Thanks for the article about fill-in anchors. It makes such sense. It fills a need for the stations and gives the old employees a new outlook. We oldies don't mind at all.
I had a farm in Iowa. In 1995, I migrated from Iowa to Chicago, Illinois for 12 years, then to Virginia for 15 years and counting. In my opinion, Iowa needs to start electing Democratic Governors and Senators, i.e. state-wide offices, to begin to combat the stranglehold.
It's easy to see why the veteran part-timers would like this arrangement - a return to something they were once good at, probably decent funny money and less hassle than they had when it was full-time. Viewers will always search for their "Walter Cronkite" so bringing back familiar faces is a winner. But if I had a grandchild trying to break into the news biz (or obviously was that grandkid), I'm not so sure I'd be a fan. How are the journalists of 2030 and beyond going to get experience if the veterans don't exit the stage?
Brilliant strategy! It’s got to be a relief to the news director to have that level of experience to rely on. I wonder how long it will be before the stations around the country will do the same once they find out about how it’s working here.
Dave, a nice warm fuzzy feel good column! Thanks- I was needing one on this gray day. Also great news on Belin press pass. Disgusting that it takes a lawsuit (and a good column by you) to get the right thing to happen......
Lucky us to have such an expert veteran as Dave, always on point, to the point, and well written. As to the Republican trifecta, someone should make a list of all of the terrible things they've done to Iowans, all because they can. The list would be a long one. Time to wake up, Iowa, they've taken our State backwards, and cost taxpayers money in the process. Arrogant willful ignorance. Just one example is the harms they've caused to nursing home residents by failing in oversight. And, they've even refused to consider changes through bipartisan discussions in Oversight Committee hearings. Shameful!
On the Statehouse: Has there EVER been a legislative session where the lawmakers start out actually doing their jobs and working on stuff like the state budget? Seems like every session begins with lawmakers strutting like peacocks and promoting show bills for whatever ideological base they're trying to score brownie points with, and donations from. Never do any actual work until their per diems are about to run out, Then they complain about having to work overtime into the wee hours and try to get observers to buy into the feigned drama. Only problem is, with one side having a firm headlock on state government, some of those ideological show bills may have legs and this year's march to adjournment may look more like a goosestep to some folks.
Dave—Great column! Such a novel and effective approach to a tv newsroom problem that has been there since the business began. The smaller markets (as in total audience) have been seen as mere way stations for young talent passing through on their route to the big time. Which has meant viewers are constantly having to hear their stations’ reporters mis-pronouncing names of area communities and other faux pas. And then just about the time these folks have familiarity with the viewers they hop to the next larger market. There’s an old sailing adage in coastal navigation: “There’s no substitute for local knowledge”.
WHO-TV has a history of hiring older reporters. Example: George "Lefty" Mills who retired from his duties at the Des Moines Register. George re-invented himself as a television reporter. He had credibility, and his sources around town were without compare. He taught another generation of young reporters how to cover a wide variety of issues with integrity.
WHO Radio allowed me to return several years ago to anchor the Sunday radio newscasts. It was difficult to do enterprise stories on a Sunday, but I was able to do some interesting things. I also filled in during weekdays on the afternoon drive newscasts. It was a good experience, and it allowed me to prove to myself that I could still do quality radio.
There is a lot of talent, as well as experience, among the individuals who have been hired by WHO-TV. They should be able to demonstrate to the younger employees how to do quality broadcast journalism.
Like this idea. When I retired after decades in TV news, had wished for the option of fewer hours as a bridge to retirement, but it was not available. This would have been a great option.
I don’t understanding the logic of the majority listening to a minority party that was crushed in the last election. The Republicans are pushing the envelope and the Democrats will do the same when they’re back in power. Remember Mike Gronstahl and his contemptous dismissel of anyone who wasn’t Mike? Patrick Murphy?
Just reading this one again and re-thinking -- The fill-in anchors reminds me of the staff at the grocery store I shop at. Many of them are drawing Social Security but are back part time because 1) the store can find the help and 2) they want something to do. I'm doing it to some degree at my former full-time employer too, on a freelance basis, but I don't want the corporate owners to think they can get by covering news with part time staff at what would be substandard wages (and no benefits) were it not for Social Security. And I don't want to take a job away from a younger person. I know of one copy editor friend at another paper who lost her job to retired part-time copy editors working remotely.
The decision by WHO-TV makes sense. Congratulations to channel 13 and to the talent who are back on the air.
Thanks for the article about fill-in anchors. It makes such sense. It fills a need for the stations and gives the old employees a new outlook. We oldies don't mind at all.
I had a farm in Iowa. In 1995, I migrated from Iowa to Chicago, Illinois for 12 years, then to Virginia for 15 years and counting. In my opinion, Iowa needs to start electing Democratic Governors and Senators, i.e. state-wide offices, to begin to combat the stranglehold.
It's easy to see why the veteran part-timers would like this arrangement - a return to something they were once good at, probably decent funny money and less hassle than they had when it was full-time. Viewers will always search for their "Walter Cronkite" so bringing back familiar faces is a winner. But if I had a grandchild trying to break into the news biz (or obviously was that grandkid), I'm not so sure I'd be a fan. How are the journalists of 2030 and beyond going to get experience if the veterans don't exit the stage?
A good decision...
Brilliant strategy! It’s got to be a relief to the news director to have that level of experience to rely on. I wonder how long it will be before the stations around the country will do the same once they find out about how it’s working here.
Great column, Dave. I love seeing veteran broadcast journalists back on the air. I hope the trend extends to Eastern Iowa!
Dave, a nice warm fuzzy feel good column! Thanks- I was needing one on this gray day. Also great news on Belin press pass. Disgusting that it takes a lawsuit (and a good column by you) to get the right thing to happen......
Lucky us to have such an expert veteran as Dave, always on point, to the point, and well written. As to the Republican trifecta, someone should make a list of all of the terrible things they've done to Iowans, all because they can. The list would be a long one. Time to wake up, Iowa, they've taken our State backwards, and cost taxpayers money in the process. Arrogant willful ignorance. Just one example is the harms they've caused to nursing home residents by failing in oversight. And, they've even refused to consider changes through bipartisan discussions in Oversight Committee hearings. Shameful!
On the Statehouse: Has there EVER been a legislative session where the lawmakers start out actually doing their jobs and working on stuff like the state budget? Seems like every session begins with lawmakers strutting like peacocks and promoting show bills for whatever ideological base they're trying to score brownie points with, and donations from. Never do any actual work until their per diems are about to run out, Then they complain about having to work overtime into the wee hours and try to get observers to buy into the feigned drama. Only problem is, with one side having a firm headlock on state government, some of those ideological show bills may have legs and this year's march to adjournment may look more like a goosestep to some folks.
Dave—Great column! Such a novel and effective approach to a tv newsroom problem that has been there since the business began. The smaller markets (as in total audience) have been seen as mere way stations for young talent passing through on their route to the big time. Which has meant viewers are constantly having to hear their stations’ reporters mis-pronouncing names of area communities and other faux pas. And then just about the time these folks have familiarity with the viewers they hop to the next larger market. There’s an old sailing adage in coastal navigation: “There’s no substitute for local knowledge”.
WHO-TV has a history of hiring older reporters. Example: George "Lefty" Mills who retired from his duties at the Des Moines Register. George re-invented himself as a television reporter. He had credibility, and his sources around town were without compare. He taught another generation of young reporters how to cover a wide variety of issues with integrity.
WHO Radio allowed me to return several years ago to anchor the Sunday radio newscasts. It was difficult to do enterprise stories on a Sunday, but I was able to do some interesting things. I also filled in during weekdays on the afternoon drive newscasts. It was a good experience, and it allowed me to prove to myself that I could still do quality radio.
There is a lot of talent, as well as experience, among the individuals who have been hired by WHO-TV. They should be able to demonstrate to the younger employees how to do quality broadcast journalism.
Like this idea. When I retired after decades in TV news, had wished for the option of fewer hours as a bridge to retirement, but it was not available. This would have been a great option.
I don’t understanding the logic of the majority listening to a minority party that was crushed in the last election. The Republicans are pushing the envelope and the Democrats will do the same when they’re back in power. Remember Mike Gronstahl and his contemptous dismissel of anyone who wasn’t Mike? Patrick Murphy?
I do wish you’d find a job as an analyst on television somewhere.
Just reading this one again and re-thinking -- The fill-in anchors reminds me of the staff at the grocery store I shop at. Many of them are drawing Social Security but are back part time because 1) the store can find the help and 2) they want something to do. I'm doing it to some degree at my former full-time employer too, on a freelance basis, but I don't want the corporate owners to think they can get by covering news with part time staff at what would be substandard wages (and no benefits) were it not for Social Security. And I don't want to take a job away from a younger person. I know of one copy editor friend at another paper who lost her job to retired part-time copy editors working remotely.