David Douglas

It is truly astonishing to me just how cruel people can be.

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 22:35:10 -0400

It is truly astonishing to me just how cruel people can be.

Dispatch from the Barrett Camp

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:01:51 -0400

With the party not starting here in Milwaukee for a few more minutes the room is still sparse, but there’s little nervous energy. The sense would be the campaign is strongly positioned to win tonight against nearest rival Kathleen Falk.

When I asked him how tightly the 17% lead Barrett has in the polls might hold, Phil Walzak, communications director for the campaign told me, “We’ll let the people determine the true outcome instead of prognosticate, I think we’ve seen a lot of energy and excitement for Tom’s campaign both in polls and on the trail.”

In 2010 Barrett was surrounded by speculation his heart wasn’t in the race, so I asked Walzak about that too. The campaign has obviously changed its tone and positioned its candidate as a fighter for Wisconsin.

“The voters of Wisconsin have so much more information now than they did in 2010 on what this guy, Walker, is about and what he stands for and I think people of Wisconsin are waking up to walker’s leadership style means.”

As for fights, the physical one Barrett broke up outside the State Fair in 2010 has gotten little play, much like the last time his name was on a ballot. Clearly though, the campaign hopes he comes out swinging tonight.

There are many reasons to never give up.

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:22:02 -0400

There are many reasons to never give up.:

If you click this box (which masquerades as a giant link, but this tumblr theme doesn’t make that terribly obvious) you’ll see a couple great ones.

Terrifying images out of Texas. reuters: Tornadoes touched down...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:15:35 -0400

REUTERS/Reuters TV/NBC/Handout

REUTERS/Reuters TV/NBC/Handout

REUTERS/Reuters TV/NBC/Handout

Terrifying images out of Texas.

reuters:

Tornadoes touched down in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area on Tuesday, tossing tractor trailer trucks into the air and grounding all planes in the area.

All planes were grounded at Dallas-Fort Worth International airport because of reports of storms and tornadoes, American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said.

Dallas-Fort Worth airport spokesman David Magana said officials were trying to protect passengers from glass windows by moving them into stairwells and restrooms.

“We are sheltering passengers at the moment,” said David Magana, a spokesman for DFW International Airport.

READ MORE: Tornadoes reported in Dallas area, planes grounded

Vote for Education

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:21:09 -0400

Tomorrow is not just Wisconsin’s Presidential Primary, there are several important local elections in many part of the state. In Dane there is a judicial election and county board races. In Madison, there’s an important and heated school board race on the ballot.

I hope you’ll make voting a priority. Education is critical, so if you haven’t yet, read up on the candidates before you head to the polls. Here are four profiles of the candidates in the race I did two weeks ago.

Mary Burke v. Michael Flores

Arlene Silveira v. Nichelle Nichols

Whoever you decide on, if you live in Madison, please make voting in this race a priority. Educating our children is vital for our future.

Teachers can be gateways to greatness. I got a chance to catch...

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:19:28 -0400

Teachers can be gateways to greatness. I got a chance to catch this story tonight and it is a must see. In the classroom and in life, sometimes it’s all in how you react. I feel so fortunate to have had so many great teachers.

Why colonoscopies matter

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:35:00 -0400

Why colonoscopies matter:

Working on a story today about why people often don’t, but should get colonoscopies. Just Monday a UW doctor told me for people who experience these kind of symptoms, it’s usually too late. Our thoughts to Wade Hayes and his family, and our thanks for him having the courage to talk about it.

(this is a link to a CNN story by the way, click this box and it will take you there)

Photo

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:19:24 -0400

Chicago in the winter that feels like summer.

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:07:25 -0400

Chicago in the winter that feels like summer.

Where I’m speaking this afternoon. What should I tell the...

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:16:24 -0400

Where I’m speaking this afternoon. What should I tell the students about TV News?

The Blue Line

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:06:16 -0400

The Blue Line

Be Agile -- Advice for a Media Career

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 22:56:00 -0500

In the media business everyone needs to recharge. No matter what sector of the industry you’re in, you’re going to get worn out. Sometimes a vacation is in order, but others all you need is a little time around people who inspire you.

Today, I set off to attend the Chicago/Midwest NATAS (National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) Career Day in Chicago. Not a job fair, just a chance to chat with industry pros about how they got where they are. As I rode in on the train a voicemail alert popped up on my phone. Lo and behold, it was a message from yesterday that hadn’t come through. Dan Lombardi, Executive Producer at Grand and Noble Productions, and the event’s organizer was asking me to be part of the panel. The NATAS folks had seen I was coming in from Madison and thought I might add another perspective.

This all leads me to the biggest piece of advice I can give people pursuing a career in media, but I think it applies anywhere: Be Agile!

I was expecting to just show up and listen, but in this business things always turn on a dime.

I had a great time on the panel and learned from some smart folks sharing their experiences. It was just as much of a learning experience listening to the audience questions and realizing some of the challenges in the industry, especially when it comes to getting noticed.

As a journalist, I loved hearing from the folks in the room on another side of the business and the things they do to keep ticking. The very best part was feeling the energy and enthusiasm from an upcoming group of talent ready to take the industry by storm.

People ask me all the time what it takes to have a job like mine. The answer really is: Be agile, work smart, and often, just work hard.

A big thanks to Dan for asking me to be part and to all the other great panelists who shared their secrets. My batteries are recharged!

Madison Police Investigate 'Child Torture'

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:45:40 -0500

Madison Police have made three arrests in a grim child abuse case described by a doctor as “serial child torture”. The victim is described as a 15-year-old girl weighing just 70 pounds who is not enrolled in public or private school.

According to a news release, on Monday, February 6th, a concerned resident saw the girl walking outside in pajamas. She wasn’t wearing socks or shoes. The resident called McFarland Police who called for paramedics. As the girl was taken to a hospital, authorities determined the case fell under the jurisdicition of Madison Police who began an investigation.

Detectives found that while the rest of her family lived upstairs, the girl was mostly confined to the basement without a bathroom. She was given ‘very little’ to eat and an alarm would trip if she tried to go upstairs.

Police made three arrests in the case on Friday, February 10th, but are not releasing the names of those in custody. The girl’s 40-year-old father and 42-year-old step-mother have been arrested for child abuse. An 18 year-old man, the girl’s step-brother, is in custody on a probation and parole hold.

The family home included two younger step-children as well.

A search warrant was executed on the home Monday afternoon. Investigators indicate potential evidence was seized.

Previously, in 2007, someone alleged the girl may have been molested by a family member. At the time, the girl did not corroborate the allegation in a police investigation. Police say in 2007 she appeared healthy.

Wow, we can’t seem to have enough accidents in January...

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:37:54 -0500

Wow, we can’t seem to have enough accidents in January 2012 with ships, can we?

l3fan-o-rama:

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2012) – A portion of the U.S. 68/KY 80 bridge over Kentucky Lake in far western Kentucky collapsed tonight after being struck by a barge.

Search teams in boats from the Aurora Fire Department and Marshall County Rescue Squad reported no indication that vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the barge strike.

A main truss span collapsed on top of the barge.

Inspectors and emergency responders from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet are enroute to the bridge site.

The two-lane bridge – formally the Eggner’s Ferry Bridge – is at the western entrance to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. It opened to traffic in 1932. Its elevation was raised in 1943 when the Tennessee River was impounded to create Kentucky Lake.

On average, the bridge carries approximately 2,800 vehicles across the lake per day. The bridge is in the process of being replaced by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, along with the nearby bridge over Lake Barkley on the eastern side of Land Between the Lakes.

(via Marshall County Tribune-Courier)

not far from where i grew up and the main thoroughfare into the public land that exists between kentucky lake and lake barkley, creatively known as the land-between-the-lakes.

What do you hope for in 2012?

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:12:52 -0500

Twitter Pal @RichelleCarey inspired this post the other night when she tweeted "RT this if 2012 is YOUR year!" 2011 has been good to me, but there were some things I hoped for that didn't exactly come to pass. Maybe in 2012? So, it got me wondering what you all hope for in 2012, and if there was something that happened in 2011 that felt like it was worth leaving behind.

I'd hope for economic growth to get more people back to work, hopefully with wages that can support families.

I’ve purchased far too many water bottles, only to lose or...

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:25:56 -0500

I’ve purchased far too many water bottles, only to lose or misplace them. For months I’ve been using this old Nantucket Nectars bottle at work. Haven’t lost it and haven’t broken it. That’s a win.

'No' to Madison Prep, Now What?

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:57:24 -0500

People in Madison don’t yell and scream, interrupt, or act out at public meetings. I’ve seen and covered school board meetings in other places where the police have had to intervene because of the level of heat in the room.

Don’t read any of that to say that if you were at the public hearing on Madison Prep last night you couldn’t feel the tension. It was palpable from the moment you walked in. The reason was easy to see, too. Supporters knew going in that four board members had said they would vote no. The plan seemed doomed before the hearing even began.

Arlene Silveira had been the lone holdout on making any public statements of support or opposition. The question last night really was, would supporters lose 4-3 or worse? When Silveira finally spoke, it wasn’t in support of the plan. If you were paying attention you could actually see the frustration deepen.

Whether or not you support or oppose Madison Prep is up to you. I don’t take a side, regardless of what anyone may think. What I will always make an effort to do is be a witness to history, however big or small.

The opponents of Madison Prep will clearly consider last night a victory. Supporters see a crushing defeat. Not just on Madison Prep, but for many on whether or not their voices matter. Many members of Madison’s black community begged, pleaded, and put into poetry why they wanted this school. That block of support — which includes a lot more than ‘minorities’ by the way — feel at a moment of opportunity the door was shut.

Much will be made in the coming days and weeks about legal action, discrimination, race, and poverty. Too many people will roll their eyes. The issues are thorny, they hurt to confront, and cause substantial conflict. Finding a successful solution to Madison’s achievement gap won’t happen if each side throws up walls. Everyone has to listen.

I didn’t go to school in Madison and I’ll never be black. I’ll never fully understand. I don’t know if this school could begin to close the gap. But if any of the stories we’ve heard so much of about teachers telling kids they aren’t ‘college material’ or ‘won’t make it’ are true, every single one of us who live in this community have an awful lot of work to do.

Madison Prep Appears Doomed Before Vote

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:03:24 -0500

After more than a year of at times heated discussion, the Madison Metropolitan School Board is poised to vote on the Madison Prep proposal tonight. The Urban League has done all it can to make its case, and was successful in drumming up enough attendees for tonight’s final public comment session to move the meeting to Madison Memorial High School.

Within the hour, board member Beth Moss announced publicly in a Wisconsin State Journal guest column why she will vote no on the plan. The issues she addresses go beyond union versus non-union teachers and cost. That makes four board members who have said they will not vote for the current plan. If no one changes their mind, the plan will fail.

Tonight’s regular school board meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. at Memorial High School, with the public comment session set for 6:00 in the auditorium there. With this news public going into tonight, expect a tense atmosphere. I’ll be there for News 3 to cover it all. Follow my updates on Twitter @News3David.

Kim Jong-Un

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:30:19 -0500

So if you’ve never seen it, there’s a whole blog of Kim Jong-Il looking at things.

You can find it here: http://www.kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com

Now his son has one all his own: http://www.kimjongunlookingatthings.tumblr.com

Living On

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:15:40 -0500

Living On:

In my career I’ve had the chance to tell a number of great stories about organ donation, but interestingly enough those stories have always involved courageous living donors. Today I met the parents of a Beloit girl, who in the hours after her death in 2005 decided to donate her organs and tissue. Her heart now beats in a 19-year-old girl in Michigan. Her kidneys and liver went to three terminally ill patients in Wisconsin. Her tissue helped improve 72 people’s lives across the country.

They’ll be among the contingent of Wisconsinites heading west for the Rose Bowl, but for a very different reason.

It was an honor to meet the Rath’s today and share their story.