WTMJ news anchor & reporter Adam Roberts goes beyond the headlines to provide not just the ‘what’ but also the ‘why’ when it comes to the media’s coverage of some of the biggest stories in the state of Wisconsin & across the country.

This week:

A lookback at the assassination of Charlie Kirk, including reaction from Wisconsin politicians.

WTMJ's Nazir Spencer describes the scene at the War Memorial Center in Milwaukee on the 24th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

A conversation with James Vineau, the new Milwaukee streetcar system manager, in his first public comments since taking the job.

A fly-along aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker ahead of the 128th Air Refueling Wing's 2025 Open House event.

The Milwaukee streetcar faces an uncertain future amid consistent maintenance issues, an unclear path towards funding expansion and questions over how to make the system profitable.

Additionally, the position of city streetcar system manager was vacant for months following the resignation of Andrew Davis-Lockward in October of 2024 which city records note was "in lieu of discharge"," according to city records".

That position has now been filled, with the city electing to hire an outside name with a unique background.

James Vineau, a dual US-French citizen who last worked as senior director of transit operations and maintenance for RAPT Dev, accepted the job in June. In his first public comments since his hire, he tells WTMJ's Adam Roberts what drew him to Milwaukee, how his experience in Qatar will factor into his goals in Milwaukee, and more.

WTMJ news anchor & reporter Adam Roberts goes beyond the headlines to provide not just the ‘what’ but also the ‘why’ when it comes to the media’s coverage of some of the biggest stories in the state of Wisconsin & across the country.

This week, Adam chats with WTMJ's Nazir Spencer about his experience at the Federal Courthouse in Milwaukee where a judge set a trial date for Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan.

Also, WTMJ's Greg Matzek explains how "Wisconsin't Midday News" plots continuing coverage stories, Adam explores some interesting happenings at the Milwaukee County Parks and Culture Committee hearing, and FOX6's Bryan Polcyn details his investigation into just how bad fare evasion is on Milwaukee County Transit System buses.

WTMJ’s Reporter’s Notebook takes a deeper dive on some of the biggest stories of the week, as told by the reporters covering the news. The show also explores stories that deserve an extra examination.

This week, WTMJ's Adam Roberts examines what it sounds like when emotions show through during coverage of school shootings, as well as his question for Vice President JD Vance during an event Thursday in La Crosse. Also, WOJB General Manager Karl Habeck explains how his station is preparing for the end of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and WTMJ's Sean Brynda recaps a legal fight over the future of an Oak Creek Buc-ee's.

On ​August ​1, ​the ​Corporation ​for ​Public ​Broadcasting ​announced ​plans ​to ​wind ​down ​operations ​by ​September ​30th ​of ​this ​year, ​• ​• ​save ​for ​a ​small ​transition ​team ​that ​will ​remain ​employed ​until ​January. ​​How ​this ​will ​fully ​impact ​the ​landscape ​of ​public ​media ​in ​the ​US ​still ​remains ​unclear. ​In ​northwestern ​Wisconsin, ​the ​state's ​only ​independent ​native ​radio ​station ​already ​is ​navigating ​these ​murky ​waters. ​WOJB ​based ​just ​southeast ​of ​Hayward, ​also ​known ​as ​Woodland ​Community ​Radio, ​first ​hit ​the ​airwaves ​in ​1982. ​It's ​the ​lone ​public ​radio ​station in ​Wisconsin ​currently ​listed ​as ​at ​risk ​of shutting down in ​recent ​analysis ​by ​the ​advisory ​firm ​Public ​Media ​Company. ​​Station ​General ​Manager ​​Carl ​Habeck ​joins Reporter's ​Notebook.

WTMJ’s Reporter’s Notebook takes a deeper dive on some of the biggest stories of the week, as told by the reporters covering the news. The show also explores stories that deserve an extra examination.

This week, TMJ4's Jenna Rae explains the editorial decision to show unedited video of a collision on Water Street in downtown Milwaukee that severely injured two young women the night of July 20th. Also, former WTMJ assignment editor Alex Crowe and reporter Tony Bettack look back on the station's coverage of the 2020 riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin following the shooting of Jacob Blake and subsequent double deadly shooting involving Kyle Rittenhouse.

WTMJ’s Reporter’s Notebook takes a deeper dive on some of the biggest stories of the week, as told by the reporters covering the news. The show also explores stories that deserve an extra examination.

This week, WTMJ's Adam Roberts, Sean Brynda and Nazir Spencer recap coverage of historic floods across Southeast Wisconsin. Also, Storm Team 4 Chief Meteorologist Brian Niznansky details how the station handled wall-to-wall flood coverage Saturday night. And WTMJ's Greg Matzek mashes up a week's worth of highlights as the Milwaukee Brewers earn fans free George Webb burgers by winning 12 in a row.

What do frozen pizzas, supper clubs and mammoths all have in common? Each one has been used as an alternative identiy for a professional baseball team this summer.

And if you talk to the leaders of the actually-named Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Beloit Sky Carp and Erie SeaWolves respectively, they all wonder why they didn't try it out sooner.

WTMJ's Adam Roberts explores the phenomenon of minor league baseball temporary rebrands, including how much money the theme nights bring in.

Host of "The Midwest Farm Report" Pam Jahnke joins Reporter's Notebook with a look at where the agriculture industry currently sits in Wisconsin, including what new technology is reshaping the industry.

WTMJ’s Reporter’s Notebook takes a deeper dive on some of the biggest stories of the week, as told by the reporters covering the news. The show also explores stories that deserve an extra examination.

The featured stories included in this episode:

WTMJ's John Mercure explains how Wisconsin's Afternoon News handles the plethora of Wisconsin politicians who want airtime at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Host of "The Midwest Farm Report" Pam Jahnke discusses the current state of Wisconsin agriculture.

TMJ4's Megan Lee provides an update on a legal dispute between her station and the St. Francis School District.

WTMJ's Adam Roberts explores the economics behind minor league baseball temporary rebrandings.