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.
Agree. Divided government is always preferable to unified. That way the political spectrum is forced to compromise on the major issues and let the fluff fall away. The tendency (and demonstrated ability) of either left or right to go to excess if able has been amply demonstrated. Iowa D's have been politically incompetent for several cycles, promoting coastal cultural values and weak candidates. Tom Harkin just posted a recipe for recovery--let's hope the party takes the medicine.
In my political life, I have developed two primary goals: both support basic equal representation under the law (1 class of citizenship) 1) truly fair maps, which for some reason did not occur in Iowa in 2020. I blame the red map project, and the attack on news media and the US mail, all by monied interests. In Iowa, the attacks on news media seems to be the greatest threat.
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?
Good point, Rod. I hadn’t thought of that. Still, as a news manager, my job is to hire the best people available and provide the best coverage possible, not necessarily serve as a training ground for beginning journalists. I was always happy to do that when required. I loved working with aspiring journalists. It just wasn’t my first priority.
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.
I imagine every session has its share of goofy bills introduced at the start. All that pent up energy from being out of the statehouse for six or seven months. They all get ideas they think the rest of Iowa is eager to embrace. Lately, they come up with solutions in search of a problem. And they plug into ALEC, which I liken to the Borg. Example: the bill allowing non-qualified “chaplains” in schools is showing up in a number of red states, including Iowa. Resistance is futile, Pat.
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”.
Richard, the point that shouldn’t be lost is that the station is hiring all these folks on a part-time basis. For it to be effective, they have to show up often enough for viewers to notice. Some of them are coming in to do one report that airs in one newscast, then it’s back to their full-time jobs. So we’ll see if this is a trend that moves the needle.
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.
George, I was at WHO Radio when the TV side hired George Mills. This was the 1970s and the stations were co-owned and in fact shared a newsroom in the old building at 11th and Walnut.
George was a phenomenal reporter. He came in every day with about ten story ideas. He seemed ancient to us because we were in our 20s. We learned so much from him. And he was a wonderful, engaging guy who loved being around us kids. He set a fine example of how to always be mentally engaged, how to ask questions. Purely a great reporter.
During my days as a reporter, I learned so much by watching Nick Lamberto of the Register. Nick was the prototype for an old, weather beaten reporter. He was not afraid to ask tough questions. He had no agenda. He just wanted to get the story beyond the news release, especially during a news conference. He had a wealth of knowledge and knew how to ask penetrating questions.
Dave, somewhere upstairs in a closet I have a photo of George pecking away at a typewriter in the WHO-TV newsroom. I seem to recall he'd been a newspaper reporter for 50 years when he turned broadcaster. Legend.
I wonder how old he was at the time. 70? He seemed ancient, from our early 20’s viewpoint. I remember he stunned us one night and said he couldn’t come out drinking because he had to drive to Chicago for his mom’s birthday.
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.
Agree. Divided government is always preferable to unified. That way the political spectrum is forced to compromise on the major issues and let the fluff fall away. The tendency (and demonstrated ability) of either left or right to go to excess if able has been amply demonstrated. Iowa D's have been politically incompetent for several cycles, promoting coastal cultural values and weak candidates. Tom Harkin just posted a recipe for recovery--let's hope the party takes the medicine.
In my political life, I have developed two primary goals: both support basic equal representation under the law (1 class of citizenship) 1) truly fair maps, which for some reason did not occur in Iowa in 2020. I blame the red map project, and the attack on news media and the US mail, all by monied interests. In Iowa, the attacks on news media seems to be the greatest threat.
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?
Good point, Rod. I hadn’t thought of that. Still, as a news manager, my job is to hire the best people available and provide the best coverage possible, not necessarily serve as a training ground for beginning journalists. I was always happy to do that when required. I loved working with aspiring journalists. It just wasn’t my first priority.
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!
Any eastern Iowans in mind??!!
Given the right situation and circumstances, several people come to mind! 😊
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.
I imagine every session has its share of goofy bills introduced at the start. All that pent up energy from being out of the statehouse for six or seven months. They all get ideas they think the rest of Iowa is eager to embrace. Lately, they come up with solutions in search of a problem. And they plug into ALEC, which I liken to the Borg. Example: the bill allowing non-qualified “chaplains” in schools is showing up in a number of red states, including Iowa. Resistance is futile, Pat.
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”.
Richard, the point that shouldn’t be lost is that the station is hiring all these folks on a part-time basis. For it to be effective, they have to show up often enough for viewers to notice. Some of them are coming in to do one report that airs in one newscast, then it’s back to their full-time jobs. So we’ll see if this is a trend that moves the needle.
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.
George, I was at WHO Radio when the TV side hired George Mills. This was the 1970s and the stations were co-owned and in fact shared a newsroom in the old building at 11th and Walnut.
George was a phenomenal reporter. He came in every day with about ten story ideas. He seemed ancient to us because we were in our 20s. We learned so much from him. And he was a wonderful, engaging guy who loved being around us kids. He set a fine example of how to always be mentally engaged, how to ask questions. Purely a great reporter.
Hope all is well with you.
During my days as a reporter, I learned so much by watching Nick Lamberto of the Register. Nick was the prototype for an old, weather beaten reporter. He was not afraid to ask tough questions. He had no agenda. He just wanted to get the story beyond the news release, especially during a news conference. He had a wealth of knowledge and knew how to ask penetrating questions.
Dave, somewhere upstairs in a closet I have a photo of George pecking away at a typewriter in the WHO-TV newsroom. I seem to recall he'd been a newspaper reporter for 50 years when he turned broadcaster. Legend.
I wonder how old he was at the time. 70? He seemed ancient, from our early 20’s viewpoint. I remember he stunned us one night and said he couldn’t come out drinking because he had to drive to Chicago for his mom’s birthday.
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.