COMING SOON

Me! again

Governor Signs New Bills...

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a few bills that will go into affect soon. One of the bills he signed was legislation making California the first state in the United States to require restaurants and fast food places to post nutritional facts on menus so consumers know what their eating presented by Sen. Alex Padilla. Gov. Schwarzenegger held a press conference along with other senators at an Elk Grove Chili's on Elk Grove Florin and Calvine roads Tuesday afternoon. Now restaurants will have until January 2011 to comply or can be fined.

For a list of the bills signed you can click on the link provided below

http://gov.ca.gov/bills/#all

Update

Hey everyone!
I know it's been weeks since I haven't posted anything, but recently I decided to take an internship at a TV station in Sacramento. So I'm going to focus on that and of course my school work. However, I plan on posting updates on local big stories etc.

If you would like to ask me questions you can be e-mailing me

Thank you =)

Hi Everyone

I haven't blogged in a while, and there's a reason... I'll get to that sometime next week!

Another FOX40 Update

After 6 years working in the Sacramento market, Thomas Drayton will be leaving the station sometime this fall from FOX40. Reports from the bee say that he will be moving on into a top 5 market which include of course New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Dallas. Also as expected the morning show is going to be expanding from 4:30-9 a.m. weekdays with a new face to debut, he's been working in radio for several years in Sacramento and next month will debut on the morning show... Paul Robbins is going to go co-anchor along with Nataile Bomke starting September 8th. So as predicted a lot of changes are on their way.

New Website!

fox40.com
FOX40 has a redesigned website that debuted this week! The video player is a bit bigger and it seems to be it's main focus with other local and national headlines posted on the site as well. Check it out!

Lights, Camera, Big Fun!

It's that time of year again and the California State Fair is back! This time running longer than in the previous years. This year the Fair's theme is Hollywood! So everyone's a star when they walk in.

They also have an exhibit where you can play with cats through using a string. It was funny to see the cats come out of their case when the player would leave the both trying to still follow the string.

Also at the fair you can get you're picture taken at the chroma key wall where the Meteorologist at News10 broadcast everyday live. And get to be on T.V. .....Surprisingly I was on and Dale referred to me saying "Patty is he taking our picture, Lets pose" because I had a my camera out, although I wasn't snapping pictures, I was video taping through my digital camera.

For more information visit http://www.bigfun.org/

News10 Goes Fuel Friendly...

News10 is going fuel efficient! They have a line of 2008 Ford Escape SUV's that is hybrid which runs on both of gas and battery power. "The station has taken a “green” approach to things. We try and think of the environment whenever possible. You will see this in our spots with Patty Souza and also Jennifer Smith’s promotion of the Sacramento River Watershed. " According to News10's assignment editor. Just another way News10 is going green. News10 has a site dedicated on Living Green, a lot of great tips to consider provided within the link below.

http://www.news10.net/news/green/default.aspx

New on the News!

Finally! After 2 years with no official anchor for the 6 and 11 p.m. weekday newscast, after having Sarah Gardner, Dave Walker (and sometimes Teo Torres) KCRA has hired a new anchor. His name is Gulstan Dart and he comes from Seattle's CBS affiliate and he will debut on Monday September 8th, 2008 at 6 p.m. ! Looking forward to it

So I guess this clears it out that Walt Gray will return to his regular duties in the morning shift, and not anchor the 11 p.m. with Edie like he was doing for weeks, but since the Olympics occur ed and staff are required to stay until their over in the early morning hours... Edie has been solo. And Teo will continue to solo anchor the 10 p.m. on My58 and report throughout KCRA 3 at 5 or 6.

August 2008 Interview with Monica Woods

Monica Woods has been a Meteorologist for News10 since April 2001, when she came she was the weekend Meteorologist/ reporter.... later in the year August 2001 she became the full time morning/ noon Meteorologist and switched sides with Darla Givens. Up until 2005 Monica only became the morning Meteorologist from 5-7 a.m. and updates throughout Good Morning America until 9 a.m. Monica is also married with morning anchor Walt Gray from KCRA. If you would like to contact Monica you can at mwoods@news10.net

Name: Monica Woods
Hometown: South Bend, Illinois
Height: 5'7''

1. Hi Monica, What do you have to say about working with your co-workers on News10 Good Morning? They are just awesome. We laugh so much during the show, but even more during commercials.

2. If you were not working in the TV News field, what do you think you would be doing today? Staying at home with the kids (another full-time job)

3. What was you're most embarrassing moment live on-air during your broadcasting career?
I was at Fox40 and there was some video that was supposed to run with kids running through a fire hydrant that had it’s top off on a really hot day. The video didn’t run so I said…”well just trust me they were relieving themselves.” The whole studio busted up.

4. What kind of music do you listen to? Any artist's in particular?
Anything, but I’m not fond of country.

5. What is an interesting/ unique fact most viewers don't know about you?
I’m pretty much an open book on the air so I don’t think much would surprise anyone.

6. What is your favorite restaurant in Sacramento and what do you like to order?
I had a great fish dinner at G.V. Hurley’s recently.

7. What was your first job before you started in TV?
I was a lifeguard

8. For most people who don't know you are married to Walt Gray morning anchor at KCRA, how did you guys meet each other?
It was at a media event and we just started talking and laughing about different things. We just really like talking with each other which is probably why we’ve been able to get through rough times together.

9. What is your most memorable moment while at News10?
Probably the Halloween scare that ended up on you tube.

11. Most people don't know this but you also worked at KTXL- FOX40 in Sacramento before going to Atlanta (NBC) and coming back to Sacramento in 2001 (News10), at one point what part of you decided you wanted to do weather?
I was in college and my teacher asked me to give weather a try on our college t.v. station. I told her I didn’t know much about weather. I liked it then went on to get a second degree in meteorology.

12. Lastly any words for someone who wants to be a TV Meteorologist and is still in college? Start taking meteorology classes early and take as many journalism classes as you can to get some on camera experience.

FOX40 Update

FOX40 is in store for a lot of changes that will be occurring slowly in the near future... First off we can expect new talent in the months. Reporters Michelle Liu and Melissa Remick are no longer with the station after contracts not being renewed. Rowena Shaddox has more live shots, Jamie Soriano and Bethany Crouch have traded morning/ evening positions. Tomorrow one of the new reporters will debut, Dennis Shanahan from CBS 13 has joined the station and heres what he left me in my inbox.

"I've completed my contract with CBS 13 (KOVR) and have accepted an offer from Fox 40. My last day at Channel 13 was July 31st. I start reporting at Fox 40 this week. The decision to leave KOVR was mine. I'd been a reporter there for about eight years, and the time was just right for a change. I kind of felt like I wasn't growing there any more. Fox 40 offered me a great opportunity to grow in a talented news department that's doing some really exciting things. It feels great to be joining the team. I can't wait to get started."

As for Melissa Remick she has this to say to us

""I was so blessed to work with such amazing talent/ good people over at Fox40 for 9 years. Back in 2006 my husband and I decided to homeschool our children. During that time management was extremely flexible with me regarding my schedule and allowed me to work on Friday nights only. I never worked at Fox40 under a contract. My position was always considered freelance. For years, it was the best of both worlds.

New management took over recently, and that part time schedule became no longer available. Since I am committed to homeschooling my kids, I said goodbye to 40. I will absolutely miss the adventure of reporting, but I know that I've made the right decision for my family.

I just want to publicly thank my husband Tony for all his support through the years. He moved with me all over the country as I started my career in broadcasting. New Jersey, Montana, New York, and finally California. He helped make a dream come true. Thanks Tony.. for believing in me. : )

None of us know what the future will bring, so I'm not saying I'm out of broadcasting forever. Only time will tell what's going to happen next. But for now, my husband and kids are happy to have me home on Friday nights."""

Former Sports Director Returns...

Ron Hyde is back in local TV and will soon start co-anchoring with Lisa Gonzales from CBS 13 weekday mornings starting Monday September 2nd, 2008 from 5-7 am. If you remembered Ron, he used to be the sports director for KCRA 3 from 1992-2006 until he decided to take a break from this business and become the director of Media for an online venture at MaxPreps.com for high school sports where he elevated their online video production by producing features, highlights packages, and short subject documentaries featuring high school athletes and coaches all online. Prior to coming to Sacramento in the early 90s he anchored various sports programs for CNN and hosted the Atlanta Hawks halftime show on cable channel TBS. For more you can visit his website at http://www.ronhyde.net/

As for Chris Burrous he will continue to stay on Good Day Sacramento.

And Michelle Kane long time KOVR 13 anchor/ reporter is no longer with the station. She will be the State Department Spokesperson and she is looking forward to that.

One World, One Night...

Today KCRA and Cal Expo sponsored an event for the opening day of the Olympics from Beijing, China. The event started at 5 p.m. with diverse opening acts at the race track in Cal Expo. Teo Torres and Edie Lambert hosted the special broadcast event that aired at 7 p.m. KCRA is expected to broadcast at various locations for this special event. Deirdre Fitzpatrick was the only local reporter to be sent covering interesting topics and the Olympics coverage in China, she normally goes every time it occurs. These are photos I took while at the event and next to the KCRA crew.

Lt. Governor John Garamendi also made an appearance to thank people for coming and greeting them to this event in Sacramento.

Governor Makes a Tough Decision on California State Employees...

photo sacbee.com
Today Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an order to cut down about 10,000 jobs for temporary state workers and lowering the pay to $6.55 an hour to about 200,000 state employees to make sure the state can pay its bills without a state budget. The governor does plan to reverse those moves once lawmakers come to a budget agreement which means that the state would have to rehire temporary workers and give employees their whole pay back, but its been over a month and still lawmakers haven't decided to bridge a $15.2 billion shortfall in a $101 billion general fund budget. So we will have to wait and see what goes on from there as we head into August. The governor did apologize to the families that are already struggling financially to the media but he had to choice left.

Local Landmark Store Moves...

Local landmark Corti Brothers grocery store will be moving soon from its current location on Folsom Blvd. and 59th ave in East Sacramento (close to midtown) after the landlord of the building decided to rent to a new tenant which will bring a better business for Nancy Cleavinger who is the landlord. It's not sure as to where the store will move to, right now they are trying to find a new location, but its been a landmark for people in the area, primarily the elderly who have lived in East Sacramento for decades and believe me a lot of old homes are in that area. We'll have to wait and see...

Los Angeles mini Earthquake

The Los Angeles earthquake wasn't as bad as what it could have been but it did cause trouble mainly in the East Los Angeles County of Chino Hills Tuesday morning. Sacramento's only reporter to report from the 5.4 earthquake scene in Los Angeles County near Diamond Bar was Pamela Wu from KCRA 3 and she had a series of reports for the 10 and 11 p.m. show. Only CBS13 and FOX40 carried live reports from reporters of the LA market during the late night newscast. You bet reporters from Los Angeles were doing tons of reports for other affiliates statewide and possibly across the country. The last time Los Angeles was struck was in 1994, and the governor says this is just a wake up call for residents to always be prepared.

1-Year

It's been one year since I created this blog on a Saturday morning July 21st, 2007. I remember the night before I was thinking to myself going to bed I had so much I wanted to say about local news for people who might be interested and curious to be posted online. I have a huge passion and drive for this career, I'm probably obsess with it...there is not one day I don't watch the news (unless I'm on vacation or working) and I enjoy talking to professionals in this field that will help me be successful in whatever I do. I'm expecting to run this site until I move out of Sacramento to get my Bachelor's degree by 2010. I am totally a 916 newsjunkie!

Local Celebrity Look-a-likes...

Okay so these local celebrity look-a-likes might not go with you, but for me it does when it comes to their personality and appearance, so here I go...

Sharon Ito from News10.net and Connie Chung TV Journalist

Thomas Drayton from FOX40 News at 10, and Alex Rodriquez

from the NY Yankee's

Monica Woods from News10 Good Morning and

Jennifer Aniston popular TV actress

Nicole Chavez from News10 Good Morning and Rachael Ray,

popular TV show Host.

Brian Hickey from KCRA 3 Morning News, and Jake Tapper,

ABC News Correspondent

Pallas Hupe, CBS 13 evening anchor, and pop british singer Natasha Bedingfield

Louisa Hodge and Reese Witherspoon

And lastly, Lois Hart from KCRA 3 and Heather Locklear TV actress.

What do you think? Possibly more to come!

Melissa Cabral- Heidi Montag

July 2008 Interview with Teo Torres...

Teo Torres has been with KCRA 3 since January 2008, prior to that he came from San Francisco where he worked as a morning anchor for KRON 4, an independent TV station since 2001. Teo can be seen on the nightly 10 p.m. newscast of KCRA on the My58 Channel weeknights and occasionally fills in anchoring when needed in the evening and reports for the 6 p.m. show.

Name: Teo Mate' Torres
Hometown: Buhl, Idaho
Height: 5'9"
Birthday: September 27th

1. What interest did you have in becoming a TV Journalist?
I was raised by a very politically active mother. She made sure I knew about the world around me. I guess my interest in current events came from her and my upbringing. She is an incredible woman and to this day is a hero of mine. I remember as a child recording funny newscasts into my tape recorder, so I guess you could call that practice.

2. What was you're most embarrassing moment on live TV?
Wow, that is a tough one. I guess it would have to be sneezing during a live shot. For some reason I've always sneezed in threes....and yes, that translated to about 15 seconds of me sneezing live on the air. ALLERGIES!!!

3. What type of music do you listen to? Do you have a favorite singer or band you particularly like?
My favorite group of all time has to be Stone
Temple Pilots, although I really love the Indigo Girls as well. These 2
bands are about as different as you can get. My tastes run the spectrum.
I also love classical, Dave Matthews, Frank Sinatra, Def Leopard...you name
it.

4. What is an interesting/ unique fact about you most people don't know?
I think I sing pretty well. Back when i was a much younger newsman in my first news market I used to sing in and often win Karaoke contests. The prize was my spending money. You don't make much at your first job.

5. What was you're first job before working in the broadcasting news industry?
My first job was a stockboy at "Save-Mor" drug store in Buhl Idaho. I was 14 years old at the time. I grew up in the kind of town where everyone knows the pharmacist and hangs on his every word. Everyone wanted to be a stockboy at that store. I lucked out and got it.

6. What do you think of Sacramento so far in the few months you've lived here? Any difference from San Francisco where you came from?
I absolutely love Sacramento and plan to make this my families home. The people here
are so friendly, everyone really cares about each other. I also love the location. You can't beat the beautiful rivers, the mountains to the north, wine country all around and the Bay Area a short drive away. As far as San Francisco, of course it is an incredible city but there soooo many
people. Honestly I won't miss the lines for everything and driving around and around to find a parking place. I also won't miss the chilly weather there.

7. What do you normally watch on TV on you're free time?
Considering the fact that I have 3 children (all boys including a toddler) I don't have a
lot of time to watch TV. When I do get time I most often watch the Discovery Channel or News. I also love Entourage.

8. Found any favorite restaurants/ hot spots in Sacramento yet you enjoy?
Again, this goes back to the 3 children factor, but I am really impressed
with the sushi I've eaten in town. I'm also a big Ill Fornaio fan, try
their butternut squash ravioli it's out of this world!

9. Where can you be found on the weekends?
Usually at one of my sons baseball games or out riding bikes. During the winter we love to
snowboard. When my wife and I can get away we enjoy touring wine country.

10. Where did you attend college and major in?
I attended the University of Idaho and majored in Communications.

11. Lastly, what advice would you give to a young Journalism student in
college wanting to be a reporter in TV?
It's a tough, ultra competitive business. Be prepared to pay your dues and put in long hours for little compensation at first. While it may seem glamorous to some it really is an often difficult day to day career but can be incredibly rewarding and satisfying.

Got a Question?

CBS13 recently launched a new website that allows viewers to send in their questions that they have particularly on any news story or event going on. The website is http://www.askingquestions.tv/
but to send a question, it takes you right back to their website where you fill out a form and submit it. So if you have a question? Then send it. They pick the questions they feel should be read on-air and others possibly responded by e-mail. Some people probably wont get an answer for a few weeks because of the amount of questions received. But it doesn't hurt to try...

Behind the Scenes Look...

Tonight at 11, Dave Walker will take a look behind the scenes of what a jail inmate goes through before entering the Sacramento County Jail. It will be interesting to see what he goes through which very much of us don't really know but have an idea of it. It's tonight at 11 on KCRA. If you miss it, I'm very much sure it will be posted on their website.

Relocating two Former Reporters...

Remember Bora Kim former reporter for the CBS13 San Joaquin Valley bureau? She started this week at WDIV-TV NBC 4 in Detroit, Michigan as a general assignment reporter, where Pallas Hupe worked for a while there in market 11. It's unsure why Bora was only with CBS13 for over a year but reports online that weren't confirmed were saying she got fired. She left sometime in late 2006 or early 2007, and that's where Edmundo Aguilar was hired to report in the Stockton area.


And FOX40 Morning reporter Kye Martin started last month at the CW affiliate in Chicago, IL as a traffic anchor/reporter on Navteq/Traffic.com

Five People Killed in Stanislaus County...

At least five people were killed Tuesday afternoon after a van carrying relatives fell into canal in Westley, California southwest of Modesto. According to local authorities the four people in the SUV were on their way home to Lodi after working in an Orchard in the town of Westley earlier that day when suddenly they crashed into a truck owned by United Site Services Inc. based from Sacramento. Reports of witnesses say the force of the impact drove them to fall into the canal which occurred at the intersection. Hours later authorities pulled out the SUV Tuesday evening with four bodies sill in the SUV and the driver of the septic truck was pulled out earlier that day and was pronounced dead. When family members of the workers were interviewed by TV stations they were upset blaming the divers for not taking quicker action because they were 'immigrants' according to a family member interviewed by CBS13. Later in the interview an authority said it had nothing to do with who they were, it was because of the current moving fast and didn't want to take any chances.
Still investigators are on the scene trying to piece together what determined the crash.

New Time Slot...

Walt Gray is now anchoring the 11 p.m. newscast along with Edie Lambert, It's strange to see him anchor the 11 because he normally anchors the noon newscast from Arden Fair Mall... But he still anchor's 5-7 a.m. along with Deirdre Fitzpatrick, so yes he is working overnight.
"I'm on with Edie until further notice at 11pm.we'll see how it goes.... i think that's the line.so far..it's been going very well". So who's anchoring the noon newscast? It varies but mainly Adrienne Bankert is.

Sad News for Long time KCRA Viewers...

Dave Walker and Lois Hart have been one of the most well known anchors in Sacramento for nearly 20 years. And towards the end of this year they are expected to retire! That's right! According to Sac Bee's 21Q says over a phone interview, Lois Hart confirmed today that they plan to do a lot of traveling once they retire. So it will definitely be sad to see these familiar faces leave KCRA, the station will definitely have another look to them with a few fresh faces possibly by next year.