Week 9: News Analysis

Madison, WI Local News on NBC 15 http://www.nbc15.com/

I reviewed the 6:00 evening news on 3/30/07


Regular Staff
Anchors: John Stoffet and Becky Hillier
Meteorologist: David George
Sports: Mike Jaques


This evening the staff included John Stoffet without a co-anchor, Michelle Riell for weather and Michael Rigsby for sports.

• 2 min. Home Invasion: A Report by Melissa Wollering

There is evidence a UW employee stole chemicals from the lab where he works to use for his crimes. This included courtroom coverage as well as shots of the neighborhood in which the invasion took place.

• 30 sec. Koepp Pleads Guilty: Anchor

A drunk driver, who killed three, was sentenced for drunk driving (murder charges still pending).

• 30 sec. Dad Poisoned Son, Killed Himself: Anchor

Found in a MN hotel room; pictures of both the father and son.

• 30 sec. Burglary Suspects: Anchor

Three people were arrested for breaking into several area businesses. Included pictures of suspects.

• 1 min., 30 sec. Bus Drivers Earning Top Pay: Report by Zac Schultz

Madison Metro bus drivers are among the top paid city workers; five earn over $88,000 and two earn over $100,000 (more than the mayor and fire chief). Footage included buses driving around town as well as an interview with the Metro Transit G.M.

• 30 sec. Madison Water Utility: Anchor

Too much chlorine was found in an area well and needed to be de-chlorinated. Pictures of the Madison Water Utility building and the workers inside.

• 30 sec. UW Research Study: Anchor

A UW research study on deteriorating vision found that stem cells implanted in the retina can slow down deterioration. There were photos of an eye and lab workers as well as an interview with David Gamm, Asst. Prof. of Opthamology.

• 30 sec. Department of Health and Family Services: Anchor

A grant was offered to provide dental care to low income residents in southwest WI. There were clips of people clapping, a group of people holding a large check as well as a speaker, the Health Director, discussing a lack of dental care in those counties.

• 30 sec. Preview before commercial (previewed two stories and the weather)

• 1 min. Child Abuse Prevention: Anchor

April is Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Dane County Commission on Sensitive Crimes is going to place pinwheels at the Alliant Energy Center to represent reported victims each year. Footage of the meeting and an interview with Brenda Nelson, director of Safe Harbor.

• 30 sec. Local Cyclists Get New Place to Ride: Anchor

A new bridge for bikes and pedestrians has been completed in Cambridge, WI. The bridge is over a creek in Cam-Rock Country Park. Pictures of the bridge.

• 30 sec. Local 4th Grader Awarded $1000 scholarship for growing a nine pound cabbage: Anchor

Footage of the winner getting her award; also, pictures of her with the cabbage.

• 15 sec. Preview before commercial (sports and weather)
• 3 minutes Weather: Michelle Riell

The weather was mainly focused on the local forecast, but briefly talked about the tornadoes in Texas as well as the forecast in neighboring states for travellers.

• 15 sec. Preview before commercial (sports)
• 4 min. Sports: Michael Rigsby (Brewers report previously taped by Mike Jaques)

UW Badgers women's basketball made it to the NIT championship game. Footage of the team playing as well as a follow up on their opponent, Wyoming. Texas freshman Kevin Durant was AP player of the Year in Men's basketball. Lastly, a lengthy Brewers preview, with an interview with the G.M as well as with a couple players. Footage from past games.

• 10 sec. Rehash: Anchor, weatherperson and sportscaster

All three together at the anchor's desk, rehashing the weather and Brewers. Then, a thank you.

Personal Reflection

I’ve never had to keep a viewing log of a 30 minute news show, and after the first five stories, I was not happy to see that I still had 25 minutes to go. I rarely watch the news on television; I tend to get my news by reading the newspaper or by reading the news online. My husband and I also have a subscription to Newsweek, which I like to read for national news and more in depth stories.

There was absolutely no coverage of the war in Iraq, or any other national news, nor was there any coverage of the upcoming Tuesday elections. I was also disappointed to see there was no coverage of this year’s pending layoffs and school closings due to budget cuts in the Madison Metropolitan School District. The stories were all pretty short in length, and were of local interest. The longest segments were for weather and sports, and those also focused on local weather and local sports teams, respectively.

From the news offered on this evening’s program, I would say that this news station does not cater to people interested in national news. Perhaps the station feels viewers get their national news from other sources, or perhaps the audience has indicated a preference to hearing about local stories. Or, maybe it was a slow Friday and much of the regular staff had already left for spring break, leaving others scrambling to fill in the time.