WSOC in Charlotte has added the "Breaking News Center," because, you know, news can't be broken from the anchor desk. 

Of course, WSOC's "Breaking News Center" looks very similar to competitor WBTV's "Alert Center", which the station has been doing for quite some time.

WSOC has been slipping in the ratings and WBTV has been gaining, it appears that WSOC is taking a page out of the competitor's playbook.

Then again, these days no one comes up with an original idea in local news anymore. It's all just regurgitated from research and consultants.

I miss the days when stations went with their gut and took chances. 

The times have changed and sadly that is neither an "alert" or "breaking news" to anyone in this business.