Behind the Story

A lasting legacy: Edgar football coach reaches 500 wins

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 20:52:42 +0000

This week on Behind the Story, Dale Ryman sits down with Sports Director Ben Helwig to break down his special report on legendary Edgar football coach Jerry Sinz. After hitting a monumental 500 career victories, Sinz’s story goes beyond the scoreboard—from nearly losing the football program in 1974 to building a multi-generational small-town dynasty. Ben and Dale share behind-the-scenes insights from their reporting in Edgar, reflections from former players, and what makes Coach Sinz an enduring icon of Wisconsin high school football.

Restoring a Landmark: Inside Wausau’s Grand Theater Makeover

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:49:08 +0000

Go behind the scaffolding with WSAW’s Jeff Thelen as he takes us inside the multimillion-dollar “Second Century Campaign” restoring Wausau’s historic Grand Theater. We break down what it takes to renovate a century-old landmark—from specialty restoration painters and balcony reinforcements to replacing the iconic red velvet seats—and look ahead to reopening night with Wayne Newton.

Face-to-Face With a Hero: A Choking Girl’s Family Reunited With Their 911 Dispatcher

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:34:41 +0000

When a 7-year-old Wood County girl began choking on a toy, her mother dialed 911 in a panic. Hear how a dispatcher calmly talked her through the Heimlich maneuver step-by-step—and why both families say those critical minutes changed their lives.

Finding the Way Home: An Antigo Pilot’s Flight to Save Lives

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:00:29 +0000

From childhood dream to life-saving flights across the Northwoods, Antigo native Collinn Eldridge shares his journey back home as a medic pilot for Life Link III in Rhinelander. At just 25 years old, the former Red Robin logged thousands of hours over the Grand Canyon before answering the call to serve his hometown community from the cockpit. Tune in as Collinn and his flight crew discuss the high-stakes world of emergency air medical transport, navigating Wisconsin skies, and sticking the landing when lives are on the line.

Wausau women form a special bond while hiking Rib Mountain

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:14:39 +0000

You never really know what you're capable of until you're forced into a situation. On this episode of Behind the Story, Dale Ryman and Jeff Thelen share how two women have been pushing one another for the last 23 years, each taking their turn leading the way up Rib Mountain.