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.