A.J. Bayatpour, Reporter
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A.J. Bayatpour joined CBS 58 news as a reporter in March 2023.
He previously reported at WKOW-TV in Madison as the Capitol Bureau Chief. As the producer and host of Capital City Sunday, A.J.'s direct and pointed interviews with Wisconsin's members of Congress and elected state officials drew national coverage.
A.J. is no stranger to Milwaukee, though. He reported at WITI-TV from 2012 to 2018 and produced stories that won several Milwaukee Press Club awards. Advocates credited his reporting with helping to make Wisconsin the first state to require outside investigations of police-involved deaths.
Upon arriving in the Cream City, A.J. and his wife, Abby, fell in love with Milwaukee. It's where they first lived together and, eventually, got married in the Mitchell Park Domes. Given the change to move back, they jumped at the opportunity.
A.J. began his reporting career at WICD-TV in Champaign, Illinois, where he covered both news and sports.
A.J. graduated from the University of Missouri and still follows his Tigers closely. He grew up in Chicago and owes his tenacity to his mother, who raised he and his sister as a single parent.
If you have a story idea, A.J. wants to hear it! Share those tips at [email protected].
Articles by A.J. Bayatpour
- City eyes development that would bring Wisconsin's tallest building, but downtown alderman isn't on board
- As Harris launches campaign in Milwaukee, Black voters show varying levels of excitement
- Why a legal challenge is unlikely to keep Harris off Wisconsin ballots
- Wisconsin leaders react to Biden pulling out of the presidential race
- Pocan joins list of congressional Dems calling for Biden to exit race
- Trump closes out RNC with call for unity; includes familiar tone on economy, immigration
- Former GOP rivals rally for Trump on second night of RNC
- Secrets of a syrup maker: At 95, Roland Jorns still running Door County maple syrup shop
- 'March on the RNC' says agreement with MPD allows protest route within one block of RNC
- 'Herb Kohl Way' memorial covered by 'Donald J. Trump Way' sticker ahead of RNC
- How state, local supporters and critics reacted to Pres. Biden's high-stakes press conference
- Here's why an expert on running mates thinks J.D. Vance will be Trump's V.P. pick
- Immigrant groups respond as RNC platform vows 'largest deportation program' in history
- As new GOP platform calls for same day voting, party leaders encourage early voting
- 'I'll beat him again': President Biden defiantly vows to stay in race at Madison rally
- Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 'legislative veto' powers in win for Evers
- Evers the only Democratic governor not joining post-debate meeting with Biden
- Right-wing election observers cause disruptions in Milwaukee, Glendale polling places
- Milwaukee Public Schools to lose $42.6 million as correction for past data mistakes
- Man accused of causing crash that killed young girl, stealing cross from memorial site, changes plea
- At debate watch parties, a clear view into divide over which issues matter most
- At different events, Bernie Sanders and Ron Johnson set out to sway skeptical Wisconsin voters
- MPS board names interim superintendent finalists, postpones overhauling math curriculum
- 'We could've pushed harder': State superintendent discusses MPS fiscal mess, changes state will make in response
- Hired MPS financial consultant says two key problems led to financial crisis
- Teen shot and killed after Juneteenth concert that ended early because of fights
- 'We were always assured': MPS board leaders discuss financial scandal, suggest additional tax hike off the table
- MPS board gives authority to acting superintendent; no candidate list yet for interim superintendent
- MPS officials knew about state aid reductions before referendum vote
- 'Democracy was on the line, and it still is on the line': January 6 officers campaign against Trump in Wisconsin
- Report: Trump calls Milwaukee 'horrible city' during meeting with GOP lawmakers
- Revisiting last major MPS audit: Former superintendent wants Evers to appoint special commissioner
- Evers moving ahead with plans to audit MPS; focus will be on academics, operations
- For these MPS students, an important life lesson is understanding death
- MPS board leaders keep avoiding questions; another director says board needs more guidance
- Past audit shows MPS board knew of finance issues; lawmaker calls for federal investigation
- Posley to receive $160,000 as part of MPS settlement
- Superintendent Keith Posley resigns following MPS special board meeting
- As MPS board to consider Posley's job, state and city leaders call over district overhaul
- MPS finance scandal: Board puts off budget vote as state threatens to withhold money over late, inaccurate data reporting
- Congresswoman Moore says she suspects MPS Head Start program will be 'broken up and spread out'
- New Census estimates find Milwaukee's population is still declining, even as other Midwest cities rebound
- Milwaukee's July 3rd lakefront fireworks canceled; parks officials blame lack of sponsorship
- 'Just puts a damper on life': Median rent costs hit record high in Milwaukee metro
- With federal funding at risk, MPS' Head Start council held its regular meeting. They discussed the problem for 3 minutes.
- MPS seeks public feedback as it 'rightsizes' buildings
- Records reveal why MPS Head Start funding got suspended; district at risk of losing program altogether
- Superintendent Posley 1-on-1: Why MPS budget moves teacher coaches into classroom, increases salary spending despite job cuts
- MPS Head Start funding suspended over 3 infractions
- At Holt Park and Ride, WisDOT to remove abandoned property but give people more time to find housing
- 'I am hurt': Red Lobster loyalists saddened by Tosa closure; auction for restaurant items ends Thursday
- UW System president, Jewish groups slam UWM agreement to end encampment
- Evers-GOP split escalates: Republicans to try overriding vetoes on PFAS, election bills; Evers sues GOP over reading funds
- Seriously burned firefighter released from hospital
- 'We're not gonna adhere to that': As RNC calls to push back protest zone, demonstrators vow to march beyond designated areas
- Racine County results show why Biden seeks to secure Black voters' support
- 'Make it make sense': Public questions proposed MPS cuts during budget hearing
- MPS to present budget that cuts nearly 300 jobs, still increases total spending on salaries
- MPS board director resigns amid controversies
- Police shoot and kill armed student outside Wisconsin middle school
- Here are all the new Stadium Freeway redesign options
- Former GOP governor launches new push to restore election trust
- Pro-Palestinian protest at UW-Madison, activists ignore campus encampment ban
- WIAA members vote down proposal allowing NIL deals for high school athletes
- MPS considers booting 2 charter schools out of district buildings
- Sen. Ron Johnson calls for 'education campaign' that includes seeing what abortions look like
- Shouting, secret recordings, retaliation: What's behind Thursday's chaotic MPS board meeting?
- 'You love me not!': Program aims to inspire inmates through Shakespeare
- Poll: 81% believe democracy under threat; only 23% not worried about post-election violence
- Grocery store reopens 1 day after health officials shut it down over mice droppings
- Wisconsin on pace to set new school referendum record after 100+ on spring ballots
- Witness to Maxwell Anderson arrest describes what she saw
- Free Connect 1 rides end Monday -- here's how the new payment system will work
- Secret Service hosts RNC security meeting; details not coming until mid-June
- UWM expert: Inflation report means interest rate cuts unlikely to happen
- Over the top (rope): Milwaukee seeks to bring 'Royal Rumble' to American Family Field
- Trump repeats false Wisconsin election claims in interview, calls out top elections official and prominent Republicans
- Milwaukee school receives 2nd bomb threat in 5 days
- Common Council to vote on lifting Capitol Dr. food truck ban
- 'It's about time!': Milwaukee chefs savor recognition as James Beard Award finalists