Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Where the heck is the Insider?

Friday, March 13th, 2009

Coming Monday 3/16 we’ll have a new format for the Insider…check back then!

Newscenter Insider - Monday, March 1st, 2009

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Good morning…Operation Stormwatch is pre-empting this morning’s Insider.  There’s a lot to tell you about though-we’ll fill you in tomorrow!

Jeff Wade
WGAN News and Program Director

Newscenter Insider - February 25th, 2009

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

NOTE

The Insider is traveling Thursday and Friday this week.  Next post is Monday morning.

Here’s what you missed on the WGAN Morning News this morning:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH

Guests: 
7:08-Eye On Politics with Senior Political Analysts Phil Harriman and Ethan Strimling, discussing the top political issues of the week.

Topics:
6:08-
The Daily Rundown and Daily Rundown Late Edition, recapping the top stories of the day with Ken and Mike’s takes on each of them.
6:38-Is it necessary to have a law protecting your right to ask a coworker how much they make?
7:38, 8:08-Reaction to last night’s Presidential address to Congress.

Here’s the stories we’re following in the WGAN 24-hour newscenter today:

The trial of a logging truck driver accused of leaving the scene of a deadly accident continues in Farmington today.

Shannon Atwood, found guilty of killing his girlfriend in Canaan in 2006, will be sentenced today.

The Wells woman accused of setting her husband on fire while he slept will be arraigned in court today.

Matthew Cushing is in court today.  He’s expected to make a plea to charges he murdered his parents and younger brother in Old Orchard Beach last year.

Here’s the stories that have us talking behind the scenes at WGAN:

NATIONAL/WORLD

Obama speaks before joint session of Congress

Home prices down

House Democrats propose new spending bill

Timeline for US withdrawal in Iraq nearly done

Illinois Senator won’t resign

Supreme Court ruling hinders tribal casino plans

Court upholds curb on gun ownership

Plane crash in Amsterdam

Bill banning chimps as pets passes

States considering ending death penalty to save money

LOCAL

Maine delegation reacts to President’s address

Power returning throughout state

Maine exports up nearly 10 percent

DOT unveils project list ahead of stimulus cash

Portland native to become Superintendent

Westbrook picks Superintendent

State colleges deal with expected budget cuts

Shopping bag tax discussed

“Roll-your-own” taxes set to increase

Lawmakers aim to reduce childhood obesity

Study on domestic violence shows progress, problems

Fairpoint apologizes for email problems

Lynx wins protection

Topless coffee shop opens

Ranger pleads guilty to night hunt

Last Turnpike coin basket replaced

MISCELLANEOUS

Lent begins

Maine logging family spotlighted

Newscenter Insider - Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

Here’s what you missed on the WGAN Morning News this morning:

Guests:
7:08-Tim Wilson from Seeds of Peace, discussing last week’s controversy over a NY Post editorial cartoon and Ken and Mike’s reaction to it.

Topics:
6:08 & 8:38-The Daily Rundown and Daily Rundown Late Edition, recapping the top stories of the day with Ken and Mike’s takes on each of them.
6:38 & 7:08-Is Obama’s plan on reducing the budget deficit a good plan?
7:38 & 8:08-Should the State DOT have had an offsite conference up at Sunday River for its employees on the taxpayer’s dime?

Here’s the stories we’re following in the WGAN 24-hour newscenter this morning:

President Obama has an address to a joint session of Congress tonight at 9pm; WGAN will air live coverage, plus the Republican response, and we’ll have a complete wrap-up tomorrow with Ken and Mike starting at 5am.

We’ll continue to monitor the power outage situation statewide as crews work to bring back power to thousands of Mainers this morning.

The Governor is in Brusnwick to visit one of the state’s hardest-hit areas in terms of power loss with Sara Burns, President of CMP, at 9am.  He’ll be at Cook’s Corner Fire Station, then stopping by the CMP Operations Center.

A log-truck driver charged with leaving the scene of a deadly accident is in court in Farmington this morning.

Here’s the stories we’re following in the WGAN 24-hour newscenter this morning:

LOCAL

Storm leaves 145,000 without power

Tree leaves thousands in dark for Oscar broadcast

Ex-coach gets jail time for allowing underage drinking

Lawmakers back “wage gap” bill

Route 302 subject of traffic study

4 of 5 proposals set for fall ballot

Judge postpones larceny trial of Astor’s son

Newscenter Insider - Friday, February 20th

Friday, February 20th, 2009

Here’s what you missed this morning on the WGAN Morning News today:

Guests:

8:38-Senator Susan Collins, discussing her role in the passage of the economic stimulus package.

Topics:
6:08-The Daily Rundown, recapping the top stories of the day with Ken and Mike’s takes on each of them.
6:38 & 7:08-Was the NY Post’s editorial cartoon about a monkey killed by police disrespectful to President Obama?
7:38 & 8:08-Do you agree with Attorney General Holder…that we as Americans are “cowards” when it comes to discussing race?

Here’s the stories we’re following in the WGAN 24-hour newscenter:

Portland Mayor Jill Duson will meet with President Barack Obama as part of a contingent of 60 mayors gathering in Washington DC today.

Governor Baldacci will be in Orono along with Senator Collins and Representative Mike Michaud to make an announcement relating to composite bridges.

Here’s the stories that have us talking behind the scenes at WGAN today:

NATIONAL/WORLD

Dow at lowest level since ‘02

Record week for jobless benefits

UN says Iran has enough Uranium for bomb

California approves budget

Financial fraudster found in Virginia

AG: “Nation of cowards” on race

Post apologizes for controversial cartoon

Iraqi shoe-thrower attends court hearing

LOCAL

Obama housing plan praised in Maine

Collins defends role in stimulus

Deering coach pleads in teen drinking case

Thief stealing…telephone poles?

Train crash in Bethel

Chief Justice recommended for new term

Road rage bill targets tailgating

Lawmakers oppose cell phone bill

Scallop closures completed

Wal-Mart’s expansion in Maine could mean lower grocery prices

OOB works on budget

Man arrested twice in 4 hours

Mother of UMaine student speaks

Alleged “tasering” of officer reviewed

Lawyer behind casino referendum suspended

Battery fee tax an extra charge

Judges dismisses charges in phone-jamming case

Fairpoint hiring

Vehicle inspection stickers being stolen

MISCELLANEOUS

Student walks across Maine..in drag

TMZ obtains photo of Rhianna following assualt (warning: you will see the photo if you click this link)

Wrestling legend implicated in death of fellow nursing home resident

Judge rules Texas hold ‘em is a game of skill

Tiger Woods returns from injury

Newscenter Insider - Thursday, February 19th

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

Here’s what you missed on the WGAN Morning News this morning:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19th

Guests: 
7:08am-Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, discussing her trip to Iraq and Afghanistan.
8:08am-A replay of Wednesday’s interview with Senator Olympia Snowe.

Topics:
6:08 & 8:38-
The Daily Rundown and Daily Rundown Late Edition, recapping the top stories of the day with Ken and Mike’s takes on each of them.
6:38-Would you ever own an exotic pet, like the chimp that mauled a woman in Stamford, Connecticut?
7:38-Would you forgo a pay raise to help save a co-worker?

Here’s the stories we’re following in the WGAN 24-hour newscenter this morning:

The weather is tricky out there this morning.  Stay with WGAN for the latest updates with Operation Stormwatch!

At 1pm, Congressman Mike Michaud joins representatives from labor to discuss a report “on the benefits of union membership”.  It’s at the State House Welcome Center.

Here’s the stories that have us talking today:

NATIONAL

Obama hopes cash infusion will save homes

Obama visits Canada

New home construction at record low

Fed downgrades forecast

Budget deadlock continues in California

GOP Governors to reject stimulus aid

AG says Americans afraid to talk about race

Pilot error may have led to Buffalo crash

Judge halts transfer of Guantanamo detainees

Owner of chimp involved in attack denies Xanax report

Accused financier under Federal drug investigation

Pelosi at Vatican

LOCAL

Collins:  “dire crisis” spurred stimulus support

Collins talks Afghanistan, other subjects in interview

Snowe critical of fishery limits

Maine schools to feel effects of stimulus

Storm creates accidents

Robbery suspect has long string of convictions

Man mistaken for carjacking suspect upset over treatment

Portland rescinds chicken ban

Fumes sicken several at sports bar

Scarborough asks workers to forgo pay raises

Big turnout to debate milk prices at State House

Rate hearings set for anthem insurance

Facebook credited with solving crime

Wind power debated in Rumford

Daughter of tax activist banned from tax preparing

Few problems reported after TV stations make digital switch

Robber at state fair pleads guilty

Bill would allow easier furnace upgrades

Business leaders fight card check bill

Stabbing in Houlton

Minor damage in Waterboro school fire

Post-”Cape 10″ program blossoms

Newscenter Insider - Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Here’s what you missed this morning on the WGAN Morning News:

Guests:
7:08-
Eye On Politics with Senior Political Analysts Phil Harriman and Ethan Strimling, discussing the top political issues of the week.
7:38-Governor John Baldacci, discussing Maine’s plans for the economic stimulus money.
8:38-Senator Olympia Snowe, discussing her role in the economic stimulus package.

Topics:
6:08-The Daily Rundown, recapping the top stories of the day with Ken and Mike’s takes on each of them.
6:38-Is it time to go to a unicameral legislature and reduce the number of legislators?
8:08-What questions do you have for Senator Snowe?

Here’s the stories that have us talking behind the scenes in the WGAN 24-hour Newscenter:

There’s a storm in the forecast…WGAN’s Operation Stormwatch is standing by!

York County Commissioners meet today to vote on a budget that is expected to preserve $150,000 in the sheriff’s budget, preventing possible layoffs.  

It could be the end of the line for the Cactus Club tonight as the City Council is expected to vote against its license renewal at its meeting tonight.   The deciding vote, John Anton, has indicated he’ll vote against renewal amid reports of numerous police calls and fights at the bar over the last year. 

Also on the agenda:  The Council’s Community Development Committee will hear from a number of waterfront property owners looking for some relief from the “working waterfront” zoning ordinance.  The Council will also review a proposal to expand Portland’s historic preservation district this evening, and will have a public hearing on the proposed “urban chickens” ordinance.

In Augusta, the Legal & Veterans affairs committee will take up a proposal by Representative Emily Cain that ”would provide more transparecny” the citizen initiative process.   It’s at 10am in Room 437 of the State House. 

Here’s the stories that have us talking behind the scenes at WGAN:

NATIONAL/WORLD

Stimulus bill signed

Obama to unveil housing plan

GM says it needs billions more to avoid failure

Chrysler too

400 banks in 47 states have received bailout money

Dow nears 10-year low

Nationalizing banks gaining ground with Republicans?

Aides say no pardon for Libby irked Cheney

More troops authorized for Afghanistan

Illinois Senator Burris says he tried to raise funds for Blagojevich

Clinton in Indonesia

A-Rod tries to explain steroid use

Owner gave chimp Xanax before attack

Muslim TV chief accused of beheading wife

LOCAL

Maine’s stimulus cut and what we’ll do with it

Businesses anticipating stimulus funding

Pingree visits Iraq

Snowe:  Stimulus package “imperative”

New chief named in Portland

Man charged in machete attack pleads not guilty

Insanity plea in Belfast killing

Ex-drug prosecutor pleads in child porn case

Man suspected in string of robberies, carjacking

GOP bookkeeper to plead not guilty

Woman rescued from Lewiston fire

Probe clears Lisbon Police

Port Authority wants to run, repair Marine terminal

Diverse opinions sought on pier plans

County Road fire closes traffic

Group says forest zone would slow global warming

Bill requires French lessons

Cause of UMaine student death released

MISCELLANEOUS

Ironman of skiing remembered

91-year old Postal worker still going strong in Cape E

Facebook controversy

Newscenter Insider - Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

Here’s what you missed on the WGAN Morning News this morning:

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH

Guests:
7:08-State Senator John Nutting, discussing his proposal to add a 10-cent fee to the use of plastic bags.
8:08-WGME-TV General Manager Terry Cole, discussing the station’s conversion to Digital TV this evening.

Topics:
6:08 & 8:38-The Daily Rundown and the Daily Rundown Late Edition, recapping the top stories of the day and Ken and Mike’s takes on each of them.
6:38-Should the working waterfront zoning ordinances in Portland be changed in order to stimulate growth?
7:38-Is a bill legislating against Road Rage necessary? 

Topics:

Here’s the stories that we’re following in the WGAN 24-hour newscenter today:

Daniel Fortune, one of two men charged in the home invasion in Pittston that seriously injured William Guerette and his daughter, appears in court today

Amber Cummings, who is charged in the shooting death of her husband, appears in court today in Belfast.

Bob Crowley joins WGAN’s Ken and Mike and will have his own day-today, February 17th-proclaimed in the state of Maine in his honor.

The Portland Public Library is finishing up its twice-annual book sale today.

Here’s the stories that have us talking behind the scenes at WGAN today:

NATIONAL/WORLD

Obama heads west to promote stimulus package

Clinton in Asia; North Korea makes threat

DEA chief under scrutiny for flight

California to lay off 10,000 state workers

GM, UAW in talks

Income tax refunds suspended in Kansas

Justice Department defends Bush rule on guns in parks

Satellite Radio finds investor

LOCAL

Parties seek more accord on spending

Mainers finding jobs in slowdown

Furloughs at Maine paper mill

Death of Coast Guard commander investigated

UMaine student dies in Old Town

Digital transition hits all but two local TV stations

Bills call for fewer seats in Augusta

Fishing rule comment period ends today

Tougher alcohol testing proposed

Falmouth weighs shutdown of fire station

Two killed in Searsport Fire

Westbrook teen pulled from river

Robbery at Portland salon

Peeping Tom sought in Cape Elizabeth

Tribal member seeks seperate Veteran’s Day

Battle over fate of Westbrook bar

Second suspect named in robbery

Senator wants state to help fund Bangor arena

Metro to replace buses in Portland, stimulus or no

MISCELLANEOUS

Chimpanzee killed after mauling woman in Connecticut

No charges for Phelps in bong-photo incident

Newscenter Insider-off for President’s Day

Monday, February 16th, 2009

The Insider is taking President’s Day to salute our nation’s chief executives.  A full update will be posted Tuesday morning.

Newscenter Insider - Friday, February 13th, 2009

Friday, February 13th, 2009

WE’RE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

Just a reminder for those of you on Facebook or Twitter that WGAN is online on both social networking sites. 

Click here to see WGAN’s Facebook Page and to sign up!

Click here to see the WGAN Morning News Facebook Page and to sign up!

WGAN News is now updating on Twitter!  Click here to see our page and to sign up to receive our updates!

You can also follow the WGAN Morning News on Twitter!   Click here to see Ken and Mike’s page and to sign up!

NEWS LINEUP CHANGES

WGAN’s Mike Audet has taken over as our afternoon news anchor.  Mike has been anchoring WGAN late-mornings for nearly a decade, and has also been morning news anchor for many years on our sister station WPOR.  Mike is a member of the Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and we’re looking forward to his experienced voice anchoring our afternoon news.  Nichole Davis is now anchoring WGAN’s late-morning newscasts.  You’ll also be hearing her on many of WGAN’s sister stations, including Coast 93.1, WPOR, Big Hits Y100.9, and WCLZ. 

HOWIE CARR IN THE NEWS

A caller to Howie’s show recently–from Jonesport, Maine–indicated she had sucidical feelings.  How Howie reacted has made headlines.  Read more about it here.

SEAN HANNITY IS ON WGAN!

Newsradio 560 WGAN weclomes Sean Hannity to its weekday lineup from 6pm to 9pm!

Sean Hannity is one of America’s biggest radio personalities.  He’s won R & R’s syndicated news/talk personality of the year award three times, has written two New York Times #1 bestsellers, and has hosted a cable program weeknights on Fox News since 1996. 

With the addition of Sean Hannity, here is the new WGAN lineup:

5am-9am  The WGAN Morning News with Ken and Mike
9am-12pm  Glenn Beck 
12pm-3pm  Rush Limbaugh 
3pm-6pm  Howie Carr                                                                
6pm-9pm  Sean Hannity
9pm-11pm  Mark Levin
11pm-1am  Dr. Joy Browne 
1am-5am  Coast to Coast AM

We’re thrilled to have Sean join the WGAN weekday lineup!

WHAT’S HAPPENED TO BILL O’REILLY?

Bill O’Reilly’s radio show is ending in February as Bill has chosen to focus fully on his TV show and other projects.  We thank Bill for the great job he’s done weeknights on WGAN from 6-8pm and wish him well.

DR. JOY BROWNE/COAST TO COAST

We’ve heard from a few listeners asking why Dr. Joy Browne isn’t on at 10pm anymore and why Coast to Coast isn’t on at midnight .  Many of them don’t realize that neither show has been removed from our schedule-just moved one hour later, to 11pm for Dr. Joy Browne and 1am for Coast to Coast AM.  We love all of the shows on WGAN-but with Sean Hannity’s program a 3-hour program, we had to make an adjustment to fit all of our great shows on the schedule.  Thanks to everyone who’s contacted us to let us know they’re enjoying Sean’s program at 6pm on WGAN, by the way…we’re glad you’re enjoying it!

GLENN BECK ON FOX

Glenn Beck has a new television program on Fox News weekdays at 5pm!  Glenn’s made headlines recently with his “Comrade update”-view it here. You can hear Glenn weekdays on WGAN from 9am to 12 noon.

THIS WEEKEND ON WGAN

John McDonald is back this week and on the air Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 10am.

Inside Maine with Phil Harriman airs Saturday from 10am and 1pm. 

Senior Adviser to President Obama, David Alexrod, will appear on Meet The Press Sunday at noon on WGAN. 

60 Minutes airs Sunday night at 7pm on WGAN.

Here’s what you missed on the WGAN Morning News this morning:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2009

Topics:
6:08-
The Daily Rundown, recapping the top stories of the day with Ken and Mike’s takes on each of them.
6:38-Are you superstitious around Friday the 13th?

Guests:
7:08-
Ross Eisenbrey, an economic adviser to President Obama and Vice President of the Economic Policy Institute, discussing the economic stimulus package.
7:38-Andrew Brietbart, founder of www.brietbart.com, former editor for www.drudgereport.com who also helped launch www.huffingtonpost.com, discussing his new venture, www.bighollywood.com.
8:08-Bernie Goldberg, former network news correspondent and best-selling author of the book “A Slobbering Love Affair starring Barack Obama”, discussing the liberal media bias. 
8:38-Congressman Mike Michaud, weighing in on the economic stimulus package

Here’s the stories that we’re following in the WGAN 24-hour newscenter this morning:

The Colby women’s Lacrosse team is running.  For 108 miles.  The trek is being done in order to raise money and support for Maine-based Marines overseas.  They started at Colby’s campus at 5am this morning and will run to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, returning back to Colby at 7pm.  (They’ve got a police escort to avoid any traffic issues.) 

After joining us on the WGAN Morning News Friday, Ross Eisenbrey, Vice President of the Economic Policy Institute, is the featured speaker this morning as the Maine Center for Economic Policy holds a forum on economic recovery.  The event starts at 8:45am.

In Augusta, the Transportation Committee is taking up a number of proposals restricting cellphones in vehicles, including a complete ban.  The hearing starts at 10am.

At 12:30pm, members of the local restaurant community gather to push for a higher minimum tipping wage.  Right now workers who get tips make an average of $2.13 an hour.  They’re calling for a minimum wage that’s 60% of the normal minimum wage, which would be $4.50.  The news conference is at the Abramson Community Education Center at USM in Portland.

Here’s the stories that have us talking behind the scenes at WGAN today:

NATIONAL/WORLD

Stimulus vote delayed

Set for votes in Congress

Snowe plan to recoup Wall Street bonuses killed

Plane crash kills 49

Commerce Secretary pick changes mind, turns down job

Caterpillar CEO contradicts Obama

Police to investigate threats against octuplet’s mom

500,000 without power from Ohio to NY

Canada Geese identified as cause of Hudson River plane crash

Survey shows teens favoring Marlboros

LOCAL

Governor to track stimulus funds

Chellie Pingree writes editor in favor of stimulus

JetPort says it’s riding out the turbulence

Gay marriage proponents rally

Maine sex offender used to be committed by federal court

Man with dirty bomb materials had violent history

No charges in Naples shooting

Smoke-free beach bill moves forward

MPBN agrees to keep towers in Calais, Fort Kent on

Two local TV stations ready to convert to DTV on Tuesday

Pedestrian bridge proposed for Franklin Arterial

Minimum wage proposal for Maine

“Sexting” incident in Scarborough

Plum Creek apologizes for erosion after logging

Rumford mountain eyed for wind farm

Mercer accident ruled suicide

Home invasion in Hartland

Icy roads leads to pickup hitting police car

Man sentenced for illegal gun purchase

Bank fraud sentence reduced

Man faces charges for growing pot

Drug discovery leads to arrest for probation violation

Sex offender charged with failure to register

Baileyville men get time for racial incident

Man retuns stolen TV 6 months later

Two fires in Lewiston

Man injured in Limington fire

Falmouth schools to lose superintendent

Maker of log homes buys idle mill, adds jobs

Nova Scotia flights OKed

Maine State Society meets in DC

Northern Maine weekly paper shuts down

Biddeford mayor critical of stimulus

Dog-petition organizer to run for City Council

Debate over wharf business in Portland

School enrollment decline in Portland expected to level off

Smaller Maine banks booming

MISCELLANEOUS

New Executive Director for Maine Audubon

Bangor celebrates 175th

Fewer Mainers traveling for holiday

Former MDI family to appear on “48 hours”

Maine station bans singer from airwaves after domestic violence incident