Good morning, everybody.
It is September 4th of 2025.
You're listening to the WXCO morning reports on Bull Falls Radio 98.9 FM and 12.30 AM online at wxco.fm and on the Civic Media app as well.
Well, again,
I am not a Chad Holmes.
I am your faithful engineer slash producer Ian Welsh.
And I'm going to be in charge of this segment.
The temperature right now is a little chilly.
It's a high 39 at the moment.
But the nice thing is it's mostly sunny.
And then we had a good off and on.
rain yesterday, but this is Wisconsin, so any kind of weather can happen.
But for this, I wanted to talk to you about something very exciting that's coming up for the Warsaw Community Theater.
This weekend on Saturday and Sunday, WCT is going to be having auditions for their
fall musical Sweeney Todd the demon barber of Fleet Street This story directed by the late a great Stephen Sahnheim is having auditions this weekend Saturday, September 6 from noon to 8 p.m.
and
Sunday September 7th from noon to 6 p.m.
These are two hours at times.
So as you can sign up for so it's like a 12 to 2 2 to 4 4 to 6, you know Like that and then the show dates themselves for this show are Friday November 7th at 7 30 Saturday November 8th at
2 and 7.30 and Sunday, November 9th at 2 p.m.
at the Veninga Theater at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point-Wassau campus.
In regards to having the auditions,
There are a lot of people already signed up for the audition last time I checked the Sign up sheet.
They were up to 58 people who signed up for this And they're still putting a room for more people who want to audition so if you're interested in coming to these auditions All you have to do is make sure that you have a song to sing preferably from a Steven
Be sure to have the necessary karaoke track arranged to be played on your phone.
You can bring sheet music because there will be a musical accompanist available.
However, it is more preferred if you have a karaoke track on your phone.
Now, another important thing is that your audition
song can be from a Sweeney Todd but does not have to be.
There also be a cold readings of the scenes as well and I'm seeing this in bold print on the WCT website that accurate accents are a plus.
It doesn't have to be perfect but
Have you ever seen the movie version of Sweeney Todd or seen the actual stage production?
Appropriate accents are very important for this show.
They would also like you to fill out the audition form ahead of time before the auditions, which are available on both the Wausau Community Theater
website Under the link that says upcoming auditions and you also get them on the WCT Facebook page as well And this show is it's definitely you know a darker show I Think it's actually one of the the more a darker
shows I ever heard of.
But if you've ever listened to the soundtrack of Sweeney Todd, it is absolutely phenomenal.
The music itself is just, it's so a powerful story.
Itself is just incredibly gripping and it is a dark comedy.
So there is a lot of serious elements in it.
But there's also a lot of good
Well, I don't know if it's a good humor, but there is humor throughout the show as well.
So if you're looking for a fun show to audition for with great music and a really powerful story, and this is the show for you.
Remember auditions will take place at the Warsaw Community Theater Building?
Oh, at a...
136 Summer Street in a school field Wisconsin So we're looking for a fun Well, if you're looking for a good show to audition for I would definitely suggest auditioning for Sweeney Todd All right, we're coming up in our next Same up we're gonna be talking with a well first.
We're going back to pad
credit well for the next statement and when we come back at 7 20 we'll be talking with Wassa a Democratic Representative Nancy Stencil That's all coming up on the WCA WXCO morning report on 98.9 WXCO
And welcome back, it is the WXCO morning report on 98.9 WXCO.
It is 722 Fair Skies, partly cloudy of chilly start here in North Central Wisconsin, 40 degrees at our studios at the corner of Washington Street and North Third Street in downtown Wausau.
I am Chad Holmes with Ian Welsh.
Ian, thank you for holding down the fort while I was staggering my way in this morning.
You're welcome, Jen.
And always nice to talk about.
A community thing.
Well, it's always nice to talk some political realm issues as well.
And as we do every other Thursday, very happy to see across the table, Nancy Stencil, who is the chairperson of the Marathon County Democratic Party.
Good morning, Nancy.
Good
morning.
I want to mention that you, I saw on your social media that you were off in Minnesota.
When was that?
Was that last weekend?
Yeah, it was last week of
my day.
What was the
event?
I am the secretary of the environmental.
caucus for the state and our president tonight went to support Michelle Dietrich for to be reelected for the environmental on the National Democratic Committee.
She's done a lot of really good work and continues to listen to us and we just we have a very huge and growing caucus and we just felt it would be a great experience and a good time to get to
to really support her.
Over the years, you've talked about so many environmental issues.
You have so many hats that you're trying to keep on your
head at this
time.
Do you think that, let's talk about the Democratic Party, and then we can talk nationally about the Republican Party as well, I guess, if you want to throw
it in there.
Where are we with environmental issues?
Because so often, like so many issues,
it
feels as though the only time you really hear about it is when it's almost too late.
And I know that you and others keep a close eye because the moneyed interests are always looking for openings to be able to take advantage of people who are watching.
We are
constantly fighting for the good.
I can't say enough.
about Dan Barth from the area climate lobby.
He's constantly on it.
If we are out at the bend watching that the drilling is going right or Dan and I are also in a group called Rights of Nature and that is something that legislation is being brought forth.
I can't remember the bill 34 36 I think that wants to make it statewide that you cannot have any types of
even non-binding resolutions for the rights of nature, which is saying that, you know, the rivers or streams have the same inherent rights as you and I.
One of the interesting aspects as well as we look forward and also look right now because you've been spending a lot of time hanging out.
not with Tom Tiffany, but around Tom Tiffany's
around Tom Tiffany's office.
Yes.
And
we did do
all first.
We did all the Fridays in August.
That got to be a little much.
Let me go ask you kind of big picture because there's still a lot of discussion and he's kind of feeding it as well that he may run for governor.
Should Tiffany run for governor?
Maybe.
And as well, you know, in terms of the talk about what he's doing as a congressman, are we at times forgetting that he's still toxic Tom and that the environment needs to.
No, we don't forget that.
We had asked people, especially the last two Fridays that we did in August, to bring dirty water, be it out of a stream, be it like...
This very poorly brewed coffee.
And last Friday was our last Friday.
We did go up to his office.
They were closed.
I imagine they had the extra day for Labor Day weekend, like he really cares about labor.
And we did leave him several bottles of his dirty toxic water, 100% PFOS, 0% accountability.
Then he could take back to Washington with him because we know he's not fighting very hard for us.
Do you think that environmental issues will be a...
factor in the next gubernatorial race or there's there's so much other stuff going on that it's getting lost because sometimes it feels as though some very important issues get lost in the wash that's going
on.
I'm going to say I very much hope that they have a place front and center in
the discussion in the
upcoming.
There are things being worked on at this time and like Vinnie Marisi and
Angelito Torrito are working on things right now right now trying to improve things for us.
I like him.
I do too and I think he's bold.
Yeah,
that's my favorite word lately
bold.
He's
not afraid
to
stand up For what we believe in like, you know, we've come forth with things and and he's thought it and I'm gonna bring in Christian Phillips too.
He's another one that they have stood up
for what is right, what is good, and they have fought for it.
And that kind of brings the bridge, which I was kind of mentioning to you before I went on the air, that so often, and this is, I really don't care for the feeling I get, but so often when I hear some of the National Democratic leaders speak, the last thing is bold.
It's just, you have
a historically unpopular president right now doing historically unpopular things.
And it still feels like it's Mr. Magoo in Washington with the Democratic leadership.
Is my wrong.
I would
totally agree with you.
It's like business as usual.
Don't worry about this.
We'll win in the midterms.
My thought on that is don't count on it.
Democrats don't ever take it for granted.
Oh, the thing about it.
And I think we've talked about this.
I think I want to talk about more because I truly believe that.
Just to hope that the cycle of politics will keep will put you as Speaker of the House of King Jeffrey's or put you as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer That's not enough.
No
show me that you should be there
not business as usual But also I just think for the party that in order to have a sustained length of time to implement important policies You can't just say well, we're gonna win this cycle
without giving any positive reasons for people to stay with you then in the next cycle.
Correct.
I
mean,
that's the reason why a lot of people aren't even bothering to vote.
You better get up there.
You better be bold and you better not only say, oh, we're going to do this.
Show me.
Show me your plan of how this is going to get done with some kind of a timeline of when it's going to get done.
I'm going to actually bring up an example this week of the Democratic House Minority Leader.
and the I think cluelessness because I do think it needs to be talked about it's it's not
cut down maybe allies, but at the same time, if they're not going to be- If they're not doing it, call them out.
And that's the only way to get, I think, true victories, not just hope for defeat for the other guy.
And I just- Right.
As we get closer and closer to 2026, I think it needs to be spoken about.
So we'll be back with Nancy Stencil coming up at 7.52.
Coming up next, it is more of Mornings with Pat Critelaw after a bottom of the hour information update, including the Farm Report here on 98.9 WXCO.
And welcome back it is WXCO morning report on 98.9 WXCO online at wxco.fm Mobile devices and Alexa by searching WXCO and on the Civic Media app the time is 7.52 here on this Thursday morning
on the fourth day of September, 40 degrees under fair skies, talking to Marathon County Democratic Party Chairperson Nancy Stencil.
And well, I saw you on Monday at the Labor Day Parade.
Yes.
Big holiday.
Thank you.
But it's an
important holiday.
It is.
And again, it's one reason why I think history is so important because the amount of...
tears and sweat and lives that were put out to get us
the kind of lives that we live today.
People died for what you have today.
And, and I think it is very important to get that out and make sure that people know it's not just a three day weekend for you to run up north and drink beer and whatnot.
Like, you know, at least look at who gave you that.
And also it is important, I talked in the
We talked earlier about environmental issues, labor issues are important too, and sometimes you don't hear enough about them.
And I do think that there's a hunger within the Democratic electorate of Wisconsin that the gubernatorial candidates talk about, hey.
Turning back some of the horrible
some of the labor in the Walker
administration
along with environmental and the labor it needs to happen and it needs to happen now and that's probably another part of that bold approach show us what you're going to do and Let's let's get to work on it.
What do you think this whole primary is gonna look like?
Are we going to see?
candidates that do go bold because I mean I certainly
hope so if we want to win
we
were
talking off the air not using any names right you're seeing again some of the techniques I think to try to be everything to everyone I hope those don't work this time around because I do think that this state if you truly I've heard this term so often mean handing the baton from Tony Evers to a next generation well it can't just be
I think a milk toast handoff.
It
has to be a real bold move to the future.
Exactly.
It can't be just more of the same.
Tony has done a lot of good.
Don't get me wrong.
I adore the guy.
But at the same time, I think we need somebody like, well, I put it to you before, like an Obama type person that comes up with a short, concise message of...
And change and how are you going to do it with just some bullet points?
We don't need a 20 page spread on But you know just this is what we're going to do these are the steps we're going to do to take it so that it shows the public you actually
have put some thought behind this of how you're going to do this.
And back during that era of 2007, 2008, there was, I think, a sense within the country that we need a change.
And maybe a lot of people would not be able to specifically say, well, this is exactly what I want done.
But the overall arch was that, hey, we need something different going into the future, whether or not you felt like that way as a Republican or a Democrat, whatever may be.
I think we all feel that way.
in a similar position here in Wisconsin that, yes, as you said, the governor has done a lot of good things against, again, majorities
of
Republicans in both houses of the state legislature, but we need somebody to say, hey, we do need something that needs to be different as we move forward.
Yeah, and I think that's what, in my opinion, appeals to a lot of people until the services is given and you find out it's not what you wanted, but you look at a lot of your Republican party and...
it's bold they don't give a crap they just plow right forward isn't that funny
real fast i want to say something about that i heard um i was reading or watching something so much goes into the head and talking about oh it's actually on one of the shows here on specific media yesterday and one of the guests was saying that oh that fear of democrats going too far to the left
I never hear anybody talk about Republicans going too far to the right.
Yeah, I think we're the only people are scared about that.
Yeah, and we need to go further to the left.
Our left is not a scary place to be.
It's a place that's actually going to do some good.
It's going to give people something that they can build their lives on.
I wanted to, I was yelling at my radio at the time saying, ask him specific policies that he was considered too far to the left, because terminology like that is easy to throw out there.
And then people are not, oh yeah, Democrats better make sure they don't go too far to the left.
I want to hear specific issues that if somebody said, oh.
I want healthcare for all, Medicare for all.
Is that too far to the left?
I mean, because I think some of those folks think so.
And when you talk about modulating and going to the center, that's another way of saying, well, we don't want to do things that
change too much.
We don't want to change anything.
I mean, maybe some of them nursing homes up North should change.
And yeah, maybe Eric on the doctor too much and well, you know, maybe then vaccines aren't good.
No, we need to stand up and
We should be shouting this stuff from the rooftops.
Unfortunately, though, no, it's something I sit here talking to you about this and we seem to have an agreement in that realm.
But unfortunately, not enough Democrats feel that way, especially
in leadership.
You've got to keep working on it.
And to have the leadership, I think, catch up to the base.
That's
fair to say.
Yes, exactly.
And, you know, being chair, you know, for the Northwoods for the seventh, I'm seeing a lot more action out of some of those smaller communities up there.
They're not afraid to stand up and be bold.
And I guess in our final minute or so, I think it's important to, again, I think we talked about this previously.
If you're somebody that is interested in running, you need people that are willing to step up.
Yes,
we do.
I heard you say it's not
easy.
You're looking right now, you're trying to recruit for different positions, and people don't be afraid to have the
first conversation.
Really, and even like spring elections, county boards, city council, things like that.
You know, you're not alone.
We can help provide some great training.
I'm gonna give a shout out to Wisconsin Progress, because I think they do a phenomenal job.
You know you need to stand up for your community
real fast You know if you talk about training exercises you've mentioned previously multiple times about Katrina Shanklin and Rust Belt rising.
Yes, that is another one, but I love that girl But I
want her to come back and run for something
I know I do
too.
She's such a
Fabulous person.
She really is.
She's doing
so much
good, but at the same time, boy.
Maybe she's listening to us.
Maybe if we beg harder.
I would say I would vote for her for governor.
Oh
my god, I would.
Oh, in a heartbeat, I
would.
OK, Katrina, I hope you're out there.
Yeah, we hope you are out there.
This is a
rising of the people here saying we're going to draft you.
You've accomplished your mission, Rust Belt Rising.
Come on.
Thank you, Nancy.
Thank
you.
I'll be joining Pat Krightlow coming up after the news.
WXEO online at WXEO dot FM mobile devices and Alexa by searching WXEO and on the civic media app 46 degrees now warming up a bit under mostly cloudy skies here on this Thursday morning with Ian Welsh I am Chad Holmes and coming up We'll have the number for the day here to wrap things up in a few minutes But wanted to continue talking about what I was just talking about with pack right low again the wassa ethics board
Met last night as they continue to try to move forward on the Denny ethics complaint, but the ultimate hearing has been postponed As we continue to this like a turtle move very slowly down this road Yeah, but again, there was supposed to be a hearing on Friday The board decided to issue subpoenas again for more witnesses who were scheduled to appear
Following a suggestion from special counsel Eric Larson He indicated the subpoenas can be reissued when the new hearing date is set The board will next meet on September the 12th to evaluate the city council's decision about hiring outside council for city employees I mentioned the fact that Caitlyn Bernardi one of the Figures involved in
What's the city government that's been asked to sit down for a deposition has not I want to also indicate that it's not just a case where perhaps she is refusing to it's a case where there may not be funding for
for legal representation, because the amount of money that had been set aside for legal representation has basically run out.
So there has to be decisions made in that realm as well.
But city clerk Caitlin Bernardi, city attorney, and Jacobson have not sat down for deposition sought by the mayor's legal team, despite the board's order to do so.
And based on that, this hearing scheduled for tomorrow has been
and postponed.
So again, it's just a case where, as I said earlier, this is not a case of trying to run the mayor out of office.
He's not being removed from office.
It's a case of trying to figure out what is right and what is wrong when it comes to the actions taken.
Because a mayor, it could be Doug Denny, it could be another mayor who could say, well, I want to remove this Dropbox.
Can he do it or not do it?
There has to be, I think, ultimately a decision made on what is allowable, what is not allowable.
And also, again, there's a lot of frustration on my part where it feels as though public servants are not coming out and just giving the information that they have so we can get to a conclusion in this case as well.
So, again, the mayor deserves a completely fair hearing.
And I have no issue with the mayor and his legal team saying, hey, if these depositions have not occurred yet, we cannot move forward on the hearing.
So I think that at this point, unfortunately, there's really no choice in the matter that no way could have a hearing tomorrow.
And there's no way it could have a hearing until some of these depositions are handled.
So it's a story that has been watched for nearly a year.
And we're coming up on that one-year anniversary.
It will continue to be watched, I think, for the days, weeks, and I hope not months ahead, but who knows what is going to happen here.
So...
All we're asking for is a little accountability.
Exactly.
And also just answers to the questions, because the mayor... Did you do something wrong?
Is he sorry?
Well, the mayor make sure it doesn't happen again.
It doesn't matter.
No, this is not about whether the mayor is sorry or not.
This is a case about whether or not he is allowed to do it or not.
If the mayor wants to say he's sorry or not, that's a whole different situation.
But this is just strictly about whether or not he is allowed to do it.
And any mayor is allowed to do it.
But, so again,
There was, I think, one piece of interesting information that came out of the meeting last night.
According to a story at wasapilotandreview.com, another key development that surfaced during the discussion was that Larson and the mayor's legal team have reached a agreed set of facts, but the document is yet to be signed.
So that would be a significant move forward to have a set of facts that is agreed on by both sides in terms of trying to get to an ultimate decision when it comes to this case.
So we will continue to keep an eye on this as it continues to move forward.
But as we are now at 827, it's time now for our number for the day quiz.
Ian Welsh every day at this time, we give him three choices and then one of which is our actual number for the day.
And today it is day number one of the 2025 National Football League season.
Tonight the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles take on the Dallas Cowboys in the Thursday night kickoff game.
Okay.
Green Bay Packers will kick things off on Sunday at Lambeau Field taking on the Detroit Lions and a big one the very big game to start off the NFL season for the Packers of course last season Detroit was the champions of the NFC North Division Packers did make the playoffs as a wild card But our number for the day is okay.
How many NFL championships have the Green Bay Packers
won?
That is in the history of the team going back to 1920 how many NFL championships?
Have the Green Bay Packers one they've won a number of Super Bowls, but they also won NFL championships prior to those Super Bowls as well So these are the total of the Green Bay Packers League titles your choices are 13 championships 16 championships
19 championships.
So how many NFL championships have the Green Bay Packers won?
13, 16, or 19?
Okay.
13, 16, or 19.
I'm going to say, I'm going to say,
13.
13 is my final answer.
I'm going to say
13.
Going with the small number.
Taking a shot.
The Green Bay Packers have won 13 league championships.
Nine pre Super Bowl and four Super Bowls.
Got myself on the board.
So that means that you are one for three and that means it all comes down to tomorrow.
Yes, it does.
So we'll hopefully get you a W tomorrow and another winning week and a passing week as well.
Indeed.
Have a good rest of your Thursday.
You too, Chad.
Happy Thursday, everybody.
More of Pat Crite low coming up next on WXCR.
