Oh my God, snow!As a former TV news executive producer and news anchor in the Sioux Falls market, I can tell you how the story arch of this winter storm has and will play out over the next few days on the local airwaves and press.

ACT I--Midweek last week. "My God, there's a storm coming! We don't know for sure where or how much, but it's coming! Prepare!"

ACT II--Day before yesterday. "My God, it's almost here, It's almost here! Prepare, prepare, prepare! Oh my God, it's going to snow!"

Stories:

• Snowblower madness (Story must be done at Ideal Yardware).  "My God, it's going to snow.  You need to buy a snow blower!"
• Governor Says Be Careful.  "My God, it's going to snow.  Don't make me have to pull you out of a snow drift!"

Act III--Yesterday. "My God, it's starting to snow! We know you are too stupid to remember that you shouldn't drive in this stuff, so here are some reminders!"
Oh my God, snow on the radar!

• Winter Driving Reminders [KELOLAND]
• Winter Storm Rolls Through Catching Travelers By Surprise   South Dakota Highway Patrol warns drivers of dangerous road conditions that have already hit parts of area. [KSFY]
• Drive to Arrive http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10231944/  Today's winter blast hitting parts of South Dakota is a clear sign winter is here. [KDLT]

ACT IV--Today.  "My God, It's snowing.  In fact, we'll send our reporters out in the snow and show you that it is not just snowing, but snowing on our staff!"

Today's likely stories:

• Shoveling safety.  "You could kill yourself shoveling!"
• Driving safety, part II.  "You could kill yourself driving!"
• Cleaning off the snow.  "The city and state are cleaning off the streets and roads.  My God, snow plows could kill you!"
• Cleaning off the snow, part II.  "My God, people are using snow blowers to remove "the white stuff.""

ACT V--Later today and tomorrow.  "My God, it snowed!"

Predicted stories:

• More cleaning up.  "My God, even old ladies shovel their walks!"
• Kids play in the snow.  "My God, look at the kids play on their snow day!"
• Sledding safety.  "My God, sledding will kill you!"
• If power outages, how to survive a power outage.  "My God, we're out of power.  Here's what to do to survive."  (But of course, the people who need to see it can't because they have no power.)

My God, be safe!  Read this blog!  It's snowing!  It's winter in South Dakota!