Spotlight Feature: Dealing With Multiple, Breaking News Stories

by Frank Macek

In the 15 years I have been working at WKYC, Thursday had to be the one day where more breaking stories happened at once than I had ever seen. On September 11th, 2001, for example, we all focused on one big event. But, what happened on Thursday can quickly become a news staff's worst nightmare.

Earlier in the day, we had the confirmation the Cavs acquired Shaquille O'Neal and a new day was beginning in Cleveland. This was a huge story in itself. Besides Lebron, Shaq is the biggest player to come to the Cavs in recent years.

Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora unloaded both barrels on his Republican critics, denying any wrongdoing and getting a lot off his chest.

We heard the bad news Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer.

Severe weather was breaking out across northeast Ohio. The first round of storms brought several thunderstorms warnings. The second round looked even more threatening as it headed across the lake and began to intensify just in time for the start of the 6 pm newscast.

Then we heard the shocking news that Michael Jackson was being rushed to the hospital. We wondered if this was just another chapter in the entertainer's saga or if something bigger was at hand.

Soon, we found out as online and news sources began to confirm the worst: Michael Jackson was dead at age 50.

Five big stories...the last two were late breaking...what do you lead with?

That was the question our news team and other stations in the city had to face. Which was more important? On any other day, they all could lead the newscast.

But since local stations usually give precedence to a local story lead first, it was logical that we would acknowledge the Shaq deal, then get right to weather. Storms were potentially the most life threatening to our viewers. We were still waiting for official confirmation of Jackson's death.

That was the decision.

Following weather, it was to the Michael Jackson story, the full Shaq deal, and Dimora. Farah Fawcett would wind up further down the rundown.

These types of decisions are what the producers and news management face every day. They are decisions that must be made almost instinctively.

However, Thursday was an exceptional day. How would you have handled the day? I think our team played it just right.

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