Our trip to Austin started bright and early, when KTAB's Katherine Lane and photographer, Danielle Reeves and I headed for the state capital. The drive took about four hours. As soon as we arrived I met with State Representative Susan King, who informed me of some of the things on the top of her priority list.
The top things she mentioned were:
Education and how important our local schools are, as students are our future. She put emphasis on the importance of funding for Cisco Jr. College, as well as our three private universities.
Water and how she plans to put forth the plans with building a dam out at the Cedar Ridge Reservoir; bringing in an additional supply of water to the City of Abilene.
Wind Energy is something that Representative King also wants to keep growing in the Big Country area.
Oil and Gas Industry is on everyone's mind and it is also a priority for State Representative Susan King.
Representative King was so welcoming that she gave of us a tour of the Capitol building, including the "mysterious" lounge that legislatures can convene throughout the session. It was pretty tiny for 150 people but a much needed spot as no food or drink is allowed in the House.
After our tour, we rushed back to the hotel to get our stories done for the six and ten o'clock newscasts. It was stressful as the internet connection was pretty slow. However, we worked really hard and made a great team, putting together a high quality product. If you didn't get a chance to see it at 6, definitely check it out on the website.
The opening ceremony begins at noon tomorrow when the Representatives of the House will be sworn in. We will be there bright and early to see how the day pans out. We'll be bringing you the latest throughout the day.
This has definitely been a great learning experience and I hope to go on many other out-of-town assignments in the future.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
As for the "Rest of the Story"
Some people have asked if there are things that we leave out of the news.
We don't intentionally leave out information. However, we as journalists need to find the key points to every story to inform you, and we only have a minute and thirty seconds (at best) to do that.
This is one of the things that makes the job difficult. We'll go a whole day, sometimes longer getting information from various sources for a story and then we'll have to condense everything to that one minute slot in the newscast.
Fortunately, with the internet we are often times able to give you those additional details that we simply run out of time for during newscasts. But, just note we're not hiding any juicy details. After all, it's our job to keep you informed. ; )
Thank you for watching KRBC!
We don't intentionally leave out information. However, we as journalists need to find the key points to every story to inform you, and we only have a minute and thirty seconds (at best) to do that.
This is one of the things that makes the job difficult. We'll go a whole day, sometimes longer getting information from various sources for a story and then we'll have to condense everything to that one minute slot in the newscast.
Fortunately, with the internet we are often times able to give you those additional details that we simply run out of time for during newscasts. But, just note we're not hiding any juicy details. After all, it's our job to keep you informed. ; )
Thank you for watching KRBC!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Working Holidays...isn't so bad!
Working on Holiday's isn't so bad. But, that doesn't mean that in the next year, when I am not a "rookie" that I want to work holidays. ; ) I worked Christmas day, which really wasn't so bad. Usually I spend the Christmas holiday with family in Massachusetts. However, I knew with the job that I'd likely have to work, as the NEWS doesn't stop for Holidays.
It didn't feel like Christmas when I woke up to silence that morning. I did miss watching my little cousins tear open their presents, spending time with family, and eating delicious food but the story I covered on Christmas day really made me realize just how lucky I am.
I went to the Salvation Army, where they were having a Christmas feast for members of the community who also didn't have family around or any other place to go. I was really impressed with how many volunteers came out from the community to share their Christmas by helping others. After talking to the diners, they were also very happy with not only the food, but with the entertainment. The volunteers started singing Christmas carols and many people in the room joined in.
Overall, working Christmas wasn't so bad. The day started out slow as most everything was closed, which in turn made the news slow. To be truthful, I was happy that it was slower, because generally you hear about tragic stories on holidays.
Before I knew it, the day was over. My Dad and his wife were both in town for the weekend, which made it even better. Although, I wasn't with the family I am used to spending the holiday with, I wasn't alone. I had a very nice time with my Dad and Step-Mom.
My Mom even has plans to come out in the next few months to have a belated Christmas experience.
It didn't feel like Christmas when I woke up to silence that morning. I did miss watching my little cousins tear open their presents, spending time with family, and eating delicious food but the story I covered on Christmas day really made me realize just how lucky I am.
I went to the Salvation Army, where they were having a Christmas feast for members of the community who also didn't have family around or any other place to go. I was really impressed with how many volunteers came out from the community to share their Christmas by helping others. After talking to the diners, they were also very happy with not only the food, but with the entertainment. The volunteers started singing Christmas carols and many people in the room joined in.
Overall, working Christmas wasn't so bad. The day started out slow as most everything was closed, which in turn made the news slow. To be truthful, I was happy that it was slower, because generally you hear about tragic stories on holidays.
Before I knew it, the day was over. My Dad and his wife were both in town for the weekend, which made it even better. Although, I wasn't with the family I am used to spending the holiday with, I wasn't alone. I had a very nice time with my Dad and Step-Mom.
My Mom even has plans to come out in the next few months to have a belated Christmas experience.
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