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.