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:
How a Wausau wealth manager defrauded seniors
A couple of years ago I was invited to a seminar. The person inviting me was pretty insistent I go, but it was during my workday and frankly, I’m leery of any type of seminar in general; especially those involving money. Frankly, investing is pretty easy. I buy low-cost index funds, sit back and let the market and compound interest do its work. The more I study investing, the more I’m convinced the simplest approach is best.
I also covered the battle to save Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill - and how Marathon County went through a similar decision:
The battle to save Pine Crest Nursing Home
About two dozen residents stood in the lobby of the Lincoln County Services building Monday morning. Many held bright, neon-colored signs plastered with petition papers. Some we…
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:
Wausau Mall project delayed until 2024 due to lack of funding
The Wausonian in April reported that developers of the first project slated for the former Wausau Center mall site seemed to be seeking additional investment from certain Wausau residents. Area business leaders got a mailing seeking their investment in the Foundry on Third project.
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.
BREAKING: Wausau East Band Teacher Rob Perkins has resigned
Rob Perkins has officially resigned from his job as Wausau East Band Teacher. The notification came from Wausau School District Communications and Marketing Coordinator Diana White on Monday night. The Wausau School Board accepted his resignation at its Monday meeting.
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.
Wausau City Council should work to influence the tightening-up of the the timeline on the mall site project (Foundry on 3rd). At a minimum, we should have a say in not allowing further delays past the most recently announced delay. I would also expect the property transfer by Labor Day would help calm fears that T.Wall is not invested in the city.
The role of the city in this deal is complicated, citizens are confused, and why wouldn't they be? Thousands of cars pass the site on 5th Street every day viewing the growing weeds and rubble; they deserve to know, this is not a guessing game. In the best interest of the taxpayer and their families, the Wausau Common Council has stewardship of the grounds... it's the 11 alders representing our 11 districts who can exert influence on tightening things up for the common good. Is that unreasonable?
Hi BC Kowalski!
I was wondering if you could check out the rumor that I heard
WE ARE GETTING A CHIK-FIL-A? In Rib Mountain? In that old carpet building by the Rib Mountain Briq's?