Scott Shaw

La Crosse

Program Director and News Director at WIZM-FM (La Crosse, WI)

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Articles

Why have they made voting such a process?

Oct 14, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

Casting a ballot used to be so simple. Now we have to jump through hoops to exercise our democratic right. In Wisconsin, absentee ballot drop boxes have been ruled legal by the Supreme Court, but many municipalities, including La Crosse, have failed to return the drop boxes for the upcoming election. Other communities have returned their drop boxes, but in Wausau the mayor literally pulled it from the ground. In Dodge County, the sheriff was able to bully the clerk to remove the drop box.
Don’t end filibusters

Oct 11, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris agree on at least one thing. Both want to change the rules and get rid of filibusters. But both are wrong. The use of filibusters may seem like a tactic for obstruction, and in some cases that is true. Ted Cruz once spent 21 hours on the floor of the Senate reading Dr. Seuss books to try to force the defunding of Obamacare. But by and large, filibusters force compromise on contentious issues.
Like magic, Wisconsin test scores rise sharply

Oct 10, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

It sounds good. Perhaps too good to be true. But the state of Wisconsin is reporting a marked increase in student’s test scores across the state. The latest numbers show that 51% of Wisconsin public school students were measured at being proficient in English and Language Arts. That is up significantly from last year, when only 39% of students were rated as proficient or better. Similarly, this year’s math test scores measured Wisconsin students as 53% proficient in math, up from 41% last year.
Yes or no on referendum? It doesn’t matter

Oct 8, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

Just months after Wisconsin voters were asked to approve a statewide referendum, yet another referendum awaits voters in November. On election day, voters statewide will be asked to approve a small change in the state constitution dealing with voting eligibility. The Wisconsin constitution states every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in this state is a qualified elector of that district. Essentially, it says you have to be a citizen to cast a ballot.
Experts agree: Our elections are safe and secure

Oct 7, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

It didn’t draw a huge crowd, but an important discussion was held last week in La Crosse. Former members of Congress from both sides of the aisle gathered to assure voters that our election process is safe and secure. Former members of Congress Ron Kind, Tim Petri and Reid Ribble, along with the La Crosse County Clerk, described the process of gathering and counting votes and outlined the safeguards in place to assure that work is done accurately.
If my mom can do it, you can too

Oct 3, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

Way to go Mom. My mother is once again a registered voter, and despite some struggles, has already cast her absentee ballot. She realizes the importance of the election, and wanted to make sure she participated in it. She moved from Iowa to a Twin Cities suburb four years ago after my father died. She lives in a senior living facility, has poor vision, and hasn’t driven for years. Yet she was able to complete the process of getting all the documentation needed to cast her ballot.
Now is the time to prepare to vote on La Crosse school referendum

Oct 2, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

After talking with friends recently, it became clear that there is some confusion about the upcoming La Crosse school district referendum. Not just how they will vote, but even just what the referendum being put to voters calls for. The district has been working for the better part of a year to plan for the future and specify the wording of the referendum. There have been open school board meetings where plans were discussed, and people could share their opinions.
Sadly, political debates becoming more rare

Oct 1, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

Political debates can be an important tool for helping voters get to know candidates for office and learn their views on the issues important to them. However, it appears such debates are largely becoming a thing of the past. Tonight, JD Vance and Tim Walz will meet in their only debate before the election. As we have seen, debates can make or break a candidate’s chances, and we get to see how they react in difficult situations. But in western Wisconsin, political debates have become a rarity.
Spend the money you have already allocated

Sep 30, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

Wisconsin’s state representatives seem better at providing funding than actually spending it. We’ve seen that with our groundwater, polluted with PFAS. The legislature allocated more than $100 million to deal with the problem, but continues to refuse to release the money to places like French Island where cleanup could begin. Now we are seeing the same petty tactic when it comes to funding education in Wisconsin.
Have a fun, and safe Oktoberfest

Sep 27, 2024 | wizmnews.com | Scott Shaw

Happy Oktoberfest La Crosse! This is for many the biggest weekend of the year, and a chance to show off our fine city and welcome our visitors. Some estimate the size of the crowd for tomorrow’s parade at 100,000 people. They are here to have fun and drink beer, not necessarily in that order. So let’s show them a good time. But above all, we all need to work to keep each other safe. As hosts, we need to set a good example of how to have fun responsibly, by obeying the rules, not testing their limits.