Former Reporter Being Sued for Squeezing Butt

Former longtime TV Reporter Paul Linnman is being sued for $325,000 by a woman that claims he grabbed her butt.

Kailee Kinney claims that Linnman, now a radio personality the on-air personality in Portland approached her from behind on Feb. 26, 2013, and “used an open palm to slap (her) buttocks and then grabbed and squeezed (her) buttocks.”

Ashley Bannon, the Lake Oswego attorney who filed the suit Friday in Multnomah County Circuit Court, said Kinney immediately reported the incident to managers at the party. Linnman later at the party approached Kinney with a “mocking apology,” Bannon said.

innman is not commuting on the lawsuit. 

Linnman is best known for covering the exploding whale story for KATU back in the 70's.

Here's that story:

Gee....I wonder who won?

I'm guessing the final score was Train 1 Person 0

From WZTV in Nashville

Realtor Sues Philly Station

Realtor Andrea Straub was accused of dumping animal carcasses on a neighbor's lawn after the neighbor and Straub put their homes up for sale at the same time, is suing KYW for defamation, emotional distress and more, saying the station broadcast "a preposterous and knowingly false story" about the incident.

Anchor Chris May, reporter Walt Hunter, news director Susan Schiller and account executive Kim Papay also are named as defendants.

Straub said she lost an annual income of about $500,000 from her job at Prudential, plus $16 million in listings, and was "effectively run out of town" after the story aired June 26. She also received "hate-filled" voice mails, email and letters, she said.

Straub's husband, Jonathan, was found guilty of harassment and disorderly conduct in relation to the incident and fined $25 in December in district court. Charges against Andrea Straub were dropped. The Straubs are separated.

"We believe our reporting was both accurate and responsible, and we will vigorously defend ourselves in this lawsuit," a rep from KYW said.

More from the Philly Daily News

Going Full Time into TV News

Eileen Lehpamer was doing two jobs in the media. She was working at WINS radio in New York and was also working for News 12 Long Island.

Now, she has decided to drop the radio gig. 

Tuned In writes that no more splitting time for Lehpamer. She is ready to take on television in a full-time role. Lehpamer tells Tuned In that she’ll be on the crime and court beat for News 12 Long Island. She’s been a reporter at News 12 since 2003.

But her focus to TV means radio takes a backseat.

Lehpamer grew up in the business at WINS, rising up the ranks in more than 15 years. She began her WINS career as a news production assistant in 1997; a year later she became a writer. By 1999, Lehpamer started sitting at the “editor’s desk.” For the first time, listeners heard more than her name as a WINS reporter in 2001.

“It is bittersweet though to leave WINS.” Lehpamer says. “It is my home.”

The broadcasting bug first bit the native New Yorker at Fordham University’s WFUV.

Now with radio in the rearview mirror, she is ready for the challenge ahead.

“I am extremely excited and looking forward to breaking more stories in my expanded roll at News 12 Long Island,” Lehpamer says.

After her final WINS shift Sunday, Lehpamer jumps into her full-time debut the next morning.

Leaving the Mouse House

Disney’s longtime TV chief is Packing it in. 

Anne Sweeney, who has held top executive positions at Disney for the last 18 years will leave her post in January to pursue a career as a television director.

The NY Daily News writes that Sweeney’s deal with Disney expires later this year, and TV insiders had been expecting a decision on her future with the company for some time. But her goal of working behind the camera, overseeing individual television shows instead of an entire TV empire, including ABC, came as a complete shock Tuesday.

“I’ve been a part of an amazing evolution in our business and our industry, and have achieved far more than I ever thought possible,” Sweeney said in a statement.

“But as wonderful as the experience has been, there has always been a nagging voice in the back of my head pushing me to step out of the comfort zone of the executive ranks and more directly into the creative arena that enticed me to TV in the first place.”

Sweeney joined Disney in 1996, rising through the ranks from running the Disney Channel to TV chief in 2004 — a role which includes overseeing ABC, the company’s many Disney-themed cable channels and a group of television stations, including WABC/Ch.7.

“I applaud Anne for knowing what she wants out of life and for having the courage to follow her dream. We’re thrilled she’ll be with us through the end of the year, and look forward to having her direct one of our shows in the future,” Disney chief, Bob Iger, said in a statement.

Savannah Anchor is Dead

Longtime WTOC Mike Manhatton was remembered on Tuesday as a veteran television newsman who never blinked at an assignment and always worked to get it right.

“He was the consummate news guy,” said Sonny Dixon, WTOC news anchor who had known Manhatton for more than 30 years.

“He never lost the feel for the urgency of breaking news and was always a stickler to get it right the first time.”

Manhatton died late Monday at Candler Hospital. He was 56.

WTOC posted this on their Facebook page: “This is a very sad day here at WTOC. We have lost one of our best friends and colleagues. Mike Manhatton passed away last night from complications from cancer he was battling. Mike has been with us here at WTOC nearly 33 years — a phenomenal reporter, and gifted anchorman. WTOC and the community have truly lost an amazing man, and a wonderful friend. We ask that you keep Mike’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredible difficult time.”

“He loved a good time,” Dixon recalled. “He loved Jimmy Buffett, a quick wit” while a private man in many respects.

Manhatton worked until almost the end, his last day was Feb. 28, Dixon said.

H/T Savannah Now

Watch Out for the Purse

Here is a Reporter having a worse day than you are.

WNEP Reporter Bill Wadell was trying to interview the woman who admitted posting nude photos of her husband’s girlfriend online.

Needless to say, that didn't go to well. 

Let's go to the video:

Ummmmm... What the Hell is this?

Chelsea Handler Takes Piers Morgan to Task

As Piers Morgan wraps up his very low rated show on CNN, one of his guests has figured out why the plug is being pulled on Piers.

Chelsea Handler was a guest on Morgan's show and she was more than a little honest with the CNN host.

Morgan turned the topic to tweeting saying to Handler "you tweet very amusingly."

"I wish you did," Handler fired back

Knocking the host for his lack of focus, the author of the new book "Uganda Be Kidding Me" really lit into her fellow late-night colleague.

"You can't even pay attention for sixty seconds. You're a terrible interviewer," she said.

Attempting to defend himself, Morgan offered the following explanation:

"Well, you just weren't keeping my attention."

Handler, however, wasn't having it:

"That's not my problem ... this is your show. You have to pay attention to the guests that you invited on your show ... it doesn't matter how interesting I am. You signed up for this show," she insisted.

Morgan continued to suggest that it was the guests fault for not being interesting enough. At this point, Handler went where only she could go, unleashing a zinger that left an embarrassed Morgan speechless:

"Well, maybe that's why your job is coming to an end."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

H/T CNN

That's Scary

WPLG's Will Manso is talking, but I only see the scary basketball player that is photobombing him. 

The Best President Obama Interview Ever

The cable nets and the networks are trying to figure out how to bring in the younger demo.

Do and interview with the President like this and you will have no problem.

And people thought Bill O'Reilly's interview with President Obama was tough. Zach Galfinakis asked questions like "Where will you build your Presidential Library, in Hawaii or in home country of Kenya?"

It was all to pimp Healthcare.gov but it was funny.

You can watch the entire interview at this link. 

Watch Your Step!

I need to brush up on my Spanish a bit, but I think when the Reporter falls into the flood waters during his live shot, you can laugh in any language.

Longtime NBC Today Correspondent is Gone

Jamie Gangel Longtime veteran correspondent for NBC News and National Correspondent for TODA has left the network,

She spent 31 years at NBC. 

“After 31 years as an award-winning journalist at NBC News and the Today Show, Jamie decided to retire. We are grateful for her many contributions and we wish her the very best,” an NBC News spokesperson said in a statement.

You spend 31 years working for a company and you get one line from and anonymous spokesperson.

See what you have to look forward to kids?

Out of the Fox Den

Alisyn Camerota, co-anchor of “America's News Headquarters” on Fox News, is leaving according to FNC.

“For the past 16 years, Alisyn has been a part of the Fox News family,” Bill Shine, EVP of Programming, announced in a statement Monday. “From her days reporting, to hosting Fox & Friends and anchoring afternoon programs, she has done it all with enthusiasm and professionalism. We appreciate her contributions to the network and hope for all the best as she embarks on the next chapter of her life.”

Well, there you go....