December 22nd, 2002

ICTN IS COMING...BUT NOT THE WAY I SAID (OOPS!) The Inland California Television Network, which is planning to start news coverage in the "Inland Empire" area of Southern California, is not affiliated with PBS affiliate KVCR/San Bernardino. It is affiliated with the station's licensee, Cal State San Berdardino, though. Greg Weissman is the operation's news director. He tells us that ICTN has deals with more than a dozen cable systems to air on their cable access channels, as well as deals in the works with the region's satellite Tv providers. The operation is mandated to be self sufficent in three years, which gives it a chance to get up and running smoothly, and build an audience.

INVESTIGATE THIS: Award-winning investigative reporter Joel Grover is leaving KCBS-TV/Los Angeles. Grover has been at the CBS O and O for six years. He made big waves with his undercover story on food preparations at restaurants, which prompted Los Angeles County to institute mandatory letter rating grades.

ALAN MOVES ON: KUSI/San Diego anchor Alan Frio and the station parted ways. Frio has worked in Los Angeles, Sacramento and the Bay Area during is long career.

LEAVING TULSA TOWN: David Goldberg has left the KJRH/Tulsa n.d. post. He's a former KTLA/Los Angeles n.d.

LARRY'S BACK: Former KCOP/Los Angeles n.d. Larry Perret is now working for Frank Magid Associates in Los Angeles.

VERCAMMEN LIGHTS UP L.A.: Paul Vercammen is now reporting for the KCAL/KCBS combo in Los Angeles. Vercammen had been at CNN for several years as an entertainment and business reporter.

DON'T FORGET: The deadline for the Associated Press Television/Radio Association of California and Nevada Awards Competition is January 10th. Remember, stations can enter...as can station staff as individuals. Get your registration info at APTRA.ORG...and see you in San Francisco for the convention next March!

AWARDS PART TWO: The Southern California RTNA (Golden Mike) Awards is Saturday, January 18th at the Universal Hilton. Win or lose, anyone can come. Tickets are available through the RTNA at 818-986-8168.


December 9th, 2002

ANCHOR (ING) AWAY: Jim Philbrick moves into to the weeknight co-anchor slot at KMIR/Palm Springs.

HEADED SOUTH: Kathleen Sullivan is leaving the n.d. slot at KVVU/Las Vegas to become Managing Editor of sister station WGCL/Atlanta.

A NEW PHILLIES FAN? Gerard Moncure, late of KCOP/UPN13 Los Angeles, is now the main sports anchor and host of "Sunday Sports Extra" at WPHL/Philadelphia.

TEXAS BOUND: Julie Simon joins KEYE/Austin, after reporting stints at KRNV/Reno) and KVBC/Las Vegas.

WEATHERING THE NEWS: Marti Skold joins WNCT/Greenville, N.C. as a weeknight co-anchor, moving over from her weeknight weathercaster's job at KCAL/Los Angeles.

WAKING UP EARLY: Noelle Walker is now anchoring mornings at WCCO/Minneapolis, moving up from general assignment reporting. Walker had been an anchor and reporter at KEYT-TV/Santa Barbara before heading to the Midwest two years ago.

KING OF THE WEEKENDS: Tim King is the weekend assignment editor at KATU/Portland, moving from KVVU/Las Vegas.

NEW NEWSROOM IN THE WORKS: While every newsroom seems to be getting smaller, at least one is growing...in fact...starting up from scratch. Greg Weissman is the new n.d. and anchor of a nightly newscast planned by PBS station KVCR/San Bernardino. Plans call for a five night a week, 30 minute long newscast. It will be the third news show on a PBS station in the Los Angeles market, joining KCET/Los Angeles and KOCE-TV/Huntington Beach (Orange County). Weissman has reported for three L.A. market television stations during his career.

BUNDLE UP: Former APTRA Board member Rob Artigo is now reporting for KIRO-AM/Seattle, moving north from KFBK/Sacramento.