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Jim Taricani and wife Laurie White outside court last year. (Courtesy USA Today/AP)

After four months confined to his home for airing a court-protected tape on TV, WJAR-10 investigative reporter Jim Taricani is reportedly planning to enjoy some time in New York with his wife today. A judge has released Taricani from the two remaining months of his sentence for good behavior, ending a yearlong ordeal that brought attention to the question of journalistic privilege. Taricani was sentenced to house arrest instead of jail partly because of health problems, and only left the house three times for medical reasons since December, his wife told the Providence Journal. Prohibited from work, interviews, and the internet, Taricani has reportedly been reading, writing, and exercising. It all began last year when Taricani refused to reveal the source of the tape, but eventually the source was found out — apparently because of Taricani's own slip-up in talking with an FBI agent — and publicly denied that he had ever asked Taricani for confidentiality. The tape showed a city official taking a bribe, part of federal evidence in an elaborate corruption scandal that rocked Providence city government and landed the mayor in federal prison. Taricani is expected to return to Ch. 10 part-time starting next week.

Video shows the car swerved away at the last second before hitting a WMGM-40 photographer. (Courtesy WCAU-TV)

The brother of a teen murder suspect in New Jersey was arrested Wednesday for apparently trying to run over a TV news photographer with his car. WMGM-40 shooter Michael DaGrossa was across the street from the suspect's home with a reporter when family members reportedly came out of the house and started cursing at them. He taped the scene as James Conroy, 19, got into a car and sped toward the Ch. 40 news vehicle, just missing him. The crew was reporting on Conroy's 17-year-old brother, who is charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of his best friend. Police were using the tape to charge Conroy with aggravated assault, according to reports.

Police in Wisconsin have officially leveled charges against former WKOW-27 reporter Joe Mason for a bizarre incident in whic Former WKOW-27 reporter Joseph Ulrey was slapped with three misdemeanors after what seemed to be a public breakdown. (Courtesy WISC-TV/WKOW)

Former WKOW-27 reporter Joseph Ulrey was slapped with three misdemeanors after what seemed to be a public breakdown. (Courtesy WISC-TV/WKOW)

h he allegedly walked into a radio station with a loaded gun rambling conspiracy theories. Mason, whose real name is Joseph Ulrey, reportedly claimed to be an undercover CIA agent, discussed White House "power grids," and said George W. Bush helped assassinate President Kennedy during a visit to WGEZ in Beloit. At one time while talking with people at the station, he allegedly brandished a gun that he said he kept for protection. Called to the station, police found him carrying the gun, some marijuana, and a marijuana pipe, and held him for mental evaluation. Mason, who until the Feb. 11 incident covered Rock County for the Madison ABC affiliate, is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Baltimore's NBC affiliate is among four local news stations that have been recognized with Peabody Awards, the University of Georgia announced Thursday. WBAL-11 won for an investigation into sewage polluting the Chesapeake Bay. WBAL, WTVF, WFAA, WITI, CBS News, and CNBC are among 32 honorees of the George Foster Peabody Awards this year. (Courtesy Capital Broadcasting)

WBAL, WTVF, WFAA, WITI, CBS News, and CNBC are among 32 honorees of the George Foster Peabody Awards this year. (Courtesy Capital Broadcasting)

"[We] took one phone call and turned it into a story that effected change in our state," said Ch. 11 news director Michelle Butt in a statement. "That is without question the reason that local television newsrooms are important in their community and this story exemplifies the need for investigative journalism." Reporter John Sherman has spearheaded the multi-part investigation into the wastewater treatment plant in small-town Centreville, which tipsters alleged was overburdened and allowing sewage into the bay. Other winners included Nashville's WTVF-5 (CBS) for an investigation of state contracts called "Friends in High Places" and WFAA-8 (ABC) in Dallas for looking into workmen's compensation abuses. Milwaukee's WITI-6 (Fox) nabbed an award for an investigation into school bullying that developed into a program called "The Bully Project." After the popularity of the Ch. 6 effort, Cincinnati's WCPO-9 (ABC) launched a similar segment. Other winners included CBS News for its report on Abu Ghraib prison abuses, set up by ex-producer Mary Mapes and anchored by Dan Rather, the same duo that worked on the ill-fated report on President Bush's Texas Air National Guard service. CNBC won its first Peabody for a documentary on Wal-Mart and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" won for its "Indecision 2004" satire. The awards, established in 1940 and named for a wealthy financier and philanthropist, are designed to honor excellence across electronic media but have no set categories. The 32 Peabodies for this year will be officially awarded in New York in May.

Thoughts among many newsies continue to go out to Peter Jennings the week he announced he has lung cancer. For those in circles close to Jennings, there were reportedly some concerns about his health before last weekend, especially when he did not travel to the scene of the tsunami in December because of an upper respiratory infection. But the actual diagnosis seemed to come as a shock to all, especially as rumors swirled that the odds could be stacked particularly unfavorably against him. In general, chemotherapy, which Jennings is having, is used as a first treatment only in advanced stages of the disease, when the cancer has become inoperable and the chances of living a few years dip to near one in ten. Overall survival rates for lung cancer are also especially low because the disease is generally diagnosed so late. Nevertheless, there are hopes that Jennings can pull out a miracle. Vice president Dick Cheney and "Nightline" anchor Chris Bury were among those offering their best wishes for Jennings during the annual Radio & Television Correspondents' Dinner in Washington. Many viewers also left well wishes on an ABC News website forum. Jennings is reported to be attending news meetings but was not able to anchor "World News Tonight" this week. Some people are wondering about the future of network news as Jennings now seems destined to retire sooner than he had planned, which would add on to the departures of Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, and Ted Koppel, who plans to leave "Nightline" in December.

From the convergence column, WDIV-4 was promoting a Friday multicast during the week, offering NBC's Pope funeral coverage from Vatican City early Friday morning on TV while still putting on its local 5-to-7 a.m. news on its website.

At least one of the staffers cut loose in the shutdown of WISE-33's news department has found another job in town. Former Ch. 33 morning weathercaster Kelly Koh, a Fort Wayne native, moves to reporting in a new WANE-15 (CBS) gig.

WWBT-12 may take the most viewers in Richmond, but the battle for second is heating up. WRIC-8 retained more viewers from "Oprah" in February, moving into second place at 6 p.m. with a 9.1 rating to Ch. 6's 8.5. Ch. 12 logged a 14 rating.

Anchor Kent Dana has returned to the air in Phoenix. After leaving his longtime home at KPNX-12 and sitting out a non-compete, Dana is on KPHO-5 (CBS) alongside Catherine Anaya at 6:30 and 10 p.m. a The Daily News made public news of a "love triangle" between Bill Ritter, his wife Janny Scott, and ex-Times executive editor Joe Lelyveld. (Photo composite illustration Courtesy PBS NewsHour and WABC-TV)

The Daily News made public news of a "love triangle" between Bill Ritter, his wife Janny Scott, and ex-Times executive editor Joe Lelyveld. (Photo composite illustration Courtesy PBS NewsHour and WABC-TV)

nd Diana Sullivan at 5 p.m.

The Daily News gossips WABC-7 anchor Bill Ritter's marriage is on the rocks. He and wife Janny Scott of the Times are said to be staying friendly for their two kids even though she is in a romance with a former Times editor, Joe Lelyveld, who is a widower in his late 60's.

Anchorwoman Soledad O'Brien, who has arguably been a less visible star in the TV galaxy since moving from NBC to CNN, will get some face time in a Syracuse University speech on Sunday. She is set to talk on the tsunami, the pope and diversity.

Finally, the tale of a young weather watcher from the aptly-named Media, Ill. Thye Inghram, 10, first told he was too young to be a weather spotter, now calls in current conditions regularly to WQAD-8 in Moline. Future "chief meteorologist?"

.: Home .: Sound .: Archive .: E-Mail	Welcome to East Coast TV News APRIL 9, 2005 (last) — Thanks for making ECTVN your source for coverage of the TV news biz — Top News: Taricani prevails?, car vs. photog, wife had it with Bill Ritter
	— Today's ECTVN Quotable: "It will be a special day. I'm sure we'll want to take full advantage." -- wife of WJAR-10's Jim Taricani on a Saturday trip to New York after his release from home confinement
	— Slugs: TARICANI RELEASE - PHOTOG THREAT - REPORTER CHARGED - PEABODIES - JENNINGS BUZZ - BRIEFS
Mover Pete Delkus Fm: WCPO-9 Cincinnati CHIEF MET. To: WFAA-8 Dallas MET. (more) Tipline Have a story idea for ECTVN? Drop us the dirt in an e-mail.	Taricani released early from house arrest After four months confined to his home for airing a court-protected tape on TV, WJAR-10 investigative reporter Jim Taricani is reportedly planning to enjoy some time in New York with his wife today. A judge has released Taricani from the two remaining months of his sentence for good behavior, ending a yearlong ordeal that brought attention to the question of journalistic privilege. Taricani was sentenced to house arrest instead of jail partly because of health problems, and only left the house three times for medical reasons since December, his wife told the Providence Journal. Prohibited from work, interviews, and the internet, Taricani has reportedly been reading, writing, and exercising. It all began last year when Taricani refused to reveal the source of the tape, but eventually the source was found out — apparently because of Taricani's own slip-up in talking with an FBI agent — and publicly denied that he had ever asked Taricani for confidentiality. The tape showed a city official taking a bribe, part of federal evidence in an elaborate corruption scandal that rocked Providence city government and landed the mayor in federal prison. Taricani is expected to return to Ch. 10 part-time starting next week. BACK TO TOP New Jersey man threatens news crew with car The brother of a teen murder suspect in New Jersey was arrested Wednesday for apparently trying to run over a TV news photographer with his car. WMGM-40 shooter Michael DaGrossa was across the street from the suspect's home with a reporter when family members reportedly came out of the house and started cursing at them. He taped the scene as James Conroy, 19, got into a car and sped toward the Ch. 40 news vehicle, just missing him. The crew was reporting on Conroy's 17-year-old brother, who is charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of his best friend. Police were using the tape to charge Conroy with aggravated assault, according to reports. BACK TO TOP Ex-reporter charged with carrying gun, marijuana Police in Wisconsin have officially leveled charges against former WKOW-27 reporter Joe Mason for a bizarre incident in which he allegedly walked into a radio station with a loaded gun rambling conspiracy theories. Mason, whose real name is Joseph Ulrey, reportedly claimed to be an undercover CIA agent, discussed White House "power grids," and said George W. Bush helped assassinate President Kennedy during a visit to WGEZ in Beloit. At one time while talking with people at the station, he allegedly brandished a gun that he said he kept for protection. Called to the station, police found him carrying the gun, some marijuana, and a marijuana pipe, and held him for mental evaluation. Mason, who until the Feb. 11 incident covered Rock County for the Madison ABC affiliate, is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. BACK TO TOP WBAL-TV, Mary Mapes among Peabody winners Baltimore's NBC affiliate is among four local news stations that have been recognized with Peabody Awards, the University of Georgia announced Thursday. WBAL-11 won for an investigation into sewage polluting the Chesapeake Bay. "[We] took one phone call and turned it into a story that effected change in our state," said Ch. 11 news director Michelle Butt in a statement. "That is without question the reason that local television newsrooms are important in their community and this story exemplifies the need for investigative journalism." Reporter John Sherman has spearheaded the multi-part investigation into the wastewater treatment plant in small-town Centreville, which tipsters alleged was overburdened and allowing sewage into the bay. Other winners included Nashville's WTVF-5 (CBS) for an investigation of state contracts called "Friends in High Places" and WFAA-8 (ABC) in Dallas for looking into workmen's compensation abuses. Milwaukee's WITI-6 (Fox) nabbed an award for an investigation into school bullying that developed into a program called "The Bully Project." After the popularity of the Ch. 6 effort, Cincinnati's WCPO-9 (ABC) launched a similar segment. Other winners included CBS News for its report on Abu Ghraib prison abuses, set up by ex-producer Mary Mapes and anchored by Dan Rather, the same duo that worked on the ill-fated report on President Bush's Texas Air National Guard service. CNBC won its first Peabody for a documentary on Wal-Mart and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" won for its "Indecision 2004" satire. The awards, established in 1940 and named for a wealthy financier and philanthropist, are designed to honor excellence across electronic media but have no set categories. The 32 Peabodies for this year will be officially awarded in New York in May. BACK TO TOP Buzz swirls after Jennings cancer announcement Thoughts among many newsies continue to go out to Peter Jennings the week he announced he has lung cancer. For those in circles close to Jennings, there were reportedly some concerns about his health before last weekend, especially when he did not travel to the scene of the tsunami in December because of an upper respiratory infection. But the actual diagnosis seemed to come as a shock to all, especially as rumors swirled that the odds could be stacked particularly unfavorably against him. In general, chemotherapy, which Jennings is having, is used as a first treatment only in advanced stages of the disease, when the cancer has become inoperable and the chances of living a few years dip to near one in ten. Overall survival rates for lung cancer are also especially low because the disease is generally diagnosed so late. Nevertheless, there are hopes that Jennings can pull out a miracle. Vice president Dick Cheney and "Nightline" anchor Chris Bury were among those offering their best wishes for Jennings during the annual Radio & Television Correspondents' Dinner in Washington. Many viewers also left well wishes on an ABC News website forum. Jennings is reported to be attending news meetings but was not able to anchor "World News Tonight" this week. Some people are wondering about the future of network news as Jennings now seems destined to retire sooner than he had planned, which would add on to the departures of Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, and Ted Koppel, who plans to leave "Nightline" in December. BACK TO TOP News Flashes: Web synergy, rocky journo marriage From the convergence column, WDIV-4 was promoting a Friday multicast during the week, offering NBC's Pope funeral coverage from Vatican City early Friday morning on TV while still putting on its local 5-to-7 a.m. news on its website. At least one of the staffers cut loose in the shutdown of WISE-33's news department has found another job in town. Former Ch. 33 morning weathercaster Kelly Koh, a Fort Wayne native, moves to reporting in a new WANE-15 (CBS) gig. WWBT-12 may take the most viewers in Richmond, but the battle for second is heating up. WRIC-8 retained more viewers from "Oprah" in February, moving into second place at 6 p.m. with a 9.1 rating to Ch. 6's 8.5. Ch. 12 logged a 14 rating. Anchor Kent Dana has returned to the air in Phoenix. After leaving his longtime home at KPNX-12 and sitting out a non-compete, Dana is on KPHO-5 (CBS) alongside Catherine Anaya at 6:30 and 10 p.m. and Diana Sullivan at 5 p.m. The Daily News gossips WABC-7 anchor Bill Ritter's marriage is on the rocks. He and wife Janny Scott of the Times are said to be staying friendly for their two kids even though she is in a romance with a former Times editor, Joe Lelyveld, who is a widower in his late 60's. Anchorwoman Soledad O'Brien, who has arguably been a less visible star in the TV galaxy since moving from NBC to CNN, will get some face time in a Syracuse University speech on Sunday. She is set to talk on the tsunami, the pope and diversity. Finally, the tale of a young weather watcher from the aptly-named Media, Ill. Thye Inghram, 10, first told he was too young to be a weather spotter, now calls in current conditions regularly to WQAD-8 in Moline. Future "chief meteorologist?" BACK TO TOP