The Best Bloopers for May

May was a very busy month for news and it was also a good one for News Bloopers. Here are some of the best ones for the month:​

Memphis Station Starts over from Scratch

WPTY which many people called WPity is rebranding itself in the Memphis market.​

The station that has always struggled in the ratings is changing it's call letters to WATN. The brand name of the station will be Local 24.

Along with new call letters the staff is moving into a new facility, using new graphics and launching a new website. ​

In other words the struggling Memphis station is starting over from scratch. ​Which won't be hard since that is pretty much where the station's ratings were. 

“We are re-dedicating ourselves to the local Memphis/Jackson community with the debut of our new technologically advanced operations center and innovative local news programming that will feature an updated, modern look, including new sets, high definition studio cameras, enhanced meteorological forecasting technology and advanced weather and traffic presentation equipment,” GM Ardyth Diercks said.

Also located in the new 27,000 Sq Ft. Facility will be stations WLMT (CW), plus WJKT, the Fox affiliate in adjacent Jackson, Tenn.

All 3 stations are owned by Nexstar ​

Buffalo Anchor Leaving Low Rated Morning Show

WKBW Morning co-anchor Patrick Taney is leaving the station at the end of July for a job in Rochester.

Taney is headed to WHEC in Rochester.

WKBW News Director Polly Van Doren wrote in an email to the staff that the move to Rochester will enable Taney to spend more time and care for his parents who live close by.

Taney joined the station in 2007 and has been the co-anchor of the last place morning show. ​

The station is looking for a replacement.

It might be a good spot for someone currently ​in the Witness Protection Program. As low rated as the morning newscast is, it's a good bet that no one will see them. 

2 In and 1 Out at WCCO

Some changes to the on air lineup at WCCO in Minneapolis.

Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield (pictured), who most recently was at WIS-TV in Columbia, S.C., joined the station last week. She covered the recent snowstorm -- a novelty for the Georgia native who had to ask co-workers for tips on how to dress for the weather. She also shoveled snow for the first time. There's nothing like a hearty Minnesota welcome.

The station is also adding a reporter to its sports department. David McCoy -- a former sports intern at WCCO who comes from WSBT-TV in South Bend, Ind. -- will start his new gig on March 18. He will report on sports during the week and for "Rosen's Sports Sunday" and will fill in on the anchor desk when Mark Rosen or Mike Max are on vacation.​

And after a year and a half at WCCO, reporter Chris Stanford left the station at the end of February for a job as weekend anchor at KMOV-TV in St. Louis, Mo.

​Pioneer Press

Bumped up at Black Rock

Bill Felling has been promoted to Executive Director, News Services for CBS News, it was announced today by CBS News Chairman and 60 MINUTES Executive Producer Jeff Fager and David Rhodes, President of CBS News.  In his new role, Felling will direct day-to-day newsgathering for CBS affiliates and broadcasters worldwide reporting to Kurt Davis, Vice President of News Services.

Felling joined CBS News in 1982 and has held various positions during his tenure.  Most recently, he served as CBS News’ National Editor since 1995, where he was a key figure in coordinating coverage for two Emmy Award-winning CBS News reports, including the September 11 attacks and the 1996 Olympic park bombing in Atlanta.  He also managed day-to-day coverage of 1996 Presidential campaigns for the hard news and special events broadcasts. 

The Top 5 Stories Read this MONTH on FTVLive

As we wrap up the month of May. I looked back at the FTVLive stats to see what stories you guys read the most this month on FTVLive.

Here are the stories that you all clicked on and read the most for the Month of May 2013:​

No. 5 -​ NY Anchor Tweets Racy Message on Twitter By Mistake

No. 4 -​ Wolf Blitzer Asks Atheist Tornado Survivor, "Do You Thank The Lord?"

No. 3 -​ Chicago Sports Reporter Sacked for Old YouTube Videos

No. 2 -​ F-Bomb Anchor Now Tending Bar

And the most read story on FTVLive for the Month of May:​ 

Sorry Jay.... But that's Kind of How TV News Works

WGN to Expand Morning Show

Back on March 12th, FTVLive told you that WGN in Chicago was looking to expand their morning newscast. ​

We wrote that the move would likely happened this Fall when the syndicated Live with Kelly & Michael leaves the Tribune Broadcasting station. 

Months later, WGN has confirmed that they are in fact going to expend the "Morning News" ​in the Fall.

The addition of another hour of news will expand what already is the busiest television news operation in town, with weekday news blocks airing from 4 to 10am, 11am to 1pm, 5 to 6pm, and 9 to 10pm. That would make it a full 10 hours a day.

Chicago Weather Anchor Leaving

WLS Meteorologist Mark Bishop is leaving the station after 8 years.

Word is that Bishop is headed to Nashville for a teaching job.​

In addition to his weather forecasting duties at WLS, Bishop has been a full-time professor in the Department of Communication at Olivet Nazarene University (In nearby Kankakee, Il) since 2001.

Bishop was the Director of the television/video production and film studies concentrations, he teaches classes in TV news, video editing, studio production communication ethics, and mass media and society.

At WLS, Bishop was the Weekend Morning Weather Anchor. His last day at te station is June 15th. ​