Jonblog

WAGM-TV has been very lucky to have some extremely professional and watchable weather forecasters and presenters over the years.

Currently both Samantha and Mark are meteorologists and come up with their own forecasts. In the past when we have utilized weather anchors the forecast comes from the National Weather Service.

What I have learned in both cases, people are mean to weathercasters. I don’t think that’s their intent, but getting mad at someone because it’s raining and they said only showers is a little ridiculous. Meteorologists can’t control the weather. If they could they would be making a ton more money.

I love weather and try to incorporate as much as I can into the newscasts. Studies and surveys show viewers love to watch the local weather as well. So here is my idea, show a little of that love for the presenters and cut them some slack when it’s minus 23 degrees.

That said I have heard some pretty funny lines when it comes to the weather. One view told me a few years ago to tell the meteorologist, “I had to shovel 12 inches of partly cloudy.”  Pretty funny and the viewer had a smile on his face.

JG

The WAGM-TV webpage is deliberately simple. When we first ventured out onto the world wide web the company made a decision not to overload the viewers.

Over the years the site has evolved to include a streaming version of the previous day’s 6:00 newscast, County Calendar listings and even commerce sections like Dollar Stretcher. Now Rene and I are blogging, there is more streaming video with Northern Perspective and soon the Associated Press will be providing the On-Line Video Network from our site. Not so simple anymore is it?

My question is when does the online side of this business start to hinder the broadcast side. Hopefully it will only enhance your viewing enjoyment and not replace it. I like computers, but I also enjoy sitting in front of the television where the only clicking I do is from channel to channel. I have to wrap this up, I just noticed something good on television.

 JG

On the WAGM-TV website news has been offering an internet poll question every week for almost two years. We have asked questions about the weather, favorite television shows, the harvest break and the price of gas and oil. Usually we get anywhere between 100 and 250 votes. It certainly isn’t a large or scientific sampling, but it does spark some interest and discussion.

This week is a political question which as of Tuesday afternoon generated few responses. Usually I will put my two cents worth in with a vote, but on political issues I never select one of the choices. It’s me tyring to be impartial. Either many of you want to remain impartial as well, or it’s too early to get excited about the primary, which is June 13.

Next week look for a poll question that connects with everyone. Suggestions welcome.

JG

It’s no secret television adds fifteen pounds. It has to do with seeing the picture in only two dimensions and in a 4 by 3 screen. In the past four months I have lost those fifteen and about 40 more.

In early January I took my dog (Hunter) to the vet. Hunter is a Golden Retriever. Goldens should be no more than 75 pounds. Hunter was 115. The vet made references to Hunter being chunky, then rollie pollie, and by the end of the exam Hunter was plain old fat. The vet said he had to lose some weight. The funny thing is as a dog owner if your pet exercises so do you. Hunter and I started walking 30 minutes every day and wouldn’t you know it we both lost some weight.

So if I look different to you on television there is a reason. Will the weight stay off? Stay tuned.

JG

 

 

Hello everyone,

NewsSource 8 is joining the blogging world. Rene Cloukey and I will be contributing commentary, opinion and hopefully some insight into behind the scenes here at WAGM-TV. This is my first post as a test of the system. Look for actual content starting next week.

 JG