Patriot Day 2009

As journalists, we try to commemorate the events of September 11, 2001 as respectfully as possible.

Numerous agencies, individuals, cities, and government groups schedule events, plan memorials, conduct vigils, and remembrances all day long.

Every news agency be it on line, in print, on tv, local, or national inundates the audience for days leading up to and then all day and night long.

From a business standpoint, there are only so many events we can cover.

We try to cover a sampling of what is taking place in honor of Patriot Day, 2009 to share the essence of the day.

As an American, a human being, and a sentimental person, I was drawn to the television coverage on NBC, MSNBC, CNN all day long into the wee hours of the next morning.

I could not turn it off.

MSNBC rebroadcast their coverage of the Today Show as it unfolded that fateful day.

I was riveted.

Is it the news person in me?

Or the event tugging at my emotional heart strings?

Whatever the case, I'd like to think that the events back on September 11, 2001 have made me a better person at work, at home and as an American realizing what I have, where it came from, how amazing it is to be living in the United States of America, and thankful for every minute of every day never again taking anything for granted.

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.