Open Record

A day of protesting takes a destructive and violent turn in Madison. Crowds outside the Wisconsin State Capitol tore down two statues and attacked a state senator amid protests following the arrest of a Black man who was at a restaurant with a megaphone and baseball bat. In this special edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire talk about the tensions that boiled over in Madison. They're joined in the episode by FOX6 reporters Aaron Maybin and Jason Calvi who have both covered the fallout from this week's unrest. The team talks about the incidents that led up to Tuesday night's violence and what happened to prompt protesters to attack Senator Tim Carpenter. Plus, you'll hear more about Governor Evers' response and his defending of bringing in the National Guard. Typically, Open Record is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of FOX6 Investigative reports. But we’re changing things up a bit for the time being: We’re bringing you the latest on our coverage of COVID-19 and other timely issues here in Wisconsin. We’ll bring you more frequent episodes over the next few weeks as we navigate this.

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Democrat Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers' staff secretly records a conversation with Republican legislative leaders. Now, there's backlash from both sides of the aisle. The May 14 conversation between Governor Evers, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos lasted an hour. The governor says a member of his staff recorded the conversation for note taking, but once that happened, the recording became public record. In this edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire break down a number of issues as it relates to this, including just how big of a deal this situation is and an explanation of when you're allowed to record conversations in Wisconsin. The pair also dig into what previous governors did and try to answer the question of, 'Where do we go from here?'

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Following the death of George Floyd, 'I can't breathe' has become a mantra for Black Lives Matter protesters across the country including here in Milwaukee. But the Minnesota man who suffocated under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer isn't the first to say those three words before dying in police custody. In this edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire dig into the troubled history within the Milwaukee Police Department of officers who failed to call for medical help as a criminal suspect begged for air and what, if any, changes were made following those deaths. You'll hear more about the recent unanimous vote by Milwaukee Common Council to urge the city's Fire and Police Commission to make a change in police policy -- so the words, "I can't breathe" are an automatic red flag for police to call an ambulance. The team also talks about what MPD Chief Alfonso Morales has to say and the Fire and Police Commission's response.

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An issue unique to Wisconsin is blocking one specific group of people from getting federal unemployment assistance. The state blames federal rules, so why does Wisconsin stand alone? In this special edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire dig into Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. The federal program pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you're insured. That insurance comes from taxes you and your employer pay. However, qualifying for this 'earned' benefit isn't easy. Amanda provides background into SSDI and breaks down the program, misconceptions, and complications people are having in regards to the assistance. Plus, you'll hear about how things changed after Amanda started asking questions. Typically, Open Record is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of FOX6 Investigative reports. But we’re changing things up a bit for the time being: We’re bringing you the latest on our coverage of COVID-19 here in Wisconsin. We’ll bring you more frequent episodes over the next few weeks as we navigate this.

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Driving drunk in Wisconsin is not a crime... until you get caught twice. It's not a felony until the fourth offense. But the seventh? For that, you're supposed to serve some serious hard time. State lawmakers have *twice* passed legislation to mandate a 3-year minimum sentence for a 7th OWI or more. So why are dozens of chronic drunk drivers still getting out of prison early? Some in as little as 6 months! A Milwaukee County judge reaches out to the FOX6 Investigators to call attention to a conflict in the law that could put you and your family in danger.

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Over the last few weeks, there's been a shift in news coverage from COVID-19 to nationwide protests about police brutality and racial inequality. But that doesn't mean the coronavirus has gone away. In this special edition of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators Bryan Polcyn and Amanda St. Hilaire get you up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 news. Where does Wisconsin stand in the Badger Bounce Back Plan? Why, despite Mayor Barrett's announcement last week that bars and restaurants could reopen, are many still closed? Plus, you'll also hear how FOX6 continues to ensure the safety and health of its employees. Typically, Open Record is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of FOX6 Investigative reports. But we’re changing things up a bit for the time being: We’re bringing you the latest on our coverage of COVID-19 here in Wisconsin. We’ll bring you more frequent episodes over the next few weeks as we navigate this.

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It's been six days and six nights of protests in Milwaukee. The civil unrest follows the death of 46-year-old George Floyd in Minneapolis, calling for racial equality and justice. In this special edition of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators invite two FOX6 colleagues on the episode: Reporter Sam Kraemer and Photojournalist Vanshay Murdock. The pair have been on the front lines, covering recent protests in and around Milwaukee. So, six days in, what do things look like in Milwaukee? Sam and Vanshay share their unique perspectives: What they've seen, the vibe among demonstrators, and how the protests have evolved over the last week. They also talk about how they've been treated, as members of the media, covering these protests. You'll also learn things they've noticed while among the protesters that's difficult to convey on television. Typically, Open Record is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of FOX6 Investigative reports. But we’re changing things up a bit for the time being: We’re bringing you the latest on our coverage of COVID-19 here in Wisconsin. We’ll bring you more frequent episodes over the next few weeks as we navigate this.

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Civil unrest continues following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd. Floyd's death sparked protests across the country, including here in Wisconsin. In this special edition of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators invite two guests on the episode: FOX6 reporter Amy DuPont, who has been covering these southeast Wisconsin protests the last few days and FOX6 Investigative Producer Pete. Amy talks about what it's been like to be in the crowds of protests in and around Milwaukee following the death of Floyd. She describes the scene during the day and how there's a shift in mood among the demonstrators once the sun goes down. Producer Pete talks about the challenges of being a black journalist married to a white journalist and raising kids in the Milwaukee area. His insight is raw and powerful. The team talks about what's really happening during these protests, how we confront racism in our community -- one of the most highly-segregated cities in the country, and where things go from here. Typically, Open Record is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of FOX6 Investigative reports. But we’re changing things up a bit for the time being: We’re bringing you the latest on our coverage of COVID-19 here in Wisconsin. We’ll bring you more frequent episodes over the next few weeks as we navigate this.

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He hopes Milwaukee doesn't need a rain check for the 2024 DNC. Would he have handled the COVID-19 pandemic differently than President Trump? In this special edition of Open Record, FOX6 Investigators invite FOX6 political reporter Jason Calvi on the episode to talk about his one-on-one with former Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. You'll hear some of Biden's responses to things like the DNC amid a pandemic, the wearing of masks during COVID-19, and a recent gaffe made during a radio show interview. Plus, Calvi tells us what he else he would have asked Biden had he been given more time with the former VP. Typically, Open Record is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of FOX6 Investigative reports. But we’re changing things up a bit for the time being: We’re bringing you the latest on our coverage of COVID-19 here in Wisconsin. We’ll bring you more frequent episodes over the next few weeks as we navigate this.

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It's not often facilities are built with the hope no one will use them. However, that's exactly what's happening across the country and right here in Wisconsin. States and counties are teaming up with the federal government to set up COVID-19 overflow field hospitals known as alternate care facilities. In this special edition of Open Record, the FOX6 Investigators look into this issue that affects your health and your tax dollars. What happens with these alternate care facilities now and what does it mean for you? The team digs into why getting answers to those basic questions has proven to be difficult. Typically, Open Record is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of FOX6 Investigative reports. But we’re changing things up a bit for the time being: We’re bringing you the latest on our coverage of COVID-19 here in Wisconsin. We’ll bring you more frequent episodes over the next few weeks as we navigate this.

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