It makes you wonder

I really don't understand the news media. As I said, our town is so small that we don't have a TV station. Local news comes from the radio, and regional news comes from either Louisville, Kentucky or Evansville, Indiana.



So, this morning, I'm watching the morning news from Louisville, Kentucky. I have laughed at this particular morning show for years--and I suppose that is why I watch this particular channel--just for the giggles.



Yesterday, July 29, a plane crashed in North Carolina, and sadly both the pilot and passenger were killed. However, the way that the news media handled this event was strange, to say the least.



Local news stations seem fascinated with gadgets. They like to use their helicopters, their "mobile news rooms" (read--truck with a logo on the side) and various and sundry reporting devices. Gives them the one up on the competition. This particular station uses the "Live Remote" shot quite frequently.



Now, bear in mind, this plane crash happened yesterday afternooon, before 4 pm, local time. But this morning, at 4:30 am, local time--at a "Live Remote" from the airport, this reporter was out there, reporting on the events of yesterday. There wasn't a press conference, no one to interview, and it was so dark, you couldn't even see a plane, but there she was reporting that a plane took off from the airport yesterday and crashed in North Carolina.



Now for the life of me, I can't figure out why the announcer that was in the studio couldn't tell the same thing. But it never fails, this station (and others) seem determined to send people out in the middle of the night to places where either news has already happened, or news hasn't happened yet.



I've seen reports over the years that just boggle the mind:

Behind me is the court house where at 1:00 pm, Joe ****, will be arraigned on charges of drunk driving. (the time is currently somewhere between 3 and 5 am--NO ONE IS AT SAID COURT HOUSE NOW!!! SO WHY ARE YOU???)



We're here outside the jail where yesterday afternoon Sue ***** was arrested. (This event took place several hours ago--it's now after 11 pm, what do you think you're going to see?)



I suppose it's a bit sensationalistic, but to me it's simply a waste of effort, time, and money to go to places like that in the middle of the night.