Ok, here goes, after some deliberation, it emphasizes daily field coverage and consistent performance.
1. Drew Mikkelsen KING. Great covering the statehouse and the South Sound. Consistent, solid, versatile, strong presentation every time. I feel like he really loves his job and he's been at it a long time. I give him a nod for being with KING the entire time after a stellar stint at KGW in Portland.
2. Chris Daniels KOMO. This was a close call for #1. I think Daniels has the best handle on Seattle politics and government that I have seen for a long, long time. He's trusted by officials. Determined and has a strong work ethic. His posts about Seattle sports (not the business of sports) are a little much for me, but he has a following for his work on that side of the line.
3 .Jeremy Harris, KOMO. I have criticized Jeremy for being overly hyped on a lot of his crime reporting, which is almost a Sinclair requirement, but he is strong on live shots and like to pursue answers. He's aggressive and I like that a lot. Lost art.
4. Eric Thomas, KIRO. His versatility on news and sports is very impressive. Good at the anchor desk, but has solid presence on live shots and reporting in the field.
5. Shawn Chitnis, Fox 13, good, consistent morning field guy at a station which has too many anchors and not enough strong go-to reporters, especially after the late Steve Kiggins departed. He would have been in the top five. He has excellent WA experience from Spokane and Yakima TV. That counts.
Honorable Mention:
Christian Balderas at KING, a really good newcomer. Like his style.
Jackie Kent, KOMO. Solid, dependable, consistent, good live presence.
Tyler Cunnington KOMO, also an up-and-comer. Solid performer so far.
Madeline Ottille, KIRO, solid, versatile.
A very solid list! Excellent choices and well thought out.
ReplyDeleteIf KOMO ever relaunches their investigative unit, Harris would be a strong contender to be a part of it. He is good at getting answers, which is becoming increasingly difficult to do in an era of shrinking transparency from elected leaders and public officials.
The late Kiggins was a solid reporter who did his job reliably and consistently. He is very much missed.
Chitnis is a bright spot on Good Day Seattle. Perhaps the best morning reporter in town right now.
I've been watching Mikkelsen for nearly 20 years and he has been consitently good the entire time. KING's coverage of the South Sound and the Statehouse benefits greatly from him being there.
Daniels increasingly owns the Seattle City Hall beat, and seems to be able to get interviews with anyone and everyone quite easily. Whether we like it or not, he has built up a following for his sports coverage, and he is a go-to reporter of the business and political sides of sports in this market.
Spot on, IDC. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExcellent list. Drew and Chris are some of the last of the old school tv journalists, making local connections over the decades and gaining the trust and respect of their wide networks.Jeremy is a bull dog who won’t take no for an answer and probably strikes fear into the hearts of who he is questioning, and I mean that in a good way. He demands accountability. Lots of good new young reporters among the stations, too. Unfortunately the turnover for young reporters is high as Seattle is so expensive, and tv pay isn’t what it should be for the hours and demands of the job.They come here and are one and done on their contracts when they struggle with our HCOL area.
ReplyDeleteTurnover among reporters in Seattle used to be a lot lower than it is now. Reporters would often come here and stay for the rest of their careers. I reckon we could get back to that era if TV pay was increased to align with the high cost of living. Its a beautiful area with plenty to see and do, and there are many stories to cover that aren't all chasing lights and sirens.
DeleteThank you. Spot-on insights. Appreciate.
ReplyDeleteGreat list. Can't disagree with any and yet I feel like some others are worthy of consideration. For both their reporting abilities and also for their work actually on-air, especially live shots. I would include Jim Nelson KING at the top. Throw in Dan Griffin FOX 13 and AJ Janavel FOX 13 too. AJ has grown on me. Can do hard news and also has a "fun" element. Very, very different than the old school approach. Finally, Bridget Chavez KING is solid. Wondering what you think about this role Wayne? I remember when a reporter, males at least, would always dress the part. Sport jacket at the minimum. Never a shirt without a collar. I feel like the shirt and tie added some credibility. Also, noted here- KIRO has nobody I would say is elite.
ReplyDeleteI like Nelson but hated his foolish Emmy acceptance speech. I posted about it. He is stronger than the usual King Reporter presence so I recognize that positive.
DeleteGriffin left and came back but I have this vivid memory of him saying he couldn't swim during a tsunami warning. Hilarious. Posted about that one as well.
I kinda like AJ and Chavez but not in the top five. I would put Brandon Thompson and Maddie Ottille above them.