Another Late Night at the School Board

School Dress Code Vote
It goes without saying that Shelby County school board meetings last for hours.  In fact, I don't recall a meeting (since the unified board of 23 members took over) that ended before 10:00.  It makes putting a story together for the late news rather challenging.. Especially when there is more than one topic that deserves attention.  In this case, a decision regarding school uniforms was made around 9:15.  It became the focus of my 10:00 story while I briefly mentioned some other issues.  We were left with tons of video from the meeting that I hope gets used later.  

Water-logged

Rain-swollen creek floods Horn-Lake community
We knew before the day began that flooding might be an issue in the areas that usually get swamped during heavy rains.  My photographer and I were dispatched to Horn Lake, MS where we noticed some cars stuck in the water, etc.  But we really didn't realize the impact of the flooding until getting near a creek.  An entire street was flooded.  Sometimes, flash flooding events, the water is gone by the time we get there. Not in this case.

Competing for a Live Interview

Beale Street club shut down
I had an interview set up with the DA following the closure of a Beale Street nightclub.  A reporter from a competing station wanted her too.  Fortunately, we were the first ones on the air and I snagged the interview.  Fortunately for the other reporter, I finished in time for her to have DA as well.  I think we were both happy in the end.

When Everything Comes Together

School district admits fault over child left in bus
I got a call last week about a kid who was left on a school bus in Earle, AR.  I rarely get to leave Memphis to cover the news.  But I finally got a chance to do this story.  I knew the little boy's mother would talk.  Fortunately, the boy's bus pulled up just as we arrived.  We interviewed him too.  And the superintendent of the tiny school district could not have been more accommodating.  Then there's the bus driver who allowed us aboard and demonstrated the alarm system.  It all made for an easy, yet productive, Monday.

Advancing A Story

MED sends unsecured emails with patient information
It should always be the goal of a good Reporter to advance a story.. Especially if it's a story that another station has already covered.  I was still trying to figure out how to advance this story about The MED mistakenly emailing patient information when I discovered internal paperwork lying on the ground outside the hospital.  It too included private information about a number of patients.

Facebook Helps Nab Theft Suspect

Facebook video catches theft suspect
So, I needed a story after 5:00 on a Monday.  Fortunately, people at the station monitor Facebook.  Personally, I no longer have an account.  This homeowner posted a video showing a theft suspect stealing stuff from underneath his garage.  The guy was caught within 4 hours.  One of the cameras was in full view.  I got to present the story from our studio "BMW.." or "big monitor wall."