This blog has moved

This blog is now located at http://edpadgett.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://edpadgett.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIJO!

Happy 40 + 1, Miguel!

Thought For Today 3-21-2010

Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength.

Hasidic Saying

Thought For Today 3-20-2010

One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

Chinese Proverb

Tribune Company Privatization Suit

The lawsuit challenging the legality of the Tribune “going private” transaction began yesterday. Hartford Courant Alumni Association and Refugee Camp have posted the entire document here.

Thought For Today 3-19-2010

It is always easier to believe than to deny. Our minds are naturally affirmative.

John Burroughs

A Little Pink in a World of Camo: I Will Always Be a Marine Wife

There are incredible posts written by military spouses everyday. Here is one by a 23 year old wife and mother, who just lost her husband this week. -Kanani

"I did not ever imagine I'd be watching an honor guard escort a metal box draped in an American flag off a jet. Never did I imagine that on Friday I would be heading to Florida to make funeral arrangements. This is not how it was supposed to happen."

Read the rest at: I Will Always Be a Marine Wife

Labels: afghanistan, marines, military, War

Chicago Tribune Guide to Newspaper Reporting (circa 1955)

The Pfaffinger Foundation Aids LA Times Staff

The Pfaffinger Foundation has come to the rescue of former Los Angeles Times employee, Aurora Liggons:

"Surgery went great!!! I was able to go to my granddaughter's concert! I looked like a pirate though. Roland you're right! I'm walking around looking at colors for the first time! I can't wait to get the other eye done. I was able with the help of The Pfaffinger Foundation to get the special implant lens! It cost $975!..."

The foundation was created in 1936 by Francis X. Pfaffinger, then Times Mirror's chief financial officer, apparently out of personal assets. By last year, when it paid assistance grants to 673 recipients, its asset base had grown to nearly $90 million--a relatively modest size among California charities.

Among the ways Pfaffinger is assisting employees and former employees:

1. Paying some or all of COBRA payments if the individual is unable to do so.

2. Making a limited number of rent or mortgage payments while the family restructures its finances.

3. Arranging for financial counseling at no cost.

4. Assisting with medical bills not covered by insurance (and sometimes we are able to negotiate a reduction with the provider as well). We can also assist with a variety of other bills (e.g. utilities).

The way to access Pfaffinger services is to call us at (213) 680-7460. We do not have a website because our first step with an inquiry is to determine eligibility, and we do this on a case-by-case basis in conversation with the applicant. We are also happy to mail out a brochure.

Every applicant works with a professional case manager and is guided through the application process. Client information is totally confidential. Of course, approval is not automatic and we are not a “benefit.” In fact, we are totally independent of The Times and Tribune.

I hope this information is of interest to you and I would like to discuss with you how it might be shared with your members.

Please feel free to e-mail or call (213) 680-7467.

Stephen C. Meier
Chairman and CEO
Pfaffinger Foundation
316 W. 2nd St., Suite PH-C
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel: (213) 680-7467
Fax: (213) 680-7474
e-mail: smeier@pfoundation.org

Thursday Morning in the Blogosphere

Los Angeles Times Pressmen Larry Washington with Dan Melendez

Greg Mitchell Joins The Nation - The Nation
Newspapers still relevant in online age - Financial Times
Getting Greg Boyle’s “Tattoos”….to the Page - Celeste Fremon
LAT: Laid Off Journos Will Be Running the Marathon - Tina Dupuy
Seattle P-I Website Soon to Be Profitable, Says Hearst - Media Buyer
Alt-paper, The District Weekly, to shutter doors - The Stress-Telegram
L.A.Times, Writers to Court Over Retirement Fund Meltdown - The Wrap
New KVOA GM brings National Experience to Tuscon - Tuscon Weekly
Why do we let Greedy Capitalists own our Livelihoods? - Wealthy Review
MagCloud Deserves Attention of Pro Publishers - Newspaper Death Watch

Save Our Trade: Benefit Concert for Haiti

By Ronnie Pineda

Come out and help the people of Haiti and listen to some music. There continues to be tragedies occuring around the globe from earthquakes to flooding. We musn't forget the people of Haiti still need assistance. The proceeds of this concert will go to Partners In Health that provide a variety of medical aid to victims in need.

Thee Invention is comprised of my cousins Eddie, Anthony and Michael Valdivia. Michael plays drums for Thee Invention and is also Guitarist in his other band Graveyard Institution so he will be performing double duty on this day.
The Tribal Cafe is a Vegan Cafe and there is no alcohol served.

Save Our Trade: Benefit Concert for Haiti

Thought For Today 3-18-2010

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.

George Washington

Arcadia to run DUI Checkpoints in honor of St Patty

Arcadia to run DUI Checkpoints in honor of St Patty’s

Posted using ShareThis

Tribune reminds employees: we're loose!

From: Tribune Communications
Sent: Wed 3/17/2010 12:xx PM
Subject: Message from Randy and Gerry/Our Culture

A little more than two years ago, we blew-up the old Tribune Employee Handbook and replaced it with a new, streamlined version designed to reflect the culture we're trying to build across the company. The new handbook is written in plain English and is less than 15 pages long.

It's also pretty basic. Rule #1 is "Use your best judgment." Rule #2 is "See Rule #1."

The point is...we don't have a lot of rules around here.

But, not everyone has gotten the message. We've heard from employees who say their business unit still has a strict dress code (we don't). Others have told us they can't hire someone because he or she might fail the new employee drug test (we don't drug test unless it's required by law or the person being hired is operating machinery, driving a truck, or handling a lot of cash). Some say they are afraid to speak up or present a wacky idea for fear of retaliation (nothing will squash creativity and innovation faster).

Rather than rules, our culture is defined by a few important principles:

· Focus on the important stuff
· Question authority
· Work together
· Take intelligent risk
· Reward performance
· Do the right thing

A copy of the employee handbook we distributed in the spring of 2008 is attached. It's also posted on TribLink (http://triblink.trb/). Our culture is evolving and you play an important role in helping shape it. We need your energy, your ideas, and your solutions-speak up! We've got to accelerate the pace of change and remove the barriers impeding it...and we can't afford to let up.

Randy and Gerry

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

Editor's note: Dear Randy Michaels, since the Tribune Company is run so loosely, why do your employees at the Los Angeles Times Operations Departments have to rely on LAObserved to read your messages?

Bay Area Black Comedy Competition 2010 Finalists Sneak Peak

Take a sneak peak preview of the record-setting 9 hilarious Finalists of the 24th Anniversary Edition of The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival. The comedians will compete for over $15,000 in cash and prizes-including $5,000 for the winner, on Saturday, April 17th, 2010 at Oakland's Paramount Theatre. They are: Key Lewis, Sacramento, CA Rion Evans, Inglewood, CA Willie Lynch, Jr., E. St. Louis, IL Kirk McHenry, Oakland, CA BT Kingsley, Sacramento, CA Henry Coleman, Memphis, TN Marcus Combs, Chicago, IL Nate Jackson, Seattle, WA Marc Howard, Washington, DC

Tim Russell has left the Los Angeles Times

Last Friday the staff of the plate making department at the Los Angeles Times Olympic Facility threw a farewell party for Tim Russell.

Tim is similar to many of us with his father Robert Russell working in the press room for almost three decades, nepotism was once the only way to get into the LA Times.

Tim will be missed by his colleagues and friends at the newspaper.

Erica Smith of Paper Cuts fame is interested in knowing the exact number of employees let go at the Los Angeles Times this year. If you happen to have this knowledge contact Erica here.

Sammy Maloof at Eagle Rock Plaza this Sat.

Condolences to Jimmy Coats and Family

Condolences to Los Angeles Times Pressman Jimmy Coats and Family on the loss of his 33 year old son.

Funeral services are pending

Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody.....

Yes, It Was a Bad Year for Ad Spending, But It Got Less Worse in the Fourth Quarter - Media Decoder Blog - NYTimes.com

Print media are "doing better than they were as recently as October," he added, and have a chance to finish the first quarter with a gain compared with the same period last year. "And if it's a minus sign," Mr. Swallen said of the print ad category in the first quarter, "it would be a much smaller minus than in the last two or three years."

Yes, It Was a Bad Year for Ad Spending, But It Got Less Worse in the Fourth Quarter - Media Decoder Blog - NYTimes.com

h/t Mark Lacter

Thought For Today 3-17-2010

People are never more insecure than when they become obsessed with their fears at the expense of their dreams.

Norman Cousins

Hollywood Producer To Challenge Senator Barbara Boxer

Hollywood producer Brian Quintana is set to challenge United States Senator Barbara Boxer in the June 8, 2010 Democratic primary. The Co-Producer of Superman: Man of Steel filed a Declaration of Candidacy, his nomination papers and enough valid signatures to qualify him for the statewide ballot. California's fling deadline was Friday, March 12, 2010, and Quintana was the only certified challenger to Boxer at the close of business.

Quintana first ran for public office in 1992, when his supporters included Hollywood billionaire David Geffen, producer Steve Tisch, movie studio executive Sherry Lansing, Martin Sheen, Anjelica Huston, and entertainment mogul Barry Diller. In January 2009, USA Today mentioned him as a prospective candidate to succeed Congressman Xavier Becerra who at the time was considering the post of President Barack Obama's Commerce Secretary. Quintana, a former servant of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, believes that he would again be supported by many of his famous friends in Tinseltown.

The businessman is running on a platform of creating jobs, cutting spending and improving our public schools. "The Tsunami of discontent for politics as usual is sweeping pur country from Florida to Massachusetts and from Virginia to Nevada. As a good Democratic I will not concede this seat to Barbara Boxer and allow Califonia to be washed up come November," stated Quintana about his decision to run. "Further, no one from Los Angeles County or no person of color has served California in the United States Senate in over 100 years. Our time has come."

He plans to capitalize on the anti-incumbent wave that has ousted countless national leaders from office, and endangered Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Quintana is Boxer's first serious primary challenge since 1992. Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, former Congressman Tom Campbell and conservative Assemblyman Chuck DeVore are engaged in a spirited Republican primary. The winner will meet the Democratic nominee on June 8, 2010.

For more information please visit www.bqforsenate.com

Brian Quintana At A Glance

Writer-Producer of Living

Co-Producer of Superman:Man of Steel

Special Thanks on President Barack Obama's Inauguration

Co-Producer of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Inauguration

Secured Underwriting for Governor Schwarzenegger's Inauguration

Chief fundraiser to Sheriff Lee Baca's Youth Foundation in 2007 and 2008

Celebrity/VIP Facilitator

President, Non-Profit Organization

Advance Man to President Bill Clinton

Hollywood's Candidate for State Assembly in 1992 (6,500 votes) Entered 1994 contest but withdrew to back Antonio Villaraigosa

Graduate, University of California, Berkeley

Scholar of Oprah Winfrey's A Better Chance

Attended local public schools

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California

Over 1 million Google Hits

The British Way of Love for the Sunday Times

This is a commercial directed for the Sunday Times, in the great days of Harold Evans, who has rightly been called Britain's greatest post-war editor. No newspaper, before or since, has achieved such greatness, but with his eye firmly on what mattered, with regard to incisively honest reporting and investigative journalism, Mr Evans, now Sir Harold, was not averse to approving commercials which showed a definite lighter side to his stewardship. This one was chosen for inclusion in an exhibition called Ten Years of Great British Advertising, put on at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London. It also won a string of British and international awards.

Shedding Employees at the Los Angeles Times

March 15th was another sad day at the Los Angeles Times as thirty-nine pressmen and women were given pink slips. A few of the brave souls gathered at Weiland's Brewery to mark this day with drinks and laughter among friends and colleagues.

The total body count for Operation Employees is somewhere near eighty employees being let go in this round of layoffs at the newspaper.

Several Press Room Supervisors, electro-techs, and Machinist were requested to stay on an additional two months, till May15th, 2010. The employees were informed that if they did not stay the extra two months they would lose their severance pay, rather easy to convince them to stay, with a gun at their heads.

The Press Room Employees had no harsh words for Tribune Co. Management, but did want to say good bye in their special way as seen at the right.

Wednesday Morning in the Blogosphere

Press operator Matt Turnbow with Dan Koval at his rear

A Bigger Earthquake to Come? - LAist
Garfield on Media Chaos - Newspaper Death Watch
A new Pew study on the economics of news - Jeff Jarvis
Sam Rubin to be honored by Press Club - Kevin Roderick
Does Media Ownership Matter Anymore? - Stop Big Media
Forecast for the media continues to look bleak - Denver Post
Tribune CO bankruptcy producing juicy legal storylines - AM Law Daily
"Cities are optional"--or, Robert Greene on acid - Griffith Park Wayist
Charles Manson Wants His LA Times Subscription Back - Franklin Ave
Customer Service Is Becoming An Issue Everywhere - Advice Goddess

A Change In Store

Ed,
Blogger will no longer be hosting FTP servers.
So you'll have to transfer this over. See the instructions. I think you'll like the new format, which is faster.

Memorial Watching On Facebook

"It's not only the tragedy of losing them to a war, it's the beauty of their spirit that never fails to overwhelm --makes me pause to catch my breath."

Read The Rest At: The Kitchen Dispatch

Labels: Deaths, life, memorial, War

Thought For Today 3-16-2010

People of little understanding are most apt to be angry when their sense is called into question.

Samuel Richardson

Monday Afternoon in the Blogosphere

Former LAT Orange County Pressman Sammy Torres, now at the Los Angeles Plant

Kill Your Newspaper? - Tim Cavanaugh
Media tycoons wanted: Make your own newspaper - BBC News
Behind closed doors, angry Tribune CEO confronts staff - Vocalo
Daily Named Best Texas Small Paper Converts to Online-Only - E&P
Former Rocky Mountain News Cartoonist Lands at ESPN - Tina Dupuy

Behind closed doors, angry Tribune CEO confronts staff

For close to 30 minutes Friday, the Tribune Co. CEO addressed a closed-door meeting of news staffers at news/talk WGN-AM (720) about the now-infamous memo banning 119 words and phrases from the airwaves. On the subject of leaks, Michaels asked individual staffers: “What do you think should happen to people who do that?” He directed much of his ire at Charlie Meyerson, the WGN news director who circulated the memo, blaming Meyerson for mishandling his directive.

Behind closed doors, angry Tribune CEO confronts staff

Thought For Today 3-15-2010

If someone in your life talked to you the way you talk to yourself, you would have left them long ago.

Carla Gordon

Why "War Movies" Often Fall Short: Introducing, The "McMovie"

"I know, we're being hit with a slough of movies about these wars. Some have big name actors, and many come with a lot of hype. There are movies that are thoughtful, others pushed out there intended to be blockbuster entertainment. After having decades of stereotypes heaped upon them, most veterans and soldiers are receiving them at arm's length. They have seen their honor, integrity and selflessness sold out by "the machine" time and time again. Winning their hearts and minds is no easy task."

Read the rest at:
The Kitchen Dispatch

Camp Pendleton-Based Marines In Afghanistan

We talk to Tony Perry, San Diego bureau chief for the "Los Angeles Times" about how the mission of Camp Pendleton-based U.S. Marines is going in Afghanistan.

Another Day, Another Controversy: Tom Hanks & The Pacific

"There's controversy about the off-the-cuff and woefully uninformed remarks made by Tom Hanks during the press conferencing for HBO's The Pacific."

Read the rest at:
The Kitchen Dispatch

Thought For Today 3-12-2010

There surely is in human nature an inherent propensity to extract all the good out of all the evil.

Benjamin Haydon

Thursday Morning in the Blogosphere

Pressmen Greg Bauer and Randy Skidmore in the Plate Making Dept.

Nagourney looks westward - Gary Scott
LA Times: SEO Spammer - Tina Dupuy
Newsday, Union Trade Proposals - Joe Strupp
US advertisers to spend more on digital than print - AFP
Flint Journal Reinstates An Edition - Editor & Publisher
2010: Layoffs and buyouts at U.S. newspapers - Paper Cuts
Tribune's banned words, all in one sentence - Kevin Roderick
L.A. TV News Still Leads With Anything That Bleeds - Franklin Ave.
Newspaper Executives to Join Major Advertisers at Conference - NAA
Former LA Times Scribes Launching Non-Profit Investigative Team - MM

Thought For Today 3-11-2010

...Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.

Miriam Beard

Remote Newspaper Printing and Distribution

Miller Distributors Limited manages a tight production window and produces 15 global newspaper titles for daily remote distribution to retail trade.

For more info go to http://graphics.kodak.com

Anderson Cooper, Dave Bryan & Anne Garrels

CNN's Anderson Cooper, NPR's Anne Garrels and CBS2 reporter Dave Bryan to receive top honors at 52nd Annual Southern California Journalism Awards

RELEASE

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
For Immediate Release
Edward Headington, Publicist
(818)720-7181, edward@lapressclub.org
Diana Ljungaeus, Executive Director
(323) 669-8081, diana@lapressclub.org

LOS ANGELES, CA - CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, NPR Senior Correspondent Anne Garrels and KCBS-TV reporter Dave Bryan will receive the Los Angeles Press Club's highest honors at the 52nd Annual Southern California Journalism Awards on Sunday, June 27th.

They will be among hundreds of media professionals taking part in the Southland's oldest and most distinguished journalism gala.

Cooper will receive the President's Award, for his impact on the media. He was the first American TV reporter on the scene in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake in January. Since the launch of Anderson Cooper 360° in 2003, Cooper has covered nearly all of the major news events around the world, often reporting from the scene.

Bryan, a TV reporter for more than 30 years at KTTV and now at CBS2News, will receive the Joseph M. Quinn Award for lifetime achievement.

Anne Garrels is the 2010 recipient of the Daniel Pearl Award for courage in recognition of her selflessness in pursuing difficult, often dangerous stories over the years around the world. The award will be presented by Judea Pearl, father of the late Wall Street Journal reporter killed by Pakistani extremists in 2002.

"It's a great lineup for a great night in Southern California journalism," says the new Press Club President Will Lewis, a public radio veteran based at KCRW-FM. "It proves the point that outstanding journalism continues despite unprecedented difficulties for all news media."

The Club will honor quality reporting in print, radio, TV and online in Southern California for 2009. For the first time, it will offer a $1,000 check for "Best of Show" Journalist of the Year.

Deadline for entries is March 31. Rules, entry forms and categories are available at http://lapressclub.org.

###

The Los Angeles Press Club stands as an organization devoted to improving the spirit of journalism and journalists, raising the industry's standards, strengthening its integrity and improving its reputation all for the benefit of the community at large. Serving the Southland since 1913, it is the only Southern California journalism group that speaks for all journalists working for daily and weekly newspapers, radio & TV, magazines, documentary films and online. For more information, go to http://lapressclub.org.

PR Newswire, co-sponsor for all Los Angeles Press Club events, is the global leader in news and information distribution services for professional communicators. For more information, go to www.prnewswire.com.

Headington Media Group is a boutique communications firm dedicated to promoting public affairs in Southern California and specializes in image management, branding, messaging and public relations. For more information, go to www.headingtonmedia.com.
In partnership with:

Join the Press Club Mailing List!
The Los Angeles Press Club
4773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90027
www.LAPressClub.org

Brian Quintana was spotted everywhere Oscar week-end

Boyle Heights native-turned-Hollywood producer Brian Quintana was spotted everywhere Oscar week-end, and appears to have cemented his standing among Hollywood royalty.

Quintana continued his tradition of spending Saturday afternoon at Barry Diller's lawn luncheon in honor of Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter. Diller's Beverly Hills estate was the ultimate mogul meet'n'greet despite the cold and threatening rain. Among the luminaries were Rupert Murdoch, David Geffen, Michael Eisner, Quincy Jones, Victoria Beckham, Les Moonves, Tom Freston, Ron Meyer, Brad Grey, Russell Simmons, Jerry Weintraub, Jeff Berg, Bob Daly, Terry Semel, Jane Fonda, Sandy Gallin, Irving Azoff, Ron Howard, Penny Marshall, Brett Ratner, Ben Silverman, Ed Norton, Betsy Blomingdale, Anderson Cooper, and Nancy Reagan. To see Quintana among such distinguished power players and deal makers gives hope to countless Latinos and youth from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Quintana started Oscar night at Norby Walters' Night of 100 Stars Oscar Viewing Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel where he huddled with powerhouse lawyer Gloria Allred and Tiger Woods' porn-star mistress Joslyn James. A source overheard the PR genius advising the feminist duo. Other supporters of the charity gala included Alan Thicke, Bo Derek & John Corbett, Gary Busey, Tom Sizemore and 55 Playboy Playmates. Does 55 still save lives? Quintana was then spotted leaving the InStyle Oscar Viewing Party at LeDome with two gift bags in hand (one for his lady friend). A cursory Google search shows that Rachel Bilson, Rachelle Lefevre, Hayden Panetierre, Lily Collins, Malin Akerman, Jessica Lowndes, and Perrey Reeves were among the beauties at the magazine soiree which begs the question why he brought a date in the first place. The Hollywood scenester was humbled when a PR rep for Fox told him he wasn't on the list for their coveted "Avatar" party. "No night is glitch-free. Least of all on a major awards night," mused Quintana.

As is his nature, Quintana bounced right back at his next stop where he was ushered right in and down the red carpet for E! Entertainment's post Oscar bash at Drai's Hollywood atop the new W Hotel. There he mingled with such young Hollywood icons as Ryan Seacrest, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Benji Madden, Cote de Pablo, Lance Bass, Amber Rose, Apl.de.ap, Audrina Patridge, Ryan Cabrera, Lydia Hearst, Evan Ross and Olympic aerialist Jeret "Speedy" Peterson who was sporting his Silver Medal.

Quintana took great pride in running into Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who is a fellow native of Boyle Heights, stating "I look forward to the day that we aren't the only two Latinos at Hollywood A-List functions."

Paparazzi followed the producer from the fabled intersection of Hollywood and Vine, hoping he would lead them to an exclusive after hours party hosted by Madonna and Demi Moore. Quintana was uncharacteristically mum as cameras caught him leaving the gated compound of Madonna's business partner Guy Oseary at 4:30 am. Now that sounds like a party.

Memo puts WGN news staffers at a loss for words | Feder | blogs.vocalo.org

Memo puts WGN news staffers at a loss for words Feder blogs.vocalo.org

Tribune Company CEO Randy Michaels has proclaimed the following 119 words cannot be spoken on the Chicago Tribune WGN Radio Station.

■“Flee” meaning “run away”
■“Good” or “bad” news
■“Laud” meaning “praise”
■“Seek” meaning “look for”
■“Some” meaning “about”
■“Two to one margin” . . . “Two to one” is a ratio, not a margin. A margin is measured in points. It’s not a ratio.
■“Yesterday” in a lead sentence
■“Youth” meaning “child”
■5 a.m. in the morning
■After the break
■After these commercial messages
■Aftermath
■All of you
■Allegations
■Alleged
■Area residents
■As expected
■At risk
■At this point in time
■Authorities
■Auto accident
■Bare naked
■Behind bars
■Behind closed doors
■Behind the podium (you mean lecturn) [sic]
■Best kept secret
■Campaign trail
■Clash with police
■Close proximity
■Complete surprise
■Completely destroyed, completely abolished, completely finished or any other completely redundant use
■Death toll
■Definitely possible
■Diva
■Down in (location)
■Down there
■Dubbaya when you mean double you
■Everybody (when referring to the audience)
■Eye Rack or Eye Ran
■False pretenses
■Famed
■Fatal death
■Fled on foot
■Folks
■Giving 110%
■Going forward
■Gunman, especially lone gunman
■Guys
■Hunnert when you mean hundred
■Icon
■In a surprise move
■In harm’s way
■In other news
■In the wake of (unless it’s a boating story)
■Incarcerated
■Informed sources say . . .
■Killing spree
■Legendary
■Lend a helping hand
■Literally
■Lucky to be alive
■Manhunt
■Marred
■Medical hospital
■Mother of all (anything)
■Motorist
■Mute point. (It’s moot point, but don’t say that either)
■Near miss
■No brainer
■Officials
■Our top story tonight
■Out in (location)
■Out there
■Over in
■Pedestrian
■Perfect storm
■Perished
■Perpetrator
■Plagued
■Really
■Reeling
■Reportedly
■Seek
■Senseless murder
■Shots rang out
■Shower activity
■Sketchy details
■Some (meaning about)
■Some of you
■Sources say . . .
■Speaking out
■Stay tuned
■The fact of the matter
■Those of you
■Thus
■Time for a break
■To be fair
■Torrential rain
■Touch base
■Under fire
■Under siege
■Underwent surgery
■Undisclosed
■Undocumented alien
■Unrest
■Untimely death
■Up in (location)
■Up there
■Utilize (you mean use)
■Vehicle
■We’ll be right back
■Welcome back
■Welcome back everybody
■We’ll be back
■Went terribly wrong
■We’re back
■White stuff
■World class
■You folks