COVID protocols have kept me out of our newsroom for more than a year now. I generally meet up with photographers at a location rather than meeting at the station first. In this case, I needed to get down to Galveston Island ASAP in order to get video of teachers and others getting COVID vaccinations on campuses for the first time. The issue was that a photog had yet to be assigned. So I hit the road and ended up shooting most of what you see in this story with my iPhone. I used a lavalier microphone plugged into the phone in order to get interviews. The photog later shot my in and out (where you see me) and edited the piece. I think it turned out well and is an example of the way technology can help tell stories these days.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Monday, March 22, 2021
Journalist and TV host Roland Martin gives back to Houston alma mater
Houston ISD put out a press release announcing that journalist and TV host Roland Martin would be establishing two new scholarships at his alma mater, Jack Yates High School. I didn't realize Martin was from Houston or went to Yates (from where a number of notable folks graduated). I reached out to Martin via social media and caught up with him while he happened to be in town for an event. We met outside the school where a number of passers-by stopped to take photos with him after we chatted about the reasons why he wanted to give money to communications students and others.
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Vaccination volunteers play big role in getting shots into arms
I was looking for stories to do during Spring Break (since most education/school-related stories wouldn't easily come together) and discussed this story with a producer. She knows a nurse who works a regular job at a hospital before volunteering at one of the Houston area COVID vaccination sites. I got in touch with Harris County Public Health which has a team of volunteers helping out. The agency hooked me up with a certified EMT who donates his time giving shots and doing whatever else is needed. The process would move a lot more slowly without the assistance of volunteers.. Both those with or without medical backgrounds.
Friday, March 12, 2021
Jobless claims dip as vaccinations and re-openings rise
I sort of became the unemployment reporter back when COVID really took hold of the economy. I've since become my station's education-focused reporter. But this story provided an opportunity to revisit jobless issues thanks to the latest US Department of Labor report showing claims reaching a four-month low. My photographer and I hit up a local unemployment office and found a man still struggling to find work.. And found another man at a business next door who'd landed on his feet. His boss also explained how she's hiring. I also interviewed a suburban school district about jobs it's hoping to fill. Education is among the sectors seeing job growth.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Restaurants divided on protocols as statewide COVID mandates end
This week brought big news in Texas. Statewide mandates regarding mask requirements and occupancy levels in restaurants (and other businesses) ended. I was tasked with finding restaurants on both sides of the issue since many remain committed to COVID protocols. One with whom we've visited before said he's received threats over the issue. Meanwhile, I found a restaurant in the suburb of Pearland that decided to do what it's now allowed to do.. Scrap mask requirements and open with 100% occupancy.
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