Not All News Develops 9AM to 10:30PM

Some thought I was a little rough on KAKE and some of their young hires in my last post. I stand by and say their inexperience does show. At the same time I will say, KAKE reporter Parrish Alleman handled the breaking news story of a shooting that left two dead and one in critical condition very well last night since it happened East of Wichita on the edge of the viewing area in Eureka, KS. She had the most amount of information in her 10PM live shot, while the other two stations were quoting the local Eureka, KS newspaper. KWCH was live at 10, while KSN was not there. With that I was curious to watch the morning shows.
  KAKE was live with Jordan Shefte. She is one of those reporters who needs some experience but she is getting it on the KAKE morning show with live shots every morning (when not anchoring) and it is showing. She did a nice job leading the coverage compared to the other stations.
  KWCH had Pilar Pedraza at the scene with sound from the Sheriff. Nothing spectacular but at least you could see the sunrise and presence on the story.
 Meanwhile at KSN, they must have the news version of  "banking hours." They must be open from 9AM until 10:30PM. Although they had some night time video, there wasn't a live report from Eureka during the show. The Wichita TV stations have a tough dilemma when they cover nearly 2/3 of the state. Eureka is in the extreme Eastern part of the viewing area, but when two people die in a shooting, and one is in serious condition it warrants coverage. The most important part also to consider from last night's info is a suspect was identified and believed to be headed toward Park City.
 Once again, KAKE did a nice job in coverage from the beginning last night to early this morning following the story. It will be interesting to see how this story plays out through the day. -Hal

KAKE's Shuffle-Roo

 KAKE continues to intrigue me. I thought it was just a fluke when I saw the "Dumb and Dumber" anchor team of Jordan Shefti and Annette Lawless anchor KAKE's modern version of "Degrassi High," last week. However, they were on again Today with some new cheesy weather guy named, "Frank." Also the guy normally in the morning anchor chair, Mike Iuen anchored this weekend and reported Today. It looks like he is the new weekend anchor taking the spot of veteran Larry Hatteberg who is on the main desk again after Jeff Herndon left for Chicago affiliate WFLD. If that is what Hatteberg truly wants, good for him. Looking at Today's shows, he is anchoring 4,5,6 and 10PM. As for the normal morning female anchor, Jemelle Holopirek remains on the show. According to the Wichita Business Journal, she has been on vacation last week and set to return Tuesday. Some new cheesy weather guy named Frank does take the spot of Ben Pringle. He will be the weekend evening meteorologist. Also citing the Wichita Business Journal, a replacement for Jared Cerullo has been found in Annette Lawless. According to once again the Wichita Business Journal, things are messy in regards to Cerullo's exit at KAKE, including a pending lawsuit. (I have been out of this for awhile; I didn't know this had happened.) Jared Cerullo may have left KAKE, but if KAKE thinks Annette will replace Jared's experience, competence and ease on camera, Jared may have the last laugh on this one. -Hal

Has "Degrassi High" replaced KAKE's "Good Morning Kansas."

I've been asleep for a few years and it would take something to wake me up. Well I turn on the morning news this morning and I had a flashback to the days of the PBS teen show, "Degrassi High." Jordan Shefti anchoring, some new cheesy weather guy named, "Frank" and new clueless live reporter Annette Lawless. The team (I use that word loosely) looks like a Teenage broadcast and the happy talk is of same caliber. KAKE's normal morning show cast unfortunately must have taken off at the same time. I haven't commented on the TV news in this town for quite some time, (not sure if I ever really will) however the mornings on all three stations now have the most sound talent throughout the day. But at least this morning KWCH and KSN definitely led the way. If you wanted to feel like you were watching a video version of "TeenBeat Magazine" than KAKE delivered. -Hal