Western Wisconsin's Hmong Refugee Population was discussed during The West Side. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Jon Lor, President of the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, Chue Xiong the first Hmong Person elected to the Eau Claire Area School Board of Education and Choua Xiong, a student at UW-Eau Claire and student representative of the Hmong Studies Initiative there and Ari Anand, Associate Anthropology Professor and Advisor for the Initiative.

The West Side Agriculture Update discussed how this year's extra long winter and especially wet spring has delayed planting, what it means for this year's harvest and how farmers are coping. Host Rich Kremer was joined by UW-Extension Crops and Soils Educator for Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Jim Holte and District 4 Director for the Wisconsin Farmers Union Craig Myhre. Guests also talked about how farming continues to evolve and what the Farm Bill's holdup in Washington means for them.

The public private partnership to build a new arts and events facility in Eau Claire known as the Confluence Project was discussed on The West Side. Host Rich Kremer was joined by President of the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council Ben Richgruber and Principal of Commonweal Development Dan Clumpner.

The West Side discussed a disturbing trend in dangerous drug abuse in western Wisconsin. Counties in northwestern Wisconsin are experiencing an explosion in methamphetamine abuse while the Hudson/St. Croix River Valley area is seeing an increase in heroin abuse. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Polk County Sheriff Pete Johnson and Barron County Sheriff's Department Investigator Jason Hagan who spoke about the meth problem in their region. Then, Kremer was joined by Karen Hale of the Town of Hudson, who lost her 21-year-old daughter Alysa Ivy to a heroin overdose in May, and St. Croix County Sheriff's Department Investigators Jim Mikla and James Haefner.

The West Side discussed the recently passed state biennial budget and how budget cuts to the UW System will impact local UW campuses. Host Rich Kremer was joined by UW-River Falls Special Assistant to the Chancellor Blake Fry and UW-Stout Chancellor Chuck Sorenson. Topics included the revelation of a more than $1 billion fund balance, called a slush fund or cash reserve by some, the subsequent budget cut to the UW System and a two-year cap on tuition.

Fishing and fish management was discussed on the summer edition of The West Side Outside. Host Rich Kremer was joined by the "Outdoor Guys" Joe Knight, Outdoor Editor for the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram and Dave Carlson, Host of Northland Adventures. Kremer was also joined by special guests Max Wolter, a DNR Fisheries Biologist in Hayward and Dan "Bimbo" Gifford, an expert fly tyer from Cameron who invented the Bimbo Skunk fly for bluegill and crappie.

Governor Walker's biennial budget was discussed on The West Side. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Republican State Representative Kathy Bernier of Chippewa Falls and Democratic State Representative Dana Wachs of Eau Claire. Issues included the controversial voucher school program statewide expansion, the $651 million tax cut and the addition of policy items into the budget.

The West Side looked into the true economic impact of frac sand mining. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Dr. Tom Power, who in partnership with the Wisconsin Farmer's Union and the Wisconsin Towns Association released a study highlighting the benefits and costs of frac sand mining on western Wisconsin. Then Kremer introduced Pepin County Board Supervisor Bill Mavity, who worries that frac sand mining will destroy the tourism industry along Lake Pepin and has introduced an ordinance banning the practice there. Finally, Kremer was joined by Rich Budinger, General Manager with Fairmont Minerals and President of the Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association who argues that sand mining has been in Wisconsin for more than 100 years and this new sand rush is spurring economic development and jobs in a down economy.

The West Side discussed the cost of food and what plays into the price we pay at the grocery store checkout. Host Rich Kremer was joined by UW-River Falls Agriculture Marketing Specialist Dr. Brenda Boetel and Dr. Sarah Lloyd, Special Projects Coordinator for the Wisconsin Farmers Union.

The West Side discussed the importance of tourism for western Wisconsin and the state as a whole. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Communications Director for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Executive Director of the Cable Area Chamber of Commerce James Bolen, and Executive Director of Visit Eau Claire Linda John. Guests discussed the different varieties of tourism and their economic impacts on communities large and small.

The West Side discussed the growing importance of exports to western Wisconsin Businesses. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Lora Klenke, Vice President of International Business Development with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Bob Sinner, President of SB&B Foods and Tim Mohr, Plant Manager at Identity Ag Processing in Bloomer.

The West Side discussed the latest news on the Germann Road Fire in Douglas County that claimed some 50 structures and burned more than 8,000 acres. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Reporters Danielle Kaeding and Mike Simonson, who covered the fire since it erupted May 13th. Also joining the program were DNR Incident Commander Larry Gladoski and Douglas County Emergency Management Director Keith Kessler who were in charge of the fire suppression and evacuation measures. And to discuss the fire danger in western Wisconsin DNR Forestry official Steve Edge joined the program as well.

The West Side kicked of a multi-part series about immigrant populations in western Wisconsin with a look into the rapidly growing Latino community. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Edgar Bernal, a Panamanian immigrant who serves on the board of Hispanic advocacy group El Centro de Connexion de Chippewa Valley, Father Tim Oudenhoven, a Hispanic Chaplin serving Arcadia and Alma Center and Drs. Sue Peck and Lisa Schiller of the College of Nursing at UW-Eau Claire who run a clinical program where nursing students offer medical assistance to migrant farm workers.

The West Side featured a spring edition of the "Legislative Roundup". Host Rich Kremer was joined by Democratic State Senator Kathleen Vinehout and Republican State Representative Scott Suder.

Though our spring has been much snowier than usual in western Wisconsin it still is, officially speaking, spring and proof of that is the impending state fishing opener May 4th. So, to get our listeners primed before they wet their lines we brought the "Outdoor Guys" on for a Somewhat Spring Edition of The West Side Outside. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Outdoor Editor for the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Joe Knight and Dave Calrson, Host of Northland Adventures. During the first half of the program we were also joined by Lac du Flambeau Tribal Chair Tom Maulson to talk about the tribal walleye spearing season. Then during the second half we were joined by retired DNR Communications Specialist Jim Bishop and owner of the We-Tie-It Fly Shop Bill Scherer.

The West Side looked into the growing world of online public education with a discussion about virtual schools and blended learning in western Wisconsin. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Maleda Mullin, Middle School Instructor for the virtual Wisconsin Advanced Learning Academy located in Barron and Assistant Superintended of the Eau Claire School District Tim Leibham.

The West Side discussed how local governments are preparing for the 2014 roll out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Host Rich Kremer was joined by attorney Cathy Conway of von Briesen and Roper who counsels clients on health insurance law and implementation, City of Eau Claire Human Resources Director Dale Peters and Chippewa County Administrator Frank Pascarella.

The West Side discussed what Governor Walker's Biennial State Budget will mean for local school districts in western Wisconsin. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Karen Dahl, Business Manager for the School District of Altoona and Rice Lake Area School District Superintendent Larry Brown.

The West Side began the first of a series of programs examining Governor Walker's Biennial Budget for 2013-2015 beginning with a discussion about how the budget will affect higher education in western Wisconsin. Host Rich Kremer was joined by
UW-Stout Chancellor Chuck Sorensen and President of the Chippewa Valley Technical College Bruce Barker.

The West Side looked into the different approaches Minnesota and Wisconsin are taking towards the fast growing frac sand mining industry. Also, the pros and cons of state vs. local control were discussed and a special news story produced by WPR's Maureen McCollum highlighted what one local government in Minnesota is doing to address citizen concerns about mining. Guests included Minnesota State Senator Matt Schmit, who has introduced legislation to create a statewide frac sand mining moratorium, Wisconsin State Senator Kathleen Vinehout, the only lawmaker in Wisconsin to introduce frac sand mining legislation. Also joining the program were Rick Stadelman of the Wisconsin Towns Association and Kirsten Pauly of the Minnesota Industrial Sand Council.

The West Side looked into poverty in public education and how it affects learning and school strategy. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Associate Dean of Teacher Education for UW-Eau Claire Dr. Marvin Lynn, Director of Food and Nutrition at the Eau Claire Area School District Sue Brown and Principal at River Heights Elementary School in Menomonie Peg Kolden.

The West Side discussed a multi-year study aimed at reducing excess phosphorus levels in the Red Cedar River, which cause massive blooms of noxious and unhealthy algae in Tainter Lake and Lake Menomin in Dunn County. Host Rich Kremer was joined by DNR Wastewater Field Supervisor Paul La Liberte, watershed council coordinator Julia Olmstead of UW Extension and Regional Natural Resources educator for UW Extension Dan Zerr.

The West Side delved into Governor Walker's 2013-2015 budget proposal with Republican State Representative Scott Suder of Abbotsford and Democrat State Representative Chris Danou of Trempealeau. Guests discussed the governor's proposed across the board tax cut, a request for additional staff to monitor air quality at frac sand mines and his decision to reject federal funding to expand the state's medicaid program.

The West Side checked up on the health of three free clinics in western Wisconsin. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Maribeth Woodford, Executive Director of the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic in Eau Claire, Mary Meyers, Clinic Coordinator for the Open Door Free Clinic in Chippewa Falls, Sandy Krautkramer, Director of the the Rice Lake Free Clinic and Lisa Jante, Board Member with the Rice Lake Free Clinic. Guests spoke about topics including the increasing need for free clinic services, false assumptions about who uses free clinics, funding and how political decisions may impact their operations.

Members from Wisconsin's major farming organizations gave their opinions on the 2013 agricultural outlook on The West Side. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Kara Slaughter, government relations director for the Wisconsin Farmers Union, Joe Bragger, district director for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Dr. Brenda Boetel, professor of Agricultural Economics at UW-River Falls.

The West Side discussed a collaboration between Stanley, Wisconsin based Ace Ethanol and New York Biotech Firm Sweetwater Energy to produce sugars from cellulosic feed stocks like corn plant waste and wood waste that will be used to supplement the corn based ethanol brewing process. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Jack Baron, Chief Operating Officer for Sweetwater Energy and Bob Sather, Government Relations Director for Ace Ethanol.

The West Side discussed the renewed call among lawmakers for more job specific higher education in western Wisconsin and whether that takes away from the emphasis on traditional four year liberal arts education. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Bob Knight, Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies at UW-Eau Claire, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UW-Eau Claire Linda Young and President of the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Bob Meyer.

The West Side Outside welcomed outdoor guys Joe Knight and Dave Carlson to the program to discuss the free ice fishing weekend in the state and the Silver Mine Ski Jump Invitational. But first the group was joined by three women pushing to get more women into fly fishing. They include Wendy Williamson, President of the Hayward Fly Fishing Company, fly fishing instructor Sara Sanford and Margaret Labin.

The West Side delved into the issue of whether older drivers are safe drivers and whether they should be tested for competency more often than their younger counterparts. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Wisconsin State Patrol Captain Jeff Frenette, Psychologist Dr. Brian Stress and Occupational Therapist with Sacred Heart Hospital Barb Haag.

The West Side welcomed Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson) and Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) to look ahead to Wisconsin's 2013 legislative session, with a special look at the upcoming biennial budget and possible legislation. Dean Kallenbach guest hosted.

The West Side welcomed local reporters Jerry Gallagher of WQOW News 18 and Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Editor Don Huebscher to discuss the top news stories of 2012.

The West Side focused on the massive investment railroads are making into rail lines in Barron County and Wisconsin as a whole in order to haul frac sand. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Wisconsin Commissioner of Railroads Jeff Plale and Barron County Administrator and former secretary of the Western Wisconsin Rail Transit Authority. Vice President of Community and Member Relations of Dairyland Power Cooperative Brian Rude also joined the program.

The plan for a new arts and entertainment facility known as the Eau Claire Confluence Project was discussed on The West Side. Host Rich Kremer was joined by two of the top players in the project including UW-Eau Claire Vice Chancellor of Facilities Mike Rindo and Commonweal Development Partner Dan Clumpner. The two gave updates on the planning, funding and lobbying efforts for the Confluence Project and answered questions from callers. Then Eau Claire Historical Preservation Foundation Board Member Patrick Kurtenbach joined the program to discuss his groups opposition to the planned demolition of historic buildings downtown to make room for the project.

The West Side discussed the 13% unemployment rate among people with disabilities, which is nearly double the rate among those without a disability. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Maralene Strom, Supported Self Employment Program Coordinator for Regional Enterprises for Adults and Children, Tim Sheehan, Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living for Western Wisconsin and Kyle Kleist, Senior Lecturer and Undergraduate Program Director for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program at UW-Stout. Guests discussed some of the challenges those with disabilities face when looking for work in a tough economy and the need for a change in how society perceives those with disability.

Host Rich Kremer was joined by the Outdoor Guys for The West Side Outside. Joe Knight, Outdoor Editor for the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram and Dave Carlson, host of syndicated TV Shot Northland Adventures and Communications Specialist for the DNR Ed Culhane discussed regulation changes for the 2012 Wisconsin gun deer hunt and updates on Wisconsin's first wolf hunt.

Western Wisconsin's election results were discussed and two new state legislators were introduced during the West Side 2012 Election Postmortem. Host Rich Kremer was joined by UW-Eau Claire Political Science Department Chair Geoff Peterson and Emeritus Political Science Professor Mort Sipress. Adding to the analysis was former Republican assemblyman Rob Kreibich. Newly elected state representatives Stephen Smith of the 75th Assembly District and Dana Wachs of the 91st Assembly District joined the program and added their thoughts as well.

Rounding out a nine week series of state legislative candidate forums the West Side highlighted the 93rd State Assembly Race with a live broadcast at the Durand High School. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Republican incumbent State Representative Warren Petryk and Democratic challenger Jeff Smith. The candidates discussed their stances on transparency in government, health care, frac sand mining and much more.

The West Sidefeatured candidates running to represent the 75th State Assembly District, incumbent Roger Rivard (R-Rice Lake) and Stephen Smith(D-Rice Lake). Candidates discussed their platforms on issues like frac sand mining, education spending and the constitutionality of Act 10.

Candidates running to represent western Wisconsin in the state senate were featured on the West Side 10th State Senate Candidate Forum. Host Rich Kremer was joined by Republican incumbent Sheila Harsdorf of River Falls and Democratic challenger Dan Olson of Clayton. Kremer asked the candidates about their stances on frac sand mining, campaign finance reform, health care and education spending.

The West Side welcomed the candidates running to represent the 87th State Assembly District, Republican incumbent Mary Williams and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Riley. Host Rich Kremer asked the guests about their stances on education funding, health care, mining and jobs.

The West Side featured candidates from the 68th State Assembly District, incumbent Kathy Bernier (R-Lake Hallie) and Judy Smriga (D-Thorp). Candidates fielded a range of questions on issues like education spending, frac sand mining, partisan redistricting and transportation funding.

The West Side featured candidates from the 67th State Assembly District, incumbent Tom Larson (R-Colfax) and Deb Bieging (D-Chippewa Falls), during a live candidate forum. Guests talked about their stances on things like job creation, state funding levels for education, health care and frac sand mining.

The West Side hosted a candidate forum featuring candidates from the 30th State Assembly District, incumbent Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson) and challenger Diane Odeen (D-River Falls), live from the UW-River Falls University Center. Host Rich Kremer moderated the forum, taking questions from audience members and callers. The forum, was held in the Kinnickinnic River Theater on the campus of UW-River Falls.

The West Side hosted a candidate forum featuring candidates from the 29th State Assembly District, incumbent John Murtha (R-Baldwin) and Jim Swanson (D-Menomonie). Host Rich Kremer moderated the forum live and listeners called in with questions and comments during the program.

The West Side kicked off the first of nine state legislative candidate forums with the 28th State Assembly District race between Republican incumbent Erik Severson and Democratic challenger Adam Bever. Host Rich Kremer moderated the forum asking questions about jobs, collective bargaining for public workers and frac sand mining. Listeners from within the 28th Assembly District also called in with questions of their own relating to taconite mining and medical marijuana.

In this program we delved into the issue of prescription drug abuse in Wisconsin and highlighted a report of recommendations created by a panel of experts from the fields of law enforcement, medicine and addiction treatment. Our guests were Twila Johnson, Pharmacy Services Director for Security Health Plan in Wausau and Dr. Mike Miller, Addiction Psychiatrist Medical Director of the Herrington Recovery Center.

Host Rich Kremer is joined by Executive Administrator for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Jim Zorn, Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Council Member Mic Isham and the Outdoor Guys - Joe Knight of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram and Dave Carlson of Northland Adventures. Guests discuss why the wolf is sacred among tribal people and about a disagreement between tribes and the state in how the wolf should be regulated. Then DNR Wildlife Biologist John Dunn joins the show for a preview of the numerous fall hunting seasons.

Host Rich Kremer was joined by Economist Toby Madden of the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis, Barron County Administrator Jeff French and investigative reporter Dee Hall of the State Journal and Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. Guests discussed job creation related to the numerous frac sand mining and processing facilities being built across the state, the impact those operations are having on local and county property taxes, and the spillover effects rippling through local businesses. Also highlighted was a detailed report from the Center for Investigative Journalism on how big an impact the frac sand industry is having on our state and local economies.