This Just In: APC Blog

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.

Tim Russert.

Enough said.

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.

A few months after a moving and powerful speech to the Atlanta Press Club, Hamilton Jordan, former President Jimmy Carter’s chief of staff, died Tuesday of cancer. According to a statement, the 63-year-old Atlantan died peacefully at home. We at the Press Club offer sincere condolences to Mr. Jordan’s friends and family, including President and Mrs. Carter. We are honored Mr. Jordan spoke to our members in one of his last public appearances.