When you watch KAUZ Channel 6 news, you've no doubt seen quite a bit more of me. At first there were the You Ask, We Investigate segments.

But lately, I have been reporting general assignments  more. It's been out of necessity. I have had several staffers off due to family issues, people simply being off because they've been battling winter sickness, and folks taking well deserved time off. I've moved people around to fill those vacancies, but it simply leaves us thin in other areas.

That, in turn, has forced me back onto the streets. That is a good thing. I spent most of my last 35 years in this business reporting and anchoring. The last seven years have been behind a desk. You know it feels good to get back to doing what I love, reporting!

There is nothing more rewarding than being in the middle of things. It doesn't matter if it is in Houston, where I worked about seven years, or right here in Wichita Falls. The felling is still the same, jockeying for the best shots, making sure my questions get asked first, and most of all, getting it on the air first and best. That is the competitive side of me.

I guess reporting is like riding a bicycle. You never really forget how. Oh, as I've mentioned before, the technology has changed dramatically. When I first started in this business, we shot film, silent at that. You had to process the film and editing was also different. Now it's all done with computers.

But I'll tell you this, It's good to know I can still do it.

Best of all, there's that old "adrenalin rush" that hits when you are writing, editing and getting your story on the air, all under tight deadlines.

In case you haven't noticed, on November 15th, we started a new consumer action line. It's called, "You Ask, We Investigate."

It's actually something that I have done for most of my life in the news business. I began at KVII in Amarillo and later plied my skills at another station in Amarillo, WOAI-TV in San Antonio and then some in Houston at KHOU.

The San Antonio stint was the longest. That segment was entitled "Call 4," the station's channel on the dial is channel 4. It was a very successful segment and lasted for almost 12 years. When I go back to San Antonio I am still recognized, often times by people who I did segments for, sometimes it's by people who's relatives or friends I did segments for. At the time there was a marketing study undertaken by the City of San Antonio. One of the questions asked was, "who in San Antonio provides the most help to residents of our city?" The answer was first the police department, next EMS and then "Call 4."

In Houston, reaction is similar. I got a lot of face time and it was always working good things for people.

This kind of reporting is actually good. It often untangles messes people have gotten into, sometimes it works as a consumer information thing, we will tell what people have done or had done to them, and then follow with information from the proper source telling how the problem can and is fixed.

I am happy to take time from my news directing duties to continue the work I started, well I won't tell you how long ago, but you know it goes back to the 70's.

So, if you've got a consumer problem, or any problem for that matter, give us a call. The phone number is 687-U-ASK. That number again is 687-8275.

I've been telling you about all of the changes going on with Channel 6 News. As you know we got a new news computer system. Then late in September we got five new computer editing systems. We even added a 5PM news and and extended our morning newscast by half an hour. We have added two new morning anchors. Rick Tillery comes to us from Tulsa. He was a reporter and wanted to anchor more. So we're giving him the chance. We also added Jolene Chaney. She worked in Oklahoma City and also wanted the opportunity to anchor. Chip Maxham came to us from South Carolina. We are proud to have all three of them. But that's not where the changes of this operation end.

For the last two months, we have been under construction, so to speak, here in our building. You may have seen some of the things going on, things like power washing the building, laying new carpet, painting and fixing up. Some parts of the building will undergo more extensive remodeling as well. I'm hoping to knock out a few walls and make our news room bigger, make my office bigger and add a conference room.

All of this is part of our new philosophy here at KAUZ Channel 6 News. We want to make this the best small market TV station in the entire state of Texas.

To do that we want to make our work surroundings the best and I want to surround my self with the best people in the business. As changes continue, I'll keep you updated.

All of this sounds great, but we are making all of these changes with one thing in mind, to bring you our viewers, the best news, weather and sports there is to be found in the Wichita Falls/Lawton TV market. Because without our viewers, we are nothing. Thank you for watching and encourage your family and friends to watch, I think they will be happy with what we're doing for everyone.

It's been a while since I logged on, to tell you what's going on inside our newsroom. I am on this site daily several times updating the news part of the web, but I admit it, I have been derelict in keeping you informed. So here goes.

The last time I wrote I was in Washington, DC learning about a new newsroom computer system. Well that has been installed, everyone has been trained and we have been using the system for some time. Well now, we have received some new editing equipment. It's called non-linear editing and since we have been editing the old way, video tape to video tape machine, this promises to be quite a change. Actually I used this kind of equipment at the station I came from in San Antonio. It is a really marvelous system in which you transfer video shot in the field into a computer and create files. Then you manipulate the files on a time line, placing them in order and mixing them with audio files. The process is much faster and you can do so much more.

We have actually received the computers and on September 24th, the company (we bought the machines from) will be here to install everything and begin training us. As I said, I've used the equipment and my staff has no idea what they are about to get into. They will probably go kicking and screaming, because nobody likes to change things. But within about two to three weeks, they will be saying why haven't we done this before. They will also see how fast they can do the same amount of work the old way. A job that now takes 45 minutes can be done in have the time or less.

The other main change that took place a week or two back is in our general manager. Many of you know Kyle Williams the old GM left us to go to MSU. That brought in an interim GM and now we have a new head by the name of Mike DeLier. He came to us from Tyler where he ran the NBC station.

Mike is getting to know everyone and things are already beginning to move. I'm hanging on for what promises to be a fantastic ride. More on what you can expect in the very near future. Until then, keep watching, both our news, programming and this feature on our website. I'll be keeping an eye out for you.

After spending the last four days in our nation's capitol, I've come to the conclusion that Washington, DC isn't for me!!! Several years ago, I might be telling you a different story. Oh, don't get me wrong. Washington has lots to offer. There are countless historical buildings, monuments, sights and wonderful restaurants. But there are two things that made this trip very difficult, well three things.

One was the fact that the area was experiencing record heat. No, what they say about the difference in dry heat and wet humid heat is true. It is very humid here and I sweat enough without any help, but I could walk out the door and immediately breaking into a wringing sweat. Add walking a few blocks to a train station and I could wilt a freshly starched shirt in about 10 minutes. Add to that the fact that with parking at a premium, I either walked or rode a train or took a taxi to get everywhere. That means I was constantly trying to figure that system out on the fly. Finally...... the people. There were people everywhere.

On the Metro, which is probably one of the best subway systems in the country, road construction was forcing more and more riders to take the Metro. That means very crowded cars, both coming and going from almost everywere. And when you cram that many bodies into a single car and then force them to stand close to one another (or sit if you were lucky enough to get on before the crowd started building) the already hot conditions got hotter.

I have been in Washington for training on a new computer system. That system installs next week and we train the rest of the staff the following week. It was even hot in the training room. Most buildings have air conditioning, but it didn't seem like it always worked like we're used to in Wichita Falls.

Training was finished on Wednesday and we dragged our baggage to the Associated Press facility in downton DC, only to find out that whole exercise was an effort in futility. That's because I got a frantic call from the station back home from Jim Allen, my chief photographer. He said he had just received an automated message from American Airlines saying my flight later in the day was cancelled. No reason or explanation why, just cancelled and I had been booked for a flight the next day.

So I was forced to stay another day. That meant re-booking a room we'd just checked out of, and dragging all of that baggage back to the hotel. Fortunately, there was a room available to go baAs I sit in Reagan National Airport I am hoping no one from American Airlines finds this blog and figures out some way to cause another delay.

With any luck, I'll be back in Wichita Falls, sleeping in my own bed later tonight.

I usually shy away from saying "NEVER" but I'm going to bet I never come here to live or work. This place is not for me!!!!!!!

Now, I've got to go catch the plane back to Dallas, so I can sleep in my own bed tonight.

It has certainly been trying times for many Wichita County residents. The floods of historic proportions displaced many residents, possibly numbering in the hundreds. To date, I know there are people who have been out of their homes for over a week. I certainly don't know who I would react were it me and my family. We are creatures with many comforts. Comforts that I'm not too certain we would be able to live without for long periods of time. Things like computers, television, satellite hook up, etc.

I think the people who have been displaced are being pushed to the limit. Whether it's Wrangler's Retreat, the Wichita Falls RV Park or the city's  East Side residents. I just don't know how they have been able to stand it. The folks from the RV park were still at the MPEC, many without generators or other power sources. I do believe I heard late today, they  may be able to go back to their park as early as tonight (Thursday, July 5) because the city is inspecting and allowing power to be restored.

On the topic of the city, I know if you're in the afore mentioned resident's positions, restoration of service probably hasn't come quick enough, but I think the city has done a fine job of meeting the needs of those in trouble. Dito for County Judge Woody Gossom and his team at Wichita County.

One more thing, we as a news team have come together to present coverage you haven't seen elsewhere. We are also getting together with GAP Radio (formerly Clear Channel) to raise money for the American Red Cross here in Wichita Falls. I know the residents of this community will support the effort by giving generously.

I think this flood shows us how under these or other dire circumstances, we need to band together and work with one another. Not against each other.

I hope we never have to face this kind of adversity, but if we do, I know the people of this community have the where with all to do so and recover to a stronger position.

Just when you think everything is running smoothly, a higher authority is there to yank your chain to remind you who is in charge. No, I'm not talking about the folks in the front office, this time, I'm talking about Mother Nature.

For those folks who read this who don't live in Wichita Falls, Tuesday night, we had a huge wind storm! The storm started building a little before 10:00 PM in the northern part of Oklahoma. It stretched west into Texas. It was actually along the leading edge of a cool front that was moving into our area. As the storm built, it was feeding off of the heat and humidity that was generated in Texoma all day Tuesday. The closer it got, the more force the storm picked up. Finally when it reached our area, winds were steady in the 70 to 80 mile per hour range. The strongest gust hit 94 miles per hour at Sheppard Air Force Base at the weather reporting station.

Let it suffice to say, there was wide spread damage across town along with widespread power outages. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. There was one problem, KAUZ lost power suddenly. And when you have a business that is dependent on electricity to run the transmitter, computers, studio cameras and everything else that needs electric juice, when the power is out, you are dead in the water!

That's the set up. What I actually want to brag about is how the News Channel 6 team pulled together. I'm not just talking about the news staff either. I actually slept through the storm but got a call about 3:45 AM from someone calling to tell me, "Here's what's going on, but oh, by the way, we've got it under control and we just wanted you to know that." I have been at some places where had today's events happened, I would have walked into mass chaos with nothing having been done.

But morning anchor Lindsay Hunt, was already here and was working with a flash light in the front part of the building, making calls to the electric company on her cell phone to police and whoever else she needed to get to for information. The producer, Katy Pool, was here patiently waiting for the power to come back on to be able to reboot computers and forge into the morning newscast. Jackie McCartney, our promotions director was even here to help. I already had a photographer on the streets shooting the damage. The chief engineer was here working with the electric utility, the studio camera person was also here ready to spring into action along with the technical director and audio person. The general manager was here to oversee it all.

When I got here we got Barry Mahler, our Farm and Ranch Director to get with one of our radio partners, Joe Tom White, to get the word out on the radio about what we were experiencing. I even shot some stills with a digital camera and wrote a story for the internet to let our viewers know about what was happening, but I had to run home to post it. Thank God for the internet and not being tied to one location for posting material. Many times, when viewers see or hear about stormy weather, our website (kauz.com) is one of the first places they go to get a look at our Live Doppler 6000 radar. There were shots of storm damage and a story detailing our situation.

Our day wasn't without it's problems, when you loose power abruptly, it can scramble computers, cause equipment to get out of phase and look funny on air, and even fry some equipment. But my point is, we worked closely together to correct those problems and move on to the next thing.

As the morning pressed onward, the power was restored just before 8:00 AM, and all the while, I was getting calls from reporters checking in offering up ideas on how to mold our coverage for the day.

I can say without reservation, we have a great team here and as evidenced today, when a crisis arises, I wouldn't want any other group of people around.

It's official, Paris Hilton is back in the Los Angeles County Jail. Whew! After being released late Thursday afternoon, spending one night in her parent's mansion in L.A. and then she was re-arrested midday on Friday.

It was a frantic scene on all the major cable news outlets, including FOX, MSNBC, and CNN covered "wall to wall," as we say in the business. Reporters jockeying for position, photographers fighting for a place to get the best photo. At one point, a reporter was involved in an altercation with another, as the police squad car rolled away from the Hilton mansion.

My major question is who cares???

Have we as a society stooped so low that this is considered news? Especially when there are other major international stories that could effect our lives in more dire ways in the immediate future, why are we interested in the Paris Hilton's of the world? For example, there is a war going on in Iraq, hel-lo!!! Remember???!!! There was one report on local TV today about a young soldier's family that is raising funds to help buy supplies the Army cannot provide, like boots and body armor. That should be the lead story on any cable outlet. Really! We send troops to war to protect our way of life and we can't even give them the tools they need to get the jobs done and to protect their lives!

What is the country coming to? Maybe the question should be, why are we allowing the greatest country in the world to let this happen? Isn't this what we should be more concerned about? Instead of some ditzy blond who was already on probation for drinking and driving. Hilton got caught drinking and driving again and that's why she was sent to jail, for violating her probation. I bet if some of the top news execs at the cable networks previously mentioned starting adding up the time spent on the story by reporters, photographers, satellite truck operators, helicopter time, the helicopter pilot's salary, the satellite windows and on and on. Why don't the networks which make millions take that money, donate it to the military families so they can buy the equipment for soldiers the government won't to make our soldiers safe?

This may sound like the rantings of a mad man, but come on folks, have we really lost touch with reality to the extent that we can't see what should be important?

I can tell you right now, Paris Hilton is not important and does not deserve the attention! Trust me on this one. When will we wake up

It's been one heck of a week here in the News Channel Six newsroom.

• One of my main anchors has been out sick.
• My early morning anchor has had a family emergency to take care of and has been in and out all week.
• My chief photographer is finally getting some much needed vacation time.
• We also had three teachers from Petrolia, Seymour and Quanah in early in the week for a program put on by Vernon Regional College's Tech Prep School To Work.
• We have had training going on for a new computer system that has taken three members out of their regular schedules.
• We are in the beginning stages of installing another new newsroom computer system.
• My weekend producer is going to be out this weekend.
• And I have been on the phone, it seem like all week long, trying to get deals for myself and another staff member go go away for training next month on yet another computer system.
• All of this and not to mention being on the phone trying to fill two staff positions that are or will soon become vacant.

My point in telling you this is we have been shuffling schedules non-stop to keep every position covered. That's one of the headaches we constantly face in a small newsroom. I must have at least two reporters to cover local news, along with two photographers, producers, anchors, etc., etc., etc. on staff to get the job done and bring you our viewers quality newscasts and web coverage.

I must say, through all of this my staff has stepped up to the plate this week. I've managed to get all of the vacancies covered and all of the "extra" duties accomplished as well. I won't bore you with all of the details on who did what. If you watch our news regularly, you would have noticed faces poping up in places you don't normally see them in.

The next big chore for the week will involve dealing with the enevitable aftermath.... namely the overtime. Now, I really like my boss Kyle Williams, the General Manager for KAUZ, but he has this thing about O.T. He just doesn't like it! I think that's because the people over him up in the corporate office don't like it either. Whatever the case, it's part of doing business in a small newsroom.

One thing that stands out in all of this... everyone in the newsroom has been doing their jobs and more. Real team players, everyone. I think that's why we like this place and all work so hard to move the ratings meter. Probably more importantly, we are having a great time doing what we do. Bottom line, we are all passionate about the news business, regardless of what we have to put up with along the way.

It's that time of the year again. It's the time when college students start showing up after returning home for the summer. But there's one more aspect of this yearly rite. It's also the time when students who are majoring in various subjects arrive for pre-arranged internships.

Here at Newschannel 6, we usually get students from Cameron University in Lawton and Midwestern State University here in Wichita Falls. However there is one special intern that came from Texas State University (formerly known as Southwest Texas State) in San Marcos. My daughter Katy has decided to go into the business and is majoring in Mass Communications. She is interested because she had first declared the major of Zoology. Last summer she interned at the San Antonio Zoo. It's billed as one of the top five zoos in the nation. She worked in the aquarium and did so very well. She was one of only three students who started the zoos intern program who finished all 200 required hours. In fact, she ended up with more than 200 hours. That summer was filled with cutting up fish for the other fish to eat, as well as cutting up this nutritional "gel" that was fed to fish. She spent quite a few hours cleaning tanks. But the joy of doing  a job in the field she was interested in was tempered by the fact that several people with advanced degrees also only made $7.00 per hour.

That's why she decided to change here degree to Mass Comm. I guess she hasn't looked to see what beginning reporters make either. Most sign up for what they know will be low pay, but rich in experience, at least on their first small market jobs. Experience that will help them move along to better paying jobs. If you've lived a long time in Wichita Falls, you know that reporter's faces change out quite often on TV, no matter which station you watch!

But the interns are here to see what the business is like and if they're willing (more like if their parents are willing)  to put up with low pay. So here we go. I have encouraged Katy to focus on internal jobs like a news producer instead of the usual reporting jobs. I know producers are hard to find. They also have more responsibility. A producer is in charge of the show (with oversight from the news director, assistant news director and assignments editor.) Producers, good producers also have the ability to advance to larger markets and more pay much faster than reporters. A good producer can make a third or half as much again as a reporter. There are just too many people who want to be on camera and report.

How will I handle my daughter's training here without seeming like I'm giving preferrental treatment? Katy and I have talked about that very thing a number of times. She wants to play it straight. She doesn't want people to think, just because she's the boss' daughter she will get a deal. I will only occasionally offer direction, I leave the dirty work up to my assistant news director Jermaine Ferrell. Oh yes, I will get involved sometimes. But the bulk of training goes to Jermaine.

This business at the local level is an honorable one. Interning is a good way for students to find out if this is what they want to do with their lives. Some decide they don't want to put up with all the rules and ethics and move on to something else. But for me and others on my staff who want a good crop of graduates to choose from, we take internships very seriously and make sure the 200 or so hours students spend with us gives them a good look into what their future holds.