Salt Lake City Anchor is Victim of Home Invasion

KSTU Anchor Kerri Cronk became a news story herself when she and her family were a victim of a home invasion. 

A woman who was carrying crowbar like tool, made her way into the Anchor's home while she was napping.

The woman demanded a car and Cronk and her husband complied with that demand. “She was telling me that she was being chased, some people were trying to kill her and she wanted a car,” Kevin Cronk said.

The woman is still believed to have the family's car.

Here is the story that KSTU did:

Interesting.... (Updated)

Very interesting....

At last count, CNN Media Critic Brian Stelter had posted 25 stories on CNN's website about the Brian Williams saga. 

His appearances across shows talking about Williams are too many to count.

Yet when CNN Anchor Fareed Zakaria was being called out for numerous instances of plagiarism. Stelter wrote nothing about it and gave it about 45 seconds total on air.

Must just be an oversight. 

Updated: Brian Stelter seems to have gotten his panties in a bunch over our story and reached out to FTVLive on Twitter.

Stelter said that we made 3 mistakes with the above story. First he says that he is a "Correspondent" and not a "media critic." Now, you must remember, this is CNN we are talking about. The place where a simple car is a "Blizzard Mobile." 

Second. Stelter says that he gave Zakaria plagiarism story 3 minutes and 39 seconds and not 45 seconds like we reported. We have not added up all the time he has talked about Brian Williams on the air, but his Sunday show, spent more than a half hour on the story. He has been on the air numerous (we're sure Steleter could tell you exactly how many) times talking about Brian Williams.

He also says that he has written just 10 (although it might be 11 or 12 by now) stories for CNN's website on the BriWi saga and not 25 like we said. Although a search of CNN's websites shows at least 25 entries when you type in Stelter's name. 

Stelter tweets:

News for Brian, nobody looks at the bylines except you and your Mom (and maybe some old farts still working in the newspaper industry). 

As for the "team of reporters" (by the way, are they not called "Correspondents" as well?) How many of that team including yourself Brian wrote about  Zakaria's plagiarism on the CNN website? We asked Brian this on Twitter, he did not answer.

By the way, we would still argue that Zakaria's plagiarism is way worse than Brian Williams puffing up his chest on Letterman.

It certainly deserved more than a couple of minutes....errrrr...3 minutes and 39 secords from Jeff Zucker's water boy.....errrrrrr......I mean "CNN Media Correspondent."

Just saying.... 

NBC has Tough Decision on Brian Williams

Make no mistake about it, if Brian Williams was in 2nd or 3rd place in the ratings, NBC would have already fired him by now.

But, Williams Nightly News is sitting in the No. 1 spot and that's why NBC is hoping that they can somehow figure out a way to keep him.

Last night, Lester Holt anchored the newscast after Williams "stepped down" over the Weekend. Holt did make a brief mention of Williams absence, saying that Williams is off the air because questions have been raised about how he recalled several stories. Holt did not specify what the stories or questions were.

"He'll be off while this issue is dealt with," Holt said.

Many feel there is no way Williams can come back and leave NBC News with any credibility. But, if they dump him and ratings drop, that is bad for the bottom line.

"This is one of the toughest calls that I've ever seen," said Paul Levinson, Communications Professor Fordham University to the AP. "On the one hand, the public is right to expect nothing but the truth from our reporters and our news anchors." 

Former NBC CEO Bob Wright came out in support of Williams yesterday. But, since he was in charge when Williams was named as Tom Brokaw's replacement, his support is certainly tainted.

"The real difficulty for a news organization, or a reporter, is that once you've made one misstep, it's really hard to earn (trust) back," said David Westin, former ABC News president told the AP. "You can. But it takes a lot of time."

The incident should remind news organizations that it's more important to report the news than "brand" their personalities, he said.

But here's the problem, say NBC decides to keep Williams. Flash forward to the summer of 2015 and a hurricane is slamming into South Florida. Brian Williams is on the scene and while out reporting on the storm, Williams and his crew witness something spectacular.

Williams goes on the air to tell the story, how many people believe him?

That is the problem that NBC News and Brian Williams will face forever more if they end up keeping him.

NBC has a tough decision to make, but really, if they do the right thing, it's not that tough at all.

Just saying.... 

NBC News Boss Turness Wants Williams to Stay

Word is that NBC News President Deborah Turness wants Brian Williams to stay and continue to anchor Nightly News.

Her boss, Pat Fili-Krushel, chairwoman of the NBC Universal news group is said to also be on team BriWi.

But, there are many others inside NBC and Comcast that think Williams has to go. His credibility is completely shot and NBC News as a brand is not much better off. Many inside 30 Rock think that keeping Williams could further erode the brand for the entire news division.

The final call whether Williams stays or goes will be up to Brian Roberts, the CEO of Comcast.

Word is that Roberts will seek the counsel of former NBC Anchor Tom Brokaw in helping make his decision. 

Brokaw has tried to stay out of the mess and will continue to do so publicly, but you can bet that at least a few higher ups will be asking for his thoughts on the matter. 

If it's up to Williams immediate boss (Turness) he will stay.

But, the final decision is above her pay grade.

Stay tuned..... 

BriWi Loses Friday Night Ratings

If NBC is looking for a sign as to what to do with Brian Williams, maybe they should just look at Friday night's numbers.

Just two days after Williams said he was sorry for lying, ABC's World News Tonight anchored by David Muir beat NBC Nightly News soundly in the ratings.

The Nielsen company said that ABC’s broadcast had 8.46 million viewers Friday, while NBC’s “Nightly News” had just under 8 million. 

It was Williams last newscast before he stepped down. 

Jon Stewart Takes on BriLie Saga

The Daily Show took on the Brian Williams saga.

Page Six: NBC Looks to Go Young with Williams Replacement

Page Six says that the short list has been drawn up should the internal investigation find Brian Williams needs to be replaced.

The list, which includes Lester Holt, Carl Quintanilla and Willie Geist, leans heavily on younger talent at the Peacock Network.

“They’re going to need to replace him with someone who has at least 15 years left [in his or her career],” one 30 Rock insider told The Post.

The move would appear to rule out Matt Lauer who, at 57, seems destined to remain on “Today.”

Monday, however, many news industry sources said Lauer would be the perfect replacement. Sources say Lauer was consulted for his opinion Monday on the spot.

Given his many years at “Today,” Lauer could bring his morning audience into the evening broadcast, some industry analysts posited.

Among the three internal candidates, Holt, who is currently sitting in for Williams during his self-imposed leave from the NBC Nightly News, seems to have the inside track.

CNBC host Quintanilla, who anchors financial show “Squawk on the Street,” is also being thought of seriously within 30 Rock for the slot.

“Today” news co-host Willie Geist, who joined the show from MSNBC, appears to also be in the running for the anchor slot.

“They need to be thinking of someone younger,” said one source.

Finding a host who can capture Williams’ popularity — before the scandal — will be a tough feat.

The NBC News anchor has the highest Q Scores of all his evening news competitors.

NBC O&O Tweets Poll on Brian Williams

So much for counting on your old station to back you up.

WCAU, the NBC O&O in Philly and one time employer of Brian Williams asked on Twitter, "What should NBC do about Brian Williams?"

You know it's bad when your old station starts using you for click bait.

The CNN Blizzard Mobile is Rolling Through Boston

CNN has fired up the Blizzard Mobile and moved it to Boston for the record snow.

Last night on Erin Burnett's Outfront, the CNN Reporter Miguel Marquez got out of the BM and was wearing ski goggles.

Never mind the fact that it wasn't even snowing at the time. 

Later, on AC 360 Marquez called their vehicle the "blizzard mobile" and Anderson Cooper said, "please don't call it the Blizzard mobile."

Even Anderson Cooper seems to be growing tired on CNN's gimmicks. 

This is CNN....

Seriously, we're not making it up, this is airing on CNN,

Must be Sweeps in LA

With ratings here, it's car chase season in LA.

 Here's the highlight of yesterday's chase from KTTV:

A suspect led police on a WILD pursuit through Downtown Los Angeles. After having already collided with three vehicles, the man stole a car from another driver at gunpoint on live TV. FULL STORY + MORE VIDEO: http://www.myfoxla.com/story/28065713/suspect-leads-police-on-wild-pursuit-through-downtown-la

And here's the ending from KCBS:

DRAMATIC Footage on Live TV: Los Angeles car chase appears to end with suspect being shot by police while he attempted to carjack another vehicle using another weapon; suspect removed from scene by ambulance .Possible Stolen Vehicle Suspect Involved In Multiple Crashes, Carjacking In Custody. WATCH: L.A.

Crispy News Vehicle

An Engineer from KTVB (Boise) was driving up to the station's transmitter to check on a malfunctioning fire alarm when he noticed the news Vehicle was smoking.

The station says the car burst into flames as he was looking for a spot to pull over.

The employee was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road and get out safely.

The SUV was completely engulfed in flames. Idaho State Police blocked off Bogus Basin Road while the fire was put out. 

The vehicle and equipment inside it was completely destroyed.

H/T KTVB

Back as the Deuce in Phoenix

Kathy Clark was the Nightside Executive Producer at KPHO in Phoenix. She left the station about a year and a half ago to work for a website.

Now, Clark is returning to the KPHO/KTVK Duop as the Assientant News Director.

Here is the internal memo sent to the staff from News Director Lena Wood:

Team!

I am pleased to share with you that Kathy Clark has accepted the Assistant News Director role for CBS 5!

Kathy is a trusted leader, passionate journalist and strong brand manager who has a proven track record of helping her team members do their very best work. Many of you who worked with her previously at KPHO know that firsthand.

I couldn’t be more pleased to partner with Kathy as we build Meredith Arizona.

I also want to take a moment to personally recognize the partner we have all leaned on a great deal in the last year. Bonnie Loftus, thank you for your unfailing commitment to excellence and our team. You are simply REMARKABLE! Kathy and I are so excited about what is in store for you!

Kathy’s first day is next Wednesday, February 18th.

Please join me in making her feel welcome… again!

Leona Wood
Executive Director of News
KTVK 3TV - KPHO CBS 5

Where the Hell is Jupeter?

Scripps owned WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida is making up new towns for the Feb book.

The station posted a graphic one local gas prices and it included a town that no one in South Florida had ever heard of.

We wonder if that is near Jupiter, Fl? You know the place where Tiger Woods lives. 

Out the Door in Dayton

Longtime WHIO (Dayton) Chief Meteorologist Jamie Simpson has been fired....errrr is "taking a sabbatical from broadcasting," according to the station.

Simpson was busted by police for DUI back in November, when cops say his car  went through an intersection, crashed through a fence and struck a tree.

Now he is done at WHIO. 

“After much thought I’ve decided that this is a good time to focus on myself and on my family,” said Simpson. “I’m grateful for the support of WHIO, and all of the Channel 7 viewers for their outreach. I’m now looking forward to the next chapter in my life.”

The station did their best to try an sugarcoat Simpson's leaving.

Here is the internal email that was sent to the staff and obtained by FTVLive:

From: "Bennallack, David (CMG-Dayton)" 
Date: February 9, 2015 at 2:08:46 PM EST
To: !CMG-COH-Content-CMG Ohio 
Subject: Jamie Simpson

Folks,

I want to let you know that Jamie Simpson has resigned from his duties as Chief Meteorologist.  As you'll see in the attached release, Jamie wants to focus his energy away from television.  I will miss him personally and professionally as I know many of you will as well.  I hope you'll join me in wishing him great success in the future.

Dave

Katie Couric Says Don't Believe the Rumors....But

Katie Couric took to Twitter to tray and dispel rumors that she is gunning for Brian Williams job if NBC decides to kick him to the curb.

FTVLive believes what Couric is saying and we never did report the rumor that she wanted BriLie's gig.

But, what was interesting to us is that Couric said she has been "out of pocket." A check of her Twitter stream shows that Couric tweets have continued late last week and through the weekend. Which means, Couric lied about being out of pocket, or she has someone posting tweets for her.

Hard to imagine that Yahoo's Global Anchor has a Twitter Ghost Writer.

First BriWi lies and now Couric is not really the person tweeting....who knows what to believe anymore?