The Larry Meiller Show

Selecting a puppy is only one of many decisions you’ll have to make when adopting a new pet. How do you choose the right collar? What toys are safe? And, most importantly, what’s the best way to housebreak a new addition? We talk about those questions and more with a vet.

We look at the possible impact of an El Niño weather pattern on our Wisconsin winter, and why snowfall predictions are hard to get right. We also explore the impact of rain on wildfires.

There are literally trillions of viruses, fungi, bacteria and other microbes that live on our skin and line our organs. We depend on these microbial communities to digest food, boost immune systems, and even transform wastewater into something usable. We learn how researchers at the Wisconsin Energy Institute are using microbes in the delicate process of producing biofuels.

Do you take time to see and appreciate the world around you? Our guest believes that doing so will help you find insight and understanding into your own life. We talk about how your personal stories can teach you how to be more grateful.

Entomologist PJ Liesch talks about the dreaded bed bug. We learn their history, biology and how to prevent bed bugs from hitching a ride with us in our travels.

Healthy eating doesn't’t have to be boring. We talk with the author of a new cookbook from the American Diabetes Association that features authentic Tex-Mex flavors without all the carbs and fat.

Although this is the season of celebrations, not everyone is merry. We talk with a psychologist about ways to cope and feel enjoyment during the holidays.

External modifications can turn on or off some of our genetic traits. We talk to physical therapists about how exercise may help with these modifications and influence how we fight disease.

We talk to UW-Extension horticulture educator Lisa Johnson about wrapping up this year’s growing growing season. Topics include mums, bulb planting and what to expect of trees and shrubs that were under water this year.

Our consumer protection experts talk about how to make sure that the veterans organizations you give to are legitimate charities. We also cover test prep scams, the use of artificial intelligence for fraud, and how to get through the holidays scam-free.

Wisconsin DNR biologists are offering workshops focused on wolf ecology, population management and field study techniques. Large carnivore tracking is one way to get involved as a citizen scientist to better understand the gray wolf. We learn about the history of wolves in Wisconsin, wolf biology and ecology, and how DNR staff monitor the population.

Since wild turkeys were first successfully reintroduced into Wisconsin in 1976, population levels continue to increase and expand statewide. We talk about handmade turkey calls and decoys with the “Gobbler Geek,” aka Jeff Fredrick, a longtime turkey caller competitor in Wisconsin.

Just 3 percent of the water on Earth is freshwater, and the Great Lakes hold 20 percent of that supply. What are the specific stressors that face our Great Lakes today and what are we doing about it? We look at the current science and issues facing the Great Lakes with experts from the UW Sea Grant Institute.

A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth’s surface. GIS is becoming more pervasive as we rely on maps to do many things, from plotting our quickest route home to analyzing prices and volume at brick-and-mortar stores for marketing purposes. We look at the spread of this technology in our world and where it’s headed.

We talk with local vintner Philippe Coquard about the unique Beaujolais Nouveau wine, what it is and how it’s celebrated. We also take a look at how grapes did this year.