Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thankful for WHAT?
I truly hope anyone who reads this FIRST knows how thankful I am that you bothered to check in here. It's quite a leap of faith to assume that anyone could care less what I have to say this day or any other. But then again -I think anchoring a television newscast comes with a certain "suspension of disbelief". As in - yes people are actually tuned in (the physical AND mental act of "tuning in") and are really absorbing what you're presenting on the air. I mean- talking into the camera and hoping someone's on the other end watching seems an awfully optimistic act - doesn't it?
I'm thankful for everyday I get that feeling of telling a story that needs to be told. I think I actually started reporting believing I would serve some useful purpose. There's a lot of "feel good" chatter that goes into a newscast that hopefully makes you smile (or grimace) , of course. And obviously, whether it's a story about the heroism of our troops so far away who risk their lives while we get to live ours , the upcoming presidential primaries, or even reminding you of where the traffic slowdowns or accidents are over the holiday weekend - it feels good to know we're letting you know what's going on.
I'm thankful to be part of that -thankful to be part of a team of hardworking,dedicated,and just plain GOOD people.
And while I'm at it - I'm eternally thankful for the two beautiful, talented, hilarious, and occasionally FRUSTRATING teenagers in my life. And I wish I was sitting down with them tonight to hear the latest in their lives - or maybe just a grunt of acknowledgement ! (you know how it is)
And I couldn't be more thankful for my mother,sisters, niece, and nephew. And thankful to be blessed by the people who've touched my life and made it worthwhile. I hope you know who you are ! If not - I've got a lot more work to do... OFF camera.
I'm thankful for everyday I get that feeling of telling a story that needs to be told. I think I actually started reporting believing I would serve some useful purpose. There's a lot of "feel good" chatter that goes into a newscast that hopefully makes you smile (or grimace) , of course. And obviously, whether it's a story about the heroism of our troops so far away who risk their lives while we get to live ours , the upcoming presidential primaries, or even reminding you of where the traffic slowdowns or accidents are over the holiday weekend - it feels good to know we're letting you know what's going on.
I'm thankful to be part of that -thankful to be part of a team of hardworking,dedicated,and just plain GOOD people.
And while I'm at it - I'm eternally thankful for the two beautiful, talented, hilarious, and occasionally FRUSTRATING teenagers in my life. And I wish I was sitting down with them tonight to hear the latest in their lives - or maybe just a grunt of acknowledgement ! (you know how it is)
And I couldn't be more thankful for my mother,sisters, niece, and nephew. And thankful to be blessed by the people who've touched my life and made it worthwhile. I hope you know who you are ! If not - I've got a lot more work to do... OFF camera.
Friday, November 16, 2007
stepping up
We're quickly learning that Cold Case reports can take some surprising turns.
Sunday November 18th - we're reporting on a crime largely ignored five years ago. Automatic weapons fire into a crowd - a 22 year old woman dies.
But everyone was looking the other way: it was September 11th 2002. All the news coverage was focused on the first anniversary. We try to make amends now.
It turns out though - that police could get allthe informatoin they need to close this murder case- from the man who was the TARGET that night.
Police want him to step up. You will too- when you hear from the victim's mother Sunday - in the Cold Case Murder of Shawntel White.
Sunday November 18th - we're reporting on a crime largely ignored five years ago. Automatic weapons fire into a crowd - a 22 year old woman dies.
But everyone was looking the other way: it was September 11th 2002. All the news coverage was focused on the first anniversary. We try to make amends now.
It turns out though - that police could get allthe informatoin they need to close this murder case- from the man who was the TARGET that night.
Police want him to step up. You will too- when you hear from the victim's mother Sunday - in the Cold Case Murder of Shawntel White.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
catching up
I'm writing my first blog since September just to prove my blog and I are compatible. For weeks,I've tried and failed to log on - as if WUSA9.com (my favorite website heh heh) just KNEW I had nothing really interesting to say. THE SOLUTION: a new a password (Miriam, Emily thank you).
A WHOLE lot has happened lately...
I've found myself immersed in one of the most interesting,rewarding,disturbing,and challenging projects of my reporting career. Our Cold Case reports are just what you'd surmise: old, cold criminal cases. We're hoping a fresh look may open the door to information to help police close some of these cases.
From a young man who was new to his neighborhood and was murdered while walking his dog, to a young lawyer who vanished from Dupont Circle on a Saturday night only to be found in the Potomac weeks later - every crime makes you shudder. The stories are so deeply personal - victims with happy lives, families and friends who loved them, gone in an instant. And no one is found responsible. The strength and grace of loved ones willing to share those stories has really touched me. It makes me SO want to help them find closure ... and maybe a little peace.
Editor Al Calogero, who is doing really remarkable work on these stories, was telling me how quickly he put the names with the faces of the victims in our two part Cold Case report on the Freeway Phantom. Six girls murdered in DC over a 16 month period. All too close in age to my own children. I saw the innocent faces of those girls for days - and will never forget them, or the sisters of two victims who spoke so openly about their loss. I got just a tiny glimpse at what detectives who really work to solve the crimes must go through.
One more note: is there anything better at your job than working as a team and "kicking some butt" (uh - Not how I talk out of the blogosphere) with a successful project? Photopgraphers Greg Guise and Alija Sakota have shot these stories with great passion, finesse and have provided me with some great tools and ideas !
We're working on another Cold Case for this coming Sunday at 11. And A Thursday night report tied to Without a Trace.
I hereby vow - more blog posts - a LOT shorter !
A WHOLE lot has happened lately...
I've found myself immersed in one of the most interesting,rewarding,disturbing,and challenging projects of my reporting career. Our Cold Case reports are just what you'd surmise: old, cold criminal cases. We're hoping a fresh look may open the door to information to help police close some of these cases.
From a young man who was new to his neighborhood and was murdered while walking his dog, to a young lawyer who vanished from Dupont Circle on a Saturday night only to be found in the Potomac weeks later - every crime makes you shudder. The stories are so deeply personal - victims with happy lives, families and friends who loved them, gone in an instant. And no one is found responsible. The strength and grace of loved ones willing to share those stories has really touched me. It makes me SO want to help them find closure ... and maybe a little peace.
Editor Al Calogero, who is doing really remarkable work on these stories, was telling me how quickly he put the names with the faces of the victims in our two part Cold Case report on the Freeway Phantom. Six girls murdered in DC over a 16 month period. All too close in age to my own children. I saw the innocent faces of those girls for days - and will never forget them, or the sisters of two victims who spoke so openly about their loss. I got just a tiny glimpse at what detectives who really work to solve the crimes must go through.
One more note: is there anything better at your job than working as a team and "kicking some butt" (uh - Not how I talk out of the blogosphere) with a successful project? Photopgraphers Greg Guise and Alija Sakota have shot these stories with great passion, finesse and have provided me with some great tools and ideas !
We're working on another Cold Case for this coming Sunday at 11. And A Thursday night report tied to Without a Trace.
I hereby vow - more blog posts - a LOT shorter !
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