jholt's Blog

While most have made much (and perhaps rightly so) of the historic nature of Inaguration Day, I found myself transfixed on something else today: the order of it all.

By that I mean, the hand off of power between a Republican, and a Democrat. Men who disagree greatly on great issues of the day. On this day, it didn't matter.

Despite one of the nastiest presidential campaigns in history (from primary start to general finish)...the man pilloried by candidates from both parties, President Bush, graciously handed the reigns (and the keys, and the nuclear football, and the Oval Office) to his successor. Seemlisly, flawlessly, with honor, with dignity...

It's happened before....it is not really all that unique here anymore. No shots fired, no bloodshed.   

I trust the world was watching. Democracy is an amazing thing.

JHolt

     

...Of The Tunnel?

We noticed during our 5pm broadcast this Jan. 6 that during Tess Koppelman's live shot, it was still light out!

We've survived the holidays....and while there's surely more winter ahead of us...we've passed the point of losing, and we're now gaining time with the sun!

Can opening day be far behind??

Happy New Year all!

JHolt 

From me to you, my best this holiday season.

And a special Christmas shout out to the military families whose loved ones are serving and protecting...and unable to be home for the holidays.

Thank you for their service, and YOURS!

Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year!

JHolt

...but one thing Carl Peterson did that will forever define a positive part of his legacy is require his employees (read, the players) to be involved in the community.

You've seen the player's banners at the stadium....we at Fox 4 have covered their charity events...I've even emceed a few of them...the Chiefs are all about community involvement. Win or lose, the players give back to this community in countless ways.  That philanthropy started at the top, encouraged by Lamar Hunt, required by his CEO.

Sure, many players would have set up foundations and become involved on their own. But when the culture of giving is made a way of life at One Arrowhead Drive, from the rookies to the veterans, it makes a loud and positive statement.

Here's hoping the next regime will continue that tradition. As Peterson departs, and many fans celebrate the end of his era, we should at least pause and thank him for creating that culture of giving in this NFL town.

Merry Christmas!

JHolt  

The memories are flooding back!

OJ Simpson's sentencing in Las Vegas in the armed robbery at  a Vegas hotel last year brings back the memories of our coverage in 1994 of the Simpson murder trial. Remember that?

We had just become a Fox affiliate, and I had just arrived, when the trial opened in early 1995. With no real national news presence (the Fox Newschannel didn't exist then), our general manager and news director at the time both decided WE should provide gavel to gavel coverage. And as we did, we should educate viewers on how such trials would be handled in Kansas and Missouri to set ourselves apart from CNN and Court TV.

 We utilized some of the metro's brightest legal minds who would come in on a rotating daily basis as we carried the trial. They helped us analyze and digest the proceedings, and educate us all to the differences for trials in the heartland.  I met some marvelous attorneys back then, many of whom remain friends and good sources today.

Anyway, seeing "OJ on Trial" again certainly brings back fond memories for me. Certainly the murders in LA were tragic, but for an infant Fox affiliate and a new anchor/reporter with a legal background, it was an amazing opportunity to do live television with twists and turns like no other. I enjoyed the challenges and the opportunity, and certainly hope our viewers did too.

JHolt

       

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    I'm back for round two of blogging over the Border Showdown. KU. MU. This year the stakes aren't quite as high, but the bragging rights are.

     By all rights, MU is the prohibitive favorite in this game at Arrowhead. But in a rivalry game, anything can happen. So brace yourself. Heck, give me another minute on the clock last year and I think KU wins. But, time ran out, and besides, KU went on to sweet Orange success anyway.

     The back and forth in our newsroom has been fun again this year, if not a bit more subdued since both teams haven't quite performed as we'd all hoped. But for the KU-MU grads, this is a newsroom bragging rights showdown too, just like it is in so many workplaces in the metro. I have no doubt a few fun wagers have been made.

       I still laugh when I remember how, live on the air, I threw on the Jayhawk head to crack up my MU colleague Megan Cloherty last year as part of our live special before the game. In our newsroom, it's all in fun!

      Speaking of time running out, the clock is also ticking on another important Border Showdown, the showdown to benefit Harvesters. As I blog, MU has taken a lead over the Jayhawks!!! So time for another come from behind win KU fans! Harvesters will be collecting food at Arrowhead right up till game time Saturday. Or you can donate right on line--for KANSAS of course! :)

      Rock Chalk--let's feed the hungry--and win the Border Battle!

As I write it's Wednesday night....the week before Thanksgiving....and I'm in the mood to ramble a bit...

   ---boy did I strike a nerve with my post on "Are We to Blame?" The question of whether media talk of the economic downturn has created a self-fulfilling prophecy? A couple of posters wondered why we did not  do stories on how to survive the economic downturn, instead of all the bad stories. Actually, we have. Heather Claybrook's "Pinching Pennies" stories this week have focused on just that aspect of  making it through tough times on a budget. I've found them enlightening.  Hope we do more.

    ---guess it didn't really help the Big 3 Automaker's cause any that the CEO's all flew in to beg for help on Capital Hill aboard corporate jets. Nice!

   ---spent a morning at Avila University with about 85 high school journalists at the annual American Cancer Society Student News Conference. Many of these kids aspire to jobs in communications. They were sharp, had great questions, and will do quite well I'm certain!

    ---the Arrowhead Armageddon won't have quite the stakes this season as last with Mizzou claiming the North and KU struggling a bit. But it'll be a festive atmosphere. Sure hope that winter weather lurking out there stays away.

    ---no Christmas lights please....too early! Wait til after Thanksgiving! :)

    ---gas prices are down.....for now. Hope that creates a nice little "economic stimulus" of its own as we head toward the critical holiday retailing season.  

Rambled enough....til next time....see you at 5pm and 9pm!

JHolt

       
 

I have heard the theory kicked around, even had friends half-jokingly mention it: "Enough already about the economy!" 

Is the media partly to blame for the country's economic woes? In other words, is it a self-fulfilling prophecy? The more we dwell on negatives, the more consumers pull in their horns, investors bail, and markets tank.

To be sure, layoffs are real, the global slowdown is happening, and gas prices are down for the wrong reasons (hey I love sub-$2 gas as much as anyone, but I wish a recession wasn't the cause).

So, if we (the media) quit harping on it, would that help speed the recovery? I'm not sure I'm convinced.....it's a complex "perfect storm" at work here...but I wonder..........

Your thoughts?

JHolt

  

  

 

       Post election, as the transition of power begins seamlessly and democratically, we have your service and sacrifice to thank for that. I hope and pray we never lose sight of that fact.

      That is something we can certainly agree on in the true spirit of bi-partisanship!

     Thank you to all the men and women who serve, and have served, in our military...the finest in the world. We are grateful always, and particularly this Veterans Day week!

JHolt

     

Well, with no baseball tonight (congrats to Phillies fans!), we can now talk about counterfeit temp tags and our story which will air tonight after all!

One of the police sources I had on this story tells me that you can bet at least 50 percent of those 30 day tags you see on newly purchased vehicles in Missouri are fake. What's the big deal you say? Well, millions in sales, property and other taxes and fees the holders of those bogus tags AREN'T paying (but you, as a law abiding citizen, ARE)!

On Fox Four News at 9 Thursday night, we go along as agents and cops try to shut down some of these operations. It's an inside look at an effort that even they admit will only scratch the surface.

We'll post it on the web too....but see it first tonight at 9!

JHolt 

....and the gap is narrowing.

In our latest Fox TV-Rasmussen Reports poll of the Show-Me state, Barrack Obama's 5 point lead shrinks to 1 point. Surprise, he's coming back (to Columbia, Wednesday).

The survey of 1000 likely voters taken Sunday, Oct. 26 shows 48 percent would vote Obama, 47 percent would vote McCain, with 3 percent not sure. The poll is now well within the margin of error of plus or minus 3 points.

Some other interesting tidbits from the same survey:

--in the latest poll, more Missouri likely voters trust McCain (48%-46%)

--economic issues remain by far the top issue, at 48%. That's held pretty steady over the last month. National security is a distant second at 20%

--and if you had to make the toughest decision of your life, who would you rather get advice from? 50% say McCain.....43% say Obama.

Much more of these Missouri results and more Rasmussen Poll information in our politics section! (Click on News, then Politics!)

It's going to be an interesting rest of this week....and weekend. Anybody else ready for Election Day?????

JHolt 

Heading to St. Louis with Shelli Lockhart Saturday for the third of four debates between the governor candidates....AG Jay Nixon and Cong. Kenny Hulshof.

Should be interesting, and based on our latest Fox TV Rasmussen Reports poll, look for Hulshof to be the aggressor. He's down double digits. Doesn't seem to be getting any traction. The debates become real important for a trailing candidate (see McCain, John).

At any rate, tune in! It's at 6pm on Fox 4! (and Fox 2 St. Louis). Even better, you won't miss Mizzou-Texas...that's at 7pm! KU-OU should be wrapping up! So, get your political game fix...between the college games!

Have a great weekend...see you from St. Louis!

JHolt 
   

...and what a difference a month makes.

Our latest Fox-TV-Rasmussen Reports poll puts Barack Obama ahead by 3 points in Missouri, within the margin of error, but still quite a reversal from the 6 point lead John McCain owned last month. Can you say falling Dow?

Clearly, the economy is top of mind, as the poll of 1000 likely voters taken October 5 shows. A full 49% of the surveyed cited economic issues as the key issue they'll be voting on. National security has fallen all the way to 20%. Can you say no domestic terror attacks since 9/11?

The pundits seem to think the economy is king ("It's the economy, stupid"-James Carville), and clearly the polling bears that out.

More from the poll in our politics section!  Including how Missourians feel about the veep candidates.  

Is it just me, or is it getting nastier?! At all levels! Hang on!

JHolt

 

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    The Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports board meets regularly to go over budgets, housing, fund raising, and events for people with developmental disabilities. We help raise additional dollars for our parent, Johnson County Developmental Supports. JCDS is a county agency providing job training, work opportunities and more, for the developmentally disabled. "Friends" provides extra money for emergencies, and programs that might not otherwise happen if not for public generosity.  

    Meetings are informative and I'm on a fun board, but recently we were privileged to see firsthand why we meet, and why we fund raise!

    Three terrific programs hosted an open house for us at the Lenexa facility. GEM (Growing Through Engagement & Motivation), OPAL (Older Persons, Active Lives) and PEARL (Participation Energized through Activities & Reality Learning) welcomed board members and the public to see how they provide social and educational outlets for JCDS consumers.



Meeting participants in GEM!

    The consumers couldn't be prouder of their participation, and it showed. We as board members couldn't be prouder of the consumers and wonderful staff who oversee the programs. The GEM and OPAL outlets even have community service components: the consumers giving back!



 The PEARL participants had a cool hat for me!

   Yes, meetings are fine. But seeing up close how donated dollars to Friends of JCDS are making a real difference is, well, priceless. And it's also nice to know that so many of the consumers are loyal Fox 4 fans!

JHolt

PS If you're interested in joining Friends of JCDS and supporting these programs, check out www.jcds.org

                   
 

This week's exclusive Fox-TV Rasmussen Reports polling has some interesting questions and numbers on the impact of the Biden-Palin additions to the respective tickets.

For example, the choices will make a difference to a significant number of adults (46 percent). That would seem to go against the conventional wisdom we often hear that people don't vote for the ticket, they vote for the top candidate ON the ticket. Perhaps the nature of this year's race and the need to reach out to independent voters is giving greater weight to the veep choices.

By the way, 40 percent of the 1000 adults surveyed say McCain got the pick right...40 percent of those surveyed say Obama got the pick right. How's that for a dead even outcome! (National survey conducted September 3-4)

More results available in our Politics section.

One thing we can all agree on: we'll see a lot more of the candidates and their surrogates. Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and a handful of others are on almost every "electoral map" scenario of must-win states. Kansas will be a bystander as a reliably red state...but at least the Sunflower state is close to the action!

You Decide 2008....the post Labor Day countdown to Election Day is on!

JHolt