Comments on: Council coverage falls off without Ahl; blogs pick up slack

By: Tanya Koonce

Tanya Koonce — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:22:52 +0000

The cause for not covering last night’s budget meeting seemed like a non-issue to me. The city council budget session began at 5. It is our policy not to interrupt All Things Considered unless content warrants. Joining the meeting at 6 or 6:30 in progress and then taking the live presidential debate seemed like too much programatic jumping around.
Thank you though CJ for your comments, and the opportunity to share the programming decision making that took place. Sincerely, Tanya Koonce, WCBU News Reporter

By: diane vespa

diane vespa — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:00:31 +0000

I miss his probing questions at press conferences.

By: Jonathan Ahl

Jonathan Ahl — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:11:39 +0000

I’ve blogged about this. Check it out at http://www.ahlthingsconsidered.blogspot.com.

By: Tulip

Tulip — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:42:22 +0000

Jonathan served us well. I miss his professional reporting.

By: Billy Dennis

Billy Dennis — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:09:04 +0000

I too miss Jonathan. I miss his widsom. I miss his enthusiasm for good journalism. I miss his willingness to call me on my b.s. I miss his body of knowledge from having covered the council for years. I miss his wry sense of humor.

But Tanya Koonce is MUCH better looking.

By: C. J. Summers

C. J. Summers — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:28:17 +0000

Billy — Partly-true, but I remember WCBU joining the council meeting in progress at 6:00 on several occasions.

NewsAnchorMom — I haven’t talked to him lately, no, but I keep up with his blog. He doesn’t blog about work, but if he’s enjoying his new position as much as he’s enjoying becoming an Iowan, I’m guessing he’s pretty happy.

By: NewsAnchorMom

NewsAnchorMom — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:21:00 +0000

Have you talked to Jonathan? Does he like his new position?

By: Billy Dennis

Billy Dennis — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:20:33 +0000

I hate to dump on a Peoria Pundit-friendly blog post, but in WCBU’s defense, I seem to recall similar budget meetings that started at 5 p.m. that were not covered live by WCBU. As I recall, there are contractual obligations that prevent WCBU from tearing away from regular programing that early. It was one reason WCBU asked the council to NOT start meetings earlier.

And my apologies for not getting to the meeting earlier. I had some obligations of my own.

By: C. J. Summers

C. J. Summers — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:59:25 +0000

I got it — I’m checking my schedule. Since it’s during the day, it’s a little tricky for me. I’ll let you know asap.

By: matt jones

matt jones — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:57:52 +0000

c.j. did you get my email about speaking on the 16th?