It's over...for now

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had been working on a feature story for KOMU about a piece of legislation that would increase the penalty for shaken baby convictions. Currently, law classifies the act as a Class C felony, which means offenders receive a maximum seven-year sentence. This legislation would change that to an unclassified felony and recommend a 20-year sentence. 

I'd never been so nervous for a story to air, this was, after all, my baby. But, all things considered, I think it went quite well. 

Monday, the bill came before the Senate Judiciary Committee. No one was there to testify against it, but considering we're in the second half of the legislative session, I wasn't shocked. There was also no vote on the bill because there were only two committee members present, one of which was presenting the bill, Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia). All of the people who were in my story were there to testify, and afterwards they approached me to express their frustration with the current status of the bill. I told them, from my experience, at this point in the session, there is no chance the bill will go through by this process, but the opportunity to add is as an amendment may still arise. 

It meant a lot to me that after the story aired, the family told me how happy they were with the finished product, and no one sent emails criticizing it. I was confident with my work, but was unsure how the family would receive it, but they loved it. Win, win. 

There's much more to the story, which you can read in the web version. 

As I said earlier, I did go to the SJC hearing yesterday, and plan to stick with this story throughout the remainder of this session. Stay tuned for updates, because it ain't over yet, folks. 

To sticking with it,

Ag

A story two months in the making...

So, my HFR runs on KOMU tonight. What's an HFR you may ask? Hm, well technically it means a "hold for release" story - aka, a more in-depth, time consuming piece, which the station can air when they have room for it.

My 4:35 piece of broadcast delight is about shaking babies. And I mean that in the most literal term. It's rather sad - there is a bill making its fourth appearance in the Missouri Legislature called "Karra and Jocelyn's Law." The bill calls for stricter penalties for those convicted of shaking a baby to death, or endangering a child's welfare. The current law classifies the act as a Class C felony, which instigates a maximum seven-year sentence. However, offenders often do not serve that full-term, whetherr because they cut plea bargains or get out on parole. The bill would make it an unclassified felony, and recommend a 20-year sentence for offenders.

I spoke with the families of Karra and Jocelyn, two girls who were less than one-year-old when they were shaken and killed. For those of you who know me, I'm basically a rock when it comes to emotions. But this story definitely shook me up - no pun intended, friends. Both families shared their heart-wrenching stories with me. I just hope I can do them justice in telling it for them.

Needless to say, I'm nervous at this time. In less than four hours, a story that has taken me countless hours, beads of sweat and increased heart rates will air for all of Mid-Missouri to see. And I've packed it all into a 4:35 piece. Here's hoping it goes off without a hitch.

The families say they are so glad these babies will finally have a voice. No pressure, right?

I'll elaborate more on the story and the issues involved in it after it airs. I don't want to give away every detail!

To doing my job well and trying not to panic,
Ag

Making Short Stacks go a Long Way...

I think I said that line a million times during my hits on Tuesday, February 23. I went live from Columbia's IHOP to tell Mid-Missourians about National Pancake Day - an event in its fifth year that benefits Children's Miracle Network. I actually covered the event for my final B2 story last year, and remembered it was around this time. It just so happened to fall on the morning of my live shift, brill! For KOMU, I usually don't cover news events like this, but it was a perfect topic for the morning show. It was also my first attempt at a live interview. Molly Myers, the CMN Coordinator from MU Children's Hospital was kind enough to join me on camera...

I think my live truck operator, Scott had a great time, too. We both had smiles at the end of the shift because we got most of the shots up, were warm inside with an endless supply of coffee, and even treated ourselves to a free shortstack. In fact, we ate the stack I used in my final wrap up of the morning. 

After watching that, it seemed like everyone in the studio enjoyed the story as well. 

To strategic pancake planning,

Ag

P.S. I highly recommend blueberry syrup. yum. 

One step closer...

Well, the past couple of days have been pretty amazing! As I mentioned in my last entry, I am hitting the pageant scene again after taking the year off. I competed in Miss Audrain yesterday and much to my surprise, I won! I'll be returning to Miss Missouri for the fourth year (a reminder of how much older I'm getting!). 

I'm so looking forward to working with Bev, Megan and the rest of the Miss Audrain board - I think we'll be a perfect fit. Mexico is a great location since it is close to Columbia and my hometown of Perry, so I plan on making many trips there over the next year. The community has already been so supportive and receptive, I cannot wait to see where this year takes me.

I must say that last night, just a couple hours after winning I was walking to my car parked on the square. I was parked in front of the Hallmark store, and a gentleman was sweeping the snow off the sidewalk just outside of it. The man stopped for a moment and asked me if I was the new Miss Audrain, to which I excitedly replied "Why, yes! I am!" He then introduced himself as the owner of the Hallmark store and told me of his partnership with the Miss MO Org. He then proceeded to sweep all the snow off my car! This was an awesome gift to the new queen who was still wearing her open-toed high heels during a snowstorm (apparently my common sense went out the window upon crowning). So, thank you!! He also gave me a chocolate, which I gladly ate!

What was most exciting about yesterday was that my entire family was there to support me, along with some friends! Since the pageant was so close, they were all able to come, which is unusual for most locals I've competed in. I got so many hugs and well wishes after the crowning - it was indeed a memorable moment! 

Many told me after the pageant, "Abby, we're so glad that you're back!" I am as well. Taking the year off last year really made me realize how much I missed this program, and I cannot wait to reconnect with everyone in the Miss Missouri Organization. 

I don't have much time until Miss Missouri, so I'll be hitting the ground running. However, I'm so excited and feeling extremely motivated by the way things have worked out, so I couldn't be more thrilled to be doing so! So, stay tuned for updates on "Abby's Awesome Audrain Adventures."

To new adventures and wearing snow boots,

Ag

I'm Alive...but my blog doesn't know it

Hi Friends,

So, obviously bloggity blogging has been on the back burner the past 6 months. In an effort to catch everyone up on my journalism and traveling adventures (because I know everyone and their pet iguana must be wondering what in the world I've been up to...) I'm simply going to post some links to stories, and find an appropriate montage of photos to document those months lost.

KOMU was an interesting experience last semester. I was GA reporting once a week, and turning a story each day. By that I mean I was at the station by 7:30 am, dragged a camera and tripod throughout Mid-Missouri, back to the station by 3 p.m., then wrote and edited pieces for the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts. Note that I never mentioned food in that lineup. Food was also on the back burner, well, at least on Tuesdays. But I digress...

You can see some of my stories by visiting KOMU.com or checking out my Vimeo page. I certainly have many more stories to upload, but if you must get your Abby fix right now, feel free to creep - I welcome it! Although it seems like I was depreciating the reporting process in the last paragraph, quite frankly I did enjoy it. I had many Monday nights where my stomach was in knots while trying to come up with enterprise story ideas and thinking about the stress I would encounter the next day, but each Tuesday when I returned to my humble abode, I felt so accomplished, and was happy upon reflection of who I met that day, what I learned, etc. So, essentially my day side "backpack journalism" experience was indeed a fine one.

I'm still at KOMU each week this semester. I'm currently doing live reporting for the Tuesday morning show (surprisingly love, love, love the morning show - even though we've had some ENG issues...) and anchoring the World View segment of the 10 p.m. newscast each Friday night. I'll try to keep updated posts about my ventures this semester.

I'm still kicking it at the State Capitol, reporting for KMOX and Missouri Digital News. I started reporting there almost three years ago (wow, I'm getting too old for this place) Last semester I didn't report often, but rather managed the newsroom and imparted wisdom on younger reporters (at least I'd like to think that). During the 2010 Legislative Session, I decided to take on a new job as the Producer for the weekly PBS segment "Jeff City Journal." I'm thoroughly enjoying it thus far. I love working with the host, Missy Shelton, and having that kind of responsibility. Though it is sometimes stressful (but what isn't these days?) it's worth every increased heart rate and bead of sweat on my brow. I could definitely see myself doing something like this for the long run.

So, yeah. That pretty much sums up most of my professional career. As for traveling and other totally random adventures - well, lets just say I'm missing the ability to jetset to Grecian Islands. I did manage to get my beach fix over winter break. I visited Los Angeles with my boyfriend, Ryan (duh, I'm def dating a Cali boy). I met his family, went to Disneyland, golfed and, of course, played in the waves one afternoon. So here are some fun pics...




Sidenote: I'm competing in pageants again! I'll be in my first competition this Sunday - Miss Audrain. I'm super nervous because I haven't competed in nearly two years. But this is definitely part of my "life plan" so I'm diving in.

That's all for now, and hopefully there will be more entertaining, relevant posts to come in the near future, as this one most certainly fails to meet both of those criterion.

To catching up and showing my bloggity-blog some love,
Ag