One Person Can Make a Difference

In the news business, it's not uncommon for journalists to come across or cover stories about the less fortunate. In fact, it's probably the norm. After awhile, we can sadly become desenitized to those in need. We're so used to seeing stories like theirs that we no longer feel the emotions we should or once did. It's an unfortunate reality of our position...and one we should work to overcome.

It's also not uncommon for someone to return from a story and say something like, "man, they really need help" or "that was sad." What isn't common is someone actually doing something about it. It takes time, energy, leadership, and work you wouldn't otherwise have to do. Who has time for that? Katherine Lane does...

After covering a story about Abilene's homeless population trying to cope with triple digit heat, she decided we should do something about it. She marched into my office with a plan for a heat relief drive. My initial thought: that takes time, energy, and extra work. Do I really want to do that? Bottom line: that's extra work for a lot of people. I told Katherine to put her ideas on paper along with a timeline. I half hoped she'd forget. Thankfully, she didn't.

She did exactly what I asked...broken down by each day...and how we'd get each little thing done. Katherine took the initiative to rally other folks in the building to get behind the effort. She became the organizer and leader of this effort. Whether I wanted to give in our not, I didn't have a choice. Her energy and enthusiasm were contageous. KTAB was going to do a heat relief drive for the homeless.

Watching Katherine at work Wednesday was a pleasure. She saw a need in our community and she was doing something about it. Our newsroom makes me proud all the time. Sometimes it's landing the big story....other times it's helping out someone in the newsroom in a crunch....other times it's going above-and-beyond to make our broadcasts the best they can be. But today, I couldn't remember a time when I was more proud of a member of our team.

We all get caught up in life's daily grind and often forget to think about what's important in life. We could all use a reminder everyone once in awhile. Today, Katerine gave that to us.

Of course, it wasn't all Katherine. A special thanks to everyone who responded to her call and brought by items for Love and Care Ministries to distribute. You guys always come through!

Share Your Cronkite Memories

The "most trusted man in America" is gone.

Walter Cronkite, who personified television journalism for more than a generation as anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News," has died. CBS vice president Linda Mason says Cronkite died at 7:42 p.m. Friday with his family by his side at his home in New York after a long illness. He was 92.

People across america are sharing their memories of the legendary newsman. We're inviting you to do the same by posting a comment below.

North Texas Reporter Dies

A North Texas reporter whose stories ran numberous times on KRBC over the years died today from complications stemming from pancreatitis. Brett Johnson was only 48 years old. Click here to read more about his life and stories on the KXAS, NBC 5 website.





Here are some links to recent Brett Johnson stories that ran on KRBC and bigcountryhomepage.com:

• Texas Woman Strikes Big at Winstar


• Mini-Cows: Eco-Friendly?


• Parker County Peaches a Hot Commodity

McCartney Returns to Texas

One of music's last great megastars will perform in Texas again. Paul McCartney is set for an August 19 concert at Cowboys stadium. Tickets go onsale July 20.

I was fortunate enough to attend a McCartney concert in 1999 (or something like that) at Reunion Arena. It was amazing. It was like experiencing a lesson in music history. To date, it's been the best concert I've attended.

I always hoped to go to a Michael Jackson concert one day. A Jackson concert might have been able to top McCartney. That never happened.

McCartney may now be music's biggest living legend. Just like we'll never see another Michael Jackson, we'll probably never see another Beatles. That's why this will be an unforgettable concert experience.

Who's the bio father? Who cares!

I'd like to take this opportunity to express my annoyance over this new search for the biological father of Michael Jackson's kids.

First of all, I've said for years that he's not the bio dad, because those kids look nothing like he did at that age. Now I feel terrible about that. Because who cares?

Without getting in to my complete disagreeance with surrogacy, egg/sperm donation etc., Michael's name is on their birth certificate and he cared for them from birth. That makes him their real dad.

Everyone in the world knows Tom Cruise's kids are adopted. Everyone also feels the need to point that out when referring to them. But if he died, NO ONE would be out trying to hunt down their biological father. It's completely tacky and irrelevant.

Anyone?