News10.net - Blog: Stacy Owen

Twice this week we have been faced with a coverage dilemma: when do we report rumors that are spreading like wildfire via text message in our schools.

Wednesday, it was Tokay High School in Lodi, where a text message rumor about a school shooting as a gang retaliation prompted hundreds of students to stay away from school.

Friday it was both Rodriguez High in Fairfield and Galt High School. At Rodriguez, nearly 75% of the student body stayed home. In Galt, we continue to get emails about kids being taken off campus by police for having weapons. I even received one talking about a student having a sawed-off shotgun.

Fortunately, none of it happened.

So why do we cover these stories, and if we do, how do we approach it? We have seen that giving coverage to one school incident invariably leads to similar incidents in the following days. Yet if we don't cover it, the members of that community are not being served. They are left with only the rumor, and not the facts as we have investigated them. It is very much a Catch-22.

So today we will report on both incidents. Rodriguez will get the balance of the coverage because it comes on the heels of a very real racially charged incident at the school that we covered earlier in the week. We will mention Galt High as a reassurance to the community that in fact no guns were found on the campus.

We have fielded calls on these stories all day, and as always, I welcome your feedback.

slowen@news10.net

Race in America
Friday, April 4, 2008 posted by Stacy at 4:59 PM

April 4, 2008. Forty years have passed since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a very different world than it was. We have an African-American man as a very real contender for president. That is a sign of significant progress. Yet other problems persist:
There exists an achievement gap in education that has no clear cure. The responsibility goes to parents, teachers, the students and the community at large.
Racism remains very real. We see it almost daily in our News10 Forums, where we are deleting as many comments for racism as we are for slang.
Arrest and incarceration rates remain disproportionately high in the African-American community. Poverty remains high. Schools in predominantly black neighborhoods do not have the resources of those in higher income neighborhoods. And the cycle continues...

In talking with an African-American businessman today, he asked me "why can't I just be seen as a businessman?" When does "black in America" become just "American"?

Today we should examine - and challenge - our own perceptions.
And continue to push forward.

Good News/ Bad News
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 posted by Stacy at 5:21 PM

Let's start with the good news for a change. Two of the young women I blogged about Monday, Grace & Masha, have been found safe. That's how we hope these stories turn out.

Now the bad news. For the second time in 5 days an Amber Alert was issued. Unfortunately, the information was hard to get at first, which is not supposed to be the case with the Amber Alert system. We are supposed to get a notification, then information we can broadcast. Again we had to search for that information. We are following up tonight on why the system is not working as it should.

Sadly, it would not have helped in this case. Young Zane Newton was found in Bakersfield. He had not been abducted. Apparently he and some friends had been digging a tunnel, which collapsed on him. The friend panicked and made up the story of his abduction. It is a tragic story for everyone concerned.

Again we plan to have more on the Amber Alert system on News10 at 11.

The next crop of journalists
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 posted by Stacy at 5:13 PM

I wanted to give a quick shout out to the students who were part of the Modesto Writer's Symposium last Friday. I was invited to talk to them about the role of writing in my life, and how we use different approaches in storytelling in news.

If these kids are any indication of the talent that's out there, I feel good about our next crop of writers. They were engaged, interested, had great questions, and great ideas. They were not the picture of disenchanted youth that gets painted all too often.

Here are some pictures of my new friends from Traina Elementary in Tracy and the Moon School in Waterford.

Thanks to everyone who made me feel so welcome!

Missing Children, The Sequel
Monday, March 17, 2008 posted by Stacy at 5:45 PM

Meet Dalton and Sonia. Grace and Masha. They are 4 of the missing teenagers I have been asked to help find in the past 24 hours. My last blog entry explained why we can't put every case up. Yet in the wake of yesterday's Amber Alert for 2 year old Andrew Bailey, the call comes up again - why can't you help me find my missing child?

The distinction between Andrew - who had been abducted after a violent assault on his mother - and a young couple who even family members admit probably ran away to be together is clear. It is less clear for Grace and Masha. Their families fear they met men on MySpace and went to the Bay Area to meet them. Any child that is missing and not in contact with friends or family is in danger. So what do we do when they choose to go, willingly?

Know that we look for reasons to run the story, not reasons not to. Most of us are parents ourselves, and hurt for the families in these situations. We largely rely on law enforcement to establish the threshold of danger. The moment they ask us to get involved, we do. Last week a homeless 9 year old went missing. As soon as we got the request from police, we put his picture on news10.net and News10 at 6. Luckily that situation ended happily and the boy was found safe.

Similarly, we get requests to find elderly members of our community who are missing and may be disoriented. Just yesterday we were able to get the word out about a Stockton man. He also was found. Again, the request came through law enforcement.

We know we are a powerful medium. These are difficult calls to make. I am open to having a dialogue about this issue, and welcome your thoughts and feedback.

You can contact me at sowen@news10.net.

Missing Children: Why can't you help?
Friday, February 29, 2008 posted by Stacy at 5:48 PM

Today I received an e-mail, one that I get all too often. It is from the parent of a missing child, usually a teenage girl, asking for our help to get her picture out, to help bring her home.

These are difficult cases for us in the media. For us as parents, we want to do everything we can to help. As journalists, though, we have to weigh a number of factors, police input being a major one. After receiving this e-mail, we did what we do every time: call the police. They acknowledged the girl had been reported missing, but determined she was a runaway. This makes a parent feel like they have nowhere to turn: if the police can't help, who can? and why can't they help? The fact is, the police are focusing on the cases where it appears a crime has been committed. This is not much of a comfort, as the worried parent believes their child is in danger. So they turn to the media.

Our decision not to put out a picture is a difficult one. We share the fears of all parents, and I don't take these pleas for help lightly.

Still, we need to reserve our medium for the cases where a child is in grave danger. If we put out too many missing persons reports, they start to lose impact. One of the reasons the Amber Alert system has found every missing child is because it is used sparingly, so people really stand up and take notice.

We also don't use preferential treatment. At my last job, in tv news, the boss's own teenage daughter ran away. He asked for our help to post flyers in neighborhoods where teens hang out, but he never asked to use the airwaves to find his daughter. He knew where the line was, and respected it, even for the personal pain it caused him.

So for all you parents out there sharing in this pain and worry, my heart goes out to you in all sincerity. And I hope your children return home, safe, and soon.

Labels: missing children media

Blue Cross Double Cross?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 posted by Stacy at 2:54 PM

Disturbing news today that Blue Cross is asking its doctors to reveal certain medical conditions of their patients. The good news is, some doctors were outraged enough to tell the L.A. Times. Blue Cross says it is trying to protect itself by ferreting out undisclosed conditions, to which they have a right. They also have been under fire recently for not properly screening applications, only to get caught with high cost treatments down the line. But "pre-existing pregnancies?" The question needs to be asked: when is our privacy at stake?

According to the Times article, "the California Medical Assn. sent a letter to state regulators Friday urging them to order Blue Cross to stop asking doctors for the patient information, saying it was 'deeply disturbing, unlawful, and interferes with the physician-patient relationship.'"

It is important to note that the letters say providing the infoormation is voluntary. It is within a doctor's discretion.

We continue to work this story on news10.net... and will keep you posted.

It's Not Just Politics Anymore
Friday, February 1, 2008 posted by Stacy at 5:12 PM

I got a phone call today from an old friend, saying she was surprised I haven't been blogging about the presidential race. "I figured you of all people..." she said.

The reason for her surprise: I am the one who always bored people around the cocktail bar by launching into some impassioned rant about an issue or candidate. Early in my career I was a political producer, and have always been committed not just to covering politics, but to giving our audience a voice in the process. How dare I get too busy to rant and rave when it really counts! So Janet, this one's for you.

We are enjoying right now the greatest energy around a political race perhaps in my lifetime. It's not just about politics. You can really feel that the future of the nation is being decided. 15.7 million people are registered to vote in California, a quarter of a million of them signing up just in the past 45 days.

No matter who wins, history will be made. We're hearing a lot of that, mostly revolving around Obama's race and Clinton's gender. Yet the history that will be made goes beyond who is elected. Whomever wins in November will also face historic challenges: how to manage a war he/she did not launch; an economic downturn that is forcing tens of thousands of people out of their homes; the challenges of immigration; the aging of our population.

The good news is that people are excited about this election. They are getting engaged in the process. They are grappling with their choices. No one has been anointed. We have a race.

It's the best of democracy hammering itself out. And this time around, we get to play ball.

Labels: Election, Politics

Why Bhutto?
Thursday, December 27, 2007 posted by Stacy at 5:34 PM

I am sure I will get questions today why we led our local 5pm broadcast with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The U.N. Secretary General explains it for me, if our coverage did not: the killing is "an assault on stability."

Remember our War on Terrorism is still being waged in Afghanistan. We entered that arena in a tenuous alliance with Pakistan and its president, Pervez Musharaff, who used military might to seize power. But 9/11 made a close alliance a necessity. Since then, Afghanistan's president has accused Pakistan of creating alliances with the Taliban once again. Many believe Osama Bin Laden remains hiding in the Pakistan mountains. Any further instability in Pakistan could have major repercussions on U.S. actions - and soldiers - in Afghanistan. Not to mention the impact on world markets, especially oil.

It seems so far away, and yet as we have learned very painfully, what happens in the Middle East will in some way impact us. Yes we are a local news organization. But our responsibility is to show that the world community is our community.

Labels: Bhutto

Steroid Use
Friday, December 14, 2007 posted by Stacy at 11:56 AM

As we dive headlong into coverage of steroid use in Major League Baseball, there are questions of why is everyone shocked, shocked! to see the extent of use. The reality is that it's not that we're surprised, we are just disheartened to see how pervasive this is. And it's the story of something bigger.

Everybody these days wants more: more success, more stuff, bigger houses, nicer cars. I want to believe there are many who are in sport - and excelling in sport - because of the love of the game. I want the heroes to be looked up to because they worked their tails off. They had passion. They were given challenges and had the perseverance to overcome them. But I see the Catch-22: how do you make your name in a game clean when the deck is stacked against you?

We need to look at the people who make it based solely on grit. We need to believe they still exist. After Marion Jones, Lance Armstrong (never proven), Floyd Landis, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa... the names go on... I still want to believe.

So I want to hear from you. Who are the heroes you can trust?

Labels: heroes, steroids

Sex Education... for Toddlers
Friday, November 9, 2007 posted by Stacy at 3:26 PM

We covered a story yesterday that compelled me to finally write the blog I've had in me for the past 3 weeks. (Sam McManis will rightfully scold me for taking so much time away from this responsibility.)
Sex Education... for Toddlers.

Before you think I have lost my mind or judge that I must stand on moral quicksand, hear me out. In addition to being news director, as I've mentionned here, I am also a parent of an almost-3 year old. As part of a pre-school program I'm doing with him, I have a monthly mandatory night class, just for the parents. When I arrived at the multi-purpose room at my local elementary school and saw what the topic was, I almost flipped. The words running through my mind... "What the hell amd I doing taking a sex education class. My son isn't even 3! This is absurd..."

Then Sue Simonson started talking.

I will try to pare down an entirely fascinating 2 hour presentation.
* It is critically important not to be shy about sex, or body parts
* Not just the words you say but the tone you set in your household will establish how comfortable your children are talking about what they are feeling, wondering, fearing
* How you respond to normal childhood exploration will shape their feelings about themselves and others
* Most importantly, call it what it is. Give your children the tools to communicate, by teaching them the proper names for their parts.

Here's why: Sue told a story about a little boy who went to school and told his teacher that his grandpa came over and pet his puppy. Her response was, of course, "oh that's so nice you have a grandpa that comes over and plays with you." Another day, the child went to the teacher again and said "grandpa came over and pet my puppy." Her response: "it sounds like you have a very nice grandpa who loves you very much!" On parent-teacher night, the teacher says to the little boy's mom, "Johnnie tells me you got a puppy!" The mom says no, we have no dog... you see where this is going. In their family, they didn't call a penis a penis. So the child's efforts to communicate that he was being molested were not being heard.

That story struck me like a ton of bricks, as it did most parents in the room. It was uncomfortable to be there, to listen to these stories. I went in a skeptic, I left feeling so enriched.

Which brings me again to the story we covered last night. A daycare provider is arrested and charged with child molestation. He had no criminal background, and the daycare center had no prior issues. If a parent did his or her homework, they could rest easy, right? As we discussed the story, I realized that we were not giving parents anything to take away, but fear. So I pulled some of the tips I had learned last month, and added them to the end of the story. If parents can at least give their children the confidence and the tools to communicate, they may be able to avoid a lot of pain.

Labels: Sex Education Children

It's Your Opinion That Counts
Thursday, September 13, 2007 posted by Stacy at 6:45 PM

Tonight as the President lay out his strategy for the next few years in Iraq, we had a conversation, with you. Cristina went Live_Online during the President's address to listen to what you had to say. I am always heartened by the fact that these chats do bring out the best in people. You talked about democracy, our role as the international policeman, and other Muslim countries that are successful democracies. You listened to each other, you took us to task, but more importantly you shared your opinions.

As we enter the world of greater interaction and connectivity, we open ourselves up to new ideas and perspectives. The best stories come from conversations. I think one of the reasons people feel so disconnected from the political process is because they are fed stump speeches and soundbites. The candidates very rarely engage each other, or the electorate. When you have a dialogue, it's not just about what you are being told. It's that you are being heard.

So a quick thank you for enriching our coverage... and talking.

Labels: Bush Speech, chat, interactive, Live_Online

Pollution
Sunday, August 26, 2007 posted by Stacy at 3:55 PM

Forgive the month off blogging... I snuck a vacation in there somewhere...

Today's blog is about pollution. This morning the New York Times published a very thorough look at the issue of China's growth and the impact it is having on the population not just of that country but the world. Among the staggering statistics: only 1 percent of the 560 million city dwellers in China breathe air considered acceptable by the European Union (which has standards just slightly stricter than the U.S.) Most of the country's major cities have pollution 3 times as bad as Los Angeles. So why is this the topic of my blog? Because I breathe.

When we moved to Sacramento from the Bay Area, it was the first time we as adults really had to pay attention to air quality. Having a child, and living in a place with high asthma and allergy rates, you all of a sudden pay attention to the Air Quality Index. I notice when our air falls to "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups." So I think of the people in China who daily suffer three times the amount. My mind went quickly to the athletes who will compete next summer in Beijing. How will their bodies react to the choking effects of modernization?

At News10, we take the issue of Climate Change - its causes and its effects - and of Living Green, very seriously. We just launched a special section to help all of you get inspired for ways to live better. Living Green gives you the opportunity to look for solutions for your mind, your body, your home, and your world. What are we doing to live greener? When the News10 tower went up, solar panels went up with it to supply energy for the lights. A few years ago, we replaced a traditional HVAC system with essentially a big ice tray under our roof. At night, when it's cooler and energy demand is lower, the system freezes ice. During the day, the ice cools the almost block-long building. Pretty cool.

But back to China. Is it all their fault? Are we supposed to rob them of the exponential growth that we and other developed nations enjoyed, unchecked, for years? Are all those factories going to service their own population? Pick up almost any consumer item in your household, and you will see that we are all contributing to this environmental crisis.

I am committed every day to bringing you the most accurate look - good and bad - of what is happening in our community. I just wanted to take a moment to point out that although this problem may seem half a world away, it is very much our story too.

Pete Wilson
Saturday, July 21, 2007 posted by Stacy at 4:08 PM

Yesterday I blogged about the rumor that Pete Wilson had died, and our springing into action on how to address the death of a Governor. When we verified that the former governor was still alive, we moved on. It was simply inconceivable to me that it was the Bay Area anchor, who was, in fact, larger than life. When I got the call this morning it literally took my breath away.

Many of you may know Pete from his radio show on KGO 810. Many may be Bay Area transplants. Many may remember him from the early 80's here in Sacramento at KTXL. I remember him as a mentor, a sparring partner, and a torch-bearer for good journalism. You see, I was one of Pete's producers in the 90's at KRON in San Francisco, and later, his boss. I will never forget my first days at the station. I was young, and a bit intimidated being in such a storied newsroom. Pete used to hang out at my desk and just talk. I felt so honored that the main anchor, a man with a Peabody under his belt, gave me enough credit to engage in conversation with me. And it was never "how's the weather" sort of talk. It was always a political argument, a scientific discovery, history, or old movies. I used to joke that the only reason he came to my desk was because he'd already talked everyone else's ear off and I was fresh meat. But our conversations continued for 10 years.

Many producers were frustrated by Pete. He was constantly challenging you, and questioning your decisions. He'd sit on set and complain about a script he'd just read: 'did anyone look into who commissioned this study? what is their agenda? who is funding them?!' While I usually wanted to whack him with a hard object, 9 out of 10 times he made you realize that you could have - and should have - done more research.

Pete never took anything at face value. He questionned everything. He challenged everything and every one. The radio show was perfect for him - hours of just hammering out the issues. He loved it. He loved getting riled up and getting others riled up. In the very liberal Bay Area, everyone thought Pete was a crusty old conservative. He wasn't - certainly not by Sacramento, or national standards. He just challenged political correctness, and people who clamored for tolerance yet themselves were intolerant of a different perspective.

Pete had passion. He had a thirst for knowledge, and an appreciation of history. And he had a gift. So when the major news events happened, he was the one you watched. And from my perspective, he was the one you wanted sitting in that chair. His coverage of the Loma Prieta earthquake was legendary. My first disaster with him was the Oakland Hills Fire of 1991. While the complaint these days with breaking news coverage is that we repeat the same things over and over, Pete didn't. His depth of knowledge was such that he could carry hours of coverage as if it had just started.

My last major story with Pete was the terror attacks of September 11. He stayed on for almost 14 hours, never wanting to be spelled. I covered wildfires with him, and political conventions. He never needed a script. He was confident, capable, and always on his game.

Today I have talked with a number of colleagues who have all said the same thing. "He was larger than life." He will continue to be, even in death.

Labels: Pete Wilson

Drownings
Monday, July 16, 2007 posted by Stacy at 3:48 PM

Man, do I hate reporting bad news. Especially in the morning, more than once I have said "no dead baby stories, PLEASE." Last night though I made a different call when a 2 year old (3 in August) died in his backyard swimming pool.

It just so happened that as I took the call from my assignment desk, I was in the backyard with my two and a half year old son, who was splashing around in our little blow-up pool. Later, pool time was over, and he played on the grass. Those are the times you let down your guard, especially when the pool is a temporary fixture. The call from the newsroom reminded me of that. It is so easy to pass judgment on parents who "leave their children alone, just for an instant." But if we look closely - and honestly - at our own behaviors, it is clear we all need the reminder.

So I said "do the story." The situation here was different - inexplicably, there were people in the backyard, who just didn't notice that the child had climbed into the above-ground pool. But I caution parents who think they are somehow better than those who suffer these unspeakable tragedies. This is a reminder to all of us that we are all vulnerable to our own imperfection.

Questioning Our Commitment to Community
Saturday, July 7, 2007 posted by Stacy at 3:22 PM

It's Saturday, 7-7-07, and I stopped by the office to pick something up and scan my e-mails. But among them was an e-mail criticizing us for not upholding our core misssion: to serve the community. Since this blog is my open window to all of you, I wanted to share it, and my response. It is my invitation to all of you to keep us at our best:

From: Susan
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 5:24 AM
To: Owen, Stacy; COMMENTS, Comments
Subject: So what is News 10 commitment to the community?
Importance: High

I have to say I am a little confused about News10's commitment to the community and how you decide which stories to present. I was surprised to see that there is no mention in your newscasts or on your website about the man arrested for child pornography under a Hi Crimes Task Force warrant.

Police are asking for help in identifying possible victims. This man lived 2 blocks from a public swimming pool, a family park and an elementary school.

Why did you decide not to air something as important as this? The community needs to be aware and if there are unknown victims that lie in the area the parents need to be alerted to talk to their kids to insure that they were not victims of this predator.

We watched the news last night and checked your websiteâ€¦nothing about this arrest. Yet you fill up the time with the husband of the Teacher who got 4 months for sex with one of her students. Who cares that he turned her in????? Does it have an effect on the community? Does it warrant parents talking to their children to determine if they were victims????? Why is this story relevant?

It seemed as though your news has taken the turn to report superfluous news instead of LOCAL news that will impact the community.

Yes, the Plumas fire is terrible but to take up almost 20 minutes of the news with the pictures in BOTH broadcasts seemed like you were just filling time.

I think NEWS10 should take a look at its programming director or whomever selects the stories. I switched from Channel 13 because I couldnâ€™t stand the anchors. I enjoy your anchors, but am having doubts about your content.

Susan

Dear Susan,

I want to respond to your letter immediately, because it gets to the heart of what we aim to accomplish every day, in every newscast and online. Crime stories, especially ones that involve children, we take seriously, and treat carefully. Unfortunately, I do not know what particular case you are talking about, as we were unaware of a police request to help identify victims of a possible sex offender yesterday. We recently covered the story of a child sex predator captured in Sacramento that is along the lines of what you mention, but that was in March. The story is attached here:

In covering crime stories we ask ourselves the following questions: what is the impact on the community? is there a threat to public safety? is there potential impact to my family? The reason we covered the husband of the teacher is because many young men think it's "cool" to have that kind of relationship. Pop culture has celebrated it in the past. But we wanted to show that it can have a very real impact on not just the victim, but on the family of the perpetrator. It was a human story, with an impact that we hope people feel. From the beginning we did not approach the Kelly Spaich story for its shock value. While everyone else just covered the details of her sex crime, we interviewed a psychologist about the impact on young men who engage in these relationships. It is not the glamour or excitement of "Summer of '42" or "My Tutor." It can create very real self esteem problems down the line.

I appreciate your e-mail. Another part of our mission is not just to serve our viewers and users, but to let you help make us better, and make sure we are serving you. So thank you, and please consider this an open door to give your feedback whenever you can.
Stacy Owen
News Director
News10 & news10.net

Angora Fire
Thursday, June 28, 2007 posted by Stacy at 3:47 PM

These are never easy stories to cover. A major wildfire, which we now know was human caused, ripping through not just an area of great natural beauty, but through people's homes. An assumption that many people make is that Tahoe is filled with "million dollar vacation homes." Granted, there are plenty. But the neighborhoods that were destroyed were exactly that - neighborhoods. They were the homes of the people who do the living and working in the Tahoe community.

A number of people are asking why we are still making such a big deal about it when the fire appears to be out. Certainly, even the reports from our crews today are of clear skies, and a much less frantic state of mind than earlier in the week. But 229 families still lost everything. Today they are going back into their neighborhoods. Some are witnessing the miracle of survival, others are having to deal with unimaginable loss. They will need our assistance. This is where the media can play a positive role: making others aware of the need in order to tap into the compassion we know exists in our communities. To that end, we have posted how you can help.

This has also raised a very vibrant discussion about forest management and the balance between perserving the wilderness that brings people to Tahoe in the first place, and allowing people to take the measures they need to to keep their homes safe. Today we held an interesting online town hall with Assemblyman Ted Gaines, which you can revisit Live_Online.

Our aim is to bring information without overstating it. We were ourselves a little alarmed at the spin national media was putting on the fire, as if to justify their being there. So we will continue to cover this story as what it is - not just alluring fire pictures, but a story about people.

Labels: Angora Fire

McClatchy High: Unfairly Targeted?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 posted by Stacy at 12:51 PM

Today, conspiracy charges were dropped against two students from McClatchy High School. It was a story that caught our attention for obvious reasons: two young men discovered on their way to school, one carrying a gun. Initial indications were that the 15 year old planned to use the gun to defend the honor of a female friend. What we knew was that there was a beef between kids, and someone thought a gun might be a solution. We are relieved to find that there was no greater conspiracy to shoot another child. But that does not change one key factor: a 15 year old boy brought a gun to school - to McClatchy - again. While the conspiracy charges were dropped, two young men did plead guilty to gun possession and gang activity.

I received a very well-written, thoughtful letter from two McClatchy students about the pride they have for their school and their concern that they are being unfairly targeted by the media. The letter was signed by more than 150 students and faculty. I received the letter just before school let out, and read it to our morning editorial meeting. I want to share some of it with you:

"The media seems to think that because McClatchy is host to a few individuals who do not understand gun laws, it is acceptable to slander and degrade the school's proud name."
"We are an urban school with a diverse student body... and a melting pot of beliefs."
"Critics of our school, especially in the media, have not spent one day here, walking through the halls, experiencing what we all feel on a daily basis -- camaraderie, pride, and safety."

I post part of the letter not to defend ourselves point by point, but rather to share with you what the students want us to see; that there is another side to McClatchy, a side that exists most every other day of the year. We at News10 do know that. We have walked the halls, and in fact have a program where a News10 employees spend a day there every month. Our general manager, Russell Postell, conducts mock job interviews for the students to give them a taste of real life. Reporters Karen Massie and Dana Howard have hosted workshops on how to close the acheivement gap at McClatchy, after doing very important stories on the educational challenges that face McClatchy educators and students. Our people have children who attended McClatchy, one has a spouse who worked there. I myself live 4 blocks away, and know students there. Students who tell me that guns are a part of school life. They've seen them, but they know how to deal with the troublemakers, and it becomes part of the background.

We report on the incidents at McClatchy not to shine a negative light on the school. Rather, we do it to show our concern, and raise possible solutions. Yes it is a few troubled kids creating problems - both in perception and in reality. But wouldn't it be worse if we were dismissive of guns on our campuses, rather than shining a light on the dark side of a childhood no one should be having.

Labels: McClatchy

Paris in the Springtime
Thursday, June 7, 2007 posted by Stacy at 6:50 PM

So I have taken great pride in how few Paris Hilton stories News10 has told. Even this morning at our editorial meeting I made some snide comment about the fascination with her. So why did she dominate our noon chat Live_Online and why did we devote two minutes to her at 5pm today? Because she's what people are talking about. Unlike this being the basic did-you-hear-what-Paris-did-this-time story, there's some real "there" there. This has become a story about the carriage - or miscarriage - of justice. The rules appear to be different for the rich and famous. Already she was in the celebrity wing of the Lynwood facility. Now she has a medical condition, one that has not manifested itself prior to her incarceration. It has our viewers and users outraged. Here's a sampling:
"Ms. Hilton just proves, once again, that the justice system works best for those who can afford it."
"Oh Poor Paris. What does this say about the DUI laws in California and just how easy it is to get off when you have fame and/or fortune."
You can read more on our forum.
It actually even caught my attention for once. Heck, even Rush Limbaugh had it as his top story this morning, on a day when the Senate was taking up the immigration bill and our own state legislature is slogging through more than a hundred pieces of legislation before the summer recess.

So Paris in the Springtime? In this rare case, absolutely.

Labels: Paris

First the Whales, Now the Beavers??
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 posted by Stacy at 4:46 PM

Like many, I am thrilled there is no sign of Delta and Dawn (although our viewers and users prefer Delta and Breeze, apparently smart enough to have actually listened to the lyrics of "Delta Dawn".) And it's not because I'm sick of covering them. I got over that brief bit of ennui, and now actually find myself missing our lovely leviathans. I also admit to being exposed to enough Hollywood happy endings that I was kind of counting on getting the money shot of mother and calf making that final push under the Golden Gate. But alas, the image will have to live only in our imaginations.

Now we move from marine mammals to amphibious creatures. Beavers. Apparently in Elk Grove, some folks are up in arms because beavers are doing what beavers do. They're building dams. Pesky dams. Inconvenient dams. Yes, they're rodents. Yes, they're causing up to $80,000 worth of damage. But killing them? This has already started some heated discussion in our forums, so we have decided to make it the topic of our chat Thursday at 11am Live_Online. Join the debate!

Labels: beavers, whales

Whales Ahoy!
Monday, May 28, 2007 posted by Stacy at 10:40 AM

Friday I wrote confessional blogs about how some of us were feeling a bit "over" the whale story. Last night, however, the passion for the story came back, as mother and calf bolted for the bay. This is starting to feel a bit like the Seabiscuit story. OK so maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but it does have an underdog feel to it - overcoming our gloomier expectations and rising to meet our hopes for their success.

Apparently there is something about Sundays, since that is when the whales have made their two most significant moves. We knew it wasn't a fear of the Rio Vista Bridge because they had crossed under it before - despite the traffic. Either that, or they don't like being shot with antibiotics. I'd get out of Dodge too.

Cross your fingers, and stay tuned...

Labels: whales

Dancing Fools
Friday, May 25, 2007 posted by Stacy at 5:27 PM

So I have a confession. I became addicted to Dancing With the Stars. I mocked friends who started watching it the first season. Mocked them. Then I turned it on. Then I turned it on with my 2 year old in the room. I'd like to blame him for using his tiny voice and saying "Dancing" for my actually Tivo-ing the show so that we can turn on Laila Ali and Apolo Anton Ohno at will.

So imagine my excitement when we had a local woman as a contender in Good Morning America's Dancing With the Moms. Then she won! Then... she came into our studio and gamely danced with our two-left-footed Dan Elliott.

There is so much bad news out there, my advice is to just sit back and enjoy. You don't have to tell anyone.

Whales: When Do We Say "Enough is Enough?"
posted by Stacy at 4:49 PM

There's something about a newsroom that people outside our business may or may not realize. We can get sick of covering even a story that we love. I thought about whether or not to even admit that, especially about the whales. If you read my blog last Friday, you saw my justification for why the story was so important. Today, you would be noticing perhaps just a touch of "ho hum" in my tone. That probably sounds horrible, but it's honest.

Still, I'm keeping between 2-4 reporters on the story on any given day. So why not put my money (and my resources)elsewhere if I am feeling even the slightest tinge of mammalian ennui? Because you all still care about this story - a lot. And our job isn't to cover what we want to cover; it's also to cover what you want covered.

I am one of those people who carry my Treo with me at all times, so I can check e-mails in line at the grocery store. Every time I turn it on, I have an e-mail from one of you, asking about the whales, or offering suggestions on how to get them to move beyond the Rio Vista Bridge for good. We have received hundreds. NOAA has received 1600. There remains great interest, and great attachment to this story.

We have been out there every day for two weeks. We have written dozens of stories for on-air and online. We have streamed every news conference live. We have hosted great conversations on Live_Online, and we have flown dozens of miles to bring you the grace and magnitude of these animals, and to share the efforts to save them. Like you, we fear this may not end well, but have every hope that it does. Truth is, we are getting a little tired of it. Yet at the same time, we too want to know where they are, what the latest effort is, and what's next.

So it's time once again to fill up the tank, and head to the Delta. And do our jobs.

Labels: whales

Connecting is Cool
Monday, May 21, 2007 posted by Stacy at 2:43 PM

So we did something new today. We talked not at you, but with you. Live. Online.

Live Online with Sharon Ito took its maiden voyage today. It starts with Sharon taking the temperature of the day, sharing with you all our thoughts going into our editorial process, then opening up the lines of communication at 11 and noon. We had expected our first chats to be about 15 minutes in length. But people had so many questions and observations about the whales - and about our coverage of them - that the morning chat led right into the lunchtime chat.

Our goal is to open the doors of the newsroom, or as Sharon put it, "Let the Sunshine In." Our mission is to make our news process a collaboration with all of you. This is just one step.

The other way you can get involved are with our forums, which opened up Thursday. We are sharing some of your comments on air, and when you have questions, we take them to the experts. Remember, the true role of journalists is to represent the people to those in power. It is our job to get you the information you seek. So join the process. Join the conversation.

And, of course, let me know what you think.

Labels: live online

Why Whales?
Thursday, May 17, 2007 posted by Stacy at 2:08 PM

I start with an email we received this morning:
"Nice coverage of humphrey the wales (sic), so when can we expect some
coverage of electronic voting machine fraud? Or Alberto Gonzales...?"

It's not the only such comment. People within News10 are asking similar questions: Why whales? Isn't there more important news out there? Is it really worth doing a special edition at 5pm instead of a traditional newscast?

Absolutely legitimate questions. The answer? I just heard someone else say outside my office "because it's a worldwide story that's happening right here." Right on. This story is a great story on so many levels: mother and child, separated from their herd, lost, injured, 90 miles upstream in the most unlikely place. According to one marine biologist, this may be the furthest inland a humpback has ever travelled. They are attracting volunteers to rescue them, and legions of people to see them. And it's happening right here.

Is it superceding stories of greater impact that also exist in our own backyard? Stories of our education system, of the poverty plaguing our communities, of the war that is creating divisions among our populace...

Those stories exist, and we tell them. Every day we tell them. We tackle hard issues of race and education, of safety in our neighborhoods, of drunk drivers and guns on our streets. We are still covering those stories. Just check out the rest of the website. Check any of our other shows. But today, at 5, we talk about the whales. Because it is also what's happening, and what may never happen again.

Labels: whales

Truck Driver: Is His Past Fair Game?
Tuesday, May 1, 2007 posted by Stacy at 6:04 PM

We received some criticism today for airing information about the criminal history of the man who drove the tanker truck that crashed on a Bay Area overpass, causing the collapse of a portion of the 580 interchange. Part of his past included a conviction, and prison time, for heroin possession.

Did it matter in this case? See the coverage for yourself.

Some people said, leave him alone:

Celeste says-- "Don't you think the poor guy has enough on his mind (and injured body) without notifying the whole world about his former reputation?"

John wrote-- "my wife and myself feel it was uncalled for that you made the comment that the truck driver had trouble with the law 11 years ago. currently he did not have drugs in his system."

Finally Carole -- "Maybe he was going to fast, but how many truck drivers go too fast because they get paid by the load and are forced to hurry to make a living wage. Maybe the trucking companies need to be investigated as to their policies and requirements toward the drivers . I know this does not excuse the horrific accident that caused such damage, and thank goodness no one else was injured or killed. It is just that it seems to me that the blame is because he was in prison and that is probably not the reason at all."

So why did we air the information? While neither drugs nor alcohol are indicated as causes of the crash, speed was. Mosqueda was entrusted with extremely hazardous materials. We try to make no judgments. Our job is to gather and share information, and try to put it in perspective. Must his past continue to follow him wherever he goes? I hope for his sake, and for the sake of all those who have done their time, served their probation, and come out better on the other side, that it will not.

The issue, however, is that he is responsible for a major accident with enormous consequences. That action opens him up to scrutiny. I honestly feel for him, and for his family. Yet I cannot let my personal feelings about redemption lead me to censor information.

Labels: freeway collapse, truck driver

Freeway or George?
Monday, April 30, 2007 posted by Stacy at 5:56 PM

A major freeway collapse. Bay Area. Sunday Morning. We're in network programming. What do you do.

Today I learned what many of you wish we had not done, and that is interrupt This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Here are just some comments from e-mails I received today:

* "Traffic accidents aren't reasons enough to keep interrupting regularity (sic) scheduled programming. This Sunday morning you interrupted George Steph. TWICE for something that could have been covered by a scroll."
* "This bad habit seems to be the same for all of you News stations. Take the lead and stop interrupting the programs but use the advertisement moment!"
* "I think it was a huge mistake to interrupt THIS WEEK this morning for a report on a traffic accident 100 miles away."

Here is our justification: It was a developing story, that impacts more of our viewers than you may think. While it was almost 100 miles away (80 miles to be exact) many places within our market are further than 80 miles out. 15-20% of our viewers consider themselves part of a broader Bay Area contingent. So it is a story that impacts our viewers and users. We felt a highway collapse was important enough to break into programming.

With that said, you also all bring up some good points: there are many places to find the information. News10.net was a terrific source for that information. After an initial live cut-in, a "scroll" may have been sufficient. We will keep that in mind.

Do know that the viewers' best interest is always our chief goal. I have held off on live cut-ins when I see that a program is at an important point, or a key plot twist. We in news sometimes do commit the sin of thinking what we are working on is the most important thing at that moment. We do try to balance the need to know with the desire to watch what you have tuned in for.

So thanks for writing... keep it coming.

Tears for a Child I Never Met
Wednesday, April 25, 2007 posted by Stacy at 11:50 AM

In the last half hour, we received news that baby Trevor Kott lost his battle with leukemia. If you walked through our building right now, you would think we just lost a cherished friend. I never met Baby Trevor, I never met his parents. Few of us did. Yet what Trevor triggered in more than 2,000 people was compassion, love, fear, and empathy. Compassion for his suffering, which he never seemed to notice; love for what we saw in him that reminded us of our own children; fear that any of us could find ourselves in the unbearable situation the Kotts found themselves in; and empathy for what that entire family must be going through. We too are members of this community, and he was a part of us.

I have written here before about being the mom of a two year old boy. You honestly don't understand the depth of emotion a parent feels until you've been one. I didn't. After my son was born I told my own mother that I never understood why she worried so much about every bad decision I made... but now I did. So that's where the tears come from: putting myself, even for an instant, in Angela Kott's shoes. And even for that instant, it's unbearable.

So why Angela Kott, and not the hundreds of other parents and grandparents whose losses we chronicle all too often. In the news business you learn to harden yourself - just enough - to the tragedies that surround us. As in the medical profession, if you get personally attached, you simply could not do your job. But every once in a while one gets through. A few years ago I had a similar reaction to a woman whose 19 year old twin sons were killed in a drive-by shooting in Oakland. She and I stayed in contact for a few years. Again, why that case among all the hundreds over my career? Because every once in a while you have to open yourself up to what people are feeling. We cannot afford to be too hard, too often.

What's beautiful about Trevor's story is the fact that his innocence reached across miles, across ethnic and socio-economic divides. To date, more than five thousand people have been entered into the Bone Marrow Registry in his name. That means five thousand potential donors for five thousand other families who are suffering the same battles the Kotts so bravely fought.

Also unique is the openness of the Kotts and their circle of family and friends. Angela Kott blogged about her experience, to the very end. Her chronicle is deeply moving, and hopefully will provide support and comfort for other families who must share this painful journey.

But Trevor's legacy is one of hope and beauty, of strangers willing to literally share a part of themselves. So we cry, and hold out hope that in those legions a match will be found for another family, so that we can write a different ending, next time.

Labels: Trevor

Exhale
Friday, April 20, 2007 posted by Stacy at 6:03 PM

What a week it was. Starting with the devastating news out of Virginia, then wading through the editorial minefield of all the copycat incidents in our own area. Just today alone, at least 3 schools in lockdown, in addition to the entire shutdown of Yuba and Sutter County schools. All because of people making threats, wanting their own piece of fame. We decided not to give them their wish, not reporting the lockdowns or threats until the threat had passed.

Rather than spend more time on the tragic events, or the irrational responses, I am going to focus on what I am most proud of. No prolonged pats on the back for restrained coverage (although I am proud of our team on that count.) Instead, for those of you who did not see News10 at 5, you have got to see this. Good News, Everyday.

It was the brainchild of our 5pm producer, Aram Sarkissian, who pointed out this week that every day we are surrounded by joy and beauty. Photojournalists Tom Whitaker and Anita Patton picked up their cameras, and reporter Monika Diaz pitched in to do interviews. This piece was a team effort, and our gift to a community that has dealt with so much turmoil this week.

So sit back, check out our story, and be grateful for the good things that happen, every day.

I am logging off now to go home and enjoy every new word, every thrown noodle, and even every "no" from my 2 year old son.

Cho Video
Thursday, April 19, 2007 posted by Stacy at 6:23 PM

We had a disagreement in our shop over how to handle the videotaped messages left by the Virginia Tech gunman, Seung-Hui Cho. From the beginning, Wednesday afternoon, we decided to show restraint. If you watched our shows, starting at 5pm, and you wanted to see or hear his ranting, you did not. I had not forbidden their use, but in conversations with our evening producers, we decided that we needed to balance what the audience needed to know with the desires of Cho. He wanted his ravings to be broadcast far and wide, and we were not going to give him that satisfaction. When you heard Cho's voice on News10 at 5, it was brief, and in the context of the story of the day. We did not play Cho's message on News10 at 6, in the post-game Special Edition, or the 11. But this is where it gets sticky.

Assistant News Director for New Media Michael Langley and I got into a rare heated debate about how to treat the videotaped messages online. I said they contain information, and we are an information provider. Whereas you often don't have a chance to avoid what we put over the airwaves, you can choose how you want to experience a story online. The fact is, people do want to know more about him, and want to know why he did what he did.

Michael argued, eloquently, that it is inappropriate to give voice to a madman. You can read more about his side in his blog.

You tell me what you think.

Labels: newsroom

Living a normal life in not-so-normal times
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 posted by Stacy at 6:26 PM

I post this blog coming off of a vacation. Know that for a news director, being on vacation when a major story breaks can be excruciating. By our nature we like to be in control, directing coverage, sifting through ideas, making sure our treatment is both journalistically sound and sensitive. The good news is I have a crew here that is even more conscientious of both storytelling and striking the right tone. I knew we were in good hands.

So I tried to live the life of a real person. Out of town, with my son and my mother, we went about what is to many a normal routine. We took a walk, went to lunch, went to the park. We went to Disneyland. I found myself at the same time wanting to know the latest about what was happening at Virginia Tech, and not wanting to know at all. At Disneyland M