Eric_White's Blog

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In January of 2000 I was new to the news business. And what a welcome this kid reporter got.

I was less than a month into a new job at KFXB, a FOX affiliate in Dubuque, Iowa. In my second week of employment I interviewed then Texas Governor George W. Bush. I remember thinking this guy could be the next leader of the free world. That's kind of cool feeling.

Days later I found myself in the trenches of the Iowa Caucuses. I asked myself, "What the heck is a caucus?" I soon found out.

To me, this political process seemed like more of a cattle call. Except In this rodeo there was politicking, there was wooing of the undecided voters, there was - to me - quite a bit of confusion.

I only spent a few minutes at said event. And I was watching from the sidelines. Or should I say outside in the freezing cold. But there was excitement. Caucus-goers were pumped. Media members were chilled - yet giddy. At 7:30PM - I hit deadline, raced back to the station, and edited a piece that would make a new reporter proud.

Today's recollection of 8 years ago is a little hazy. And looking back, it's fair to say I didn't really appreciate the moment while I was IN the moment.

For more election (and caucus) coverage, visit election.myfoxwghp.com.

Thanksgiving is one week away.  Many of us have much to be thankful for. 

I'm sure soldiers who have served in the Middle East and are home to spend the holidays with their loved ones feel the same way.

Let me know what your Thanksgiving plans are.  We may be able to catch up with you and your family to share your story.  I can be reached at ewhite@wghp.com

Thanks so much and Happy Holidays!

How can we be SO similar yet SO different?  I'm talking about my generation - your generation - and the next generation. 

If you work in a workplace that includes baby boomers, generation x'ers (born before 1980), and the Millennials (born in 1980 and after) we want to hear from you.

It's part of a story on the generations and their ability to work together.  You can reach me at ewhite@wghp.com. 

Hey all.  I'm looking for someone who has a car that's a "road warrior".  By that I mean a car that has a ton of miles and is still going strong.  If your car has 200,000 plus miles and is still running like a beauty hit me up at ewhite@wghp.com.

We are doing a story on keeping your car on the road for the long haul.  I want to know your secret.  Thanks so much for watching and checking us out at "myfoxwghp.com"

 

Last Friday, Photojournalist Chris Weaver and I were on the hunt for news.  What we found wasn't exactly newsworthy.  But it was pretty cool.

They call themselves the "Friends of the Five Day Weekend."  Their message goes something like this, "Americans work too hard, for too little, for too long."  I tend to agree. 

After covering this story some may say  I've gone a little haywire.  Check out my desk.

 Producer Josh Roberts looks a little confused.  Oh well.  I won't have to deal with him until next Monday when my weekend is over.

 

 

Driving around in a news car is more like hovering in magnet.  People love coming up to us and sharing there thoughts, opinions, observations, rambling diatribes, complaints, jokes.  You get the point.

Most of the time the information is very helpful.  Sometimes the thought leads to a great story.  Other times the things just make you hmmmmm.

When one of these hmmmm'ers cross my path I'm going to share it with you.  Here's number one.

Yesterday while outside the Forsyth County Hall of Justice a man asked me, "Why did Neill McNeill say that story about Sanjaya?  That was rude."

I had no idea what this jolly old fellow was talking about.  He could sense my look of confusion.  "You know, the American Idol man", he said.  "I think that was mean to talk about his momma like that."

Now I'm not a American Idol watcher (sorry bosses).  But I vaguely remembered the story about Sanjaya's mom doing something about something and getting in trouble with the law.

The man added, "That's negative news.  Sanjaya had nothing to do with it.  It shouldn't have been in the news period!"

I told the gent I appreciated his thoughts and would be sure to pass them along to the bosses. 

Out of all the things he could have brought up, why this?  I guess I'll never know.

It's not a manly thing to admit.  But I like to cook.  I don't get a lot of time to do it.  When I do, I enjoy experimenting with food. 

Thanks to a number of books and access to the internet I've got thousands maybe even millions of recipes I'd like to share.  This is what we'll do.  I'm going to pick out a recipe.  It's up to you to give it a try.  That's right.  I want someone out there to give this recipe a rating. 

It can be 5-4-3-2-1 stars, stomachs, however you want to grade.  Next week we'll give another recipe a whirl.

Now the moment you've been waiting for.  Recipe number one at random is...

Grapes and Sausages:

4 servings

Preheat oven to 500F.  Prick all over with a fork to prevent bursting:

    1.5 pounds sweet Italian sausages

Heat in a large heavy skillet over medium heat:

   2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Add the sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 20 minutes.  Mix in a baking pan:

   12 ounces seadless grapes, halved if large

   2 teaspoons minced rosemary

Lay the sausages over the grapes.  Roast about 20 minutes.  Season with:

   Salt and black pepper to taste  (a dash of balsamic vinegar)

So I'm entering a state of confusion.

Yesterday... at least I think it was yesterday (see what I mean)... I headed home, got the mail, unlocked the door, and two minutes later realized I had no idea where my keys were.

The keys had to be somewhere.  I used them to drive the car and get into the house.  I looked in the keyhole, under the chair, in the bathroom, under the fridge, behind the computer.   Nowhere.  I felt helpless.

Out of the blue I decided to check the garbage.  There the lost keys were!  Sitting in a funky - moldy tv dinner tray that was in the garbage for who knows how long.  Why would I do such a thing?  Why would I think to check for my keys in the garbage? 

I guess it could have been worse.  I could have thrown them in the toilet.

Starting Sunday night photojournalist Chris Weaver and I will take you to Yuma, Arizona.  It will be a chance to meet NC National Guard Soldiers who have volunteered to help secure the US border by stopping illegal immigration and smuggling operations.  You will hear from them in our stories and an our website.  We have invited those soldiers to blog about their daily duties and experience.

What would you like ask them?

 

Ladies and Gentleman start your engines! The 2007 NASCAR season is just days away. Can you feel the excitement? I sure as heck can!

Listen... I'm trying to track down the biggest, baddest, and most loyal NASCAR fans in the Piedmont. If YOU or someone you know is loading up the RV and heading to Daytona I want to hear from you. We want to do a story on what it takes to plan a successful trip to the greatest race of the year.

You can email me at "eric.white@foxtv.com"

Remember the days of Chester Cheetah rambling on about it not being, "easy being cheesy." Seems like that Cheetos campaign was at its' peak back in the 80's.

That was also the last peak we saw of the Chicago Bears. Over the last 20 years it ain't been easy being a Bear fan. Oh I'm not complaining. This PAIN is what makes this year so great.

I grew up in the heart of Illinois farm land. There wasn't much to do. School and sports kept us occupied. And every Sunday in the fall and winter my family crowded around the tv to root for our Bears. During my pre-teens we won a Super Bowl and a number of division championships. But Bear season didn't stop when the weather got warm.

Nearly every summer, we'd make the trek north to Platteville, Wisconsin to watch Chicago Bears training camp. I know what you're thinking. Wisconsin and the Bears??? I can't explain it - just bear with me. Training camp was a time to get close to the players and coaches. Some, like coach Mike Ditka, were kind enough to pose for pictures. I've included a picture on here of an 11 year old punk getting a autograph from Da Coach. That's right. That kid with the goofy glasses is me. Those were the days. Now - finally the Bears are writing a new victorious chapter.

This Bear season there have been more smiles than frowns. I can't say that it will end this way. But it's sure nice to know the Monsters of the Midway will be playing into February. GO BEARS!

Hey everyone. I'm trying to find local soldiers who have completed tours of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan and have front line video.

We'd be interested in interviewing our local heros and showing some of their footage. If you know anyone that fits the profile feel free to write me an email at "ewhite@wghp.com"

Thanks so much for the help. - Eric

Life is hard. So is making a buck legitimately. Last week photojournalist Chris Weaver and I met eight kids.

They're between the ages of 16 and 23. I know the system may consider them adults, but let's face it. How many of us look back to our previous lives and say we didn't make mistakes as a result of our young ignorance?

These eight individuals are suspected drug dealers. They "worked" in Greensboro's Smith Homes public housing. Notice the past tense.

Greensboro police and the district attorney are giving the boys and girls a second chance. There is a catch. The suspects have to give up drug dealing PERIOD. The City of Greensboro is even helping them find a job or get an education. If they decide to deal drugs, prosecutors say prison is the next step.

I hope this program works. I hope these boys and girls find something they're good at. Something legal. Something they and their famlies and friends can be proud of. It's possible, isn't it?

This may be a bit late but...

Am I the only one surprised by the amount of news coverage (nationally and locally) given to the fact that the "Crocodile Hunter" was killed?

Come on. This guy played with lions, tigers, bears, cobras, wombats, elephants, alligators, crocodiles, narwhals, and stingrays on a daily basis. It seems to me that's more than nine lives.

Don't get me wrong. I don't get any joy knowing the "Crocodile Hunter" became the hunted. I just remember saying, "I'm not surprised," when hearing this news.