
Bryan Polcyn
If there's one thing I've learned after 30 years in radio and television news, it's this -- don't yell at a guy with a gun.
I've been known to get caught up in the moment, especially on 'unscheduled' interviews. I've been yelled at, cursed at, hip-checked, hung up on, threatened and shoved out the door. And, yes, there was that one time a guy came out of his house with a gun and yelled at me -- and I yelled back. I was correctly admonished to never do it again by my news director, my mother and my wife.
I never expected to be an investigative reporter. When I first got into radio in 1991, I wanted to do sports play-by-play. I'd been inspired by one of my childhood heroes, St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck. After four years in radio, I found I had a knack for the news and attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism where I made the leap from radio to television.
In 1998, I became a crime beat reporter for KCCI-TV 8 in Des Moines. In 2000, I joined the special projects unit at WDAF-TV (FOX 4) in Kansas City. And in 2004, I came to WITI-TV FOX6 News to join the investigative team. I've been fortunate to work all these years for a station that values investigative reporting as one of the pillars of our news operation. We get the time to dig into complex issues that have a genuine impact on your life. We hold politicians and government leaders accountable and aim to ensure they are transparent. It's hard work, but it's also fulfilling. I'm grateful every single day that I work for a company that believes in the power and importance of in-depth, hard news reporting.
While I do have a passion for my work, I'm a strong believer in work-life balance. And away from the job, I have a very full life. I'm married with four kids (two of my own, two step-children). In the next few years, we'll have three in college (send money, please!). I love to run, play soccer, go camping, ride roller-coasters, tailgate, and socialize with friends. I'm a big fan of chocolate porter and coffee stout. I can sing a mean karaoke. And I like few things better than a leisurely cruise on a warm summer weekend on my 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500.
If you ride, let me know. Maybe we can get out on one together.
The latest from Bryan Polcyn
Embracing World Cup fun; South Milwaukee hosts Open Record
Open Record talks about some of the big moments from the World Cup, predictions for the United States in the knockout stage, and who our hosts think will win the tournament.
WATCH: World Cup, USMNT excitement in South Milwaukee
On this week's episode of Open Record, FOX6's Bryan Polcyn and Carl Deffenbaugh talk FIFA World Cup 2026 ™ live from Moran's Pub.
'Moving Menace' faces death investigation, 10 criminal cases
A Wisconsin man FOX6 Investigators once dubbed the "Moving Menace" faces a death investigation plus 10 criminal cases from nine police departments.
Milwaukee's 55th Juneteenth is nation's longest-running; "American history"
This week on Open Record, FOX6's Bryan Polcyn and Bria Jones talk to organizers of Milwaukee's 55th Juneteenth celebration, who say it is "not just Black history, it's American history."
Ridglan Farms beagles: Big Dog Ranch Rescue secures release of remaining dogs
Ridglan Farms is closing permanently, and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services is taking new steps to replace animal testing with alternative technology.
Ridglan Farms beagle alive and well; not alligator attack victim
Omelette, the Ridglan Farms beagle, was not killed by an alligator after all. Keep reading, because it's worth every syllable.
Summerfest returns; Garth Brooks stoked for 'rock & roll amusement park'
On this week's episode of Open Record, the Vice President of Entertainment for Summerfest explains how they snagged Garth Brooks for the 58th running of the World's Largest Music Festival.
Ridglan Farms beagles sacrificed in painful experiments at UW-Madison
A FOX6 investigation finds the University of Wisconsin performed painful experiments on Ridglan Farms beagles – and those beagles did not survive.
'Cold cap' chemo treatment saves hair, insurance coverage uneven
A relatively new cold therapy treatment is helping people protect their hair from chemotherapy drugs. One woman said her insurance would not cover it.
Ridglan Farms beagles: Dog with cancer adopted by Wisconsin family
A Mukwonago family who fostered a Ridglan Farms beagle, Bailey, decided to adopt her despite a cancer diagnosis that could cut her life short.








