CBS 2 "Storm Watch" Coverage

CBS 2 Weekend News had special storm coverage last night, beginning at 6:06 (delayed a few minutes by NCAA Basketball). Vince DeMentri and Alexis Christoforous (who was filling in for Kirstin Cole) anchored. Meteorologist Craig Allen was in the studio with the forecast, and Chief Meteorologist David Rogers was outside on the roof on the CBS Broadcast Center. Whitney Casey reported on driving safety from New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Scott Rapoport was in Chelsea following the city's preparedness. Craig Allen also appeared on the CBS Evening News, talking about the area's first major snowstorm of the season. Coverage continued this morning with a special hour of news at 7:00, and then again with a half-hour edition of CBS 2 News at 11:30, with Michael Pomeranz and Cindy Hsu. Aimee Nuzzo was in New Jersey, Paul Fleuranges was on Long Island, and Marcella Palmer was in the City. Ira Joe Fisher was in the studio with the forecast, and Meteorologist Janine D'Adamo was on their West Side roof reporting on the melting snow. Debbie DuHaine had the CBS 2 Road Watch report. More CBS 2 News coverage tonight at 6:30.

CBS 2 Storm Watch

Winter weather could again hit the tri-state area this weekend, with over six inches of accumulation expected for parts of the region. The double team of meteorologists, David Rogers and Janine D'Adamo, were on hand with the forecast on CBS 2 News at 5:00 and at 6:00. David said "team weather [is] in effect for the next forty-eight hours." Judging from the latest promo, this team of meteorologists will consist of David Rogers and Craig Allen. The storm is expected to begin in the early afternoon tomorrow and last thoughout the night. For updated reports, visit Craig Allen's column and stay with the CBS 2 Information Network.

CBS 2 Coverage Of The Winter Weather

As winter weather threatened the tri-state area for the second time this season, CBS 2 News This Morning provided extensive coverage. Ira Joe Fisher handled the forecast, Scott Sumner was in the Weather Center with local information, and Rachel Lutzker updated the viewers on the traffic situation. Once again, a ticker kept viewers informed with school delays and cancellations. J.R. Whalen and the CBS 2 Information Center also reported on these delays. Viewers were able to reach the Information Center by calling 1-866-INFO-TWO. Whenever winter weather and icy roads can affect your day, stay with the CBS 2 Information Network and the CBS 2 Information Center.

CBS 2 Press Release: Penny Crone To Join CBS 2

It's official: award winning reporter Penny Crone will join CBS 2 News on March 1st. For the past thirteen years, Crone has been a reporter for WNYW-TV/FOX 5, and is known for her coverage of the FDNY and NYPD. News Director Joel Cheatwood says, "Penny is a New York icon. She is an outstanding journalist and has had a storied career here in New York. Her bold personality and unique style will be a strong asset for the station. We are thrilled to welcome Penny to WCBS." For more information, read the CBS 2 Press Release.
(Thanks to Keisean for sending me this press release!)

Former CBS 2 News Reporter Helps End Hostage Situation

A detective was held at gunpoint overnight for over three hours at the 19th Precinct House. The man then demanded to speak with a reporter. That's when Michael O'Looney, who is now the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information for the Police Department, became involved. O'Looney, who served as a general assignment reporter for CBS 2 News from 1995 until the end of 2001, says, "He just wanted to tell me his story. He thought if he was able to tell somebody his whole story that some of his problems would go away." The standoff ended at around 3:30 in the morning with no one seriously injured.

CBS 2 "Double Team Weather"

Today marked the beginning of the changes in the weather lineup and coverage on CBS 2 News. Ira Joe Fisher is the new weatherman for CBS 2 News This Morning, trading positions with Janine D'Adamo, who is now the meteorologist for CBS 2 News at Noon and First News @ 4:30.

At 5:10, during the teases before the break, David Rogers mentioned, "We'll have your team weather..." Then seven minutes later, Dana Tyler explained that CBS 2 now has a "double team of meteorologists," which consists of David Rogers at the chroma key wall and Janine D'Adamo in the Weather Center. After about a minute, David tossed it over to Janine, who had the forecast temperatures and conditions for three areas: Northwest Jersey, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut. Then Janine sent it back to David with the more general forecast for tonight, tomorrow, and the next five days. The weather report was about three minutes long, and a similar procedure was followed at 6:17. The 5:48 report was "No Nonsense Weather", the same way it has been for over a year. Janine D'Adamo's role in the 5:00 and 6:00 newscasts was similar to the "Zone Weather", which was briefly used last Monday during the snow storm. It is also similar to the way the forecast was done in May, 1997, when "SkyTrak2" first debuted.

Motivating Yourself 2 Fitness with J.R. Whalen

J.R. Whalen of the CBS 2 Information Center writes to tell us of a new series of segments on CBS 2 News This Morning, which premiered this morning.

For the next 6 Fridays, CBS 2 will be following me on a rigorous fitness and workout program. It will be tied in with a company called Exude, based in NY City, that is fitness center. Viewers will learn what the most common mistakes are when people go to the gym and/or work with a trainer, and the easiest ways to correct those mistakes.

For more information, visit www.cbsnewyork.com.

"Weak" Ratings at 4pm; First News @ 4:30 to be Canceled?

The Daily News reports that airing the syndicated version of "The Weakest Link" at 4:00pm had negative results on the ratings. It loses 21% of "Crossing Over"'s viewership, and has a 42% less audience than "First News @ 4:00" had in November. The newspaper also reports that the syndicated version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" will air back-to-back with Weakest Link this fall, which appears to mean that "First News @ 4:30" is next on the line to be canceled.

Penny Crone To Join CBS 2 News

According to Broadcasting & Cable, Penny Crone is expected to join CBS 2 News by March. She is currently a reporter at WNYW/FOX5 here in New York, and will depart later this week. More news on this developing story as it becomes available.
(Thanks to Brian for sending this story to me!)

New "CBS 2 Investigates" Promo

CBS 2 began airing an updated version of the "CBS 2 Investigates" promo. Among the changes are new colors, new stories, and a different logo, which is now on a slant. Also added in the 30-second version is another reporter: John Slattery. He now joins investigative reporters Marcia Kramer, Vince DeMentri, and Lou Young. However, Slattery is not included in the 15-second version. "If it's happening out there, we'll uncover it here."