OKC needs a new convention center


This didn’t go according to plan.

The OKC Chamber released a study this morning about the need for a new convention center. The study said the existing Cox Convention Center, 38 years old, is frankly holding the city back from earning more convention business. Mayor Cornett has been pushing for an improved convention center for a couple years. I heard him talk at length about this at his most recent State of the City address. Well spoken is Mayor Cornett.

Back to my small world. I expected to get the info for a quick video in advance of the study release. We would release a story online at NewsOK with a video around the same time. And I expected that to happen early in the afternoon.

So I’m in our green room this morning a little after 10 prepping for a Made in Oklahoma cooking segment with the Food Dude, The Oklahoman’s food editor Dave Cathey. His guest arrived early so we scrambled to accommodate and get ahead of schedule, which is always nice. Our studio was waiting for Sonya Colberg’s video interview with a local expert on stem cell research, a hot topic in the news with the president’s new policies.

Then we get word the Chamber study is now released. Early. No video ready. I have an outline of a script from Steve Lackmeyer’s story. Quick write-through. Fire up Studio B. Jacquelyn Farris rolls on the Black Magic software, which captures into a QuickTime .mov format. I bang through a quick read, Jacquelyn throws the file back to my laptop in my office.

A lot of our studio shoots go in this manner. We tape, then use post-production time in Final Cut Pro to add soundbites, b-roll, photos, audio and/or graphics. Same deal here. The video is about two minutes. Took about 10 minutes to edit, including building the Photoshop graphics and pulling pictures from our library of photos. The next steps included exporting and encoding into a Flash file and uploading to Brightcove to post on NewsOK. We turned the video in well under an hour.

MIO food segment will be online sometime soon, we often shoot our food segments in advance. Angi Bruss has a Wednesday morning shoot with Sherrel Jones on red beans and rice. We’ll post that online in a few weeks probably. Maybe sooner.

The stem cell video didn’t happen, I think it rescheduled for Wednesday.

Meanwhile Grayson Cook took a tour of the Cox Convention Center this afternoon, shooting video as Mike Carrier from the Convention Visitors Bureau gave us a tour of why the center needs to be improved. Grayson will edit and post that video on Wednesday morning.


One in 8 Million

money1.png


Saw this “One in 8 Million” on the NY Times today, they played it up on their home page. Nice collaboration of audio and photo. As you might suspect (good titles are amazing, huh), it’s one person from the 8 million among the Gotham population.

Street musicians have good stories. From my handful of NY subway encounters, the street musicians are typically really good musicians and/or entertainers. The image above is from a street musicians’ interview.

The Oklahoman’s Michael Kimball posted a video last night also using only photo and audio. Completely different subject matter and tone. But still engaging.

Matthew Gene Fox had plenty to say to reporters who visited him Thursday at the Tarrant County jail. Fox, 17, suspected in the Saturday night stabbing death of his girlfriend’s father, Leroy Herrera, 41, admitted the killing but said it was self-defense.

Fox said he was hiding in his girlfriend’s closet when her father came in and “began yelling at her.”

Fox said Herrera asked, “Who are you?” and “I told him, ‘Don’t worry about it. If you’re going to hit somebody, hit me. Don’t hit a girl.’

“He’s like, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ Come on, hit me, hit me,” Fox said.

The Oklahoman’s Penny Cockerell filed the story. You can watch the video here:



Reality stars and famous chefs


It’s Thursday, and for us kids in the OPUBCO Studios that means sports. We
have seven sports segments to tape today. You can look for those this
afternoon. Remember, we stream the Press Row live each Thursday at 11:30 am.
It lasts about 30 minutes and we post it online afterwards.

It’s not all sports though. Tim Money and Carrie Coppernoll are following
today’s annual homeless point in time survey, organized by the Homeless
Alliance. And Tanner Herriott is catching up with The Oklahoman’s John
Williams to talk with Utopia Joe, you may know him from his reality TV show.
He lives right here in OKC.

Tonight, celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffman is in town. Angi and Tanner will be
at the Cox Center as Hoffman lights up the stage with her Latin take on
heart healthy cooking.

Stay with us at NewsOK.tv, enjoy your
Thursday everyone.


Imagine: an online news organization


From 1981. Lots of sites have linked to this gem. So will I.


Enough of the cold weather. Let’s talk pork… and welding… and bagpipes?

Many emails requested more live driving this morning. But we know OKC is a grown up city. It’s even a big league city as Mayor Mick might say. So we left the driving to the every day road warriors.

We did tape a town hall meeting at OPUBCO this morning. And the usual energy segment. And some Parties Extra with Helen Ford Wallace.

Our crews were also around OKC at various assignments:

  • Tim Money went to a 911 call center to see what it takes to become a 911 operator.
  • Kyle Roberts and Angi Bruss got an update on the damage the slick roads caused to our vehicles.
  • Tanner Herriott went to the grocery store. Uh, right… to check out how proposed legislation for a grocery tax might effect our receipts.


    Of course, Damon Fontenot will file two videos from the Ford Center later tonight. Or possibly early in the morning, sometimes those deals run long. Press conference and the Jackie Cooper BMW Post Game Show with The Oklahoman (longest title for a current NewsOK segment) will be posted following the final buzzer. Thunder and Grizz, tips at 7.


    Update on the OKC weather conditions

    Reading through the comments on the live chat was encouraging. The live stream and live chat and live everything of Monday and Tuesday really worked well.

    3:17
    [Comment From Jake]
    This is quite possibly one of the coolest features I’ve ever seen on newsok. Excellent work!
    3:17
    [Comment From Josh]
    nice blog post on the tech stuff… might want to give that props again there in the studio
    3:17
    [Comment From earl]
    will okc school be close tomorrow
    3:18
    Twitter NewsOKTV: You may have to refresh your browsers to see the video.
    3:18
    [Comment From @votemikejones]
    This is really great. Amazing job NewsOK, this is making me proud of Oklahoma/
    3:18
    Twitter NewsOKTV: We are moving at 45. I’m guessing it looks a lot faster. http://bit.ly/15ubf
    3:19
    [Comment From earl]
    eep up the good work
    3:19
    [Comment From Dave]
    Yeah, thanks for the details on the setup
    3:21
    [Comment From JimRat]
    I hope you guys win all kinds of awards with this. I just discovered your Twitter stream at the bottom. Even cooler!
    3:21
    [Comment From earl]
    keep up the good work
    3:21
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Reports of road closure ahead. We will check it out.
    3:21
    [Comment From Lanie]
    Any idea yet what the weather will be like in the a.m.? While I might enjoy another snow day… there are also things to do at work.
    3:22
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Thanks for the feedback. We appreciate it. Here’s our location.. http://bit.ly/2VVS
    3:25
    Mike Koehler: Stand by.
    3:27
    [Comment From Jim]
    Make me! I mean OK. Seriously, this is an excellent way to stay entertained and updated on road conditions. Really ingenious. Stay safe guys!
    3:27
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Heavy S bound traffic I44. Left lane only is clear. Working on the stream. http://bit.ly/3tu5 http://twitpic.com/17yly
    3:29
    [Comment From Eric]
    This is cool but can you guys pull into an empty parking lot and do some donuts
    3:32
    Twitter NewsOKTV: As you can see traffic is stopped. ODOT just passed us. Lots of HP ahead. http://bit.ly/niBN
    3:35
    [Comment From Josh]
    you guys should get in the paper version of the paper for this… it’s pretty much the best coverage of the ice storm there is, timely, appropriate instant information… good stuff… someone should buy you a beer…
    3:35
    [Comment From Jason]
    Center lane fender bender?
    3:35
    [Comment From Lanie]
    That doesn’t look good. That’s over by the OSU-OKC campus and the State Fairgrounds it looks like.
    3:35
    [Comment From Kurtis]
    You should have headed to Yukon.
    3:37
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Reports of a hole in the road. We will investgate. http://bit.ly/179HC
    3:39
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Whatever it was…it’s clear now. Traffic moving again but slow.
    3:40
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Well head north on Hefner and take kilpatrick east.
    3:41
    [Comment From tmc]
    Just came back from the post office and NW 36th at I-44 is an ice rink..suggest that everyone stay away from there.
    3:45
    Twitter NewsOKTV: N on HEF. traffic moving@35mph. No wrecks. All lanes N and S are grated. http://bit.ly/16G9r
    3:46
    Twitter NewsOKTV: We will check out Broadway Ext. next.
    3:49
    Twitter NewsOKTV: car stuck in snowplow on the right lane just N of 63rd on HEF.
    3:52
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Overall roads on N side of the city are in decent shape. Traffic has greatly increased.
    3:56
    Twitter NewsOKTV: E bound on kilpatrick now. #OKice http://bit.ly/6hXwL
    3:58
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Moving along @45mph. #OKice.
    4:02
    Twitter NewsOKTV: We will head downtown next. Let us know if there are any routes we need to check out. http://bit.ly/24Em8L
    4:05
    [Comment From jenna]
    how bad is broadway ext?
    4:05
    [Comment From @bestone - Brad Stone]
    how are the streets in North Edmond?
    4:05
    [Comment From earl]
    no shool for okc
    4:05
    [Comment From jenna]
    how fast is your driver driving? seems like he is able to keep a decent speed
    4:05
    [Comment From Alesha]
    Is it slick at all???
    4:06
    Twitter DavidJones2: Still streaming. Check out our live, interactive coverage on NewsOK.com/live
    4:06
    Twitter NewsOK: #OKIce No school for OKC Public Schools on Wednesday
    4:06
    Twitter NewsOKTV: We are moving at 35mph. It’s still slick in spots.
    4:07
    Twitter NewsOK: #OKIce Mustang and Yukon closed on Wednesday
    4:13
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Broadway is passable left & center lanes clear. N bound appears to be the same. I’m attaching geo-tags to each twitter http://bit.ly/HTO
    4:16
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Downtown now. We will check out I40 next. http://bit.ly/tAkg
    4:18
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Downtown vacant. Sidewalks uncleared. http://bit.ly/pgDt
    4:20
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Downtown shot. #OKice http://bit.ly/O7xE
    4:26
    [Comment From ale]
    broadway looks bad
    4:27
    [Comment From SB]
    Looks like you are going much faster than 35 ;-)
    4:27
    [Comment From Dispatch]
    I am hearing the arbuckles are tough to get through and the sand trucks are doing now good.
    4:27
    [Comment From astudent]
    Woot! OU is closed again…no long commute
    4:27
    Twitter NewsOK: #OKIce UCO will be closed Wednesday
    4:27
    [Comment From Chris]
    OU is closed tomorrow.
    4:27
    [Comment From ale]
    looks like a ghost town
    4:27
    [Comment From Sixta]
    how bad is 39 expessway
    4:27
    [Comment From JoAnn]
    Do you know about schools canceled for Moore Public Schools for Wednesday
    4:27
    Mike Koehler: No word on Moore for Wednesday
    4:28
    Mike Koehler: Wednesday’s closings http://newsok.com/weather/closings?getdate=2009-01-28
    4:28
    Twitter NewsOK: Wednesday’s #OKIce closings: http://tinyurl.com/b56gyh
    4:29
    Twitter NewsOKTV: I40 now. We will check out 39th EXP #OKice http://bit.ly/cJYn
    4:30
    [Comment From daaph]
    this is the coolest stuff … I’ve been watching for two days and have loved the tour of the city during the storm. You deserve an award for this kind of coverage. thanks
    4:30
    [Comment From Dispatch]
    Moore schools out wed
    4:30
    [Comment From Tyler]
    Moore Public school classes canceled for tomorrow
    4:30
    [Comment From earl]
    can you guy to sw 25 and commce please
    4:30
    Mike Koehler: Thanks for all the nice comments. We’re trying to give you guys great coverage while everyone is stuck inside.
    4:31
    [Comment From SB]
    This is extremely cool. Stay safe – there are a lot of crazy drivers out there…
    4:32
    [Comment From Guest]
    move that pickup!
    4:32
    [Comment From earl]
    can you guy go s w 29 and may ave please
    4:32
    [Comment From Sharon]
    Chris, Where did you get the info that OU is closed tomorrow?
    4:33
    Twitter NewsOKTV: I second that. thanks for the nice comments. “we go out so you don’t have to” :)
    4:33
    Mike Koehler: No word on McGuinness, but PC, OKC and Casady are closed. So is Elizabeth Ann Seton.
    4:33
    [Comment From Sixta]
    This is just too cool.. how fast are you driving?
    4:34
    Mike Koehler: We’ll keep you advised.
    4:34
    [Comment From erik]
    how are the roads going to the airport
    4:37
    [Comment From David]
    Congrats guys….this is pretty awesome
    4:37
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Roads to the airport are slow going but decent. Left & center lanes are cleared both ways I44 watch for slick spots on bridges.
    4:37
    [Comment From Dispatch]
    seems worse the further you go south towards ardmore….got reports from guymon on up to west kansas its clear…..Usually they catch the worst up there.
    4:37
    [Comment From SB]
    That truck was facing the wrong direction….
    4:37
    [Comment From Sharon]
    According to OU’s website, they’re closed tomorrow!!! Yay!
    4:37
    [Comment From SB]
    We just got the call that Saint Eugenes is also closed tomorrow.
    4:37
    [Comment From JJ]
    how late will these “live drives” run today?
    4:37
    Mike Koehler: Yesterday we went until about 5.
    4:37
    [Comment From bob]
    Be safe out there!
    4:37
    Mike Koehler: The Road Warriors hit the road at 7 this morning. Racking up the frequent driver miles.
    4:39
    [Comment From NewsOKTV]
    JJ- thru drive time at least
    4:39
    [Comment From Dana]
    NewsOk is numero uno!!!!!
    4:39
    [Comment From Guest]
    I’ve enjoyed the ride!
    4:39
    [Comment From Dispatch]
    good thing fuel is under $2!
    4:41
    Twitter NewsOKTV: It looks like we are driving faster than we really are…about 45mph. #OKice
    4:45
    Twitter NewsOKTV: E bound on 39th EXP. traffic slow, roads passable and yes…snow. http://bit.ly/eOu0
    4:51
    [Comment From NewsOKTV]
    we get freq. driver miles? Nice.
    4:51
    [Comment From Dan 737]
    how are the streets twords midwest city?
    4:51
    [Comment From f5alcon]
    is it still rain/sleet,snowing
    4:51
    [Comment From SB]
    The picture is so clear you can see the tag # of the person in front of you!
    4:51
    [Comment From SB]
    ITS SNOWING HERE
    4:51
    [Comment From SB]
    I live near 178th & Penn
    4:51
    [Comment From Guest]
    looks like West bound on NW Highway right now?
    4:52
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Location update. E bound 39th http://bit.ly/b1gp Roads still passable. Traffic moving at 20-25mph
    4:53
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Correction: W bound 39th
    4:54
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Heading E on 39th now. Sleet/snow letting up.
    4:55
    [Comment From Dispatch]
    now its snowing……..what happened to “taper off by noon” from those “other” channels?
    4:55
    [Comment From SB]
    Sorry – but that isn’t 39th at all.. that is NW EXpressway
    4:55
    [Comment From Guest]
    I believe you are several miles north of 39th
    4:55
    [Comment From Dan]
    I thought you guys were on Nothwest Expressway
    4:56
    [Comment From Guest]
    I know how to drive on ice and snow very well now.
    4:56
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Guess I want to be on 39th, helps to take my nose out of the screens and look up. Thanks.
    5:01
    Mike Koehler: UPDATE FROM OU
    Due to inclement weather, the University of Oklahoma’s Norman, Health Sciences Center and Tulsa campuses will be closed Wednesday, January 28. Information will be posted on this page and distributed to the news media if there are any further developments or closures.

    The Union has made plans to stay open 24 hours. Food services will still be available for those students living in residence halls.
    5:01
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Location update. http://bit.ly/reyB E bound and down NW Expewssway. Yes we are loaded up and truckin.
    5:04
    Twitter DavidJones2: At least we aren’t outside doing live shots…yet.
    5:06
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Near Penn square. Light traffic.
    5:06
    [Comment From hfwallace]
    time to go home.
    5:09
    [Comment From Skye]
    tv saying metro bus wreck at 50th and portland
    5:09
    [Comment From Skye]
    now you are very close to my house
    5:09
    [Comment From Guest]
    how fast are you driving?
    5:10
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Belle Isle bridge snow packed.3 plows W bound clearing all lanes. Traffic backed up behind them. #OKice
    5:11
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Driving @30 mph.
    5:12
    Twitter NewsOKTV: N bound broadway.
    5:14
    [Comment From Tyler]
    Bishop McGuinness canceled classes tomorrow
    5:14
    [Comment From Guest]
    looks so much faster on video feed
    5:14
    Twitter NewsOKTV: Headed to home base. Thanks for your comments and staying with us today.. Stay with NewsOK for continuing weather coverage. Drive safe!
    5:15
    [Comment From daaph]
    thanks guys hope to see you soon.
    5:15
    [Comment From Lee]
    I am wondering if the State will keep offices closed again tomorrow?
    5:15
    [Comment From Guest]
    Have a good night – and thanks for the view
    5:15
    [Comment From Dan]
    hope you’ll be back on tomorrow if it’s kind of a mess
    5:16
    [Comment From JimRat]
    It’s been fun to follow you today.
    5:16
    [Comment From JimRat]
    You’ve cut across three lanes!
    5:16
    [Comment From Lee]
    OU HSC is closed again tomorrow.
    5:17
    [Comment From NewsOKTV]
    its an optics illusion of sorts. I know we have scared some folks thinking we are flying thru ice covered streets.
    5:20
    Twitter CityofOKC: A few wrecks being reported. For live traffic information, check out the City’s online traffic report: http://www.okc.gov/Traffic #OKIce
    5:22
    [Comment From Lee]
    Have enjoyed the ride as I didnt get out today.
    5:22
    [Comment From Guest]
    Thanks for doing that today. that was interesting to watch
    5:22
    [Comment From Todd]
    When the camera is slightly zoomed it looks odd, and distorts thing. Makes it appear they are following close, not the case, odd things like that.
    5:22
    [Comment From TO]
    You are scaring me to death!
    5:26
    Mike Koehler: The Road Warriors are done for the day. Thanks for checking in.