CBS 2 Nominated for 22 Emmys

The New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the nominees of Emmy Awards this morning. Here's a look:

DAYTIME NEWSCAST
Bronx Fire. March 8, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Chris Wragge, News Anchor.

EVENING NEWSCAST: Under 35 Minutes
Tragedy in the Bronx. March 8, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Brian Applegate, Producer; Dana Tyler, Anchor; Lou Young, Reporter.

EVENING NEWSCAST: Over 35 Minutes
Brooklyn Tornado. August 8, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Chris Wragge, News Anchor.

BREAKING NEWS STORY
East Side Plane Crash. October 11, 2006. (WCBS-TV). Michael Haynes, Director.

SPOT NEWS STORY
Subway Hero. January 2, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Ti-Hua Chang, Reporter/Producer/Writer.

CONTINUING COVERAGE
Son of Sam. May 7, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Scott Weinberger, Chief Investigative Reporter; Carl Gottlieb, Executive Producer; Sandra Kirkman Hines, Editor.

HARD NEWS: Single Story
Red Light Rabbi. November 29, 2006. (WCBS-TV). Scott Weinberger, Chief Investigative Reporter; Carl Gottlieb, Executive Producer.

INVESTIGATIVE: Single Story
Sky Chefs. November 6, 2006. (WCBS-TV). Scott Weinberger, Chief Investigative Reporter; Carl Gottlieb, Executive Producer; Sandra Kirkman Hines, Editor.

INVESTIGATIVE: Series
Foul Mouthed Mayor. April 30, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Scott Weinberger, Chief Investigative Reporter; Emily Smolar, Senior Investigative Producer; Carl Gottlieb, Executive Producer; Sandra Kirkman Hines, Editor.

EDUCATION
Generation Jets, Show 412: Governor's Island. December 2, 2006. (WCBS-TV). William Zagger, Director; James Thompson, Writer; Michael Tricarico, Animator.

CHILDREN
Generation Jets, Show 412: Governor's Island. December 2, 2006. (WCBS-TV). William Zagger, Director; James Thompson, Writer; Michael Tricarico, Animator.

SOCIETAL CONCERNS: News
Cost of a Life. November 29, 2006. (WCBS-TV). Lou Young, Reporter.

SPORTS PROGRAMMING: Program Series
Jets 24/7 with Eric Mangini, Show 501. September 10, 2006. (WCBS-TV). William Zagger, Director; James Thompson, Writer; Cameron Gordon, Production Manager.

SPECIAL EVENT COVERAGE
The Hamptons Classic. September 9, 2006. (WCBS-TV). Kirstin Cole, Host/Reporter.

PROMOTION: News Promo – Single Spot, Campaign
Son of Sam 30 Years Later. May 4, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Bruce E. Brauer, Executive Producer.
Weather Facts. June 6, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Bruce E. Brauer, Executive Producer.

ON-CAMERA TALENT: Anchor – News
Chris Wragge. August 8, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Composite.
Mary Calvi. October 2, 2006. (WCBS-TV). Breaking News: Amish School Shooting.

ON-CAMERA TALENT: Reporter – Features
Scott Rapoport. December 26, 2006. (WCBS-TV). Composite.

EDITOR: News
Sandra Kirkman Hines. May 23, 2007. (WCBS-TV). Composite.

ADVANCED MEDIA: Animator/Motion Graphic Designer
Bruce E. Brauer. April 16, 2007. (WCBS-TV). CBS-2 HD.

ADVANCED MEDIA: Video Editor
William Lee. July 15, 2007. (WCBS-TV). CBS2 HDTV Image Campaign.

Click here for a full list of nominees. The winners will be announced at a black tie gala on Sunday, April 6th at 7:00 p.m.

"Sunburned" Tomorrow Morning

Tomorrow morning at 11:00, CBS 2 will air a half-hour special called "Sunburned: Skin Cancer Exposed." It's hosted by Dr. Holly Phillips and Dr. Max Gomez and will feature a report by Kirstin Cole. For more information, click here for the press release.

Anchor NewsBytes

NewsByte2 is catching up with the latest on the latest apparent round of anchor changes:

- It looks like Chris Wragge is now the solo anchor of CBS 2 News at Noon. He's been anchoring it solo since shortly before Kristine Johnson took her maternity leave. The move was said to be giving her extra rest as she was in her ninth month. She returned to the 5:00 newscast on Monday but hasn't returned at noon. (Maurice DuBois mentioned that he was filling in for Wragge today.)

- Cindy Hsu and Kirstin Cole are no longer the anchors of the weekend morning newscasts. Sean Hennessey and Deborah Garcia anchored the broadcasts the last two weekends. Both Hsu and Cole seem to have added general assignment reporting to their respective parenting and consumer beats.

- John Discepolo is now the morning sports anchor. Kate Sullivan and Maurice DuBois welcomed him to the newscast earlier this week.

Berardelli Leaves CBS 2 For Miami

Jeff Berardelli, CBS 2's weekend morning meteorologist since 2003, announced just moments ago that he is leaving the station. He said that this would be his last week at CBS 2 before he heads down to Miami to join WFOR-TV.

He first appeared on the weekend morning newscasts in May of 2003, filling in for Janine D'Adamo, working alongside Lisa Daniels and Mario Bosquez. He replaced D'Adamo when she left in July of that year but wasn't announced as a permament member of the CBS 2 Weather Team until August when David Rogers was fired. He had previously worked at WTSP in Tampa.

"It has been such an honor being here in New York City, in my hometown, born and raised in New York," Berardelli told viewers at the end of this morning's broadcast. "I've been here for four years at WCBS, a fantastic station with fantastic people. Some of the most talented people in the business, honestly, work here."

He also called WFOR a "fantastic station" and said, "They have the best hurricane coverage in the United States." But he's not just trading in snow storms for hurricanes: "I just want to get in touch with the outdoors again." He said that he loves fishing, boating, scuba diving and kayaking.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity but I will really miss being here with you," he said to anchors Cindy Hsu and Kirstin Cole. "You guys are the best." Hsu and Cole made him a cake that said "Good bye and Good luck Jeff!"

He mentioned that he'll be back to help broadcast the "Tunnel to Towers" run because that cause is very important to him. The event is held every September. Berardelli's bio says that he "is active in the Tunnel To Towers Organization, designed to remember the victims of 9-11." He ran in it last year.

Berardelli is the third meteorologist to leave the station in recent months under the changes being instituted by News Director David Friend. Craig Allen and Audrey Puente are the others. A replacement has yet to be named publicly, though it's been rumored for months that Lonnie Quinn would be joining CBS 2.

CBS 2 Update

Because college football on CBS was using Studio 43 last night, CBS 2 Weekend News at 11:00 was anchored by Kirstin Cole in the CBS 2 Newsroom (it was actually delayed for about 25 minutes). Vince DeMentri was off for personal reasons. The open only began with the first part ("You're watching CBS 2, home of the CBS 2 Information Network."), and then went straight to video of the top story. A second camera has been added to the newsroom for CBS 2 Newscasts that may sometimes originate from there due to CBS Sports's use of Studio 43. Craig Allen did the weather report from the CBS 2 Weather Center, and Gary Apple reported on sports from the Continental Airlines Arena.
(Thanks to Kevin for providing the above snapshots!)

This morning on CBS 2's special Sunday newscast at 8:00, Michael O'Looney and Hazel Sanchez anchored from the studio. Craig Allen was back for the weather forecast, and Lori Blanchard was in the CBS 2 Traffic Center reporting on the roads. A new split-screen was used between weather and traffic: it was the "eye" animation behind the two boxes and the "RoadWatch" graphic underneath (seen at left).This morning on CBS 2's special Sunday newscast at 8:00, Michael O'Looney and Hazel Sanchez anchored from the studio. Craig Allen was back for the weather forecast, and Lori Blanchard was in the CBS 2 Traffic Center reporting on the roads. A new split-screen was used between weather and traffic: it was the "eye" animation behind the two boxes and the "RoadWatch" graphic underneath (seen at left).

Anthrax Answers From The Doctors At CBS 2

The CBS 2 Information Center had another round of "Ask The Doctors" this evening on its 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 newscasts. This is the third time CBS 2 has had a team of four professionals to take viewers' questions. The panel today included Dr. Tucker Woods (Long Island College Hospital), Dr. Erika Schwartz (Internal Medicine; she was in the Info Center on October 19th), Professor Thomas Johnson (Long Island University), and Dr. Darrell Looney (Brookdale Hospital). The hotline to call was 1-866-INFO-TWO, or 1-866-4636-896. Kirstin Cole talked to the doctors about what viewers were asking them, and what their responses were. The phone lines closed at 6:30pm.

"Ask The Doctors" About Anthrax

As we reported earlier this afternoon, CBS 2 brought doctors back into the Information Center to take calls from viewers. The four doctors were: Dr. Robert Crupi (Flushing Hospital Medical Center), Dr. Seymour Thomas (St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Center), Dr. Steven Miller (New York Presbyterian; he was in the Info Center last Friday), and CBS 2's own Dr. Michael Rosen. Kirstin Cole debriefed the doctors on the 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 newscasts. The response was again said to be great, which often caused the lines to be busy. The phone line, 1-866-INFO-TWO, was open until 6:30pm.

CBS 2 Information Center with Anthrax Answers

CBS 2 made its first major use of the Information Center today on its newscasts at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00. At 4:08, Kirstin Cole was in the "Info Center" (behind the news desk in Studio 43) explaining that a team of doctors would be there to take viewers' questions. The phone number is 1-866-INFO-TWO, or 1-866-4636-896. At 4:42, Kirstin began asking the doctors some questions. She said that the phones "have gone wild" and the response was "amazing." The team of four doctors were Dr. Steven Miller (New York Presbyterian Hospital), Dr. Erika Schwartz (Trauma Specialist), Dr. Ian Tang (St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers), and Dr. Sheldon Landesman (Brookdale Hospital). The phone lines are open until 7:00pm.

"America Fights Back" Coverage

This past week, CBS 2 has had special coverage of "America Fights Back" from 9am-10am, 3pm-4pm, and 7-7:30pm, in addition to the regular CBS 2 newscasts in the morning, at noon, 4-6:30pm, and at 11pm. Yesterday morning at 7:00am, CBS 2 had more coverage for two hours. Michael Pomeranz anchored from the newsroom (Studio 43 was being used for CBS Sports's "College Football Today" program). This morning at 7:00, Lisa Hill and Hazel Sanchez anchored another two hour special.

Michael and David inform me that last night at 11:00, CBS 2 News used their regular open for the first time since the morning of September 11th. This mean that CBS 2's coverage of "America Fights Back" is beginning to slow down as CBS 2 starts to retun to normal. Vince DeMentri anchored with Kirstin Cole. They also played a sadder version of their regular theme when going to commercials.

This week, CBS 2 continues with its special newscasts at 3:00pm and 7:00pm.

CBS 2 Offers Comprehensive Coverage of 2001 Primary Election

A CBS 2 Press Release:

Ernie Anastos and Dana Tyler host CBS 2’s coverage of the 2001 Primary Election on Tuesday, Sept. 11 along with first-rate reporters Marcia Kramer, Pablo Guzman, Michael O’Looney, Vince DeMentri, Lou Young, John Slattery, David Diaz, Kristin Cole and Jennifer McLogan.

CBS 2 will follow the activities at the polls throughout the day and feature special reports on the NEWS AT NOON, FIRST NEWS @ 4, the NEWS AT 5 and the NEWS AT 6. In addition, beginning at 7:00 PM, ET, CBS 2 will provide election result updates at the top of every hour, concluding with extensive coverage on NIGHTCAST (11:00-11:30 PM, ET).

Additionally, CBS 2 reporters Marcella Palmer, Aimee Nuzzo, Hazel Sanchez, Whitney Casey and Rose Walia will contribute reports throughout the day’s coverage. Viewers also will be able to log onto CBS 2’s website, www.cbsnewyork.com, for the most up-to-date results of the Primary Election.

Following are the scheduled assignments for CBS 2’s Primary Election coverage:

Kramer, CBS 2’s Chief Political/Investigative reporter, will cover the Mark Green campaign from the Sheraton Hotel and also take an extensive look into voting term limits.

O’Looney will report from democratic mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer’s campaign headquarters.

DeMentri reports from Alan Hevesi’s headquarters, the Regent Hotel.

Guzman and Cole share reporting responsibilities from the Peter Vallone campaign site.

Young and Diaz report from Republican candidate’s Michael Bloomberg and Herman Badillo headquarters, respectively.

Long Island reporter, McLogan, provides updates on the Nassau County executive race featuring Thomas Suozzi and Thomas DiNapoli.

Slattery, a 16-year veteran of WCBS-TV, examines the race for New York City public advocate and comptroller.

(Thanks to Brian for sending this press release to me!)

CBS 2 News This Weekend/Weekend News

Today was the weekend newscast's first chance in Studio 43. Vince DeMentri was there along with Kirstin Cole, who was filling in for Amanda Grove. The open went like this: "You're watching CBS 2, home of the CBS 2 Information Network. Live from the CBS 2 Information Center in New York, this is CBS 2 Weekend News." The title the announcer said in the open, "CBS 2 Weekend News", did not correspond to the graphic on the bottom of the screen, which said "CBS 2 NEWS THIS WEEKEND". At 6:26, Gary Apple (who was reporting from the U.S. Tennis Open in Flushing) said, "Now back to you in Studio 43." Then Vince replied, "Studio 43... Feels good!"

CBS 2 Hires New Reporter from Miami

Brian tells me that the New York Post is reporting, "Ch. 2 is expected to announce that it's hiring a new reporter from Miami - a former news home of Ch. 2 news director Joel "Joltin' Joel" Cheatwood." Brian has done some searching on the internet, and he believes that this new reporter is Whitney Casey from WTVJ in Miami. She has a website located here. CBS 2 has recently hired Kirstin Cole and Cathy Moss as new reporters, and it looks like there's another one coming!

Kirstin Cole Reports for CBS 2 Nightcast

Michael tells me that Kirstin Cole did her first report for CBS 2 Nightcast last night at 11:00. "The report was not live and was on a car sales fraud." Kirstin Cole is expected to eventually replace Amanda Grove on CBS 2 Weekend News. Amanda Grove has not anchored the weekend newscast for the past two weekends, although it does appear that she will anchor for at least one more weekend before Kirstin Cole begins.

Kirstin Cole To Anchor CBS 2 Weekend News

Brian tells me that a post at his WCBS News NY club says that Kirsten Cole will soon be anchoring the weekend newscasts, as well as being a weekday general assignment reporter. On Friday, we reported that Kirsten Cole would soon be joining CBS 2. While we do not have more information at the moment, it does appear as if Amanda Grove will soon be leaving CBS 2 Weekend News. Another possibility is that a new weekend morning newscast is in the works, although this is probably not the case. We'll have more information as soon as we get it!

New Reporter: Kirstin Cole

Today's New York Post reports that Kirsten Cole will be joining CBS 2 as a reporter. She previously reported for WPIX-TV's WB11 Morning News since it began over a year ago. The article also mentions Annika Pergament, who had reported for CBS 2 News This Morning since late January. She is now temporarily reporting for NY1.
(Thanks to Brian and David for sending me this article!)