Episodes

  • March 20th, 2026: A blizzard behind-the-scenes, Parkinson's advocacy in D.C., CBS News Radio ending

    March 20th, 2026: A blizzard behind-the-scenes, Parkinson's advocacy in D.C., CBS News Radio ending
    Mar 20 2026
    Every week on Reporter’s Notebook, WTMJ’s Adam Roberts talks with members of the WTMJ newsroom, as well as reporters from newsrooms from around the state, to get the full picture when it comes to the stories they choose to tell. On this week's episode: National Weather Service Meteorologist Rebecca Kruk shares how her office planned their forecast for the record-setting blizzard that dumped more than two feet of snow across portions of Wisconsin. WTMJ's Julia Fello recounts her experience advocating for Parkinson's research funding in Washington D.C. A shocking New York Times investigative report into sexual abuse and grooming allegations against late civil rights activist Cesar Chavez leads to sweeping reaction across the country. WTMJ Director of Content Mike Spaulding explains how CBS News Radio ending operations this May after nearly 100 years will impact programming.
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    38 mins
  • March 13th, 2026: Oconto Falls grooming scandal, Continuing Coverage Check-In, 15 years since Fukushima

    March 13th, 2026: Oconto Falls grooming scandal, Continuing Coverage Check-In, 15 years since Fukushima
    Mar 14 2026
    Every week on Reporter’s Notebook, WTMJ’s Adam Roberts talks with members of the WTMJ newsroom, as well as reporters from newsrooms from around the state, to get the full picture when it comes to the stories they choose to tell. On this week's episode: Three former students in Oconto Falls join a federal civil rights lawsuit accusing the northern Wisconsin school board of allowing a culture of grooming and sexual abuse to persist over a two-decade period. We explore why this investigation could serve as a litmus test for grooming prosecution in Wisconsin. WTMJ's Neil Doyle breaks down a police chase that turned deadly on Milwaukee's south side involving a cop hanging from a speeding tow truck. We recap several stories previously covered on Reporter's Notebook in our first "Continuing Coverage Check-In". A look back at 15 years since the Fukushima earthquake and nuclear disaster in Japan.
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    34 mins
  • March 6th, 2026: Covering the War in Iran from all angles

    March 6th, 2026: Covering the War in Iran from all angles
    Mar 7 2026
    Every week on Reporter’s Notebook, WTMJ’s Adam Roberts talks with members of the WTMJ newsroom, as well as reporters from newsrooms from around the state, to get the full picture when it comes to the stories they choose to tell. On this week's episode: - A recap of our coverage of the ongoing conflict in Iran, including the perspective of WTMJ connections in the region. - Over a dozen foreign journalists were in Wisconsin this week discussing AI and technology's impact on reporting. Adam attended and shares his takeaways. - An erroneous report from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office leads to threats of legal action after a shooting inside Milwaukee's Aurora Sinai Medical Center.
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    35 mins
  • Black History Month Highlight: Greg Gumbel

    Black History Month Highlight: Greg Gumbel
    Feb 28 2026
    Throughout Black History Month, Reporter's Notebook is celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of African American journalists throughout U.S. history. This week, we tell the story of sportscaster Greg Gumbel, who's rise from the sports desk at WMAQ in Chicago to becoming the first African-American to call play-by-play in a Super Bowl all began with a push from his older brother.
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    3 mins
  • February 27th, 2026: Marty Brooks speaks, Physician-assisted death, The Board Break-a-thon

    February 27th, 2026: Marty Brooks speaks, Physician-assisted death, The Board Break-a-thon
    Feb 28 2026
    Every week on Reporter’s Notebook, WTMJ’s Adam Roberts talks with members of the WTMJ newsroom, as well as reporters from newsrooms from around the state, to get the full picture when it comes to the stories they choose to tell. On this week’s episode: WTMJ's Julia Fello shares a behind-the-scenes look at the Wisconsin's Afternoon News In-Depth special on the future of the Wisconsin Center District, including an exclusive interview with WCD President and CEO Marty Brooks. WTMJ's Nazir Spencer details two stories involving the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, one on conference realignment and another on a ticketing issue ahead of girl's state wrestling. WTMJ's Debbie Lazaga breaks down the annual J.K. Lee Board Break-A-Thon held last weekend at Brookfield Square Mall. A proposed bill would legalize assisted suicide in Wisconsin. How much of a chance does it have to make a meaningful advance through the Legislature?
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    32 mins
  • February 20th, 2026: The Speaker's Retiring / Turnover, AI, and Lynyrd Skynyrd / A Sturgeon Spearing Adventure

    February 20th, 2026: The Speaker's Retiring / Turnover, AI, and Lynyrd Skynyrd / A Sturgeon Spearing Adventure
    Feb 21 2026
    On this week's episode: - Ahead of a marathon Wisconsin Assembly floor session, Speaker Robin Vos makes headlines of his own by announcing he won't seek re-election in the fall. - The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Quinn Clark breaks down her investigative report on the turnover withing Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis's office. - WTMJ's Erik Bilstad shares his experience out on frozen Lake Winnebago for opening weekend of the 2026 sturgeon spearing season. - We recap the accomplishments of late sportscaster Greg Gumbel in our final Reporter's Notebook Black History Month Highlight.
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    36 mins
  • Black History Month Highlight: Roi Ottley

    Black History Month Highlight: Roi Ottley
    Feb 14 2026
    Throughout Black History Month, Reporter's Notebook is celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of African American journalists throughout U.S. history. This week, we tell the story of Roi Ottley, the son of Grenadian immigrants who would write thought provoking pieces on the life of African Americans in the early 20th century inner city, before becoming the first Black journalist reporting on the front lines of World War 2, while navigating censorship of the harsh reality faced by African American soldiers on the European front.
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    3 mins
  • February 13th, 2026: Privacy vs the public's right to know, Stolz tops the podium, the state of the paper

    February 13th, 2026: Privacy vs the public's right to know, Stolz tops the podium, the state of the paper
    Feb 14 2026
    Every week on Reporter’s Notebook, WTMJ’s Adam Roberts talks with members of the WTMJ newsroom, as well as reporters from newsrooms from around the state, to get the full picture when it comes to the stories they choose to tell. On this week's episode: WTMJ News Director Tiff Pua provides a look at the decision making made in the coverage of the sexual assault allegations levied against Wisconsin Center District CEO Marty Brooks by Milwaukee Common Council President José Pérez. WTMJ's Nazir Spencer analyzes the "ICE Out Milwaukee" legislation proposed by the City's Common Council aimed at limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Lori Nickel is covering the Winter Olympics from Italy, with emphasis on speedskater and Kewaskum-native Jordan Stolz. She shares the unseen challenges of being a local reporter butting up against national and international outlets. We continue our Reporter's Notebook Black History Month Highlights with the story of Roi Ottley. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Executive Editor Greg Borowski discusses what the paper is doing to stay relevant amid the rapid change and consolidation within the newspaper industry.
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    37 mins