Reporter's Notebook

May 8th, 2026: The Disappearance of Alexis Patterson, Ridglan Farms latest, Common Ground vs. Veolia

On this week’s episode, we recount the story of Alexis Patterson, a girl from Milwaukee who was last seen on her way to school in 2002. Also, WTMJ's Jessica Tighe reports from Marshall, Wisconsin on the latest involving controversial beagle breeder Ridglan Farms, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Caitlin Looby and Mary Spicuzza join Adam to discuss allegations of mismanagement levied against the operator of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Exploring the Chicago Tribune archives with Kori Rumore

Have you ever wondered how major newspapers are able to reference coverage of events that happened sometimes more than 100 years ago? It's often thanks to decades of meticulous record-keeping that ends up in the paper's archives. Kori Rumore is a visual journalist for the Chicago Tribune, and joins Reporter's notebook to explain how that information is archived, what's contained within, and why the materials are a valuable component to storytelling.

May 1st, 2026: Another SCOWIS candidate, World Press Freedom Day, Exploring the Chicago Tribune archives

On this week's episode: Judge Pedro Colón talks with Adam after announcing his candidacy for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. WTMJ's Steve Scaffidi talks with Ukrainian journalist Olena Stek, who describes handling day-to-day responsibilities in a war-torn nation. The Chicago Tribune's Kori Rumore takes us into the newspaper's historical archives, and explains how that history serves as a valuable tool for storytelling.

April 24th, 2026: Destruction in Ringle, Wisconsin's power struggle, Remembering Dan Bice

On this week's episode: WSAW-TV Meteorologist Chad Franzen describes the aftermath of an EF-3 tornado that destroyed more than 70 buildings in the north-central Wisconsin community of Ringle last week as part of a week-long severe weather event across the state. Wisconsin's Afternoon News's latest in-depth hour explores the latest utility rate hike request by WE Energies. We remember long-time Milwaukee political columnist and journalist Dan Bice.

April 17th, 2026: Building better records requests, Hyperscale in Wisconsin, Wiseye update

On this week's episode: WTMJ's Jessica Gatzow reports on how the sudden arrival of hyperscale data centers leaves Wisconsin’s manufacturers and contractors, utility companies and lawmakers in uncharted situations. Vice President of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council Christa Westerberg helps guide the process for building a solid open records request. We update our ongoing coverage on the future of Wisconsin public affairs network WisconsinEye.