News
The WIZM News Top 25 heading into ‘25
Here’s a look at the Top 25 heading into ‘25 most viewed WIZM News stories of the year.
The most notable being the two (Nos. 2 and 7) about La Crosse Talk host Mike Hayes, announcing his pancreatic cancer in September and his passing on Thanksgiving.
Hayes hosted La Crosse Talk beginning in 1986 and even came in to do the show some time after his cancer announcement, but felt too sick after getting to the studio and had to go home.
We discussed the Top 25 on Friday’s La Crosse Talk PM with guest Dr. Anthony Chergosky, a political science professor at UW-La Crosse.
A story that somehow didn’t make the list but will be part of a different series on WIZM is the aftermath from the firing of UW-La Crosse chancellor Joe Gow, after it was discovered that he had sex with his wife on video and affiliated with adult film stars through a vegan cooking channel on YouTube.
Other stories that didn’t get the clicks, but were big time in La Crosse were, of course, the presidential candidates coming to town (Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, JD Vance/Tim Walz), Mayor Mitch Reynolds announcing he would not run for re-election or the La Crosse School District $53.5 million referendum passing.
Some of the Top 25 stories below just happen to be ones that hit readers’ algorithms just right, while others were obviously impactful to the La Crosse community.
Multiple stories hovered around development in La Crosse, including the top viewed story of the year — a revelation that Costco had inquired about building on the River Point District site.
Other stories included tearing down Macy’s, the demolition of the Glory Days Packers bar downtown, Red Lobster closing and what’s going to happen to the old Kmart.
Rounding out the Top 5 included a funny bit about US Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin giving the wrong speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, just after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Also, an opinion piece from former WIZM News director Scott Robert Shaw — who retired a few months ago — on Wisconsin’s state Legislature barely working — which is the As I See It piece literally today, as well.
And, lastly, the Deke Slayton Airfest back last summer featuring the Navy’s Blue Angels, after a three-year hiatus.
WIZM News Top 25 heading into ‘25
1. La Crosse’s River Point District could have possibly had a Costco — and basically just a Costco
2. SCOTT ROBERT SHAW: A message from Mike Hayes
3. Wisconsin US Sen. Ron Johnson gives wrong speech at Republican convention
4. AS I SEE IT: Make them get back to work or dock their pay
5. Navy’s Blue Angels begin flying into La Crosse on Tuesday
6. No charges for 24-year-old woman, who was arrested after Wisconsin US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden accused her of assault
7. La Crosse Mourns the Loss of Mike Hayes, Beloved WIZM Host and Local Legend
8. UW-La Crosse receives largest single donation in school history
9. AS I SEE IT: Gallagher made MAGA mad and is now paying the price
10. “Explosion” reported in Stoddard being investigated
11. DEMOCRATIC VOICE PODCAST: What happened — Democrats lose but was it THAT bad in Wisconsin?
12. 71-year-old La Crosse woman faces drug possession charge, after driving erratically on French Island
13. Plans for replacing old Macy’s with restaurants at Valley View Mall to go before city committees this week
14. Fire on French Island keeps firefighters at scene throughout Tuesday— began around 1:30 a.m.
15. Remains found in Mississippi River last year, linked to 17-year-old who went missing six years ago
16. Cast members from “Little House on the Prairie” to take riverboat rides in La Crosse on Sunday
17. La Crosse resident jailed on alleged murder charge over reported death in Shelby
18. Raising Cane’s begins seeking workers for La Crosse restaurant
19. Demolition scheduled Monday for Glory Days bar, ranked on La Crosse’s most endangered buildings list
20. AS I SEE IT: Impeachment hearings a waste of time and resources
21. La Crosse farmers market no longer going to be in Cameron Park
22. Developer to give update on Kmart lot in La Crosse to city commission, a year after delay was granted
23. 83-year-old woman killed in Onalaska, after being hit by vehicle, while driver was on phone
24. La Crosse Red Lobster closed, equipment already being auctioned off
25. Charges from 12 years ago has La Crosse woman in court
