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Save the Animals

Summary: An area animal shelter rallies to win a contest that could greatly improve its facility. Station: WPXI Channel 11 Reporter: Stuart Brown When it Aired: Jan. 7 Running Time: 1 minute, 37 seconds Visuals: * Outside the Washington Area Humane Society facility — and inside, where homeless animals await adoption. Highlights: * A quick clip showing a volunteer pitching to a potential donator, “What we’re asking you to do is go on zootoo.com and register.” * When Brown explains, “[This woman] and other volunteers at the Washington Area Humane Society are trying to reach as many animal lovers as they can to help [them] win as much as $1 million in a nationwide contest. … Supporters who log on to the Web site can earn points for their favorite shelter.” * When a woman who works at the shelter pleads, “We desperately need a makeover. We don’t have enough room. Our shelter has been around for 101 years.” * When Brown tells the all-too-familiar story: “The Humane Society’s no-kill policy limits how many animals it can care for. It also saves space for abused dogs like this one, part of a group of 70 that were taken away in November from a couple charged with cruelty and neglect.” * When the shelter worker shares some particulars: “Well, we’re competing with approximately 4,000 [shelters]. There’s shelters joining [the contest] every day. And that’s amazing that we got to number four right now.” What We Learned: Next time you are jonesin’ for a cup of Starbucks, you might want to think about getting a coffee on the cheap instead and donating to your local animal shelter. Unanswered Question: Are any other area shelters participating? News Value: 5. Sometimes “shelter” stories can be over-the-top (for example, when WTAE’s Kelly Frey does them), but Stu keeps it cool and compelling.

Save the Trees

Summary: Squirrel Hill residents challenge city hall to keep the trees that keep the “squirrel” in “Squirrel Hill.” Station: WTAE Channel 4 Reporter: Andrew Stockey When it Aired: Jan. 8 Running Time: 1 minute, 21 seconds Visuals: * The old giants on Monitor Street, slated to be torn down, now adorned with green ribbons. * Murray, a no-doubt tree-loving local dog, taking his daily walk with owner Barry Shields. Highlights: * When Stockey gives us a stock opener: “Pittsburgh is known of course for its bridges and its rivers. But we have more trees than anything else, although you might see a lot fewer of these in the coming months. * When he adds, “There are approximately 31,000 trees [lining] the city’s streets. Three thousand of them are targeted as diseased and a possible danger.” * When Mike Gable from the Department of Public Works explains, “[T]here’s the danger they could fall — fall on a car, fall on a house, God forbid, fall on a person.” * When Stockey asks resident Barry Shields, “Isn’t [tree-cutting] something the neighbors would welcome to make sure that their properties are safe?” * When Shields replies, “Ah, they would, if they were sure that there was no other way of saving the trees.” * When Stockey continues, “Gable knows it’s impossible to replace these giants, but says there are plans in place to actually plant more trees than will be cut down. … The two sides plan to meet on this Thursday night to hopefully reach an agreement on the future of these old trees.” What We Learned: Oh, tie a gre-een ribbon if you still want trees … Unanswered Question: And the earth could explode at any given time too, right, Mr. Gable? News Value: 6. This is a good story, and both sides were presented well, given time restrictions.

Save Your Stomach

Summary: Some upsetting news for gum lovers to chew on. Station: KDKA Channel 2 Reporter: Dr. Maria Simbra When it Aired: Jan. 11 Running Time: 1 minute, 48 seconds Visuals: * Up-close shots (too close for my taste) of people chewing gum. * Simbra circling her fingers around the image of an intestine on a wall poster. Highlights: * When Simbra chirps, “Too many trips to the bathroom could be from going sugar-free. A couple of cases highlighted in a major medical journal are bringing attention to this problem.” * When Simbra explains the issue, “While these things can happen, a more gnawing issue can come from the ingredients. A sweetener in sugar-free chewing gum and other sweet treats called sorbitol can lead to chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss. In fact, this digestive specialist sees five patients a year with this specific problem.” * When she adds, “Sorbitol is not well absorbed into the intestine, so it stays there and it pulls fluid into the digestive track, and the result is much like a laxative.” What We Learned: Just stick with regular gum. Unanswered Question: Is anything safe to eat? News Value: 3. This news is not really new, but I’m betting a lot of people weren’t aware of this, so we’ll give her a few points for that — and the fact that nobody fondles innards as well as Dr. Maria.