The Director's Chair

It's Official

ScottR — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:28:00 GMT

At 9:11pm, John Allan Muhammed passed away from his lethal injection ending a tragic period in the DC/Metro region. Our website is carrying live coverage of the press conference now. We'll have more at 11pm and on wusa9.com.

Sniper Coverage

ScottR — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:21:00 GMT

For anyone that would like to see our live coverage of the execution of John Allan Muhammed, you can see it at www.wusa9.com. We will be going live on the air in the 9pm hour and streaming additional coverage throughout the evening.

Justice Will Be Served

ScottR — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:20:00 GMT

After seven years, John Allen Muhammad will be executed for his crimes. Tonight marks a beginning and an end to one part of the DC Sniper attacks of 2002.

I still remember the coverage to this day. For the past 11 and half years, I've had a front row seat to many historical events. Unfortunately, many of them were tragic. Many of the events hit close to home, but this one was unique in that it was active story for several days. 9/11 was an on going and active story, but the actual attack took place in that one day. In this story, the attacks just seemed to keep on coming, day after day.

Every day during the attacks, we would always be breaking away for the newest press conference on the case. Every evening, the newsroom was buzzing with activity. Every few days, another victim was killed. It wore on all of us.

Several nights stick out in my mind. The tarot card find was reported exclusively by Mike Buchanan. It was a big story for us and for the case. A side note here--when a movie was made about the attacks, the tarot card portion of the story was in the movie. The actor who played Mike's part was some young "buck" whose name escapes me at the moment.

Of course, the night the snipers were found was a big night too. It was also a night where everyone could breathe a collective sigh of relief.

The attacks were stressful on everyone not just in the newsroom, but everywhere.

I used to fill my car up at the Sunoco service station that was the site of one of the attacks. Each time I filled up, I along with other customers would look over our shoulders for anything out of the ordinary.

I shopped at the Home Depot where another attack took place. It was the same story here. Like the gas stations, everyone would be looking over their shoulders for anything suspicious and would walk rapidly to their vehicles after leaving a store.

It was bad for everyone, personally and professionally. Cox Farms in Fairfax County holds an annual fall festival. Many field trips were canceled and there were not too many people at the festival during the weekend.

Of course, most affected by the attacks were the victims and their families. For the families, tonight will bring a sense of closure in that the mastermind will no longer walk this earth. It will also mark a new beginning as they hopefully will move forward in their lives after their tragic losses.

Tonight, justice will be served.

More Redskins News Out Of The Control Room

ScottR — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:36:00 GMT

I just got done directing the 6pm newscast. The two main topics that stuck out with me: H1N1 and the Redskins.

Brett just announced on our newscast a new forum for fans to sound off. Click on the "Forums" tab and then the "Skins Sound-Off" tab.

Within minutes of this new forum, here are some comments:

Maurice Carter: I am a DIE HARD REDSKIN FAN.... And what they are doing is bullsh t for real.....Dan Snyder need to let Zorn Coach and the Players play... That's what he pay's them for....

Joe Gronau Dans "Master Plan" is do discourage the fans soo much that they stop coming to the games so he can sell the team away from DC. Ever see the movie "Major League"? He's the evil owner. He knows NOTHING about football and even less about customer satisfaction. What a moron!!

Barbara Bowden Snyder, is acting like a poor LITTLE rich BOY!!!!!! BOOHOO!!!

Donna Wilson Hall Dan Snyder is a big baby, just like Mr. Zorn.

Arnold King I'm outraged at Dan Snyder for telling the media not to talk to the fans. It don't make sense. The fans come to the games, root for the Skins, and they can't speak their opinion. He is destroying the team. In addition, he won't listen to anybody. Fan support has already declined and I'm about to lose interest in the team

Mr. King's comment is one that should be very important for Mr. Snyder to listen to. This will be one hot topic for some time to come...UNLESS Dan Snyder comes out and talks with his "bread and butter," the fans. Without fan support, there is no way Dan Snyder or any owner can run a team. The fans deserve and have earned more respect from Mr. Snyder than they're getting right now.

Redskins News Out Of The Control Room

ScottR — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:21:00 GMT

I just got out of the control room. I was serving as a remote coordinator talking to our reporters out in the field. Dave Statter was assigned to a Redskins story. The story dealt with having signs taken away from fans at FedEx field.

That in itself is bad, but the real meat of the story:

There was a sign posted in Bethesda that wasn't so kind to Dan Snyder. The fan wanted to remain anonymous because he was afraid if he showed himself, the team would take away his season tickets! Wow.

The other part of the story is that the Redskins have now a new rule that FORBIDS fans from talking to the media on Redskins property. In other words, if you're out at a tailgate party, you can't talk to a tv or newspaper reporter...something that's done all the time.

This is going way too far now. Mr. Snyder may own the team, but he doesn't own the fans.