From Weatherman to Vice President

I have no idea what to make of this.... 

KWTV Weatherman Gary England has been named to a new corporate role where he will focus on severe storm mitigation, technology innovation, and audience relations.

“I’ve been blessed to be able to do something that I love for over 40 years and have always enjoyed the challenge of change,” said England. “All of this represents a new, fresh and bold approach on my road of life and business. I am therefore very enthusiastic about the future.

And remember, Stay With News 9, I’ll keep you advised.” 

When his daily, on-air forecast duties end on August 30, England will take on the new role of Vice President for Corporate Relations and Weather Development with a primary mission to continue to improve and develop enhanced weather systems and procedures to help keep Oklahomans safe.

England will also be developing a new signature on-air franchise named “Gary’s I’ll Keep You Advised,” which will focus on long term weather patterns and events. He will also continue to represent News 9 at speeches, industry conferences and serve as in-house weather expert.

“Gary England is an icon. The impact that he has had on Oklahoma and the field of meteorology is unparalleled,” said Griffin Communications Chairman and CEO, David Griffin. “His dedication and passion for weather has revolutionized severe weather systems and coverage not only in Oklahoma but throughout the world. When you see television weather across America, you are seeing the results of Gary’s work.”

So if it weren't for Gary, I would have never had TV weather reports? 

are you as confused as I am?  

With Gary now becoming the VP of all TV weather, or whatever his new role is....does that mean an end to the Gary England Drinking Game? 

I hope not! 

Pelley's Program Only one to Gain Viewers

Scott Pelley continues to help pull CBS News out of the ratings pit and is actually inching closer to Diane Sawyer's World News. 

The CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley was the only network evening news broadcast to post year-to-year percentage increases in both viewers (6.05m from 5.71m, +6%) and households (4.2/09 from 3.9/08, +8%), for the week ending July 19.

The newscast added +340,000 viewers compared to the same week last year. The CBS broadcast also closed the viewer deficit with ABC by 630,000 viewers (from 1.59m to 960,000) compared to the same week last year.

Tampa Station to Launch 4PM Newscast

Tampa's WFLA says that starting late next month the station is going to launch the market's first 4 p.m. newscast.

First at 4, will be anchored by Stacie Schaible (pictured), who will continue to host the 5:30 p.m. newscast, the station says.

"I am delighted to launch the first 4 p.m. newscast in the Tampa Bay area," Schiable said in a news release. "People rely on us and I'm excited to share First at 4 with our viewers."

WFLA's President and General Manager Brad Moses said the new newscast "reflects the strength of our 8 On Your Side brand in serving the people in Tampa Bay and surrounding counties."

Of course, putting the newscast on at 4PM is going to be a dilemma for much of the Tampa folks that head to Golden Corral for the early bird. 

H/T Tampa Tribune

Axe Swings at NBC News

Word is that "9 or 10" staffers at The Today Show were handed their walking papers earlier Today. 

One staffer said that they were told the show was "restructuring" and that they were now out of a job.  

The source says other people were called in as well and given the same news. 

We also hear that staffers from NBC Nightly News were also pink slipped Today.

NBC is downplaying the cuts. 

More as it comes in....

Don't Shoot the Messenger

A suicidal man in Oklahoma did exactly what the cliche says not to do, he shot the messenger.

Well....he shot at the messenger.  

The man was in a standoff with police, KWTV's (Oklahoma City) Bob Mills SkyNews 9 HD and Jim Gardner were covering the story when the guy took a shot at the news chopper.  

According to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's office, the man was standing outside of his home about a holding a rifle.

The fear at the time was that he may have been trying to commit suicide by cop.

Authorities set up their command center at the Hilltop Baptist Church. After a few hours of negotiations, authorities were able to bring the situation to a safe conclusion.

On Monday, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office reported that Shackelford actually fired a shot at the chopper.

No one was hurt. The Sheriff's office says it is pursuing federal charges against him.

H/T News9.com

OK...Now it's Creepy

It was bad enough that Geraldo Rivera tweeted a naked photo of himself in the middle of the night, but as he explains why he did it, it's getting really creepy. 

Rivera says:

"There I was, 2:30 in the morning on Sunday morning. You know, I do the show Saturday night, I did a great show on black-on-black crime and race relations and the Trayvon Martin fallout and federal charges ... and I get home and there's no one to talk to, everyone's asleep. And you just sit around, I had a drink and, you know, I had taken that picture Saturday morning and I was looking at it, just going through and I said 'you know, I gotta tweet this thing. I look pretty good for a 70-year-old.' And I think because I'm so old people will cut me some slack, they won't take it too seriously. And I don't know, I just pushed the trigger. And once you push the trigger, it's just there for life."

OK...here' what creeps me out! Geraldo admits that he's sitting around, drinking by alone and taking naked photos of himself in the mirror. 

Only after taking the photo and looking at it...does he decide to Tweet it. 

In other words, he's just snapping naked photos on himself in the middle of the night and then because he liked one of them he decided to Tweet it. Does Geraldo often sit around taking naked pics of himself?

The dude is whacked!

Buffalo Station Hires Newspaper Reporter for I-Team

More proof that newspapers are all but dead.

WIVB in Buffalo has made an interesting hire. The station has hired Rose Ciotta, who worked at The Philadelphia Inquirer to join the station’s investigative unit.

Prior to joining the Inquirer, Ciotta was an investigative reporter and editor at The Buffalo News.

“Ms. Ciotta has a national reputation as an aggressive investigator. She’s known for never giving up, never giving in and never stopping until she gets results. Joining News 4 demonstrates her commitment to Buffalo and the people of Western New York. It also demonstrates News 4’s commitment to groundbreaking, in-depth investigative journalism that informs and protects our viewers,” WIVB GM Rene LaSpina.

 

Fed Up Houston Reporter Leaving (Updated)

Houston sources tell FTVLive that KHOU Reporter Jeff McShan is leaving the station.

McShan began his broadcasting career more than 25 years ago in Huntsville, Texas.

Word is that McShan has grown tired with the direction of the station and is moving onto a job outside TV news with the District Attorney's Office.  

McShan was a solid reporter that felt strongly that his job is his public service to the community. 

The station posted a job opening for his position yesterday. 

Update: McShan emailed FTVLive and says he leaves the station with fond memories.  

"I am leaving KHOU to pursue a new career opportunity. The Harris County District Attorneys office found me.

I leave KHOU with nothing but fond memories. I am grateful to say the least."

Another Anchor Out the Door in Austin

The revolving door in Austin continues to spin.

The latest talent out the door at KTBC is Jenni Lee, the station’s weekend news anchor.

Lee joined has been at the station since in 2001.

“I am extremely grateful for my 12 years at Fox,” Lee said this afternoon. “After all, I met my husband on a story! I am leaving with great memories and friends. Thanks to those who allowed me into their homes to tell them about all sorts of crazy things. I am staying in Austin and will probably run into you on the streets!”

Reporters Lauren Petrowski and Daniel Armbruster will be filling in until a new weekend anchor is hired, a station spokeswoman said.

Lee is the latest in a string of high-profile employees to leave the station in recent months, including morning anchors Katherine Kisiel and  Greg Kerr and longtime sports director Dave Cody.

Last one to leave...please get the lights. 

H/T Austin360

Fox News Anchor Headed to CBS O&O

Yesterday, FTVLive told you FIRST and Exclusively that Fox News Anchor Rick Folbaum is leaving New York and Fox News and headed to South Florida. 

Now, sources tell FTVLive just which station he is going to. 

Our Source says that Folbaum is headed to CBS's WFOR in Miami.  

No word on what show he'll be working on and no official word yet from FNC that he is leaving.

Folbum has been in the Fox den for the past decade. 

Stay tuned and remember where you read it first.  

Sorry Geraldo... the Dog Looks Better

Ever since Geraldo Rivera decided to post a naked selfie of himself on Twitter, we have tried everything to wash that image our of our mind.

The good news that after seeing the photo of the 105 year old Rivera, our appetite has decreased and we have been able to drop a few pounds.

BTW if we drop 5 more pounds, look for FTVLive to post a naked selfie in the near future.

Glenn Beck (above) took his swipe at Rivera by posting his own selfie, but instead of going nude, Beck put on as much clothes as he could. And we for one say thank you God that he did (but, can someone show Beck which way is up on his iPad?). 

But the best photo is of a dog that posted his naked selfie and was wearing nothing but a smile and his collar. 

And we have to admit, the K-9 looks much better than Geraldo.  

By the way, Rivera says he took the photo down off Twitter after Fox News ordered him to do so.  

We figured old Roger Ailes wasn't going to like it.  

KTVU Meets with AAJA

KTVU sat down with the Asian American Journalists Association to talk about what led to the station’s infamous slip-up.

AAJA’s Tomoko A. Hosaka and others from the association met with News Director Lee Rosenthal, Vice President & General Manager Tom Raponi, staff reporter Amber Lee and Rosy Chu, director of community affairs and public service.

Hosaka had this to say after the meeting:

"We thank KTVU for taking the time to speak with us in person. The dialogue helped us better understand what led to the airing of the fake Asiana pilots’ names, and the station reiterated its deep remorse over the incident. It also resulted in concrete steps promised by KTVU to improve its journalistic practices and repair its relationship with the Asian American community. KTVU and AAJA will work together in the months ahead on these various initiatives. We will provide more details in the coming days."

We're hoping that Rosenthal did not show up to the meeting with fortune cookies and Panda Express. Then again, KTVU has not been very smart through this entire incident. 

H/T Poynter

Station Interviews Women While She's in Labor

While the media obsesses on the Royal Baby, WCCO in Minneapolis might have taken the obsession too far.

WCCO Reporter Ed Moody just interviewed Katie Folgers while she is in labor. 

Really?!