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.
Roadside rally at Brookfield Square will be more informal, less formatted than earlier Celebrate Walker event in Wauwatosa, with no speaker stand but lots of sign-waving.
However, she avoids felony charges, even though she admits she's been doing the like on a weekly basis for a decade.
But 'Defending the American Dream Summit' this weekend is about mobilizing the troops and educating citizens as Wisconsin's election season gets under way, organizers say.
Five employees and two customers were in store when robber entered and produced a note demanding all the store's Oxycodone and saying he had a gun. He made off with a quantity of pills, but police say he has been apprehended.
While most drivers may have overdone St. Patrick's Day, one woman apparently overdid pain medication to the point that she passed out and was unresponsive until paramedics roused her.
Candidate has experience and knowledge of key issues facing city, several committee chairmen say.
Wauwatosa was big in the news back in 1966, just as today, but some of the news we wouldn't cover, and some – such as outrage over a major economic development – probably wouldn't happen.
In a batch of break-ins and a spate of auto entries, criminals take some big risks for very small gains. Also in the news, Tosa East teens help police sting underage tobacco sellers.
Music, dance and family-oriented activities draw a crowd to enjoy Gaelic heritage on a beautiful day.
A 19-year-old drug addict staying in a Tosa senior housing center faces a second set of charges after admitting to stealing an elderly woman's nearly valueless jewelry.
Some other nearby, old-line Irish bars in Milwaukee gain a share of votes, but Tosa's only all-Irish establishment takes the prize.
Plan for auto parts store in former Blockbuster building advances strongly on two key votes and is virtually certain to pass the full Common Council next week, as citizens, city can find no basis for denying or delaying it.
Fight over a man leads to battery charges against woman who brought a baseball bat to attack a Tosa woman, who defended herself with a knife.
Milwaukee's Irish Fest, headquartered in the heart of Tosa, brings it home Saturday with all things Gaelic.
Given a chance to call for a ride home instead of being given a handcuffed ride to the police station, driver waits two minutes and then puts the key back in the ignition.
Unexpected political activity hit police in the budget, leading chief to ask for a say on whether his department should have to pick up costs of political gatherings.
Tosa pupils win awards for writing, spelling, academic excellence
Mo's may be the oddsmakers' pick, based on its strong theme and a flood of nominations, but there are dark horses in this race, including some not entirely within our borders.
It's time to set the clocks ahead an hour so you don't find yourself late for an important date.
In another incident, a man arrested for having a stolen temporary license on his car said he thought a friend did 'a pretty good job' of illegally altering it for him.
