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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes421Founded7 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley pulled off one of the most improbable primary election night comebacks in Wisconsin political history. This week on Open Record, FOX6's Carl Deffenbaugh, Bryan Polcyn and Jason Calvi are joined by poltical str... more

A 99-year-old Milwaukee widow was left bleeding and lying on the floor for more than 2 hours while 911 operators failed to recognize the urgency. On this week's Open Record, Carl and Bryan talk to FOX6's Sam Kraemer about what went wrong at the city'... more

The fatal shooting of 38-year-old Corey Ruiz by a Madison Wisconsin police officer set off days of protests and drew national attention once again to police use of force in Wisconsin. In this episode, FOX6's Carl Deffenbaugh and Bryan Polcyn break do... more

The Democratic primary for Wisconsin Governor has undergone an 11th hour shakeup, as one of the top 3 contenders drops out four weeks before the vote. And a candidate who had just dropped it is now back in! This week on Open Record, Carl and Bryan ar... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Tommy Thompson
Former state commerce secretary and chief of staff, former governor
Wisconsin state government / Republican insider
Episode: E423: The Comeback
Bill McCoshen
Republican insider/strategist
Republican political consulting
Episode: E423: The Comeback
Joe Zapecki
Democratic strategist
Wisconsin-based strategic communications firm
Episode: E423: The Comeback
Len Skreema
Retired 911 operator and trainer
City of Waukesha Police Department (former)
Episode: E422: Communication Breakdown
Mordecai Lee
Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM)
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Episode: E421: Point Blank
Charles Franklin
Director of the Marquette Law School poll
Marquette Law School
Episode: E420: Political Whiplash
Jeffrey Norman
Milwaukee Police Chief
Milwaukee Police Department
Episode: E419: Chief Norman 1-on-1
Arthur Ballas
Member of Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression
Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression
Episode: E419: Chief Norman 1-on-1
Jim Santelle
Former U.S. Attorney
Episode: E418: Punishment Enough

Hosts

Bryan Polcyn
Host of Open Record; FOX6 Milwaukee reporter and investigator.
Carl Deffenbaugh
Co-hosts Open Record; FOX6 Milwaukee reporter and anchor.
Jenna Sachs
Host of Open Record; FOX6 Investigators/Consumer investigative reporter.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 40 ratings
  • Excellent

    Have only heard 4 of these episodes so far but I can tell these people are excellent. Super timely topics, great discussion style format, easy-to-understand explanations but not insulting the listener’s intelligence which is all-too-common in local news. Technical/sound quality top notch. Music sparingly used but powerful and appropriate sounds for the stories. As someone that follows current events podcasts, newscasts and newspapers, I was pleasantly surprised that a Milwaukee-based show is so ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kathleen Connell
    United States6 years ago
  • My favorite podcast

    Yours is always the first podcast I listen to every week it’s available. The stories are always so interesting and provocative. You perform a real service for our community with what you do and I’m facilitated with how it happens.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    diggshe
    United States7 years ago
  • Great listen

    Perfect podcast to listen to on my commute. We can get headlines anywhere these days, this podcast does a great job of going more in-depth with stories I am interested in. Also great to get to know the personalities behind the reporting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Charles willingham III
    United States7 years ago
  • Right to Know

    Thank you for advocating for all of us! Your viewers (and now listeners!) love the fact that you have a passion for public records and finding the truth. This podcast is a great way to hear more about the process of investigating in journalism. In the age of “fake news”, transparency is so important as your investigative team gathers, obtains, and examines public records.

    Would recommend this podcast to anyone who has an interest in the judicial process and the protection of free speech.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Open Record Advocate
    United States7 years ago
  • Open Record Review

    Very informative. I like the natural conversation and the more in-depth discussion of the topics. Sounds like they love their work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    6164allin
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate transparency and thoughtful guest selection.
High-quality, timely topics with strong discussions and solid production.
Deep dives that go beyond headlines; strong investigative voice.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

E419: Chief Norman 1-on-1
Q: How does the department plan to regain public trust after misconduct cases?
By publicly demonstrating accountability, sharing discipline and audit results, and continuing transparent dialogue with the community about the use of technology and police practices.
E419: Chief Norman 1-on-1
Q: What changes has the department made to prevent misuse of FLOC technology on the front end?
The chief describes narrowing access to the system, implementing more stringent auditing, and requiring specific case identifiers for searches to ensure legitimacy, though detailed procedures were not fully disclosed.
E420: Political Whiplash
Q: How does the endorsement pattern from Governor Evers influence the race?
Evers's endorsement could bolster Crowley's viability by leveraging incumbency and popularity within the party, but it also risks galvanizing opposition among supporters of other candidates who favor a different ideological approach or outsider status.
E420: Political Whiplash
Q: What does the polling shift mean for the underlying dynamics of the Democratic primary?
Polls show Francesca Hong in the lead but a crowded field with substantial undecideds, suggesting the race remains fluid and hinges on endorsements, messaging, and debates, with Crowley's move back into the race potentially reshaping coalitions.
E416: World Cup; Live at Moran's Pub
Q: What is your prediction for the U.S. team's path in the knockout stages and the likely opponents?
Predictions point to a deep run potentially to the quarterfinals or beyond, with Spain or other top-tier teams standing as significant hurdles, but the home-field momentum and talent pool could yield surprising results.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Open Record

What is Open Record about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Investigative reporting from a Milwaukee-based team that breaks down complex local stories with a behind-the-scenes lens. Episodes frequently center on public safety, politics, and timely community issues, featuring insider perspectives from politicians, law enforcement, academics, and advocacy groups. The show stands out for its detailed analysis, willingness to show data and video when relevant, and interviews with experts that illuminate policy implications and real-world impacts. Listeners can expect thorough context, transparent sourcing, and conversations that connect newsroom work to local consequences, with a focus on accountability and public records.

Noteworthy elements include a strong emphasis on public records-driven investiga... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Open Record?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Open Record:

1. The Daily
2. 20/20

How many episodes of Open Record are there?

Open Record launched 7 years ago and published 421 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Open Record?

Recent guests on Open Record include:

1. Tommy Thompson
2. Bill McCoshen
3. Joe Zapecki
4. Len Skreema
5. Mordecai Lee
6. Charles Franklin
7. Jeffrey Norman
8. Arthur Ballas

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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