Open Record

The city of Wauwatosa braced for unrest as word came down Wednesday the District Attorney would not file charges against Wauwatosa police officer Joseph Mensah for the shooting death of Alvin Cole. People protested and as night fell, those protests turned to damage and looting. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire explain how we got here, what happ...

There are mask mandates, requests to social distance, and new ways of doing everyday things. Yet, Wisconsin continues to grapple with one of the country's worst COVID-19 outbreaks. Hospitals in northeast Wisconsin say they're near-capacity, even delaying other surgeries and procedures to make room for new COVID-19 patients. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda...

People are putting children on day care wait lists before they're even pregnant. That's how tough it is to find quality care in Wisconsin and that was before the pandemic. Now, the problem is getting worse and fast. If child care is the key to reopening the economy, what happens when that key starts to disappear? In this edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilair...

Any time you listen to an episode of Open Record, you usually hear Bryan Polcyn, Amanda St. Hilaire, and Jenna Sachs. There are times various FOX6 reporters help us out: Jason Calvi to talk politics or maybe it's Derica Williams to talk education. But there are several others behind the scenes who help edit, publish, and post the podcast so it reaches your ears. In this edition of Open Record, Bry...

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Wisconsin, a battleground state, just 41 days before the election. In a rare visit, Sec. Pompeo went where no sitting secretary has gone before -- the Wisconsin Capitol. Sec. Pompeo says it was official business, to warn Wisconsin officials about the CCP, the Chinese Communist Party. Critics called his visit a thinly-veiled campaign stop. In this edi...

We are just 42 days away from the election. While we may not have a winner announced the night of November 3rd, we do know the days leading up to the election will be filled with plenty of headlines here in Wisconsin. What's the latest political news and what do you need to know to make sure your vote counts? In this edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire in...

We're in a year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, calls for police reform, and a presidential election. All of this is happening while the city of Milwaukee is seeing another surge in reckless driving deaths. It's one of the most vexing issues still facing Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Police Department recently renewed efforts to target reckless driving in the city with extra traffic patrols. Whe...

Many parents and health experts are keeping a close eye on the area elementary schools doing in-person learning or a hybrid because of the coronavirus. But as the school year gets underway, the focus of concern has shifted to local college campuses. Those colleges and universities are trying to figure out how to keep students safe and learning. However, COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Wisconsin...

If you've gone to any store or searched online since March, you know finding disinfecting wipes is nearly impossible. Why can't we find them? Demand for emergency shelter is up, approaching pre-COVID-19 levels, despite resources like rental assistance meant to keep people in their homes. How are Milwaukee shelters handling the influx of those who need housing? Plus, since the police shooting of Ja...

Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris spent Labor Day in Milwaukee, her first visit on the ticket. During her visit, Harris spoke with the family of Jacob Blake, who was recently shot by a Kenosha police officer. Harris also toured an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers facility and later met with Black business leaders for a roundtable discussion. Part of her visit also included a 1...

In the days following the Kenosha police shooting of Jacob Blake, there were protests, violence, finger pointing, and a community looking to heal. Also in the spotlight: The politics of police shootings. In this episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators invite FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi on to talk about everything from a package of police reform bills proposed by Governor Evers to th...

While many students in southeast Wisconsin begin the school year virtually, others are headed into the classroom to learn in a face-to-face setting. Safety is big concern for both students and staff, but Wisconsin health officials have told teachers to not wear N95 face masks to school this fall. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire explain why som...

A police officer shot a Black man in the back seven times in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Amanda St. Hilaire and Bryan Polcyn talk to FOX6 reporter Bill Miston about sorting through the new information about the shooting, peaceful protests, overnight violence, citizen militias, and calls for systemic change surrounding police transparency and accountability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...

As we enter into the final day of the Democratic National Convention, what does all of it mean for November? Despite the DNC taking center stage, the GOP isn't silent this week. Trump's campaign is blitzing across the battleground state of Wisconsin. In this edition of Open Record, we invited FOX6 reporters Jason Calvi and Amy DuPont on the episode to talk about the reporting they've done this wee...

A surge in Milwaukee homicides has prompted the return of a nationally-renowned approach to reducing violent crime. But what originally derailed the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission? In this edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire explain how a pair of college professors are bringing the MHRC back. You'll learn more about the job of the review commission...

We all know the coronavirus has changed so much in our day-to-day lives and that includes our health care. Many people have shifted to seeing doctors and various specialists virtually. Telemedicine numbers have never been higher and experts say how we're treated by medical professionals could potentially be changed forever. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Amanda St. Hilaire share...

It appears as though COVID-19 has claimed another victim: Bucky Badger and the rest of the Big Ten Conference. Even as fall training camps get started, they may be practicing for a football season that isn't going to happen. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 Sports Director Tim Van Vooren on to talk about what we know right now about the news that's litera...

The last hope for the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee is dashed as presidential candidate Joe Biden announces he will not come to Wisconsin to accept the party's nomination. This, as the pandemic continues to affect people and events across the country. In this episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators invite FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi on the episode. Jason had a bus...

Back in May, a Governor Evers' staffer secretly recorded a conversation with legislative leaders. The governor called it a 'discipline issue,' but was there actually any discipline? Government leaders and employees work for you and when they behave poorly, you're supposed to know about those details. In this episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators dig into why getting those answers isn't al...

The future for Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales remains uncertain and he isn't shy to say that in his own words. This, as deadlines loom surrounding directives handed down by the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission. In this edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Amanda St. Hilaire invites FOX6 reporter Suzanne Spencer on the episode. Spencer talked candidly with the chief during a recent...

From baseball to football and racing to golf, COVID-19 brought the world of sports to a halt. Now, both professional leagues and little leagues are trying to navigate the process of bringing back sports. While most of it is being done in a limited fashion, the risk of spreading the coronavirus remains elevated. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire...

From COVID-19 testing delays to a looming surge in evictions to skyrocketing alcohol sales, the consumer unit at FOX6 has been busy. Contact 6 tackles dozens of consumer issues weekly that come into our newsroom. In this episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators cover three big issues Contact 6 is helping sort out: COVID-19 test results delays, evictions, and alcohol sales. Contact 6's Jenna...

Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales is fighting to keep his job. This as the FPC delivers a list of directives to Morales. If he does not comply, it could mean discipline including the potential for firing. What's on the list of 11 directives? The FPC is calling for better communication, more oversight over a number of things including investigations, policies, promotions and overtime. In this...

Will everything be done virtually? Will students learn under the same roof for part of the 2020-21 school year? School boards, teachers, and families are wrestling with what this next school year will look like and the lasting impact it could have on the kids, mom and dad's jobs, and everyone's health. In this special edition of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators invite FOX6 reporter (and mom) Am...

COVID-19 may be killing more than just those who are sick. In Milwaukee, some say the fallout from the pandemic is helping to drive a spike in homicides. It's been an especially violent year so far in the city of Milwaukee and of the dozens of homicides, there's a common thread among many. In this special edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire explain where...