Child Neglect Investigation Against News Anchors is Closed

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Back on May 13th, FTVLive told you that WPTV Investigative Reporter Katie LaGrone and her husband, WPBF Anchorman Paul LaGrone were being investigated for child neglect. 

The West Palm Beach newsies were being looked at by Florida's Department of Children and Families after neighbors reported that one of the couple’s two children was routinely left alone to roam their streets.

Well, it appears that this was more about revenge and jealously then it was about neglect and now the investigation has been closed. 

And although the results of the six-week probe are not being released to the public, Katie LaGrone told Gossip Extra that DCF found no indication their actions as parents are dangerous for the children.

“Yes, our case is closed,” she said. “There is no recommended course of action. As we expected, DCF found no indication of danger or neglect. We are raising our children in a loving and safe home. Our family has already moved on from this.”

Sounds like a neighbor was trying to make some waves were there weren't any. 

Lester Holt Does What BriWi Never Did

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New NBC Nightly News Anchor Lester Holt is doing something that Brian Williams never has.

Telling the truth on air. Ha! Just kidding (no we're not).

Holt is tweeting to his followers and teasing stories that he is working on. 

Although Brian Williams had been on Twitter for 5 years, the former Nightly Anchor has never sent a single tweet. Which is odd, since I think I heard BriWi once say that he invented Twitter.

So far, Holt is not tweeting very often, usually just a tweet or two per day. But, we expect that now that he's in the big chair, Holt will be handing out more tweets and realizing what a great tool it is to promote his show.

Stay tuned.... 

Tell us What You Really Think? (Updated)

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Karl Penhaul is a a freelance international Correspondent for CNN and CNN en Español, or at least we was.

Penhaul went on a Twitter rant against Donald Trump and his family. Penhaul was praising Univision for dumping Trump and canceling the broadcast of his Miss USA pageant following Trump’s offensive comments about Mexicans. 

We're going to go out on a limb here and say that Penhaul will not be voting for Trump for President.

It appears that Penhaul has since deleted the tweets.

Update: CNN says they have cut ties with Penhaul. Yet somehow Don Lemon is still employed. 

H/T CNN Commentary 

Intern Needed: Needs to Run the 100 in 10 Seconds Flat

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It appears that all the news organizations might soon be looking for new interns, except for CNBC.

When the Supreme Court released their ruling on Obamacare, it was the interns that first get their hands on the ruling. Their job is to run it out the the news truck as fast as possible. 

CNBC intern Lauren Langille was the fastest intern of the day and she got some props from CNBC Planning Editor Sandy Maltzman on social media for the effort:

So, let that be a lesson kids....put down the homework and start working on that sprinting speed. It's the only way to get ahead in this business (ha, you see what I did there?).

Layoffs Going Down at Phoenix Station Right Now

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It was expected to happen the minute Meredith merged KPHO and KTVK together in Phoenix.

Sources tell FTVLive that firings (layoffs) are going down right now at KTVK in Phoenix. The station is part of the Meredith Duop, along with KPHO.

So far we hear that Executive Producer Margaret Beardsley, Assignment Desk Manager John Warren and a morning ENG have been pink slipped and more are expected. 

Stay tuned....

Really?! TBS to Run Game Show Show to Find New Weather Anchor

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Just when you think that Jeff Zucker can't get anymore shallow, he seems to drain a bit more water out of the pool.

TBS is launching a reality/comedy/game show to try and find America's next Weatherman.

According to the casting notice, "America's Next Weather" the show will give you a weather job on CNN and there is $100,000 prize.

They say that "NO Meteorology degree or experience needed" just a passion for weather (E.g. Storm chasers, Tornado watchers etc..)

"If you have the personality and bravery to report in any climate, then we want you! We need competitive, fun and big personalities!" says the casting call.

Word is the judges will be "real weather people" as opposed to the fake one that they are looking for. 

Oh boy!

Man That Caused OKC Sports Director's Deadly Accident had been Deported 3 Times

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Authorities confirmed  that the man, accused of causing a crash that killed KFOR Sports Director Bob Barry Jr., had previously been deported three times.

Gustavo Castillo Gutierrez, 26, has been charged with causing an accident without a valid driver's license and drug possession.

The fatal crash occurred on Saturday. According to police, Barry was on his motorcycle in the left lane on May Ave., near Memorial, when Gutierrez was driving in the right lane. Police said Gutierrez made an illegal U-turn in front of Barry, and Barry was thrown from the motorcycle after crashing into Gutierrez's car.

On Sunday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer with Oklahoma County on Gutierrez from Mexico, following his arrest on criminal charges. ICE officials confirmed that Gutierrez had been voluntarily returned to Mexico three times, twice in 2010, and once in 2013.

According to an accident report released on Wednesday, Barry took “no improper action” in the crash, meaning he was purely a victim. Authorities said Gutierrez had been distracted before the collision for an unknown reason.

Barry suffered injuries to his head, trunk (internal and external), arms and legs. Gutierrez suffered head and trunk injuries.

H/T KWTV

Roger Ailes Re-ups at Fox

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Whatever the 'family drama' that may be going on behind the scenes at Fox, someone realizes it's much better to have Roger Ailes on your team, than not.

Ailes has signed a new long-term deal to continue to run the Fox News properties and continue as chairman of Fox Television Stations.

When Fox announced that James would take over for his Dad on July 1st as CEO and become co-chairman with Lachlan, it was reported that Ailes would only agree to report to Rupert.

In a quote to Broadcasting & Cable, Alies said, "I am grateful to Rupert Murdoch for taking the risk on Fox News to see it become the number one 24-hour news network in America, I look forward to working with Rupert, Lachlan and James to do my part to help bring 21st Century Fox well into the future."

Out the Door at KCBS

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FTVLive was FIRST to tell you that KCBS/KCAL had cut ties with News Director Scott Diener.

The staff was told yesterday afternoon that Diener was done. "we’ve done a lot here. I’m proud of what we have accomplished as a team during my five-and-a-half years." Diener wrote in his final memo to the staff. 

“Scott has been a terrific news director and, on a personal note, a good friend during our nine years together in Dallas and Los Angeles. He should be proud of what he has accomplished here in Los Angeles during his time at CBS 2 and KCAL 9.” said Steve Mauldin, President and General Manager, KCBS/KCAL.

And while it was made to look like everything was fine and Diener was just looking to move onto his next adventure, insiders tell FTVLive that was not the case. 

"Plain and simple, he was fired," said one KCBS insider to FTVLive. Word is there were a number HR complaints involving newsroom staffers and sources say Diener did not handle the situations well.

"CBS did the right thing and cut him," another insider told FTVLive.

Now the station is looking for a new ND and that person will more than likely be shifted another CBS O&O. Which means another newsroom will be shaken up as they look for a new boss. Look for the O&O dominos to start falling into place.

Stay tuned..... 

Anchor Signs Off to become the Deuce

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WCTI (New Bern,NC) Anchor Jaime McCutcheon signed off from the anchor desk at the station, but she's not leaving. 

After 4 years behind the station's news desk, McCutcheon is moving behind the camera into news management.  

McCutcheon is the station's new Assistant News Director and will help run the newsroom during the days. 

She says that with her daughter staring kindergarten this fall, she wanted a new schedule will allow her to still spend quality time with her daughter. 

Moving from Sports To News

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WCIA (Champaign, IL) Sports Anchor Aaron Bennett is leaving the sports desk at the station, but he isn't going far.

Bennett is moving over to the News Anchor desk at the station. 

Bennett was filling in on the news side, when Dave Benton stepped away from the desk in his battle with brain cancer. Benton died a shortly after he left the newsroom for good.

Bennett did so well filling in, that the station offered him the evening Anchor job which he accepted. 

Moving From Left to Right

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KSWB (San Diego) Reporter Christian De La Rosa is leaving the left coast and headed to Atlanta.

De La Rosa is going to Join WCGL next week as a Reporter.  

“I’m thrilled to be making the move to Atlanta and joining a team that is doing a lot of exciting things,” said De La Rosa.

De La Rosa was at KSWB for the last three years.  Prior to that he was a Reporter at Central Florida News 13 in Orlando.  He has also worked at WJHG in Panama City as a Reporter.

“Christian is a tough, tenacious reporter and is another great addition to our team,” said WGCL News Director Larry Perret.