Open Record

A group of parents recently fought to get information about their children's schools, and discovered the power of public records. But are public records truly public if the public can't afford them? In this episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators look at an issue hitting home for a lot of parents: School data and learning loss during the pandemic. Amanda St. Hilaire explains how open records work, who can file them, and location fees. You'll also learn what you can do if you're having trouble getting records because of location fees.

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When it comes to pandemic learning, we know many students, families, and school staff are struggling. But in a recent FOX6 investigation, our Amanda St. Hilaire found that some school districts really don't want to talk about the data. 'Learning Loss' was a week of special reports on FOX6 showing how students in the ten largest school districts in our area are doing during the pandemic. In this episode of Open Record, you learn more about the series. What the data shows, how students and parents feel about virtual learning, the effect on mental health, and the efforts school districts in our area are making to help get students back on track. Plus, you'll learn why public records aren't so public if you can't afford to get them and the challenge with holding elected officials accountable. In our 'Off the Record' segment, find out why the team was tapping their memory banks all the way back to kindergarten. Hear what toy Amanda coveted, but never had and the song Jenna sang as a young child and can still remember to this day.

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A highly-regarded university dean is killed by a car as he crossed a Milwaukee street. What police say the driver did and why he's accused of doing it started raising questions about a tiny used car lot of the city's south side. In this episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators dig into a recent investigation to explain the Wisconsin law that allows individuals to buy and sell used cars for a living even if they're not licensed to drive them. The team talks about Bryan Polcyn's most recent investigation where he explains the crash, the circumstances, and who was involved. He also talks about what prompted him to look into a local used car dealer, what a 'Buyer's License' is, and what the law is as it pertains to the Wisconsin DOT. In this episode's 'Off the Record' segment, the team unpacks a doozy of a question.

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Local school boards see waves of change, Wisconsin's mask mandate gets overturned, and budget season is off to a contentious start. In this episode of Open Record, Amanda St. Hilaire talks to FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi about how Wisconsin's big political issues affect you.

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Baseball fans, it's finally here! Thursday marks Brewers Opening Day 2021. Plans are in place at American Family Field to ensure fans, staff, and players are safe. It's been 18 months since Brewers fans have watched their team play in person. In this episode of Open Record, Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire invite FOX6 Sports Director Tim Van Vooren and FOX6 reporter Christina Van Zelst on to talk about the excitement surrounding Opening Day. Christina will talk about the protocols in place for the 12,000 fans enjoying the game Thursday as well as other COVID-19 guidelines fans will see at American Family Field. Tim gets us caught up on what we might expect from the 2021 Brewers from a player and coaching standpoint. You'll also hear how Brewers Opening Day guidelines compare to other ballparks across the country. Plus, in today's Off the Record segment, we debate a popular Easter sweet: Peeps. Are you all about the marshmallow treat or do you skip over those on the store shelves?

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As of Thursday, more than 15% of people living in Wisconsin are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The number of people who have received at least one dose are also growing. Even as more people get the shots, we know there's still a long way to go before we hit herd immunity. In today's episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators dig into a group getting more attention these days: Those who are reluctant to get the vaccine. Bryan Polcyn's recent investigation focused on first responders. You'll learn what kind of numbers some of the largest fire departments in our area are tracking when it comes to employees being vaccinated. You'll also hear why Milwaukee Fire Department stopped tracking vaccination rates altogether. Bryan explains the reasons among the various departments for the hesitancy and what it could all mean for your safety and the goal of getting to the other side of this pandemic. In this episode's Off the Record question, hear why Bryan has food on the brain and Amanda wants it to be Christmastime all year long.

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It was a little more than a year ago when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In the days that followed March 11, 2020, a national emergency was declared, Wisconsin's governor issued his first emergency order and banned mass gatherings of 50 people or more. We've all experienced a lot in the last year. In this episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators take a look back on the year that changed everything. They reflect on how we were forced to turn our kitchen tables into a work-from-home office and our dens into a virtual classroom. It's a look at the jobs lost, the people who died, and the families strained during the Safer at Home order. The team also looks toward the future, as more people become vaccinated. The theme of 'looking back' continues in today's 'Off the Record' segment. The group gives advice to their 'March 2020'-selves.

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A $1.9 trillion dollar COVID-19 relief bill now has President Biden's signature. It's a bill aimed at jump-starting the economy and ending the pandemic. What's in the bill and what does it mean for the country, Wisconsin, and your family? In this episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators invite FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi on to talk about the aid that'll soon come to Americans. The team talks about past COVID-19 relief bills and what they did for the country. They dig into how this one is different and the sticking points from lawmakers who disagree. Jason explains what kind of funds state and local governments will see with this relief package, and more importantly, what's coming to Wisconsin. Plus, in this episode's 'Off the Record' question, find out why kids were coming to young Amanda on the playground for a history lesson and listen as Jason shows everyone up with an insightful answer about reflecting back on his life.

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Over the next two years, more than 120,000 babies will be born in Wisconsin. Odds are one of them will have a rare, but fatal genetic disorder. There's a new legislation aimed at protecting newborns in Wisconsin from Krabbe disease and in today's episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators dig into life-saving treatment for the disease. Bryan Polcyn's recent investigation explains the one thing standing in the way of making sure babies and their families are protected. We hear from Wisconsin families who have firsthand knowledge of Krabbe disease and are passionate about adding this test to the newborn screening program in Wisconsin. You'll also learn what the Department of Health Services has to say about the Krabbe screening and what other states are doing about the test.

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Controversial police officer Joseph Mensah has a new job. The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department hired the now-former Wauwatosa officer. Following the news, public records revealed the public's reaction, including a text from a local judge that raised some eyebrows. In the meantime, public records showing people who protested Mensah are finding their names on arrest records with booking numbers. The problem? Those people say they were never arrested. In this episode of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators dig into these two different, but related, stories. Amanda St. Hilaire breaks down the records she requested following Mensah's hiring in Waukesha County and what she found. Bryan Polcyn explains how public records are also revealing more about protests surrounding the Mensah shootings. Plus, in this episode's Off the Record segment, we go back in time. Hear one of the things Amanda misses most amid the pandemic and the movies we all last saw in the movie theater.

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