Well... Here we go!

Ok, so I spent a lot of my life on the Assignment Desk at local television stations.

Now that I'm out of the business... the "NEWS" part, just won;t let me go...

So I'm embarking on a NEW blog to throw news story ideas up whenever possible! (I hope to do this at least once a week... but I'll do it as time permits...)

Here are a few I just posted on my Facebook Status... but I thought I'd add a few more.

Some of these are "Fort Smith/Fayetteville Arkansas Specific" but others could be done anywhere!

1-How will the cash for clunkers program affect the steel/Metal industry? With all that recycled steel and metal entering a system that is already seeing a glut... will companies like MacSteel be hurt?

2-The cost of going green- As more companies strive to go green, what's that doing to local printing/paper companies? We've already seen how ...the paperless world is affecting the postal service. Will more local companies start feeling more of a pinch?

3- I think it would be interesting to look at development trends in Fort Smith (or really, even Fayetteville). In Fort Smith, it's clear to see each section and how it was affected... Towson was big in the 70's at the expense of Midland which was big in the 50's/60's... and Rogers was big in the 80's/90's.... now Phoenix is growing. What is the city doing to try to keep Rogers Avenue from becoming the next Midland? And what can be done to connect Phoenix to future growth out on Chaffee land? I mean... should the city really only focus on what's new? Or should SOMEONE be saying... we need to work on improving the city as a whole?

4- another story that would take some work.. but would be cool. "A World Without Wal Mart"... I mean... I am the first person to tell you that I don't like Wal Mart... but what if you did an in depth story showing what the world might be like without the retail giant? How it might affect inflation without a giant corporation around to ... Read Morekeep prices low... maybe look at the unemployment aspect... how the company keeps thousands upon thousands of people employed. and a whole second part could be the "NWA without Wal Mart... Just imagine what Arkansas might be like if Wal Mart never existed!" Could also point out the local charities and groups that wouldn't be able to survive without grants from the Wal MArt Foundation.

5-"The Sanctity of Marriage"- As the debate rages over who should and shouldn't be allowed to marry... take a look at the state of marriages today... compare divorce rates to past rates... maybe even get with a divorce court to find the top 5 "grounds" for divorce in our area... Could take a look at whether the Covenant Marriage ... Read Morething that Huckabee championed has done any good... Would be great to tell the story around a couple that's been married for 50 plus years... what's THEIR secret?

6-Adoption Update- How have the new restrictions on adoption in Arkansas affected the number of children waiting for a home? Are we seeing an increase? Would be great to find one of the loudest voices that was fighting FOR the ban... and find out whether THEY would be willing to give one of those waiting children a home? If not, than who will or even CAN?

7- H1N1 Fears- Should take a look at how easily H1N1 is spread... then take a look at places people are most likely to come in contact with a lot of germs. Schools, Retail Stores, hell... even the Casinos! Are these places taking any precautions to prevent an outbreak or do they just have a plan once someone gets sick? Maybe a doctor could help create an "H1N1 prevention kit" and tell us everything that we should have on hand to reduce our risk. I mean, is it really a bad idea to keep a small bag with you even if it's just for your own peace of mind? Things like purell, antibacterial soap, sterile rubber gloves and even a mask are things that we all may be wishing we had once fall arrives..

8- Do you know your neighbor? I was thinking about this one after the whole "Gates" thing happened... I mean, his NEIGHBOR called the cops on him! Got me thinking... how many people really KNOW their neighbors? Police say knowing your neighbors can help cut down on crimes... because if you KNOW someone, you're more likely to know when you see a stranger is breaking into their home! Could pair this with the "Night Out" program... or maybe even a Neighborhood watch program.