Mark Twain Awards

The Associated Press Television Radio Association is proud to announce the winners of this year's Mark Twain Awards.

Congratulations to our Station of the Year! KUSA - 9News, Denver! Megan Jurgemeyer, KUSA 9News Managing Editor, receives one of 10 trophies from APTRA President John Zuchelli at Saturday night's awards banquet. Winning in Best Newscast categories for three years in a row, 9News demonstrates a commitment to news unparalleled in the region, winning awards for "Bill Stout Memorial Award for Excellence in Enterprise News Coverage," "Best Producer," "Best Videography of Hard News," "Best Videography of Sports," "Videographer of the Year," "Bill Stout Memorial Award for Excellence in Broadcast News," "Best News Writing," and "Best Morning News Broadcast."

"And the Trophy Goes To..."

This year's contest included entries from each of APTRA's 13-state region:

Best Evening News Broadcast:  Television, Class 1, Markets 1-50, KTVU, "The 10 O'clock News."  Oakland

Best Evening News Broadcast:  Television, Class 2, Markets 50+, KGMB, "Hawaii News Now at 5pm," Scott Humber, Mark Platte, Andy Sugg, Linda Siu, and Daryl Huff.  Honolulu

Best News Broadcast:  Radio, Class 1, "UCC Shooting," Joe Simons, Val Stouffer, KXL, Sacramento.

Best News Broadcast:  Radio, Class 2, "The KSRO Morning News," Melanie Morgan, Daniel Trucios, Larry Olson, Tom Benner, KSRO, Santa Rosa

Best Morning News Broadcast:  Television, Class 1, "Old University of Colorado Implosion," Vida Urbonas, Taylor Temby, Ryan Haarer, Eric Kehe, Staff, KUSA, Denver

Best Morning News Broadcast:  Television, Class 2, KGMB, "Sunrise Salute to Veterans," Scott Humber, Mark Platte, Ryan Wilson, KMBH, Honolulu.

Best Anchor or Anchor Team:  Television, Class 1, KNXV, "Searching for the Freeway Shooter," Danielle Lerner, Christopher Sign, Dan Spindle, KNXV, Phoenix

Best Anchor or Anchor Team:  Television, Class 2, "5pm Newscast, August 24, 2015," Kevin Uretsky, Staff, KVEW, Tucson 

Best Anchor or Anchor Team:  Radio, "The KGO Morning News," Jon Bristow, Jennifer Jones Lee, KGO, San Francisco

Combined Categories - Overall Excellence:

Excellence in Enterprise News Coverage - Television:  KUSA, Denver - Fueling the Fire, Chris Vanderveen, Anna Hewson, Nicole Vap, Andy Buck, Chris Hansen

Excellence in Enterprise News Coverage - Radio: OPB, Portland - Unprepared Series, Staff

Excellence in Station Spot News - Television:  KERO, Bakersfield - 23 ABC News at 6: Mudslides; Staff

Excellence in Station Spot News - Radio: KCBS, San Francisco - Balcony Collapse; KCBS News Team

Television Class 1 Winners:

Best Live Coverage of a News Event - KTXL Hometown Heroes Parade - Fox40 Staff

Best Coverage of an Ongoing Story - KNTV - Hospital Plan: Critical Condition - Robert Handa, Ted Case

Best Investigative Reporting - KNBC - L.A.’s Nuclear Secret - Matthew Glasser, Joel Grover, Andres Pruna, Matt Goldberg

Best Spot News Story - KCRA - Vacaville Fire - Alan Blaich, Tom Miller

Reporter of the Year - KNTV - Robert Handa

Best Producer - KUSA - Planned Parenthood Shootings - Will Swope

Best Assignment Team / Live Breaking News - KUSA - Planned Parenthood Shooting - Megan Jurgemeyer, Brooke Way, Ana Campbell

Videographer of the Year - KUSA - Chris Hansen

Best Videography of Hard News - KUSA - Implosion All Angles - Eric Kehe, Corky Scholl, Manny  Sotello, Matt Bell, Scott Wright

Best News Writing - KUSA - Chris Vanderveen

Best Weathercast Segment - KCRA - Meteorologist Tamara Berg, KCRA 3 Weather

Best Editing - KNBC - L.A.’s Nuclear Secret - Andres Pruna, Matthew Glasser

Best Videography of a News Feature - KUSA - The Motel Life - Corky Scholl

Best Serious Feature - KOIN - Presumed Guilty - Jeff Granola, Bill Cortez

Best Light Feature - KUSA - The Midway - Corky Scholl, Chris Vanderveen

Best Special Program - KNBC - 50 Watts - KNBC News Staff

Best Use of Social Media - KNTV - NBC Bay Area’s Social Media Platforms - NBC Bay Area Staff

Best News Website - KNTV - NBCBayArea.com - NBC Bay Area Staff

Best Sports Segment - KNBC - KNBC 11 p.m. Sportscast - Fred Roggin & Angelo Simone

Best Videography of Sports - KUSA - Full Moon Open - Reno Boyd, Brian Olson

Best Live Coverage in Spanish of a News Event - KMEX - San Bernardino Mass Shooting - Susana Meza, Alejandro Mendoza , Sandra O’Neil, Oswaldo Borraez, Norma Roque

Best Coverage in Spanish of an Ongoing News Story - KMEX - Beatification of Monsignor Romero - Susana Meza, Norma Roque, Hector Gonzalez, Raul Gutierrez

Best Assignment Team / Live Breaking News in Spanish - KMEX - San Bernardino Mass Shooting - Annette Garcia, Silvia Alvarez, Edith Granero-Ibrahim

Best Producer in Spanish - KMEX - Univision 34 A Las Seis, Susana Meza

Best Investigative Reporting in Spanish - KMEX - Narco Farmacias - Antonio Valverde

Best Serious Feature in Spanish - KDTV - Translatina - Maria Leticia Gomez, Joe Perry, Luis Felipe Godinez

Best Light Feature in Spanish - KMEX - Lola no es La Unica - Francisco Ugalde, Andreas Bonilla

Best Sports Reporting in Spanish - Race to Success - Antonio Valverde, Francisco Vasquez

Best Videography of a News Feature in Spanish - KTAZ - El Cartel de Sinaloa: Decadas de Poder en Arizona

Radio Class 1 Winners, Markets 1 - 50:

Best Live Coverage of a News Event - KXL - UCC Shooting - Joe Simons, Val Stouffer, Jim Ferretti,Chris Brown Rosemary Reynolds

Best Coverage of an Ongoing Story - OPB Radio - Umpqua Community College Shooting - OPB Radio News Staff

Reporter of the Year - KGO Radio - John Lobertini

Best Spot News Story - KOMO Radio - Charlie Harger

Best Investigative Reporting - KCFR - Missed Treatment: Soldiers with Mental Health Issues Dismissed for For For “Misconduct.” - Michael de Yoanna, Daniel Zwerdling, Robert Little, CPR News Staff, NPR News Staff

Best News Writing - OPB Radio - The New Revolution Hall Finds its Niche in a Glorious Historic Building - Aaron Scott

Best Serious Feature - KCRW -Sawtelle Homeless Encampment - Anna Scott

Best Light Feature - KCFR - On Colorado’s Eastern Plains, Fur Trade Re-Enactors Resurrect History - Megan Verlee

Best Use of Sound / Hard News - KGO Radio - The Napa Quake, One Year Later - Scott Lettieri

Best Use of Sound / Feature - KCBS Radio - Choir - Anna Duckworth

Best Sports Segment - KTAR - Paul Calvisi

Best Sports Reporting - KXJZ - California Kids Prepare for Steel Cage Matches - Bob Moffitt

Best Special Program - KPCC - 50 Years After the Watts Riots - KPCC Staff

Best Use of Social Media - OPB Radio - Staff

Best News Website - KTAR - KTAR.com - Carter Nacke, Tyler Bassett, Marcia Hammond, Paul Ihander, Martha Maurer

Best News Promo - KGO Radio - Traffic Translations - Mike Amatori

Television Class 2, Markets 51+

Best Live Coverage of a News Event - KSBY San Luis Obispo - Refugio Oil Spill - KSBY News Staff

Best Spot News Story - KOLD Tucson - Sahuaro Student Brawl - Sonu Wasu

Best Coverage of an Ongoing Story - KGMB Honolulu - Homeless in Hawaii - Scott Humber, Mark Platte, Daryl Huff, Andy Sugg, Mileka Lincoln

Reporter of the Year - KTUU Anchorage - Blake Essig

Best Investigative Reporting - KVOA Tucson - Deceptive Demotion - Steve Ryan, Michel Marizco

Best Producer - KTUU Anchorage - Bridget Mullen

Videographer of the Year - KTUU Anchorage - Shawn Wilson

Best Videography of Hard News - KTUU Anchorage - They’re Hauling Water - Nikki Carvajal, David Brooks

Best Serious Feature - KGMB Honolulu - Desperate for Diagnosis - Lynn Kawano, Tine Howard, Mark Platte, Scott Humber, Andy Sugg

Best Light Feature - KTUU Anchorage - Alaskan Sap Suckers - Blake Essig, Albert Lutan

Best Videography of a News Feature - KTUU Anchorage - Out in the Breezy - Blake Essig

Best Weather Segment - KTUU Anchorage - Meteorologist Robert Forgit

Best Sports Reporting - KOLO Reno - Paddling to Glory - Ben Ross

Best Videography of Sports - KTUU Anchorage - Nets Bigger Than People. - Kari Bustamante, David Brooks

Best Use of Social Media - KTUU Anchorage - KTUU Staff

Best News Website - KGMB Honolulu - HawaiiNewsNow.com - Mark Platte, Scott Humber, Nicole Bento

Best News Promo - KSBY San Luis Obispo - KSBY News Blind Auditions - Brandon Downing

Best Special Program - KHON Honolulu - Kilauea: Facing the Fire - Howard Dashefsky, Marisa Yamane, Ken Mashiyama, Jennifer Brink

Radio Class 2, Markets 51+

Best Live Coverage of a News Event - KCLU Thousand Oaks - Solimar Fire Live - Lance Orozco, Debra Greene

Best Coverage of an Ongoing Story - KSFR Santa Fe - Child Hunger in New Mexico - Deborah Martinez

Best Spot News Story - KUNR Reno - Anti-Campus Carry Protestors Rally - Anh Gray, Michelle Billman

Best Investigative Reporting - KUSU Logan UT - Recreation: It’s Contentious, It’s Litigious, It’s Fun - Jennifer Pemberton, Ross Chambless, Ryan Cunningham

Reporter of the Year - KCLU Thousand Oaks - “Lance Orozco

Best News Writing - KRCC Colorado Springs - Southwest Chief Effors Receive $15.2-Million Federal Boost - Andrea Chalfin 

Best Use of Sound / Hard News - KUNR Reno - More Noise, Less Space - Julia Ritchey

Best Use of Sound / Feature - Jefferson Public Radio, Ashland - To Shoot or Not to Shoot - Liam Moriarty

Best Serious Feature - KUNR Reno - Capturing Native Languages Before They’re Lost - Michelle Billman

Best Light Feature - KUNC Greeley, CO - The Sandwich Helps Uncover Lost Artist - Stacy Nick

Best Sports Reporting - KCLU Thousand Oaks - L.A. Doesn’t Have Pro Football, But Ventura County Has Cowboys, Rams - Lance Orozco

Best Special Program - KRCC Colorado Springs - Wish We Were here - Noel Black, Jake Brownell

Best News Website - KCLU Thousand Oaks - KCLU News Online - Lance Orozco

Student Categories - Television & Radio

Best Newscast - Student Television - Cronkite News - Jake Gadon, Anchor

Best General News - Student Television - Cronkite News - Phoenix - Phoenix Parking Meters - Megan Thompson

Best Photography - Student Television - Fresno State University - Bulldog Blimp - Fabiola Ramirez

Best Feature - Student Television - Cronkite News - Phoenix - Music Teacher in West Phoenix Making a Difference - Yahaira Jacquez

Best Feature - Student Radio - Fresno State University - Netflix and Chili - Sierra Downey, Laura Tsutsui

Associated Press Television Radio Association President John Zuchelli is proud to have made this announcement.  The Associated Press is the world's largest and oldest news-gathering organization, and is proud to be a part of the commitment to excellence as exemplified in these awards.

Major New Findings: Evidence of Martian Water

NASA reports new findings from its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provide the strongest evidence yet that liquid water flows intermittently on present-day Mars.

Using an imaging spectrometer on MRO, researchers detected signatures of hydrated minerals on slopes where mysterious streaks are seen on the Red Planet. These darkish streaks appear to ebb and flow over time. They darken and appear to flow down steep slopes during warm seasons, and then fade in cooler seasons. They appear in several locations on Mars when temperatures are above minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 23 Celsius), and disappear at colder times.

Photo Credit: NASA - JPL-Caltech - Univiversity of Arizona

“Our quest on Mars has been to ‘follow the water,’ in our search for life in the universe, and now we have convincing science that validates what we’ve long suspected,” said John Grunsfeld, astronaut and associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. “This is a significant development, as it appears to confirm that water -- albeit briny -- is flowing today on the surface of Mars.”

Water on Mars: Video Showing Evidence of Downhill Flows

These downhill flows, known as recurring slope lineae (RSL), often have been described as possibly related to liquid water. The new findings of hydrated salts on the slopes point to what that relationship may be to these dark features. The hydrated salts would lower the freezing point of a liquid brine, just as salt on roads here on Earth causes ice and snow to melt more rapidly. Scientists say it’s likely a shallow subsurface flow, with enough water wicking to the surface to explain the darkening.

"We found the hydrated salts only when the seasonal features were widest, which suggests that either the dark streaks themselves or a process that forms them is the source of the hydration. In either case, the detection of hydrated salts on these slopes means that water plays a vital role in the formation of these streaks," said Lujendra Ojha of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta, lead author of a report on these findings published Sept. 28 by Nature Geoscience.

Ojha first noticed these puzzling features as a University of Arizona undergraduate student in 2010, using images from the MRO's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE). HiRISE observations now have documented RSL at dozens of sites on Mars. The new study pairs HiRISE observations with mineral mapping by MRO’s Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM).

The spectrometer observations show signatures of hydrated salts at multiple RSL locations, but only when the dark features were relatively wide. When the researchers looked at the same locations and RSL weren't as extensive, they detected no hydrated salt.  

Ojha and his co-authors interpret the spectral signatures as caused by hydrated minerals called perchlorates. The hydrated salts most consistent with the chemical signatures are likely a mixture of magnesium perchlorate, magnesium chlorate and sodium perchlorate. Some perchlorates have been shown to keep liquids from freezing even when conditions are as cold as minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 70 Celsius). On Earth, naturally produced perchlorates are concentrated in deserts, and some types of perchlorates can be used as rocket propellant.

Perchlorates have previously been seen on Mars. NASA's Phoenix lander and Curiosity rover both found them in the planet's soil, and some scientists believe that the Viking missions in the 1970s measured signatures of these salts. However, this study of RSL detected perchlorates, now in hydrated form, in different areas than those explored by the landers. This also is the first time perchlorates have been identified from orbit.

MRO has been examining Mars since 2006 with its six science instruments.

"The ability of MRO to observe for multiple Mars years with a payload able to see the fine detail of these features has enabled findings such as these: first identifying the puzzling seasonal streaks and now making a big step towards explaining what they are," said Rich Zurek, MRO project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

For Ojha, the new findings are more proof that the mysterious lines he first saw darkening Martian slopes five years ago are, indeed, present-day water.

"When most people talk about water on Mars, they're usually talking about ancient water or frozen water," he said. "Now we know there’s more to the story. This is the first spectral detection that unambiguously supports our liquid water-formation hypotheses for RSL."

The discovery is the latest of many breakthroughs by NASA’s Mars missions.

“It took multiple spacecraft over several years to solve this mystery, and now we know there is liquid water on the surface of this cold, desert planet,” said Michael Meyer, lead scientist for NASA’s Mars Exploration Program at the agency’s headquarters in Washington. “It seems that the more we study Mars, the more we learn how life could be supported and where there are resources to support life in the future.” 

There are eight co-authors of the Nature Geoscience paper, including Mary Beth Wilhelm at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California and Georgia Tech; CRISM Principal Investigator Scott Murchie of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland; and HiRISE Principal Investigator Alfred McEwen of the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona. Others are at Georgia Tech, the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique in Nantes, France.

The agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California manages the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Project for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Lockheed Martin built the orbiter and collaborates with JPL to operate it.

More information about NASA's journey to Mars is available online at:

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/journeytomars

For more information about the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/mro

Paradigm Shift: Television to Digital Media

The email capped off a bruising week.  "Build Your Channel" says a leader in online video, soliciting me again in the email, hoping to boost viewership on my two "channels."

I couldn't help but think it a bit serendipitous given a hellish week for the giants of media.  It began with Disney, the world's largest entertainment company, admitting television holdings are underperforming.  CBS had already raised concern the day before with its quarterly earnings report.  Investors "panicked,"  slashing almost $60-billion in value from companies like Viacom, Time Warner, and Fox.

It has been "the golden age of television," with an unbelievable amount of programing available on what increasingly seems like an unlimited number of platforms.  It has, at least, up until now.

"Too much"

Now there's word the industry itself is overburdened with programing at a time when digital content is mushrooming.  The head of FX Networks says viewers are going to have an increasingly difficult time cutting through "the clutter:"

http://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:b8ee4c48c5bb46249c71bd09ba9ab26a

Here's more on FX Network CEO John Landgraf's comments from the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-fx-ceo-john-landgraf-there-is-simply-too-much-television-20150807-story.html

Did you catch the number:  370 originally-scripted television series in 2014.  No wonder we were having trouble keeping track on the new shows.

How things will wash out is anyone's guess, but I'm excited.  I've been honing my digital skills, expecting just what's happening.  Now we're on the cusp of the transition.   We've been in the Charlie Chaplin era of online video and now moving into something more sustainable.  Now's the time to jump on board.

Sony Hack's Presidential Response

The White House is clearly not impressed with independent analysis that the hacking of Sony's computer network is linked to a former employee.

The Administration, in issuing new sanctions, flat out blames North Korea for the attack that disabled Sony's network of computers:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/02/statement-press-secretary-executive-order-entitled-imposing-additional-s

Last month's cyber attack shook the technology sector by shutting down Sony's computer network, forcing the movie studio to cancel the premiere of "The Interview," and leading to the release of confidential company correspondence.

Internet security experts then questioned the hermit kingdom's ability to carry out such a sophisticated attack.  Some claimed a former Sony employee may be ultimately responsible for the data breach.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-31/who-really-hacked-sony-.html

In announcing the new sanctions, President Obama's letter to congressional leaders cites "activities that threaten the United States and others."

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew's statement on Friday focused on holding North Korea "accountable for its destructive and destabilizing conduct."  The executive order adds to existing sanctions by directing the Treasury Department to cut off access to the U.S. financial sector for 10 individuals and three North Korean government entities.

The crippling attack on Sony's U.S. computer network came as it prepared to release "The Interview," a parody of North Korea's young leader and a comedic plot to assassinate him.

The company that appears to have taken the lead it questioning the U.S. response to the hack attack is laying low.  

Kurt Stammberger, with the cybersecurity firm Norse, issued a "no comment" this weekend when asked to respond to the President's executive order.

The Daily Beast reports that unnamed officials have told them that "investigators have also been privately sharing some of their findings with private cyber security companies that also have invested several years in monitoring North Korean hacker groups in an effort to help vet their case and bolster their claims."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/02/u-s-spies-say-they-tracked-sony-hackers-for-years.html

The President's executive order is the first official U.S. response to the attack and follows a still unexplained shutdown of North Korea's limited Internet service.

The attack has helped put cybersecurity at the forefront of U.S. and corporate interests at the start of the New Year.

https://www.dhs.gov/topic/cybersecurity

Sony Hack a Possible Inside Job

A company specializing in cybersecurity finds North Korea may not be responsible for the hacking of Sony after all.  Investigative work by Norse raises the possibility that one of the worst cases of corporate espionage involving the Internet was an inside job.

If true, the investigation would prove the FBI wrong, leave President Obama with egg on his face, and be a major embarrassment for Sony.  A company spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

A Norse spokesman confirms their research shows a former employee may have been instrumental in the release of mounds of Sony data, including sensitive emails and other company documents.  Whoever is responsible for the release of the information could then have worked to make it appear as if North Korea was responsible.

According to Kurt Stammberger, one of the company's senior vice president's, the investigation found links to a former Sony employee.  Identified only as "Lena," the worker is said to have left the company back in May after having worked for Sony for ten years or more.

CBS News was the first to carry the story nationally:

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/doubt-cast-on-north-korea-as-source-of-sony-hack

In addition, CBS News aired an interview this week by a former Anonymous hacker turned FBI informant who says it's a long shot to think North Korea could have pulled off the job.  

Hector Monsegur says the hack involved to much data to have gone unnoticed by Sony and those responsible for threats agains the company could have easily made it appear North Korea was at fault.  

There is reported to have been a demand for money from Sony before the alleged hackers went public with confidential company correspondence.  

The FBI is said to be continuing its investigation into what is turning into a crime possibly worth tens of millions of dollars.  

You'll remember that theater owners say they were forced to cancel the Christmas premiere of "The Interview" over worries of a terrorist attack.  Then Sony all together pulled the plug on the release, only now reversing itself.  

Besides throwing Hollywood into a frenzy over inside information with regard to movie studios business, the revelations have drawn international condemnation of North Korea and its dictator who have maintained their innocence.

Europe Vs. Google:   

Don't think for a moment that it can't happen.  The Europeans appear ready to to try and break up Google.  They've been flighting with Internet behemoth for years, and it's now getting serious.

The issue formally comes to the table as early as Thursday.  That's when the European Parliament considers a resolution on digital rights.  Just how the Europeans could force an American company to break up is anybody's guess.  That doesn't mean they aren't going to try.

Specifically, a German lawmaker has drafted language to break up the Internet behemoth and a vote on it is scheduled for as early as Thursday in Brussels.

Having lived in Europe for years, I can attest to the disdain felt there for American companies who executives think they can operate the same way on the continent that they do in the U.S.

Berlin is leading the fight.  The city was once home to the notorious Stasi secret police, run by a communist dictatorship that made East Germans the most spied on peoples in the history of the world.  Both the German Chancellor and the country's President grew up under the communist regime and they are both extremely hostile to anything that smacks of undo surveillance.

I was particularly stuck while I was living in Berlin by the vehement opposition to Google's "Street View."  At the time, Germany successfully forced the company to block the view of the homes of those who protested having their residences show up on an Internet search.

Another big battle was one earlier this year.  It involved forcing the leader in Internet search to keep part of people's personal history from showing up when someone googled their name.  Score another one for the Europeans.  The "Right to be Forgotten" rule is now being used by thousands of people each day in Europe.

The Europeans have been working for years on antitrust legislation aimed at Google.  The thought is that the Internet search portion of the company should be separated out from the advertising and commercial arm.  After all, Google can tinker with search results to favor its clients.  

Google, by far, is the dominant search engine in Europe.  Why should it be given free reign to modify search results to strengthen its bottom line?  

Simply put, Europeans want guarantees that search results are based on what's best for the user, not what's best for Google.

________________________________________

About the Author:  A journalist for more than 30 years, Henry Mulak has worked both domestically and internationally.  He made his first visit to East and West Berlin in 1981 as a student, then obtained his Journalism Degree from Humboldt State University where he also minored in German.  In 1999, he became a RIAS Fellowship and studied European Union politics in Berlin, Brussels and Cologne.  Most recently Henry freelanced as a reporter in Berlin between 2010 and 2013.  He's certified to test for intercultural competence in English and holds a CTESOL, allowing him to teach worldwide and now resides in Los Angeles. 

New Duties:  Coordinator for the Associated Press Television Radio Association:

Imagine being caught in the vortex that is today's media and being charged with helping improve content by strengthening membership in one of the world's largest news gathering organizations.

That's me!

I'm the new APTRA Coordinator. My particular chapter of the Associated Press Television Radio Association represents AP's broadcast news members in 17 states, most notably California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Hawaii, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska.

Naturally, as a seasoned, career journalist I couldn't be more excited.

The AP is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, as a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members, it can maintain its single-minded focus on newsgathering and its commitment to the highest standards of objective, accurate journalism.

AP’s commitment to independent, comprehensive journalism has deep roots. Founded in 1846, AP has covered all the major news events of the past 165 years, providing high-quality, informed reporting of everything from wars and elections to championship games and royal weddings.

Today, AP employs the latest technology to collect and distribute content. It is in the process of overhauling its video and photography content: transitioning to high-definition, expanding its coverage and building a new, flexible, powerful infrastructure. AP has the industry’s most sophisticated digital photo network; a 24-hour continuously updated online, multimedia news service; a state-of-the-art television news service; and one of the largest radio networks in the U.S. Its commercial digital photo archive is one of the world's largest collections of historical and contemporary imagery. AP Mobile, the AP’s award-winning news app, has been downloaded over 9 million times since its launch in 2008, and AP has a strong social media presence, building new connections between AP and its members, customers and consumers.

Since the Pulitzer Prize was established, in 1917, AP has received 51 Pulitzers, including 31 photo Pulitzers.

AP, which is headquartered in New York, operates in more than 280 locations worldwide, including every statehouse in the U.S. Two-thirds of its staffers are journalists.

I'll be working out of Los Angeles where the AP maintains a robust presence but will be focused on all APTRA's member states in the Western United States.