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Local News in E. WA is in a sad state

As I have posted before, these mid-State local news outlets may be on borrowed time. I have no factual evidence, but I would expect that local revenue is difficult today. The best solution is to pick up Spokane for Tri-Cities, or Seattle or Spokane for Yakima.
I am not a psychic but predict this will happen by the end of 2024, if not sooner.. Tri and Yak anchors, get your resumes ready. If I am wrong, so be it. This is just a "Carnac" prediction!
 
Correction: Jake Taylor is leaving at the end of this week (not last week). However, he just announced his successor at KIMA...

A British guy 😲 John Kennedy O'Connor, to be exact. Last worked at KIEM Eureka and was involved with the Eurovision Song Contest for many years, even writing a book about the history of the contest. He has also done work in the small country of San Marino, which is enclaved in Italy. Lots of contributions to the BBC, Channel 5 UK, even Sky News. Look him up.

To see someone like him in this little town of Yakima, WA, is a complete surprise. Congratulations John!

There were numerous technical issues at the start of tonight's 5PM newscast. A minute of black at 4:58, cutting off to the KEPR feed with Scott Stovall. Yakima feed briefly comes back but there's no sound. Back to the KEPR feed they go. Commercials and FINALLY, KIMA feed is back with audio and video.
 
Liz Burch joins KNDU - ahem! Non Stop Local, previously from KOIN Portland as a reporter/anchor
www.nbcrightnow.com

Liz Burch joins NonStop Local

KENNEWICK, Wash. - Liz Burch is an Emmy award-winning journalist with nearly a decade of experience on air. She is thrilled to join NonStop Local as the main anchor and
www.nbcrightnow.com www.nbcrightnow.com

Still ole' John Kennedy O'Connor at the desk over at KIMA, but tonight it was Austin Peppers' turn to take over and fill in. Peppers is a West Valley grad and current reporter, and spent his childhood in Yakima which helps!
 
Of course John Kennedy O'Connor is based in Yakima. Ludicrous to suggest or assume otherwise. We see him around a lot. A LOT. He is at many, many community events. If you had any doubts, dispelled surely when he was broadcasting live at the Yakima Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. You thought he was sitting in London? Jeez.
 
Jack Walker said:
Of course John Kennedy O'Connor is based in Yakima. Ludicrous to suggest or assume otherwise. We see him around a lot. A LOT. He is at many, many community events. If you had any doubts, dispelled surely when he was broadcasting live at the Yakima Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. You thought he was sitting in London? Jeez.
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Having anchors at other locations that in a small community is an option that more broadcast groups are pursuing. Better get used to it.
 
Was in the Yakima Valley this Christmas and watched KIMA. Was very impressed how the quality of their news (and the other stations in town) has improved lately. The anchors are much more professional then they were a few years ago, and there's much more "real" news and less advertorials just used to fill up time.
 
They still do that dumb 'motivate your Monday' segment. But there are more KOMO second-runs than there seem to be Sinclair must-runs. If only John Kennedy O'Connor was paired up with a second anchor.
 
Well with Mike McCabe (and his eye-blinding outfits) as his foil, does O'Connor really need a second anchor? And yes the fact the Sinclair must runs are mostly gone, and the National Desks they do run are more even handed than you'd think, is a great improvement for KIMA.
 
Heh! Mike and those fancy suits. In fact, there were some suits he couldn't wear on the air because they would mess with the green screen. There are some we will never be able to see...
 
Found myself contemplating why any stations in Yakima or Tri Cities would suddenly bother investing in their local newscasts. The reason occurred to me: 2024 campaign, PAC's and Super PAC money. Spit polish the newscasts in an attempt to attract enough local news viewers that the campaigns could buy ads on through the year. Once December 1, 2024 rolls around then we'll see how long the polish lasts when the election money stops flowing.
 
NonStop Local (KNDU) has added new graphics. New time/temperature graphics, and a rolling 'CNN-like' ticker of news at the bottom of the screen. KNDU and KAPP/KV...I meant Apple Valley News Now continues to improve its presentation while KEPR/KIMA are looking a little tired.

The new guy on Apple Valley, Austin Reed, has experience from KVUE Austin, and various stations in NM/AZ, also spent time at KFSM Fort Smith I believe. Not bad so far from what I've seen.
Longtime anchor Jason Valentine left at the start of the year, joined Franklin County Govt. as their new government affairs coordinator. New Government Affairs Coordinator in Franklin County

Meanwhile, the 'spa sale' came back to Kennewick this past weekend and aired their commercials approximately 2,697 times on all three local stations. They have tweaked the radio ads and have eliminated that irritating buzzer/alarm noise...but of course, "Be advised! Once in a lifetime (we really mean every 2 months) opportunity" 🤷‍♂️
 
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crainbebo said:
NonStop Local (KNDU) has added new graphics. New time/temperature graphics, and a rolling 'CNN-like' ticker of news at the bottom of the screen. KNDU and KAPP/KV...I meant Apple Valley News Now continues to improve its presentation while KEPR/KIMA are looking a little tired.
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I could imagine what's on that ticker:
Lost dog mix answers to the name of Spot * Jim Parker says he isn't sure why his combine recently caught fire. Sheriff is investigating. * Bake sale at the Selah Baptist Church this Saturday 8AM to 2PM * Bob Whipple reports that shortage of three ply toilet tissue is over, and that his store now has plenty of stock..
 
I guess we can also add "No change to Yakima's N 1st St - still run down and full of drug addicts as always". But really, I have seen tidbits on wine tasting in the Tri-Cities plus the wine convention coming up, King Charles' cancer diagnosis, and more.
 
Kelly A said:
I could imagine what's on that ticker:
Lost dog mix answers to the name of Spot * Jim Parker says he isn't sure why his combine recently caught fire. Sheriff is investigating. * Bake sale at the Selah Baptist Church this Saturday 8AM to 2PM * Bob Whipple reports that shortage of three ply toilet tissue is over, and that his store now has plenty of stock..
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I mean if that serves the audience, i dont see a problem with that
 
It's because Kelly thinks the news is really boring out here. But we do get enough shootings, robberies, and drug busts to last a good chunk of the newscast.
 
Kelly A said:
Found myself contemplating why any stations in Yakima or Tri Cities would suddenly bother investing in their local newscasts. The reason occurred to me: 2024 campaign, PAC's and Super PAC money. Spit polish the newscasts in an attempt to attract enough local news viewers that the campaigns could buy ads on through the year. Once December 1, 2024 rolls around then we'll see how long the polish lasts when the election money stops flowing.
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Well if this is their plan they're throwing away money. Central Washington is a very red area in a very blue state--the GOP hasn't won a major stateside race since 1994!
 
installLSC said:
Well if this is their plan they're throwing away money. Central Washington is a very red area in a very blue state--the GOP hasn't won a major stateside race since 1994!
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None of that matters. National campaigns buy based on the State, and include categories like 'TV with local news'.
This is especially true if the campaign or PAC wants to mobilize (in your example) 'blue' voters to not stay home during the election in an effort to 'purple-ize' the State.
 
KVEW just returned to weekend news!
Apple Valley News Now Weekend, airing Saturday afternoons (usually at 4:30 before sports, or 5) and also 6/11pm on weekends...and these are full-length newscasts, even the 11:00. A sign that full 11PM news could return to weeknights as well? It would displace the Friends repeat if so.

This is the first time KAPP/KVEW has had weekend news since layoffs and cuts in 2008.
 
crainbebo said:
KVEW just returned to weekend news!
Apple Valley News Now Weekend, airing Saturday afternoons (usually at 4:30 before sports, or 5) and also 6/11pm on weekends...and these are full-length newscasts, even the 11:00. A sign that full 11PM news could return to weeknights as well? It would displace the Friends repeat if so.

This is the first time KAPP/KVEW has had weekend news since layoffs and cuts in 2008.
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At least until after November.
 
crainbebo said:
KVEW just returned to weekend news!
Apple Valley News Now Weekend, airing Saturday afternoons (usually at 4:30 before sports, or 5) and also 6/11pm on weekends...and these are full-length newscasts, even the 11:00. A sign that full 11PM news could return to weeknights as well? It would displace the Friends repeat if so.

This is the first time KAPP/KVEW has had weekend news since layoffs and cuts in 2008.
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That is fantastic news! Are they using new on air talent or just having the weekday anchors pull double duty.
 


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