05-13-2011 BLC EXCLUSIVE: KATIE HORNER'S DAYS NUMBERED AT KCTV Katie Horner, KCTV's often controversial chief meteorologist since 1998, is on the way out at Kansas City's CBS affiliate KCTV, reliable sources have told Bottom Line Communications. BLC has been told that KCTV has been conducting secret focus group tests with potential weather candidates around the country. The potential switch set for this summer. KCTV refused to confirm or deny the story. Rumors circulated almost from the day Vice President & General Manager Bobby Totsch took over the reins at the station in October 2009 that he did not appreciate the 19-year veteran's sometimes over-the-top, scare-the-hell-out-of-'em weather forecasts. Horner is an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist who has been dubbed "Katie Tornado" for her breathless severe weather predictions. Her excitement over any amount of snow having been jokingly referred to as "Snowgasms." Her warnings to children to put on bike helmets during storms is legendary. In fact, Horner's excitable forecasts resulted in a Web site being created called "FireKatie.com." There is even a "FakeKatieHorner" Twitter account with 1,000 followers. Even her biography on the KCTV site highlights her sometimes manic weather coverage. (It does not highlight when she literally ran into the studio during severe weather in a T-shirt and blue jeans and actually pushed another KCTV weatherman off-camera.) Justin Kendall at The Pitch (5/13) noted that at one time Horner even had a drinking game in her honor. "Katie is well-known in Kansas City for her tireless, non-stop severe weather coverage," says the KCTV site. "She persevered through a relentless, live 15-hour severe weather broadcast in March 2006, reporting on at least 12 tornadoes that hit within KCTV5's coverage area." Born in Nelsonville, OH, Horner joined KCTV5 in 1994 and became the station's chief meteorologist in 1998. Her career in TV began in 1989 at WEAR-TV3 in Pensacola, FL. after receiving a degree in PR and Marketing at the University of West Florida. While working full-time she went back to school to study meteorology and later became certified by the American Meteorological Society in 1996. She later served on the board of the AMS from 2005-2008. In 2008 she wrote a parent�s resource book, �Brainstorming," as a guide to help parents help their children through severe weather. She also has her own business where she does video consulting for on-air weather people wishing to get their American Meteorological Society "Seal of Approval." Since assuming the controls at KCTV Totsch has shaken the station to its core with a series of staff changes and cuts, implementation of new technology, changed its veteran morning news team and started a program focusing on Hispanics and another one highlighting the KC Zoo. A friend of Horner's says much of her reputation as "Katie Tornado" was undeserved. A local blogger agrees (Link). "Katie was unfairly criticized for many of her reports," says the close friend, "but Regent Ducas (former news director who went to Dallas in 2007 after five years at KCTV) implemented a weather policy of 'First On, Last Off' and the way the weather was presented. "Ducas created the "Live, Late-Breaking, Investigative" beast that everyone at the station has been stuck with even today."
05-13-2011 THOUGHTS... "Yes, Katie Horner is a little over the top. But, she has a professional, yet pleasant appearance. Also, she speaks proper English (unlike Gary Amble). I like Tom Wachs, even though he is awful pretty." ---Pat Carlson
UGLY BOOTS AT KCTV "John Landsberg at bottomlinecom.com is reporting Katie Horner might be out at 5. The Pitch Kansas City is following the unconfirmed report. Since I doubt 5 has any plans to offer me a big fat contract, I'll feel free to say I've watched some great people get some ugly boots since what I remember as the glory days of KCTV in the 80's and 90's." ---Russ Ptacek via Facebook
DEVON LUCIE COMMENTS "(It does not highlight when she literally ran into the studio during severe weather in a T-shirt and blue jeans and actually pushed another KCTV weatherman off-camera.)" "Katie arrived for severe weather coverage at management's request. In this particular episode, I was the one providing coverage and she NEVER pushed me. Katie really has gotten a raw deal since her coverage was ALWAYS at the mandate of management and not by her own professional discretion." ---- Devon Lucie, Former KCTV5 Meteorologist
BREEZY... "Katie called me this morning and told me to put on my bike helmet and run to the basement because it was going to be a bit breezy."HELMET GOOD ADVICE "As someone who walked away from an F4 tornado on 4 May 2003 ... when the neighbor's central air conditioning unit is being tossed into the window of your walkout basement while 3 young children are huddled in a corner as your house above you is coming apart - that "put your kids in a bike helmet" suggestion is good advice. I only wish I had done it when the big one hit my house." ---Kris Ketz
05-15-2011 KATIE ISN'T PROBLEM "As a former KCTV 5 employee, I can tell you the problem isn't KATIE.The problem begins at the top...with Bobby and trickles down to the News Director, Assistant News Director and Executive Producer. "KATIE is not the first (nor will she be the last) casualty that KCTV5 will see UNLESS the managemet and mentality changes.There are reasons why they are not #1 and most nights, not even #2."
LIVES MORE IMPORTANT THAN TV "I really like Katie's reporting, I always go to kctv 5 first in bad weather. I understand that the call for her to be on air is management, so why blame her for us missing some tv show or sporting event. I would think lives are more important than tv. I really hope they keep her or I will go to another station for my information. I say keep Katie." ----Theda Wilson, Gardner, KS
FORMER STATION "Bobby Totsch should watch video of his former station, Channel 4 in St. Louis when they warned us repeatedly of the tornadoes last month. It was over the top. No one died. We appreciate over the top." ----Scott Simon, Former anchor/reporter Newsradio 980 KMBZ
HERE TO STAY!! "[email protected] the pitch..what a rag paper to base anything on! KATIE IS HERE TO STAY !!! ARE YOU pitch/KC STARR ETC! JUST RAG PAPERS WITH NOTHING AT THE CORE BUT MISINFORMATION!!! THATS MY BOTTOM LINE!!!" --Bill Wilcox
WILL CHANGE CHANNEL "I have been watching Katie on KCTV5 for many years and am convinced that her passion for weather is from pure compassion and caring for the people of Kansas City. If she is no longer there in the future, I will change the channel." ---Kristy Dietz
TIP OFF BARNHART "Might pass on Horner story to [email protected] and Rob Z. They might look in the area or other cities in KS/MO for a replacement. Maybe say Mwtro Sports in full hd KNOW."
05-17-2011 GO KATIE! "YOU GO KATIE! HOPE YOU STICK AROUND."
EVIL LOOMS "People amaze me by their ignorance. Evil looms in all corporate business. People are not valued like they should be. Many people in mgmt are only in their positions because of political prowess and self righteousness. "Katie is loved for what she does in the KC area. Shame on the people doing this to such a professional. I will no longer be a fan of TV5 and will persuade others to do the same. Chin up Katie, wherever you land, you will be an asset." ----Speedyt from Spring Hill,KS
05-19-2011 KATIE IS GREAT "I am so sick of people who always take the negative stance and speak about things they know nothing about. Katie is a great meteorologist and human being! She is accurate and takes everything in weather so seriously. And I have to agree with a previous post that she HAS to follow what the PD says whether she agrees or not. "I hope she stays until she says "enough...think I will go work for a station that appreciates talent!" The Yates Family loves you!"
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