Blogger Pause

No blogging today because it is my birthday. I am going to enjoy the day. Blogging resumes tomorrow.

Links Worth Reading

Here are a couple of links worthing digging into this morning:

Marian Days Celebration in Carthage To Kick Off (Joplin Globe)

Break In The Case? (Sky News)

Paula Leaves American Idol (MSNBC)

KSN Weekend Crew A Little Empty

Lots of anchor-go-round lately at the Joplin stations. KSN's weekend anchor Stephanie Diffin and weathercaster Iris Hermisillo have left the station. The Turner Report first broke the news that Ms. Hermisillo will be heading to Kansas City to work as the weekend morning meteorologist on KCTV 5. Diffin is heading to KAKE-TV in Wichita. Not to worry. Sports anchor Morgan Vance won't be by himself for long. New replacements will be announced soon.

Miamian To KOAM

I don't know if Miamian is a word. The definition would be "someone who hails from Miami." And folks, I am talking Miami where the "i" sounds like a long "e". I am talking Miami, Florida and not Miami, Oklahoma.

KOAM's Chief Meteorologist Doug Heady announced on his blog today that the new weekend meteorologist will be Vanessa Alonso. I do believe this is the first female weathercaster at KOAM since Jessica Allen around 2000.

She has a degree in meteorology from the University of Miami and is a member of both AWS and NWA.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 10 PM

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH until 10 p.m. tonight for the counties highlighted below. Be prepared for the possibility of large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rains.

A Couple of Good Pieces of News

From the economic front, MSNBC has two articles on their front page today that bear highlighting for you. While there are still some negatives (like unemployment which is one of the last aspects of an economy to turn around) these are both pieces of good news that I thought you might appreciate on this Tuesday!

Consumer Spending Rises for 2nd Straight Month

Pending Home Sales Up For the 5th Month In A Row

Election Day (For A Few)

Next year at this time the region will be hopping as it is voting for the primary race for 7th Congressional District. However, today features only a few communities going to the polls and likely very few of those registered in those districts actually voting. Some of the biggest issues on the ballot include whether or not to remove planning and zoning in Stone County and a school bond issue in Carthage. If you do have a local issue to vote on, please go out and vote today.

Passengers Aboard Turbulent Flight Speak Out

This morning news broke concerning a Continental Airlines flight that encountered severe turbulence on its way from Rio de Janiero to Houston. The plane was diverted to Miami. Below are some interviews with passengers from that flight.

Billy Long Officially Jumps In

How do you kick off an unconventional run for 7th District US Congress seat? By holding your announcement at PFI, of course! KY3 has the details both here and on David Catenese's Political Notebook.

Should People In Charge of the News Editorialize It?

This may be old news to some, but the premise I am going to discuss still applies. KOAM's President and General Manager Danny Thomas recently editorialized his position about health care on the news before President Barack Obama held his press conference at 7:00. He came out strongly against the reforms, specifically citing his disapproval for rushing into change. You can read his full editorial here.

My problem isn't his position (although I highly disagree with the premise that we are rushing through this). My concern is that opinion is making its way onto the local television newscast. Why the need for the GM to come out and make that kind of statement anyway? The reason that I believe local news remains relevant is that you can turn on your tv and get news from market veterans like Lisa Rose, Dowe Quick, Jim Jackson, and Joy Robertson without having to wade through spin and opinion. If opinions start working their way into the broadcast local television will lose any legitimacy it currently has.

Maybe it is a one-time occurance. I hope so. Leave local news alone. Keep your opinions to yourself, please.