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THE WEST SIDE

The program airs on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. on Ideas 88.3 WHWC in western Wisconsin. It is also recorded by Eau Claire Community Television where it airs weekly and is simulcast on CTV's low power radio station.

Contact: richard.kremer@wpr.org

Audio archives of past programs are available here.

Thursday, May 24, 2012:

The collaboration between Xcel Energy and conservation groups to restore 4,400 acres of land near Tyrone will be discussed this week. Guests will include Mike Swenson, retired President and CEO of Xcel's Wisconsin operations and Matt McFarlane, a former Department of Natural Resources staffer who now works as a permitting analyst for Xcel Energy. A representative from the Lower Chippewa River Alliance will also join the discussion. Tune in this Thursday, May 24 at 5pm to 88.3 WHWC/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW/River Falls.

Connect with The West Side on Facebook! Click on this link to go to the show's Facebook page.

The West Side is a call-in program that airs on Ideas 88.3 WHWC/ Menomonie-Eau Claire. Hosted by Rich Kremer, the show runs every Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m.

Kremer took over hosting duties on January 13, 2011. Kremer came to Wisconsin Public Radio from WTCH in Shawano where he worked as news director. Before that, he was a host for Midwest Communications in Duluth. He is no stranger to Wisconsin Public Radio as he was an intern at WPR's Northern Regional Bureau in Superior. Kremer has won state, regional, and national awards for news writing, spot news, and best use of audio. Kremer has a degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

The West Side is similar in style to the statewide call-ins hosted by Joy Cardin (M-F 6-9 a.m.), Kathleen Dunn (M-F 9-11 a.m.) and Ben Merens (M-F 3-5 p.m.), with a regional flavor.

Topics include the state budget and effects of proposed legislation on local residents. We also explore other issues from a western Wisconsin perspective - sustainability, university issues, racial diversity, school funding, health care, economics, agriculture, and the need for jails, etc. During election seasons, candidates for State Assembly and State Senate share time on the air with their opponents. We provide extensive election night coverage using software written by UW-Eau Claire students.

Two UW-Eau Claire emeritus professors bring a wealth of experience and resources to their roles as volunteer producers for the program. UW-Eau Claire Political Science professor Mort Sipress and UWEC Journalism professor Henry Lippold (a 2002 inductee into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame) help brainstorm topic ideas, contact guests and operate the call-in phone system. Dean Kallenbach, Regional Manager, is executive producer of the program.

Mary Jo Wagner was the original host and producer for The West Side which began February 4, 2002, and remained in that role until her retirement in July of 2010. The West Side has won numerous Wisconsin Broadcasters' Association awards as well as five Eric Sevareid awards from the Northwest Broadcast News Association, and national recognition from the Public Radio News Directors Inc. and Outdoors Writers Association of America.