Open Record
FOX6 Investigative reporters Bryan Polcyn, Jenna Sachs and Amanda St. Hilaire break down the big stories and what it took to get them. "Open Record" takes you behind the scenes of the investigative reporting unit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It's the details the reporters couldn't tell you on T.V.
Episodes
April 18, 2024 • 45 mins
It's been more than three years since prosecutors charged George Ramsey with sexually exploiting three of his former mental health clients. Now, a jury has found the former Milwaukee therapist guilty of sexually exploiting one of those female clients. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn breaks down the long-delayed Ramsey trial, the crucial piece of evidence, and what one victim is saying now that Ramsey ...
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April 11, 2024 • 45 mins
Make-a-Wish Wisconsin is celebrating 40 years and marking a major milestone by granting their 8,000th wish. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 anchor and reporter Carl Deffenbaugh on to talk about how the magic of music was able to give one teen the chance of a lifetime. Carl shares Lulu Altman's story of managing a debilitating diagnosis and the lead-up to performing on stage with the Milwa...
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April 4, 2024 • 45 mins
From the presidential primary to dozens of school referendums, voters hit the polls April 2 to cast their ballots. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn and FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi break down the numbers and results. They explain what it all means for people living in Wisconsin.
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March 28, 2024 • 45 mins
When it comes to Presidential campaigns, the Badger State is a must visit -- a battleground that can make or break a candidate. But do campaign visits really influence voter behavior? On this week's episode of Open Record, we are joined by Christopher Devine, author of a new book on the impact of campaign visits and why his research shows they usually don't work.
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March 21, 2024 • 45 mins
It's against the law to drive without a valid license in Wisconsin. But it's almost never a crime, no matter how many times you get caught. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn explains the loophole in state law that allows dangerous drivers to keep on driving, putting you and your family at risk.
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March 14, 2024 • 45 mins
Whether it's daily words of wisdom coming from an unexpected place or defying expectations, you never know when or where you'll find that spark. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 anchor and reporter Carl Deffenbaugh on to talk about two recent feature stories that have one thing in common: Inspiration comes from a place where feeling matters more than seeing.
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March 7, 2024 • 45 mins
In the news business, much of what we do revolves around scheduled interviews where a reporter asks the questions and an interviewee shares information, insight, and reaction. But not everyone we want to interview for the news wants to be interviewed. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire talk about how and why we sometimes resort to showing up, unscheduled, and asking tough question...
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February 29, 2024 • 45 mins
A Waukesha solar installation company closes and leaves customers with unfulfilled contracts. Now, the FBI is investigating that company for fraud. Plus, $4,000 went missing from a West Allis safe deposit box. Contact 6 steps in and helps solve the money mystery. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites Contact 6's Jenna Sachs on the episode to talk about two of the latest consumer issues to hit the Co...
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February 22, 2024 • 45 mins
An April trial date is set for the former Oak Creek teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student. 22-year-old Rachel Goodle has pleaded not guilty to charges of second degree sexual assault of a child and sex assault of a student by school staff. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 reporter Sam Kraemer on to talk about the case and more specifically, the open records request Sam made. Sam...
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February 15, 2024 • 45 mins
FOX6 editor Dave Michuda was recently one of six local television journalists inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 'Silver Circle.' It's an honor given to television journalists who have excelled at their craft for more than 25 years in the profession. In this episode of Open Record, we bring Dave on to talk about his extensive career in broadcast journalism, what it's like to be a video editor at FOX6, ...
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February 8, 2024 • 45 mins
Over the last several years, police body-worn cameras have gone from non-existent in Wisconsin to widespread use. With that increased usage comes a surge in public requests for those videos to be released under the public records law. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire talk about something that's transformed the world of policing: body cameras. They invited Tom Kamenick, President...
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February 1, 2024 • 45 mins
Milwaukee County needs foster parents, but matching kids with families who speak the same language is a challenge. Now, there's a renewed push to recruit more Spanish-speaking foster families. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 reporter Darronte Matthews on to talk about the foster program through Children's Wisconsin. We also learn more about the foster system as a whole, including the appl...
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January 25, 2024 • 45 mins
A Milwaukee landlord accuses a former tenant of trashing his rental property. It's a claim he made after two young children were poisoned in his house. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn explains the story of a home so dangerous, the city of Milwaukee ordered everyone out. Bryan explains how that landlord seemingly cashed in after collecting an insurance check and forced his poverty-stricken former tenan...
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January 18, 2024 • 45 mins
Milwaukee has more than 400 miles of alleys and only a small fraction get replaced in any given year. What happens when neighbors need to advocate for their alley and why is it such an uphill battle? Plus, they're convenient and easy to use, but if you toss them in the trash, you risk starting a fire. Why is disposing of small propane tanks a problem? In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites Contact 6'...
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January 11, 2024 • 45 mins
State lawmakers and Governor Evers recently approved a boost in pay for both prosecutors and public defenders. But, criminal defendants in some Wisconsin counties are still sitting in jail for months without a lawyer. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn digs into the question of, 'how long is too long?' for defendants to sit in jail without representation. It's all part of Bryan's latest investigation int...
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January 4, 2024 • 45 mins
It's one of the biggest buzz-worthy moments to happen to any national restaurant chain in recent memory. The thought of eating one might sound as ridiculous as the decision to create it. Did you know Culver's CurderBurger was never meant to be a real menu item? In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 anchor and reporter Ben Handelman on to talk about what prompted the company to eventually turn a...
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December 21, 2023 • 30 mins
It's a problem so prevalent among electric car drivers that it has its own phrase. 'Range anxiety' is the feeling you may be left stranded without a place to plug in your electric car. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 anchor and reporter Ben Handelman on to talk about the challenge electric vehicle drivers face in Wisconsin. Ben explains why an old state law is threatening Wisconsin's plan...
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December 14, 2023 • 24 mins
There's an epidemic in this country impacting people of all ages and backgrounds. The U.S. Surgeon General says loneliness is taking years off lives. The feelings of isolation and insignificance are more than just a passing thought. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 reporter Ashley Sears on to talk about her latest story about the loneliness epidemic. Ashley introduces us to several groups ...
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December 7, 2023 • 39 mins
Act 10 is a law that puts limits on state and local government worker unions, like teachers' unions. Now, there's a new lawsuit challenging the law. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi and Waukesha beat reporter Bret Lemoine on to talk about the latest lawsuit challenging Act 10. The group talks about why it's happening now, what it would mean if the law was ove...
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November 30, 2023 • 28 mins
Beer is big business in Wisconsin. But, how clean is the beer coming from those draft lines at your favorite bar or restaurant? In this episode of Open Record, FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn invites anchor and reporter Suzanne Spencer on to talk about her latest story. Suzanne explains the reason why you may never really be able to track the cleanliness of those draft lines. You'll hear about why it's important to clean the lines, ...
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