News Net Pick your poison: Chief Flynn, Journal Sentinel, Bob Donovan clash over crime stats

Since sifting through dull newspapers, hyperbolic blogs, and overflowing RSS feeds for meaningful news can be an arduous process, News Net catches and compiles both the amusing and the significant reports that were overlooked throughout the week.

• It’s Friday, which means Police Chief Edward Flynn and the Journal Sentinel are at each others’ throats. Again. Late last month, the newspaper published the results of an investigation that found many violent crimes being misreported by police, resulting in exaggerated statistics that paint Milwaukee as a nice place to not get stabbed. Flynn has been, um, unhappy with the endless criticism of his department, demanding $10,000 in fees before turning over more assault reports, and accusing the JS of being “intellectually dishonest” about its coverage, whatever that means. And hey, it wouldn’t be a pissing match without someone “storming out” of a press conference!

Making matters more ridiculous, notoriously camera-shy Alderman Bob Donovan has offered his two cents, calling on Flynn to turn over the reports. “It does our city a disservice to have this back-and-forth fighting between the newspaper and the Milwaukee Police Department,” Donovon said, even though no one really asked. So take your pick: Behind door No. 1, a prickly police chief who would rather be sleeping with journalists than arguing with them; door No. 2, a Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper desperately seeking its next big thing; and door No. 3, Donovan.

• Great news for Milwaukee music: Field Report—a.k.a. the newest project from former Conrad Plymouth mastermind Christopher Porterfield—has been signed to Partisan Records, and will play a handful of shows with Counting Crows and Emmylou Harris. According to Paste Magazine, Field Report’s self-titled, debut album is set for a Sept. 11 release.

• Great news for Milwaukee urban farmers: Growing Power’s Will Allen dropped by The Colbert Report to talk about his book, The Good Food Revolution: Growing Healthy Food, People, And Communities.

• The Journal Sentinel’s Mary Louise Schumacher visited the home of Bay View artists Faythe Levine and Aaron Polansky for an “At Home With...” feature.

• Schumacher also reported on the temporary (?) “deactivation” of Milwaukee’s 12-year-old public art program: “Our cultural amenities are as important as roads and public utilities when it comes to attracting businesses and talent to our region. Let’s at least leave the light on.”

• Milwaukee Magazine editor Cristina Daglas chatted with Summerfest’s Vice President of Entertainment Bob Babisch about finding the right musical mix, competing with Lollapalooza, and listening to Tiesto with his 13-year-old son.

• Fomer Hotcakes Gallery owner—and amateur barber and drummer—Mike Brenner is coming close to realizing his dream of opening his own brewery. OnMilwaukee.com reports that Brenner has started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the project, which has already netted him more than $18,000 in pledges.

• The always-excellent Dope Folks Records has released a sampler mix of rare ’80s and ’90s hip-hop. Stream or download the mix below:

• OnMilwaukee.com’s Dave Begel took issue with the overwhelming police presence at Bradford Beach. Kudos, D-Begs.

• This Week In Bon Iver: Hey! Remember Bon Iver? On June 19, Justin Vernon and company will release a 7-track iTunes Session that includes the group’s undeniably awesome cover of Bjork’s “Who Is It?” Neat!