Mrknowitall526

No, it's not "Philadelphia worthy" but they also don't use Philadelphia as their main focus. Many people up here in the LV do not watch the Philly news simply because it is one murder, rape, scandal, etc. After another. We don't have as much crime up here, so they don't need to report on that. I'm fine with Wendy & Rob, I think they're a great team. The problem I see more often is blatant technology problems. Also last night during the 6 pm show, they cut abruptly back to Wendy and then Rob during at least two reports, mid-sentence. It was quick enough for them to say, "Sorry about that, we're having some technical problems" then went back to the story right where it left off. Things like this happen several times a week. Another one comes to mind. WFMZ seemed to be one of the first to arrive on scene (from what I saw, anyway) at the runaway blimp's landing site near Williamsport last week. In the middle of a live shot of Hilary Lane interviewing a witness, the feed was lost and they cut back to the studio and did the weather. Now, I realize that is quite a distance from the station, and someone said once that they use a lot of those portable back packs that use cell coverage to send video, but they need to be reliable! They really try hard during the 6 pm news, during the first 10-12 minutes. There are often reports by at least 3 or 4 different people. What bothers me is the History's Headlines at 6 pm nearly everyday, and then replayed again at 10 pm! They try really hard and have 9+ hours of news everyday, but IMO not enough happens in the Lehigh Valley proper to warrant such extensive coverage. But people will keep tuning in because the only other choice for "local" news we have are the Morning Call and the Express-Times newspapers. Even the radio stations get copy from WFMZ to read during morning news segments.

Anyone notice how Lauren Kusik has been on before 6 am, and then Matt B comes in? Seems interesting

I thought that the color of the text on the ticker was too dark with the blue color of the ticker - very hard to read. Also, it was going way too fast.

If i remember I think this current set debuted sometime around ... 2006? ... perhaps? Or maybe not. But I think it's been about that long since it started. Their previous set was absolutely horrible, it was tiny and looked like they were in a garage. The weather center literally had one 13" TV and black-painted trellis type stuff (that plastic you put for vines to grow up on) on the walls. They've come a long way. IMO the professionalism really stepped up when they a.) went HD (which was in 2010 or 11) and b.) when they got the current graphics package (the WLEX ones). I honestly started watching a lot more since they upgraded the graphics. Before, they were just so cheesy looking all the time. They cover Berks county extremely well. I am actually somewhat disappointed lately in the coverage of Lehigh County, but there really isn't a whole lot of "newsworthy" stuff that happens. Although I suppose if they really tried hard they could have stuff to report on every day. Jamie Stover seems to have taken over for Meghan Packer in terms of being really busy on the evening newscasts. I really miss Meghan, but Jamie, Hilary Lane and Keleigh Gibbs have really gotten good lately IMO.

Yes, I do remember seeing a commercial about that. I definitely miss Meghan Packer, but so far I'm impressed with Amanda Van Allan.

I agree with the "where is Rick" stuff -- just give it a rest people! They said he is no longer with the station, move on already! I actually am liking Steve better, and his traffic reports are more detailed and hyper-local than Rick ever did. I have seen him zoom in on Route 309 & 873 in Schnecksville. An important artery in the area, but nowhere near a 22 or 78. Nice to see small areas get some love on the air! Matt still must be a bit under the weather since he has not been back in the morning show yet. I really like Lauren Kusik, so it is nice to have gotten to see so much of her lately.

Maybe she's working on something big? I kind of thought we'd see her with Caitlyn Jenner, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

On a weekend, no less! Brian & Sharrie could just have easily have anchored it from their vantage at the WMOF stage, but I guess the background ambient noise would have been distracting.

Wow! I'm upset - she is one of the best reporters on 69. Obviously a bigger station feels the same way! I really will miss her. About the PPL Center, they put special beams in the ground to prevent any more sink holes from happening. As I said before, they probably are not using the studio currently (although Monday night is an exception to this) because they are do some work on the concrete floors inside the building. They were put in in a hurry and during the cold winter of 2013-14 and did not cure properly. They are probably working during the day time (I'd assume).

I think it's done because it usually accompanies a video of the scene, so he's narrating the scene and using "that" and "those" etc.

Ah, see what you mean. I actually like that, I think it keeps the newscast flowing. Maybe I'm just kind of used to it, being near Philly and watching Action News. They kind of do that sometimes too ... "Action News on Ben Franklin Parkway tonight as the stage is assembled for Pope Francis' visit" etc.

What, for example, is bad about the writing? I don't notice anything outrageous.

The instant index was much different also and much better IMO

I thought he did a pretty good job, actually!

Love the new graphics ... Sorely needed! I like all the "digital" stuff of whatever text scrolls on the right side when the over the shoulder graphics are on. This is a good thing for WNT. Also I couldn't believe the amount of headline bumpers they showed -- way more than usual, right?

I agree. I'm not really that impressed by Sharrie as an anchor, but she is a good reporter. Sarah Bloomquist is good at both but she is a GREAT reporter. While it would be nice to see her anchor more than 12 pm, I'd really miss her reports and I think it would be a loss to the newscasts if she wasn't reporting.

Well, that's the most logical choice. What took so long I wonder?

Meh, I'm not really a fan of her. I miss Karin Mallett and John Derr doing weekends together. About the PPL Center studio, perhaps it's because they are doing repairs to the concrete in the arena (yes, only a year old). It cracked and did not cure properly due to rushed construction and the harsh winter of 2013-14.

Steve Mittman is the new AM traffic reporter (if you don't know, he used to be on WAEB radio in Allentown), and Jeff Bolden seems to be back to doing PM traffic (he did traffic on WFMZ years ago ... probably at least 10). Still can't believe they said nothing about Rick Edwards leaving. I also just noticed that Amanda Cox has moved to Charlotte, NC. It's a shame, I liked her. Ed Hanna posted that Jacqueline Thomas is taking over for her.

Sarah still has those same dimples!

WFMZ has some super blurry cameras that they use out in the field - awful!

Wow, had no idea Rick Edwards was gone! My mother mentioned that there was a new traffic reporter and they were struggling a bit on Monday. Matt Broderick has been absent from the noon show lately, periodically.

They seem to be experimenting with fill-in anchors. In the past several weeks I've seen Will Lewis, Ryan Hughes, and just this past week Jamie Stover and today Rosa Duarte. I guess maybe they're just still short staffed since Melanie Falcon is still out on maternity leave...

Surprised nobody here has posted this: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/23/candace-cameron-bure-paula-faris-officially-joins-the-view-as-co-hosts/436365/ Candace Cameron Bure and Paula Faris are joining The View. Wonder what that means for weekend GMA?

Yesterday, I saw Monica at 6 and Rick at 11, and Alicia Vitarelli was doing the noon. Really odd that poor Erin O'Hearn had to work at 4am and 4pm today! I think Erin O'Hearn would be a great replacement for Shirleen at 4 & 10. Although I guess that would mean she couldn't fill in in the mornings. She'd probably prefer mornings since she has at least 3 children, I think...