Let’s see what is on your minds…

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Hey Scott,

Was interested when I read your thoughts on how many in the business are able to just up and leave jobs as if they’re all trust fund babies - I’ve also wondered that many times. While I do think a large portion of people who are able to go into news are able to do so because they come from comfortable backgrounds, I do think the true reason so many find their way home is that most of these jobs in TV news don’t give us financial incentive to stay. I’ve actually looked into management at Starbucks and Target to see how much of a pay cut I would take to get out of this high-pressure/low quality of life business and it’s not much.

I do think that the quality of journalists has dropped so much (read: younger and under qualified) is because none of these huge TV corps have any interest in paying enough to keep seasoned journalists interested. Our jobs are high pressure, long hours, and now with social media even more in the public eye than ever. For those who have passion for what they do, they pour their energy and talent into every story, every day. It takes a toll. If we aren’t getting compensated enough to justify all that, why stay? If the pay doesn’t make you need the job, the schedule certainly won’t!

Money can’t buy good employees but I do think it can retain good employees once you find them. Invest in good employees and you won’t have to spend so much time interviewing the never ending revolving door. Money talks. Give your people a good way of life (one that they won’t be willing to just walk away from) and you will attract top talent in every department.

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Good Afternoon Scott,

Quick follow-up on this morning's Hail to the Chief story on FTVLive. Earlier today, I was paging through the job listing on LinkedIn and saw this very job. It was listed as "Actively Recruiting," and as of the time of this email ... still is. I applied. Then later in the day, I read that the position had been filled on FTVLive (Congrats to Mark, who got bumped up). But my story gets EVEN better. A quick check of the company's job site shows "no activity" on any of the jobs I've applied for over the past 2-years. It makes the three-plus years I've been on the beach even more special.

Next time you hear from a recruiter frustrated that they can't find any good help these days, perhaps you might suggest that they check their inbox. (maybe keep their job listings up to date too)

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Some will mistakenly say Victor Blackwell losing his composure was unprofessional. It is not. I didn't post about my devastation at yet another mass shooting or about my anger when I heard the motivation was tied to the once-extreme conspiracy theory of replacement theory. I made the common mistake in journalism that a commitment to truth is an absolute commitment to neutrality. But sometimes Truth takes "a side." The Truth is that the repetition of these shootings IS devastating. The Truth is that replacement theory is a dangerous lie that spreads hate and hate inspires violence. Victor Blackwell didn't not just relay the informational truth of this story. He relayed the emotional truth of this story. He connected me with why I'm sad, angry, frustrated... why I care about the information! And that is great storytelling.

Thanks for all you do,