Category Archives: News

Matt Infield has been named Sports Director at WSAW-TV in Wausau. Infield joined WSAW in 2018 as a sports reporter. He replaces Reece Van Haaften who accepted a job in Knoxville last month.

Many states, including Wisconsin, have public records laws. But that doesn’t mean requesters always get the records they seek, or even that the laws are followed. What provisions in a state’s laws are most associated with compliance? The answer may surprise you. It’s not the strength of a law’s penalty provisions or whether a state… – MORE –

It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions in a person’s life – buying a house. But how do you know if you’re ready? Or if it’s even a good move, given the fact you most likely have a contract that’s only two or three years? Reece Van Haaften is the former Sports Director at WSAW-TV… – MORE –

Midwest Environmental Advocates has published an open government guide for Wisconsin covering open meetings and open records laws. The 15-page document would be helpful to anyone new to Wisconsin’s openness laws. The document can be downloaded here [PDF].

A common criticism of hurricane coverage by news outlets is the live shot we’ve all seen of a reporter trying to stay on his or her feet as they stand in the thick of the storm. Poynter is arguing that these reporters play an important role because if those outside the affected area can see… – MORE –

The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute is hosting the following free session on the topic of connecting journalism research and practice: It is now well-established that the long-time economic model on which the news industry has relied is no longer sustainable. Facebook, Google, and declining levels of popular trust in the media have been major… – MORE –

Two Wisconsin broadcast newsrooms have won National Murrow Awards, including a Madison station awarded for overall excellence. WISC-TV won the award in the small market television category for overall excellence. WITI-TV won the podcast award for the Open Record podcast. Find the full list of winners here. The awards were announced Tuesday morning. Award winners… – MORE –

A thunderstorm can disrupt someone’s day, even if the storm isn’t, strictly speaking, “severe” as defined by the National Weather Service. Talent coach and weather content consultant Tim Heller, writing for RTDNA, says, “Local TV station weather teams usually do an excellent job connecting with viewers during severe weather. But we can’t build a loyal… – MORE –

After three years as sports director at WSAW-TV in Wausau, Reece Van Haaften is making a move to Tennessee. Van Haaften is headed to WATE in Knoxville. His last day at WSAW is Friday.

Your WBA is offering members free access to a Poynter educational session titled “Fighting Fakes and Truth Decay.”  The session is online on Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. CT. You can learn more and sign up here. Here’s what you will learn: Where does information come from and who is behind it?  Why do people… – MORE –