Huge day for news, on such a sad story

This day is what you would characterize as a huge news day.


They do not come along very often through the course of the year, but are what, we as news people, live for.


This day, quite bittersweet.


All cylinders full speed ahead, adrenalin going...but the topic matter is quite sad. A Cleveland icon has passed away by tragic means.


We must report it, but that does not make it any easier.


We had all of our crews and reporters (but 2) on this breaking news story. Everyone works to gather details and various parts of the story to give our customers the very latest accurate details as quickly as possible.


I'm told (because it happened before I arrived into work) that every other station, including a few of the main networks and the Cleveland Plain Dealer, erroneously reported that Congresswoman Tubbs Jones had passed away.


I am proud to work for the station that 'reported the facts, respected the truth' and did not jump the gun with erroneous details.


We pre-empted the Dr. Phil Show to air a special 5pm broadcast with the latest information on this tragic story.


We had all bases covered. We had reporters on site at Huron Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic getting the latest on Tubbs Jones medical incident. We gathered statements from top political and religious leaders around the country. We spoke to the family spokesperson. We covered an impromptu vigil attended by friends and strangers alike....


We had numerous live guests on set at 5, 6, and 7pm...and will have others on our Thursday morning show.


The information we hoped would never come did finally arrive shortly before 7pm. We were live on the air at 7pm and were able to update our viewers with the sad news that Stephanie Tubbs Jones had passed away from her medical condition.



Again, these are the days as a news assignment editor you live for....but definitely not with this topic matter and sad outcome.....

U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones has died

(photo Courtesy: WKYC.COM)

It is with a heavy heart that we must report that U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones has passed away.

The family and the Cleveland Clinic issued a statement at 6:40pm:

“Throughout the course of the day and into this evening, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones’ medical condition declined. Medical doctors and neurosurgeons from Huron Hospital and Cleveland Clinic sadly report that at 6:12 p.m. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones died.

She dedicated her life in public service to helping others and will continue to do so through organ donations.

Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”

Stay with Channel 3 News throughout the day and night and logged onto wkyc.com for the latest on this developing story. When we have new details, we will be sure to pass them along to all of you.