TVNewsCheck

For those attending the Promax Station Summit next week for the first time, and even those who’ve attend every year, here are some tips for surviving and enjoying the annual dust-up in the desert.

WREX, the NBC-CW affiliate in Rockford, Ill., produced a series of news reports, Lives on the Line, to bring awareness about Scott’s Law, or the Mover Over Law, which requires a driver to slow down and move over when approaching any emergency vehicle along the side of the road that displays flashing emergency lights.

The award was created in partnership with the family of the late CBS News correspondent Morley Safer to recognize a story or series of stories that reflects Safer’s journalistic legacy. “The Morley Safer Award honors reporting that changes how we understand the world,” said Bob Schieffer, one of the award judges and former CBS News journalist and Safer colleague.  “As Morley did during his legendary career, the award honors journalists who challenge conventional thinking through stories graced by precise and eloquent language.”

This past week was a busy one on TVNewsCheck’s Media Job Center, as Cox, NBC, Gray and Insite Wireless posted ads for openings in sales, news, marketing and engineering in Chicago, San Diego, Columbia, Boston and New York, and one opening where you can live anywhere you want.

WGN’s Morning News has a national reputation, well-earned, as being different from most nearly every other local TV stations’ morning news. Some might say it’s more National Lampoon than news. More Saturday Night Live than news. But according to the May ratings, morning news viewers in Chicago like it more than any other morning newscast.

When tornadoes touched down in Dayton, WDTN stayed with viewers throughout, covering the damage, and then set up relief efforts to raise money for the victims.  “Our brand mission is Working For You and we’ve never been more proud to say it, and more importantly, live it,” said Jason Doyle, WDTN’s creative services director.

Taking a 120-mile bike ride down the beach with WPTV’s Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle looks like fun. But the best part is he raises money for charity and awareness about the beginning of hurricane season along the way.

The Bergstrom Stateline Quiz Bowl started 5 years ago on WTVO/WQRF.  Since then, more than 1500 students representing more than 50 high school have participated.  “Aside from local news, you don’t see a lot of TV stations producing 40 straight weeks of a locally-originated show like this,” said Kelly Lattimer, WTVO/WQRF’s general manager.

On Memorial Day, May 27^th, a record 18 tornadoes touched down in the Dayton area. On Thursday, May 30^th, WXIX, Gray’s Fox affiliate in Cincinnati, produced a telethon to help the victims. “Though Dayton isn’t in our DMA, WXIX serves a great deal of the southern Dayton market,” said Dom Nardo, WXIX’s creative services director.

WAVY and WVBT, Nexstar’s NBC and Fox affiliates in Portsmouth, Va., started a relief fund to benefit the victims and families of those killed and wounded in the attack. “10 On Your Side’s mission, at the core, is to be there for our community and viewers,” said Carol Ward, WAVY’s general manager.