While it may seem that when we reporters go on air to report a story, we have everything together and we have been working on the story we are reporting for the last month or so, but in reality it’s not always like that. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of stories we do, we plan for months and months, but in the newsroom it’s very unpredictable on what type of story might be handed to you at the last minute. There have been many instances when I have been on one ‘beat’ for the day and then it switches to another in a matter of seconds. And, of course, it isn’t EVER at a timely manner. It’s always at about 4:45. And, I have to go all the way to a place that’s at least an hour away, shoot video and try to make it back to put something on for the five and six o’clock news.

No, the news isn’t always the glamorous life you imagine it will be, but at least I am always on my toes and I’m always ready to expect the unexpected. It depends on the day whether or not I really enjoy the ready, set, go get this news story. But, all and all it’s not a boring desk job and I have some really great opportunities that not a lot of people get. And, I have time to watch my favorite show in the whole wide world… The Hills on MTV!

Posted under Newsroom

While the holiday season is always my favorite time of year, you don’t always get to spend it with your family. Since I am one of the newer people in the newsroom, holidays are shorter than I got in college. The transition from college to Channel Four hasn’t been too rough for me, but the holidays might be a difficult task for me. For my Thanksgiving this year, I will be spending it at work. On one side you think, I can’t spend time with my family near Des Moines, Iowa. On the other side, I get some pretty cool stories to do for the holidays. I am very excited to get up with all of the crazy holiday shoppers the day after Thanksgiving. So, while the holidays will not be the same this year, I look forward to the great opportunities that will come my way at KTIV.

Posted under Newsroom

Call me a purist.

The holiday season begins after Thanksgiving and wraps up on January 1. I know not everyone shares my beliefs when it comes the most wonderful time of the year, and I’ve tried to state my case to those willing to deck the halls the second Halloween, or, for god’s sake, Labor Day. But now I fell I’m fighting a losing battle.

The main reason? My choice of a career.

Being involved in the media gives you a chance to be fully saturated with all things holiday: whether it be a story about the Christmas tree being delivered to Rockefeller Plaza or being exposed to a litany of holiday stories from day to day.

Don’t get my wrong. I love the holidays. For one, it’s the only time of the year they allow egg nogg to be sold in stores. For me, that’s reason enough. But there’s also that holiday spirit in the air, where everyone believes in peace on Earth and good will towards men.

Now if we could only keep that feeling going on some dreadfully cold January mornings.

Plus, it’s hard for me to get into the holiday spirit if there isn’t snow on the ground. Don’t get me wrong; I’m asking for it to snow. If it were up to me, it’d snow on Christmas Eve, melt on New Year’s and stay melted for the rest of the winter. Maybe I should move to Arizona.

But as I see the calendar approaching the last page, I can’t help but try to fight that holiday feeling. I know it’s a losing battle, but someone has to fight it. Otherwise, how could they possibly show “You Managed To Make Thanksgiving Depressing, Charlie Brown” if we’re already showing “The Grinch?” It just wouldn’t be right.

I know it’s a losing battle. But coming from a Chicago Cubs fan, it’s something I’ve come to expect, nay, enjoy.

But you just wait till next year!

Posted under Weblogs

Part of television is bringing our viewers the most up to date coverage on events and a tool we use to do that is to go live with our microwave truck. We can normally, depending on the weather, go live from various locations in Siouxland. This assignment was to cover a legislative forum that was going to be held later in the night. I am posting some pictures that I took when I was setting up a live shot that KTIV Reporter, Melissa Lanzourakis, was reporting from at USD in Vermillion South Dakota. Whenever I set up live shots with the truck, people are interested in what’s going on. First I check for power lines and then raise the mast. After, I’ve tuned in the shot, I string the cable, hook up the camera and we’re ready to broadcast live. Going live is always interesting because you never know what’s going to happen. This live shot was uneventful, the way I like it and we pulled it off without a hitch. Thanks for watching.

Posted under Weblogs

Every reporter has their specialty. Some like courts and crime, others like fun features. Mine happens to be politics. I have not met a reporter yet, that enjoys covering death and despair. And yet, those are the stories that stay with us. I will never forget the first soldier’s funeral I attended or the boy I interviewed who suffered and would later lose his battle with cancer.

This weekend, five Siouxland teens were seriously injured in a terrible car crash that killed the father of one of their classmates. It’s a story like this that puts a reporter in the hardest position. You want to get the information out to viewers, but you don’t want to intrude. The best way to tell the story is through those who are impacted, but getting close to them can sometimes be impossible. And, if you do get to talk to them, you start to question whether you’re doing the right thing. After all, with everything going on should they really be wasting precious moments talking to a reporter? Oftentimes, people are scared to be interviewed because they might cry on TV or say the wrong thing. The truth is, we’ll probably cry with you.

The closer you get to a family, the more you feel touched by the situation. Ultimately, we can tell a much better story and give viewers a real understanding of the situation, if given the opportunity. But, it’s not easy. There’s a fine line, and the last thing we as reporters want to do is cross it, and make the situation worse.

Reporters are often seen as cold and callous; of only caring about the job they have to do. But, in a small community like Sioux City, none of us can afford to be like that. It’s in our best interest to get to know you. It’s during the greatest tragedies that the human spirit really shines. If told correctly, your story will not only touch the viewers at home but impact how we tell other stories for years to come.

Posted under Weblogs