News You Can Use

Today on "The News at 5:00", CBS 2 premiered a new segment. It's called "News You Can Use", and it's with US News & World Report, a partner in the CBS 2 Information Network. Same music and similar animation as "CBS 2 Reports".

New "Breaking News" Graphics

Today on The News at 6:00, CBS 2 premiered new graphics for breaking news. The graphics premiered first at around 6:05, with the four CBS 2 chimes playing before the graphics were shown. An update of the breaking story from Chopper 2 about 10 minutes later used the graphics once again. Here a few snapshots of the new graphics:

Aimee Nuzzo Promoted

The New York Post reports today that CBS 2 reporter Aimee Nuzzo has been promoted to New Jersey reporter.
(Thanks to Brian for telling me about the article!)

CBS 2 Complaint Department

A few days ago, cbsnewyork.com began running ads for people to tell CBS 2 of their grievances. The logo inlcuded on the page was "CBS 2 Reports". Now WCBS appears to have renamed the upcoming feature to be called the "CBS 2 Complaint Department". The website now says, "The CBS 2 complaint department wants to know what ticks you off. What are the major aggravations in your day? Is it traffic, the phone company, bad customer service? We'll try to get answers for some of your problems. Your frustrations may be a future story!" Click here for the CBS 2 Complaint Department page.

Changes to "The News This Morning"

This morning at around 6:50, CBS 2 aired a "Blockbuster Entertainment Report". I find this a bit strange since Hollywood.com is a partner in the CBS 2 Information Network, and CBS 2 has Hollywood.com Entertainment Reports in other newscasts.

Another change was a CBS 2 Information Network news update. During a report ("A Morry Story") at 6:55am, CBS 2 had a graphic on the bottom of the screen changing between a few stories. On the bottom-left, in the shape of the "Info Box", the partners' logos appeared. The four partners that provided news headlines this morning in that graphic were CBS MarketWatch, CBS HealthWatch, The Daily News, and CourtTV.

One The Phone: Ira Joe Fisher

Today at 4:00 on "New York Live!", Dana Tyler and Todd McDermott talked live for a few minutes with Ira Joe Fisher, who was on the phone. Over a week ago, Ira Joe slipped on ice while walking his dog, requiring surgery on his knee cap. He said he was doing well, thanks to his wife and children. It may take weeks, even months, before Ira returns to CBS 2's "The News at Noon" and "New York Live!". I know that CBS 2 viewers and fans hope Ira quickly recovers and returns to his weather anchoring duties soon.

No More "Sports Rap Live"

CBS 2's weekly sports program, "Sports Rap Live", seems to have been canceled. Weekend sports anchor Gary Apple used to anchor the half-hour program, which aired Sunday nights at 11:35. "Sports Rap Live" was not on last night, and has been taken off of the CBS 2 Schedule at cbsnewyork.com.
(Thanks to kroc1 at the EE TV News Message Board.)

CBS 2 Extends Storm Watch Coverage

CBS 2 will begin "The News This Morning" a half-hour earlier tomorrow morning, at 4:30am. Michael Pomeranz and Lisa Hill are the anchors, Tony Pann is the meteorologist, and Carrie Lee is the Metro Traffic reporter.

Emily Frances Leaves

All last week, reporter Emily Frances was not doing her live reports for The News This Morning on CBS 2. Instead, Annika Pergament was the live morning reporter. Now Brian tells me that Emily Frances's biography was removed at cbsnewyork.com. It looks like she has left the station.

CBS 2 Investigates - Starting Monday

From cbsnewyork.com:

In an effort to better expose and explore the issues affecting viewers in the tri-state area, CBS 2 has formed an Investigative Unit headed by noted New York reporters Marcia Kramer, Vince DeMentri and Lou Young. The reports, dubbed “CBS 2 Investigates,” are set to start on Monday, February 5th, and will appear in all CBS 2 Newscasts.

CBS 2 began doing "CBS 2 Investigates" reports a few weeks ago, but it looks like as if this will be a major part of CBS 2's newscasts. For more information, go to the CBS 2 Press Releases page.