Tampa Bay Local News

Here is a summary what I think of every TV news station in Tampa Bay:

WFTS (ABC Action News): I don't watch it. Neither does anyone else -- it has always been a distant last place in the ratings. I know that Brendan McLaughlin does a fine job, but that's it. Next.

WTSP (10 Connects): Late last year, this station rebranded to become 10 Connects. Its news is now more hard-edged and has several "connections" to its audience. For instance, they will read viewer comments from their website about top stories. They also accept story ideas and on-scene cell phone pictures from viewers (or as they call them, "street journalists"). I like the concept of involving the citizens in their own news.

The anchors are generally good. I like Reginald Roundtree and Heather Van Nest as the main team. They work well together and are good people by most accounts. Ginger Gadsden is good in the morning, and I like the addition of Keith Jones to work with her. They play off each other and mesh well. The sports team is nearly non-existant. I like the reporters, especially veteran Mike Deeson. Overall this is a solid news team.

WFLA (8 On Your Side): The staff is well experienced and the news is delivered in droves. The lead team of Gayle Sierens and Keith Cate bring over 50 years combined experience, yet are still youthful enough to relate to viewers. They are talented and multi-faceted people. It's not an overly exciting newscast, but it delivers information. I could do without Gayle Guyardo in the morning, but long-tenured Bill Ratliff brings a solid dose of fair journalism.

The reporters do a good enough job, though they don't really carve out clear identities. The sports team led by Dave Reynolds is nothing special. The weather from Steve Jerve and Jennifer Hill is good, but not spectacular. I still like watching WFLA on occasion, as it is a credible source.

WTVT (FOX 13): This might be the most interesting news in Tampa Bay. The negatives are that it is by far the last station to convert to high definition, not having done it yet (What's up with that?) and that, being FOX owned-and-operated, it is the "softest" news in the market. The lead team of John Wilson, Kelly Ring, sports guy Chip Carter and meteorologist Paul Dellegatto are all veterans who know how to communicate with the audience. Their reporters are a sharp, young team that does a fine job on live breaking stories. They also employ long-time broadcasters Kathy Fountain, Frank Robertson, Denise White, Andy Johnson and Howard Shapiro, loading its team with credibility.

The late-night show "News Edge" is a FOX idea that is using Tampa as a test market. Hosted by John's son Mark Wilson, it features a string of interesting news reports and roundtable commentary. Throwing convention out the window, it is like the Tampa Bay Times of TV news. Especially for younger viewers, this could be the best news show in the area.

The morning show "Good Day Tampa Bay" is also a hit. The 4:30-7:00 portion is hosted by Tom Curran and former WFLA anchor Nerissa Prest, and it mostly contains straight news and a few feature reports. The 7:00-9:00 portion, hosted by the seasoned Anne Dwyer and Russell Rhodes, looks more like NBC's "Today." Guests and features are sprinkled everywhere. Though I must say roving reporter Charley Belcher is annoying and unfunny, the whole team is enthusiastic and the lighter side of news is satisfying after the mostly depressing tales told early in the morning.

Rankings: WTVT, WTSP, WFLA, WFTS

There are my takes on the local news of my hometown. I didn't include Bay News 9 because it's a cable station. Stay tuned for next time as I try to find somebody to lay the hammer on.