With the new information, the Alabama Supreme Court has but a stay on the execution for tomorrow. I contacted the state attorney general, and they said there is still a small chance that stay could be thrown out, so we are still going. I don't feel very confident that the execution will take place. I am leaving early in the morning to get there. I will keep you posted on what happens.
If you check out www.waff.com - I did a cool story about the man that is supposed to be executed. He graduated from high school in 1960 and was voted best dancer!
HIGH SPEED CHASE - at 2 this afternoon, I got a call that the Florence Police Department were in high pursuit of a car. I chased after, and was the first reporter on the scene at a deadly crash. The car that was being chased crashed head-on with an 18-wheeler. A FPD car was also involved in the crash. The driver of the car was killed. Police say the chase had to deal with drugs. It was intense. That story is also online right now.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Execution Twist
You won't believe what happened today. Around 6 this evening news came out that another man has come forward saying he was the one who killed Troy Wicker - not Tommy Arthur! This man is serving a life sentence in an Alabama jail. The state attorney general talked with Wicker's wife who hired Arthur to kill her husband, and she says she never knew this guy. Because of this new information the execution may be delayed. We will find out more tomorrow.
In other execution news . . . I sent a letter to Mr. Arthur to see if he wanted to say anything about his execution. I had to send it priority mail because he might not be around long. It would be weird if he wrote a letter and I got back after he was executed.
In other execution news . . . I sent a letter to Mr. Arthur to see if he wanted to say anything about his execution. I had to send it priority mail because he might not be around long. It would be weird if he wrote a letter and I got back after he was executed.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Execution Countdown - 4 Days!
If you haven't heard yet, I am going to witness my first execution on Thursday. Tommy Arthur was sentenced back in the 80s for a murder he committed in Muscle Shoals, AL. That is my coverage area, so I requested to go be a media witness. The execution is set for 6 PM in Montgomery, AL. There is still a chance I won't get to witness it. They only allow 5 media witnesses in the room. One is given to the AP, 2 for newspaper, and 2 for TV. Whoever shows up gets to be in a drawing. Those with coverage in that area get first dibs, so I hope I get chosen. It is something I always wanted to do, and something not many people get to witness in their life.
I won a $50 gift card for best news tease today! I have been trying for 2 weeks to win. The marketing department started this a few weeks ago. I was very excited!
Primary Update:
My sharing time turned out really good on Sunday. The PMTC (Primary Missionary Training Center) was a success. I blew up 5 photos from my missions and told them some experiences from New Jersey. We then watched part of Called To Serve, when the people opened their mission calls. Then my class handed out white envelopes to everyone - and everyone got called to a mission (Hong Kong, Alaska, Russia, etc). Then the 'real' missionaries for our ward came in and taught them how to give out pass-a-long cards and invited people to church. It was fun!
I won a $50 gift card for best news tease today! I have been trying for 2 weeks to win. The marketing department started this a few weeks ago. I was very excited!
Primary Update:
My sharing time turned out really good on Sunday. The PMTC (Primary Missionary Training Center) was a success. I blew up 5 photos from my missions and told them some experiences from New Jersey. We then watched part of Called To Serve, when the people opened their mission calls. Then my class handed out white envelopes to everyone - and everyone got called to a mission (Hong Kong, Alaska, Russia, etc). Then the 'real' missionaries for our ward came in and taught them how to give out pass-a-long cards and invited people to church. It was fun!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
I got hit by a girl
I just got done doing my laundry - at the laundro-mat. As usually people were smoking, so I bought a newspaper (USA Today) and sat in my car while my clothes washed. When I went back in to check on them (they were in the spin cycle), a little girl - no older than 6 or 7 - came up to me and punched me in the stomach and started laughing. Her mom didn't notice . . . I was in shock. Assualted at the laundro-mat!
I had a LONG day today - I traveled to 5 Alabama counties today - Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, and Lawrence. If you saw the distance I went today, you would be amazed on how much I can do in such little time.
I did a great story with a woman from Macon, GA today. She was in a car accident in 1994, both of her legs were crushed. In the past few years, she has had to get both of them amputated. This summer she participated in a bike ride across the country to help other patients in the similar situation. It's a great story if you want to check it out. For my stand-up in my package she let me hold up her fake leg.
Do you know what movie is coming out tomorrow??? X-Files: Do You Believe? I am really excited. It was one of my favorite 90s shows, before they moved it to Sunday (In my family we didn't watch TV on Sunday). It should be great.
I had a LONG day today - I traveled to 5 Alabama counties today - Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, and Lawrence. If you saw the distance I went today, you would be amazed on how much I can do in such little time.
I did a great story with a woman from Macon, GA today. She was in a car accident in 1994, both of her legs were crushed. In the past few years, she has had to get both of them amputated. This summer she participated in a bike ride across the country to help other patients in the similar situation. It's a great story if you want to check it out. For my stand-up in my package she let me hold up her fake leg.
Do you know what movie is coming out tomorrow??? X-Files: Do You Believe? I am really excited. It was one of my favorite 90s shows, before they moved it to Sunday (In my family we didn't watch TV on Sunday). It should be great.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Hello Dolly!
Hurricane Dolly hit the coast of Texas today, and the Bright's didn't evacuate! What's new? I found out we had church group from Florence in Mexico, so I did a story about that. I had interviews, via phone, from Brownsville, TX and from Mexico. It turned out good.
Nothing exciting is going on this week. I am getting ready for Sunday, I am in charge of Sharing Time in Primary. It's about missionary work - I am going to give each child a mission call and name tag. I asked the missionaries to come in to teach the kids how to spread the gospel. I think I will get them to write letters to our missionaries serving from our ward. It's still in the planning phase.
That's about it for now . . . have a great Wednesday!
Nothing exciting is going on this week. I am getting ready for Sunday, I am in charge of Sharing Time in Primary. It's about missionary work - I am going to give each child a mission call and name tag. I asked the missionaries to come in to teach the kids how to spread the gospel. I think I will get them to write letters to our missionaries serving from our ward. It's still in the planning phase.
That's about it for now . . . have a great Wednesday!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
My Boss Resigned
Yesterday was very sad, the news director that hired me resigned from the station. I was in complete shock. I knew there was some turmoil in the newsroom, but I didn't know it had gotten that bad. I called him after work, and he said it was a decision that he didn't want to make. He asked if I could be a reference for him. I feel bad because he has 3 young kids, and know they have no income. It will be hard to get used to a new news director. I am still in shock this morning.
Ginger didn't know what a spin class was, so I will explain. It is a class at a gym. You are on a stationary bike. The bikes can go really fast, and you can control how much resistance you want. There is an instructor for the class, that tells you what to do - go fast, go slow, stand-up, squat, etc. It's a tough class, and you sweat a lot. I recommend it!
Ginger didn't know what a spin class was, so I will explain. It is a class at a gym. You are on a stationary bike. The bikes can go really fast, and you can control how much resistance you want. There is an instructor for the class, that tells you what to do - go fast, go slow, stand-up, squat, etc. It's a tough class, and you sweat a lot. I recommend it!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Baby Daddy
Remember when I had to say uterus on TV? Well the story continued today. I got an interview with the father of the unborn baby. He really opened up about the death of his daughter. He had only dated the woman a few months when she got pregnant. In a twist to the story, another man has come forward and said he is the father. The guy I interviewed feels he is really the one, but who knows. It's a little Jerry Springer.
I just got done doing my laundry. I go to a small laundro-mat up the road. The worse part about the place is they let people smoke in there. I am really thinking about writing a letter to the owner and complaining - it's 2008! Don't they know second hand smoke causes cancers and makes your clean clothes smell. I hate it, but it's so convenient to my apartment.
I got up at 5 AM this morning to do a spin class at the gym. I almost threw-up at the end of the class. I had to breath really slow, and keep it down. I hadn't done a spin class in a few weeks, so I think I learned my lesson - do more. It's all worth it because you feel great the rest of the day.
That's all for this post. Adios.
I just got done doing my laundry. I go to a small laundro-mat up the road. The worse part about the place is they let people smoke in there. I am really thinking about writing a letter to the owner and complaining - it's 2008! Don't they know second hand smoke causes cancers and makes your clean clothes smell. I hate it, but it's so convenient to my apartment.
I got up at 5 AM this morning to do a spin class at the gym. I almost threw-up at the end of the class. I had to breath really slow, and keep it down. I hadn't done a spin class in a few weeks, so I think I learned my lesson - do more. It's all worth it because you feel great the rest of the day.
That's all for this post. Adios.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Threatened with a LAWSUIT!
I got so mad! I did a follow-up story today about a business in Killen, AL that was not paying their employees. Back in May I did one, and today I was contacted by 3 additional ex-employees. I had interviewed the owner last time, and she said it was bank problems. This time she said it was just part of a new business - struggling to pay her employees. After the story aired, she called my and said I am costing her business money. She contacted her lawyer and said I slandered her. Pleeeeeease! I told her if she paid her employees I wouldn't do the story. I hope she can pay her lawyer.
Anyone watching Big Brother 10 on CBS? It was great yesterday. The whole house turned on one housemate that was trying to play everyone. There some good movies coming out this month Batman and the X-Files - anyone going to see them?
Anyone watching Big Brother 10 on CBS? It was great yesterday. The whole house turned on one housemate that was trying to play everyone. There some good movies coming out this month Batman and the X-Files - anyone going to see them?
Monday, July 14, 2008
I said UTERUS LIVE on TV!
Here is a first . . . I said uterus today LIVE on TV. A Florence, AL woman was charged with manslaughter for killing her unborn baby. Somehow she severed the umbilical chord while the 7-month-old baby was still in the womb.
This weekend got weirder . . . a 16-inch piece of explosive was found just a few yards from our bureau office on the banks of the Tennessee River. Investigators don't know where it came from. It is not dangerous without other components but still . . . . I was the only reporter with that story because of a 'church' member tip.
I feel great right now because I just got done swimming at the YMCA. I am going to try to workout Monday - Friday faithfully this week. I was a slacker last week - only went twice.
That's all in my life today!
This weekend got weirder . . . a 16-inch piece of explosive was found just a few yards from our bureau office on the banks of the Tennessee River. Investigators don't know where it came from. It is not dangerous without other components but still . . . . I was the only reporter with that story because of a 'church' member tip.
I feel great right now because I just got done swimming at the YMCA. I am going to try to workout Monday - Friday faithfully this week. I was a slacker last week - only went twice.
That's all in my life today!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sunday Nap
I just woke up from one of the best naps in the world. When I was a kid, I thought it was strange when Dad and Mom would fall asleep on Sunday after church. I guess as you get older you need some extra rest to get you ready for the next week.
I thought it was time to post a photo, so I put one on of my old apartment in Natchitoches, LA. Remember when I lived in the middle of cotton field? The worst thing was when field mice would fill my car with cotton to stay warm. Everyday I would have to pull the cotton out.
Church was good today. My primary lesson was on Captain Moroni. We talked about having the armor of God on. I brought apples and cheese for my class. I had promised them a treat for a long time. Have you ever had apples and cheese - with carmel on top? Yum . . . it is good! Wal-Mart sells it in the produce aisle.
I was on-call this weekend for work, so I really couldn't go anywhere. They haven't called me yet, so that has been good.
That's about it for now! Have a great day!
I thought it was time to post a photo, so I put one on of my old apartment in Natchitoches, LA. Remember when I lived in the middle of cotton field? The worst thing was when field mice would fill my car with cotton to stay warm. Everyday I would have to pull the cotton out.
Church was good today. My primary lesson was on Captain Moroni. We talked about having the armor of God on. I brought apples and cheese for my class. I had promised them a treat for a long time. Have you ever had apples and cheese - with carmel on top? Yum . . . it is good! Wal-Mart sells it in the produce aisle.
I was on-call this weekend for work, so I really couldn't go anywhere. They haven't called me yet, so that has been good.
That's about it for now! Have a great day!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Looooooooooong Day!
Today seemed extremely long . . . but I had some great stories.
This morning we got a tip that it took over 30 minutes for an ambulance to respond to a car accident. After some digging, I found out Lauderdale County is not using a volunteer rescue service just because they don't like them. They say it is protocol, but there is no reason they shouldn't use them. I got an interview with one of the first responders to the accident, and with Lauderdale Counties 911 director. It is sad they are not using all the resources they have in the county to save lives.
My other story was done in Cherokee, AL. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service gave hands on demonstrations on new technology in farming. Farming is a billion dollar industry in Alabama. I did a cool stand-up in a corn field.
Yesterday, the cub scouts from church came for a tour of our offices in Florence. They got to watch me go live at six. They also all got autographed photos of me.
I am ready for the weekend . . . it has been a long week!
This morning we got a tip that it took over 30 minutes for an ambulance to respond to a car accident. After some digging, I found out Lauderdale County is not using a volunteer rescue service just because they don't like them. They say it is protocol, but there is no reason they shouldn't use them. I got an interview with one of the first responders to the accident, and with Lauderdale Counties 911 director. It is sad they are not using all the resources they have in the county to save lives.
My other story was done in Cherokee, AL. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service gave hands on demonstrations on new technology in farming. Farming is a billion dollar industry in Alabama. I did a cool stand-up in a corn field.
Yesterday, the cub scouts from church came for a tour of our offices in Florence. They got to watch me go live at six. They also all got autographed photos of me.
I am ready for the weekend . . . it has been a long week!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Today I signed up to be a Big Brother with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. They have started a new program called Lunch Buddies. It is where you eat lunch with a kid once a week during the school year. You get to know the child, and be a mentor. The school district selects high risk kids that need a friend. Today I did a story about the program, so I decided to sign up. You have to do a 30 minute interview and fill out a lot of paper work (including a criminal background check). I think it will be a neat experience. If you want to learn more about Lunch Buddies, you can check out my story I did at www.waff.com
Josh
Josh
Monday, July 7, 2008
Stone Wall
Tom Hendrix wanted to honor his great-great-grandmother, who was a Native American. She was born in Lauderdale County, AL, but was forced to Oklahoma. She said she knew she had to return to the Tennessee Valley, so she walked all the way back. Hendrix wanted to honor every step she made, so he built a stone wall in her memory. One side representing her journey to OK, and the journey back home. It is the largest memorial to a Native American woman. It is the size of 4 football fields. Last year, I did a news report about his wall. Dad brought a Kelsey rock, and we were able to add it to the wall. It is a very neat place to visit.
Home Invasion
Everyone came to see me this weekend. I really had a 'full house'. Ginger, Clay, and the Bowie Bunch came to visit. Plus, Mom and Dad, and the three Youngblood kids - Kelsey, Harrison, and Hunter. 11 people in a one bedroom basement apartment - it was a sight to see. I gave everyone the grand tour. Here are some photos from the visit.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
One Man Band
Here a couple of photos of me doing a story a few weeks ago. I work in the Shoals Bureau, which is over a hour away from the main station in Huntsville, AL. As a bureau reporter, we have to shot, write, and edit all our stories by ourselves. In the news business this is called a One-Man-Band. The news director requires us to do teases and stand-ups for our stories, so sometimes we get help from other people. In these photos, Beth, a employee of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Office helps me out. I was doing a story about people dumping trash in Cypress Creek.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Forks of Cypress
Last weekend I got a tour of the Forks of Cypress in Florence, AL. These columns belonged to a home that was built here back in the 1920s. In the 1960s, it burned down after being struke by lightning. The columns are now a historical landmark, and can never be torn down. It is called the Forks of Cypress because it is the middle of two creeks: Small Cypress Creek and Large Cypress Creek. If you ever come visit, they are really close to where I live.
Happy 4th of July!
In the news business you get to work a lot of holidays - and today was one of them. Each day I do 2 stories; one for the 5 and 6 newscasts.
Today was interesting. At McFarland Park in Florence they have activities all day, then a big fire work show at 9. At around noon today, a thunderstorm came through. A tree was struck by lightning, and a teenage girl was electrocuted. She just had minor injuries, but was taken to the hospital to be checked out. I was the only TV reporter there right after it happened. I got the tree smoking, and the fire department putting it out.
The other story I did today was about a family from Sheffield, AL that had their home destroyed by fire early this morning. 2 of the family members had to be rescued by the fire department. Everyone is ok now. Even there pet rabbit, spunky got out ok. I did a stand-up with him for my story today. The two people I interviewed for the story were drunk - they hid their beer cans so they wouldn't be in my shot.
Tomorrow Ginger and her family, Dad, Mom, and the Youngblood kids will all be here. It will be a full house.
Hope everyone has a great 4th of July!
Josh
Today was interesting. At McFarland Park in Florence they have activities all day, then a big fire work show at 9. At around noon today, a thunderstorm came through. A tree was struck by lightning, and a teenage girl was electrocuted. She just had minor injuries, but was taken to the hospital to be checked out. I was the only TV reporter there right after it happened. I got the tree smoking, and the fire department putting it out.
The other story I did today was about a family from Sheffield, AL that had their home destroyed by fire early this morning. 2 of the family members had to be rescued by the fire department. Everyone is ok now. Even there pet rabbit, spunky got out ok. I did a stand-up with him for my story today. The two people I interviewed for the story were drunk - they hid their beer cans so they wouldn't be in my shot.
Tomorrow Ginger and her family, Dad, Mom, and the Youngblood kids will all be here. It will be a full house.
Hope everyone has a great 4th of July!
Josh
Thursday, July 3, 2008
My Very First Blog
Hey family and friends! Amber forced me to make a blog, so you can keep track of my life. If you don't know yet, I am living in Florence, AL. It is in the northwest corner of Alabama. I work as a reporter for WAFF-TV - check us out at www.waff.com
I love my job. Every day is exciting. Yesterday I got called out at 2 AM to do a live report about a missing family in the Bankhead National Forest in Lawrence County. Good news: they were found in good condition.
Hope everyone has a good 4th of July! I have to work . . . bummer, but I do get Labor Day off.
Josh
I love my job. Every day is exciting. Yesterday I got called out at 2 AM to do a live report about a missing family in the Bankhead National Forest in Lawrence County. Good news: they were found in good condition.
Hope everyone has a good 4th of July! I have to work . . . bummer, but I do get Labor Day off.
Josh
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