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.
A fine piece of police work by a rookie and a well-thought suspicion by a citizen cleared the case quickly, though police initially had next to nothing to go on.
More than 1,500 Tosans turn out for first test of what is hoped to be an annual celebration of those who protect and serve the community.
Conflicting challenges to approved plans, from the state and Tosa Schools, leave future of complex projects in state of uncertainty.
Heat wave sets in just as outdoor seating opens up at new North Avenue Mexican dining spot – and that's A-OK with some lovers of Tosa's brief searing spell.
Work to supress invasive plant infestations is complete for now and it's time to replant butterfly-, bee- and bird-friendly native species.
Shunning frothy, syrup-flavored milk drinks in favor of the pure experience of fine coffee, Valentine Coffee Co. has created Valentine Tasting Room.
If you are planning to steal something from a store, it is perhaps best not to make other purchases on a registered account while under surveillance.
Something happened in Tosa – no one is saying just what – that led our police into Milwaukee to put the clamps on a house where marijuana was being sold.
A felony fleeing charge, an OWI ticket, a smashed-up car and trip to jail are hardly the graduation gifts his girlfriend was hoping he'd present.
All doors and windows were locked, but burglar was able to force open a window, breaking its lock, and ransacked home.
A boy is arrested and a couple's stolen car recovered a week after the peace of a Sunday noontide is seriously disturbed by the knowledge that someone had been in their home.
Dan Nowak is taking the concept of meatballs on the grill to surprising heights, expanding from his own kitchen, then a small commercial space, to his very own place in just four years.
Woman runs a half-mile after encounter she described as a carjacking, but in fact her car was still running and undisturbed where she left it.
Proposed apartment and retail development can start through the rest of the city process with the blessing of the Community Development Authority.
Developer misread Tosa but will come again with a more appropriate site design, says Ald. Dennis McBride.
13-year-olds say young men harassed and pursued them in neighborhood just north of Capitol Drive around 143rd St.
It's time to thank police and fire personnel for all they do, says Village BID, and the Tosa way to do that is with a big party in the park.
Amendments by supervisors put an end to a hotel development and a water swap that would have benefited all parties.
No jail time is imposed on boy who talked about building a bomb or bombs to attack school but showed little wherewithal to do it.
