Which Kansas City TV Station Has The Best Newscast?

Sweeps results are out for the month of May in Kansas City and it was a good month for KCTV. They won the noon and 10 pm newcasts. Perennial sweeps winner KMBC 9 was right behind them, winning the 5 and 6 pm newcasts and just falling short at 10. KSHB had a better than expected showing, according to most. Their weakest area continues to be mornings. WDAF's ratings were best in the morning (where they are first). The station is last in every other newcast time. You can find the complete numbers by clicking here.

That leads me to this week's poll question. We've seen May's ratings. Now it is your turn to speak out. Which Kansas City TV station has the best newscast?

Getting To Know... Lauren Keith

It is often easy to forget that there is a television station in the Bootheel of Missouri. What can't be overlooked is some of the talent that resides at KFVS. Recently, I had a chance to talk to morning anchor Lauren Keith about life in Southeast Missouri.

2K: What is life like behind the camera on The Breakfast Show?

LK: Hectic, but fun.
I come in at 4 am (which means my alarm goes off at 2:45 am) I start proofing scripts and we hit the air at 5 am. I’m in charge of coordinating “live shots” from local events and interviews…mostly features…to lighten things up in the morning. I also do morning updates at 8:25 and 8:55. Then, I have from 9 to 11 am to shoot my popular “Does it Work Wednesday” pieces as well as any stories I want to work on for the Breakfast Show. Usually, my stories don’t air “the day of” because of the tight turn-around. I anchor the Noon News, so I start proofing those scripts at 11 am. The fast pace keeps the day flying by and makes it easier to not feel so “tired” on the shift.

2K:What are some of your interests outside of your job?

LK: I like to work-out. I also like to cook. My husband is a veterinarian. Sometimes, because of our opposite schedules, and because I go to bed so early in the evening, I will go along with him on emergency calls. His line of work is equally fascinating and he’s able to help a lot of pet owners and save a lot of animals’ lives, literally.

2K:Do you have any favorite tv shows?

LK: American Idol, Desperate Housewives, and I’ve been known to watch Family Guy. It cracks me up the writers can fit so much sarcasm into 25 minutes.

We want to thank Lauren for her time. You can catch her co-anchoring the KFVS Breakfast Show, Monday through Friday from 5 - 7 a.m., with Jim Burns.

And the network most watched by The News2K readers is...

CNN! It was very close between CNN and MSNBC. Fox News Channel only received 2 votes and CNN Headline News only received one. Stay tuned for a new poll later today.

Headless Body Found

KCTV is reporting this evening that a headless and handless body (that had been burned as well) has been found in Lafayette County, near Concordia. The complete story can be found by clicking here. KMBC's version can be found here.

Update: FOX 4 is running this as Breaking News on their website. Click here for their more detailed version of the story.

I am not able to find mention of this story on KSHB.

Congrats To Michelle Sherwood!

Michelle has been named one of Springfield's Top 20 people under 30! While I am slightly disappointed that I wasn't included in the list *cough* *cough* (just kidding by the way), the list has a lot of great individuals in its roster. Check out the full list of winners by clicking here.

P.S. - I am also a little sad that I wasn't mentioned as Michelle's first website stop on the internet. :-)

Showdown: Hulshof vs. Steelman

KY3 has announced it will host a primary debate for the 2 Republican candidates for governor. Sarah Steelman and Kenny Hulshof will get down to business on July 23. This may not be the first debate though. Hulshof has challenged Steelman to a July 15 debate in Columbia, too.

Developing Story: Katie Couric Back To NBC...

for just a few minutes tomorrow morning. She will also be on CBS and ABC. Did I neglect to mention that she will be joined by Brian Williams and Charles Gibson?

The three will be making the morning show rounds tomorrow to highlight a joint telethon that will be held on all 3 networks later this summer (September 5 to be exact) raising money for cancer research.



Oh, and yeah... made you look! ;-)

MSNBC: #1 in Primetime?

According to TV Newser, for the first time since October of 2001, MSNBC has placed #1 overall in primetime two nights in a row of regular newcasts in the advertising demo. The network has occasionally placed first on special nights, such as debates and specials, but this is the first time the network has placed 1st in the primetime demo in about 6 1/2 years.

We will have to see if these numbers continue. It is doubtful. Do keep in mind that Bill O'Reilly was out last week. The O'Reilly Factor numbers tend to pad the overall demo ratings in the evenings. Monday and Tuesday ratings should be available tomorrow.

Tribune: "I've Got A Feeling Smith Will Be All Right. KRCG? That's Another Story."

KRCG's decision to let Sports Director Rod Smith go has been all the rage on several internet sites across Central Missouri for the last few days, this one being no exception. I have been receiving numerous hits from people searching for details on this story from Google.

So, here is the latest in the saga. The Columbia Tribune has been doing its fair share of the noise making since last week's announcement. The Sunday sports editorial is a great example. You can check out their opinion by clicking here.

Body From Helicopter Crash Found

KMIZ, KSPR, KYTV, and KOMU have updated their websites to let its viewers know that the missing 9 year-old's body has been recovered. Divers found his body this morning when they resumed their searching. No updates yet from KRCG or KOLR/KSFX.