Sister stations help with commuter train collision coverage

Locally, it was an ok news day.

It's the eve of the recall election for long-time Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic.

We also had an arrest over the weekend in the Laundromat murder. Ironically, the suspect may be attached to two other incidents in two other counties. This story is far from over. Not only do you have what we call the 'nuts and bolts' for this story alone --what is new and happening in this murder case today--but there are many sidebar stories like WHY did the judges ever let him out of jail with his long list of offenses and are there even more suspects with serious offenses roaming the streets?

And, of course, everyone...I mean EVERYONE is awaiting that call from the Cleveland Indians gathering the local media for a press conference regarding some kind of shakeup...


However, the BIG story of the day was miles away....states away......

Yet, we were still able to cover the BIG story with help from our NBC/MSNBC, Gannett, and CNN affiliates in the D.C. area.

WUSA9, our Gannett Sister-Station, had superb coverage of this catastrophic event from its inception. Producers/Writers/Reporters kept all of their affiliates in the loop with updated email regarding new information, upcoming news conference details, pictures and the latest video.

Steve, the CNN Producer servicing our region, kept us in the loop in a number of ways including continuous Twitter updates.

And, of course, NBC/MSNBC kept Producer Dan informed of the latest developments as well. Dan was able to use Reporter Steve Handelsman to update our customers during the 11pm news.

WKYC in turn, was able to get updated information out via Twitter, wkyc.com, and during our LIVE news programs because of the support we had from our affiliates in the region of the breaking news story.

This is how news coverage and getting information out to our customers is supposed to work...and I believe, we did a pretty good job Monday evening on a tragic story.

Abby Ham leaving Channel 3

Channel 3 News Director Rita Andolsen announced today that morning show co-anchor Abby Ham will be returning to her earlier roots, to her family in Knoxville, Tennesee as WBIR's morning show anchor.

Ham will leave in June.

Abby joined the Channel 3 News team back in November, 2007.

Andolsen said, "Abby has been a wonderful addition to the morning show team. We will miss her smile, her spirit, and her dedication, but her heart is calling her home to her family in Knoxville."

Abby and her on-air comrades of Mark Nolan, Hollie Strano, and Maureen Kyle as well as the entire morning show team have worked very hard to make Channel 3 News Today the place to turn when you wake up and the perfect way to start your new day. They have gained a faithful fan base.

WKYC and WBIR are both Gannett-owned stations.

I wish her well on her new endeavors. She will be missed. Our loss is definitely WBIR's gain!