Email: james.price@patch.com
Phone 414-218-2779
Hometown: Wauwatosa, WI
Birthday: February 21, 1956
Bio: I've wanted to write ever since my father introduced me to the complete works of Mark Twain when I was a child, but I didn't get my start in journalism until 1986 when I began supplementing my income as an English major through freelancing for the Chicago Reader. Getting paid to write seemed better than not, so after graduating from the University of Illinois-Chicago, I applied to the graduate program of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, the first and I believe still the best J-school in the world.
Still a poor student, I begged my way onto the copy desk of the Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. After five years of journalistic boot camp, I made my way to The Milwaukee Journal, settled in Wauwatosa, and I've been here ever since, editing and writing for The Journal and Journal Sentinel and teaching journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I'm thrilled to be a Patch editor in my adopted hometown of 22 years.
Our Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
My Politics
I am unashamed to call myself a liberal in my personal political beliefs, and I don't think anyone should think it's a dirty word, because I believe this nation was founded on the most liberal principles the world has ever seen: that all people are equal and should govern their own affairs as equals. That said, I agree with my hero Thomas Jefferson about the limits of government and with many people today who believe that our government has in many ways outgrown that notion. In any case, I have 25 years of training and experience in journalism and I can assure readers that I have never let any personal beliefs affect my sense of fairness and balance in reporting or editing any story.
My Religion
I grew up in the Methodist Church, and although I do not practice any religion now, I still adhere to much of the guidance of that church, which taught that we should all act toward others and conduct ourselves in accordance with certain beliefs that underlie Christian morality.
Local Hot-Button Issues
The hottest button in Wauwatosa, I believe, is in the undercurrents that swell to the surface from time to time as we try to deal with being the closest suburban community to urban Milwaukee and the socio-economic issues that sometimes spill over our borders.
Family's run-ins with the law continue after two brothers came afoul of justice in 2008 and 2011, one of them dying in a hail of gunfire and the other nearly so.
Police suspect same actor in one pillaging burglary and in another attempt foiled when the owner turned out to be home; in another, break-in costs residents dearly, while in a fourth, dim criminal gets in but can't get big TV out small window.
Man and wife give police a blow-by-blow of a crime unfolding, and even send pictures of the event, providing an alert and evidence against two men held in home burglary.
Closures this week at Watertown Plank Road and south for utility work are percursor to full reconstruction planned to begin in March, DOT says.
The city wants to redevelop not only its single vacant lot on Underwood Ave. but another on a key Village corner – but the small business owner of that property is interested in selling only to the developer she trusts.
All conference games on Jan. 25 will be dedicated to overcoming the scourge of child abuse and will push for funds to aid programs at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
This year's flu season is the worst in five years, and the elderly are being hardest hit by the most virulent strain, calling for more vaccination dates at Health Department.
Yardbirds get six of eight votes in committee hearing as city attorney's office grants its blessing to hens – as pets more than as egg producers.
Consultants hired to analyze Mandel Group's projected costs and return on investment in either preserving or demolishing historic buildings are about on target, they say. But that might not satisfy everyone.
Walgreens delivery of drugs missing a bottle of powerful narcotic tablets, and pharmacist is sure it was stolen in transit.
Long-awaited private-sector investment promises 350 jobs on County Grounds site in Wauwatosa from major power technology firm.
Employees of three places of business returned to work Wednesday to find door pried or smashed open and things turned topsy-turvy, but very little property was taken.
An East Troy man stands accused of attempted murder of a Wauwatosa resident after a caller warns police that a truck has been circling his block — and officers find the driver has hatched a strange plot to kill an old friend.
A 14-year-old boy risks being shot when he fails to follow a police officer's orders and pulls out look-alike air gun at Mayfair Mall.
Woman reports that someone tried a second time to break in even after she and her husband had seemingly warded off a first attempt.
Drug and sundry store seems to have had more than its share of grief lately, as burglars and thieves have hit it repeatedly and brazenly.
During an argument over a car, she tells officers, her husband's brother repeatedly smacked her face into pavement, leaving her with a deep cut and concussion.
Closures this week at Watertown Plank Road and south for utility work are percursor to full reconstruction planned to begin in March, DOT says.
Restaurant will close for about two weeks after next weekend while longtime cook at John's Sandwich Shop makes a few changes; he says, though, he'll keep the same focus.
Chamber recognizes businesses large and small and a civic organization that has made a difference in business district vitality and neighborhood quality of life.
