Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
NPR News

The City Of Colby, Wis., Attempts, Yet Again, To Name The State Cheese Its Namesake

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Listen 1:02
Listen to the Story

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

In these polarized times, it's hard to get politicians to agree on infrastructure spending or tax bills. How are Wisconsin legislators going to agree on a state cheese? Bill has been reintroduced to make Colby the official state cheese. It was developed in the city of Colby, near Wausau, a town which, whatever its charms, does not sound like a promising name for cheese. Bills to make Colby the state cheese have been regularly introduced since 1997. They tend to pass the Wisconsin assembly, then get shredded in the state Senate. Does this sound familiar?

Representative Rick Gundrum of Slinger says, I just have an issue making one cheese the state cheese. We have a wide variety of Swiss, Gouda, smoked Gouda, Havarti, provolone, Limburger, Asiago. And string cheese also have their advocates. Maybe a slogan would put Colby finally over the top. Like, Colby - it only looks like cheddar. Or, Colby - 45 million pounds a year can't be wrong.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today