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.
Five-year funding will help Medical College and Children's Hospital team explore new treatments for ear infections that are a common cause of hearing loss in young children.
Also, a brief roundup of incidents including thefts, a battery and another auto theft from a Tosa resident.
Milwaukee man charged as repeat offender after he's caught red-handed trying to steal camcorder while out on bail for another count of theft.
County Grounds celebration of astronomical rarity also calls attention to biological phenomenon of migrating monarchs.
As owner watches in shock, someone steals his Infiniti out of his garage, backs it into his house and drives away.
No coupons, cards or certificates needed this year – all you have to do is show up hungry.
A crime of opportunity occurs when women fail to trust their instincts and don't keep an eye on two young men loitering in the laundromat.
Leave it running, watch it going. But in this case, man who probably should have turned off ignition and taken his keys gets his car back intact, but thief leaves ample evidence.
When a witness inadvertently misleads a police officer, the officer inadvertently overlooks a vehicle's stolen status, and while his back is turned, thieves return to steal it again.
The nominees were all great, and the winners are:
After major studio make, neighborhood screen will show locally produced film as testament to its roots.
Popular dining destination would be seriously affected by loss of convenient freeway access at 68th, 70th streets, a possibility as DOT looks ahead at 2019 project.
Girl ran into street just as USPS driver veered her way to avoid another car.
While this year's score is just below last year's, over time 2011-2012 scores fell exactly in the statistical middle of the School District's performance since 1996.
One was driving more than 100 mph on Mayfair Road when he passed a cop; the other had two kids in the car. Also, 76-year-old Tosa woman gets her first OWI after colliding head-on with a family of four.
Dems John Pokrandt and Chris Rockwood plan joint launch of campaigning in earnest after GOP primary has settled slates.
The utility CEO signed a letter supporting underground alternatives for a power line in a different location. But Wauwatosa must first choose its own preferred route before it can hope for backing from utility company, city attorney says.
After man exposes himself to woman on the street, officers are looking for a 20-year-old who was arrested last month for indecent exposure while driving what was likely the same vehicle.
Hooligans old enough to be finishing college were out in the wee hours opening a hydrant and running around like truant tykes.
Officer hears repeat offender coming before he sees her, after she apparently smacked into a curb, blew a tire and kept going.