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Welcome to the WGAN Newsroom Insider!
On this page I'll tell you about some of the things that have us talking at WGAN, and give you insight into some of the things we are working on in the 24-hour newscenter, along with some of your feedback and commentary. We'll try to have this page updated every weekday by 9am.
WGAN NEWS SERIES THIS WEEK
All this week at 6:20am and 8:20am on the WGAN Morning News, we aired Diana Tracy's exclusive prison interview with convicted murderer Dennis Dechaine. Dechaine, who was found guilty for the rape and murder of Sarah Cherry in 1988, continues to fight to have his conviction overturned. Hear all three parts of "Dennis Dechaine: 20 years later" online now.
HOWIE'S IN THE HALL!
Congratulations to WGAN's afternoon host Howie Carr...his campaign was successful and he's been elected to the Radio Hall of Fame! Thanks to all the Portland-area listeners who helped put Howie over the top. Read more about it here! Tune in the Howie Carr show weekdays on WGAN from 3 to 6pm!
WGAN'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY
Sunday, August 3rd is the 70th anniversary of the day WGAN signed on the air. We'll be celebrating that weekend with guests and sounds from WGAN's first 70 years that weekend. Visit our online retrospective by clicking here...it's got photos and articles from throughout WGAN's history! We'll also be posting interviews online over the next few days from the people who populated WGAN over the years. Go online now to hear interviews from former morning man Bud Sawyer, former Program Director and General Manager Chuck Sanford, and current WGAN News anchor Mike Audet!
THIS WEEKEND ON WGAN
The John McDonald Show airs Saturday and Sunday morning from 6 to 10am.
Inside Maine with Phil Harriman and Barbara Merrill airs this Saturday from 10am to 1pm. Both Phil and Barbara are back in the chair this weekend!
In case you haven't gotten enough of Barack Obama...he's on Meet the Press this Sunday. Hear it at noon Sunday on WGAN.
FRIDAY, JULY 25TH
Guests:
8:08-US National Women's Triathlon champion Becky Lavelle, discussing her race this weekend in Portland, the Zone Urban Epic, and her charity organization, Jenny's Light.
8:38-Eva the Entertainment Diva with the WGAN Entertainment Report.
6:20 and 8:20-Part 3 of the WGAN News Series "Dennis Dechaine-20 years later" with anchor Diana Tracy.
Topics:
6:08-The Daily Rundown , recapping the top stories of the day with Ken and Mike's takes on each of them.
6:38-Should John Edwards' personal life be the subject of media scrutiny?
7:08-Some medical experts say cell phones are bad for you. Is driving with your cellphone more dangerous than the health risks?
7:38-How is Barack Obama still neck and neck with John McCain despite all the media coverage of his Europe trip?
Here's the stories we're following in the WGAN 24-hour newscenter this morning:
After yesterday's wild storms in New Hampshire and Western Maine, we're following the cleanup and recovery. Will the rain stay away this weekend? Stay with WGAN's Weatherwatch 5-day forecasts from StormTeam 13 for the latest updates!
Idexx holds a conference call this morning at 9am discussing its 2nd quarter results.
The Democratic Party's fight to keep Senate Candidate Herbert Hoffman off the November ballot goes to the State Supreme Court today. We'll have an update on the proceedings...
Tom Allen holds a 1pm press conference in to dicuss the Navy's decision to reactivate the DDG 51 program. He'll be at South Park on Washington Street, just a half mile south of Bath Iron Works' South Gate.
Here's the stories that have us talking at WGAN this morning:
NATIONAL/WORLD
Huge crowd sees Obama in Germany
Next stop for Obama: On to Paris
McCain running mate in the offing
Foreclosures double in 2nd quarter
US official claims Afghan PM Karzai hurts drug war
Human rights group claims China still #1 executor
South Texas begins post-Dolly cleanup
Ex-NASA astronaut claims alien coverup
Lieutenant Governors meet in Buffalo
US faults operator of mine on safety
Big hole in jet prompts emergency landing
LOCAL
Intense storm batters New Hampshire, spares Maine
Storms cause major outages statewide
Flood watch once more in Fort Kent
Poll shows Collins leads over Allen
Nonprofit reports nearly $500K theft
Bank robbery suspects seen on videos
Organizer cancels search for missing woman
Arrest in Old Port attack
Hit and run suspect in court
Suspects in home invasions sought
Rafters rescued from river
Freeport to decide what to do about school consolidation
Lightning destroys artifacts in Swans Island fire
Cumberland to consider retail plan
Fairchild to locate near Cabela's
Dirigo adjusts savings estimates for past year
Road test goes bad in Rockland
Plum Creek delays tree harvest
Men jailed after attempted truck theft
Driver cleared in accident that killed Belarus teen
Casco residents to appeal tax decisions
Route 100 bridge detour causing issues
Police looking for high school vandals in Scarborough
Bangor considers raise for taxi drivers
Governor speaks out on energy crisis
UMaine experts predict blueberry crop
MISCELLANEOUS
Mainer behind mapping human genome dies
Couple married at bus station in Lewiston
The other visitor to Hadlock field this week
First "Maine Diploma" issued
Portland considers revamping signs
SATURDAY
NATIONAL/WORLD
Obama, in London, defends trip
McCain steps up attacks on Obama
Falling oil prices mean a little less pain at the pump
FDA clears hot peppers grown in US
Jet lands with hole in fuselage
California bans trans fats
Criminal complaint filed in Edwards/Enquirer story
Security guard confirms Edwards encounter
LOCAL
President Bush coming to Maine
Drowning investigated in Sebago
Fryeburg auto store fire
Nephew of NFL owner admits embezzlement in Maine
Navy decision becomes election issue for Collins, Allen
AG targets teen dating violence
Man airlifted after Route 202 crash
Maine home sales plummet
Casino PAC in black
Sex offender off the porch, back in jail
No word from forensic expert on exhumation of murder victim McClain
Maine spared most damage from Thursday storms
Search continues for bank robbers
Town considers de-organizing
New prosecution practice troubles police
Wet weather threatening berry, bean crops
Future of Lewiston mill uncertain
MISCELLANEOUS
Blueberry festival set for next weekend
Elm in Yarmouth threatened
PD's Mailbag
I welcome your comments and feedback. From time to time I'll post some of your questions and comments along with my replies here. Click here to email me. I try to reply to every email I receive personally. I may not post all of them here, but I will get back to you.
After a recent news conference by the President, Tom emailed with this comment:
Dear Mr. Jeff Wade:
YOU CUT OFF THE PRESIDENT !!!
He was still engaged in his Press Conference and WGAN dropped back to your normal programming. He was right in midsentence! My mouth fell open.
That diffidence is NOT what I've come to expect from my favorite radio news station. I tried to get "public" radio & they were in the middle of a symphony! Please carry the live news when it's happening! When the President's lips are moving, I want to hear what he's saying right then on WGAN!
Tom, Thanks very much for writing in.
In regards to the President's speech: We made the decision to return to regular programming at 11am after airing the President's news conference for nearly 40 minutes. We aired his opening remarks in their entirety and much of the questioning; we chose to return to regular programming at an appropriate point when we felt the questions were becoming repetitive. You are correct-we attempt to air the president whenever he is holding a news conference or making a major policy statement, something other radio stations don't always do. At the same time, we have an obligation to our listeners seeking updates on the day's news and headlines, and our decision was made in an attempt to find a balance between the two. I'll take your comments under advisement as we make future decisions related to live coverage of breaking news events. Thanks for your comments and I am pleased you count us among your favorite radio stations.
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