Day 37: Interesting alternatives to traditional burials

How do you want to be remembered in death? The end of life is often a taboo topic, something people don’t frequently discuss, except out of necessity. For many, dealing with death can be an especially troubling time because few are adequately prepared for a loved one’s passing. Losing someone special, particularly if they’re young, is an extremely painful experience…

Day 23: Mastering the art of interviewing

Sam Waterston is one of my favorite actors of the Law and Order television series. His character Jack McCoy, the determined prosecutor, often lets his emotions and personal views drive his courtroom behavior. In the series, Lady Justice often “peeks through her blindfold” and creates a difficult situation in the hearings. Though he usually maintains…

Day 19: Who’s behind News 8 graphics

“Now… news that matters to you. This is NSU22 News, working in the spirit of Northwestern.” Purple swirls and dissolves, beauty shots of campus landmarks, the NSU22 logo — all elements of the newscast open for Northwestern State University’s student newscast. In the late 1980s, news graphics staked their claim as a critical element of…

Day 17: Adventures in mass transit

After returning to the station from Gainesville on Tuesday, I realized that I had to figure out which train to take home from downtown. After checking the schedule, I waited for the train, when suddenly it hit me. I had always been told “Do not take the DART rail after dark.” Friends and family had…

Day 16: Flooding devastates North Texas community

Early Monday morning torrential rains soaked much of the northern part of the Metroplex. Gainesville was the unfortunate target for the brunt of Mother Nature’s fury. So far officials have estimated damage at more than 30 million dollars. Several people lost their lives, while others find themselves with only the clothes on their back. Flood waters ripped through…

Day 10: The rush of breaking news

Competition keeps multiple news outlets in the same coverage area constantly sharpening their skills.  I would imagine in some smaller markets, news outlets cut corners or fall into poor routines due to the lack of competition from other television stations. There is no race to cover a big story or effort to attain a unique angle.  Sometimes,…

Day 9: The answer is right under my nose

Every person, in some way draws inspiration into their life, whether they are honest enough to admit it.  Some look toward personal heroes- mothers, celebrities, spiritual leaders. Others nurture their determination by immersing themselves in the serenity of nature.  So many more get their “kick” each day with a cup of coffee and a few moments of…

Day 5: My first week in the WFAA newsroom

I’ve had a spectacular first week at WFAA. Let me recap some of the highlights. I couldn’t ask for a group of people who are so professional, personable, and committed to their responsibilities as journalists. I’ve learned walking is the cheapest form of transportation. Gas prices are still ridiculously high (might be the topic of…

Day 4: Learning the ropes in the newsroom

Today I’ll start by saying, “This is exactly how I had dreamed WFAA would be.” I arrived a little early to finish some work on a story from the previous day. My mentor David Schechter arrived shortly thereafter and we delved into his upcoming special project. He’s working on a sweeps piece for later in the…

Day 3: Starting to settle in

Let me begin tonight by thanking the growing number of you who take time to stop in and read about my daily happenings. I appreciate the comments and feedback I receive. Please continue to add ideas and suggestions for future posts. I’m starting to feel that I’m developing  a routine, which is not necessarily a…

Day One: Comparing apples to oranges

Let me begin by making note of the vast differences between my current and previous internships. Using the “apples and oranges” comparison between KPLC and WFAA would fall short of adequate. The stations are completely different environments, with each offering unique experiences and opportunities to grow and learn. At KPLC, I worked with journalists who are in the early…

Heading to WFAA, “The Spirit of Texas”

I am currently in the process of preparing for my second summer internship with WFAA-TV 8 in Dallas, Texas. After a series of interviews, I was selected for a paid internship at the ABC affiliate, which has a long-standing reputation as one of the top television stations in the country. I will be working under…