Steve MacDonald ( KTUU News Director) fired?

[snowbear]

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Anyone hear anything about it? ~~ ~~

A friend just called saying she heard it on the radio, but didn't catch the reason for the firing.

I just turned CC on, but haven't heard her mention anything about it..

If it's true.. I wonder why?

[Blue_In_AK]

1. I just read that on the ADN site.

No explanation at all. That's pretty mysterious considering he just got the promotion to John Tracy's spot not too long ago. Hmm...

[snowbear]

2. Thanks Blue.. I just went over and glanced at the ADN blog...

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It's going nuts over there of course.

Seems a lot of people are talking about a new station manager that didn't see eye-to-eye with Steve or something?

This is strange, but I was in Fred Meyers on Abbott Road about 5 days ago, and as the cashier was scanning my stuff, a cute little girl (maybe 5 or 6 years old) that was in line behind me, pointed to the grocery divider-thingie and said to her mom "Look mommy, there's daddy!" (There was a photo of the Channel 2 news team on it)

The little girl.. evidently frustrated that I didn't ask her anything after her comment said even louder (while looking in my direction)

((((("LOOK MOMMY, THERE'S DADDY!!!!!!!")))))

I picked up the divider and said "which one is your daddy?"

The little cutie pie had a huge smile and she pointed to Mike Ross.

Her mom (very sweet lady) said in a southern accent "Oh my Lord, I'm so sorry! Every time I take my daughter to the store she does some major braggin' on her daddy; always pointing at those things"

She said when she has her 7 year old son with her and the daughter points out her dad, her son always rolls his eyes and yells "who cares!" ...LOL!!!

Anyway.. I told the little girl that every time I watch the 10:00 news, I'll be thinking of her from now on.

The mom said "Oh, hopefully you'll be watching him on the 5:00 news really soon-- 'least they sure are working on it!"

I didn't give it a thought until tonight. But who who knows what goes on behind the scenes?

Steve will be missed though, not only because he did a good job.. but because he's heavily involved in the community (coaching hockey, etc.)

Bummer.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Well, I can't imagine that one of the other stations wouldn't pick him up for something.

[northofdenali]

4. Fagan has some info at Alaska Standard

http://thealaskastandard.com/

As does Alaska Pride (not a great source, but info anyway)http://alaskapride.blogspot.com/2009/02/ktuu-channel-2s-highly-respected-steve.html

It seems to be another case of a newbie to the State trying to micromanage the "news"?

[Blue_In_AK]

5. It seems like a mighty petty thing to fire someone over.

Jill Burke, Mike Ross, who cares?

[northofdenali]

6. I like Mike - he seems a rare unbiased newsreader.

Of course, we still need to pay attention to those who actually own the stations here! If left to me, public broadcasting is all that's on the tube :P

[blue_roses_lib]

7. He's Back!!

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=9843402


:bounce: :thumbsup: :woohoo:

Thank god.

:shrug: Still not sure why he went away in the first place.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. I agree with "The Ear" this morning.

It sounded like someone was holding a gun to his head during his announcement after the news on Friday. http://www.adn.com/politics/story/691018.html

HE'S BAAAACK ... Steve MacDonald is back as news director at KTUU Channel 2, which is a good thing. So what's the dish about the drama over there, which is to say him getting fired and unfired by GM Susan Lucas No one tells Ear anything for the record, but here's the twitter: Not clear why he was fired. Word is John Tracy, former news director, and Al Bramstadt, former station manager, both of whom keep a paternal eye on the operation they built, were furious at how Steve was treated and called the station's new owners Outside. The owners sent someone up, negotiations ensued, and Steve is back -- although apparently not as a regular anchor, by choice, Ear is told.

Is the grapevine account accurate Oh please. In the end, Ear's only real question is: Was a gun held to Steve's head for his "I'm back" statement on the broadcast Friday night: "This has been a good experience; thanks for the time off to think deep thoughts about news"

OK, that's not really a quote, but you get the idea.