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
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.
Ridglan Farms beagles: Rescued dogs find homes, see their stories
Earlier this month, hundreds of beagles were freed from Wisconsin's Ridglan Farms. Now, many of them are fitting into their new families.
2026 FIFA World Cup: Former Bucks exec, USMNT defender talk Wisconsin roots
FOX6's Carl Deffenbaugh and Bryan Polcyn talk to Green Bay native and former US Men's National Team defenseman Jay DeMerit ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ridglan Farms beagles: Hundreds of dogs remain inside, what's next?
Rescue groups have removed 1,500 beagles they bought from Ridglan Farms. Now, they intend to "kick-start" discussions about the dogs still inside.
Rescued Ridglan Farms beagles adjust to life beyond the cage
As rescues and shelters near the end of their mission to remove beagles from Ridglan Farms, some of the dogs are already adapting to new homes.
Ridglan Farms beagles: Wisconsin Humane Society to welcome 130 dogs
Dozens of beagles freed from Ridglan Farms are making their way to southeast Wisconsin on Monday.
Ridglan beagle rescue signals animal testing shift in America
The beagle rescue from Ridglan Farms is now ⅔ complete. But animal welfare advocates say this is just one step in a larger battle to end animal testing in America.
Milwaukee street takeovers surge; leaders brace for summer: Open Record
FOX6 Open Record breaks down what street takeovers really look like on the ground, how social media is fueling their growth, and the troubling criminal elements now tied to some of the key suspects.