Articles for February, 2009
The Dismal Future Of Local TV
Sam Schechner and Rebecca Dana of the WSJ wonder aloud how local stations can survive, especially if one of the networks moves to cable only, breaking up the concept of “network” entirely. Dallas has one of the lowest cable penetration rates in the country, second only to Anchorage, so it may not affect us as much as other markets. On the other hand, forecasters are predicting a 30% drop in revenues this year.
Nurses Like Baylor And Parkland
They rated the two among the Top 100 Hospitals in America. Happy nurses make for happier patients, right?
Why Ellen Degeneres Would Ever Care About Southwest Airlines
This morning comes word that Southwest Airlines will “rollout co-branded online sweepstakes, promotions, and other exciting programs” with Sweet Caribbean Cruises, a lesbian travel company that “merges the best of lesbian entertainment with social consciousness and environmental awareness.” On big cruise ships. Southwest Airlines is now the “official airlines” of Sweet and has a “gay travel website.” Cruisers will receive discounted airline rates and save the world from global warming at the same time. I call that a bargain. The best I ever had.
Anybody Got a High-End Strip Joint I Can Manage?
Michael Precker gets a nod in today’s WSJ, in a story about the dangers of identifying yourself too strongly with your profession. Precker, as many around these parts know, was a reporter and editor at the DMN until 2006, when he took a buyout. Now he manages the Lodge, which as many around these parts also know, is a high-end strip joint. And I see that on Valentine’s Day weekend, the Lodge will host Tiny Tina. At 3-foot-5, she’s billed as the world’s tiniest dancer. Kudos to you, Mr. Precker. We shall have our singles folded lengthwise and at the ready.
Mark Cuban Introduces His Own Stimulus Plan
Need money for a start-up? Especially a start-up that will be up and running in 90 days? Mark Cuban is ready to listen.
Leading Off (02/10/09)
1. Texas faces an increasing shortage of well-qualified math and science teachers for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they earn on average $23,000 to $40,000 less than their peers in the private sector. Not surprisingly, the children who need the most help in these areas have the worst teachers. Also not surprisingly, the kids most affected have a more short-term outlook: “Sweet,” they said.
2. A NorthPark cleaning crew worker is in fair condition after a 5 a.m.-ish shooting at the mall. A car rolled by the entrance near Kona Grill and opened fire through the doors, and the worker, who was cleaning the escalator, was hit by a stray bullet. No motive or suspects yet, although police do anticipate a general “we’re going to hell in a handbasket”-style overreaction on this blog’s comments. Let’s not disappoint.
3. Haven’t broken this one out in a while: If you haven’t seen the forecast for tonight, er, uh, DUCK!
John Cornyn Only Senator to Skip Stimulus Cloture Vote
Where was he? At a fund-raiser in New York. First things first.
Calling Marc Stein! Calling Marc Stein!
I have lost your email address. Please contact me at ericc@dmagazine.com.
That is all.
Hope Unidentified Grayson County Woman Enjoys Hell Nearest Mental Institution
What would make someone cram 20 adult dogs and two puppies into a station wagon?
Local Blogger Goes On The Disabled List. Near-Term Blogging Doubtful And/Or Drug-Addled
Tomorrow morning, my right foot and I are headed to a local surgical center where an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle rehabilitation will operate to treat my recently diagnosed Lisfranc fracture. If you care to read on, read on.
A-Rod Admits Using Steroids as a Texas Ranger
Not discussed in this ESPN interview is whether he acknowledged sleeping with Madonna was like making love to a dude. But I think that would be even less surprising.
How Important Is Government To The DFW Economy?
Taken together, the federal, state, and local governments employed 253,740 people in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2008, according to Moody’s Economy [pay-only]. That’s 30,234 feds, 34,769 state employees, and 188,717 local government employees.
As the NBA Trade Deadline Approaches
The Mavericks have been playing better lately. But are they good enough to get out of the first round? And are they set up to be competitive in the future? As long as Dirk is around, of course, they’ll always be somewhat competitive. We’ve gotten used to more than that, though, haven’t we? With that in mind, a couple of trade scenarios (both with Portland) that may or may not make sense, but do work under the rules of the salary cap. They’re after the jump.
Dallas Twestival Twis Twursday
For those who Twitter: There’s a charity event and music concert and Twitter get-together all rolled into one this Thursday at Mockingbird Station. For tickets and details, go here. For a well-written, recent story about the Twitter phenomenon that I’m just now reading, go here. To follow D’s Twitter feed, go here.
Would You Write To Obama To Spare Your Job?
The makers of the F-22 Raptor (some of whom live in Fort Worth) have written a letter to Barack Obama – and are circulating an Internet petition - to convince him and members of Congress to fund the air-superiority fighter. The one hook that they have is that this plane is a government program, versus banks, which shouldn’t be. I know that newspaper publishers could make a compelling argument for a bailout, saying that they play a crucial watchdog role over government. Heck, my friend who sells overhead cranes could make a compelling argument about the importance of the American manufacturing sector. Where does this stop?
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