Open Record

Beyond putting out fires, firefighters have another big fight on their hands. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator invites FOX6 reporter Madalyn O'Neill on to talk about a recent experience she and her photojournalist had to take part in a Fire Ops 101 training in Madison. Maddy explains who went through the training and its purpose. She also explains the two issues she focused on in...

A Milwaukee sales tax is a step closer to reality, but will the city's mayor pay a political price? In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi on to talk about why supporters say the sales tax is needed. Jason also explains what happened at a recent public hearing about the proposed sales tax. You'll hear what happens next in the proc...

A now-former East Troy middle school music teacher is accused of touching female students. But it's how the school district handled the allegations that prompted four families to reach out to the FOX6 Investigators. In this episode of Open Record, Bryan Polcyn breaks down his latest investigation into the case against John Rash. You'll hear about when the allegations first came to light and why it...

A TikTok challenge that prompted a nationwide wave of auto thefts has led to a $200 million settlement for automakers Hyundai and Kia. On this episode of Open Record, FOX6's Stephanie Grade joins Sam Kraemer and Bryan Polcyn to talk about the lawsuit that started it all in Milwaukee -- ground zero for the so-called 'Kia Boyz'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Milwaukee city leaders say they're facing a financial crisis, but that hasn't stopped them from pursuing a major expansion of the Hop streetcar. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn explains the emails that detail a $350M plan to expand the streetcar to Fiserv Forum and beyond. Bryan walks us through the status of the Hop including ridership, expansion costs, and availabi...

Contact 6 hears from a lot of consumers about a variety of billing issues. Many file complaints about being wrongfully billed or overbilled. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn and Contact 6's Jenna Sachs talk about two billing issues that recently came into the Contact 6 inbox. Jenna explains back-billing and why one man owed $3,500 for unpaid utilities and how you can...

On Open Record, we talk a lot about investigative reporting, including the process we follow and how we use public records. In this episode, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 reporter Bret Lemoine on to talk about beat reporting. Bret explains what beat reporting is, why it's important, and the role his home plays in how he covers stories happening in and around Waukesha. Learn more abou...

Many say it's as life-altering as the internet, but others worry artificial intelligence could be harmful. Consumer protection groups explain some of the dangers that are already here. Plus, after three years, the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended. Could it soon cost you more to buy a test? In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites Contact 6's Jenna Sachs on t...

Thieves are targeting your mail and one woman says a personal check she wrote was cashed by a man she'd never met. What is the post office doing about a string of crimes against letter carriers? In this week's Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 reporter Bill Miston on to talk about the latest crime ring where postal workers are robbed on the route. Bill explains arrow keys an...

Shared revenue dates back more than 100 years in Wisconsin. What is shared revenue and why do we have it? What's driving the current proposal to boost it for the first time in years? In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites a pair of experts on to explain it all and help break down some of the issues in place in order for Milwaukee to get more money to avert a financi...

Auto repossessions are expected to climb this year now that consumers no longer benefit from more lenient leaders and stimulus programs. But car owners in Wisconsin do have some important rights. Plus, one man can't enjoy the Milwaukee RiverWalk to the fullest because of mechanical malfunctions. Contact 6 discovered improvements are on the way. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bry...

A local man applied and gained acceptance into the Milwaukee Fire Department's cadet program. The program is a pipeline to employment within the department. But two days before the start of training, he lost his spot -- and now, the family says the program should change. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 reporter Sam Kraemer on to talk about this story Sam...

What started as mere headaches escalated into a 2-year medical battle for a member of the FOX6 News team. On this week's episode of Open Record, FOX6 WakeUp News anchor Suzanne Spencer opens up about her brain surgeries, her brand new baby, and a mysterious sagging eye lid that threatened to keep her out of the public eye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Progressives won control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in Tuesday's election. In today's episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi on to talk about what the April 4 results mean for the future of Wisconsin politics and how daily life could change. Jason explains how Janet Protasiewicz won over Dan Kelly. We also learn what Protasiewicz's wi...

Milwaukee officials have efforts in place to curb reckless driving, but some of the city's worst offenders aren't getting the message. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn digs into his latest investigation into Milwaukee's most dangerous drivers and why they face little to no consequences until it's too late. Bryan explains what is and isn't being done to stop the proble...

Did you know there's a way to get money from the Wisconsin Lottery without ever buying a ticket? If you own a home in Wisconsin, you're likely entitled to a couple hundred dollars every year. Plus, a Hartland mom is frustrated and confused after a health clinic's error involving her son and expired vaccines. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites Contact 6's Jenna S...

After weeks of speculation, Aaron Rodgers breaks his silence on his future with the Green Bay Packers. The 4-time NFL MVP says the Packers pushed him out and now, he plans to play somewhere else. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 Sports Director Tim Van Vooren on to talk all things Rodgers. Tim explains what still needs to happen to make Rodgers' move to t...

Consumers expect to find Airbnb rentals in the Wisconsin Dells, Door County and in northern Wisconsin. But, when it comes to city neighborhoods, what are the rules? Plus, they can’t work, have little money to fall back on, and are waiting months for the approval of claims that could put a roof over their heads. In this episode of Open Record, Contact 6's Jenna Sachs explains the delays and how it...

Following a late-February snow storm, a parking structure at Bayshore in Glendale partially collapsed, trapping 56 vehicles. Now, the process of getting vehicles returned to their owners will start. In this episode of Open Record, the team digs into the structural failure that could have been much worse. FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire invite FOX6 reporter Amelia Jones on to...

A six-week rush to election day is underway. Soon, Wisconsin voters will decide whether control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court goes left or right. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi on to talk about Tuesday's election night results. Jason will break down why that supreme court seat is so important to the state. You'll also hea...

Private security guards stand watch across southeast Wisconsin. Following a deadly shootout in a grocery store parking lot, one private security company is under scrutiny. A security guard for another company pulls a gun on a restaurant customer who uses the wrong door. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn breaks down his two-part series on armed security guards. He expla...

The waitlist for Packers season tickets runs 147,000+ deep. So, what happens when your name gets to the top? What if you miss your opportunity to claim those tickets? Plus, there's an important step in the home-buying process that many miss...with sometimes devastating results. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites Contact 6's Jenna Sachs on to talk about two big c...

New trial, same result. It took a jury less than a day to come back with a guilty verdict in the Mark Jensen retrial. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 reporter Bill Miston on to talk about the trial. Bill spent the last month covering the trial, from jury selection to the reading of the verdict. You'll learn how prosecutors made their case without a lette...

Democrats and Republicans seem to agree that Wisconsin's system of pretrial release is flawed. But what is the solution? In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn talks about bail reform and how the issue will be on the April ballot in Wisconsin. Bryan explains how the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate voted to approve a change in the Wisconsin constitution that would alter...

The Waukesha School District now has new guidelines for parental rights. They state any student questions about gender identity and sexuality are personal, private, and shouldn't be addressed by staff. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 reporter Bret Lemoine on to talk about this hot-button issue. Bret explains what critics and supporters are saying about t...