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Larry Sandler on Muck Rack

Larry Sandler

Verified
Milwaukee
As seen in: The Daily Beast, Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, EIN News, Marquette University Law School, Green Bay Press-Gazette, NewsBreak, The Post-Crescent, Wausau Daily Herald, Isthmus and
Covers:  Politics, government, transportation and business
Doesn't Cover: Sports, entertainment, lifestyle features, crime and disasters
I'm a freelance journalist, with extensive experience covering government, politics, transportation and other topics.

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Larry Sandler’s Biography

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I've been writing about government, politics, transportation, business and other topics in Wisconsin and Illinois for more than 30 years.

After growing up in Chicago, I earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield. I started my professional career as a reporter at The Pantagraph in Bloomington-Normal, Ill., covering McLean County government, politics a…

Larry Sandler’s Journalist Portfolio

Lone Wolf

Lone Wolf

In his 13 years on the Milwaukee Common Council, Bob Donovan hasn't won many friends in City Hall. Nor has he…

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Milwaukee allows rare 'triple-dip' in pension

Milwaukee allows rare 'triple-dip' in pension

More than 30 Milwaukee city employees -- including two aldermen and the elections chief -- are simultaneously…

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Rail deal quietly locked in

Rail deal quietly locked in

Just days before an election that could decide the fate of a planned high-speed rail line, state and federal …

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Security putting air marshals at risk

Security putting air marshals at risk

Undercover federal air marshals are being exposed every day on the concourses of Milwaukee's Mitchell Interna…

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Paying the piper: She never said that I was being led to an interview with the Ampire

Paying the piper: She never said that I was being led to an interview with the Ampire

A chance meeting in a supermarket leads to a mysterious business opportunity -- and a glimpse into how the se…

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Articles

Outgoing GOP Assembly Speaker Robin Vos Leaves a Mixed Mark on Cream City

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By Larry Sandler Verified
| Milwaukee Magazine Verified
When this speaker spoke, his words were heard across Wisconsin – even if many in Milwaukee didn’t like what he had to say. Reactions were mixed when Robin Vos announced in February that he would retire from the Assembly after 22 years, with a record 14 as its powerful leader. Friends and foes agree the Republican from Rochester, in western Racine County, has been extraordinarily effective in achieving his goals under both GOP and Democratic governors.
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Tuesday’s Supreme Court Election Results Might Signal a Blue Tide for Wisconsin

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By Larry Sandler Verified
| Milwaukee Magazine Verified
The song remained the same as Chris Taylor notched another lopsided liberal victory in Tuesday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court race – and the name of that tune is the Donald Trump blues. With the Republican president’s Wisconsin approval ratings at a record low, traditionally red Ozaukee County flipped into the liberal column for the first time in two decades, together with the normally conservative suburbs of Grafton, Menomonee Falls and the Town of Germantown.
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What You Need to Know About Tuesday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

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By Larry Sandler Verified
| Milwaukee Magazine Verified
Wait, didn’t we just do this? Wisconsin voters might have a sense of déjà vu as they go to the polls Tuesday for yet another liberal-vs.-conservative faceoff for the state’s highest court. This time, the candidates are both state Appeals Court judges: Liberal Chris Taylor, a former legislator who serves in Madison-based District 4, and conservative Maria Lazar, who sits in Waukesha-based District 2. They are vying to replace conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, who is not seeking re-election.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

My first full-time job was as a reporter covering county government and business for The Pantagraph in Bloomington-Normal, Ill.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes. I even wrote stories on them in high school and in my early college years.

What story are you most proud of writing or working on?

My award-winning investigation that showed how flawed airport security procedures could expose undercover federal air marshals.

Awards

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Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism Contest

2004 - Best Continuous Reporting on a Single Subject

I won first place in this regional contest for my Milwaukee Journal Sentinel stories detailing a flaw in airport security procedures that exposed the identities of undercover federal air marshals nationwide.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest

1997 - J.C. Sturtevant Memorial Award (best special project)

I won second place in this statewide contest for my Milwaukee Journal Sentinel series explaining the transportation choices facing the Milwaukee area.

Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Contest

1980 - Editorial writing

I won first place in this nationwide collegiate journalism contest for my Daily Illini editorial about the departure of the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign chancellor after a relatively brief tenure.