It seems like a lot of the folks I come in contact with feel like my job is pretty glamorous. Well, I'll be honest with you -- it has its moments, but for the most part, what goes in to television news is nowhere near as polished as the product that comes out.
Today was a pretty good example. Because our Jacksonville bureau reporter, Laura Vesco, was on assignment, I got to go play on her turf -- and cover the Marines. They were taking part in training exercises in Jones County that will prepare them for their civil affairs duties once they get to Iraq. (For the story and video, click this link!)
Anyway, reporters Eric Mittenthal from Ch. 12 and Chelsea Donovan from Ch. 7 were there as well. They're both a lot of fun to work with and do very solid reporting -- although I am VERY glad you choose Ch. 9! We had to meet the Marine public information officer at 8 a.m. outside of Pollocksville. (I am NOT a morning person...) Once we were all there, we headed off to a staging area -- off the beaten path and deep into the woods of Jones County. When we got there, we had to wait around for the Marine convoy to form up before we headed out. And let me tell you, it was just downright cold! It must have been a sight to see a handful of television reporters from three competing stations huddling together for warmth deep in the woods of Jones County. Nowhere near as glamorous as you might expect.
And then came the hiccups -- for some reason, my camera simply didn't capture the first interview with did. (I swear I hit the "record" button.) Thankfully I noticed it before we all headed out, but I had to ask him to do it again. Rather humbling. There were a couple of other funny hiccups along the way, but thankfully the story came together.
All that's to say this -- there's a lot of hard work by a lot of dedicated people that goes in to bringing together the newscasts you see each day. It's generally a lot of fun for us, and we're glad you enjoy it. Sorry, this isn't a very deep post tonight -- I'm running on empty, and it's only Tuesday.
But feel free to let me know what you think of our coverage of any story -- or anything you'd like to see us do. Just click the "Comments" button below! Have a great one, and stay warm!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Something to think about...
So I've been brainstorming about what to post about tonight, and to be honest, I haven't really been able to come up with anything. There's no local current event that really has me up-in-arms, and there's not been any one issue that those of you who have commented have really zeroed in on. (Although, let me take this opportunity to thank those of you who've taken the time to comment on the blog -- especially those of you who've displayed kind words toward me and my work. Your encouragement means a lot. I also want to thank those of you who've recommended some great restaurants in your neck of the woods. I'll have to see what I can do with those recommendations! Thanks for sharing your voice!)
Anywho ... I've been thinking a lot this weekend -- a scary prospect, to be sure. But my mind keeps going back to a conversation I had with a friend a couple of weeks ago, so I figured I'd share some of that with you. This friend has had a rough go of it lately, and life has simply not been too kind to him. During our chat, he talked about how he felt "broken" -- and that in a way, we're all "broken" people.
I don't really think he realized how correct and profound his statement was. We are all a very broken people. And to be blunt, I don't care how well you think you've got it together, we've all got our issues. I think that manifests itself in the stories that me and my colleagues cover everyday. Unfortunately, more often than not, we're covering crimes. And messed up people do messed up things.
There's a void in all of us, and all of us choose to plug it and fill it in our own ways. Unfortunately, in Carteret County (which I cover everyday), a lot of people have turned to drugs. Sheriff Asa Buck is very open about the county's drug problem, and has said that most of the crimes committed in Carteret County are drug related -- whether it's someone under the influence of drugs committing a crime, or someone stealing from someone else so they can buy more drugs. But more often than not, our brokenness rears its ugly head each day. For me, a lot of times it's manifested in my temper -- especially in traffic (I'll admit it, I'm a road-rager).
With all that in mind, I'd like to challenge each of you to a couple of things. Take a few minutes and think about some areas for improvement in your own life -- I've certainly got mine. Then actually attempt to do something about it! Work toward fixing those flaws -- you'll notice a difference, and so will the folks around you. Additionally, just do something randomly nice for someone else today. For me, that might entail letting that car over in traffic, even if I'm in a hurry. Who knows what that means for you, but I dare you to go out of your way for someone else.
Anyway, sorry to have gotten all "Dr. Phil" on y'all! Without a concrete post idea in mind, I just decided to share my thoughts with y'all. Hopefully there's something you can take away from my ramblings.
And as always, I'd love to hear your voice -- let me know what you think of the blog, Eyewitness News 9, or just about anything! And keep those restaurant recommendations coming. All you've got to do is click the "Comments" button below. Have a great one, y'all!
Anywho ... I've been thinking a lot this weekend -- a scary prospect, to be sure. But my mind keeps going back to a conversation I had with a friend a couple of weeks ago, so I figured I'd share some of that with you. This friend has had a rough go of it lately, and life has simply not been too kind to him. During our chat, he talked about how he felt "broken" -- and that in a way, we're all "broken" people.
I don't really think he realized how correct and profound his statement was. We are all a very broken people. And to be blunt, I don't care how well you think you've got it together, we've all got our issues. I think that manifests itself in the stories that me and my colleagues cover everyday. Unfortunately, more often than not, we're covering crimes. And messed up people do messed up things.
There's a void in all of us, and all of us choose to plug it and fill it in our own ways. Unfortunately, in Carteret County (which I cover everyday), a lot of people have turned to drugs. Sheriff Asa Buck is very open about the county's drug problem, and has said that most of the crimes committed in Carteret County are drug related -- whether it's someone under the influence of drugs committing a crime, or someone stealing from someone else so they can buy more drugs. But more often than not, our brokenness rears its ugly head each day. For me, a lot of times it's manifested in my temper -- especially in traffic (I'll admit it, I'm a road-rager).
With all that in mind, I'd like to challenge each of you to a couple of things. Take a few minutes and think about some areas for improvement in your own life -- I've certainly got mine. Then actually attempt to do something about it! Work toward fixing those flaws -- you'll notice a difference, and so will the folks around you. Additionally, just do something randomly nice for someone else today. For me, that might entail letting that car over in traffic, even if I'm in a hurry. Who knows what that means for you, but I dare you to go out of your way for someone else.
Anyway, sorry to have gotten all "Dr. Phil" on y'all! Without a concrete post idea in mind, I just decided to share my thoughts with y'all. Hopefully there's something you can take away from my ramblings.
And as always, I'd love to hear your voice -- let me know what you think of the blog, Eyewitness News 9, or just about anything! And keep those restaurant recommendations coming. All you've got to do is click the "Comments" button below. Have a great one, y'all!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Pain, pain go away...
Hey y'all,
I'd been hoping to post something extensive up here tonight -- but I have a killer sinus headache right now. To be honest, looking at a computer screen isn't up there on my priorities list. So I'll try and have something up this weekend.
For now, y'all have a great weekend! Enjoy the warmer temps...
I'd been hoping to post something extensive up here tonight -- but I have a killer sinus headache right now. To be honest, looking at a computer screen isn't up there on my priorities list. So I'll try and have something up this weekend.
For now, y'all have a great weekend! Enjoy the warmer temps...
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The human element mustn't be lost...
I should be in bed by now. But I didn't want to go another day without posting.
Today's story was a tough one. A woman was found dead inside her car in her driveway in a nice, quiet Carteret County neighborhood. One way or another, the car was set on fire from the inside. When I got the call about it this morning, that's all I was told. When I got to the scene, little more became immediately clear. Eventually, investigators from the Carteret County Sheriff's Department told me that the incident was "suspicious" -- and that they would be investigating it as a homicide until they had evidence that proved otherwise.
No matter the cause of the fire, or the cause of death, one thing cannot be overlooked. This woman was someone's mother, grandmother, sister -- you name it. And that human element can never be lost. Journalists have a bad reputation of objectifying victims. For some, anything goes when it comes to getting a story. I just can't operate that way. While on the scene, I learned the name of the victim from a bystander. Later, as I was talking to neighbors, they confirmed the name. But the Sheriff's Department asked me not to release it because not all family had been notified. While I technically had a leg to stand on when it came to releasing the name, out of respect for the family -- and the Sheriff's Department -- I chose to not to run it. Being the first reporter to get the name of the victim out on the airwaves was less important to me than respecting a grieving family that just experienced a major loss. Unfortunately, the event that took place is newsworthy. All three television stations in our area wouldn't have mentioned the incident if it wasn't. But adding insult to a family's injury isn't newsworthy. But when they -- and the Sheriff's Department -- give the OK to releasing the name, Nine On Your Side will have it.
I guess I'm just a softy at heart -- but I hope this woman is remembered for the life she led, not the way she died.
Anyways, on to some of your feedback. I love the idea that an anonymous poster submitted -- about promoting Eastern NC's "best kept secrets." I will definitely pitch that idea -- but I need your help. What do you think is the best restaurant in your area? What would you say is the "best kept secret" where you're from? Who does something outstanding or interesting? Let me hear from you! Just click on the "Comments" button below! :-)
Today's story was a tough one. A woman was found dead inside her car in her driveway in a nice, quiet Carteret County neighborhood. One way or another, the car was set on fire from the inside. When I got the call about it this morning, that's all I was told. When I got to the scene, little more became immediately clear. Eventually, investigators from the Carteret County Sheriff's Department told me that the incident was "suspicious" -- and that they would be investigating it as a homicide until they had evidence that proved otherwise.
No matter the cause of the fire, or the cause of death, one thing cannot be overlooked. This woman was someone's mother, grandmother, sister -- you name it. And that human element can never be lost. Journalists have a bad reputation of objectifying victims. For some, anything goes when it comes to getting a story. I just can't operate that way. While on the scene, I learned the name of the victim from a bystander. Later, as I was talking to neighbors, they confirmed the name. But the Sheriff's Department asked me not to release it because not all family had been notified. While I technically had a leg to stand on when it came to releasing the name, out of respect for the family -- and the Sheriff's Department -- I chose to not to run it. Being the first reporter to get the name of the victim out on the airwaves was less important to me than respecting a grieving family that just experienced a major loss. Unfortunately, the event that took place is newsworthy. All three television stations in our area wouldn't have mentioned the incident if it wasn't. But adding insult to a family's injury isn't newsworthy. But when they -- and the Sheriff's Department -- give the OK to releasing the name, Nine On Your Side will have it.
I guess I'm just a softy at heart -- but I hope this woman is remembered for the life she led, not the way she died.
Anyways, on to some of your feedback. I love the idea that an anonymous poster submitted -- about promoting Eastern NC's "best kept secrets." I will definitely pitch that idea -- but I need your help. What do you think is the best restaurant in your area? What would you say is the "best kept secret" where you're from? Who does something outstanding or interesting? Let me hear from you! Just click on the "Comments" button below! :-)
Monday, January 22, 2007
More about me...
Good morning! Apologies once again for being so hit-or-miss with the blog recently. It was a part of my routine the first week, and so I was able to do a fairly good job of keeping it updated. But my routine was obliterated last week, and with it went the regularity of my posts. I will certainly try to do a better job this week!
Since I've got a few moments before heading out to tackle today's assignment, I thought I'd post. Without a solid idea in mind to write about, I thought I'd take a few moments to tell you a little bit more about myself. If you'd rather not hear me drone on about myself for a few paragraphs, now would be a good time to tune out.
I was born and raised here in Eastern North Carolina -- Wilson, to be exact. At a young age, I figured out I wanted to be a television reporter. I can even remember some nights of sitting up in my room and pretending to anchor a newscast (make your own inferences about my social life as a 7-year-old here...). But I've always had a passion for writing and -- for better or for worse -- a craving for other people's attention. Television seemed to be the perfect fit for both.
In high school I began working in the Sports department at the Wilson Daily Times. With no television stations near Wilson at which to intern, the newspaper seemed like a logical choice to get some professional writing experience. It just so happened that a program through the State Department of Labor and the Wilson County Schools provided an internship (or "apprenticeship" as the program called it) at the Daily Times.
It was a great experience, and really fed my passion for writing. While I started out writing
"Local Briefs" and inputting youth soccer scores, I was eventually given a crack at covering local sporting events. By the time I left the Daily Times, I was covering the best sport in the land -- ACC basketball -- on some very hallowed ground. I've had the opportunity to cover basketball games at the Dean Dome and Cameron Indoor Stadium, and let me tell you -- there's nothing like it. Part of me very much envies the folks who get paid to sit in the best seats in the house -- and then get paid to tell other people about the experience. (Thanks to tarheelblue.com for that picture of the greatest place on earth...)
When it came time to head off to college, I went to the only place I'd ever wanted to go -- CAROLINA! While there I did some freelance newspaper reporting, I wrote for The Carolina Alumni Review magazine and I reported and anchored for Carolina Week, UNC's student news program. All three provided great experiences, but Carolina Week most certainly
provided the best training I could ever ask for. It prepared me for my current job with WNCT better than anything I could imagine -- and it was fun, too! Anchoring those live newscasts for a year with Shaheen Syal (my co-anchor, who I absolutely adore) was one of the most fun, rewarding and challenging experiences of my college days. I find myself missing those times and that fun more and more these days. Shaheen now works as a producer for an up-and-coming show on FOX 50 in Raleigh -- and you can expect big things from her. She's one of those people that just has "it" -- that magical ability to succeed at anything.
I made a lot of great friends at CW, and it's been fun to watch us all go our separate ways and work our way into professional television. I can't wait to see where we all are in another five years. And while they deserve much more than a single sentence, the professors and teachers who worked with us at CW are world-class -- and any success that any of us come across will be owed in large part to them.
I was fortunate to make a lot of tremendous friends while in Chapel Hill. I was even more fortunate to foster very, very deep relationships with a handful of fantastic people. I'd say I have a very tight-knit group of friends -- and moving away from them has been the most challenging and difficult experience I've faced yet. When I was a freshman, I was very fortunate, because a group of older guys took me under their wing. It became my mission to do the same thing -- and hopefully, I've had the same kind of impact on the younger guys as the older guys had on me.
My two closest friends -- Dave and Matt -- are both seniors at UNC now. It's hard to believe they'll be graduating in a matter of months. But they are a pair of exceptional fellas, and I'm very proud of both of them. They both have big dreams, and I have no doubt they'll acheive them. (By the way, that picture is of the three of us on a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains.)
Moving away and working for WNCT, like I said, has been very challenging -- but it's been quite rewarding as well. I've learned and grown a lot in the five months that I've been here, and I'm sure I will continue to in the weeks and months ahead.
So that was probably more about me than you ever cared to know. But that's who you're dealing with each time you read this blog, or when you watch WNCT's newscasts. All of us who work in this business are normal folks -- we just have an abnormal job. We have hopes, dreams, fears and opinions just like anyone else. I've been able to share a few of mine with you through this blog, and I truly hope I'll get the chance to hear more about yours as well!
Thanks for stopping by ... and I'll do my best to have a topic to cover next time, so you won't be subjected to hearing more about me. Do you have something you'd like to hear about? Click the "Comments" button below and let me hear your voice!
Since I've got a few moments before heading out to tackle today's assignment, I thought I'd post. Without a solid idea in mind to write about, I thought I'd take a few moments to tell you a little bit more about myself. If you'd rather not hear me drone on about myself for a few paragraphs, now would be a good time to tune out.
I was born and raised here in Eastern North Carolina -- Wilson, to be exact. At a young age, I figured out I wanted to be a television reporter. I can even remember some nights of sitting up in my room and pretending to anchor a newscast (make your own inferences about my social life as a 7-year-old here...). But I've always had a passion for writing and -- for better or for worse -- a craving for other people's attention. Television seemed to be the perfect fit for both.
In high school I began working in the Sports department at the Wilson Daily Times. With no television stations near Wilson at which to intern, the newspaper seemed like a logical choice to get some professional writing experience. It just so happened that a program through the State Department of Labor and the Wilson County Schools provided an internship (or "apprenticeship" as the program called it) at the Daily Times.
It was a great experience, and really fed my passion for writing. While I started out writing
"Local Briefs" and inputting youth soccer scores, I was eventually given a crack at covering local sporting events. By the time I left the Daily Times, I was covering the best sport in the land -- ACC basketball -- on some very hallowed ground. I've had the opportunity to cover basketball games at the Dean Dome and Cameron Indoor Stadium, and let me tell you -- there's nothing like it. Part of me very much envies the folks who get paid to sit in the best seats in the house -- and then get paid to tell other people about the experience. (Thanks to tarheelblue.com for that picture of the greatest place on earth...)When it came time to head off to college, I went to the only place I'd ever wanted to go -- CAROLINA! While there I did some freelance newspaper reporting, I wrote for The Carolina Alumni Review magazine and I reported and anchored for Carolina Week, UNC's student news program. All three provided great experiences, but Carolina Week most certainly
provided the best training I could ever ask for. It prepared me for my current job with WNCT better than anything I could imagine -- and it was fun, too! Anchoring those live newscasts for a year with Shaheen Syal (my co-anchor, who I absolutely adore) was one of the most fun, rewarding and challenging experiences of my college days. I find myself missing those times and that fun more and more these days. Shaheen now works as a producer for an up-and-coming show on FOX 50 in Raleigh -- and you can expect big things from her. She's one of those people that just has "it" -- that magical ability to succeed at anything.I made a lot of great friends at CW, and it's been fun to watch us all go our separate ways and work our way into professional television. I can't wait to see where we all are in another five years. And while they deserve much more than a single sentence, the professors and teachers who worked with us at CW are world-class -- and any success that any of us come across will be owed in large part to them.
I was fortunate to make a lot of tremendous friends while in Chapel Hill. I was even more fortunate to foster very, very deep relationships with a handful of fantastic people. I'd say I have a very tight-knit group of friends -- and moving away from them has been the most challenging and difficult experience I've faced yet. When I was a freshman, I was very fortunate, because a group of older guys took me under their wing. It became my mission to do the same thing -- and hopefully, I've had the same kind of impact on the younger guys as the older guys had on me.
My two closest friends -- Dave and Matt -- are both seniors at UNC now. It's hard to believe they'll be graduating in a matter of months. But they are a pair of exceptional fellas, and I'm very proud of both of them. They both have big dreams, and I have no doubt they'll acheive them. (By the way, that picture is of the three of us on a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains.)Moving away and working for WNCT, like I said, has been very challenging -- but it's been quite rewarding as well. I've learned and grown a lot in the five months that I've been here, and I'm sure I will continue to in the weeks and months ahead.
So that was probably more about me than you ever cared to know. But that's who you're dealing with each time you read this blog, or when you watch WNCT's newscasts. All of us who work in this business are normal folks -- we just have an abnormal job. We have hopes, dreams, fears and opinions just like anyone else. I've been able to share a few of mine with you through this blog, and I truly hope I'll get the chance to hear more about yours as well!
Thanks for stopping by ... and I'll do my best to have a topic to cover next time, so you won't be subjected to hearing more about me. Do you have something you'd like to hear about? Click the "Comments" button below and let me hear your voice!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Back in the saddle
Wow, it's been far too long since I posted here on the ole blog. I'm sorry it's been so long -- but I've been a part of Nine On Your Side's Team Coverage of the Greenville church fires. Two 16-hour days in a row don't leave much time for bloggin', but I'm back now and hope to have more fresh content for you tonight.
In case you haven't heard -- the task force established by the Greenville Police Department to investigate the church fires is now officially calling the blazes "arson." I'm sure for most of you, you'd made up your own mind about that by now. Apparently the materials the GPD sent off to the SBI crime lab in Raleigh have confirmed that the fires at Memorial and Unity were intentionally set.
Regardless of your religious beliefs (or non-religious beliefs, for that matter), it's a shame to think that someone would intentionally destroy something that so many people treasure so much. It will be interesting to watch the Task Force track down who did it -- and just as importantly, determine why.
OK, back to work -- I'll try to have more on here later this evening.
For now, y'all stay warm!
In case you haven't heard -- the task force established by the Greenville Police Department to investigate the church fires is now officially calling the blazes "arson." I'm sure for most of you, you'd made up your own mind about that by now. Apparently the materials the GPD sent off to the SBI crime lab in Raleigh have confirmed that the fires at Memorial and Unity were intentionally set.
Regardless of your religious beliefs (or non-religious beliefs, for that matter), it's a shame to think that someone would intentionally destroy something that so many people treasure so much. It will be interesting to watch the Task Force track down who did it -- and just as importantly, determine why.
OK, back to work -- I'll try to have more on here later this evening.
For now, y'all stay warm!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Your turn!
My apologies for not posting yesterday -- after work, I spent the evening on the road and was away from a computer all night. But here's the deal -- I want to hear from you! A few of you have left feedback on some of the other posts -- but I want to give all of you the chance to ask ME questions.
So, let's hear 'em. Have a question about WNCT-TV 9? Or about how we do our jobs each day? Or just anything in general? ... Just click the "Comments" button below and ask away! I'll try and post some responses in the very near future.
Have a great weekend!
So, let's hear 'em. Have a question about WNCT-TV 9? Or about how we do our jobs each day? Or just anything in general? ... Just click the "Comments" button below and ask away! I'll try and post some responses in the very near future.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
The controversy deepens...
My report for today once again centered on the controversy that surrounds the Gallants Channel property (click this link for video). I can't tell you how many times I've reported on this controversial 36-acre tract of land in sleepy Beaufort-by-the-sea -- but I can tell you why I and Nine On Your Side continue to focus on it.
Back in 1997, the State of North Carolina gave the Friends of the Maritime Museum group more than $3 million (of YOUR money) to purchase the property. The understanding was that the Friends group would develop an annex to the North Carolina Maritime Museum on the property and turn the property into a real showplace. When the time was "appropriate," the Friends would simply turn the land back over to the state -- all the hundreds of documents we've got in relation to this issue say "appropriate," but they don't specify what exactly that means -- there was no sort of definite timetable when this all began.
In order to turn the property into the type of showplace it envisioned, the Friends group felt it necessary to borrow money against the land. The group took out two loans -- one for $3.9 million and the other for $995,000 -- using the land as collateral. The Friends claim they used that money to build parking lots, bulkheads, docks and any number of improvements. They also admit they used part of that money to fund the Tall Ships event. The Friends group released a letter last month saying it lost about $2 million on the event -- and in my opinion, it's hard to view the Tall Ships fiasco as anything other than a disaster. Nearly a dozen businesses claim the Friends (and the company they created -- Pepsi Americas' Sail, LLC) STILL owe them money -- we're talking nearly a million dollars here. Several lawsuits have been filed, and it seems like the Friends group could be in serious financial trouble.
That's where the Gallants Channel property comes in. Many folks I've talked to (including several state officials in Raleigh) believe someone at the state level is trying to protect the Friends group. With millions of dollars in debt piling up and businesses filing liens on the property for unpaid bills, October was the perfect time for the Friends to dump the property. When the state accepted it in October, all the debt came with it -- transferred to the state and away from the Friends. A letter by the Friends group says the head of the Department of Cultural Resources promised them she'd "make the debt go away." It looks like it worked.
Here's where you get shafted -- the state accepted a piece of property with nearly $5 million in debt attached to it. It had already paid $3 million to buy the land in the first place -- that's $8 million ponied up by the state for this piece of land. The kicker? Carteret County released its 2007 tax evaluations -- and says the land (including all the "improvements" made my the Friends) is only worth $3.6 million! Taxpayers are looking at a potential loss on this land of more than $4 million.
State Property Director Joe Henderson and Governor Easley both pushed really hard for this deal to go through at the October Council of State meeting. When Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry expressed some reservations about the transaction, he flippantly dismissed them. Both the governor and Henderson claimed the land was worth $36 million! They used that as justification to accept the property, claiming the state was making a great deal and getting "out of this for pretty close to nothing."
Today the state told me Henderson's figure was just a "preliminary estimated value" -- and that a November appraisal showed the land was worth $27 million. But Carteret County Tax Administrator Carl Tilghman is sticking by his numbers, saying they're accurate.
Labor Commissioner Berry called me back late this evening, and when she heard what the tax value of the land is, she was "flabbergasted." She says she plans on talking to Tilghman and Henderson tomorrow, hoping to figure out how there's such a huge difference in their respective appraisals.
A lot of people say the state inflated its numbers to make the deal look more appealing to the folks who had to approve it. That subsequently protected the Friends group from mounting debt. It seems like someone is not being honest about your taxpayer money -- and that's why we continue to dig on this story.
A big THANK YOU goes out to the folks who've chimed in and expressed their opinions about the last couple of posts. I very much appreciate your involvement! You can get involved, too. Just click the "Comments" button below.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
[Carolina] Blue blood ... and thanking those who shed their's
I was hoping to catch President Bush's primetime speech tonight -- it would have served as the perfect tie-in to my blog post. Truth be told, I didn't see the president's address.
In fact, my attention wasn't on WNCT and CBS's coverage of President Bush's decision to send more troops to Iraq. Instead, my eyes were glued to ESPN -- and the Georgia Tech/Duke match-up. [From this moment forward, that institution in Durham will be referred to as "Dook"...]
See, I'm a Carolina grad -- Tar Heel born, Tar Heel bred and every drop of my blood is Carolina Blue. I think Chapel Hill is Heaven on earth ... and in my mind, Franklin Street is hallowed ground. I think the Bell Tower is beautiful, and nothing beats the sight of the Old Well. When I die, I think I want my ashes spread in the Pit, Kenan Stadium and the Dean Dome.
There is something majestic and mystical about Chapel Hill -- and if we're going to be completely honest with each other, that's where my heart lies.
[I am well aware that some of you have quit reading and now hate my guts. Others may have earned a new respect for me -- if you're a Dook, State or ECU fan ... or a fan of any other university ... I hope you'll still respect me despite my Tar Heel pride!]
Only one thing rivals my love for Carolina -- and that's my disgust for Dook. I was raised anti-Dook -- and as a student at UNC, you take a freshman seminar on Blue Devil bashing.
So THAT'S why I missed the president's speech -- I was watching Dook lose its second game in a row. Deep down inside, there's something so very gratifying about that. I'm watching my #1 Heels right now -- I hope they can hang on against those Wahoos from UVA.
I was hoping to catch the president's speech, because while I was out working on my story for today, I met a man who's a Marine reservist. He recently returned from Iraq, where he served as a military adviser to the Iraqi Security Forces.
He said the president's then-pending decision to send more troops to Iraq was the right one to make. I don't intend to get in to the politics of the situation, but he said if the United States had any chance of coming out of Iraq victoriously, it's going to take more troops.
I thanked him for what he did for our country, and our conversation quickly turned to morale. And you know what he said?
He said the biggest contributor to low morale amongst troops isn't insurgent attacks. It's not what he called "inaccurate media reports." It's not attacks on the president's approval rating, or criticisms of his policies. According to this man, the leading cause of low morale is what the troops perceive as a lack of support from the American people.
He said the troops simply aren't "feeling the love." And it makes a huge difference in their lives each day. So here's my point -- whatever your political beliefs, however you feel about this war -- please, support the troops fighting for your freedom and safety. Most of the troops I've encountered truly believe what we're doing in Iraq needs to be done, and they think it indeed goes a long way to keeping us here at home safe each day.
Contact your local USO or VA. Ask them how you can show some support for the troops. They're fighting for our safety and even our right to dissent -- if you're going to dissent against the war or the president, at least thank those that are giving you the right to do it.
OK, that's my two cents. Let me hear yours! Just click on the "Comments" button below and join the discussion!
[And like I said, I hope all you fans of other schools out there don't hate me too much!]
In fact, my attention wasn't on WNCT and CBS's coverage of President Bush's decision to send more troops to Iraq. Instead, my eyes were glued to ESPN -- and the Georgia Tech/Duke match-up. [From this moment forward, that institution in Durham will be referred to as "Dook"...]
See, I'm a Carolina grad -- Tar Heel born, Tar Heel bred and every drop of my blood is Carolina Blue. I think Chapel Hill is Heaven on earth ... and in my mind, Franklin Street is hallowed ground. I think the Bell Tower is beautiful, and nothing beats the sight of the Old Well. When I die, I think I want my ashes spread in the Pit, Kenan Stadium and the Dean Dome.
There is something majestic and mystical about Chapel Hill -- and if we're going to be completely honest with each other, that's where my heart lies.
[I am well aware that some of you have quit reading and now hate my guts. Others may have earned a new respect for me -- if you're a Dook, State or ECU fan ... or a fan of any other university ... I hope you'll still respect me despite my Tar Heel pride!]
Only one thing rivals my love for Carolina -- and that's my disgust for Dook. I was raised anti-Dook -- and as a student at UNC, you take a freshman seminar on Blue Devil bashing.
So THAT'S why I missed the president's speech -- I was watching Dook lose its second game in a row. Deep down inside, there's something so very gratifying about that. I'm watching my #1 Heels right now -- I hope they can hang on against those Wahoos from UVA.
I was hoping to catch the president's speech, because while I was out working on my story for today, I met a man who's a Marine reservist. He recently returned from Iraq, where he served as a military adviser to the Iraqi Security Forces.
He said the president's then-pending decision to send more troops to Iraq was the right one to make. I don't intend to get in to the politics of the situation, but he said if the United States had any chance of coming out of Iraq victoriously, it's going to take more troops.
I thanked him for what he did for our country, and our conversation quickly turned to morale. And you know what he said?
He said the biggest contributor to low morale amongst troops isn't insurgent attacks. It's not what he called "inaccurate media reports." It's not attacks on the president's approval rating, or criticisms of his policies. According to this man, the leading cause of low morale is what the troops perceive as a lack of support from the American people.
He said the troops simply aren't "feeling the love." And it makes a huge difference in their lives each day. So here's my point -- whatever your political beliefs, however you feel about this war -- please, support the troops fighting for your freedom and safety. Most of the troops I've encountered truly believe what we're doing in Iraq needs to be done, and they think it indeed goes a long way to keeping us here at home safe each day.
Contact your local USO or VA. Ask them how you can show some support for the troops. They're fighting for our safety and even our right to dissent -- if you're going to dissent against the war or the president, at least thank those that are giving you the right to do it.
OK, that's my two cents. Let me hear yours! Just click on the "Comments" button below and join the discussion!
[And like I said, I hope all you fans of other schools out there don't hate me too much!]
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
May I have your attention, please?
Score one for Mom. That's right, my Mom was the only viewer to comment on yesterday's post -- but since she technically does live within our designated viewing area, I'll fudge a little and count it as viewer feedback... So that's two posts in two days with two "viewer comments." A slow start, but a good one nonetheless. An on-air plug for the blog on Ch. 9's 6 p.m. newscast tonight will hopefully get more eyes here -- and consequently, more voices heard.
On to today's post...
My story for Tuesday, which aired during our 6 p.m. newscast (you can watch it online by clicking on that link!), deals with the war on gang activity. The Governor's Crime Commission is handing out $1.5 million in grant money to law enforcement agencies in the east, including those in Kinston, New Bern, Lenoir County, Rocky Mount, Duplin County, Wilson, Wayne County, Tarboro, Goldsboro, Harnett County and several others. The press release says the money "will be used for initiatives such as: campaigns to help schools, law enforcement and the public identify and prevent gang activity; providing safe locations for teens to gather; removing gang graffiti; and developing a database to track, analyze and report gang activity at local and state levels."
My story deals with Kinston, a city that saw five murders in 2006 (that's two more than an average year). I spoke with Public Safety Chief Greg Smith about how his department plans to spend about $133,000 in money it's receiving. To add some flavor to the story, I wanted to interview him in an area of the city that's seen a lot of problems. He took me to the Simon Bright neighborhood, where the department has installed surveillance cameras to record what goes on there -- and hopefully reduce the amount of crime.
He says the department plans on spending some of the money on more cameras for other parts of the city. Other monies will go toward setting up email systems for each police officer, so that people who live in their assigned "zones" will be able to contact them easily and keep them updated on what's going on in the neighborhood.
But the lion's share of the money will go toward the development of a community center -- they're calling it The GATE. It sounds like a great idea.
"This center will be for young people to come to," Chief Smith says. "There will be GED labs set up in the facility. There will be ability for kids to do some recreation, some fellowship together."
It's part of stopping the gang violence before it starts -- if police can prevent folks from joining gangs, in theory at least, they'll eventually fizzle.
What happened while Chief Smith and I were talking in Simon Bright is the perfect illustration as to why Kinston -- and every other community -- needs a center like The GATE. As we set up the interview on the sidewalk, kids kept coming out of the woodwork, clamoring for our attention. Part of that has to do with the presence of a television camera -- without fail, when you whip out a TV camera, it either drives people away or draws them to it like a magnet. In this case, the kids were magnetized.
But more than anything, they just wanted our attention. They wanted someone to look at them, someone to watch them play, someone to interact with. Kids today are starved for attention. Unfortunately, our youth can find the attention they so desperately crave in a gang. We (the media) pay close attention to gangs. They're the focus of police. And within the communities themselves, gangs draw all sorts of recognition.
Hopefully a community center like the one Kinston has in the works will serve its intended purpose. Those kids need a safe play to go do their homework. They need a safe place to play, and they need someone to pay them some attention. For one reason or another, they're not getting that at home. Here's to hoping Kinston's plan pays off -- and keeps kids off the streets, out of gangs and in the classroom.
"It will be a slow process," Chief Smith says. "We won't solve everything that's going on in our community overnight. However, in time, I think we are going to see some great gains here."
For the sake of the public's safety -- and especially for the future of those kids -- I hope he's right.
Questions? Comments? Add your own voice to the discussion! Just click the "Comments" button below and fill out the form!
On to today's post...
My story for Tuesday, which aired during our 6 p.m. newscast (you can watch it online by clicking on that link!), deals with the war on gang activity. The Governor's Crime Commission is handing out $1.5 million in grant money to law enforcement agencies in the east, including those in Kinston, New Bern, Lenoir County, Rocky Mount, Duplin County, Wilson, Wayne County, Tarboro, Goldsboro, Harnett County and several others. The press release says the money "will be used for initiatives such as: campaigns to help schools, law enforcement and the public identify and prevent gang activity; providing safe locations for teens to gather; removing gang graffiti; and developing a database to track, analyze and report gang activity at local and state levels."
My story deals with Kinston, a city that saw five murders in 2006 (that's two more than an average year). I spoke with Public Safety Chief Greg Smith about how his department plans to spend about $133,000 in money it's receiving. To add some flavor to the story, I wanted to interview him in an area of the city that's seen a lot of problems. He took me to the Simon Bright neighborhood, where the department has installed surveillance cameras to record what goes on there -- and hopefully reduce the amount of crime.
He says the department plans on spending some of the money on more cameras for other parts of the city. Other monies will go toward setting up email systems for each police officer, so that people who live in their assigned "zones" will be able to contact them easily and keep them updated on what's going on in the neighborhood.
But the lion's share of the money will go toward the development of a community center -- they're calling it The GATE. It sounds like a great idea.
"This center will be for young people to come to," Chief Smith says. "There will be GED labs set up in the facility. There will be ability for kids to do some recreation, some fellowship together."
It's part of stopping the gang violence before it starts -- if police can prevent folks from joining gangs, in theory at least, they'll eventually fizzle.
What happened while Chief Smith and I were talking in Simon Bright is the perfect illustration as to why Kinston -- and every other community -- needs a center like The GATE. As we set up the interview on the sidewalk, kids kept coming out of the woodwork, clamoring for our attention. Part of that has to do with the presence of a television camera -- without fail, when you whip out a TV camera, it either drives people away or draws them to it like a magnet. In this case, the kids were magnetized.But more than anything, they just wanted our attention. They wanted someone to look at them, someone to watch them play, someone to interact with. Kids today are starved for attention. Unfortunately, our youth can find the attention they so desperately crave in a gang. We (the media) pay close attention to gangs. They're the focus of police. And within the communities themselves, gangs draw all sorts of recognition.
Hopefully a community center like the one Kinston has in the works will serve its intended purpose. Those kids need a safe play to go do their homework. They need a safe place to play, and they need someone to pay them some attention. For one reason or another, they're not getting that at home. Here's to hoping Kinston's plan pays off -- and keeps kids off the streets, out of gangs and in the classroom.
"It will be a slow process," Chief Smith says. "We won't solve everything that's going on in our community overnight. However, in time, I think we are going to see some great gains here."
For the sake of the public's safety -- and especially for the future of those kids -- I hope he's right.
Questions? Comments? Add your own voice to the discussion! Just click the "Comments" button below and fill out the form!
Monday, January 8, 2007
Photogs, football and prescription drugs...
First things first -- the promised two cool points are hereby awarded to Mike D, also known as WNCT photojournalist Mike Durenberger. He correctly identified that the title to yesterday's post was an Austin Powers-ism. And since I'm in a generous mood, I'll dole out an extra two cool points to Mike, seeing as he was the only person to comment on yesterday's post! That's a whopping four cool points for Mike D -- and he definitely earned them by keeping me from netting a goose egg on feedback. Cheers to you, Mike.
Cool points also go out to WNCT.com webmaster George Crocker. He hooked me up with a button on the front page of Ch. 9's website that links directly to the blog! I hope that will provide an opportunity to drive more people to this blog -- after all, I created it to give you a voice!
To be honest, I'm not surprised that a photographer bailed me out. They are truly the backbone of our station. The majority of our reporting staff is young, and we all have a lot to learn. Most of our photographers, however, have a great deal of experience -- and are exceptionally familiar with Eastern North Carolina. If all of us reporters are as eager to learn as we seem, the first folks we should turn to ought to be our photographers. They're the ones that get down and dirty each day to bring our stories, and our writing, to life. Without them, we'd essentially be the radio or the newspaper.
With the exception of myself (Morehead City bureau) and Laura Vesco, WNCT's Jacksonville bureau reporter, all the reporters in Ch. 9's stable generally work with a photographer each day. Laura and I do our own shooting and editing. It's a tough job, and has given me a great respect for the creativity, vision and hard work of our "photogs." I hope that's something our other reporters cherish. The days when Laura or I get to work with a photographer are amazing. You can tell a difference in our stories -- more creative juices are flowing and the photography beats whatever either of us could pull off.
I've been at WNCT now for almost five months, and I've learned a whole lot. One thing I've learned is that as a reporter, if you respect the photographers, they'll respect you -- and it will be reflected in your work. If you don't respect the photographers, chances are they won't respect you -- and I have a hunch that will be reflected in your work, too.
I'm half-watching the BCS National Championship game as I write this. I'm only half-watching because I don't particularly care for either team involved. But I did predict that OSU would run the initial kickoff back for a touchdown! Unfortunately, no one was around to hear it... I don't think anyone could have predicted the offensive punch Florida is packing so far (it's 34-14 early in the third quarter). I'm rooting for my Tar Heels to somehow win the game... And speaking of Carolina, props to our basketball team, which just took over the #1 spot in the nation!
My story for today, which aired on our 6 p.m. newscast, was a tough one (video is included in that link). It involved the death of an Emerald Isle man who overdosed on prescription drugs in 2004. Two friends (Lonnie Hiney and Larry Alexander) were hanging out, and from what I can understand, had quite a bit of alcohol. Alexander offered Hiney one of his prescription pills. Hiney took it, and the 1-2 punch of the alcohol and the pill proved enough to kill him. Alexander is sitting in the Carteret County jail now -- he pleaded "no contest" to involuntary manslaughter charges last week. This tragedy provides several reminders. One, we're all responsible for our actions. Hiney's family admits he should have known better than to mix pills and booze. But they maintain that Alexander should have known better than to offer the pill to him. Hiney paid the price for his actions with his life. Alexander will pay for his actions by spending the next 60 days in jail -- and the next 18 months on probation.
This incident also reinforces that the alcohol interaction labels on prescription drugs are there for a reason -- don't chance it. And finally, this demonstrates a problem that's plaguing Carteret County and lots of other counties across the east. Abuse of prescription drugs is as rampant as the abuse of illegal controlled substances. Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck even told me more people have died from prescription drug overdoses in recent years than from illegal substance overdoses. So please, be wise with how you take those prescriptions. And if you happen to abuse them, I suggest you look over your shoulder. Sheriff Buck made it pretty clear to me that he's intent on wiping out Carteret County's drug problems, whatever that takes.
OK -- back to the ball game. Thanks for checking in again today, and please -- become a part of the discussion. Let me know what you think of this post. Ask me any questions you might have about WNCT-TV 9, or the folks here who work very hard to advocate for you.
This blog is intended to provide you a voice! I hope to hear from you soon.
Cool points also go out to WNCT.com webmaster George Crocker. He hooked me up with a button on the front page of Ch. 9's website that links directly to the blog! I hope that will provide an opportunity to drive more people to this blog -- after all, I created it to give you a voice!
To be honest, I'm not surprised that a photographer bailed me out. They are truly the backbone of our station. The majority of our reporting staff is young, and we all have a lot to learn. Most of our photographers, however, have a great deal of experience -- and are exceptionally familiar with Eastern North Carolina. If all of us reporters are as eager to learn as we seem, the first folks we should turn to ought to be our photographers. They're the ones that get down and dirty each day to bring our stories, and our writing, to life. Without them, we'd essentially be the radio or the newspaper.
With the exception of myself (Morehead City bureau) and Laura Vesco, WNCT's Jacksonville bureau reporter, all the reporters in Ch. 9's stable generally work with a photographer each day. Laura and I do our own shooting and editing. It's a tough job, and has given me a great respect for the creativity, vision and hard work of our "photogs." I hope that's something our other reporters cherish. The days when Laura or I get to work with a photographer are amazing. You can tell a difference in our stories -- more creative juices are flowing and the photography beats whatever either of us could pull off.
I've been at WNCT now for almost five months, and I've learned a whole lot. One thing I've learned is that as a reporter, if you respect the photographers, they'll respect you -- and it will be reflected in your work. If you don't respect the photographers, chances are they won't respect you -- and I have a hunch that will be reflected in your work, too.
I'm half-watching the BCS National Championship game as I write this. I'm only half-watching because I don't particularly care for either team involved. But I did predict that OSU would run the initial kickoff back for a touchdown! Unfortunately, no one was around to hear it... I don't think anyone could have predicted the offensive punch Florida is packing so far (it's 34-14 early in the third quarter). I'm rooting for my Tar Heels to somehow win the game... And speaking of Carolina, props to our basketball team, which just took over the #1 spot in the nation!
My story for today, which aired on our 6 p.m. newscast, was a tough one (video is included in that link). It involved the death of an Emerald Isle man who overdosed on prescription drugs in 2004. Two friends (Lonnie Hiney and Larry Alexander) were hanging out, and from what I can understand, had quite a bit of alcohol. Alexander offered Hiney one of his prescription pills. Hiney took it, and the 1-2 punch of the alcohol and the pill proved enough to kill him. Alexander is sitting in the Carteret County jail now -- he pleaded "no contest" to involuntary manslaughter charges last week. This tragedy provides several reminders. One, we're all responsible for our actions. Hiney's family admits he should have known better than to mix pills and booze. But they maintain that Alexander should have known better than to offer the pill to him. Hiney paid the price for his actions with his life. Alexander will pay for his actions by spending the next 60 days in jail -- and the next 18 months on probation.
This incident also reinforces that the alcohol interaction labels on prescription drugs are there for a reason -- don't chance it. And finally, this demonstrates a problem that's plaguing Carteret County and lots of other counties across the east. Abuse of prescription drugs is as rampant as the abuse of illegal controlled substances. Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck even told me more people have died from prescription drug overdoses in recent years than from illegal substance overdoses. So please, be wise with how you take those prescriptions. And if you happen to abuse them, I suggest you look over your shoulder. Sheriff Buck made it pretty clear to me that he's intent on wiping out Carteret County's drug problems, whatever that takes.
OK -- back to the ball game. Thanks for checking in again today, and please -- become a part of the discussion. Let me know what you think of this post. Ask me any questions you might have about WNCT-TV 9, or the folks here who work very hard to advocate for you.
This blog is intended to provide you a voice! I hope to hear from you soon.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
"Allow myself to introduce ... myself"
Add it to the list.
For better or worse, the list of things I said I’d never do – yet, have ultimately done – is getting longer. Things like “listening to a Shakira song and actually liking it” (I’m sorry, but “Hips Don’t Lie” is money). Or “buying a white car.” Or “buying a car from RPM Nissan in
Well, “having a blog” was definitely one of the things I said I’d never do. And yet, you’re reading the very self-incriminating evidence that I indeed do have a blog.
I’ve long hated blogs. Well, not necessarily blogs themselves, but the way that folks like CNN picked up blogs and ran with them, heralding them as the best thing since sliced bread. Call me ignorant, call me old-school, call me close-minded. But I just don’t think that authoring a blog automatically makes you a journalist. And I most definitely don’t think they’re worth cable news networks dedicating whole hours of programming.
But the powers-that-be DO think they’re worth it. And the popularity of blogs continues to grow. Consequently, so does their usefulness. They’re great ways to share your opinion (something for which I’m rarely ever at a loss). They’re great ways to stay in touch (something for which I hope this proves useful, because I deeply miss my friends in
And, very importantly, they’re great ways for professional journalists to really connect with the people who consume their product. For me, this means connecting with the people who watch WNCT-TV 9 or view WNCT.com – and primarily, this means connecting with the people who live in Carteret County (and the surrounding counties, as well), because that’s where I live and work each day. I’m hoping this will eventually grow in to a forum for people who live in
In other words, I’d love for this to serve as a compliment to WNCT’s Viewers’ Voice – you know, the “your comments will be a part of our Viewers’ Voice segment, which airs every Friday.”
In order for that to happen, I feel like this blog must be integrated as a part of WNCT.com. I know our webmaster, George Crocker – who does a phenomenal job, by the way – is a fan of blogs … at least, I think he is. So hopefully I’ll be able to talk with him and my News Director about integrating this in to the site.
In order to make it easy to interact, I’ve designed the site so you don’t have to create a username and password to post – you should simply just be able to fill out the comment form and click send. But please feel free to create some sort of username or alias; I’d love to be able to identify who I’m talking with.
To kick off the interactivity, I’ll award two cool points to anyone who can correctly identify the movie from which I borrowed the title of this post. I know darn well there are plenty of folks out there who’ve heard me quote it time and time again.
I’m hoping to update this daily, or semi-daily, in order to truly create the type of forum I’m envisioning. My posts won’t always been this long. Sometimes they’ll be longer. Hopefully, they’ll include bits of humor and wit – I can trust friends David Holst and Mark Woodell, two of the most humorous and witty people I’ve ever met, to alert me as to whether I’ve succeeded there. Sometimes they’ll address serious topics, or just the news of the day. There will no doubt be discussion about the “business” of television journalism, and I’m hoping I can give you a sneak peek at what goes on behind the scenes. And I hope my posts will often be guided and directed by what I’m hearing from you, the folks who read this.
Let’s be honest – we all spend a considerable amount of time each day online, reading really random crap. I’d be flattered if you added my really random crap to your online to-do list.
More than anything, this will serve as an outlet. I love to write, and believe it or not, as a TV reporter, I don’t get to write as much as I would like. So check back often, I hope to keep this updated.
Thanks for taking the time to read my inaugural post, and I hope to see you here again soon.
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