According to Gannett Blog, tonight is the Night of Long Knives for Gannett, Inc., the corporation that owns the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

An excerpt:

Managers are now calling subordinates, notifying them by phone that they're being laid off, a handful of readers say.

One wonders if there is some justice in the world and Randall Beck got "the phone call" after he made his phone calls tonight offing his own staff at the Argus. 

Gov. Mike Rounds has appointed AP Statehouse reporter Joe Kafka as his new press secretary.

Joe is a solid newsman and has covered Pierre for 22 years.  This is a serious pick with lots of gravitas and I commend the Governor.  I think Joe can probably pry some more governmental openness out of Gov. Mike.

My good friend Mitch Krebs, the soon to be ex-press secretary, is going to a media relations gig at Avera McKennan.

Congratulations and good luck to both Joe and Mitch as they start their new careers!

You may have noticed some changes in the feeds at right.  I am in the process of separating out the SD Mainstream Media blogs from the SD Citizen Journalist and Blogger blogs.  The feed for the Lake Herman Accordites--our small band of merry local bloggers--remains the same.

As the MSM continues to struggle, I think it is important to point out the distinction.  There are some MSM blogs that I think are "community" and personal in nature and it pains me to put them in the SD MSM listing.  Those would include Take It Outside, Mt. Blogmore, and Politically Speaking.  But I had to draw a line.

On the other hand, I kept South Dakota Magazine in the SD Citizen Journalist and Blogger group as it is largely the voice of its non-out of state owner, Rep.-elect Bernie Hunhoff.

I even added Sibby Online back into the SD Citizen blog feed.  Now Steve, don't make me regret that decision! ;)  (So much for that reprieve from the Sibmeister.)

But I digress.

I also wanted to give greater prominence to non-MSM owned blogs. 

I have a ton of feeds to go through so bear with me as I make the changeover.

I realize that it's ultimately all just one big internet.  But I think a little distinction between what we non-corporate journalists and bloggers do should be set apart from those who are.  It's not a criticism, just a recognition.

Though America has troubles, it believes in President-elect Barack Obama.

I believe in Barack.  My Man Crush on the Man Crush was rewarded.

So, I'm not real ticked off about anything.  Which is bad for a blogger.  Who wants to read posts about how great America will be under President Obama's enlightened leadership?   Exactly.

And picking on President George W. Bush while he's on his way out the door seems, well, unseemly.  And President Bush has been nothing but cordial to Obama and is finally acting like a responsible adult.

So, sorry I'm not all honked off about anything.  I'm still full of Barack pixie dust.

This was an awful week for journalism in South Dakota.

First, we learn that long-time Argus Leader Statehouse reporter Terry Woster is being let go because of Gannett’s budget problems.  It may mean the closure of the Argus Pierre bureau.  Never mind one of the state’s most experienced reporters to hit the road.

Second, KSFY-TV unveils probably the cheesiest and stupidest feature I have ever seen on local TV news anywhere—“Wheel of Justice.”

My colleague Pat Powers called it “Wheel of Felons,” which is actually more accurate.  I have never seen a more cringe-worthy five minutes of local TV news in my life.  It was embarrassingly stupid “info-tainment.”  One has to watch it to actually believe it. 

My colleague Dr. David Newquist, the anti-blogger, recently bemoaned in very explicit and elegant terms, the decline of journalism in our state and nation.

But I want to do more than just bitch.  I want to try and solve the problem or at least present a possible solution.

I think us local bloggers and citizen journalists need to step forward and do more.  Actually, I think we need to bring our efforts together and be an alternative (or in some cases, the primary) provider of news and information.

Below is a copy of an email (with some clean-up) that I sent to fellow bloggers across the spectrum in South Dakota.  If you are a blogger or just a citizen concerned about the poor state of journalism in South Dakota and would like to be part of group that works for a solution, let me know.  You can email me at toddepp(at)gmail(dot)com.

There’s a lot of crap in the blogosphere, including on this blog from time to time.  But there’s also getting to be a lot of crap (and a lack of coverage of critical issues) in the Mainstream Media.  Maybe it is time for citizen journalists to save journalism.

Dear Fellow Bloggers:

I’m sitting in front of my computer earlyon a Sunday morning and looking at my feed aggregator of the work we do.  Then I thought about the Argus Leader’s problems.

I think we have an opportunity with the difficulties our brothersin the print media are having.  While many of us have our biases, weare are open about those biases.  We are honest about where we are coming from in our world views.  What I think we are also good at is understanding our communities and the topics we cover.  When I was a practicing journalist, I thought I was pretty knowledgeable.  However, after practicing law, running my own business, and being involved in politics at the local, state, and national levels, I am far better equipped to report on any number of topics because I have practical experience and first hand knowledge as well as I my previous education and training.  Frankly, I think Pat Powers or I would be a better political reporter now than most of the so-called MSM journalists because of what we have done and experienced.  We just also now happen to bring a political bias as well.

At our picnic at Lake Herman this summer, some of us gathered and wondered what was next for us bloggers.  We took some first steps toward working together. 

But as you all know, blogging is time consuming.  Not all of our posts are of interest to many people. Some are just fillers to keep people coming back while we work on those meaningful posts that either scoop the MSM or give our readers insight.  If we could post less often as individuals in order to improve the content of our posts yet have other great content on a site, that would seem to be the best of both worlds.

What I’m suggesting is some sort of newspaper-like approach wherewe put in one place the best of what we do.  Like a good newspaper,there is a diversity of voices.  Some on the Left and Right have done multiple contributor blogs and sites.  I’d like to take that concept a step further and make it something across the political spectrum.  That way, readers can compare and contrast in one spot.

I also realize that most of us bloggers, myself included, are very independent individuals.  Our individual voice is important to us.  I’m not suggesting that change a bit.  There would be no editing for content or ideas.  (Perhaps we could do some editing for spelling,grammar, and style, ala the AP Stylebook.  Studies show that bad grammar and spelling hurts a blog’s credibility as much as factual inaccuracies.)  We could even keep our individual blogs.  But I’m thinking that eventually, you’d want to transition to the uber-site.

Think of the talent just in this email: Artists, book reviewers, gardeners, sports nuts, former journalists, business people,cartoonists, lawyers, people of faith, people of skepticism, photographers, political wonks, writers, people who know our individual communities, and so much more.

I have no idea what would be the best platform for something like this that we can just basically set it up and forget it.  I’ll leave that to those of you who are more technologically advanced than I am. I also think this could provide an opportunity to sell advertising and actually make some money from our efforts. 

There is an opportunity here, I believe, to have more impact on our readers’ lives and provide them with useful news, views, and information. 

Yeah, I’m probably a hopeless optimist.  But what the heck?

Mull it over and let me know what you think.

Best regards,

Todd D. Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net

Little did I know that I wasn’t writing fiction below.

I have learned that longtime Argus Leader Statehouse reporter Terry Woster will be a victim of the Argus Leader’s impending cuts.

Figures that the Argus would get rid of most of their institutional knowledge about state government and politics as well as a very fine reporter and person.  And one of their higher paid reporters.  And older.   Hmmm.

And I guess covering Pierre and state government isn’t all that damned important. 

My source on this is Heather Marie Mangan, formerly of Pierre and formerly a neighbor of Terry’s.

An excerpt from her blog:

The afternoon of 2008 election, The Argus Leader informed Terry that he would be let go. After decades of serving the South Dakota public, Terry will close the bureau and say goodbye in December.

Forthose of us that know the newspaper business, this is another lost solider. Another dedicated, tenured, respected journalist, whose salary has become too big for suffering newspapers to handle. When Gannett told The Argus it needed to make a 10 percent cut, the biggest expenses had to go. Unfortunately, that happens to be the newspaper’s best reporter.

My boss told me about this today, and as a former newspaper woman married to a newspaper man, she was disgusted. “No one is immune,” she said. She told me that I made the best decision by getting out of the biz. She told me to tell my friend, who was sitting next to me at the time and a reporter for The Rapid City Journal, to get out. It’s not a safe business to be anymore. Each day great employees are being cut because of budgets, such as my former coworker at the ISJ. Or extremely talented reporters are leaving because the future is so dark and clouded.

I have an email into Terry for confirmation. 

I know few of you will cry any tears for what appears to be the demise of or at least the likely increasing suckiness of the Argus Leader.  But we need good newspapers in our democracy.  As much as I think blogging and citizen journalism have been important adjuncts to the traditional press, the MSM—including the Argus—still does it better with more resources.  At least for a while longer.

Good luck to Terry Woster in his next endeavor.  He deserved better from the Argus.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Skitch Trebs

PIERRE--Governor Mike Rounds announced that his administration supports a bailout plan for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

The Governor made the announcement at his weekly news conference today.

"I realize the Argus Leader is always on my case about stuff, like the state airplane and open government," Rounds said.  "Frankly, they are a pain in my ass and most South Dakotans can't stand the rag.  However, I have to look beyond pettiness like them always wondering about who's going hunting with me and how many relatives I've hired and do what's best for South Dakota," he added.

The South Dakota Republican said that the upcoming ten percent cut mandated by parent company Gannett at the Sioux Falls paper would have a profound economic and cultural impact on the state.

"Let's face it.  What would South Dakotans do if they couldn't read what the Lovely and Long Suffering Mrs. Beck thought about life each Sunday," Rounds asked the assembled journalists and staff.  "And what would our citizens do if they couldn't learn about how much better life was in the 1950s and 60s in Chamberlain from columnist Terry Woster?  Exactly.  Our state's quality of life would be greatly diminished," he added.

One reporter who will no longer be allowed to participate in news conferences asked the Governor if his $149,000 bailout plan to use state-backed debentures to prop up the ailing newspaper wasn't politically motivated.

"Sure, the Argus Leader is a great foil," Rounds said.  "And of course every politician covets having their opponent endorsed by the Argus, which is the kiss of political death.  But I have to think of the econmic impact that the loss of even one Argus employee would have on the state's economy," he added.

Rounds noted, for example, if the Argus had to let the restaurant reviewers go, that would have a terrible impact on the Sioux Empire's food service industry.

"Every single restaurant they review gets three out of four possible stars," Rounds explained.  "They conclude that every restaurant in the Sioux Falls area is 'pretty good.'  If they stopped their always positive reviews, the Department of Revenue estimates the loss of sales tax because of fewer diners at over $2 million a year.  Things are too tight with the state budget to allow a hit like that."

Govenor Rounds plans to brief legislative leaders on the details of the bailout prior to the Budget Address on December 2, 2008.

"Together, we can make South Dakota--and the Argus Leader--even better," the Governor concluded.

*If you believe this news release, I have a bridge in Harrisburg I'd like to sell you.

I was on a teleconference with Tom Buis, president of National Farmers Union.  He also advised former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle on farm issues.

Buis said he has never seen a greater contrast in the candidates for President on agriculture.

“Sen. McCain, in the House and Senate for a quarter of a century, has always been a vocal critic of American agriculture,” he said.

Buis also says McCain could cripple the alternative fuels industry.

“He (McCain) votes against renewable energy—not just votes against it but speaks out against it,” Buis said.  “It’s a very wrong move.”

“This election is too important for rural America to go down that road and not produce alternative energy.”

So, despite all this, why does rural America seem to support McCain?

“It’s a lack of education and understanding,” according to Buis.

Jason Frerichs, a Democratic legislative candidate from northeast South Dakota and president of the Roberts County Farmers Union said the alternative energy business is at a critical juncture.

“We’re at a crossroads with the renewable fuels industry in South Dakota,” Frerichs, said.  “Now is not the time for Sen. McCain to throw up the white flag on renewable fuels.”

Buis wouldn’t speculate on who Obama would pick as Secretary of Agriculture should the Illinois Senator win next week.

Rick Hauffe, South Dakota Democratic Party executive director, said Buis is on the short list of possible ag secretary candidates for Barack Obama.

I sent the following email to Argus Leader Publisher Randell Beck today, offering the help of the South Dakota blogosphere regarding newly announced cuts at Gannett and the Argus:

Dear Randell:

I was deeply saddened to read in Editor and Publisher (thanks to a link from SD War College) that Gannett and the Argus will likely undergo a 10% cut before the end of the year. 

Running a newspaper in this day and age must be a daunting endeavor, what, with the bad economy, high interest rates, dropping readership, and pesky bloggers like me and my friends who scoop your professional journalists on a fairly regular basis.  Wow, what a tough job!

But this is not a time for South Dakota’s bloggers to engage in schadenfreude over the misfortunes of Sioux Falls’ newspaper monopoly.  We appreciate the public service the Argus provides by giving away its content online.  It is great fodder for our own blogs.  Plus, it’s nice that people can read most of your newspaper for free without purchasing a subscription.  All you need is a computer and an Internet connection. That is very civic minded of the Argus!

No, in true South Dakota fashion, I’m betting my blogger buddies and I would help your newspaper out in its time of need.  I am part of a loose affiliation of blogs called the Lake Herman Accords. We are community minded bloggers who want good things for our communities and state.  We think a statewide daily newspaper like the Argus is, when it is all said and done, more of a community asset than a community detriment.

So, I will propose to the Lake Herman Accordites and some of my other blogging colleagues that we be good South Dakota neighbors and try to help you raise money for the Argus so you don’t have to make these cuts.  That’s what South Dakotans do: help their neighbors in tough times.

I’m going to suggest we have a SD Blogosphere Argus Leader Bake Sale, followed by perhaps a benefit of some sort (Save the Argus!) or a PBS-style online pledge drive.  Let me know where you want the donations directed.

Randell, I just want you to know that while we may be competitors, we’re also cooperators—and your neighbors.

Please let me know how best we can assist the Argus Leader and its parent company at this difficult time.

Best regards,

Todd D. Epp
Editor
South Dakota Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net

P.S. I particularly enjoyed the Argus endorsement of Sen. McCain, which was preceded by a day or two by a story in the Argus on how the Senator’s dislike of ethanol and other alternative fuels would hurt South Dakota’s farmers and essentially destroy our state’s economy.  That’s the kind of editorial independence and reporting that want to preserve.

The above photo-illustration of Barack Obama is by Sioux Falls cartoonist Jackie Dusseau-Bielke.  She took the photo of the Man Crush when he was in Mitchell, SD prior to the June SD primary.

The snow keeps flying down the mountain against the so-called Clean and Sober Government Act, IM10.

Last night, according to KCCR-AM, the Pierre School Board joined the avalanche of public and private organizations opposed to the gag law.

I'm sure we'll see all sorts of sputtering from the Clean and Sober folks about this being illegal.  Can't have people or groups expressing their opinions, you know.  Dangerous stuff.

And a side note: I've been reading the KCCR-AM news briefings the past week or so.  News director Tony Mangan does more work than any other five journalists in the state combined.  He does a tremendous job covering what's going on in Pierre.  If the Argus had a couple of Tonys, they'd take over the world.  Tony, U DA MAN!

I’m watching the televised Catholic service on KELOLAND.  The priest’s homily is exhorting support of IM 11, the abortion ban measure, and asking Catholics to support anti-choice candidates.

I’m wondering if this triggers equal time or fairness doctrine provisions under federal law.

I’m also wondering if the Campaign for Healthy Families and pro-choice candidates will get the same sort of access to the largest and most influential broadcaster in South Dakota.

Nice to know that both Sanford and the Sioux Falls Diocese have their own TV station.

David Law from the Greater Dakota News Service just interviewed me about the impact of blogging at the Democratic National Convention.

I told him that I thought the proliferation of bloggers brings more immediacy and information to citizens as well as more of an unfiltered view of things.

Also got to pimp this site, which is sweet.

The stories are carried on a number of local and regional radio stations.

Thanks, Dave!

My same source who had it nailed about former KELOLANDer Shawn Cable coming to KSFY also says to expect additional big changes on KSFY's morning show, KSFY Live In the Morning.

My source says, "there is a behind the scenes work going on to revamp the morning show with different talent yet to be announced."

The mere addition of Shawn Cable alone should be a big boost to the show. We'll see what other changes--and people--that means.

Technorati Tags: Shawn Cable, KSFY, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, TV news

Former KELOLAND weathercaster Shawn Cable is going to KSFY-TV.

And who told you way back on May 31, 2008 on how it would all go down?

South Dakota Watch did.

Here's main part of the post:

KSFY Doing a Shawn Cable Shuffle? And, a Weather Coverage Review

A source of mine with a history of reliability poses the following scenario about ex-KELOLAND weathercaster Shawn Cable landing across town at KSFY-TV:

Management moved Patrick (Griesgraber) to weekends with the intent of keeping him and then they will let the new kid go when the time comes with the pretense that he isn’t cutting it and then,…BAM, Shawn does the morning show which will help their ratings. It makes all the sense in the world. Would Cable take the gig? Without a doubt. The other senerio is that by moving Patrick to weekends it would p*ss him off to the point of where he would want to quit thus putting (Derick) Fabert back to weekends and again, Cable goes to mornings. Anyway you cut it………Shawn signs with KSFY. What do you think? His non-compete is over July 31.

Shawn is doing the morning show gig. He starts August 25th.

Funny. The KSFY story doesn't mention Shawn's many years at KELOLAND.

It's nice to be right. And no thanks are necessary.

And congratulations Shawn. (And thanks for another story that will bring tons of hits!)

(Hat tip SouthDakotaMac!)

Technorati Tags: Shawn Cable, KSFY, KELOLAND, South Dakota, TV news