Mookie Is The Master Of Super Bowl Trivia

KQBW (96.1 FM) morning show "Brew Crew" members Mookie and Michelle tried to give away four packs of tickets Wednesday morning to the upcoming Omaha Home and Garden Show.

But their effort fell woefully short.

Blame it on Mookie's extraordinary knowledge of Super Bowl trivia.

"Can you say Geek?," co-host Michelle Matthews asked after Mookie successfully answered point-blank questions from listeners such as:

- "Who kicked the longest field goal in Super Bowl history?"
- "Which player from the losing team was named MVP?"
- "Who has the most career Super Bowl sacks?"
- "Who had the most yards rushing in a Super Bowl before Marcus Allen?"

On one question, Mookie accidentally gave the correct answer (to the question, "Who was the second-leading punt returner in Super Bowl IX?"). But the listener was awarded the prize anyway.

Matthews said Mookie answered the questions without the help of any reference books or online statistics. And judging by the rapid response to listeners' questions - and their reactions to failing to stump him - it would have been hard to pull off anything but the real thing.

Omaha.com Revamp: First Impressions

The look of Omaha.com might be the most noticeable change to the Omaha World-Herald's online portal. But a more detailed examination of the website's re-launch reveals many more changes.

Less Content
The most noticeable change regular visitors of Omaha.com will notice is a vast reduction in the amount of content that is available online. Gone is the popular "21-day" story archive within each featured section (i.e., "Business," "Sports," "Living," etc.). Users are now offered the opportunity to view approximately a dozenstories, but not all of the printed content of a section that was formerly available. The following is also listed as not being published on Omaha.com: Axle Gulench and the Gate of No Return, the "Baby Page," personal ads, "Hints From Heloise," Sunday's real estate stories, the "Food Express" supplement, comics and several listings within the business section.

Seven Day Archives
Gone is the ability to search for archived content older than seven days. This is becoming quite common with other newspaper websites, including the Lincoln Journal Star (which offers content from the past 14 days). Instead, users are directed via a link ("Help/Info.") to information on how to purchase archived stories and content.

Registration
World-Herald Director of Marketing Mike Geppert says there are more than 300,000 registered users of Omaha.com. Early on, the site was not requiring registered users to log in (that changed Tuesday). The former registration interface was the subject of regular complaints to The Reader's Media Notes. Geppert said the system was set up to allow a single user to log in from up to three different IP addresses (locations), which would trigger registration "cookies" to track visit activity each time.

Fewer Advertisements
Gone are the numerous banner advertisements that lined the site's former home page. However, the "pop under" advertisements, which Geppert said are limited to one session per user per day, remain part of the new site.

No Editorial Pages
There are several editorial columnists Omaha.com does not have online rights to publish. However, at this time, it would appear that none of the newspapers "Opinion" section is available online, including the work of the newspaper's editorial cartoonist, Jeff Koterba.

The E Edition
Although not presented in the most user-friendly interface, the newspaper's E Edition allowed seven-day paid subscribers the opportunity to browser graphical pages of the newspaper as if they were reading the print edition. PDFs of each page - including special sections - were made available for each edition of the newspaper (Nebraska, Iowa, Metropolitan, etc.) If the feature is still available, a link to it is not readily apparent.

Browser Business
If you are viewing Omaha.com through anything but a Mozilla Firefox browser, you will see this message at the bottom of the home page: "This site best viewed at 1024 x 768 in Mozilla Firefox."

In Closing...
If there was ever an opportunity for another local news media source or outlet to gain online market share, this is it. Although a disclaimer on Omaha.com says, "We may have a few kinks to work out over the coming days," it is apparent that the newspaper is significantly scaling back the amount of content it makes available to non-subscribers. A lack of "breaking news" content, sports scores and a reduced amount of stories available - that several Omaha TV stations' websites (KETV.com, WOWT.com, etc.) do deliver - presents the opportunity for another local media source to win over dissatisfied users of Omaha.com.

O'Hanlon Gets Nod As AP Nebraska News Editor

Kevin O'Hanlon had the "acting" portion of his title as Associated Press news editor for Nebraska removed Monday.

The former Lincoln correspondent for the AP and University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate replaces Larry Sullivan, who left in December to accepted a position at the Palatka Daily News in Palatka, Fla.

O'Hanlon's appointment was announced by Tena Haraldson, chief of bureau for North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.

A native of Blair, Neb., O'Hanlon started his journalism career in 1984 at the Beatrice Daily Sun. He also worked for The Argus Leader of Sioux Falls, S.D., The Lincoln Star, the Lansing State Journal, The Cincinnati Enquirer and the Omaha World-Herald. The 51-year-old joined the AP in Dallas in 1995 and worked in the AP's Cincinnati bureau before becoming Lincoln correspondent in 1998.

Omaha TV Ratings: A Look Back And Ahead

The February 2007 Nielsen Media Research ratings period for Omaha metropolitan area TV stations, which runs from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28, is expected to be one of the most competitive in years.

With no Olympics on NBC to push back WOWT's 10 p.m. newscasts and a new anchor team in place at KMTV, the competition for viewers is expected to have stations pulling out all the stops when it comes to delivering "breaking news" and "sweeps" stories and investigations.

But the pressure to perform isn't just for a four-times-a-year ratings cycle, according to local news managers.

"For us, it's only about providing the most complete news coverage to the viewer," said KETV (Cox Channel 9) General Manager Joel Vilmenay. "Our work is purely viewer-centered."

When his station does make changes, like the introduction of its I-Team or the launch of weekend morning newscasts or a "Weather Now" feature, Vilmenay said it is done with the goal of providing viewers with information that fulfills their needs. What the competition does, he says, is irrelevant.

"We don't look at any changes at any television station in those terms," he said. "For the sake of our profession and responsibility as broadcasters we hope that all the stations will continue to deliver credible news broadcasts and that collectively we serve our viewers with information that is relevant and that will keep them safe."

KMTV Doesn't Expect Immediate Results
KMTV (Cox Channel 5) enters the February 2007 ratings period coming off one of its worst ratings performances in the past five years. The result ultimately led to the dismissal of anchors Deborah Ward and Greg Peterson in late December and the introduction of new anchors Carol Wang and Carlo Cecchetto in mid-January.

Journal Broadcast Group Senior Vice President for Television and Radio Operations Steve Wexler points to a smaller amount of viewership diaries that were returned (609, compared with 707 in 2005 and more than 800 three years ago) as a deficiency of the ratings system that might have contributed to KMTV's low ratings.

"The November results were very different from what we saw during most of 2006, and Nielsen has admitted that their market sample was not satisfactory," Wexler said. "With that being said, ratings are imperfect, they only help us see trends over time; most broadcasters don't over-react to one survey."

Wexler said he will look for growth over time with the new anchor team. The impact of having a new anchor team on the desk won't immediately show up in the ratings, he said.

"Right now, we're focused on delivering on our news promise every night," he said. "We've received very positive feedback on the changes."

The following numbers reflect the viewing habits of the 318,740 TV households in the Omaha metropolitan area, which includes Douglas, Washington, Cass and Sarpy Counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa. A single ratings point represents one percent of the households while share is the percentage of television sets in use tuned to a specific program. Nielsen surveyed viewers from Nov. 2-29, 2006 by asking them to write down the station they watched for news in a diary.

5-7 a.m.
Households: (5-6 a.m and 6-7 a.m.).
25-54: (Tie) , .
A year ago, KETV and WOWT (Cox Channel 8)were in a virtual dead heat in the 5 a.m.-6 a.m. time slot, while KETV had a slight advantage in the 6-7 a.m. hour. Now, the situation is reversed, with WOWT having a slight edge from 5-6 a.m. and the two stations nose-to-nose from 6-7 a.m.

While nearly the same in their ratings, the two stations' newscasts are radically different. KETV uses a talent lineup that includes a dedicated reporter, a traffic reporter and, until recently, an "Internet features" reporter. KETV General Manager Joel Vilmenay said his station will continue to make the necessary investments and changes to deliver "an exceptional newscast" to the viewer.

"Our main concern is how effectively we deliver what morning news viewers need and want in a newscast," Vilmenay said. "The ratings would suggest that viewers are responding to what we're doing."

KMTV, which pulls in about half the audience of KETV and WOWT from 5-6 a.m., saw its household rating halved from a year ago in the 6-7 a.m. time slot.

KPTM (Cox Channel 10), which has mulled over the idea of reviving a morning newscast, does not have enough viewership to register a rating in either time slot.

11:30 a.m.
Households: . 25-54: (Tie) , .
While WOWT remains No. 1 in the total number of viewers, KETV gained five share points from a year ago. WOWT has 9,562 viewers while KETV has an audience of 6,374.

KMTV, which broadcasts its midday news unopposed at noon, actually gains viewership from its strong 11 a.m. lead-in ("The Young and the Restless"), attracting 15.937 viewers and a 24 share. Compare that with its early evening newscasts: 9,562 viewers and a nine share at 5 p.m. and the same amount of viewers and a seven share at 6 p.m.

"I believe the combination of a very good product, in the right time slot, has helped make our midday news successful over time," Wexler said when asked whether there was consideration made to move veteran anchor Mary Williams back to the evening newscast desk.

4 p.m.
Like KMTV at midday, WOWT runs unopposed in this time slot. Viewership has remained steady throughout the years, with WOWT garnering a nearly identical rating at 4 p.m. three years ago. Its audience of 15,937 matches that of "Oprah" on KMTV and betters "Judge Judy" on KETV (9,562).

5 p.m. Households: . 25-54: .
The first battle in the early-evening newscast war was won by WOWT in sheer numbers of viewers (28,687 to KETV's 25,499) and by KETV in the coveted 24-54 demographic (by a margin of 3,187 viewers). KMTV, which once made its strongest challenge to its competitors in this time slot, saw its viewership plummet to 9,562 viewers.

How is Katie Couric and "The CBS Evening News" faring in the Omaha metropolitan area? Not any better than the numbers she draws nationally. Couric's audience of 12,750 pales in comparison to the "NBC Evening News with Brian Williams" (31,874) and "ABC World News with Charles Gibson" (28,687)

6 p.m. Households: . 25-54: .
WOWT increased its ratings by a point from a year ago to maintain a slim lead (by 3,187 viewers) over KETV. Overall viewership of news in this time slot is down from where it was three years ago, when WOWT had nearly 8,500 more viewers than KETV. When it comes to who's watching, KETV again wins the timeslot in viewers between the ages of 25-54 with a margin of nearly 6,400 viewers.

KMTV, which once broadcast "Entertainment Tonight" and more recently (November 2005) "The Insider" from 6 to 6:30 p.m., saw its numbers remain virtually unchanged from a year ago with news in the time slot.

"Considering we had to start from 'scratch' with our new 6 o'clock news, I was very pleased to see us start growing a new news audience again at 6," Wexler said. "This is a very competitive market and we're excited to be back in the game in a big way."

9 p.m.
KPTM, the only station to broadcast a newscast in prime time, is down a ratings point from a year ago, but still pulls in respectable numbers (9,562) against competition like "CSI: Miami," "Boston Legal" and "E.R." The FOX affiliate has a new news director (Joe Radske) who will soon be faced with the decision of whether to re-sign weeknight co-anchor Tracy Jacim, whose contract is up for renewal.

10 p.m. Households: . 25-54: .
No longer saddled with "Monday Night Football," KETV competed head-to-head in the late-evening newscast time slot in November for the first time in more than 20 years. The difference showed, too, as WOWT's lead at 10 p.m. - which was a whopping 25,168 viewers a year ago - is only 15,937 viewers now (a 37 percent decrease).

KETV's lead in the 25-54 demographic, which is 3,187 viewers, allows it to continue to advertise itself as "the most watched newscast" at 10 p.m. by specifically denoting this with an on-screen graphic. Meanwhile, WOWT brands itself as "The Heartland's most watched newscast" in a voiceover during its newscast open. WOWT's lack of reference to a specific category (household or demographic) is contrary to rules set forth by Nielsen Media Research for making such claims. (WOWT General Manager Frank Jonas did not respond to an interview request for this story.)

So which number does KETV place more importance on - households or the 25-54 demographic?

"For us it's just about putting the most informative newscast on the air, providing local news viewers with the most complete news, weather and sports coverage," Vilmenay said. "That is all we are concerned about."

KMTV, which saw its viewership at 10 p.m. under Ward and Peterson peak in November 2003, had 15,937 viewers to WOWT's 47,811 and KETV's 35,061.

KXVO (Cox Channel 11) has yet to see its 10 p.m. newscast garner enough of an audience to gain a ratings point. However, it only has to get that to equal the viewers who previously tuned in to re-runs of "Malcolm in the Middle," which ran in the time slot in November 2005.

Sunday 10 p.m. Households: . 25-54: .
Typically, the most watched newscast of any night of the week, KETV dominates with an audience of 57,373 and a 34 share, compared to 19,124 viewers and a 23 share for WOWT and 12,750 viewers and a nine share for KMTV. A year ago, KETV and WOWT had nearly identical audiences at this time slot. Now, KETV is not only dominant in the number of viewers, but also in the 25-54 demographic, where it has nearly 25,500 more viewers.

Weekend Mornings
KETV's "First News Weekend" editions run from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., overlapping the first half-hour of "WOWT's Channel Six News Saturday" and "Channel Six News Sunday" newscasts. From 7 to 8 a.m., KETV lags only one ratings point behind the "Today" show on WOWT. From 8 to 8:30 a.m., WOWT's more established newscasts (KETV only debuted its weekend morning edition in time for the Feb. 2006 ratings) handily win the time slot. However, overall viewership for WOWT on weekend mornings is down more than 6,000 from a year ago.

KETV also broadcasts an 11 a.m. newscast unopposed on weekends, though it only registered a single ratings point (1,874 viewers) in a time slot that typically includes NFL football (on KMTV and KPTM) or professional golf (on NBC).

Vilmenay said the newscasts remain on target for success.

"We are very, very pleased with the viewer response," he said. "In the first year, we increased our audience share nearly six fold. As with every newscast KETV produces, we're always striving to provide the most complete coverage to local news viewers."

Editor's Note:
Unless otherwise specified, household and demographic viewership numbers were drawn from a station's "five-day" (Monday-Friday) averages.

Lincoln Journal Star's Jeff Korbelik:KXVO Hopes 'Different' News Show Works

Lincoln Journal Star columnist Jeff Korbelik calls the "KXVO 15 10:00 News" on Cox Channel 11 "Cartoon Corral" for 18- to 34-year-olds (a reference to the former Hanna-Barbera kids show in the 70s).

"It's no surprise KXVO is going in this direction, especially after seeing the success Comedy Central has had with "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report," writes Korbelik in a story published Sunday on the newspaper's website.

As the column points out, though, viewership hits on YouTube.com don't always equate to strong ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

"We believe in what we're doing," KXVO Producer Taylor Stein says in the article. "It's something new and different. But in the end, it's a business. If we don't produce ratings, we know we won't be able to carry out the goals we have."

Editor's Note: In the most recent (November 2006) Nielsen ratings, KXVO did not register enough viewers to garner a ratings point.

Omaha.com Debuts New Look

The new look of Omaha.com:
And the old:

Bookmark Our New Location

The Reader's Online Media Notes has a new web address.

Our new URL is "www.thereadersmedianotes.com"

Please Note:
Portions of this website will be unavailable as we transition to our new address.

New Look For Omaha.com Coming Monday

Visitors to the Omaha World-Herald's website, Omaha.com, will see a new, cleaner look when they log on Monday morning.

The revamped site will feature drop down menus, fewer navigational images and eventually more audio and video news offerings. The transformation will take place Sunday night, but will not be heavily promoted outside of the announcements already in place on the website.

"We want to give ourselves a chance to make sure everything is up and burned in before we start banging the drum," said Mike Geppert, Director of Marketing for the World-Herald. "We already get an enormous amount of traffic so if we draw a lot more users around the launch date, we're adding another variable to (an already complicated) launch."

The site has more than 300,000 registered users, Geppert said, and gets between 12 and 15 million page views each month. According to rankings by Alexa.com, Omaha.com receives more traffic than any other news outlet website in the Omaha metropolitan area.

The five employees of Omaha.com work nearly around the clock to post stories from the newspaper and generate original content when breaking news warrants. Their offices are housed with other editorial departments on the seventh floor of the World-Herald's new building at 1314 Douglas St.

KBLR Becomes 'Country 97.3 FM' On Feb. 1

KBLR (97.3 FM) will debut a new country music format Feb. 1, according to General Manager Del Meyer.

"We'll play popular country songs from the 80s and 90s, along with some classic country mixed in," Meyer said.

KBLR, which is owned by NRG Media, becomes the third country format station serving the Omaha metropolitan area, joining Clear Channel-owned stations KHUS "Legendary American Country" (93.3 FM) and KXKT "The Kat" (103.7 FM).

Previously, KBLR was home to urban format "Hot 97.3 FM." But a change was necessary after Connisseur Media filed a permit to "construct" a new radio station on 107.7 FM, which NRG Media operated as its translator station for KBLR. In late December, NRG pulled the plug on its "BOB FM" format on 106.9 FM and rebranded the station as KOPR "Power 106.9, Omaha's Hottest Jamz," featuring a rhythmic contemporary format.

Meyer said J.D. Gibbs will be the station's leading on-air personality. Local news will be delivered by Jessica Meistrell and Chris Walz will serve as operations manager.

Gibbs previously hosted a morning show on the former "KOIL Country" (1020 AM) in Omaha and was operations manager for the same station when it was KKSC "The Source."

Meyer said the station will operate out of the current home of NRG Media-owned stations KFMT (105.5 FM) and KHUB (1340 AM) in Fremont. However, KBLR's license is issued for the city of Blair.

Journal Sells KOMJ To Move On KMTV Purchase

The Journal Broadcast Group is one step closer to completing its purchase of KMTV (Cox Channel 5) from Emmis Communications.

Journal is selling KOMJ (1490 AM) to Cochise Broadcasting, LLC. According to paperwork filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Cochise will pay $500,00 and agrees not to purchase another station in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area for at least one year.

FCC rules required Journal to sell at least one of its six radio Omaha radio stations in order to comply with radio-television cross-ownership rules.

Cochise Broadcasting is owned by Jana and Ted Tucker, Sr. of Jackson, Wyo. As Jonathan Ellis reports on Northpine.com, KOMJ's new owners will have to construct their own studio and hire new staff.

Journal has been operating KMTV under a local marketing agreement since Dec. 5, 2005. Thursday, Emmis filed the application to transfer KMTV's license to Journal.

KPTM Features American Idol Contestant

KPTM (Cox Channel 10) is maximizing the exposure of the hit FOX show "American Idol" by inviting viewers to "Ask An Idol" questions.

Tuesday and Wednesday, American Idol competitor Michael Lawson of Omaha appeared on the "News at Nine" with anchors Tracy Jacim and Taylor Wilson. (View the segments on KPTM by clicking here and here.)

Lawson made it past the primary audition process in Minneapolis, but is contractually bound not to reveal how far he advances.

"People can submit any questions they have for Michael about the audition process," says KPTM.com webmaster Brian Mattix. "We think he has the singing ability and personality to make it to the final 12, so we want to start getting the community behind him early."

"American Idol" airs on KPTM on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

'TNT Radio Empire' Leaving KXSP Airwaves

Beginning Monday, the "Todd and Tyler Radio Empire" will no longer be heard on KXSP (590 AM).

Since the station's inception on April 25, 2005, the sports talk radio station has simulcast the first four hours of the popular Omaha morning radio program.

"We used the simulcast of Z-92's Todd 'n Tyler to help launch Big Sports 590 in its first year," said Steve Wexler, senior vice president of television and radio operations for the Journal Broadcast Group. "As we continue to grow the station, it's time to give it more of its own identity."

Wexler says the Fox Sports Radio syndicated program "The First Team on Fox with Steve Czaban" will replace Todd and Tyler in the 5-8 a.m. time slot. It will be followed by the first hour of another syndicated Fox Sports Radio program, "Out of Bounds on Fox with Craig Shemon and James Washington," from 8 to 9 a.m.

The rest of the station's lineup will remain the same, including locally-produced programs "The Travis Justice Show" (9-11 a.m.) and "The Big Show," hosted by Matt Perrault, from 2-6 p.m.

Big KXSP's 5,000 watt signal reaches into five neighboring states but the station is only credited with listeners who record its call letters or moniker ("Big Sports 590") in the Arbitron diary in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. In the most recent Arbitron ratings, KXSP ranked behind its primary competitor, all-sports station KOZN (1620 AM), among all listeners ages 12 and older.

"Todd and Tyler's Radio Empire" consists of Journal Broadcast Group-owned stations KEZO (92.3 FM), KZRQ (106.7 FM) in Springfield, Mo., and KICT (95.1 FM) in Wichita, Kan.

Duda: Media Interest Follows Unruly Hoops Crowd

Kearney radio station KKPR (98.9 FM) Sports Director Doug Duda says his phone has been ringing nearly non-stop after word got out that the Nebraska School Activities Association was investigating an incident that occurred during a basketball game Duda broadcast Tuesday night.

Duda was calling the action in the St. Paul girls basketball team's game against Centura in Cairo when St. Paul Coach Todd Alberts was ejected late in his team's 57-50 loss. Duda told Omaha World-Herald sportswriter Stu Pospisil that Alberts was calm after receiving his second technical foul, but more than a half dozen fans became unruly and had to be escorted from the gymnasium.

Several objects were thrown onto the court at the end of the game, Duda said, and at least a dozen law enforcement officers were called in to help control the crowd and protect the officials working the girls game and the boys game that followed.

Duda said no area TV stations were on hand to capture the fracas on video. In addition to Duda, KNLV (1060 AM) Sports Director Walt Smith of Ord also called the game.

Matt Perrault: 'I'm Boycotting Channel 7'

Matt Perrault ended his "Big Show" sports talk radio program Tuesday with a tongue-lashing toward the management of KETV (Cox Channel 9).

"I will never talk about Channel 7 on this show ever again," Perrault told listeners on KXSP (590 AM). "I'm boycotting Channel 7. We will not have KETV people on, we will not mention them and I'm still deciding whether they will be a part of the competition next year."

The "competition" Perrault referred to was his "Hottest Local News Chick of 2006" contest that "KETV First News Weekend" co-anchor Brandi Petersen won on Dec. 22.

Petersen (pictured at right) beat out a fellow co-worker, KETV weekday morning meteorologist Andrea Bredow, in voting by the show's listeners. WOWT (Cox Channel 8) morning anchor Malorie Maddox finished third among the 25 candidates from five Omaha TV stations.

Perrault said he was told second-hand Petersen would not be appearing on his program to accept congratulations for her victory - something The Reader's Media Notes confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

"We're flattered that Brandi won the contest, but people have a right to turn down interviews," said KETV News Director RoseAnn Shannon. "People turn down our interview requests every day. Public and elected officials are obligated to respond to interview requests. But private individuals and company officials have a right to decline to do an interview."

Shannon said the reason behind Petersen's decision to decline Perrault's invitation was that KXSP is owned by the Journal Broadcast Group, which also owns Omaha TV station KMTV (Cox Channel 5). KETV is owned by a competing media conglomerate, Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.

"We hope people who listen to the show will tune in to us to watch Brandi," Shannon said.

Perrault calls the decision "simply ridiculous" and points out that he gave KETV "a month's worth of free publicity." He also reminded listeners Tuesday that Maddox, who won the inaugural contest last year, had no qualms about appearing on "The Big Show." (WOWT is owned by Gray Television, Inc.)

For winning this year, Petersen received a dozen roses and a $120 gift certificate to a beauty salon.

Central High Grad Gets Attention For Taking on Pros

Omaha Central High School graduate and current Elkhorn resident Aaron McKeever is getting his 15 minutes of fame thanks to his appearance on Spike TV's second season of "Pros vs. Joes."

McKeever will appear on tonight's episode at 9 p.m. on Cox Channel 29. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder played baseball, football and basketball for the Eagles. But in Pros vs. Joes, he takes on former pro basketball center Kevin Willis (7-0, 275 pounds), former baseball home run hitting star Jose Canseco, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin and a bout with Ultimate Fighter Randy Couture.

McKeever, who did interviews with more than one Omaha TV station, as well as the Omaha World-Herald, was instructed not to share how he performed in tonight's episode, which was taped last September.

Update Jan. 26, 2007 | 8:30 a.m.:
Click here to read a complete recap of the program, courtesy of "Big Blue Monkey." (McKeever finished second.)

The Devil Is In The Details... Or Not

The Omaha World-Herald's policy of excluding details of competing media in news stories resulted in this account of the arrest of an advertising agency executive in Wednesday's editions:

On the surface, Scott Lortz's life looked rosy.

The Omaha man was pictured in the Dec. 1 issue of a local business publication, arms crossed and smiling.

An accompanying article boasted the success of the family company, Lortz Direct Marketing. Lortz's father, Gary Lortz, founded the direct-mail advertising agency in 1982. The son joined his dad the next year and worked his way up to president.

The "local business publication" was The Midlands Business Journal.

With that in mind, here is how the article would read using the same style for other details in the story, which was written by Lynn Safranek:

On the surface, Scott Lortz's his life looked rosy.

The Omaha man was pictured in the Dec. 1 issue of a local business publication, arms crossed and smiling.

An accompanying article boasted the success of the family company, Lortz Direct Marketing. Lortz's His father, Gary Lortz, founded the direct-mail advertising agency in 1982 the early 80s. The son joined his dad the next year later and worked his way up to president a higher position in the company.

But the walls were crumbling.

Lortz's His marriage of 22 years a significant number of years was ending. After his wife, Holly Lortz, began divorce proceedings in October last year, she asked a judge to prevent her husband from removing funds from any retirement accounts with money in them.

"I have reason to believe that my husband . . . has been involved in significant felonious criminal activity across state lines which may place our marital assets in jeopardy," the court records state.

That alleged criminal activity soon would come to light - with Holly Lortz's his wife's help.

Lortz He has been in jail since the Nebraska State Patrol a statewide law enforcement agency arrested him Friday at his office on accusations that he sexually assaulted disturbed a New Jersey teenager from the East Coast he met on the Internet a computer system with vast communication capability.

Lortz, 46, of 5928 S. 118th Plaza The middle-aged man, who lives in Southwest Omaha, is accused of traveling to the township of West Windsor, N.J., a while back in the summer of 2005 and "carrying on a relationship" with a 14-year-old young teenage boy, said Casey DeBlasio, a spokeswoman for the Mercer County a prosecutor's office in New Jersey.

He was charged in Douglas County with child enticement with a computer a crime, a felony punishable by up to five several years in prison.

Lortz He also faces seven counts of sexual assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child other crimes in Mercer County. All the charges relate to the same boy, DeBlasio said.

A search warrant legal piece of paper filed Tuesday in Douglas County District Court described the investigation:

Lortz He and the boy met in an America Online chat room popular online location for gay men who prefer spending time with others of the same gender in June 2005 a couple years ago. A month Sometime later, they began meeting in person for sexual encounters more than just talk at hotels places of lodging in Princeton, N.J.; New York City; and Philadelphia outside Nebraska. Last February year, while arranging their last meeting, Lortz he told the boy he was married not available and from Nebraska somewhere else.

The boy, now 16, contacted New Jersey authorities about a week ago. That's when authorities they contacted Holly Lortz his wife.

Holly Lortz She told investigators that she had evidence of her estranged husband's acts. Once, when her husband was at work not around, she had logged onto her computer and created a fake America Online profile of a 15-year-old teenage boy from Kansas City the Midwest.

When she instant-messaged her husband with the fake profile, he asked how old the person was. Scott Lortz He then discussed "sexual contact" inappropriate things and said he would go to Kansas City a city south of Omaha to perform sex acts something a "family newspaper" can't mention.

Holly Lortz His wife gave investigators copies of cell phone bills from a mobile phone that showed about 39 phone calls to the New Jersey boy from July 2005 to January 2006 about a year's time.

Holly Lortz She also provided investigators with e-mails messages from her husband to her in which he admitted to "having contact" with the underage boy. In one, Scott Lortz he wrote, "I am not anywhere close to the monster or pedophile that you think I am."

Douglas County A judge Stephen Swartz set Lortz's bail on the enticement charge at $100,000 a high amount and at $10,000 a much lesser amount for the eight other charges in New Jersey. He must pay $11,000 between the lesser amount and the higher amount to be released.

Lortz's His attorney, Mike Fabian, said he plans to fight Lortz's extradition to New Jersey to keep his client in a jail cell he knows.

Lortz Direct A local advertising agency issued a statement Tuesday morning saying Scott Lortz its high-ranking employee had left the firm and had been replaced by his father a relative.

Governor's Communications DirectorWill Join World-Herald As Editorialist

Aaron Sanderford is giving up his post as Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman's communications director to join the Omaha World-Herald as an editorial writer.

Sanderford, 29, spent more than six years at the Lincoln Journal Star before joining Heineman's staff in March of 2005. He reported on business, government, crime, courts, prisons, sports, and entertainment, in addition to serving as the newspaper's night city editor.

A Louisburg, N.C., native, Sanderford earned a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Kentucky. His last day of work for Heineman will be Feb. 23.

Heineman said the search for Sanderford's replacement will begin immediately.

Omaha.com Invites Reaction To President's Speech

In a move that could indicate a shift toward more site visitor interaction, Omaha.com is inviting readers to share their opinions on President Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday night.

As of Wednesday morning, five responses had been posted. Readers can submit their thoughts by clicking here. The World-Herald says name, city and a phone number must be included for verification purposes.

No 'Morganizing' This Time; Just The Facts

Roger W. Morgan made a name for himself by pranking unsuspecting listeners with his "Morganizing" on "The Mighty 1290" KOIL in the 1960s.

More than 40 years later, Morgan is still raising the ire of some people. But this time, there's no joking involved.

As nationally syndicated libertarian talk-show host Neal Boortz reports, Morgan is promoting a recall effort for four St. Croix (part of the U.S. Virgin Islands) senators because they voted themselves a substantial pay raise.

The senators are now petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to block Morgan's attempt to buy the license of the radio station where he works ("Paradise 93.5 FM" in St. Croix).

Morgan, writing on the forum of Nebraskaradio.com, says the senators accuse of him trying to "overthrow the government of the Virgin Islands."

"Talk about 'Morganizing!,'" he writes.

Voting Begins On KEZO Commercials

Omaha radio station KEZO (92.3 FM) is inviting listeners to visit its website to vote for one of nine commercials that will be shown on KMTV (Cox Channel 5) on Super Bowl Sunday.

The entries are the finalists in the station's "It's My Z" contest, which invited listeners to create a 30-second commercial for Z-92.

Although voting is being conducted online, the final decision on which commercial wins will be made by Z-92 judges, according to the official contest rules. The rules also state the contest winner will receive "no monetary compensation," but a teaser on the station's home page advertises that the winner will receive $1,000.

New KMTV Anchors Debut Tonight

Carol Wang and Carlo Cecchetto make their debut as evening news anchors on KMTV (Cox Channel 5) tonight on "Action 3 News at 5."

Wang most recently worked for KXAS (NBC) in Dallas/Fort Worth. Cecchetto comes from KFMB (CBS) in San Diego.

The pair replace veteran anchors Deborah Ward and Greg Peterson, whose contracts were not renewed last month.

Which Game Is He Covering Tonight?

High school basketball teams beware.

When Omaha World-Herald high school sports writer Stu Pospisil shows up, expect an upset.

In his ratings column Tuesday, Pospisil pointed out that he was on hand last week when two of the state's unbeaten boys teams played and lost (in separate games).

Friday night, Pospisil covered the No. 1 Bellevue West girls basketball team's game against Omaha Central. The result? Bellevue West was handed only its second loss of the season after the Eagles' 62-59 win in Bellevue.

Snow In The Forecast: What They're Saying

As KMTV meteorologist CT Thongklin points out, if the Omaha area gets snow this weekend, it will have seen accumulating snow three out of the past four weekends.

With that in mind, here are the latest forecasts from Omaha TV meteorologists:

KETV (Cox Channel 9)
Morning meteorologist Andrea Bredow told viewers that Thursday night computer models give Omaha between three and five inches of snow from the storm. She also writes on KETV.com that "as always, the track of the storm could change, so keep checking back."

As of Friday morning, KETV weekend meteorologist John Campbell had not weighed in with a forecast on his blog.

KMTV (Cox Channel 5)
Morning meteorologist CT Thongklin said areas of the Omaha metropolitan area could see between four and six inches of snow. His forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of snow Saturday evening and again on Sunday.

Thongklin also goes into greater detail in an entry on the Action 3 News Weather Blog.

KPTM (Cox Channel 10)
Chief Meteorologist Tyson Pearsall's forecast calls a chance for snow beginning in the metro Saturday night. He writes on the station's website that snow will continue through Sunday afternoon and night. "Accumulating snow is likely and this storm system should be fairly similar to what we experienced last weekend," he writes.

WOWT (Cox Channel 8)
Morning meteorologist Scott Akin said snow will begin to fall Saturday and that accumulations appear likely by Sunday morning. The Omaha metropolitan area will probably receive at least four inches, but specific amounts will not be forecast until later today, he told viewers.

Super Bowl XLI Notes: Couric Will Contribute;Winning Z-92 Commercial Will Be Shown

"CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric will contribute a feature to the network's four-hour Super Bowl pregame show on Feb. 4.

The network announced Thursday that Couric will also anchor the evening news from Miami, the site of the NFL football championship game, on the Friday before the Super Bowl. Super Bowl XLI will be broadcast on KMTV (Cox Channel 5) in Omaha and KOLN (Time Warner Channel 11) in Lincoln.

CBS will also send Randy Cross to Iraq to watch the game with American troops and deliver reports, the network said.

Jim Nantz will handle play-by-play and Phil Simms will provide color for the game. This will be the network's first Super Bowl since Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction. Prince will be the halftime entertainment.

KMTV is scheduled to broadcast the winning entry in Z-92's "It's My Z" contest sometime on Super Bowl Sunday. KEZO (92.3 FM) listeners have been invited to submit a 30-second commercial for the classic rock station. At least one entrant has already posted his commercial on YouTube.

Notes From The Laptop

KETV (Cox Channel 9) reporter Farrah Fazal notified Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey of Elkhorn's decision to continue fighting annexation. Fazal approached Fahey as he sat courtside during Thursday night's Creighton University men's basketball game at the Qwest Center.

KFAB (1110 AM) talk show host Tom Becka's rendition of a state song for Nebraska, "The Eastern Nebraska State Song" was the 97th most viewed video on YouTube Thursday.

Former "KPTM Kid's Club" host Theresa Cassaday is now serving as Chief Communications Officer for the Girls Scouts Great Plains Council.

NewsBlues, Mike James' website that advertises itself as "TV News insiders dishing the dirt on America's television newsrooms," is offering free access to its entire site until Monday, Jan. 29.

Matt Perrault's "Big Show" on KXSP (590 AM) will have a distinctively Husker flavor next week. Tuesday: former Nebraska pitcher Joba Chamberlain. Thursday: Former Husker quarterback Zac Taylor and tight end Matt Herian. Friday: Former Husker fullback Dane Todd and lineman Greg Austin (live from the Midwest Auto Show).

KETV Meteorologist Files ReportsFrom 'Lieutenant's Lounge' Blog

KETV (Cox Channel 9) meteorologist Chuck McWilliams is opening the door to his experience of serving as a U.S. Army lieutenant in Iraq through a new blog appropriately titled, "Lieutenant's Lounge."

Lt. McWilliams is a Chemical Officer with the 755th Chemical Company of the Nebraska Army National Guard. He says the intent of his blog will be to tell stories from the perspective of someone serving overseas.

"I plan on passing along stories that normally aren't covered by traditional media outlets," he writes. "Don't look for a debate on politics or how I feel events in Iraq will impact the next presidential campaign."

McWilliams also writes not to expect detailed discussions about tactics, techniques, or procedures of his company's missions. In his first entry on the blog, he shares word that he was able to witness the birth of his third child via webcam.

Creighton Game Will Be BroadcastStatewide Tonight On NET1

Tonight's Creighton University men's basketball game against Bradley University will be the first of two Bluejay broadcasts by NET1 (Cox Channel 12) Television. It will air statewide and in high definition on NET-HD (Cox Channel 812).

Kevin Kugler will call the play-by-play and Scott Schumacher will serve as analyst. Kugler is co-host of "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" on KOZN (1620 AM) and also handles college football and basketball broadcasts for the Westwood One radio network. Schumacher is a former sports information director who worked at Wichita State University.

The game will also be broadcast free on two websites, www.gocreighton.tv and www.netnebraska.org.

Omahan Creates 'South Park' VideosFor Todd & Tyler Listeners

Omahan Len Witte is the man behind the "South Park" style videos that animate segments of the "Todd & Tyler Radio Empire" for listeners of KEZO (92.3 FM).

Witte, who is known as "Dick Payne" on the videos and in posts to the "Todd and Tyler Unauthorized" discussion forum, said he stumbled upon the idea while trying to hear a segment in which a co-worker called the popular morning show.

"That night I downloaded the MP3 and cut everything out besides his call," Witte said. "A couple of days later I was playing with Windows Movie Maker and had the idea of adding the audio from my coworker's call. Then I thought a cartoon would be cute and thought of the South Park character site that I had seen before."

Since then, Witte has created cartoon characters for each of the show's stars (Todd Brandt, Mike Tyler, Travis Justice, news reader Craig Evans and producer Jeremy Campbell) as well as regular guests, Dr. Ed Dominguez, Jay Medicine Hat, "Black Tony" and "Larry The Cable Guy."

Each character has 18 images, as well as the ability to blink their eyes. Witte said it takes him about a minute to create a single second of video. The longest of the 11 videos currently posted on YouTube is three minutes and 48 seconds.

Judging by the number of views, the videos are being seen by quite a few people. One of the first videos he created (last November) has been watched nearly 9,000 times.

"I am happy they (Todd and Tyler) like the clips," the 36-year-old said. "They keep me from playing poker online."

Ray Depa New GM Of Huntsville Station

Former KETV (Cox Channel 9) News Director Ray Depa has been hired as general manager at Huntsville, Ala., ABC affiliate WAAY.

Huntsville is the 84th largest TV market in the country, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Last April, Depa resigned as general manager of KGUN in Tucson, Ariz.

While in Omaha, Depa helped found the Crime Stoppers program. He worked as a reporter and anchor at WOWT from 1970 to 1979. The 1970 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate also worked in television in Kansas (KAKE) and Hawaii (KGMB) and in radio in Missouri at Springfield station WMAY.

Missouri Storm Cripples Part of 'TNT Empire'

The sleet and ice storm that pounded parts of Missouri Friday through Sunday is having a trickle-down effect on Omaha radio station KEZO (92.3 FM).

Springfield radio station KZRQ (106.7 FM) is one of two affiliate stations in "Todd and Tyler's Radio Empire."

"The Ozark's Pure Rock" station only regained power to its building and studios Wednesday morning.

"However, we still do not have power to our transmitter," said Journal Broadcast Group Director of Radio Programming Tom Land. "We are working on this, but much of the market is in the same situation."

Land said he is hopeful that the station will be back on the air by Thursday.

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt said he believes Springfield is the hardest hit city in the state. As of Tuesday night, more than 35,000 utility customers remained without power and about 400 members of the Missouri National Guard were called in to work on removing debris and going house to house to check on people.

"The ice storm has crippled that community far more than you'll see or hear on national TV or radio broadcasts," Land said.

A Familiar Voice Returns to Omaha Radio

More than three decades ago, Dave Wingert could be heard spinning the hits on Omaha radio stations like WOW, KEFM and KGOR.

Now he finds himself playing some of the same songs, only now they're considered "oldies."

The irony of the scenario makes Wingert chuckle. The story of how he landed his new gig as morning host on KGOR (99.9 FM) is about as extensive as his resume, which includes work at a half dozen radio stations in Omaha and stops in Des Moines, Kansas City and Seattle.

"It's so thrilling to come back," Wingert said Tuesday as a news release was being prepared to officially announce his return. Since last week, he has been filling in on KGOR with program director Drew Bentley after the show's former host, TJ, was let go around the first of the year.

It was only a month ago that Wingert was starting a new job as a salesperson for Clear Channel Omaha, KGOR's parent company. He had been invited back to Omaha by a colleague at Clear Channel who had heard Wingert was passed over for a morning radio job in Los Angeles.

"There's a certain harmony to it," Wingert said. "You talk about the 'Circle of Life.' I thought it would make a lot of sense to come back here."

Only this time, Wingert wouldn't be behind a microphone. He'd be pounding the pavement and knocking on doors selling advertising. The work was satisfying, he said, but the itch to be on the air was still strong.

A window of opportunity opened when KFAB (1110 AM) program director Gary Sadlemyer invited him to fill in on a Saturday air shift. The response from listeners was positive and exposed his personable style to Clear Channel Omaha General Manager Mitch Baker.

"So when they announced that they laid off some staff and the morning job was open, I went to Mitch and said 'I'm not going to sit here (and not apply for the job),'" Wingert said.

Already In The Hall of Fame
Wingert's return to Omaha is the latest stop in an impressive career that's already landed him a spot in the Nebraska Radio Personalities Hall of Fame. Before leaving Omaha in 1989, he worked at WOW, KQKQ, KEFM, KGOR and KEDS. He also had stints at WHO in Des Moines and at KLSY in Seattle, hosting a nationally-syndicated show, "Dave 'Till Dawn," on 98 stations.

Omaha TV stations might want to take notice of his previous experience in that medium. Wingert hosted the magazine-format show "Good Day" with Joni Ballion on KMTV (Cox Channel 5) and also produced and hosted a children's television program on KETV (Cox Channel 9). Wingert said he still acts and recently landed a spot in an upcoming production at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

"Whatever I'm doing, I'm really drawn to material and content," Wingert said.

Without mentioning any names, Wingert said the competitive landscape of morning radio in Omaha is open for a more creative program.

"I want to do the kind of radio show I would enjoy listening to," Wingert said. "If there is one word used to describe my approach it is authenticity. Since 9/11, people have been looking for more authentic ways to connect with one another and find more meaning in their lives."

Wingert said his show will be a mix of newsy information and celebrity interviews, but not what listeners are hearing on other stations.

"I half kiddingly issued a moratorium on Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan news earlier this week," Wingert said. "Does it really matter to you what Paris did last night? What is her claim to fame other than having a famous name?"

In addition to his program on KGOR, Wingert will also produce a twice-weekly segment for KFAB called, "According to Dave." It will be his observations of how Omaha has changed after being away for more than 15 years.

"To see all of the energy down in the Old Market where they used to roll up the sidewalks at eight o'clock is pretty exciting," he said.

KFAB Host Composes His Own VersionOf New State Song For Nebraska

Updated: Jan. 17, 2007 | 12:47 p.m.

The debate over whether the Nebraska should adopt a new state song has spurred KFAB (1110 AM) afternoon drive-time talk show host Tom Becka and producer Matt Tompkins to compose their own version of a new state song.

Click here to watch their music video.

Last Friday, State Senator Carroll Burling of Hastings introduced a bill to change the state song to an upbeat country tune titled, "I Love Nebraska." It was written, composed and sung by Ginger ten Bensel, a reporter for Hastings TV station KHAS.

Omaha.com Relaunch Set For Jan. 28

The Omaha World-Herald's online site, Omaha.com, is scheduled to relaunch on Sunday, Jan. 28, according to World-Herald Public Relations Director Joel Long.

The revamped look will include more user-friendly features, including new drop down menu toolbars (pictured at right).

More details of the change can be viewed in an online tour.

Kugler Calling Games Coast-To-Coast

Kevin Kugler saw his share of off-the-beaten-path venues during his years as play-by-play man for the former Omaha Racers basketball team. Be it the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, N.Y., or the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D., there are hardly first class accommodations when it comes to radio broadcasting in the Continental Basketball Association.

But 10 years later, Kugler finds himself calling the action for the Westwood One radio network in much more mainstream arenas at some of college's biggest sporting events. This weekend, he'll be courtside at UCLA, when the Bruins basketball team takes on Arizona. Next weekend, he'll be in Tucson, Ariz., when North Carolina comes to town.

"I traveled all day last Thursday (to the Hula Bowl), spent Friday and Saturday in Honolulu, did the game Sunday and then flew back on the red eye after the game," Kugler said. "Then I came in and did "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" (on KOZN, 1620 AM) and collapsed at home after watching the first four hours of 24."

During college football season, Kugler teamed with former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden on Westwood One's broadcasts. The Hula Bowl was one of his biggest challenges, he said.

"It is more difficult to do an all-star game than I anticipated, because it's not a team based game," he said. "It's all individual stuff, and very personnel related. It's more of an analyst game than even a regular season game, so I'm glad Terry was there with me to carry the breakdown aspect of these players."

Kugler said the Liberty Bowl was both a great game to call and a fun one to watch. Steve Spurrier's Carolina Gamecocks held off a late charge by Houston to win, 44-36.

"I think what stood out the most was the offensive play of both teams," he said. "They were head and shoulders above the defense for both teams, and I think when you get to a bowl game, you'd much rather see offense than defense."

After basketball, Kugler will call the College World Series for Westwood One for the fourth straight year. And next year?

"I'm certainly hoping they have me back to do games because I absolutely loved it. But in this business, who knows?"

Kearney TV Station Nearly Back To Normal

Kearney TV station KHGI is back at full power, with most of its equipment up and working again, according to Sara Linner, Executive Producer of New Media for NTV.

"We're still missing some acoustical ceiling tiles that were destroyed by water damage," Linner said. "We're getting by though, and just keep chugging along."

Linner said it appears the station's tape archive did not sustain water damage. More than 50 holes were punched through the roof of the station by chunks of ice that fell from the station's broadcasting tower.

An estimated 3,500 customers in rural central Nebraska remain without electricity two weeks after a New Year's weekend ice storm.

NBC Expanding 'Today' Show This Fall

NBC Universal notified its affiliates Friday that it intends to expand the "Today" show to a fourth hour, beginning this fall.

Currently, NBC's Omaha affiliate, WOWT (Cox Channel 8), broadcasts "The Dr. Keith Ablow Show" from 10 to 11 a.m. The choice to broadcast the program's fourth hour will be left up to affiliates.

More details are expected to be released Wednesday at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, Calif.