Alabama Politics » politics

Twitter Updates for 2010-10-22

Erin Dixon — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Town of Pike Road opened its Town Hall today. Mayor says the town was 350 people in 1997. Now it's more than 5000. Huge growth. #
RSA Chief Dr. David Bronner says Amendment 3 is a bad idea for Alabama. Says it would not create jobs fast enough. ^MR #
ARBA President Billy Norrell says Amendment 3 would create badly needed construction jobs and help replace outdated bridges. ^MR #amendment3 #
Watch @wsfa12news at 6 for a profile on Martha Roby and Bobby Bright from Eileen Jones as well as more details on #amendment3 ^MR #

Sparks & Bentley: Raw & Unscripted

Scott Richards — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:18:59 +0000

You are going to see something this week (Tuesday & Wednesday Oct 5th & 6th at 9:30 PM) that you never get to see on television news.”

You’re going to see your candidates for governor raw, unscripted, and behind the scenes wearing a TV news microphone out on the campaign trail for hour after hour. We will condense it to bring you the most informative and most entertaining parts of their day. The candidates move fast and the stories will move even faster. You will see the animals (political animals) in their native habitat.

You won’t see this on any other television station and frankly, we made these stories happen only with a commitment that is unprecedented in modern broadcasting.

First, it meant getting both candidates to agree to wear our microphone everywhere they went without restrictions. None. In these days of “gotcha” journalism” I was pleased both candidates trusted me enough to give me that kind of access. I told them up front I wasn’t looking to hurt them, but that I would not protect them if they screwed up.

Second, it meant assigning two photographers, two of the best in the business (Aaron Lee and Mike tucker) to be with me every minute we spent on the campaign trail. Committing two photographers to a single story for that many hours is unheard of by local TV news, but management (Assistant News Director Lantz Croft and Assignments Manager Jeff Shackelford) did not hesitate to do it.

Third, it meant getting up at 3 a.m. one day and 3:30 a.m. another day to make the long haul to hook up with the candidates and put a wire on them for their first event of the day. Hey, I’m not looking for a pity party – I’m honored to do the stories. I’m just saying that after working evening shift for 30 years, I barely get to sleep by that hour!

Fourth, it meant management giving the stories extra time on the air so you can get some context and depth. A typical taped report on television will run just over 1 minute long. Each story on Sparks and Bentley will run nearly 8-1/2 minutes. That is a difficult time commitment to make in a local newscast, but management (News Director James Finch and Executive Producer Angie Bierley) were all for it. My thanks to them for supporting the coverage so strongly.

Next step is up to you. Watch Tuesday and Wednesday (October 5th & 6th) at 9:30 PM and see what you think. And let us know what you think. About the candidates… And about our coverage.

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-31

Erin Dixon — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Judge won't dismiss suit over Governor legal fees
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13066591 #
$20 million verdict against former ABC agent
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13068968 #
Hiring freeze, furloughs coming to Montgomery Co. employees
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13067370 #
Alabama in last place for school funding
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=13070077 #

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-27

Erin Dixon — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Thursday Football Scores in Alabama
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13016357 #
Debate held in Arab for gubernatorial candidates
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13051636 #
AL cuts nearly $2.5M in funding for Phenix City schools
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13046457 #
Alabama distribution of jobs bill money
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13051799 #
Huntsville mayor says tough times mean tough economic choices
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=13052595 #
Moulton businesses approved for alcohol sales
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=13052675 #

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-26

Erin Dixon — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Ohio aviation firm to build plant in Alabama
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13044004 #
First on WSFA 12 News: Tuskegee in hot water with IRS
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13039751 #
Selma Council chambers erupts after calls for resignation
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13039942 #
Commissioner wants investigation into sheriff's department
http://www.myfoxal.com/global/story.asp?s=13044613 #
Huntsville City Schools consider system-wide uniforms
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=13046422 #

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-25

Erin Dixon — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:00:00 +0000

D.A. orders illegal slot machines crushed
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13037849 #
City of Auburn sets up website for live poll results
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13038788 #
Alabama Supreme Court race gets heated over output
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13038326 #
Gulley, May in runoff for Bessemer mayor
http://www.myfoxal.com/global/story.asp?s=13039360 #
WBRC ELECTION RESULTS CENTER
http://www.myvotealabama.com/ #

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-24

Erin Dixon — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:00:00 +0000

New poll shows Bentley with large lead over Sparks
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13029038 #
Alabama hunting and fishing licenses go on sale
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13028757 #
Alabama to begin energy-savings loans in Dec.
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13029803 #
120 rushed to hospital after S. Ala. ammonia leak
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13031010 #
Regions Tradition announced as new golf championship at Shoal Creek
http://www.myfoxal.com/global/story.asp?s=13028475 #

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-22

Erin Dixon — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Alabama Unemployment Figures Released
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13018539 #
Breaking News…
Church Van Accident…
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13022769 #

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-19

Erin Dixon — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Vice President Biden announces money for Alabama
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13007867 #
Nick Saban's image at center of political controversy
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=13004124 #
Illegal gambling machines found in Brighton home
http://www.myfoxal.com/global/story.asp?s=13003859 #

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-18

Erin Dixon — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Update on Jefferson County Lawsuit
http://www.myfoxal.com/global/story.asp?s=12992254 #
College Football coming to Phenix City
http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=12997683 #