Open Thread: July 2023

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One of my favorite old journos is the acid-penned Mike Royko. Royko was a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Daily News and the Chicago Sun-Times; and famous for his railing against Chicago’s elite class. Especially in defending Chicago’s working-class folks.

There’s an interesting central Wisconsin connection too. Royko was almost single-handedly responsible for putting Point Brewery on the map. The beer took first in a taste test contest Royko held in response to backlash received for a column he wrote about American beer. In the column, he said it all tasted as if it were “brewed through a horse.”

I’m far less sarcastic than Royko was, as you can see from the above example. Even if, every so often, I read his old columns for inspiration.

But Royko was ruthless in questioning those in charge. That’s a journalist’s role, and one I take seriously.

There’s been a lot of debate lately about staying positive versus negativity. But to me, a journalist’s role rests outside of either of those positions. Like Royko, a journalist should be questioning power and authority, on behalf of the people, the working class, the taxpayers.

Why? To help ensure accountability. That’s important no matter who is in charge.

There’s a difference between positivity, negativity and skepticism. A good journalist is skeptical. That journalist doesn’t automatically assume the worst or the best, but continues to ask questions. And to dig a little deeper.

That’s the aim of The Wausonian. And I think that’s why it keeps growing every month. Even if I don’t have the same sarcastic humor of Royko.

Last month’s stories

Most shocking was a story about a Wausau wealth manager running something close to a Ponzi scheme. Having been invited to one of his seminars brought it home a little more:

I also covered the battle to save Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill - and how Marathon County went through a similar decision:

Oh, and we learned that the first mall redevelopment project has been delayed. That story was only a couple of weeks and but already it feels like it has been months:

And Rob Perkins, the embattled Wausau East band teacher, resigned last month. The Wausonian has requested the investigation report when it’s complete. With competing claims about what happened between him and a Hmong band student, at this point the truth ought to be put out there, for everyone’s sake.

There were quite a few more stories this past month. Check out the archives for the full list.

New feature

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Otherwise, I don’t have a specific topic for this open thread. Feel free to comment down below on anything you care to. Unlike all other posts on The Wausonian, anyone can comment on open threads, not just paid subscribers.