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NMSA is incorrect - WXIA actually started using Hello News in 1982, not 1980. This is the "New Standard and Tradition" theme that was introduced with the affiliation swap in September 1980. (It's possibly by Peters Productions, though that's just a wild guess because they did the previous couple WXIA themes, and because the close had a sung jingle at the end.) I've had audio of the close for many years, but NMSA has never added it (even when this open surfaced a couple years back).

The early retirement buyouts are a "cost control" measure. Payroll (and benefits) are usually the largest expense for most companies. So, when looking to keep expenses in line unfortunately that is one of the first places they look. These types of (or, similar) buyouts are happening at all types of companies healthy, unhealthy and those somewhere in between. Those currently closest to retirement age often have larger salaries due to tenure and a lot of them may have a pension (along with other retirement benefits) as well. Obviously, they can't just layoff everyone over 55...that would be age discrimination. But, there is nothing preventing companies from discriminating favorably against older employees...enter early retirement buyouts. Not only does this allow them to lower their payroll by replacing higher salaried workers with new low salaried employees. But, with the rising cost of insurance obligations as well as adding to years of service for pension obligations most companies want to gain a handle on those benefits as well. By convincing them to leave active employment they can gain some control and certainty around those future benefit obligations. I'm not saying I agree with the tactic but, just pointing out why it's being done. TEGNA's current cash flow has been sufficient to cover their debt obligations. They repaid $587 Million in 2015. Although, that was offset by $200 Million in new borrowing so, the Net reduction was $387 Million. And, large portions of that debt doesn't mature for several years. Yes, I would agree that indirectly the buyouts help in regards to their debt. But, I wouldn't necessarily portray them as teetering on the brink of insolvency. Let me give you analogy. Now before I start I will say this isn't the best analogy...it's a bit apples vs. oranges...but, I think it might help illustrate what I'm saying better. Let's say I have stable employment/income, modest savings, a decent sized "debt load" in the form of a mortgage and car loan. Although I have those debt obligations all my bills are paid on time and there is still some free cash left cover, etc., etc. One day after analyzing discretionary spending in the household budget I decide that some expenses are on an upward trajectory and need to be reigned in a bit. This doesn't mean I can't afford them or pay all of my current bills, it's more of a long-term budgeting thing. So, I make the decision to pay an ETF (or, "buyout") to get out of the remainder of my Cable TV contract and replace that with a cheaper month-to-month streaming TV service. Likewise, I do the same for my cell phone service paying an ETF (or, "buyout") to move to a cheaper service. Now, does this mean I'm on the brink of foreclosure or bankruptcy? No, not by any means. Sometimes things are simply done to control costs because the person (or, persons) in charge of the budget feels it's the fiscally responsible thing to do. A similar principal can be applied when looking at the business world. Now am I a fan of people being forced out of their job...Heck No! And, yes I'm aware that my analogy compares peoples livelihood to discretionary tv/phone service...again it's not the greatest analogy. The point I'm trying to make is that sometimes X doesn't always equal Y. Just because I cut expenses out of my personal budget doesn't mean necessarily I'm struggling. And, likewise the same can be said for a buisness It's considered "supplemental income" by the IRS so it's subject to a higher withholding when the check is issued. Compubit already touched on this above but, most employers choose to withhold a flat 25% for the Feds on a single check (versus using an aggregate method when "supplemental income" is paid out on regular paychecks.) Now, once you add in any state and local withholding you could easily push 40%...I know first hand. With that said it's important to note that all income is taxed the same at filing time. These are just withholding rates. So, It all comes out in the wash at tax filing time.

He died!? Wow. That's completely shocking. He's been there for a very long time and its sad that his illness over the last two months is what killed him. This is so awful. I hope staffers from 'rival' stations can work for WKRC when the staffers can attend his private funeral services, whenever that happens. It would be very respecting and amazement for other stations to do for WKRC in this very shocking time. Anyways, RIP to one of Cincy's great weathermans because he truly died, doing what he loved.

I'm hoping that they do not remove/retire/buyout David Alan, Regina Mobley, Jeff Lawson, and Scott Cash from WVEC. They are the most recognizable news team in Hampton Roads, but they also meet the requirements for TEGNA's "50 years older, 15 years of work" requirement to be brought-out. If this happens, WVEC's ratings are screwed.

TEGNA. Where we sell people in exchange for more money... *sarcasm*

Was anyone watching this morning? I saw a few posts on Facebook about something Rob Nelson said that was in appropriate? Just wondering what it was.

It's called... "Getting Old"

does it also prove my theory that they are sanatizing Bill evans when i was a young boy i remembered him doing alot of crazy stuff on air(various stuff such as skydiving swimming with the sharks and beinging the lion tamer and going out to when disney on ice comes to town and the list goes on and on) and he doesn't do that anymore?

If I'm gauging this correctly, WABC is going through a similar, top-down transition not unlike what WLS experienced over the last few years. First, the youth-pandering content selection. Second, the visual makeover. The notable talent changes should be up next (and no, I'm not counting whatever went down with Sarah Wallace). The situation in Chicago called for some changes. A graphics package going on 9 years, a set closing in on a decade, a presentation style largely unchanged from the '80s, and a talent pool of 9 well-paid weeknight veterans ranging from 50 to 70 were all showing wear. Despite these decades of stability and reliability, ratings were slipping. Changes were many and divisive. New graphics, music, branding, and set all debuted in a 2-year span. One newscast was cancelled and another launched. Three of the aging desk-minders are starting to cut back and retire, including the lead anchor's departure at the end of this month. Both a midday anchor and the #2 meteorologist were let go, and a new, inexperienced meteorologist was hired, soon to be chief. About a half dozen reporters have come aboard, one of which was promoted to morning anchor, and another is destined for a similar fate. The ratings hemorrhage has mostly stopped, but ratings for the late newscast are down 20% since 2013, and a new competitor and rejuvenated rival have only eaten away at that lead. That said, every other newscast has retained or even extended their leads, and experimentation seems to have passed. WLS still isn't as strong as it was in its prime, but the product has returned to being more predictable and stable. WABC really hasn't had the issues to necessitate major change, so there's really no excuse for these self-induced blunders.

i should have said the primary branding was storm patrol 4 and then they switched between that and POWER OF 4

I like: "It's all within reach... Except your pension. We took that. "