by Melanie Levs
Atlanta’s media community has lost two of its own recently.
Former WGCL-TV reporter Fred Powers died of cancer Monday. Though he had not been on the air for a few months, Powers was known for being willing to do most anything for a story, including enduring a dog attack and being Tasered. Visit his family’s website honoring Powers here. WGCL-TV has set up online memorial photos here.
On June 12, well-liked CNN executive producer Bob Coleman died after a long illness. I love what he often told his daughter, Nancy: “My favorite day is a day where I learn something new.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of these well-respected journalists from our community.
by Melanie Levs
Tim Russert.
Enough said.
by Melanie Levs
Nursing a recent hip injury, I’ve been feeling a bit sorry for myself lately. Last Sunday, Memorial Day weekend, I caught a few minutes of Howard Kurtz’s “Reliable Sources” media program on CNN. Those few minutes of TV immediately changed my perspective on my own situation. Kurtz was interviewing Kimberly Dozier, a CBS News correspondent who almost died two Memorial Days ago in a car bombing in Iraq. Her new book, “Breathing the Fire” (Meredith Books) is a riveting account of what transpired before, during and in the two years since the bombing. What an amazing physical and emotional journey Ms. Dozier has undertaken in such a short time. I have been reading the book and, though I still hate my crutches, I am truly inspired by her story. I highly recommend her book as both a fascinating journalistic read and a personal narrative of triumph.