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.