Temporary Change...

You may have notice a slight change during FOX40 News. Dennis Shanahan is now weather anchoring for the weekend night editions (as he did before, but now frequently), and Louisa Hodge, who weather anchored the weekend nights, is now reporting! And I did some investigation (well kind of)

News Director Brandon Mercer says it's a temporary change. "Dennis and Louisa both continue to do weather for FOX40." Mercer said. "Recently, Louisa discovered some fantastic story ideas about very unusual ways social networking is changing our lives from crime fighting to health, job finding to science. We wanted to give her more days to work on this series we're calling Louisa OnLine. You'll see some eye-opening stories soon on this, and you'll also continue seeing her doing weather from time to time."

NBC's Bureau Leaves Sacramento

Mike Luery has been the capitol correspondent in California appearing for NBC affiliates in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego for several years, and that came to an end on Friday April 24. Luery released an e-mail going around about his journey.

"The Sacramento Bureau is closing down this week. My photographer Mykie Vang and I want you to know how much we've enjoyed working with you over the past three years.

As a reporter, you couldn't ask for a better beat than to cover demonstrations at the Capitol, political campaigns for president and of course the "Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger. We've also followed important issues like education, jobs, gay rights, the environment and government, with a critical look at whether our tax dollars are being spent wisely or unwisely. And along the way, we've had the opportunity to cover stories on wildfires at Lake Tahoe, wild bears in the woods and even some wayward whales in the Delta.

It's been a great ride and I feel honored and privileged to have been given the chance to cover these stories for you over the past three years. I am an eternal optimist and believe that when a door closes, a window will open up for a new opportunity. Mykie and I would like very much to stay in touch, so I am providing our contact information below."

Mike Luery

No word yet where Mike and his photographer are headed to. The only major affiliate in California with a capitol correspondent is Nannette Miranda with ABC.

Senior Reporter leaves News10

Mark Hedlund joined News10 on March 30, 1981... the day President Reagan was shot. Hedlund has covered all sorts of stories throughout Northern California including floods, fires, and his speciality... court appearance's.

Most people don't know this, but coincidentally Hedlund's son is also a general assignment reporter working for CBS in the Washington/ Idaho market since 2006.

Working almost 30 years in Sacramento, Hedlund has decided to leave. His last appearance was Friday April 17 on News10 at 5. He will continue to reside in Sacramento along with his wife, Beth. Hedlund will now be working at the state assembly speakers office.

The Sandra Cantu Investigation

The Sandra Cantu investigation received so much national attention after her body was discovered in a suitcase at an irrigation pond near her home in Tracy, Calif.


Slowly, and slowly the public information officer (PIO) gave very little information about the search during the daily news conference to the media. A memorial was set up outside of the mobile home park where Sandra resided. It grew just about everyday stretching at 20 ft. with outpouring of love and support.


Sandra went missing on Friday March 27. and day by day the search became very interesting and expanded locally, to nationally. Drawing media coverage from the San Francisco Bay area to Fresno, and networks such as NBC, ABC, and CNN.


Just days after her body was discovered an arrest was made early Saturday morning. Police arrested 28-year-old Melissa Huckabee, who lived in the mobile home park, and had told local media she reported a missing suitcase. After interviews with the police department, they said she was giving them different stories on each visit. Finally, she became emotional and confessed she was responsible for the death of Sandra Cantu. The community was outrage that a women could have done something like this... especially someone who was a Sunday school teacher at the church where investigators also searched. Sandra Cantu were friends with Melissa's 5-year-old daughter.


Now Melissa is in custody, and could be sentenced to life in prison. Sources also state that she was going through mental problems... just days before she was hospitalized, sources were told she swallowed small razor blades, that caused her to visit the hospital.

Former Sacramento Reporter now Correspondent

Miguel Almaguer, former KCRA 3 reporter from 2003-2006 has officially been named an NBC News Correspondent based from California. He will work out from their Burbank bureau and begins April 2. Almaguer will contribute to all NBC shows... including the Nightly newscast, the Today Show, and MSNBC. Almaguer is originally from the bay area, and graduated from San Francisco State in 2000. Prior to his promotion he worked for the NBC affiliate in Washington D.C for three years. Way to go Miguel!