Local stations lead with Moark story

The filing of misdemeanor charges would seem to be an unlikely way for all three of our local TV stations to open up their 5 p.m. newscasts, but the Moark story is not your usual misdemeanor crime.
First, of course, it involves a company involved in a controversial expansion plan in the Neosho area. It had already been in the news when similar plans were shot down in Riverton, Kan. Second, and just as important, it has the unusual angle of charges being brought as a result of video taken by a citizen. Not only do you have a feature angle, but you have the video.
KOAM and KODE both had reporters covering the filing of charges with KSNF sharing the KODE video, while returning the favor with footage of training exercises for soldiers at Camp Crowder.
Alan Cavanna, as usual, was given the lead story for KODE and except for his mention at the end that no hearing had been scheduled (an 8:30 a.m. Aug. 22 arraignment has been scheduled for all defendants in Newton County Circuit Court and that was posted on case.net at least an hour and a half before the 5 p.m. newscast), he did his usual solid job.
The same can be said for KOAM's Jennifer Denman.
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On Live with Gary and Tiffany on KSNF, I like the segment where they answer viewer questions, especially since the question today was what a typical day is like for the two. Any chance news people, whether it be broadcast or print, get to explain their jobs and how they make the decisions they make, can help bridge this gap between the viewer (or reader) and the media. If the questions revolve around the news, weather, and how the TV newscast is shaped, this is an excellent idea.
I would even suggest as they go along, they might consider an occasional segment with their news director explaining how decisions are made as to what events get covered, perhaps an interview or two with reporters. If the 5 p.m. newscast on KSNF is seeking to be different, then perhaps that kind of segment, along with interviews with newsmakers, could make the program the go-to alternative at 5 p.m.
And I would go even further to suggest that KSN follow the approach it has taken on an occasional basis and send Tiffany Alaniz out on some of the bigger stories. The station has used that approach a few times over the past several months and it has worked well each time. The networks have had considerable success with sending anchors to hotspots. It couldn't be done all the time, but having an anchor out in the field on something besides a fluff event benefits the station and the anchor.
I've mentioned this before, but I recall an article written about Ms. Alaniz in one of Liberty Group Publishing's free magazines, in which she spoke of her initial reluctance to take the morning show post opposite Mr. Bandy, because of her love of reporting and being out in the field.
I can appreciate that sentiment. In 1993, when Jim Farley, the publisher of The Carthage Press, asked me to take the managing editor position replacing Neil Campbell, who retired due to poor health, one condition I required was that I be allowed to continue reporting, and fortunately, he had no problem with that condition.