Noah’s Golden Dome Experience

Noah auditions for his role as State House reporter.

Thanks to the Presidents of the United States of America, Noah did not have school on Monday.

That allowed he and I to spend some time together. We made a couple of stops at my work and lunch before the golden experience.

What kid doesn’t want to be dragged to the Iowa State Capital in the middle of the Legislative session? Probably no kid that knows any better. I give Noah credit. He did seem to be excited about it.

Noah took a tour of the Capital last year with his day care.

This time we went when there was all sorts of activity. The House and Senate both gaveled into session on Monday. Then both chambers went into Caucus.

A day of law making makes us crazy!

Noah did get a little bored, but he did enjoy looking up at the lovely scenery of the Iowa Capital’s Rotunda.

He also enjoyed going into the Law Library. We recorded two Iowa Journal’s inside the library. So, I had spent a little time in there and could answer a few of his questions. It was a rare quiet experience for he and I.

It also was Wartburg Day at the Capital. So, Noah and I “had” to stick around for the free ice cream. Anytime the college pays for something you take it.

A little recruiting news here, Noah did commit to Wartburg. I wonder if his verbal will hold up for another 12 years.

It was nice to see some friendly Wartburg faces and meet a few new ones. Also, my old professor, now Senator, Liz Mathis was hard at work with her clerk Suzanne Behnke Heseman.

Kerry Wright was making things happen as always, so thanks to her, too.

Rolling out the Red Carpet

It was quite the week in Iowa. Never has so much been done to welcome foreign dignitaries.

The 747 of Vice President Xi Jinping sits on the runway at the Des Moines Airport.

Sure, we’ve seen foreign journalists come to Iowa to cover the Iowa Caucuses. But the world-wide coverage of the sitting vice president of the largest country in the world, was impressive.

This week, VP Xi Jinping came back to Iowa for the first time since 1985.

I’ve covered presidential visits, governors, senators but never have I been on assignment for someone who is that high up the State Department food chain.

I was assigned to the Des Moines arrival of Xi. IPTV was the pool crew for his arrival. Steve Carns and I were with the entire media until the VP’s plane came to a stop at the Iowa National Guard’s hanger. Then we were tapped and allowed to get extremely close to the soon-to-be leader of China. Steve put his news shoes back on, elbowing his way through 3 other TV cameras from China, a few still photographers and plenty of security.

Xi was greeted by several of Iowa’s top elected officials along a red carpet.

Then, Xi was ushered into a limo, the red and blue lights were activated on the police cars and the motorcade sprinted away from the airplane in a scene perfectly placed inside a West Wing episode.

Just like that, our moment was done. Xi was on his way to the state capital.

You can see a story on Xi’s entire visit to the United States on this week’s Market To Market. Andrew Batt is the producer on the piece.

By the time the story airs in Iowa, I’ll be knee-deep in directions from Craig Ihnen. Craig is the executive director of the Iowa High School Speech Association. I’ve again been selected to serve as a guest critic for the Large Group All-State Festival. I’ll be the TV and Radio news critic. I really love being asked to give feedback to Iowa high school kids giving their absolute best in the field I love. This will be my third time in the large group setting and fifth overall.

This event is a blast. Craig will be revving up the crowd at CY Stephens (thanks Steve) Saturday morning and that is before 8 AM. If you’re in Ames on Saturday, stop in our room and say hello.

Just because they may be thin, doesn’t mean the hats aren’t mighty

Nikki Newbrough, KWWL - TV Waterloo.

Thank goodness winter is here. We needed the snow to help bring out the hats.

We had one crop already this season. This would be the second round of lids.

We begin with Wartburg grad and now KWWL reporter Nikki Newbrough. She is the morning reporter for the NBC affiliate. Translation: She can be silly when needed.

Nikki's live shot on earth.

Earlier in the day, Nikki was at the University of Northern Iowa campus asking students about the cold and snow. Her interview almost stole the show. He was in a NASA-type space suit.

Earth to UNI dude, nice hat.

You can see in this picture, Nikki put the space helmet on her head for this still frame.

Brian Boesen, KWQC - HD, live on Brady Street Hill in Davenport.

Brian Boesen is reporting on Brady Street Hill in Davenport. I’ve done that shot a few times in my career.

The KWQC reporter and I met backstage at the Girl Scouts Night on Broadway a couple of months back.

I also met the clubhouse leader for hats in 2012, Megan Ottier that night in Bettendorf. More on her in a moment.

Back to Brian… I did ask him if he was related to the Des Moines Boesen’s. Specifically, former Dowling Catholic TE Ben Boesen who is now playing football at Iowa State. No relation between the two. Yes, I was that guy who asked.

Angie Hunt, KCCI - TV Des Moines.

Back to Central Iowa and an ‘ole favorite for hats here at PP&M and that would be Angie Hunt.

The Ames bureau reporter has been captured with many great lids on her head the last few years. She gets the plum assignments in all corners of the viewing area, many northern points, so wearing a good head topper is vital to her good health.

Thank you to Angie.

Krystle Kacner , WHO - HD Des Moines

Newly hired reporter Krystle Kacner of WHO-HD is now getting into the hat game. She’s new to the area and to the station.

But her hat is one of veteran caliber.

As she settles in, we’ll get her to tweet a couple of pictures of herself wearing a hat.

Chris Earl, KCRG Cedar Rapids

And back to eastern Iowa and KCRG reporter/anchor Chris Earl.

Mr. Earl deserves special attention for this furry wonder on his head.

Would you call that Cousin Eddy’s hat from Christmas Vacation? Or is that more Daniel Boone?

Now back to the hat that I received the most in my inbox.

Morgan Ottier of KWQC opens the competition with a home run.

Megan’s hat is spectacular. But some question if the hat is for show or if she’s serious about wearing the hat. Better yet, is she serious while wearing that hat?

I know many reporters were looking forward to getting out in the elements this weekend to talk about the ice and snow, but it looks like those pictures will have to wait, as the next winter death storm is staying to the west.

So Lauren Squires, bring us your hats from the Omaha market.

If you know of a hat to share, send the pic to IPTVPaul@gmail.com .

New Divisions announced in 4A football

Radio play-by-play guys will have new press boxes to haunt this season.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the new Divisions for Class 4A football in Iowa.  These divisions will play in the 2012 and 2013 seasons.  The eastern side in 4A will remain in conferences.

This is not to be called district football like it is in the other classes of Iowa high school football.

The teams were seeded on past performances and then split into four divisions. Any thoughts on the new match ups?

Schools will submit wish lists of teams to fill out the remaining 4 games on the schedule. My understanding is, that won’t have an impact on playoff points.

Here are the divisions.

Division #1

Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson
Des Moines, Abraham Lincoln
Indianola
Sioux City, East
Urbandale
Valley, West Des Moines

Division #2
Ames
Ankeny
Fort Dodge
Des Moines, North
Johnston
Sioux City, North

Division #3
Ankeny Centennial (no varsity until 2013 season)
Des Moines, Hoover
Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines Des Moines
Marshalltown
Mason City
Ottumwa

Division #4
Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln
Des Moines, East
Roosevelt
Sioux City, West
Southeast Polk
Waukee

On first blush the Division 3 has the longest road trip with Ottumwa and Mason City grouped together. This division does not include a Sioux City or Council Bluffs team, either.

New Hats for the New Year of 2012

Morgan Ottier of KWQC opens the competition with a home run.

Welcome to 2012 and the return of TV reporters/photographers/producers wearing hats on the job.

You’ve all seen a reporter “braving the elements so you don’t have to.”

Sometimes they bring a hat to the liveshot to mix things up a bit.

This year we begin the look around the state and beyond with wonderful hats of winter. The winter that took forever to arrive.

We begin with Morgan Ottier of KWQC. The morning reporter hit a home run outside the Davenport studios this morning. I got to meet Morgan during my recent trip to the Quad Cities for the QC Media Night on Broadway Holiday Winter Spectacular Extravaganza.

Thanks to Joanne Phillips and Alan Campbell for pointing me in the direction of this hat. I know a couple of people are loyal readers of the blog, so thanks for the help. If you’ve seen a hat on your TV and get a screen grab, send it to me at IPTVPaul@Gmail.com.

Jill Kasparie, KCRG TV out in the snow.

Another entry comes from the best friend a guy can ever have in Michael Graham. Chef Mike sent this shot of KCRG reporter Jill Kasparie.

Jill has a twin in Iowa TV. Sister Kelly is a producer at WHO-TV.

I know that can’t be the only two hats out there today. Please consider your sisters and brothers outside your TV market who want to see the best in hats in 2012.

Again, send any pics to IPTVPaul@gmail.com
I can leave your name out of credit if you choose.

Caucus day 2012

Quite a day for the state of Iowa. It is caucus day.

I’ve been to several place today. First it was a Gov. Rick Perry event at Principal Financial.

Then Rick Santorum at Des Moines Christian school.

A road trip to Colfax for an actual caucus location.

Now I’m hanging at the Mitt Romney at the Hotel Ft Des Moines with a few hundred friends in the media.

IPTV producer, long-time voice of many things Iowa, passes

Mike Newell - IPTV Photo.

This time the death hit too close  to home.

Fellow IPTV producer Mike Newell died Thursday night in a Des Moines hospital following a heart attack the day after Thanksgiving. He was 66.

Newell was someone I grew up listening to either on the radio and watching on TV. When I came to Iowa Public Television, I was working next to him. We shared a wall for a few years. I heard many great lines come from his office as he set up guests for Iowa Press. His rhythmic tempo on the typewriter set a tone for Newell’s work. He said a typewriter was the only place he could construct a script. Then he’s transfer his work to the computer.

The Des Moines Register published this story Friday afternoon. The best quote came from a 1994 story.

Newell had a number of health problems over the years, including a mild heart attack at the age of 49, which prompted Hansen’s 1994 column in which Newell described his pre-attack schedule as being up at 3:40 a.m. and to the office by 5.

“I’d have three cups of coffee and three cigarettes before I put my underwear on,” Newell told Hansen.

Mike was full of great lines like that. You can them one-liners or clichés, we called them Newell-isms.

I loved prompting Mike into a story about the Iowa Cornettes, the former women’s professional basketball team, his time with the Iowa Oaks or Iowa Cubs when he called them for IPBN or a former co-worker we had in common.

He’d talk about the first days of the original “Sound Off” when it was a radio show only.

Mike did work for the Louisville Redbirds, Iowa High School Shrine Bowl, state tournaments, any racing at the Iowa State Fair or feature.

IPTV used to broadcast Iowa Hawkeye football games. Here’s a YouTube video of former running back Nick Bell‘s greatest hits. I saw this video awhile back and was listening to the commentators and said I knew that voice. I sent the link to Mike for him to hear. Now you can hear.

Mike’s current job was gathering broadcast professionals into a conference room to set a game plan for that week’s Iowa Press guest. It was only fitting that the show included a video tribute. You can see it here or watch it this weekend on the show.

Radio Iowa’s Kay Henderson is a friend to everyone on this side of her microphone. She’s a regular on Iowa Press and posted this wonderful story today featuring this quote.

To a “Sound Off” caller who was complaining about Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry’s play-calling — after a victory, mind you — Newell put it this way: “That guy would complain about the chip dip at an orgy.”

Mike had flair on the air.  He did play-by-play of the University of Iowa women’s basketball team and, when a referee’s call seemed to be out-of-bounds, so to speak, Newell would sometimes quip: “Give me a drag of what he’s been smoking.”

I loved having conversations with Mike. Work would call and put us back to reality, but it was a history lesson and exchanges of how we each heard the story was some of my best work moments.

Several friends and colleagues posted tributes to Mike:

• “I’m saddened today to hear about Mike Newell’s passing. He was my mentor and helped me get started in sports broadcasting. Thanks Mike.” Geoff Conn
• “I know I can speak for Ryan Schlader and Andy Roethler in saying that working Iowa women’s basketball games during our time at KRUI while being near Mike Newell was an honor and privilege and hearing about Mike’s passing will be a great void to us. Thanks Mike for being a part of our lives, you will be missed by many!” Bob Fisher
• “Terribly saddened about the death of Iowa broadcaster Mike Newell. I would frequently direct shows he hosted on WHO Radio. And when I began my career as a newscaster, it would be a huge thrill to hear Mike say “Brian Allen has the news next on WHO Des Moines”. Mike always encouraged me. RIP to a good man and a good broadcaster.” Brian Allen
•  ”RIP Mike Newell. A dear friend and one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met.” Joey Donia 

Mike Newell during his interview for IPTV's documentary "More Than a Game," on six-on-six girls basketball.

I talked to Iowa Athletic Department officials today to tell them of Mike’s passing and heard from one that said the news hit them “right between the eyes.” Another said “one of my all-time favorite people.”

I agree and so do others.

Mike went to high school with the Murray brothers.

Yes. Those Murray brothers. I talked to Mike one day about an article I read discussing an anniversary recounting the filming of Caddyshack. He the filled me in on background stories about Bill and Brian Doyle Murray.

He had connections to many corners of the world. And had played many of those corners as well.

Again, here’s the link to the video tribute as narrated by Dean Borg. The two worked on Iowa Press together for more than 20 years.

Mike, I’ll never look at a bicycle seat the same way again.

2 more deaths involving former staffers at KIMT and KSO

Don Harman, FOX4KC.com image

This blog has turned into the obituary page of the internet.

Earlier this week we learned former WHO and WOI TV anchor Bobbi Bergman Silvernail Brunscheon died.

Then it was Tom Bedore, or as he was known on KSO-AM, Tom Collins.

Now word is former KIMT meteorologist Don Harman has passed.

This Pitch.com story was posted this morning about Harman. (It has since been pulled or is missing from the site and now moved to here.)

The note below was posted on the Fox4 Facebook page this morning:

Good morning.
We know many of you have questions.
We appreciate your concern, and we consider you our friends.
But please remember that family comes first.
We’re honoring that right now, and we ask that you join us in that.
Please bear with us for a little while longer.
-Loren & Mark

As of 930, there’s been no official word on the station website, but former co-workers have posted status updates asking for prayers and support for the family. The Facebook post has generated a large amount of traffic.

Harman was at KIMT in Mason City in the mid-90′s, including the time when Jodi Huisentruit disappeared.

Don worked in West Virginia at two different stations during his career before going to Kansas City to work at Fox 4 where he worked on the morning show.

From the station bio:

Throughout his years in television, Don has played an active role in the communities in which he worked. He has a passion for educating children about science and enjoys teaching them about weather with his Doppler Don segments. In 2001, he was nominated for an Emmy and was a Missouri Broadcast Award winner for his educational childrens’ reports as Doppler Don. The best part of teaching weather for Don is seeing the kids’ eyes light up when they realize science can be fun.

When he’s not forecasting the weather or working with children, Don enjoys spending time outdoors. His favorite activities include hiking, camping, and skiing. Don, his wife, Monica, and their daughter, Avery, live in Kansas City, Mo.

Harman had a good sense of humor and his former co-workers I’ve worked with, always had great Don stories to share.

Another passing happened over the weekend. This one involving former 1460 KSO DJ Tom Collins, who died Saturday in Appleton, Wisconsin. Collins was part of the Tom and Jerry Show in Des Moines.

Bedore had been doing voice work and field production for radio and TV commercials.  His career also took him to New York, California, Iowa and eventually Wisconsin.

Part of Thomas’ obit is below, the full story is here:

Tom is survived by his parents, John and Dolores, Appleton; three brothers, John Jr. (Sue Swamer) Bedore, Timothy (Karen) Bedore, and James (Carrie) Bedore; and a nephew, Ben, and nieces, Annie and Claire.

A memorial mass for Tom will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1617 W. Pine St., Appleton, with Fr. Dennis Ryan officiating. Friends may call on Saturday at church from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tom’s name may be made to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Memorial Contributions, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN, 38120. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the caregivers with ThedaCare Hospice for your loving and good-humored care. Tom loved you all.

Please let this be the last of the death notices for media members for awhile.

Former WHO and WOI anchor passes away

Bobbi Bergman in her WOI days.

For years, Bobbi Bergman was the first person many people saw when they woke up in Des Moines. As part of the WHO-TV and later WOI news team, she got up early to bring you the news.

Bergman later anchored the weekend evening news at WOI-TV.

Bobbi left the news business and her on-air identity as Bobbi Bergman, a couple of years ago and among many things was a wedding officiant.

Bobbi also spent time officiating weddings.

Now her friends and family are searching for meaning in her passing.

Bobbi Silvernail Brunscheon died November 27th, 2011.

According to friends who’ve talked to her husband, Bobbi was complaining of shortness of breath Thursday, stopped breathing that day and never recovered.

Her Facebook page is being used to distribute information about her passing. Her husband posted this update today.

I would like to thank all of Bobbi’s friends for the condolences and kind words. Bobbi was a very special person and had a heart of gold. The two years I spent with her were the two best years of my life. I loved her and made sure I told her that every day. I will miss her beautiful smile and her good energy she provided to me when I was down. I love you Bobbi Silvernail Brunscheon!!!

Bobbie was very much a people person, loved to engage in good debate and above all, made sure you knew she was a huge Michigan fan.

Friend Brooke Bouma posted this in the WHO’s The Morning Buzz blog.

 I met her when I first started working at WHO in 2000 and I was lucky to count her as a friend over the years. She was a lively spirit and I she always put a smile on my face. I talked to her husband yesterday and he told me doctors still don’t know what happened. She stopped breathing Thursday morning and never recovered.

Click on this link to read the entire post from Brooke.

I was able to find a little more bio information Bobbi for those interested.

Bobbi Bergman joined the ABC5 news team in December 2005 as the weekend anchor. Her decade long journalism career has taken her to Washington, D.C., Rapid City, South Dakota and Minneapolis, and she most recently worked for WHO-TV in Des Moines. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. She also attended American University in Washington, D.C.

Bobbi is a champion baton twirler and a former “Mrs. Iowa.” She is active in the Des Moines community and serves as president-elect for VSA Arts of Iowa, a non-profit group that promotes the creative power of people with disabilities.

Her obituary is posted here. Funeral services will be Wednesday.

Lip sweaters plus battles between hot reporters and meteorologists

The leaves are all but gone from the trees and some of your favorite reporters and anchors have vanished, too. And in one case, an entire news department.

We’ll go west to east in Iowa.

Zach Tecklenberg

Humboldt native, Drake and WHO-TV alum Zach Tecklenburg has pulled up stakes from KTIV in Sioux City. He’s travelled south on I-29, around the formerly flooded Missouri River and landed in Kansas City at NBC Action News.

That’s KSHB-TV 41 on your dial.

That is also the same station of former WOI and WHBF reporter Sloane Heller.

Mike Peasley (submitted photo to SC Journal).

Former KCAU reporter Mike Peasley is now in Dallas. That’s not the news, but the former sports director at KICD Radio in Spencer covered another big sporting event, the World Series between your Texas Rangers and the new world champion St. Louis Cardinals. This write-up in the Sioux City Journal relives one of my favorite Mike stories from his first election night covering Congressman Tom Latham‘s win. Mike though, is one being affected by the NBA lockout. He was covering the Dallas Mavericks. Now there’s now Mavs to cover. Thanks owners and players for dinking my friend and his family that doesn’t make the NBA league minimum.

The stork is coming back to Iowa’s News Leader. KCCI morning anchor Katie Ward is expecting. She said so in a promo with anchor Steve Karlin. This is her second child. Also in the spot are Wes Callison and the new traffic reporter, Jackie Schmillen.

New Raygun shirt.

Wes is also featured on a new Raygun T-shirt. The Village of East Des Moines t-shirt shop put the meteorologists from KCCI and WHO.

The chiefs are in the middle of the ring. John “Umbrella of Pain” McLaughlin and Ed “Pressures Rising” Wilson are shirtless and gloved to do battle. Also on the shirt, Kurtis “Flash Flood” Gertz, Metinka “Hail Damage” Slater, Wes “Patchy Fog” Callison of Channel 8.

The Channel 13 line up card: Jeriann “The F5″ Ritter, Megan “Mega Doppler” Salois and Brett “Tornadic Activity” McIntire.

Great shirt. Great fun by all. Also makes a great stocking stuffer for your favorite weather geek, or even media blogger.

Keith Murphy sporting the Stache. (Image from KXNO.com)

Also from the folks at Channel 13, the razors appear broken at Keith Murphy‘s house.

WHO-HD sports director and show host at KXNO has a lip sweater this month. He’s taking part in the Movember  or Stash For Cash cause to benefit cancer awareness. This also got John Bachman to porn stache on TV. Awesome.

Also taking part is KCNZ’s Jesse Gavin.

Natasha Chughtai and Eileen Loan ring bells for the Salvation Army. (Photo from KWWL Facebook page).

KWWL-TV has brought in a new female anchor. Natasha Chughtai replaces Sunny Layne who left the station in October. Chughtai’s most recent stops were in Oregon and Alaska. She’s a native Minnesotan.

Layne’s co-anchor had changed in the last six months when Jeff Eliasoph came to work at E. 4th Street. Jeff’s in for Bob Waters who was moved back down the lane to weekends. Layne is looking to move closer to home.

WithOutCoverage is complete. Clear Channel made more cuts to operations across the country, this time slicing WOC AM 1420′s Newsteam. Gone is last man standing, Nick Lindberg. Already out the door were Mark Minnick and Phil Roberts. QC reports are anchored at the “hub” of Des Moines to provide for the “spoke” of Davenport.  Dan Kennedy and Jim Fisher are the last local program offerings from WOC.

Tiffany Tift needs your votes.

Former KWQC -TV6 reporter Tiffany Tift needs your votes. Tift is now a reporter in Orlando at WOFL Fox 35. A local radio station is holding Central Florida’s Hottest Broadcaster poll. Tiffany is asking for your votes. Click here for the contest.

I wouldn’t openly solicit votes on her behalf if I wasn’t such a fan of hers. She was brave to take her first TV job in the QC after spending most of her life in Florida. That winter was life experience.

Another former QC reporter is changing jobs. Meredith Wood is now closer to home. The Alabama native former WHBF reporter is now at WAAY-TV in Huntsville. She will be the noon and 4p anchor at the end of November. She comes from WCHS-TV in West Virginia. Here’s a look at her welcome video.

Tom Hudson gets a little mic treatment while talking to Andrew Batt.

Iowa Public Television (my employer) recently partnered with the National Association of Manufactures for a Republican candidate forum. Tom Hudson of the PBS program Nightly Business Report. Hudson is a Davenport native, Central High grad and former reporter for WOC Radio. Hudson

And on another personal note, I’ll be headed back to the Quads for a good cause. Coming to the stage on December, media members do their best to entertain and help the Girl Scouts of Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa. According to my friend through the event, David Burke, this started in 2003. So, that would be the year I donned a toga for the cause.

What will I do this year? I’ve been asked to return. Not sure what exactly I’ve agreed to. You’ll just have to click here to help the organization.

The list of entertainers includes: Steve Ketelaar and Mark Manuel MC’s. Performers: Bailey Deitz, Meredith Dennis, Lori Evans, Ron Evans, Jason Fechner, Johanna Klossing, Erin Lounsberry, Susan McPeters, Mike Mickle, Art Monroe, Brian Nelson, Morgan Ottier, Marissa Pendergast, Paula Perez, Tami Seitz and me.

See you December 8th for the fun.