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Funnel Cloud/Siren Concerns
- From: fox4weatherteam
- Description:
  
  Here is what prompted the Sirens...thanks to Tara McKee for sending this into the forecast center...see my blog from late this afternoon for the siren concerns...
  
  This is really no-ones fault...but the outdoor warning system as we all know has it's faults...
  
  There was a BRIEF funnel that developed near the I-470/View High Drive intersection on the south side of KC...west of Lees Summit...didn't last for long...didn't get close to making it to the ground as near as I can tell...but was noteworthy none the less...the folks @ the KC EM decided to trigger the sirens and then ask later to figure things out...this was based on more than a handful of reports concerning this phenomena...so far so good...
  
  Now it gets tricky...in Jackson County, MO...the KC Emergency management has the ability of triggering off the sirens in 3 zones...zone #1 is for the sirens NORTH of Gregory...zones #2 are for the sirens SOUTH of Gregory...and zone #3 is for the sirens (3) near the Jackson/Cass county line...ZONE #2 WAS ACTIVATED....
  
  However since the zone is sooooo large considering where the storm was located...1000s of residents heard the sirens as far north as the Waldo/Brookside even with partly cloudy and calm conditions...this prompted 100s of phone calls...and a live cut-in assuring that the vast majority of residents who heard the sirens were not under a tornado threat...
  
  I talked to Stephen Bean from the EM of KCMO...they have just gotten some new software to help "create" more zones...this should allow folks who need to hear the sirens hear them...and for many areas...if you don't need to have the sirens triggered...they won't get triggered...there is hope that this will be in operation by NEXT Spring...if not earlier
  
  Working for you...
  
  Joe
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 1207
when do I involve the police
- From: myhorseannie
- Description:
  
  My 9 year old little girl is being teased at school on a daily basis because she is "slower" than other children her age. The bullying is being done by a larger girl the same age. She would chase my daughter at recess pushing her and shoving her. Then egging other children tease her and say horrible things to her. All the school did after I brought this to their attention and several meetings is to seperate the two girls at recess. I have found my daughter in the hallways scrunched up crying, she gets sick when it's time for school, and she can't sleep at night for bad dreams about it. I have notice a dramatic change in my daughters attitude an demeanor towards others. She is always asking why they do this to her and cries saying she wishes she weren't so "dumb". The schools solution did not help much because they are still in the same class. Now the other girl just pokes her constantly and says "now what?, what are you going to do?". So when is it appropriate to involve the police? The school has begged me to let them take care of this, but they are not doing enough. I even cry for my daughter.---------------------April 10, did I mention that this little girl use to stay full weekends with us and when her moms vehicle was broke down, I was her transportation for school, so I know the mom knows me and trusts me.
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Views: 416
PAY IT FORWARD :TYLER
- From: WOODBURNER
- Description:
  
  That was one of the most amazing kid I believe I have ever seen not only does he do things most kids hate to do like chores but he helps his heighbors out and never ask`s for money and then when ya all pay it forward what does the kid do? He is giving the $300.00 to the Christmas shoe box program! Wow,most kids like Tyler would blow money on toys or candy not this young man,talk about doing the Lord`s work!Thank you Tyler for making my Monday a better day,you are a better man than most grown men and you have a heart of gold.Your outlook in life is one to be followed THANK YOU!
- Blog post
- 1 week ago
- Views: 93
Feeding Hunger
- From: nan
- Description:
  
  Feeding Hunger of the Heart
  
  Thanksgiving is approaching...Yesterday I spent time in my classroom talking with the children about sharing with others who need to be fed. We discussed what we had eaten for breakfast, and the students enjoyed sharing. We talked about how fortunate we are to have what we need to nourish our bodies.
  
  I consider many of us feel full as we finish a meal, but often we are still hungry for more. We don’t feel content, and sadly we often don’t realize why. Perhaps we need to be fed by more than what mere portions of food can provide.
  
  We hunger for peace, and calm in a world that is hurting... We hunger for good health, and a spirit of contentment. We hunger for hope and joy, and need to understand why we are hungry for so much more…
  
  Sometimes we cannot imagine God is near, but God is here…He has prepared all we need to nourish our souls. He is waiting to be invited to our tables, and satisfy hunger which grows inside every one who needs to be fed.
  
  There is hunger of the heart which needs to be filled with portions of God’s loving grace. He is the only one who truly knows what we need, and He is waiting to fill us with His presence. God wants us to benefit from what we will receive, when we fill our plates with the many blessings of His love.
  
  Do you feel full, or are you still hungry for a relationship with God? He wants to feed you, and show you how to feel content in His presence, in His word (the Bible) and in prayer with Him. All you need to do is call on Him, and ask Him to be the invited guest at the table of your life.
  
  God wants to feed us. He knows our hunger deep inside. If you allow Him to serve you with everything you need, He will replace the hunger of your heart. He will bless you with a spirit of thanksgiving, and you will finally understand what it means to be full.
  
  God is near,
  
  Nan
  
  Scripture: Jesus said to them; I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never be thirsty. John 6:35
  
  Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for providing us with your bread of life. You give hope to the world. Help us understand what we need to feel full of your grace, as we learn to draw close to you and feel the fullness of your gentle love. Amen
- Blog post
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 121
Fox 4 - WAKE-UP!!!
- From: JDog
- Description:
  
  I see where I can virtually buy any prescription medicine at a deep discount simply by clicking on one of numerous NEWS stories on Fox 4's Blog. I'm waiting to click on one of these stories until I can get my Viagra really, really cheap (j/k).
  
  Any ways. What the eff? If Fox 4 can't figure out how to prevent the take over of their Blog site, then I should have concerns about their ability to protect my url and email address. This is no different than spam email, and as far as I'm concerned Fox 4 is facilitating it.
  
  Any comment Fox 4???
  
  This DOES NOT happen to other media related Blogs. It is a Fox 4 problem.
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 142
Town Hall Chaos
- From: JDog
- Description:
  
  While the initial Town Hall meetings did not go exactly like the Obama adminstration had scripted them, and some of them clearly reached a fevered pitch, none of them resulted in any incidents of violence until AFTER Obama called out his troops for a counter-offensive. Any and all violence associated with these Town Hall meeting must now be laid in the lap of the President of the United States of America.
  
  Why on earth would any President use name calling, and publically call out previously silent, unconcerned citizens to counter an otherwise peaceful disagreement? Yes, they were lively and sometimes loud, but no violence until after the Presidential call to arms. Perhaps our President needs to consult with his Joint Chiefs of Staff and learn that counter-offensives and calling for re-inforcements are actions required when the initial thrust is beaten.
  
  So now, anyone that opposes the nationalization of Health Care is a "Mobster and Right Wing Extremist" So, what does that make our President? - Feel free to fill in your opinion, our President did.
  
  So, to all those people who believe that everyone opposed is a mobster or extremist... allow me.
  
  I am a registered Republican.
  
  I am a fiscal conservative - Republican agenda
  
  I am a Capitalist - Republican agenda. Failure is the other side of the success coin, embrace it. One persons failure is another persons success.
  
  I am anti-Entitlement Programs - Republican agenda. I believe man takes care of his own. I know I practice this philosophy.
  
  I support a smaller Federal Government - Libertarian agenda. The Feds need to concentrate on the powers vested to them in the Constitution and leave everything else to the State and Local governments.
  
  I am an enviromentalist - Democrat agenda. I recycle everything I can. I drive a 4 banger 2.5 litre auto. I do have and use a wood bruning fireplace.
  
  I am Pro-Choice - Democrat agenda (but with lots of reservations about when and why)
  
  I am anti NRA, but Pro 2nd amendment - Fence straddler agenda. I unequivalcably believe in the individual's right to own guns. I don't believe that individuals can own ANY weapon they want. I have no problem with registration. I register to vote, and it is a Constitutional Right. Until the NRA can support these caveats, I can't support them.
  
  I am pro-profiling - Republican agenda. Until an Asian, Hispanic or wheelchair bound grandma flies a plane into a building, we need to search only people of Middle Eastern appearance. If 60% of crime is committed by Blacks then our prison population should be 60% black.
  
  I believe the Majoity Rules - Republican and Libertarian agenda. Why can one person cause the 10 commandments to be taken down or for the Christmas holiday to be re-named Winter Break??? Yet, 45%+ that are opposed to National Health Care are Mobsters and Extremist???
  
  I could go on, but I think you get the point.
  
  So what am I??? You decide, although Mobster Dog comes to mind
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 168
Who's Lying to Whom?
- From: JDog
- Description:
  
  Yesterday, President Obama continued to try and rebuke the opponents to his Health Care plan, by labeling as "lies" the contention that this plan would cover illegal immigrants. He offered no proof, other than to just call it a lie.
  
  What has the opposition running full steam ahead is the language, as currently proposed. The current pending legislation's language states, "all U.S. residents." It doesn't say 'Legal residents', it just says residents. I'm sure of his intent, but when the 9th district Court of Appeals gets a hold of that king of language... guess who's going to get coverage!
  
  So, given all the lawyers in Congress, why can they just write simple, easy to understand language that leaves no room for interpretation? Here's my language: "all U.S. citizens." Pretty cut and dry to me.
  
  For the first time I'm going to call the President a liar. Anyone who reads the current language and knowingly excludes non-citizens is either lying or stupid; and I don;t think the President is stupid, although you could make the argument that lying is stupid.
  
  If the language has changed, please inform me accordingly (and gently).
  
  If the language hasn't changed, please explain to me how it can be interrpreted to NOT include illegal immigrants residing with the borders of our country.
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 176
Lessons to Learn as Children R
- From: nan
- Description:
  
  It’s time for school…When twenty two three-year olds burst through my classroom door, I will be ready. I think I will be ready… (smiles)
  
  I have been praying for teachers who have tremendous responsibility to teach and help students develop a love to learn. I pray for every one of us...We all share the role of “teacher”, as we influence the lives of children who benefit from lessons we choose to share.
  
  Life as a Preschool Teacher can be challenging, but I enjoy opportunities to teach first time students who have never had a classroom experience. I surprisingly find joy, in providing opportunities for them to develop basic skills, which will set the foundation for their lives.
  
  My students learn to work together as a team, share, follow directions and listen. They learn to take turns, have respect for one another, and express themselves, when they deal with feelings of conflict. They learn to complete tasks, and accept information which helps them develop and grow.
  
  As I learn from each student,I pray God will use me to help them realize they are special, as they become confident learners who want to receive what it is I have to share…
  
  Sometimes I consider what we could learn from these children who seem to embrace life with enthusiasm…I observe their abilities to discover greatness in the simplest tasks, and I am inspired by their anticipation of what is to come as they embrace the day with smiles and excited conversation…
  
  I am aware God wants us to become like little children, as we seek Him, and allow Him to teach us how to grow. He too wants us to receive what it is He has to offer. God is our Father…He is the Master teacher who can guide us, and help us develop a love for Him, and for one another, as he teaches us what He want us to know…
  
  Do you “burst through the door”, eager to embrace what the Master has planned for you? His classroom has been set to allow you to engage in opportunities He has lovingly prepared for your heart to enjoy. As you seek Him with anticipation, He will guide you, and allow you to learn from His teachings…
  
  The Bible is a wonderful tool to learn about God, and His lessons for our lives. Our spiritual lives progress when we take time to absorb scripture, and learn how God can teach us.
  
  I hope I have a good year ahead…I’ll have an idea of what is to come next week, when twenty two three year olds burst through my door, and I remind myself why I chose to teach…(more smiles)
  
  Scripture: The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6
  
  Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, We need to come to you, like little children…Help us greet you with anticipation of what is to come, as we discover what you have planned for our lives. Help us to love your children, and remember they learn from our examples, Lord. Help us to teach them to love one another and live for you oh Lord. Thank you for teachers, who need your strength and energy in the days ahead. Thank you God for those children in our care…They are our blessings Lord; they are to be loved.
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 208
Sharing What is Needed...Nan's
- From: nan
- Description:
  
  I teach young children. I enjoy having opportunities to stop and absorb what they have to say to one another, when they don’t know I’m listening…
  
  We can learn a lot from young children. I usually know by the first week, if my students will be able to work as a group. I can always tell which students may have conflicts and need reminders to learn how to get along in the classroom.
  
  We spend much time early in the year, learning how to talk to our friends and use kind words…It always pleases me when I hear children interact with one another, and use appropriate words which have been taught to them through role playing and interactions.
  
  One day as the children were playing with blocks on the floor, I heard a child ask another if he would share a block…Usually the answer from one particular boy is “no”, but on this day he was feeling generous. “Sure”, he said, and proceeded to give the little girl several blocks. She smiled and lovingly responded, “That made my heart feel pretty!”
  
  Oh, how those words spoke to my heart…I spend much time teaching children how to relate with one another, and help them choose words to share, but those were not words taught by me…. They were reflection words of love and appreciation from a child who knows how to love another.
  
  That was several years ago, but I still remember how I felt to hear her what she said, and see her little face so lovingly show what was in her heart…
  
  I consider God wants us to also lovingly show what is in our hearts, as we interact with one another and learn to respond in a way that is pleasing to Him. How often we don’t share what God has given us with those around us who need to know Him more…How often we don’t let His love reflect in us…
  
  God needs us to share His love with others and tell them about the relationship they can have with Him. He waits and longs for us to show Him as Lord…
  
  Just as young children watch and learn from us, we too learn from one another…Those who don’t know God will be able to find Him if we allow our “hearts to “feel pretty”, and realize God’s love is to be treasured and shared…
  
  Consider this as you move ahead in your daily routine…What is it you will choose to share today? It may not be blocks, but you can share an attitude of joy, peace and a presence of God with those who are still learning God is love…
  
  I promise it will make your heart feel “pretty”, when God’s love is reflected in you, and you share His love with others…
  
  God is near…
  
  Nan
- Blog post
- 1 month ago
- Views: 216
what happened
- From: chickenman
- Description:
  
  What happened with the New Osborns show tonight? Why did fox preempt it with 60 years stuff? I love this station but could this be a case of cencership..... that is the question of the night...
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Views: 227
Finally It's Spring!
- From: fox4weatherteam
- Description:
  
  As I mentioned a couple of days ago...I'm going to talk a bit about the severe weather season so far...that will have to wait a few minutes...
  
  The good news is that skies are clearing out now...temperatures should pop...perhaps into the lower 60s before the afternoon is done...overall a nice evening is heading our way...
  
  Our storm is continuing to pull away...and is creating quite a bit of rainfall off towards the east of the area...this continues to be a very slow moving storm...that in a sense has broken up into several pieces...here is the radar portrayal of the system...
  
  Early this morning...on the back end of the sttorm..combined with some mid level convergence...a relatively long but very small (widthwise) band set up near the I-70 corridor in the KC area...between 1:30-7AM or so...the downtown airport had close to 1.85" of rain...while KCI had nothing and on Signal Hill we had about .5"...the radar portrayal (doppler indicated storm totals) shows the heaviest locations...and I'll post those images later this afternoon...it seems our server is down...
  
  Click on the images and then "View Enlarged Image"
  
  That bulleye just SW of the Riverside area represents 2-3" or so of rainfall...in part generated by an outflow boundry that pushed northwards from a bunch of convection earlier in the evening along the I-44 corridor.
  
  Onto sensible weather...still expecting milder temperatures this week...60s are likely through TUE...then some more moderation on WED...followed by the real warm push to finish off the week...whether or not we can keep the real warm air next weekend reamins to be seen...the more than likely will be a cold front moving down from Canada...and while whatever we get from the front (IF) would be a glacing blow...it could certainly knock us down some 10+ degrees into next weekend...there is also the vERY real chance that the front bellies up towards the I-80 corridor...the EORO seems alone in pushing this front towards I-70...while other modeling, which I'm leaning towards right now, keeps the front farther north...keeping us in the warmer air...for MUCH longer...most of the ensembles are in the northern solution as well...but about a 1/3rd of them do have that front very close...it would make the difference between temps in the 80s...or perhaps the potential of temps in the 60s with a chance of more rainfall...again at this point I'm leaning warm...but it's certainly something to watch for the next several days...these fronts seem to want to come down this way regardless...so it's certainly concerning...the key will be to see how the northern stream energy interacts with an upper level low north of Hudson's Bay...
  
  Yesterday there were a few tornados that produced some damage out in western KS...my good friend, severe weather researcher, Jon Davies wrote up a quick synopsis of the scenario...take a look...
  
  Sunday, April 19, 2009
  
  Prolific cold core tornado event in southwest KS on 4/18/09
  
  Shawna and I have had quite a lot of difficult family stuff going on, so I haven't posted lately. But it has certainly been an early spring season of midlevel cut-off lows and cold core systems so far, most of which have failed to produce tornadoes.
  
  For example, way back on 2/9/09, a large dynamic cold core system raced northeast through the plains, but overwhelmed any semblance of a surface pattern that might support tornadoes due to a dry slot that blasted northeast at 70 mph, a typical problem with very early season cold core systems. Then in early April, a fairly organized system on 4/4/09 lifted through Nebraska, but could only produce brief gustnado-like vortices with storms because of dew points only in the 40's F and rather high cloud bases (usually not supportive of cold core system tornadoes). A few days later on 4/9/09, a strong cold core system in northern Oklahoma and Kansas again was "too dynamic" when the surface low jumped and reformed farther east, destroying the surface pattern focus beneath and near the midlevel low. The resulting large area of convection that developed tended to overwhelm the surface pattern and effective boundary intersections that are often important for tornadic cells in cold core cases, though there were strong tornadoes later that night in Arkansas and Louisiana within the broader warm sector farther to the southeast.
  
  Yesterday (Saturday 4/18/09) finally saw a cold core system that produced several tornadoes over a 90 minute period that were well photographed in southwest Kansas, northwest of Dodge City (see photos above). There was some damage east of the tiny town of Kalvesta, but thankfully no injuries. Being that this was a slow-moving system that was not overly "dynamic", surface features were able to focus near Dodge City, and an initial storm that developed was able to stay isolated for a long period near the midlevel low and cold air aloft and the surface boundary intersection, rather than being overwhelmed by a large area of convection.
  
  I watched this event develop from Kansas City (I really miss living in central KS!), and noticed the surface pattern at late morning was focusing over southwest Kansas (see 2nd graphic above) near a surface low and boundary intersection west and south of Dodge City. The 500 mb closed low aloft was not far to the west-northwest, near the Colorado border (see positions marked on satellite image, 3rd image above), with plenty of cold air aloft and temperatures near -20 C at 500 mb, and -5 C at 700 mb. (See here for more on cold core tornado settings.) Put that cold air above surface dew points around 50 F advecting northwestward into the high plains, and you have a recipe for strong stretching in isolated storm updrafts below 10,000 ft or 3 km. The tight spin/vorticity/forcing of the nearby midlevel low probably helped as well.
  
  Surface convergence at 1:00 p.m. CDT (see 18 UTC SPC maps, 4th graphic above) was maximized near the surface low and dryline/warm front intersection near Dodge City, Surface-based CAPE was also plentiful for a cold core setting (> 1000 J/kg, see SPC map). The supercell developed rapidly between Dodge City and Garden City between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. CDT (not shown), and the first tornado developed barely 20 minutes into the storm's lifetime. Such rapid tornado development relative to storm initiation is not uncommon with cold core settings, probably due to the majority of CAPE being located below 500 mb (relatively close to the ground, see the final graphic above, a RUC analysis/estimation at Dodge City during the tornadoes).
  
  It is interesting to note from the RUC profile above that there was very little if any low-level shear (storm-relative helicity or SRH) in the local environment, reiterating the fact that cold core tornado events near the midlevel low don't always require lots of helicity. Limited low-level shear and the surface focus near a reasonably well-defined boundary intersection seemed to suffice in this case.
  
  - Jon Davies 4/19/09
  
  His complete blog...with other case studies is located here...if you're into severe weather Jons' name is very recognizable...
  
  I'll try and get another blog together this evening...assuming I can get access to our image/video server
  
  Joe
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Views: 235
The mental vacation......!!!
- From: mr_wild
- Description:
  
  Where would you go..??
  
  Is there such a thing as a true mental vacation ?…. I suppose it might be achieved with drugs or could that even be possible ?… No matter where you go your worries and stress seem to follow…. An escape from reality is just what the doctor will order but where can one get the prescription filled these days ?….. We all have valves that need to be relieved but it seems that less and less of us are finding ways to turn that pressure relief valve …… I see it in the faces of everybody…….. Disappearing works best for me…….. I will usually travel down a two lane highway when needing to relax and find a Mom n Pop operation and just enjoy the food, the coffee and most important the conversation ….. Fishing seems to let the air out of a balloon pretty quick……. If you can’t find the time to go fishing then you have no life …….. A kite in the park, a steamy hot shower or an afternoon at the gym getting that workout without worrying about the time followed up with a good soak in the hot tub……. A great movie getting lost in the Silver Screen for a couple of hours is nice…… But is it possible these days to take a total mental vacation ?…….. Could you go away for a few days and not touch your cell phone, your laptop, or use the computer provided in the hotel lobby ?……. Could you stay away from television the entire time ?……….
  
  Where do you go for a mental vacation….??
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Views: 239
Learning About Earth Day
- From: nan
- Description:
  
  Today I spoke with my students about the importance of taking care of our earth. Later, I noticed these three little girls reading the book I had shared with them earlier...They were huddled together talking about beauty in the world and how bad it was to "throw garbage all over." As I listened to their interpretations of the discussion we had earlier, it made me realize they had learned a valuable lesson...We should put priority in taking care of this wonderful planet that we share.
  
  I was amazed they would sit and look at a book and choose to discuss it instead of doing other activities that they enjoy. I'm glad I gave them something to think about on Earth Day. Maybe they will go home and share what they learned with their parents...HAPPY EARTH DAY EVERYONE!
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Views: 285
Saying Hello
- From: fox4weatherteam
- Description:
  
  Just a quick update+++++++++++++
  
  Heaviest storms aside from the one to our south in Cass Co...will be from KC Westwards...the outflow from the storms in NE KS has outrun the storms themselves so expect temperatures to be dropping this evening and the heaviest rains from the metro westwards...1-2" is possible if you get under the right location...hail risk is small due to the atmosphere being so warm...The storms are now sucking in the same rain-cooled air that they generated in the first place so I'm hoping they now stay below severe levels for awhile...
  
  ++++++
  
  I'll brief you later concerning the convective potential...while we're worked over and not as hot as yesterday...there is an outflow boundry working it's way southward from NW MO and NE KS...this may be able to generate sct convection in a few more hours as it connects with our heat and humidity with dewpoints now in the mid 70s...there is a weak cap in place right now but that boundry may be able to provide enough forcing to get through things...aside from that still lots of heat through SAT with a drop in the temps into the 80s likely after that and a break from the oppressive humidity...
  
  Now say hi to Conner who is job shadowing us today...
  
  I am here because I go to Louisburg High School and all seniors have to do a Graduation Reachure Project and I choose to shadow Fox 4 for the day I have learned that it is a lot of work behind the scene to get the forcast out to the viewers and how all the computers work to get the information to produce the forcast.
  
  Joe/Conner
- Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Views: 291
The Best BBQ in the city
- From: Brother
- Description:
  
  Gregory G's Bbq
  
  106 W Maple Ave, Independence, MO 64050-2814
  
  Contact Phone: (816) 461-1144
  
  I just ate there this week and they are the best hands down. the best cole slaw, beans ,and tender meat that melts in your mouth along with the owner sauce mmmmmmmmmmmmmm the best they even have sweet potato frys WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  family owned and he's verry nice, its cool to live you dream, espicialy when its soo good!
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Views: 327
My Friend Frank Boal
- From: Al_Wallace
- Description:
  
  This is the first day in more than 28 years that Frank Boal hasn't been part of the staff here at WDAF-TV as sports director. 24 years ago Frank hired me as a sports reporter, and I guess you know the rest. But imagine in any job if you could work for a boss who 'every single day'... let you do the job he hired you to do. He treated you with respect, and at the same time treated you like a best friend. Imagine that, and that's been my life here at in the FOX 4 sports department. Frank Boal.... so unlike others in the business, no ego, no agenda.
  
  I've been working TV news for 31 years now, and I owe my career, for the most part, to 3 people. A guy named John Curry hired me in Lubbock, Texas back in 1978. I told him I wanted to be a sportscaster and said OK, and then shoved a broom in my hand and pointed me toward the studio. Another, Mike McDonald, who, along with Frank Boal, hired me here at FOX 4 back in 1985, and after he moved to Dallas hired me at the NBC affiliate there because it was close to home. He put a clause in my contract that called for a Kansas City 'OUT', and he told me... 'I know you have some friends there'... I would wind up moving back.
  
  Then there's Frank Boal. Again, no ego, no agenda. Frank used to have a sticker on his 'typewriter' that said, sometimes the bear gets you, sometimes you get the bear. THIS T-V station has been here since 1949... Kansas City's oldest and most trusted TV station, and don't let anyone tell you different. 60 YEARS.... and the bear hasn't gotten this TV station yet.
- Blog post
- 4 months ago
- Views: 464
Early PM Update
- From: fox4weatherteam
- Description:
  
  +++5PM Update:+++
  
  Severe T/storm Watch in effect for the entire viewing area except far NW MO...till 10PM...
  
  ++++4PM Update: SPC has issued a TORNADO WATCH for our SW counties...Storms have rapidly developed from Topeka southwards towards Emporia...storms are tracking NE...hail/high winds are possible...best chances for this will be on the KS side for the next several hours...
  
  Thought I'd stop by and give an update to the PM weather situation...as we continue to watch a cold/stationary front...drift through parts of the region...the front passed through St Joe at around 8:30 this AM with a 7 degree drop...and then another 5 degree drop...so the temps went from 70 to 58 in about an hour or so...this front however is barely moving as I type...and as yet has not moved through KCI...and again the main effects from a temperature standpoint will be on the northside of KC metro though the 36 highway corridor for the rest of the afternoon...here is the front as of noon...
  
  This front may still press about another 10-20 miles or so southwards over the next 3-6 hours...
  
  Concerning convective trends...despite the front and dewpoints in the lower 60s...we're still not overly unstable...lots of clouds are keeping a lid on the termperatures as areas int he warm sector are only in the lower 70s now...in addition there are rather warm mid-level temperatures that actually may continue to increase over the next several hours...this will again keep the cap in place for most of the PM hours...here is a gander at the 700 mb temps/winds...that's some warm air over the covergence along the surface front...
  
  +8C air...and again the warmest air (and getting warmer) is co-located where the boundry is...so it's going to be tough to get much convection going around here inthe very short term...it should be noted that the models are progging this mid-level cap to weaken somewhat by late this afternoon and in fact are generating t/storms along the I-35 corridor by 7PM...should these storms form...they'll move NE to ENE at near 35 MPH...I'm still not totally convinced that they will form however...you can analyize the weakening of the cap later this afternoon by using this resource. Should this boundry try and fire up...here is a look at regional radar for you...
  
  The better chances of severe weather are going to be down towards the OK panhandle area...as I'm sure hundreds of chasers will be converging there later this afternoon...there may be some strong tornados associated with some supercells that should get their act together just before dark...and there may be some nasty weather in western OK after dark tonight...Some of our FOX 4 Chasers are enroute right now...and we wish them safe travels...always get a bit worried about evening/night events...I'm not sure I'm not sure I would've gone if I could today...there will be a ton of chasers going after not a ton of storms...not uncommon for a weekend.
  
  The folks from SPC have a moderate risk out for this area...notice we are in a slight risk...this may be more of an issue tonight...
  
  It should be also noted that they've upgraded much of the central plains to a moderate risk for tomorrow...take a look...
  
  Here is their discussion...if I could...this would be the day I'd venture out...my guess is that many of the FOX 4 chasers who will be out...will find this scenario good because they'll be heading home anyway...makes things much easier...
```
THE CURRENT THINKING IS THAT ONE OR TWO CLUSTERS OF ELEVATED STORMS  
WITH HAIL POTENTIAL SHOULD BE ONGOING SUNDAY MORNING ACROSS PARTS OF  
THE MODERATE RISK AREA. THIS CONVECTION SHOULD MOVE EWD AWAY FROM  
THE INSTABILITY AXIS DURING THE DAY ALLOWING FOR MODERATE TO STRONG  
DESTABILIZATION FROM CNTRL KS SWD ACROSS WRN OK...THE ERN TX  
PANHANDLE INTO THE LOW ROLLING PLAINS OF WCNTRL TX. MODEL FORECASTS  
ARE IN GENERAL AGREEMENT WEAKENING THE CAP BY EARLY TO MID-AFTERNOON  
INITIATING SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE  
INSTABILITY AXIS. FORECAST SOUNDINGS FROM THE NAMKF AT 21Z ACROSS  
THE MODERATE RISK AREA SHOW DEEP UNSTABLE THERMODYNAMIC PROFILES  
WITH MLCAPE VALUES BETWEEN 2000 AND 2500 J/KG ACROSS MUCH OF THE  
MODERATE RISK AREA. IN ADDITION...0-6 KM SHEAR ACROSS THE WARM  
SECTOR AIDED BY THE MID-LEVEL JET SUNDAY AFTERNOON RANGE FROM 40 TO  
55 KT WITH STRONG SPEED SHEAR IN THE BOUNDARY LAYER AND ADEQUATE  
DIRECTIONAL SHEAR FOR SUPERCELLS AND TORNADOES. CURVED HODOGRAPHS  
ALONG WITH LOW LCL HEIGHTS SUGGEST SOME STRONG TORNADOES WILL OCCUR  
LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING. IF THE CONVECTION ONGOING  
SUNDAY MORNING DOES INDEED MOVE EWD AWAY FROM THE AXIS OF  
INSTABILITY...ALLOWING FOR MODERATE TO STRONG DESTABILIZATION...THEN  
A TORNADO OUTBREAK MAY OCCUR ACROSS THE MODERATE RISK AREA.
```
  Concerning heavy rainfall threat...yup and in a big way...the atmosphere will be loaded with juice so when the storms form they'll produce copious amounts...the question is how much training occurs...again 1-3+" is certainly very doable...here is our FOX 4 exclusive NAM rainfall forecast...through 7PM MON night...the location is probably off...but again recognize the POTENTIAL as I always say...the PW (precipitable water is over 1.6"..which is very impressive...the GFS is just as wet with close to 2.6" @ KCI
  
  Here is the forecast for rainfall for the same time period...from the GFS...
  
  Interesting 1PM obs...north side of Topeka at 62 and dropping...south side (Forbes 12 degrees warmer)
  
  More updates later as needed.
  
  Joe
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Views: 533
Check out this April Fool's Da
- From: webproducermeagan
- Description:
  
  If you leave a group of guys unattended on the eve of April Fool's Day...then it about makes sense to walk into an office and see this:
  
  Some of the guys at All American Indoor Sports had a little too much time on their hands last night and completely foiled a co-worker's desk. I had the honor of actually seeing it in person. And...maybe I helped a little bit.
  
  I've got to admit that the level of detail and commitment was IMPRESSIVE.
  
  They foiled the phone cord! And a stack of CDs!
  
  It's hard to see in this picture...but there is a fan just to the right of the monitor. And it still works. They even demonstrated how the new foiled fan still operated perfectly.
  
  Congratulations, All American employees who shall remain nameless! This is the sort of April Fool's Day joke I can get behind.
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Views: 564
ACORN Prostitution/Tax Fraud S
- From: JohnKJR
- Description:
  
  The outrageous ACORN corruption exposed by James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles just doesn't stop. Baltimore and Washington aren't the only towns where Obama's shock troops are eager to use your tax dollar to set up brothels. From NYC:
  
  The scandal surrounding the left-wing activist organization ACORN has spread to New York, with employees at its Brooklyn office caught on video helping supposed ladies of the night get loans for their dream houses of ill repute.
  
  Rather than reminding the women that prostitution is dangerous and illegal and advising them to change their careers, counselors at the social-services group shockingly offer suggestions on how they can launder their earnings.
  
  "Honesty is not going to get you the house," a loan counselor at the offices told two activists posing as a mortgage-seeking pimp and prostitute.
  
  Sean Hannity has said that American journalism died last year. But only the mainstream media is dying; real journalism went underground, where it is thriving as it hasn't done for years thanks to heroes of the profession like O'Keefe and Giles — who have been threatened with prison for exposing ACORN corruption.
  
  All we need now is an exposé on the true depths of Obama's involvement with this vile organization.
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Views: 1829
Full text and analysis of the
- From: ShortyLongstrokin
- Description:
  
  The following link displays the full text of H.R. 3200, the "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" as it was introduced to committee. I've read it in its entirely, and I suggest everyone who is interested should read it, including all senators and representatives in Congress. Please see below:
  
  http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/text
  
  Now, as this is just a first version that has not yet made it out of the committee where it was authored, many details are subject to change. In fact, the Senate Finance Committee has already agreed to drop the end-of-life provisions that have generated so much (unnecessary) controversy in recent days. I'm actually quite disappointed with the senators who agreed to remove that part, since I feel that it is a very important provision that should be included. (More about that later.) However, it is still possible that such provisions can be rewritten or reexamined and introduced to the bill again down the road.
  
  Having said all that, I think it's time to clear the air on some misinformation floating around out there in town hall meetings and the blogosphere. Here are just a few points that people need to understand clearly:
  
  FACT #1: This is NOT a call for mandatory socialized medicine.
  
  The health care bill DOES NOT advocate forcing people to accept nationalized health care coverage. This has been one of the biggest misconceptions out there, and it's not true. What it does is offer a federal plan for those that would choose it. It means that if you like your privatized provider, you can keep it. For everyone else, the families in poverty or struggling to get by, there's this option.
  
  FACT #2: There are no such things as "death panels."
  
  Sarah Palin and other people have done an amzing job of scaring the easily duped by claiming that "'Obamacare' will KILL YOUR GRANDMA." That is as blatant of a falsehood as they come. The language of the health care bill actually had a provision that would allow for people who wanted it to have counseling with doctors and other medical professionals about advance directives and other end-of-life issues. This is one part of the bill I was happy to see included since most people don't think about those things or intentionally put them off until it's too late. I had to deal with that this year myself, and it's more important than a lot of folks realize. Sadly, because of Palin's scare tactics, the Democrats and others in the Senate Finance Committee stripped that out of the current resolution language. Perhaps it'll be added back in later in some form, but buckling under pressure like that does not bode well.
  
  FACT #3: Health care reform won't replace Medicare.
  
  I don't understand why people think this. Medicare has been around for decades and has proven to be an effective form of government-managed health care. My mother, God rest her soul, would not have survived as long as she did without the assistance of doctors, hospitals and medicine on the Medicare plan. Her company's insurance (before she retired) had written her off and given up on her. Medicare didn't. They stepped in and covered her treatments. Another thing I don't get is why people who have used Medicare or are on disability are rallying against "socialized medicine." What do they think Medicare is?!
  
  FACT #4: The government's plan will NOT cost more.
  
  Not likely at all, actually. In fact, it was designed to be more affordable as its primary intention. The current bill discusses limits on premiums and caps on out-of-pocket expenses. It creates a list of high standards that any federally offered plan must meet to be a "Qualified Health Care Program." It also stipulates that private insurers must meet or exceed those same standards within five years. The aim is to provide better and cheaper coverage to everyone, whether they choose a public or private health care option.
  
  If you have other questions about what the plan does and doesn't include, the White House has made available this handy little "cheat sheet" which addressed some of the more publicized concerns about consumer protections:
  
  (Click to enlarge. This document is also available to download as a PDF at whitehouse.gov.)
  
  I've read this document and compared it to the actual passages in the bill, and everything they describe is accurate. If you've heard differently, you've been misinformed by people who have either misinterpreted the context of part of the resolution or have completely made things up (like "death panels").
  
  Okay, so who's against this? Well, many opponents to President Obama and the Democratic Party for one, and for various reasons. The classic excuse is just politics, plain and simple. If such a contentious proposal was introduced by a Republican senator or representative, you can bet that there would be Democrats opposed to is for purely partisan gain. It's that same way on either side, so you just have to take that for what it is.
  
  Another two groups opposed to health care reform are the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance industry. Big surprise. Who would want anyone coming in and telling them how to run their operations better, unless said people are trying to made vital services accessible and affordable to segments of the population who would otherwise not have access to them? The big businesses behind them stand to lose a lot of ground in their health care dominance, so it's natural that they would want lobbyists and think tanks to be in the pockets of the very politicians that are in positions to try and stop health care reform dead in its tracks.
  
  Then there are the crazies, the people on the fringe that have been swallowing all the outright lies being told to them by Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and others because they scare easily and are susceptible to outside influence. These are the same people you see at town hall meetings screaming until they turn blue in the face, the hangers-on from the "Red Scare" of the 1950s-60s who have done nothing more than replace their irrational fear of "communism" with "socialism." Did I also mention that a number of them are also undereducated? That would explain those silly posters of Obama made up to look like the Joker with the word "SOCIALISM" written in big, bold letters underneath. The Joker is an anarchist, and he's about as far away from being a socialist as you can get. But I digress upon discussing an example of why these folks don't need to be shut up and silenced -- they just need to be educated.
  
  And that's the best thing we can do to make sure health care reform passes: EDUCATE THE PUBLIC. Sure, some people will make every effort to ignore the facts and parade about with their fingers in their ears, but you reach the ones you can. And hopefully, if you've read all the way to the end of this post, I've reached you too.
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 3609