UW-L political scientist Chergosky on whether it’s too late to announce for La Crosse mayor and the importance of local journalism, after WXOW cuts

Chi Chi’s making a comeback, local news is not and the time is now to announce a run for La Crosse mayor — all things we broke down on Friday’s La Crosse Talk PM with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky.

La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.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.

We began the show picking WIZM News reporter Brad Williams’ brain about that mayoral election — up to three candidates now — and when the Chi Chi’s closed in La Crosse. The Mexican restaurant is making a comeback.

After that, we got into how there is little time to announce a run for La Crosse mayor. Right now there are three candidates (Shaundel Spivey, Ellie McLoone and Vicki Markussen). Four years ago, there were 10. The deadline to file is Jan. 7 but the primary to cut the field to two is Feb. 20.

At the halfway mark, we talked a bit about the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and a potential idea for Republicans running the campaign. With six of seven justices and the Republican candidate in the race, will the GOP run on the need for more men on the court?

After that, we got into a deep dive on both school referendums in Wisconsin and the importance of local journalism, as WXOW axed a lot of its staff earlier in the week. The latter of those topics hovered around how hometown media is vital in getting to know candidates in local elections — like mayor, city council and school board and referendums.

Ended the show first chatting about Williams’ awesome Yesterday in La Crosse article on the history of downtown La Crosse shopping, where Sears, JCPenny, Herberger’s and Montgomery Ward were all located.

Then we quickly hit on the TikTok ban moving forward in the U.S.