The newsroom

Just like old times

A few days ago my old boss, Rick Williams, from my last station, WALB-TV, paid a visit to Myrtle Beach to help with rehearsals as WMBF prepares for its launch in just a matter of days. 

I got to admit, I kind of missed the guy after not seeing him since March--which is the month I left for the beach.  His presence at the station brought the "Albany Team"  back--at least for a short moment.  Three of us currently working at WMBF came from Rick's station in Georgia.   Heck, even WMBF chief meteorologist, Rob Hatchell, worked right down the street from Rick and I at one point at the Fox station; and knows Rick quite well from the "popular hot spots" in Albany that us "news media folk" visited at times.

When we weren't rehearsing, we were busy having our morning news meetings---which Rick led a few times.  For me, those meetings were like "de ja vu" all over again.

Rick has since gone back to WALB.  We now have another member from our Raycom family assisting with rehearsals.  We've brought in Rob from Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he works as an executive     producer.  We really appreciate his assistance in helping us to successfully launch on August 8th.

It's really nice to have so much support form our surrounding sister stations.  We all really do work close together within the Raycom family.  While all eyes are on us, everyone within our company wants to see us succeed.  And come August 8th, they'll see that their help and hard work from our own staff will make this one strong NBC affiliate along the Grand Strand and Pee and one to be reckoned with.

Just eight more days, and you'll see what I mean!

Nikki Gaskins | ngaskins@wmbfnews.com

 

Consumer News... my beat at WMBF

In addition to co-anchoring the morning news, my role on the other WMBF newscasts will be to report on consumer stories. Consumer news can be quite valuable at this time of high gas prices and rising food costs. As the saying goes, it's news you can use.

Last week, I got a tip from someone warning me not to open e-mails that contain a certain title. It was information I was glad to know when I ended up getting an e-mail that could have been harmful to my personal computer. So, I'll pass information like that along as well.

Raycom, the company that owns WMBF-TV, already has very strong consumer reporters on its staff. Their reports will be seen on our air, and they'll be helping me out as well.

Jason Barr | Anchor | jbarr@wmbfnews.com

Keeping You Safe

Hi all,

I just got back from a hurricane meeting on what the media needs to do in the event of a storm. I wanted to let you know...not only will you be well-informed if a hurricane hits, but also you should feel encouraged about the emergency management team. They have every detail down to a science. Whether you need to know an evacuation route or what you need to have in your home or where to go for shelter..your covered!

I've covered a disaster before and let me tell you things get very hectic, very quick. The disaster I'm talking about was a flood in Binghamton, NY. When it happened I had been anchoring and reporting in the market for about a year. It was devastating....thousands of people lost their homes and ended up living in FEMA trailers for months. Still now, people there are working to get on their feet. When something like that happens you really learn how important TV is to informing people at home. A funny side note: I wore a baseball hat and polo shirt during the storm and was reporting live thoughout the newscasts. Well for my remaining time in Binghamton, people remembered me for nothing more than the girl standing in flood water with the baseball hat and polo.

I know you are all counting down to the end of hurricane season, but tune in to WMBF news if one hits. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Kerri O'Hara | kerriohara@wmbfnews.com

Rain rain...go away...

I want to play with the live truck today!

I knew this job would present its fair share of challenges. I never thought these “challenges” would include a 50-foot metal pole and antenna coming out the top.

Today was supposed to be more training on the trucks but, alas, due to inclement weather, training is a no go.  Don’t worry though, the clouds will part soon, and we will transmit with your LIVE…local…and late breaking news.

Rebecca Ryan | rryan@wmbfnews.com

Having a little fun in the sun: Co-workers bonding at a childhood favorite spot

I'm not going to lie. It was a little wierd spending my first birthday completely away from my family. Sure, there were calls and cards. My brother sang "Happy Birthday" to my voicemail. Granted, he's no Harry Connick Jr, but it's a family tradition. But I will say this, my co-workers (many of them becoming fast friends) made me forget I wasn't surrounded by my best friends and family.

I got plenty of "Happy Birthdays" and cards from everyone. Now, I think part of that was because my roommate, Photographer Rebecca Ryan, decorated my cubicle in the most ostentatious, yet endearing display of streamers. There were pink and yellow streamers on every wall, even surrounding my computer. It stood out like Christmas lights in late January. Needless to say, I loved it.

The best was yet to come.

Most of the celebrating didn't happen in the newsroom. No, most of the celebration was when a group of co-workers and I visited my absolute favorite spot in the Grand Strand. It's a mecca of both fun and pain, thrills and relaxation: Wild Water & Wheels Waterpark in Surfside, also known as Meredith's equivalent of Disney World at Myrtle Beach.  I highly recommend it. Catherine and Shannon, two of our lovely producers, even made cheesey visors and a tank top for me.

A group of us spent the day relaxing down the lazy river, braving "the dark hole", and trying not to get our mats stuck at the top of the racing slides thereby having to do an awkward beached whale type motion to scoot ourselves down the slide. I haven't had that much fun in a while.

I learned things I didn't already know about everyone. We can all now laugh about the wedgies we got from the "speed slides".  We found out  who were the scaredy cats when it came to "the dark hole". And most of all, it was a carefree day where we could all have a little childish fun and get to know one another.

So while it may not have been in the newsroom, the bonding from this weekend will definetly translate as we begin our work at the station.

Meredith Harvie | mharvie@wmbfnews.com  

At Last

Alright, so my first day was last Thursday -- and I'm finally blogging on a Monday.  Please excuse the tardy hello.  I suppose you could say that I've been a little overwhelmed.  I had a quick turnover from one newsroom to the next.  My last day in Virginia was a Wednesday, I drove down after work with a car load of animals and then started at WMBF the next day.  I don't think I've stopped to breath. 

But who needs to breath?  All that excitement you've been reading about?  It's still thick in the air.  We've been pretty busy sitting at the anchor desk running mock shows over and over to make sure things are in order for the launch.  During the down time between the shows I've pretty much found myself crying...because I was laughing so hard.  Michael Maely and Rob Hatchell are two of the funniest guys I've ever worked with (don't tell them, they may get big heads).  I wasn't worried about working with them -- but I feel much more reassured that we will be genuine friends after hitting it off right away.  I think that only makes watching the news a better experience for YOU.  I'm excited for all of you to get to meet these guys too -- see you in 10 days.

...indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

With less than two weeks to go until WMBF hits the air, rehearsing our newscasts is now a normal part of every day at the television station. (If you've read some other blog postings, that may be old news.)
The rehearsals help us in the news department and our co-workers in the production department (directors, audio technicians, studio camera operators, etc.). It's also been a good chance for the two departments to work together for the first time.
After a few rehearsals over the weekend, I must say our production manager Brian Lester has done a great job hiring the production team. Everyone was great to work with, and that will only help us put a better newscast on the air.
So at this point you may be wondering what's up with the title of this blog entry... Well, of course, it's related to our production crew. During a rehearsal Saturday I started reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for a sound check. (I've found the pledge is a good standby if you don't have something else to read or say during a sound check.) However, I didn't get through the whole pledge, and a few members of the production crew (and meteorologist Jamie Arnold) insisted it was unpatriotic if I didn't finish. They were (kind of) joking, which I think is a good sign we'll all work well together. Nonetheless, for the record, please allow me to finish now...
"...indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The Morning Grind: A Killer

For the past few weeks now, everyone here at WMBF-TV has gone to the assigned shift they'll actually be working when we hit the air in about two weeks.  After months of working a normal shift at WMBF and getting spoiled by it, I've now returned to the "graveyard shift."

I've actually worked this shift at my last previous two stations (WCSC & WALB--both Raycom owned)doing the same job I'll be doing here, however, for some reason I've been struggling to get back into the swing of things this time around.  I'll admit, this shift is a bit of a killer.  I work doing a time when most people are catching their ZZZZ's.   My hours are from 3:30 AM to 12:20 PM Monday through Friday.

I usually try to get to bed by no later than 5 PM, however, even when I do it takes me about three hours to actually doze off.  Over the counter sleep medication isn't doing the trick nor is cutting out caffiene all together from my diet.

With 8-8-2008 just looming right around the corner, I'm determined to get a good night's rest.  So I'll be seeing a doctor Monday in hopes of getting some medicine to help with the problem.

So hopefully when you see me on the air shortly, I'll be fully energized bringing you the latest, local, late breaking news from the Grand Strand and the Pee Dee.

Nikki Gaskins | ngaskins@wmbfnews.com

Tag team...Back again

“...Check it top. Wreck it. Let's begin. Party people let me hear some noise. DC’s in the house jump jump rejoice”...I’m gettin' a little carried away with my favorite old school jam. I'll have to admit “Whoomp There It Is” has been going through my head a lot lately.

It all started late last night when our photographer Becky came in to decorate a co-worker's cubicle for her birthday. Streamers, some quirky creations, and a little team work created an absolute masterpiece!

The "Tag Team" motto came up again tonight as our producer and I were working together on a show. She taught me some of her writing skills, while I helped her edit. It’s great working with someone who cares. I’ll be darned if “tag team back again” started playing in my head…I’m just going let that be my work song.

Tag teaming is just another great way for us to work together and put an excellent program on the air.  It's really neat I can  relate my favorite old school jam with my work. That can't be said with every job!

“I'm talking it back to the old school 'Cause I'm an old fool who's so cool. Let me hear you say, whoomp there it is!…”

Tayleigh Davis | Tayleighdavis@wmbfnews.com

Lost on the Beach

I like to get lost in exercise. 

I do not like to get lost while exercising. 

Last night, in an effort to get some aerobic activity, I went for my usual nightly walk down the beach.  I did not realize how much time had flown by before my walk. 

I walked down the beach for about thirty minutes.  I walked back up the beach for thirty minutes.  However, my walking pace apparently was not the same both ways.  The sky was pitch black and for the life of me, I could not find where I had parked my car. 

The only possible solution I can think of would be to carry a flashlight when I walk.  Maybe I'll carry two, as arm weights.  Just maybe.

Laura Thomas | lthomas@wmbfnews.com