It started with an email

Like most good news stories, the ones we'll be airing Thursday and Friday night at 10pm came about because of viewer emails.
The first one came last summer, from an acquaintance of mine. She wrote that I needed to look into the issue of children molesting children at school. I assumed she meant kids in junior high or high school, but she told me that the daughter of a friend had become a victim while in kindergarten.
I started researching the story, and finally interviewed this mother last October. I also talked with school officials, who confirmed what the mother was telling me.
In December, an email came to the newsroom from a different mother. She wrote that her four year old daughter had been molested by four year old boys at daycare. I interviewed this woman, and the spokesman for the Iowa Department of Human Services - the agency that handles complaints against licensed daycares in the state.
We hope you'll tune in during the next two nights to learn about this kind of behavior among young kids. We're going to tell you about the agencies that oversee schools and daycares in Iowa, and how local police handle these sorts of cases. You'll also hear from counselors and forensic interviewers about this kind of behavior, what causes it, and what's normal and what's not.
As always, thanks for visiting the blog.
EEK

Kerry's crabby . . . Girl power . . . Winter

I'm a bad blogger.
You already know this.
Enough said.
Moving on now.

Just a few things on my mind, it's close to news time so this will be quick.

1) Kerry Kavanaugh is craby! CRAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYY! Her Patriots lost on Sunday and she's still not over it. Moreover, she's ticked off at Andy Fales for his "What's Bugging Andy" that night. For the record, Kerry says she's a lifelong Pats fan (she's from Boston) . . . growing up having Sunday dinner and watching football at her folks house every week, suffering through two embarassing Superbowl losses to the Bears and the Packers, and by the way - being at the old Foxboro Stadium in 2001 the first time Tom Brady ever took the field. She's a fan through and through and not the least bit fairweather about it. A little crazy maybe, but loyal. :)

2) We have "chick news" going on tonight. Sonya and I in the anchor chairs, Kerry and Jannay Towne reporting. We are loving it. What do you think?

3) I was excited when it snowed a week and a half ago, that is until the doors on my Jeep were frozen shut. The short version of this long and embarassing story is that I eventually got the back hatch open and had to crawl inside that way just to start it up. My husband gave me a can of de-icer, which now sits on my desk. How sweet. This morning, I nearly broke my neck in the parking lot at the gym after slipping on the old ice and brand new snow. I think I've had enough winter. I'd like to go sledding, but I won't be that upset if it doesn't happen this year.

Finally . . . help us raise money for the John Stoddard Cancer Center at Iowa Methodist. There is a really big, really fun event this Saturday called "Rally Against Cancer." More info and tickets available at johnstoddardcancer.org/rally

Gotta run -
EEK

Happy for a friend, sad for myself

My Grandma Susan was fond of saying, "No time is forever." The older I get, the more I see the simple truth in that comment. The one constant about life is change, and it's with mixed feelings that I write about a big change in my friend Courtney's life.

Courtney is leaving Channel 13 to become Governor Chet Culver's press secretary. When she told me about the job offer my first feeling was happiness, because she was happy. The next feeling was sadness, because I hate losing Courtney as a colleague. It's selfish, I know.

This post is dedicated to Court, and her many years of service to WHO-TV. Because her resignation was effective immediately, Courtney won't have the chance to say "goodbye" to all of you on the air. For that reason, you'll find a note from her at the end of this post. On your way there, I think you'll get a kick out of the pictures that were gathering dust in the basement.

Courtney Maxwell 1994 publicity photo

Courtney Maxwell & Phil Scott 1994 Iowa State Fair Parade

Courtney Maxwell 1994 Iowa State Fair

Rob Olson & Courtney Maxwell 1995 publicity photo

"The Women of Channel 13" 1996

Courtney's last day in 1997, before leaving for Kansas City

Courtney Greene returns to Channel 13 in 2001

Courtney's Goodbye
"Let me begin by telling the viewers what an honor it has been to bring
you the news; first as a reporter way back in 1992, then as an
anchor/producer in the mid-90s and noon anchor in 2000. This last
position as the co-anchor of Today in Iowa Saturday has been extremely
rewarding. I had the privilege of working with Dan Winters, Jeriann
Ritter and Megan Salois. Dan's future is so bright, it hurts my eyes.
He is a solid journalist, strong anchor and most importantly, a really
great guy. It has been my pleasure sitting next to him for the past
couple of years. Jeriann is the real deal. Smart, funny, energetic. She
is such an awesome person! And Megan Salois is the All-American girl
next door. She's very kind and a real gem. I will miss all of them, and
everyone at WHO TV.
That brings me to my new job. I am so excited about being the
Governor's press secretary that I can't sleep! First, I look forward to
representing Governor Chet Culver. I've known him for a long time, and
I can tell you that Iowa's new chief executive is sincere, candid,
intelligent, and honorable. However, his integrity is ultimately what
persuaded me to accept this appointment. I am humbled by the
opportunity to stand with him, as part of his communications team, and
share his vision with Iowans. His energy and passion for the state of
Iowa are infectious. It is my hope to engage more young people in the
political process.
Thank you Erin, my friend, for giving me a forum to say goodbye. I know
it's not really goodbye, because I will still see viewers at the
grocery store, Chuck E. Cheese, and the mall. Thank you to those
faithful viewers who tuned in every Saturday morning. I will miss WHO.
I thank everyone there for a rich and wonderful experience. I am ready
and eager to begin the next chapter in my life. May God bless you.

Courtney Maxwell-Greene"

Feel free to post a comment to Court, or send your well wishes to me in an email and I'll forward them to her.

Thanks for reading!

Erin

erin.kiernan@whotv.com