Television Nation: the news . . .

I thought it might be interesting to isolate a few of the things that are flying through the idiot box. Tonight, from Chicago's CBS affiliate, the WBBM Channel 2 News:

Bold text: headline printed on the screen during story.
Italics: actual quotes from the news presenter.

Lead In:

• The sounds of terror from a mall in Nebraska where one man went on a shootout;
• A local soldier dies in Iraq while his brother shares the pain;
• The third snowfall of the season is upon us.
  

First segment:

1. Flakes Falling: Steve Baskerville with information concerning the storm that will arrive tonight.
• There is a snow advisory in effect.
  
• We will wake to cold conditions, slick roads, and a couple of inches of snow.
2. Snow Plows Wiped Out: Snow plows were wiped out in a fire in Grundy county.
• This making it difficult in lieu of the storms which arrived earlier this week and will arrive tonight.
• Other counties are stepping up to brace for the storm.
3. A live location shot from downtown along the Chicago river looking back toward the Wrigley building with the on-camera talent confirming that snow is falling.
• This early December snow is good for business, a sales woman in high street store says she has sold 14 pairs of boots today.
• A gentleman with a rather large Christmas tree strapped to his station wagon says that he enjoys the current weather, adding that we do better when it's cold.
4. Soldier Killed: One son (Dwayne White) was recently killed in Iraq. His younger brother (Shawn White) was about to leave for his second tour of duty. Shawn's tour of duty has been deferred and he will not be returning to Iraq. The family says Dwayne will be buried with full military honors this Saturday.
5. The missing woman (Dana Peterson) investigation is continuing.
• Dr. Phil is slated to talk tomorrow with people who know the husband. [The husband is a suspect in the woman's disappearance.]
  
6. A recap of yesterday's Omaha, NE 'mall' shooting including video-game-esque re-enaction of the shooters path through the shopping center in which the avatar, in full camouflage fatigues, emerges from an elevator and moves around a bit pointing a gun at other avatars moving up an escalator.
7. Tracking Your Security: CBS 2 News undercover investigators tested security dogs assigned to train stations by walking past the animals with bags marked with the sent of explosives. A hastily identified state representative says CBS 2 News did an invaluable service bringing this situation to light.
• There will be an investigation in to canine training practices.
• There will be new training practices put into place.
  

Lead Out:

• Is America ready for a Mormon president?
• Ford is recalling over a million vehicles, could your's be one of them?
  
• Some local school say stay away from new movie.

Second Segment:

1. Services for Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde, who died last week, were held today. An attendee at the service stated Hyde was a great man who enjoyed helping others and enjoyed the Constitution . . . the morality . . . the rule of law.
2. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney says that, if elected, his religion will not guide his presidency. Romney, who is a Mormon, is currently in a close race with Baptist minister, Mike Huckabee, in the Iowa Caucus.

Lead Out:

• Some local schools warn the movie, The Golden Compass, sends the wrong message to children about God.
• The Internet . . . is it safe?
  

Third Segment:

1. 20 people are linked to a drug smuggling ring in Chicago. Police seized high grade marijuana and 1000 tabs of XTC which came from Toronto and ended up in China Town.
2. The State is cracking down on illegal video gambling. In the segment illegal video poker machines are destroyed.
3. Offensive message? The Golden Compass, a new movie staring Nicole Kidman, has an atheist agenda warns local schools (these are Catholic schools).
• Various religious groups have called for a boycott of the original book and the new movie.
• The Catholic League has published a pamphlet asking parent to boycott movie so children will not be enticed to read the books. The final summary is given by on-air talent, live from the control room.
4. Holiday Lights: a montage of holiday lights across the suburbs.
5. Weather Track: With Steve Baskerville.
   

• The snow will end overnight with possible flurries still at sunrise.
  
• It is presently 23 at O'Hare International Airport.
  
• This mornings low of 0 degrees F tied a record low for this time of year.
  
• This storm is apparently a 1-2 punch.
  
• Prepare for 2-3 inches of sleet and rain Saturday evening which will last into Sunday.
  
• It's gonna be cold, so give yourself time to get going tomorrow.

Lead Out:

• The Bears have problems tonight, and;
• Ford recalls vehicles, We'll tell you what you need to know before you get behind the wheel.

Fourth Segment:

1. Sports: In the game between the Chicago Bear and the Washington Redskins, both quarterbacks were knocked out of the game early.
• It is presently 24-13 (Redskins/Bears) with 3 minutes left to go in Washington, DC.
2. The New England Patriots still have a perfect season going into this week. Patriot players say they will put an end that perfect record this weekend. Patriot Quarterback Tom Brady, says We do our talking on Sundays.
3. NCAA recognized athletes by handing out awards for best quarterback, linebacker, and tight end.
4. The University of Wisconsin-Madison wins over Milwaukee including this great shot from way down town.
5. Barry Bonds vows to play baseball next season even after his obstruction of justice charges in the baseball steroid scandal.
   

Lead Out:

• Is online shopping safe?

Fifth Segment:

1. The Federal government is moving in to help those caught up in the sub-prime lending, mortgage problem. The accompanying file tape shows very high-end gray stone walk-ups in the near north area of the city. [As an aside, the people who live in these properties are NOT those who were taken in by the sub-prime scandal. Is the government stepping in to help the loan recipients, or to bail out the loan holders (ie, the banks, the investors . . . the people who live in these homes? It's just an interesting juxtaposition of image and story.]
2. Ford Motor Company has recalled vehicles because of a malfunctioning engine sensor which could cause the vehicle to stall or even crash!
3. Be careful where you click. Phony copy-cat sites which look like Amazon.com, along with other online retailers, are out there preying on consumers, phishing for credit card and other personal information.
4. And finally: President Bush leads the countdown to light the National Christmas Tree at the White House. This is the first year the lights are LEDs, which means they will save energy.

Goodnight!