmland Review: Where things stand with 11 concept proposals (RFIs) submitted to potentially build housing on county-owned farmland, and how county leadership is partnering with the Village of West Salem on next steps. Personal Connections at Hillview Ball Fields: Tryggestad reflects on her adult kids playing Shelby youth baseball on 33rd Street as the county considers transferring the field lease to the School District of La Crosse for Central High School athletics. Sunsetting SMRT Bus Funding: The practical factors behind ending La Crosse County's financial support for Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit by December 31 due to low ridership metrics and dropped contributions from neighboring counties. $22.3M ARPA Impact Report: A recap of how federal pandemic relief funds were deployed—including $12M toward the Hillview redesign, transitional housing units, and regional childcare grants. Why "Boring" Government Works: Rick and Tina open with a lighthearted look at why steady, reliable county operations rarely generate chaotic headlines—and why consistency is the ultimate goal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    $1.3M jail redesign, next steps in selling La Crosse County farmland with board chair Tryggestad

  3. 6d ago

    Did Thanksgiving Cost Hong the governor's seat? UW-L’s Anthony Chergosky breaks down a wild election

    Did a CNN interview about canceling Thanksgiving actually cost Francesca Hong the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor?  UW-La Crosse political science professor Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio to break down David Crowley’s wild comeback, progressive — and GOP — strategy missteps, and how Tom Tiffany’s general election playbook changes overnight. Plus, a play-by-play of a five-hour La Crosse city council meeting that ended with no city administrator, but tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars for other priorities, with WIZM's Brad Williams and Kevin Millard helping break things down. Key Topics: The Crowley "Comeback:" Did David Crowley need to drop out of the race to pull off a razor-thin victory over Francesca Hong? The "Thanksgiving" Breakthrough: How a 2020 tweet and a viral CNN interview with Caitlin Collins became the turning point that reached casual voters. The Progressive Sitting-Out: Why Bernie Sanders and AOC opted not to endorse Hong, and what it signals about the national power struggle within the Democratic Party. GOP Primary Mind Games: Did Republicans attack Hong too early, and did seven-figure "reverse psychology" ads in Madison and Milwaukee backfire? City Administrator Denied: Brad Williams breaks down the 5-hour La Crosse City Council marathon that came up one vote short of a two-thirds majority. French Island & TIF Debates: The city's move to spend $90K fighting French Island’s incorporation, plus a $600K study for a permanent public market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Did Thanksgiving Cost Hong the governor's seat? UW-L’s Anthony Chergosky breaks down a wild election

  4. Aug 14

    La Crosse Rep. Billings on governor's race, universal childcare math & UW-L upgrades

    Fresh off a wild, razor-thin Democratic primary for governor, Wisconsin State Assembly Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) stopped in studio to unpack what just went down — and where state politics go from here. Plus, we dive into new state safety funding for UW-La Crosse dorms, policy realities on property taxes and marijuana, and a deeply personal story about a "Star Trek" clinical trial that saved her mom. In this episode: Primary Fallout & Strategy: We break down David Crowley’s dramatic primary victory over Francesca Hong, how key endorsements shifted momentum late, and what messaging actually broke through to nonpolitical voters as Democrats turn their focus to Tom Tiffany. Reaching the Unaligned Voter: A candid look at voter instincts on the ground, how past communications can haunt candidates, and what the primary results signal about the state of the party. Policy Realities & Revenue: The debate over legalizing marijuana, and the hard math behind funding universal childcare without a New Mexico-style oil boom. Local Action & UW-La Crosse: Securing state funding for new fire sprinklers and alarms in UW-La Crosse dorms, local development updates, and her mom's "Star Trek" cancer trial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    La Crosse Rep. Billings on governor's race, universal childcare math & UW-L upgrades

  5. Aug 11

    Rivoli owners on best bad movies, bringing back video rentals and screen addiction

    What’s the biggest competitor to movie theaters today? It’s not streaming — it’s the little screen in everyone’s hand. Clara and Jon Gelatt, co-owners of La Crosse’s historic Rivoli Theatre, in studio to help us take a break from politics on primary day and chat about our favorite bad movies — including a 1980s Wisconsin-based horror flick playing Friday at the Riv — the need to keep physical media, plus kids and screen addiction. In this episode: Screen Time Battles: Both being parents, we talk navigating kids on phones, attention span fatigue, and the house rule against "dual screening." Wisconsin B-Movie Horror: Jon breaks down his obsession with Blood Hook (1985) — a cult slasher about a killer fisherman shot in Hayward, WI — playing at 10 p.m. Friday, plus the upcoming screening of the regional horror film Dead Media with the director stopping at the Rivoli. Our Favorite Good-Bad Movies: Rick defends Vin Diesel’s sci-fi epic The Chronicles of Riddick, while Clara makes the case for the sheer chaos of Jurassic World Dominion. Taste of the Movies & Local Events: How pairing catered meals with films (and hosting community screenings like the International Owl Center's documentary) fills the theater. The Death of Digital Ownership: Why digital platforms deleting purchased movies help inspire the Rivoli’s new second-floor Video Rental Closet and monthly "Video Lounge" happy hours. Theater Perks: Late-night screenings, Mario Kart on the big screen, and community event programming. Check out upcoming showtimes, special event tickets, and membership details at Rivoli.net. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Rivoli owners on best bad movies, bringing back video rentals and screen addiction

  6. Aug 10

    City Hall vid hacked, $600k public market push & city admin vote: Previewing council with Tamra Dickinson

    A committee meeting gets hacked, the ongoing debate over a City Administrator, a $600,000 push for a public market, and millions going toward the old Kmart and Shopko sites — those are just a couple of topics we hit on with La Crosse City Council president Tamra Dickinson in studio, ahead of Thursday's monthly meeting. The council meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall, where members could face a crucial vote on creating a city administrator position. It’s a debate that’s been building for over three years, but one of many interesting things happening at council Thursday. Topics covered in this episode: Zoom Hijacking Investigation: What happened during last week's committee meeting, how quick IT action shut it down, and where things stand with Zoom and local police. City Administrator Debate: The amount of public outreach on creating the position, how much we've covered it on the show, and what needs to happen before a final vote. Public Market Push: Allocating $600,000 to update a 2017 feasibility study and partner with the RDA on pre-development plans. Kmart & Shopko Site Funding: Redirecting up to $3 million in TID 11 funds toward critical underground utility infrastructure to support new developments at Bridgeview Plaza and the former Kmart lot. Healthcare Committee Referendum: A petition drive with around 5,000 valid signatures puts a new Citizens Advisory Healthcare Action Committee on the November ballot. North Side Railroad Crossings Saved: How local pushback forced the DOT to abandon plans to dead-end Avon and St. Cloud streets. 18-Month Data Center Moratorium: Why the city is pausing new data center builds to align with county policy while studying future land use. Bird City Designation: Why La Crosse is reapplying for Bird City status—and how local stray cat policies keep it off the "high-flying" list. Check out the full Thursday City Council meeting agenda and details on the La Crosse Legistar Page. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    City Hall vid hacked, $600k public market push & city admin vote: Previewing council with Tamra Dickinson

  7. Aug 8

    Trump highway admin McMaster talks bike lanes, Lansing Bridge project and impressions of La Crosse

    Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster in studio, after touring La Crosse and local infrastructure projects across Western Wisconsin — plus we hit him with drivers' real dilemmas like orange-cone gridlock, bike lanes and roundabout madness. KEY TOPICS: The Lansing Bridge Lifeline: Why McMaster says the Mississippi River ferry might be retired sooner than expected, and what contractors are doing to accelerate the new bridge opening. The Federal Stance on Bike Lanes: Where federal taxpayer dollars are going, why motor vehicles are getting top priority under USDOT, and where that leaves city bike projects. "Turbo Roundabouts" & Traffic Lights: From multi-lane intersections to cutting 12 months off environmental reviews, McMaster breaks down how D.C. plans to fix everyday traffic. First Impressions of La Crosse: Why McMaster called La Crosse a "great little town"—and the one traffic light he made a mental note to report back on. From Corporate Executive to Federal Highways: What brought the former Boeing and HNTB leader back into government, and what his wife really complains about when they hit the road. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Trump highway admin McMaster talks bike lanes, Lansing Bridge project and impressions of La Crosse

  8. Aug 7

    From the cost of frozen pizza to houses: La Crosse Young Democrats on affordability, data centers, governor's race

    What issues are facing young people right now? We got the answers from three La Crosse residents who represent different factions of the Young Democrats. Jake Williams (State Chair of the Young Democrats of Wisconsin), Hannah Dull (Chair of the La Crosse Young Democrats), and Grant Mathu (Vice Chair of the La Crosse Young Democrats & La Crosse County Board Supervisor) stopped by the studio to break down the political and economic landscape for people in their 20s. SHOW TOPICS: The Affordability Grind: Why rent, groceries (frozen pizzas) and healthcare make saving for a home feel impossible — and what government is (not) doing about it. Data Centers & 160-Acre Pickleball Courts: Mathu breaks down the La Crosse County Board's 28-2 vote to pass a data center moratorium, why the issue is uniting voters across party lines, and what happens to these massive facilities in 20 years. The Governor’s Race & Primary Politics: Navigating the Dem Party's primary neutrality, candidate dropouts, ranked-choice voting, and Francesca Hong’s viral stance on data centers. Local Headlines & Pop Culture: Reacting to a bizarre Zoom-hacking incident at a La Crosse Finance & Personnel meeting, local road and pool closures, and why Real Steel and Oblivion hold the answers to modern politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    From the cost of frozen pizza to houses: La Crosse Young Democrats on affordability, data centers, governor's race
See All (1.7K)

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

Information

  • Creator
    Rick Solem
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.7K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 WIZM
  • Show Website
    La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

You Might Also Like