Graham Media Group launches new daily podcast

Graham Media Group is pleased to offer a daily dose of solace and hope in the form of a new podcast, "The Best Advice Show."

Hosted by Zak Rosen, veteran audio producer and Graham Media Group director of podcasts, "The Best Advice Show" is a daily, one- to three-minute podcast, sharing the weird and wonderful ways humans survive and thrive in these unpredictable times.

Advice includes managing email overload, parenting in the time of social distancing, what to do with your pasta water, how to stretch your back to release psychic stress, why eating an orange in the shower will help you jumpstart your day and so much more.

“I began working on this show months before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold,” Rosen said. “But now that we’re living in a new reality, the tenor of the show has evolved to consider this historic moment, and to hopefully help listeners remember that we all have ways to effectively make it through challenging, uncharted times.”

Each "The Best Advice Show" episode is built around a contributor offering advice, pragmatic and poetic, drawn from their life’s experience. These contributors include notable artists, writers and journalists, alongside listeners and some amazingly wise children.

“I need this show like I need hand sanitizer,” said Graham Media Group’s VP and Chief Innovation Officer Catherine Badalamente. “People are facing challenges they have never experienced before and 'The Best Advice Show' reminds us that we have each other to rely on, and that each of us has something to offer.”

The show will be available for download on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and wherever else you find your podcasts.

KPRC 2 joins Alex's Army, Alex Bregman to raise $2 million to feed Houston

KPRC 2 is joining Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman and his Alex’s Army effort to raise $2 million to help feed Houston-area residents experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 crisis.

Proceeds raised through Bregman’s FEEDHOU campaign will directly benefit the Houston Food Bank, a nonprofit committed to feeding the hungry in the Houston area.

“By working together with KPRC 2 to benefit a great organization like the Houston Food Bank, we can all do our part to ensure Houston’s underserved children and families continue to get the support they need during these difficult times,” Bregman said.

Bregman’s FEEDHOU campaign recently reached his initial fundraising goal of $1 million in donations. At KPRC 2, the station had been working with its audience to "Help Feed Houston," raising more than $50,000. By working with Alex’s Army, KPRC can help make a greater impact for neighbors in need.

“The need throughout our community due to the COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented,” said KPRC 2 Vice President and General Manager Jerry Martin. “Teaming with Alex Bregman and Alex’s Army, we hope to raise even more to feed Houston’s hungry.”

The FEEDHOU campaign, encouraging donations and volunteering, will begin airing this week across KPRC 2 and MeTV Houston airwaves and all digital platforms.

There are two ways people can help:

• Give. Every $1 donated can help provide three meals. Donations can be made by typing “FEEDHOU” in a text message to the number 41444 or by visiting click2houston.com.
• Volunteer. If you are healthy and want to make an impact, the Houston Food Bank needs you! Register at houstonfoodbank.org to see available volunteer shifts for individuals or small groups. Volunteer safety is a priority and appropriate safety measures will be taken, including social distancing.

Familiar Houstonians, including local entrepreneur Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, rapper Paul Wall and Bregman’s fiancé Reagan Howard, have also lent their support to the FEEDHOU campaign.

WJXT Channel 4 launches effort to help local restaurants, frontline workers on News4JAX.com

Frontline workers across the country are putting their lives at risk in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak, working nonstop -- sometimes without even thinking about a meal.

WJXT Channel 4, the Local Station, has launched Food4Frontline, a community-wide effort to help both frontline workers and local restaurants, on News4JAX.com.

“We have been telling the stories of doctors, nurses, EMT workers and other first responders who are so busy caring for others they don't have time to think about eating,” said Bob Ellis, WJXT/WCWJ vice president and general manager. “This is our opportunity to coordinate a meaningful effort to take care of them. To do this and also help local restaurants in the process is our way of living out our mission as Jacksonville's only truly local television station in these unprecedented times.”

The Food4Frontline effort will accomplish three things:

Solicit: WJXT has heard from so many in the community who are eager to contribute in some way. This is a chance to give back to those who are working so hard to save people's lives. These heroes without capes are putting their lives at risk while they work long shifts. WJXT -- with the community's help -- wants to feed them.

Serve: WJXT will then partner with local restaurants to order meals that will be distributed to those on the frontline. The hope is that this partnership will assist Jacksonville-area restaurants and their staff. Partners will uphold high standards in food preparation always and now, during this COVID-19 pandemic. Meals for the frontline workers will be individually packaged.

Support: These collective efforts will show those on the front line – hospital and health care workers, emergency responders or staff keeping stores’ shelves stocked -- that people are thinking of them and appreciate all that they are doing.

To donate meals to Jacksonville-area hospitals through Food4Frontline, you can start the process here.

WDIV, ClickOnDetroit launches effort to help local restaurants, frontline workers

Frontline workers across the country are putting their lives at risk in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak, working nonstop -- sometimes without even thinking about a meal.

WDIV Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com have launched Food4Frontline – a community-wide effort to help both frontline workers and local restaurants.

“Let’s support our amazing first responders that are on the front lines and working to keep us safe,” said Marla Drutz, WDIV's vice president and general manager. “At the same time, we can support our local restaurant and store workers. This is one small thing we can do as a community to mobilize behind those that are on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus.”

The Food4Frontline effort will accomplish three things:

1. Solicit: The station has heard from so many in the community who are eager to contribute in some way. This is a chance to give back to those who are working so hard to save the people's lives. These heroes without capes are putting their lives at risk while they work long shifts. WDIV -- with the community's help -- wants to feed them.

2. Serve: WDIV is partnering with local restaurants to order meals that will be distributed to those on the front line. The hope is that this partnership will assist Detroit-area restaurants and their staffers. Partners will uphold high standards in food preparation -- always and now, during this COVID-19 pandemic. Meals for the frontline workers will be individually packaged.

3. Support: These collective efforts will show those on the frontline – hospital and health care workers, emergency responders or staff keeping store shelves stocked -- that they are appreciated for the hard work.

To donate meals to Metro Detroit-area hospitals through Food4Frontline, you can start the process here.

WDIV would like to give a special thank you to the food partners: Andiamo, Tubby’s, Antonio’s, Big Boy, Roman Village, Zingerman’s Deli, Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Miss Kim, Mario’s Italian, Slows and Detroit Bold Coffee Co.

Kris Gutierrez joins KPRC 2 as evening news anchor

KPRC 2 welcomes back a familiar face. Kris Gutierrez will join Dominique Sachse, Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley and Sports Director Randy McIlvoy to anchor the station’s 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts beginning March 30.

Gutierrez will also anchor KPRC 2 News at 5 p.m. with Lauren Freeman.

Texas-born Gutierrez is a multiple Emmy- and Regional Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience covering news on the national, regional and local stages.

No stranger to Houston or Channel 2 News, Gutierrez served as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KPRC 2 from 2003 to 2007, where he was named Best Television Reporter in Texas by the Texas Association of Broadcasters, Top Television Journalist by the Houston Press Club, and awarded the Best Live Report from the Dallas Press Club.

In 2007, Kris left KPRC 2 for a position as national correspondent at Fox News Channel, based in the Dallas bureau, where he was sole reporter for all editorial content in a four-state region including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Gutierrez has since worked as a morning news anchor at WBBM-TV in Chicago, before joining Dallas’ KXAS-TV in March 2015, where he currently anchors the NBC 5 News at 5. He has previously worked at KVUE-TV in Austin, WKBN-TV in Youngstown, Ohio, and KXII-TV in Sherman, Texas.

“Kris is the quintessential Texan with a passion for storytelling and extensive experience in both national and local media. His positive energy and work ethic make Mr. Gutierrez a perfect fit for the KPRC 2 team especially during such an unprecedented time,” said Jerry Martin, KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager.

Kris is dedicated to journalism, but his greatest love is his family. When Kris is not reporting on big stories or at the anchor desk, you can find him cheering on his two kids at sporting events with his wife, Krystle Gutierrez.

A graduate of Lewisville High School, Kris earned a BS in Broadcast Journalism at Texas Christian University. He remains active in the Horned Frog community, sitting on the Board of Volunteers at the Bob Schieffer College of Communications.

Graham Media Group is comprised of seven local media hubs, Graham Digital and Social News Desk, delivering local news, programming, advertising solutions and digital media tools for television, online, mobile, OTT, podcasts and audio devices. We are dynamic, local brands that extend well beyond the traditional TV set. Our work helps inform, celebrate and knit together the communities we serve.

As coronavirus pandemic continues, Graham Media Group aims to strengthen newsrooms in fight against misinformation

When it comes to this new coronavirus, COVID-19, which is now considered a global pandemic, it’s easy for readers and viewers to go online or look at social media and find a lot of information and misinformation.

Graham Media Group wants to serve as readers’ official source when it comes to finding the best, most accurate, up-to-date and well-rounded information.

And although GMG stations aim to both verify and refute things our viewers wonder and see about the coronavirus, there are also some questions that experts still don’t know the answer to. At WDIV-TV, for example, health expert/reporter and emergency room doctor Frank McGeorge says the station is still going to address those topics, because “acknowledging what we don’t know is just as important as verifying information -- so people don’t rely on incorrect answers.”

To see how Detroit-area viewers and readers can submit a question, click or tap here.

This is all a part of the Trust Index, a new initiative to combat misinformation campaigns targeting local media. Graham Media Group and WPLG Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, just announced the campaign's launch.

“Nothing is more important than getting the story right,” said Emily Barr, President and CEO of Graham Media Group. “We are providing timely training and processes to our six newsrooms to help in the fight against misinformation campaigns attacking local news.”

Graham Media Group and WPLG are partnering with Fathm, a global leader in the fight against misinformation. Fergus Bell, Fathm’s founder and CEO, is working with newsroom leadership to evolve a verification system and to train journalists to identify and stop the spread of misinformation.

"It is fantastic to be working with organizations like Graham Media Group and WPLG who are putting a high priority focus on such an important initiative,” Bell said. “I am looking forward to preparing all of their news teams to fight misinformation in a way that is certain to benefit audiences and contribute to a healthier media ecosystem in 2020."

Graham Media Group and WPLG’s Trust Index is designed to:

• Identify manipulated or out-of-context user-generated content
• Detect fake stories generated for revenue or political motives
• Expose political ads served algorithmically with little oversight
• Support transparency in the newsroom
• Reinforce journalistic ethics
• Counteract misinformation with incisive reporting and social posts
• Encourage viewers and users to share questionable content for review by station journalists

It will look like this, shown on the news article above.

As the Trust Index, especially in this time of the coronavirus pandemic -- with new information coming in daily -- our news organizations are here to dispell any misinformation.

Bell led the first round of training at WDIV in Detroit in January and will soon complete newsroom training sessions for WPLG and all Graham Media Group stations.

Misinformation and disinformation campaigns are not limited to national politics. Increasingly, the industry is seeing coordinated campaigns designed to trick local newsrooms into reporting false or misleading stories. While GMG stations work to build defenses for reporting on the 2020 elections, a strong verification-type system will enhance the company’s newsrooms overall.

“Fact-checking is in the DNA of this company but advancements in technology are disrupting truth. We are committed to providing our communities information that they can trust,” Barr said.

WDIV named ‘Station of the Year’ by Michigan Association of Broadcasters for 6th year straight

WDIV-TV Local 4, a Graham Media Group station, is honored to be recognized as Station of the Year for the sixth year in a row. The station won for broadcasting excellence in 14 categories from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters -- 11 best and 13 merit awards for Market 1.

“We all do this work because we love it and we think it’s important,” Vice-President and General Manager Marla Drutz said. “It’s the people in our communities that help us strive to provide the best information possible because we know they rely on us for that. And getting recognition for what we do is always gratifying.”

First Place/Best In Category

• Breaking News: Devastating Floods
• Community Involvement: THAW, Mental Health Day, Blood Drives, Weather Radios, Help Me Hank Shutdown Survival Guide
• Investigative Story: “Trashing the City” – Local 4 Defenders (Karen Drew) ride along as Detroit Police arrest illegal dumping suspects
• Newscast: Local 4 News at 6 p.m.
• News Anchor: Kimberly Gill
• News Special: “Child Killer”
• News Reporter: Shawn Ley
• Special Interest Programming: Live in the D – “Out on the Town”
• Marketing Materials & Promos: Local 4Casters App
• Use of New Media: “Child Killer”
• Sports: Steve Yzerman Returns Home

Merit Awards

• Breaking News: Seniors Escape Raging Fire
• Investigative Story: “Charging the City”
• Newscast: Local 4 News at 11 p.m.
• News Anchor: Devin Scillian
• New Special – “Hoffa”
• Weathercast: Ice Forecast
• News Reporter: Nick Monacelli
• Photojournalist: Alex Atwell
• Mini-Documentary or Series: “Guard Rail Danger”
• Marketing Materials & Promos: Local 4 Moments
• Special Interest Programming: “All 4 Pets”
• Use of New Media: “Hoffa”
• Sports: One-On-One with Ice Cube

The Broadcast Excellence Awards recognize outstanding achievement in broadcasting by Michigan radio and television stations each year. The awards were announced at the MAB’s annual Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference in Lansing.

Click or tap here to view links to each story, project or anchor and reporter.

Graham Media Group commits major resources to the U.S. Census count

Graham Media Group announced it will dedicate multi-platform resources to inform its communities about the importance of the 2020 Census.

Every person living in the United States must be counted, so that federal dollars for schools, health care and infrastructure can be allocated where they’re needed most. The Census also apportions political influence, determining the number of U.S. Congressional districts in each state.

Graham Media Group’s seven stations will produce more than 100 local news stories about the importance of the Census, dedicate 20 million ad impressions across all websites, commit to a robust PSA schedule, staff informational phone banks and web chats, and air station editorials to make sure our communities are counted. The stations also will end each of their newscasts for 90 days with a Census message.

“The U.S. Census is a snapshot of America, and for us, the states and regions we serve. Undercounting means fewer resources and lasting implications. This daunting task needs the communication champions, and Graham Media Group is committed to the cause,” said Emily Barr, CEO and president. “Misinformation campaigns can really do damage to communities. It is our duty as local broadcasters to be the beacon of information for what is real and verified during this national population survey.”

Graham Media Group is already raising awareness that the Census is coming and will ramp up frequency and variety of messages as the Census opens in mid-March. Efforts to educate people, fight misinformation and encourage participation will continue throughout the count window, which ends in late July.

Census data is also how communities draw investment from companies large and small. Neighborhoods are more likely to attract the retail outlets and services they need when businesses are basing their decisions on accurate census data.

Many Graham Media Group markets are vulnerable to being undercounted, due to technology barriers and sizable populations worried about their families’ privacy issues.

“Detroit has been designated the most hard-to-count city in the country,” Barr said. “We also have several stations in Texas and Florida that have large immigrant populations. It is our responsibility to serve our communities by spreading the word about the benefits of being counted and lessening the very real fears that many citizens have.”

Graham Media Group and WPLG strengthen newsrooms in fight against misinformation

Graham Media Group and WPLG Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, announce the launch of Trust Index, a new initiative to combat misinformation campaigns targeting local media.

“Nothing is more important than getting the story right,” said Emily Barr, President and CEO of Graham Media Group. “We are providing timely training and processes to our six newsrooms to help in the fight against misinformation campaigns attacking local news.” 

Graham Media Group and WPLG are partnering with Fathm, a global leader in the fight against misinformation.

Fergus Bell, Fathm’s founder and CEO, is working with newsroom leadership to evolve a verification system and to train journalists to identify and stop the spread of misinformation.

"It is fantastic to be working with organizations like Graham Media Group and WPLG, who are putting a high-priority focus on such an important initiative,” Bell said. “I am looking forward to preparing all of their news teams to fight misinformation in a way that is certain to benefit audiences and contribute to a healthier media ecosystem in 2020."

Graham Media Group and WPLG’s Trust Index is designed to:

• Identify manipulated or out-of-context user-generated content
• Detect fake stories generated for revenue or political motives
• Expose political ads served algorithmically with little oversight
• Support transparency in the newsroom
• Reinforce journalistic ethics
• Counteract misinformation with incisive reporting and social posts
• Encourage viewers and users to share questionable content for review by station journalists

Bell led the first round of training at WDIV in Detroit in January and will soon complete newsroom training sessions for WPLG and all Graham Media Group stations.

Misinformation and disinformation campaigns are not limited to national politics. Increasingly, the industry is seeing coordinated campaigns designed to trick local newsrooms into reporting false or misleading stories. While GMG stations work to build defenses for reporting on the 2020 elections, a strong verification system will enhance the company’s newsrooms overall.

“Fact-checking is in the DNA of this company but advancements in technology are disrupting truth. We are committed to providing our communities information that they can trust,” Barr said.

Graham Media announces first 'Grahammies' winners

It's been a monumental year in news - and the journalists at Graham Media have been at the heart of it all, as the storytellers who keep communities connected, informed and engaged.

From investigative stories that hold law enforcement, elected officials, and high-profile newsmakers accountable for their actions, to severe weather sweeping through our viewing areas, journalists have followed every step of the way.

Graham Media has deepened efforts to strengthen our storytelling. And now it's time to celebrate the achievements.

The inaugural "Grahammies" award project was a way to celebrate some of the great work our newsrooms have produced over the past year.

We asked stations for their best work and a series of judging determined the winners. A video, linked below, announces the news, as well.

And the winners are ...

Best general assignment story -- WDIV: "Fire Rescue 42519"

Shawn Ley and Alex Atwell

Best special assignment story -- KSAT: "Conviction"

Isis Romero, Eddie Latigo, Dillon Collier, Henry Keller and Joshua Saunders

Best stand-up or live shot -- KPRC: "$95,000 Taxpayer-Funded Internship"

Mario Diaz, Jon Hill, John Barone and Bill Carruthers

Best original digital story -- WKMG: "Moon Memories"

Emilee Speck

KPRC 2 reveals unprecedented Tokyo coverage

A general view of the Olympic rings as they are illuminated for the first time in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

We’re officially six months out from the 2020 Olympic Games. KPRC 2 is your Olympic team, and it’s flexing its media muscles in a big way to bring users and viewers outstanding coverage in Tokyo, Japan, from July 24 through Aug. 9, 2020.

For the first time, KPRC 2 is sending an entire team of multimedia journalists and crew to provide a truly unique experience of the Games across all platforms, from must-click digital stories to must-see TV.

Anchors Keith Garvin and Christine Noël will lead the KPRC 2 Olympic team, which also includes reporter Rose-Ann Aragon, three photojournalists with more than 30 years of experience and, for the first time, its director of digital, David Arkin, to provide unparalleled digital coverage.

Viewers and users can expect more this year than ever before, with live elements from Tokyo updated throughout the day, Facebook Lives and a Texas Olympians page spotlighting Lone Star talent, including phenoms Simone Biles and Simone Manuel.

In addition to local athlete profiles and continuous updates, users can look forward to a daily notebook with up-to-the-minute details on Texans in Tokyo, a daily talent-hosted social media show featuring results and what’s on tap for the day, along with Olympic fashion, trivia, history, get-to-know-the-country features and so much more.

“Our coverage of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo will be a sight to behold,” said KPRC 2 Vice President and General Manager Jerry Martin. “With the addition of our director of digital live from Tokyo, we’ll be pulling out all the stops to provide our viewers with a level of in-depth coverage -- on-air, behind the scenes and on digital -- never before seen in an Olympiad.”

KPRC 2's Olympic team will take you from the Olympic Stadium to the Olympic Village and beyond to give Houston-area fans the best experience ever -- like they’re at the games themselves.

Spectators will rejoice with the return of the Olympic Zone, a magazine show that provides in-depth Olympic stories, including little-known facts about athletes and training, as well as their life outside of sport, plus a showcase of up-to-the-minute Olympics content that sets the stage for the most important action every night of the games.

You will be able to access coverage of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad for Tokyo, Japan, on all KPRC 2 platforms, including KPRC 2 on-air storytelling, Click2Houston.com, Facebook.com/kprc2, instagram.com/kprc2 and on Twitter @kprc2.

Chrissy Funk named WSLS creative services director

WSLS, the Graham Media Group owned NBC affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia, announced they have named Chrissy Funk as their new creative services director.

In her new role, Funk will oversee the brand image strategy for WSLS and its execution on all platforms, as well as its community outreach.

She returns to Graham Media Group after stints as Creative Services Director at West Palm Beach stations WPTV, WFLX, WPEC and WTVX. Prior, Funk was the Promotions Manager at WJXT, Jacksonville’s No. 1 station.

“Chrissy is a proven brand builder and creates an ‘all-in’ culture with her team and throughout stations. Her experience, exuberance and forward-thinking mindset will be critical factors in WSLS' strategy and marketing efforts moving forward,” said Vice President and General Manager Jaimie León. “With her entrepreneurial spirit and marketing acumen, I know she will take us to the next level.”

Before becoming a promotion manager, Funk produced for WTEN in Albany and KMGH in Denver. Her work has been honored with two regional Emmys and a bronze Telly Award.

Funk is also an outdoor enthusiast, having recently hiked a good portion of the Appalachian Trail. She begins her role on Feb. 7.

WSLS 10, Southwest Virginia’s first television station, has been serving the community since 1952. WSLS 10 is a full-scale digital media organization intently focused on delivering complete coverage of breaking news and important stories of the Roanoke/Lynchburg designated market area.

Jacksonville chooses THE Local Station again to start the new year

The new year kicked off at THE Local Station with more than 13 million pageviews on News4JAX.com and the No. 1 spot for all local news.

Morning News leads the way with News4JAX at 4:30 am with 13,132 households (HH) watching for a 10 share.

News4JAX at 5 a.m. is No. 1 in the time period with 20,221 HH watching. At 5:30 a.m., News4JAX won with 26,168 HHs and a 17 share. News4JAX at 6 a.m. is No. 1 in the 6 to 7 a.m. time period bringing in 33,488 viewing HHs and a 19 share. The Morning Show (7 to 9 a.m.), anchored by Jennifer Waugh, Bruce Hamilton and Richard Nunn, is No. 1 in the time period with 34,892 HHs and a 18 share, beating out all other newscasts including the national broadcasts of NBC’s Today Show on WTLV, CBS This Morning on WJAX and ABC’s Good Morning America on WJXX.

At 9 a.m., The Morning Show 2 beats Today Show by 64% with 25,058 HHs.

Wendy Williams on WCWJ has improved the time period at 10 a.m. over last January and has improved the performance of the show compared to its run on WJXX in January 2019. River City Live was No. 2 in the time period with 10,974 HHs. News4JAX at 4 p.m. beat Ellen, Dr. Phil and Judge Judy for the No. 1 spot with 22,846 HHs watching.

In Evening News, News4JAX at 5 p.m. is the most-watched local news in the time period with 36,7119 HHs. News4JAX at 5:30 p.m. is No. 1 in the time period with 38,313 HHs. News4JAX at 6 p.m. anchored by Mary Baer, Tom Wills and John Gaughan is No. 1 with 46,340 HHs and a 14 share.

The story continues in Late News, as The 10:00 O’Clock News at 10 p.m. is the most-watched late newscast in the market.

WJXT is No. 1 at 10 p.m. and had 32,455 HHs watching and at 10:30 p.m. 25,760 HHs tuned in. News4JAX at 11 p.m. kept Jacksonville informed again for the No. 1 spot at 11 p.m. with 23,617 HHs on WJXT. News4JAX at 11 p.m. brings in an additional 2,940 viewing HHs from WCWJ.

“With another month of important local stories, including the significant developments with JEA and the death of former Mayor Jake Godbold, we are again very proud to be the top choice in Jacksonville for news and information,” said Bob Ellis, vice president and general manager of WJXT/WCWJ. “When you watch Channel 4 or go to News4JAX.com, I think it’s clear the difference between our newscasts and others continues to be people you know and trust who have been here long enough to know what stories mean to our community. That’s what being Jacksonville’s one true local station is all about.”

News4JAX celebrates students passionate about reading

THE Local Station, in partnership with Douglas Law Firm, is proud to present News4JAX National Reading Awareness Month.

Beginning in March, News4JAX will spotlight children grades 1-5 who are passionate about reading, and plans to celebrate four local classrooms who embrace the joy of literature.

“Studies have shown reading to children just 20 minutes a day can have an enormous impact on the cognitive development of children. In our ongoing effort to serve our local community, News4JAX wants to remind everyone of this important fact and get out into our local schools to spread this important message,” said Bob Ellis, vice president and general manager of WJXT/WCWJ.

To participate, parents and teachers should send a video of their child or classroom telling us why they are passionate about reading, and why they would like additional books in their classroom.

Video submissions can be sent through www.News4JAX.com/reading or by visiting the News4JAX.com contest page. Nominations are open through Feb. 17. Four winning classrooms will be announced on Feb. 28.

During each week of March, a member of The Morning Show team will bring a few of their favorite books into a winning classroom and read to the kids. The winning classroom will receive a pizza party and $100 Scholastic gift card to re-stock its library.

Contest requirements:

• The video must be 2 minutes or less, filmed with a horizontal frame.
• Child or classroom must be in grades 1-5 to participate.
• Video must be submitted on News4JAX.com/reading or the News4JAX contest page by Feb. 17.
• All counties in the Jacksonville DMA are eligible to participate.

News 6/360: WKMG presents a new, exciting way to view the news

WKMG News 6, the Graham Media Group-owned CBS affiliate in Orlando Florida, continues to transform the landscape of news viewing with the introduction of “News 6/360.”

Presented by the station’s website, ClickOrlando.com, News 6/360 is the first-of-its-kind newscast shot and produced entirely in 360 degrees. This new, interactive, immersive experience is designed to be viewer friendly, easy to use and will keep viewers coming back for each new newscast.

Using a single state-of-the-art 360-degree camera placed in the center of the News 6 studio, there is no control room to switch between multiple cameras and no floor director to queue talent. News 6/360 is a real, intimate experience in true storytelling, which allows the viewer to be present and interact with the content and the anchors by moving the camera with the touch of a finger or click of a mouse.

Hosted by News 6 anchor Ginger Gadsden and News 6 digital reporter Brianna Volz, viewers may notice them holding notes. That’s because there is no teleprompter for them to read. Ginger and Brianna interact with each other and the viewers off the cuff, giving the newscast a high-energy, less formal and more conversational tone.

“Harnessing the power of new technology isn’t an option, it’s a must in today’s world. Central Floridians expect to get the news that is important to them and their neighborhood whenever they want and however they choose to engage,” News 6 News Director Allison McGinley said.

“News 6 prides itself on being an innovator in creating and providing new ways for Central Floridians to view local news and locally produced entertainment content,” said News 6 Vice President and General Manager Jeff Hoffman. “It is important that we serve our community with important news and information any time and in every way we can. As people choose a variety of ways to receive their information, we want to make sure they know we are in those spaces with accurate, fact-checked and compelling information.”

“From the beginning of the newscast to the end, viewers can move the camera to see what they want to see, when they want to see it,” Gadsden said. “Because of that, we put a lot of time and effort into deciding what kinds of stories would compel viewers to want to interact with the newscast, new ways of telling those stories, how to showcase the video and even the graphics in an effective way. I am excited for our viewers to check this new extension of News 6 and I am proud to be part of such a new way of providing news to our neighbors.”

News 6/360 will release a new episode every week. Viewers can watch News 6/360 on their Android phones by going to ClickOrlando.com or their News 6 App. iPhone users can use the YouTube App and search ClickOrlando.com. You can also use VR goggles to watch the newscast.

News 6 and ClickOrlando.com have proven to be one of the most pioneering television and digital outlets for our Central Florida community. In 2017, News 6 and ClickOrlando.com launched “ClickO on the Go,” a 90-second newscast that uses today's top social platforms — specifically Instagram and Snapchat — to target a younger audience. The weekday series brings the news and weather our viewers need to the places they already are. It does so in a simple, yet engaging manner by being extremely conversational and packing the information into two-minute vertical video segments that drive users to ClickOrlando.com.

In an unprecedented digital and broadcast event, WKMG News 6 produced more than 100 hours of livestream content for ClickOrlando.com during the station’s annual coverage of the Lake Eola “Fireworks at the Fountain” on July 4, 2019. This online streaming project harnessed live video from more than 25 different camera angles and sources, allowing online viewers to be in the “Director’s Chair” and select from a variety of angles, including the first-ever streams directly from mobile phones of reporters and producers in the field.

The News 6 newsroom dedicated dozens of people to the event with new technology, producing a 10-hour, digital-first broadcast for the ClickOrlando.com website and News 6 OTT App (available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and more).

News 6 / 360 is LIVE! See it here.

Joel Chaseman, former chief executive of Post-Newsweek Stations, dies at 93

Joel Alan Chaseman, who led Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. as chief executive, died at the age of 93 on Saturday at his home in North Bethesda, Maryland.

Chaseman’s daughter, Joanne Bloomstein, said the cause was complications from a fall.

Chaseman spent 17 years leading Post-Newsweek Stations — now Graham Media Group — after rising through the broadcasting ranks from news to program syndication, serving as president of the Westinghouse Television Station Group until 1973, when he left New York to take the same title at Post-Newsweek.

During his time with the company’s broadcasting arm, which included four television stations, he led policy and development.

In a memoir by Katharine Graham, she wrote that during Chaseman’s tenure with the company, the stations’ operating margins “grew competitive with the best in the business.”

“Joel was the man who built Post-Newsweek Stations (now Graham Media Group) over more than a decade,” Graham’s son and successor as publisher, Donald E. Graham, wrote in an email to the Washington Post. “He started the company on its path to news leadership. He was a trusted adviser to Katharine Graham and a key director of her company.”

Chaseman, who was born in Trenton, New Jersey on Feb. 18, 1926, grew up in Albany, New York, and went on to serve as a Navy radar technician in World War II. He then graduated from Cornell University in 1948 and became an announcer at radio stations in Elmira, New York, and at a TV station in Baltimore.

Later accomplishments include serving as general manager for the company that produced “The Steve Allen Show,” among others, and serving as general manager of WINS, a New York station that was owned by Westinghouse that had gone to an all-news format in 1965.

In 1990, Chaseman left The Post and became a media consultant. He started an investment firm for ventures that included communications, marketing and fine arts.

He served as chairman of the Advanced Television Test Center and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Chaseman won several professional honors, was involved in multiple industry organizations and was a champion poker player.

In addition to his daughter, of Montclair, N.J., survivors include another daughter, Martha Chaseman of Washington; a brother; and two grandchildren, according to The Washington Post.

Chaseman is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Marlene Meyerson Chaseman, who died in 2014; and their son, Michael Chaseman, who died in 1975.

KPRC 2 kicks off the new year with new home build

On the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 7, KPRC 2 employees powered up before the sun came up in the station parking lot to begin work on the 2020 Habitat for Humanity home.

Since 2014, KPRC 2 has been honored to work alongside Habitat for Humanity to make the dreams of becoming homeowners come true for deserving Houstonians through the building of new homes. This year’s home will be the seventh that KPRC 2 and its partners have built in the Houston area.

Launched in 1987, Houston Habitat has been making an impact in the community for more than 40 years, with each and every home built with the help of eager volunteers. Houston Habitat staff act as coaches to teach volunteers home building techniques.

“We have a great responsibility for the community,” said KPRC 2 Vice President and General Manager Jerry Martin. “We’re big cheerleaders for Houston. One of our primary functions is to give back to the community that we love.”

A Habitat Home may be a blessing, but it’s not a handout. The men and women who apply to become Habitat homeowners must meet specific criteria and put in 300 volunteer hours -- so-called “sweat equity” -- with Habitat for Humanity. And even when they get the keys, they still must pay for it.

Viewers interested in taking that first step toward becoming a Habitat Homeowner can visit the Habitat for Humanity section on Click2Houston.com/community. There they will find a link to the requirements as well as dates for upcoming information sessions. Those interested in volunteering can head there, too -- more help is always needed on build sites.

About Graham Media Group. GMG is comprised of 7 local media hubs, Graham Digital and Social News Desk delivering local news, programming, advertising solutions and digital media tools for television, online, mobile, OTT, podcasts and audio devices. We are dynamic, local brands that extend well beyond the traditional TV set. Our work helps inform, celebrate and knit together the communities we serve.

GMG operates in 6 states: KPRC–Houston, WDIV–Detroit and WSLS–Roanoke (NBC); KSAT–San Antonio (ABC); WKMG–Orlando (CBS); WJXT–Jacksonville (fully local), and WCWJ–Jacksonville (CW). Based in Detroit, Graham Digital is a digital media and technology development group widely recognized as a leading industry innovator. Social News Desk, headquartered in Atlanta, provides its 2500+ worldwide newsroom-customers with a single dashboard to publish, measure, curate and monetize local news content on social platforms.

Graham Media Group wins Google innovation grant to build deeper connections with audiences

DETROIT, MI -- Graham Media Group received a grant from the Google News Initiative’s North America Innovation Challenge on Oct. 25 to develop and build a membership program for local TV broadcasters.

GMG’s “Membership for Broadcast” project will demonstrate that local broadcasters can develop their relationships with audiences in order to diversify revenue and help secure the future of local journalism. It’s a crucial challenge for local broadcasters who need to act now while they still have the resources, audience and clout to build new businesses.

“Graham Media is committed to engaging audiences to diversify revenue, but more importantly, to better serve communities at a time when local media is facing real challenges,” said Catherine Badalamente, GMG’s vice president and chief innovation officer. “This grant will help us accelerate plans to truly put audience at the center of our editorial and business strategies, and hopefully show membership is a viable option for all local broadcasters.”

“Membership for Broadcast” was one of 34 projects across the U.S. and Canada to receive the competitive grant. GNI recipients were selected from 269 proposals across 44 states and provinces to share $5.8 million. Grant winners were selected based on four criteria: impact, feasibility, innovation and inspiration. GNI sought applicants focused on generating revenue and/or increasing audience engagement for local news.

GMG’s project, which intends to put membership at the center of television’s digital growth strategy, comes at a time when all local media are working through disruption and changing audience behaviors. Broadcasters are intent to build an audience-based revenue model through user funnels, which will allow them to maintain their leading role as the most trusted and preferred source for local news.

Frank Mungeam, Knight Professor of Practice, TV News Innovation at Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism, will advise on the membership project.

You can read the full list of the successful recipients on GNI’s website.

GMG President, CEO Emily Barr fights for local broadcast companies

Graham Media Group President and CEO Emily Barr appeared as one of five witnesses earlier this week at a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing -- essentially serving as the voice of local broadcast television companies, in front of the country’s top legislators.

Barr runs Graham Media Group and serves as Television Board chair for the National Association of Broadcasters.

One news industry website said of the five witnesses testifying Wednesday, “none was perhaps more important” than Barr, who presented broadcasters’ view on the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act, or STELAR, in front of lawmakers.

“The NAB wants STELAR reauthorization nixed,” the Radio and Television Business Report said. “Barr wants it barred.”

Take it from Barr, whose statement and testimony has been posted in full, online.

“Local broadcasters continue to believe that (STELAR) should be allowed to expire at the end of 2019 – the date that Congress intentionally chose for this temporary law to sunset,” Barr told legislators. “Not only have its provisions become unnecessary and ineffective, but today, STELAR affirmatively harms viewers who are being denied access to their local television stations as the result of its continued reauthorization.”

The Senate will continue to consider the complex issues surrounding STELAR renewal. STELAR dates back to 1988, and what it did was put into place the compulsory license that allows satellite operators to import distant network TV station signals into local markets where viewers lack access to them. But broadcasters want to make sure people living beyond the reach of a signal maintain access to their local programming.

“In today’s hyper-competitive media landscape, broadcasters are the authentic, local voice passionately informing and celebrating our communities. Local broadcast television remains the most-watched source of news, entertainment programming, sports, emergency information and investigative journalism in communities across America,” Barr testified Wednesday. “Your constituents turn to our local stations to get the weather report, learn how to help neighbors in need and watch trusted local news anchors and reporters deliver unbiased accounts of what is happening in their hometowns. Local broadcasting is the critical electronic glue that binds every community together, keeping them informed and safe. This is our industry’s North Star.”

While cable operators want the STELAR law renewed or extended, broadcasters argue it should expire, because it allows satellite carriers to avoid the costs of carrying local stations in the smallest TV markets. Instead, these carriers import signals from places farther away.

Localism is key, said Barr, adding that the compulsory license is a way to lock out some communities, which broadcasters don’t want to do.

DirecTV, for example, "continues to offer only out-of-town signals to viewers in 12 markets simply because it is more profitable for the company,” Barr said.

She pointed out that Dish serves those smallest markets.

Dish and DirecTV, by the way, are the two satellite TV providers that benefit from the compulsory license.

“I have worked in all aspects of local broadcast television for nearly four decades,” Barr told the committee. “I have held the position of news editor, creative services director, operations manager, general manager and am now a CEO. As a result, I am proud of the unique services broadcasters provide their local communities, but I also understand the business and financial costs of running a newsroom, investing in state-of-the-art equipment, producing award-winning investigative journalism and enabling our stations to go above-and-beyond when our neighbors need it most. To fulfill our unique and indispensable role in the communities we serve, broadcast television must have the ability to reach our local viewers on every platform and earn fair compensation for our programming.”

If STELAR isn’t renewed every five years, it expires, along with the requirement that broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors negotiate retransmission consent deals in good faith.

“Congress should allow STELAR to expire as it originally intended,” Barr said in conclusion. “There is no policy justification or technological reason to renew this outdated law, and any temporary reauthorization harms viewers.”

Stephanie Slagle named Graham Media Group Senior Director, Brand Agency and Sales Strategy

Graham Media Group has named Stephanie Slagle to the newly created position of Senior Director, Brand Agency and Sales Strategy.

In Slagle’s career, which includes more than 20 years in media, she has served in many roles, including Research Director, Account Executive, Local Sales Manager, Digital Sales Manager & Digital Director. Her passion for learning and teaching has helped her build enthusiastic, client-focused teams for more than 15 years.

Slagle spent the last nine years at Dispatch Broadcast Group, acquired by TEGNA in August 2019, building and managing the digital departments for WBNS TV, WBNS Radio and the Columbus Dispatch, prior to its sale to Gatehouse Media. She excels at navigating the digital media marketplace and helping sales teams build and deliver digital solutions.

In 2017, Slagle led the launch of Pixelent Digital, WBNS’s full-service Digital Agency serving data-driven results to clients. Pixelent Digital offered brand strategy, digital strategy and a full suite of digital services including connected TV, programmatic targeted display, native advertising, search, social and all the elements needed to deliver the best return on investment to customers.

“We’re excited to have Stephanie join the team," said Catherine Badalamente, VP & Chief Innovation Officer at Graham Media Group. “She’s a leader in the industry who will bring her vast knowledge and experience to our local media hubs, helping them build and execute innovative brand strategies for our valued clients.”

Slagle has a passion for mentoring talented future leaders. She helped launch and she served as the president for Columbus Women in Digital, where she helped many women begin their digital careers.

For the last three years, Slagle has served on the board of the Local Media Association, which is dedicated to creating sustainable business models for local media companies.