Friday, March 30, 2007

The Weekend

I was up early this morning cleaning house as it looks like I may be too busy to do it this weekend. Some have asked if I have a maid to clean my house. Yes, I do. Her name is Barbie.

Tomorrow night, we could see some severe weather. If you've been watching the weather over the last few days, you've seen the damage caused by over 100 tornadoes in 3 states. Several people have been killed and this system is headed our way. The worst time for severe weather to strike is overnight. Tornadoes are much harder to spot at night and most people are asleep after 11pm. I want to encourage you to be weather alert Saturday night and early Sunday morning, have your weather radio on, and to tune to WLBT. If the weather warrants, I will be called into work to assist Eric Law.

Sunday is April Fools as a new month begins. There will be several people who won't be fools that day. WLBT is giving away the St.Jude Dream House! The LIVE telethon begins at Noon and concludes at 2pm. Not only will numerous prizes be given away that day, but the winner of the home will be drawn. Saturday is your last day to tour the home as it will be closed to the public on Sunday due to the broadcast. Tickets are limited and going fast. For the last few years, we've actually sold out of tickets, so we can't guarantee there will be any left for the telethon. If you are interested in touring the home, buying a ticket, or looking at the other prizes, click on this link
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=3249041
As always, 100% of the ticket sales go to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital and you get a tax deduction! I'll be at the telethon and can't wait to see who will call this house their home.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Giants in our Life

Today was haircutting day for baby Will and Gracie. We traveled to Richland to my barber to get them trimmed up before their spring pictures Saturday. Will cried the whole time while Mack did the trimming; Gracie sat still and quiet for her cut because she knew they would give her a sucker when they finished. Mack mentioned maybe Will thought he was a doctor and was going to check his ears. Maybe, but Will was having none of it.

Fear will keep people from enjoying life. Fear will talk you out of trying something new. Many times, we "if" and "but" our way through life afraid of what could be down the next road only to worry ourselves for needless reasons.

I remember reading in I Samuel 17:45 about David and Goliath. The Bible says "David ran quickly toward the battle line (to meet Goliath)." I believe David "ran quickly" because he knew if he sat there and thought about it much longer, he would talk himself out of fighting Goliath. You know the rest of the story.

There are some giants in our lives, too. We have the choice to run in fear of what could happen, or to run quickly toward the battle line and slew our Goliaths.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Colored Flowers

For those of you who are parents, there are some questions your children ask that you find it hard to answer. Gracie asked me one of those this week.

Our next door neighbors have a six-year-old daughter named Sydney. Gracie looks forward to Sydney's return home from the school bus everyday. Most afternoons, you'll find both girls in our backyard swinging, sliding or jumping on the trampoline together.

Gracie noticed something different about Sydney--her skin color. She asked me why Sydney has darker skin than she has. I told her that's the way God made Sydney. God gave Sydney dark skin and gave Gracie light skin. "But why, momma?"

I came up with the quickest answer I could. "God has lots of different flowers in His flower garden, just like we have in our yard. You and Sydney are like flowers in God's garden--you are both girls but you look different than each other. A garden is prettier when it has lots of different colored flowers in it," I said. That answer seemed to make sense to Gracie.

When you go throughout your day, take a moment to notice all of the different colored "flowers" God has put in this world.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Rain....Finally!

It's been raining in downtown Jackson today and what a welcome site it is! When I pulled out of the driveway this afternoon, I saw a few drops on the windshield. I have to admit, it took me a couple of seconds to find the windshield wipers! I noticed traffic in the interstate was a bit slow, too. It seems most drivers had forgotten how to drive when it rains.

I'm pleased to say more chances for rain are in the forecast, especially for the weekend. Although we would probably like to enjoy the outdoors on our day off, we desperately need the water. For the month of March, we are short 4.17 inches of rain. For the year, we are short 6.28 inches of rain. We won't make up that kind of deficit in the next few days, but at least we'll add some drops to it.

By the way, I checked out the long range forecast for Easter Sunday and it looks to be alittle on the cool side with highs in the 60s!

Monday, March 26, 2007

A Better Day

Thank you to all of you who send me well wishes in getting better. Last Friday, I felt crummy. I managed to work up a smile when the camera lights came on, but it quickly faded. It seems I had a stomach virus that put me in tremendous pain. Today I feel more like myself and more like normal. Interesting note: remember those 7 pounds I've been trying to lose? I lost 3 of them over the weekend--- not the way I wanted.

To put it all into perspective, I received an email from a viewer telling me she had just been diagnosed with cervical cancer. In reading her email, I can tell she is scared and unsure, but looking for hope. Ever felt like that? The Bible tells us that Jesus is the "Great Physician". How comforted we can be when we let the Great Physician heal our inner and outer pains.

Just like when we wake up feeling crummy, we have to take the first step in going to the doctor. In the same way, we have to take the first step in allowing God to heal our pain. After all, He makes "house calls".

Friday, March 23, 2007

Funky Friday

Sorry my post is so late. Internet is down at the house and it's been a full day.

I woke up this morning sick. I will spare you the details, but I was able to drive to MSU to speak at the Severe Storms Symposium for the Department of Geoscience. I quickly turned around and drove as fast I legally could to get back home. I spent most of the day in the bed and I should probably be there now. I don't know if I caught "a bug" from someone or if there is something more serious going on.

Eric Law was scheduled to do the weather today at 5pm & 6pm with my return for 10pm. I stumbled out of the house to come to work and I feel miserable. I'm going to put on my happy face and try to get through the weathercast without falling out, fainting or getting sick on LIVE tv.

I hope for a better 24 hours and wish you a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Bearing Fruit

Soulforce marched onto Mississippi College's campus this morning to protest what it calls the private Baptist college's oppressive policies. Soulforce is an organization promoting religious and political freedoms for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender students through nonviolent resistance. According to MC's student handbook, extramarital, premarital and homosexual behavior is not tolerated on campus. It doesn't address banning homosexuals from enrollment. The 20 members of Soulforce were arrested around 9:30am as they entered the campus. (MC is one of my alma maters. I loved it when I was there and I still love it to this day. When I signed up for admission, I knew the rules and regulations. MC's strong Biblical stance was the main reason why I chose to attend.)

This morning, I was listening to an interview with one of the members on talk radio. The young man said he attends USM and is a "religious" person. He was very adiment on his personal stance and how God loves everyone.

I thought back to Matthew 7:16, "By their fruit you will recognize them."

An apple tree doesn't have to scream, "Hey, I'm an apple tree! Look at me!" No, you know its an apple tree by what it bears. We are the same way. People know what kind of person we are by what we do and say. There is no need to boast about what we have done, what we are doing, nor how wonderful we are. Others will see Jesus in us simply by us "bearing fruit."

So as I was in the car, I asked myself "Am I bearing fruit? Can people tell I'm a Christian without me screaming it?" On some days, that question is easier to answer than on other days. Is your life bearing fruit?

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

The "No Rain" Complaint

I haven't received a negative email in a few weeks, so I guess I'm due one. This email was sent to my boss yesterday and he passed it on to me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thats it. My husband and I have had enough of your team portraying RAIN as this ugly, God-forbidden thing that shouldn't even be in our universe. Do these people ever go outside? Can't they see that ground is so dry and those beautiful spring plants they love so much haven't had water in over a month (not any to speak of anyway)? Whenever Barbie reports that the weekend is gonna be great because there's no rain, they all cheer. Is it because the hair they plan to donate might get wet and then its no longer good? Last I knew that wasn't the case. So what's the deal with resist the rain, pray it don't rain? We heard that Barbie's father is a farmer. This can't be the case; not the way she acts. If he is, why do we have to be the ones to tell her that without rain, no crops? She needs to go back to her roots and learn this time.
--Sincerely, Sherry and Wynn Johnson, Owners of Wynn Plantation (a farm)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I was a kid, my dad and I were watching the news and the weatherman commented, "We've got a big golf tournament going on this weekend, so we don't need any rain. We are hoping for dry weather." My father was livid. It was a particularly dry summer and our crops were dying. He looked over to me and said, "When you make it on TV, please don't make comments like that. Those people may not want rain, but we're not gonna make it if we don't get rain in the next week. Have more compassion on people who's lives depend on the weather." I promised and I haven't forgotten. My parents' livelihood is dependant on rain or the lack of it.

We have been blessed with beautiful, sunny weather here lately and I have brought that out on numerous occassions. I've mentioned the pleasant temperatures, wonderful weekends, and comfortable nights. I have NEVER hooray'ed the fact that we haven't had significant rain. Just last week I started showing graphics which depicted our 2 inch plus deficit. However, I will rejoice over the nice entry to spring that we've experienced.

It seems as if my fellow meteorologists have talked about the lack of rain being a positive thing, but for some reason, the Johnsons point to me in their email. I know one man's feast is another man's famine, especially in the farming industry. After all, my daddy taught me better than that.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The War Continues

Alot has been made in the national media over the past few days as to the anniversary of the war in Iraq. So many question whether we should be there, what our plan is and when are the troops coming home. We are hearing more and more people demonstrating and marching against our President. He has been called mean, hateful and despiteful names not to mention his leadership has been in question.

I wasn't elected President so I don't know what I would do if I were in Bush's shoes. God did not call me to be a public servant. I'm sure he has made mistakes along the way, but it is not my responsibility to tear down the office of the President, nor the man in the office.

In I Timothy 2:1-4, Paul says "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

I wonder how many of the nay-sayers are actually praying for our President to make the right decisions concerning our freedom and the war? I personally didn't care for Bill Clinton's antics with Monica Lewinsky. Although I disagreed with his moral stance, I prayed for him and for those involved.

It's the same way with President Bush. We are to pray for our leaders, respect the authority they have in those positions, and honor the job they try to do. After all, they will be held accountable for how they performed and we will be held accountable for how we supported them.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Why Go To Church?

I overheard a lady telling someone why she doesn't go to church. "I can have church in my own house. I don't have to be with a group of people and be in an actual church building in order to go to church," she said. While I do agree with parts of her statement, I ran across this little story.

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all." This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

Enough said.

Friday, March 16, 2007

A Weird Weather Week

I'm taking the day off, so if you're a Joanna Hancock fan, you'll see her filling in for me (the first time since January). Gracie has pneumonia in one of her lungs and I need to be available to take her back to the doctor today if we don't see any improvement.

This has been the toughest week to forecast for. The computer models have been all over the place with the upper level low that moved to our south yesterday. We managed to squeeze out some rain in central Mississippi with the worst of the weather to our far south. With all of the visitors coming to town for the St.Paddy's Day Parade weekend, they will be greeted with below normal temperatures.

I'm still holding out hope that the sun will shine today, but we'll have cool sunshine at that. So if you're going downtown for Saturday, try to stand in the sunshine. Otherwise, the shade will make it feel even cooler.

We've gone from 82 degrees on Monday to 62 degrees forecasted for today----a twenty degree spread for Spring Break week!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

A Hairy Fur Coat


Thanks to Gary Pettus for the nice article in today's Clarion Ledger.




His story was totally unsolicited which made it even more special. He interviewed Stephanie Bell-Flynt and me separately so I laughed when I saw her quote about my "fur coat" of hair! Last Friday was 80s Hair Friday and we encouraged our donors to wear their hair in their favorite 80s hairstyle. My goal was to go for the early 80s Farrah Fawcett look with wings. My hair turned out more like Wonder Woman's Lynda Carter. Bert Case told me I resembled Loretta Lynn. Yikes! You be the judge of the picture....

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

A Delayed Arrival Home

Last night, it took me an extra 20 minutes to get home. MDOT was working on the I-55 entrance ramps. The frustrating part is, there was no signage alerting you to the closed ramps. I turned to get onto the ramp I normally use in downtown only to see the large arrow blinking showing that the ramp was closed, which would've forced me to go south instead of north. I turned around and drove down to High Street. When I got in front of Herrin Gear, there were cones blocking the entrance to I-55 there. I turned around and drove down to Fortification Street. When I got to the I-55 ramp, there was a sign saying to use an "alt route", but the blinking sign was literally at the entrance ramp to I-55 and I couldn't see it until I got right up on it. I turned around and drove down to Woodrow Wilson and was able to get on there. It took me driving through downtown for 20 minutes (at 11pm no less & by myself) to find a place to get onto I-55.

That's alittle bit like life sometimes. There are places you "think" you're going, only to get stopped right before you make the turn. You make an adjustment and try to move in a different direction and find you're stopped there, too. The frustrating part about it all is you had no idea these roadblocks would delay your plans because there was no indication of a life change for you.

The good part is God always knows where we're headed. When we don't know, He holds the road map, the last minute changes and the alternate routes we can take to get there. Jonah in the Bible experienced something like that. God told Jonah to go to Ninevah, but Jonah had other plans. Jonah ended up running from God's plans only to get swallowed by a whale. He finally relented and followed God's plan for his life.

God has a Ninevah for our life. We can take the long way around and try to run from His plan, or we can go straight there, bypassing all of the lane changes and bumpy roads.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Families Under Attack

When I got off the set last night and walked into my office to close up for the evening, my office phone rang. It was a man on the other line with a question regarding the Pantene's Beautiful Lengths hair growing project I'm heading up. I kindly answered his question and thought the conversation was over with. He proceeded to pour out his heart over the phone line about his recent divorce and I found myself listening.

I'll call him "Bob" for blogging purposes. Bob said this April, he would've been married for 25 years. He and his wife started having problems so they went to their church pastor for counseling. The pastor prayed for them and encouraged reconciliation. At some point, the pastor started having a relationship with Bob's wife. Not only is Bob's marriage over, but the pastor's marriage is coming to a 42 year end, too. I could tell Bob was trying his best to put on a strong voice, but the cracking of it let me know this man was heartbroken and hurt. He said he was praying for his ex-wife and that she would get her life right before it was too late. Bob said it has been difficult on him and his 18 year old daughter, but he is learning how to forgive.

Satan is busy. Satan will go to any length to break up a marriage and a family. The Bible says in
I Peter 5:8 "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." How true that is. If Satan can't destroy your marriage, he will try to break up your family. He turns husbands against wives, mothers against daughters, sibling against sibling, sons against fathers.

My family is no different. When my husband and I have a disagreement, we quickly try to stop the bickering and realize where this division is coming from. Its not from God. Satan wants us to go to be angry at each other. Satan wants me to be so hurt that I don't want to talk to my husband. Satan wants me to talk negatively about my husband to my friends. And it's the same with siblings. How many times have you and your sibling had a disgreement and it was blown out of proportion? Guess who's handiwork that is?

Once we realize where these arguments begin, we can nip it in the bud. Asking God for help in resolving the problem is the key; asking God for help in forgiveness of the other person who has hurt you dissolves the issue.

Above all, pray for the protection of your marriage and peace in your family. If you don't pray for them, Satan will prey on them!

Monday, March 12, 2007

Me & My Shadow

Baby Will discovered his shadow yesterday. We were playing in the sprinkler Sunday afternoon when Will noticed something following him. He reached down to touch it on the concrete and noticed it would move, too. I had more fun watching him try to "sneak" around his shadow.

It reminded me that we all have our own shadows in life--things we try to run away from, issues we struggle with, or things we try to overcome. It may sound trite to you, but I have 7 pounds I've been trying to lose over the last few months. If I could lose these 7 pounds, I would be back to my college weight, years before I started having children. For some reason, I can't seem to lose them. I think I would be much happier if I did, look much better or at least feel better about the way I looked. The truth is, no one would probably notice and losing the 7 pounds wouldn't necessarily make my life better, easier or prettier.

God wants us to find our contentment and joy in Him and believe every problem, issue or "shadow" that follows us can be dealt with by Him. It may be much easier to run from our shadow or pretend it isn't there, but it always rears its ugly head. Trusting God and handing Him our shadows produces contentment which cannot be negotiated or bought. And when we do so, we see His love for us. Our shadows are much bigger when we don't know how to deal with them. They begin to shrink when we put them in God's capable hands.

Friday, March 9, 2007

News Across the World

I received the neatest email today that I just had to share.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a native Mississippian living in Moscow, Russia with my husband and two boys. Through the wonders of technology (internet) I watch the WLBT 10:00 news while my boys are waiting for the bus to take them to school (we are 9 hours ahead of MS). I have been growing my hair since October after hearing you mention it on your report. My mother, 79 at the time, was diagnosed with colon cancer in early 2000. We were very blessed that she did not have to go through any treatment after her surgery and is still cancer free today. Unfortunately, I will not be able to be there for the big day in May, but hope to have the required 8 inches by the time I get there in July. Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement that you pass on regularly.
Growing for a great cause,
Becky A. Hennington
originally from Wesson, MS
Also a proud graduate of MSU!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Becky's email made my day. To know that someone across the world was motivated to grow her hair because of seeing my WLBT weathercasts via the internet warms my heart. More importantly, Becky is giving back in honor of her mother and the health she is now enjoying.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Melton's Melt-Down

Due to WLBT's past relationship with Frank Melton, it seems everyone wants to know what our opinion is on Frank's arrest. I've known Frank for 7 years and every encounter I had with him was professional and encouraging. He was so supportive when WLBT chose me to be Chief Meteorologist. Frank also willingly spoke to the Mississippi Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership group that I help organize every year. The teenagers loved his bold, confident ways.

Frank helped make WLBT the powerhouse media success that it has been over the years. Frank's greatest strength was he surrounded himself with people who made the right decisions. Most of the time he got the praise, but it was the management staff at WLBT who were making the tough calls.

We all had high hopes for him as Mayor of Jackson and we hoped he would do the same--surround himself with the right people who would make the right choices for the city. It seems that part didn't take off as well as it did at WLBT.

What is disturbing is how quick the judicial system has pursued Frank. For instance, weekend meteorologist Eric Law and his wife Kristina were in a horrific accident last June because a lady, driving a stolen Jeep, plowed through an intersection while she was high on crack and was running from JPD. Come to find out, she was arrested 24 times before on various counts and NEVER spent a day in jail because the D.A. kept dropping the charges. Months have come and gone and the Laws are still waiting for their day in court.

Almost every month, the Hinds County Sheriff is pleading to the Board of Supervisors for more jail space. However, a space was quickly found for Frank Melton yesterday. In fact, they had the space reserved for him and were waiting on him to be released from the hospital. How can our judicial authorities and elected officials use selective justice for some, but not for others? I overheard someone say last night "With Frank's arrest, we are letting the criminals know that no one gets by with doing wrong." For some reason, I don't think the criminals are watching the nightly news, shaking in their boots. Instead, they are trying to figure out the next store to rob, the next victim to carjack or where they will get their next crack fix. They could care less.

The Bible says we will have to give an account for how we managed our resources and how well those of us in authority used our talents. That is parents, teachers, public servants, you name it---anyone who has been put in authority over something or someone else. To think we will be judged on our tenure in that position is a sobering thought...that includes our elected officials, elected judges and those who hold influence over people.

It's been reported that Frank also has a problem with alcohol. Although some may snicker and think it's fodder for gossip, I am not amused. Coming from someone who has a history of alcoholics in my family, tough love takes over after a certain point. With prayer, tough love and sometimes professional help, freedom is often found. But I find nothing funny about alcoholism in Frank's situation, nor anyone else's.

We will either be a part of the problem or a part of the solution in this world. We can't be both at the same time. Let's cease judging others and start making progress towards making changes that will benefit all...not some.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

His "Sun" Is Always Shining

What a wonderful article in today's paper on my predecessor, Woody Assaf! If you haven't read it yet, here it is:

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070307/FEAT05/703070335/1023

Woody left me the biggest shoes in television to fill. Since he was at WLBT for 50 years, Woody was kind of like other one named stars you knew just by saying their first name--Cher or Madonna. No need to say Woody's last name because he was famous like that.

It was a tough decision for me personally when I left the Morning Show and was promoted to Chief Meteorologist. First of all, I was replacing a man EVERYBODY loved; I was a woman in a male dominated career; and I wasn't so sure viewers would be as forgiving to me as they have been to Woody. Most of my fears turned out to be true. It took a while for viewers to accept me because I wasn't Woody and never would be; viewers were accustomed to seeing an 80+ year old man giving the weather, not a 30 year old "weather girl" as I was referred to by many; and no, the viewers weren't forgiving. When I mess up, they let me know very quickly.

Mississippi loved seeing Woody age on the weather. Don't think I'll be around doing the weather when I'm 80+. I'll be lucky if I'm still wanted at 45!

The best part about Woody is his spirit. Woody loved working at WLBT and we loved having him. We could never get him to take vacations because he loved TV and the stardom that came with it.

No matter how old he gets, his sun will always shine!

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Open Court/Open Heart

I arrived at the Madison County Courthouse at 8:30am for my jury duty. I don't think one single person I spoke to wanted to be there. We all had something else we needed to be doing, a meeting we needed to attend, or for me, a sick child that needed me home.

We all want our judicial system to work for us if we are ever in need, but when we don't need it, we can easily find many other things to do. I've never though our judicial system and our spiritual life are similiar, but they were for me today.

When we want God's help, you can bet we're the first ones to arrive for church on Sunday. When things are going our way, we find other things to do. I began to question myself, "In what ways to I give God 'all access' to my life? Are there some parts of my life I don't need Him to bother with? Are there situations that I'd much rather He stay out? Or am I a fair-weather Christian--I want God when I want Him, how I want Him, and what time I want Him?"

The jury selection took much longer than we expected. After a long day, I was not chosen and released late this afternoon. You can bet if I ever find myself needing a jury, I would want one that is open to my case, listens to the facts and is attentive.

Are you letting God in to every part of your life or have you found other places you think He needs to be?

Monday, March 5, 2007

Kroger and WLBT

A week or so ago, I told you about WLBT teaming up with Kroger stores and Midland Weather Radios to sell the weather radios much cheaper than you will find them anywhere else. We were supposed to kick off the promotion last Friday, but Kroger informed us that all of their stores were not ready. Until then, we want to wait until everyone is on board.

One of our WLBT viewers, Kim R, sent me an email thrilled that she found the WLBT display in her Kroger!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Barbie, I wanted to tell you that I waited and got my Midland weather radio today at Kroger. Its got the S.A.M.E. technology individual county alert and I programmed it for my county. This was an excellent buy for $29.95. The one at Radio Shack with the S.A.M.E. technology costs $60! --Kim
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree, that is an excellent buy. Our sister station in Memphis is doing this, too and the Krogers in Memphis sold out in one day.

On another note, Baby Will is sick again. We rushed to the after hours clinic yesterday with another bout of breathing problems and a double ear infection. The doctor sent us home with two meds plus the breathing treatments. He's become a real trouper with the treatments since we've had to do this 3 times since Thanksgiving.

I arrived in Madison County Court this morning for my jury duty, but apparently all parties weren't ready. We were sent home and told to call back tonight to find out if we must return for tomorrow.

Friday, March 2, 2007

To Leave or Not To Leave?


I was sent this picture today of the tornado that hit Enterprise, Alabama yesterday. This is the most massive tornado I've seen in a long time. In reading the interviews given by the school officials and parents yesterday at the school, it seems they were faced with a big dilemma. School officials had moved all the students into the interior halls after the first warnings were issued around 10:30 a.m. by the National Weather Service. A "significant number" of students were checked out by their parents after that. The school planned to send the rest of the students home at 1 p.m., but then a new warning surfaced, so that was delayed to 1:30 p.m. The storm hit around 1:15 p.m.
Should schools send students home in inclement weather or protect them in the hallways as best they can?
When I was in school, we never got out early or were checked out early due to bad weather. We stuck it out, bored out of our minds in the hallways. But some parents want their kids at home when bad weather strikes. WLBT will be pursuing this story next week so we hope to have more on our options as parents and educators.
Speaking of next week, I was summoned for jury duty in Madison County for Monday morning. I look forward to seeing our judicial system at work locally, but for some reason I think I'll be "dismissed".

Thursday, March 1, 2007

What a Day!

It's been a busy day. I was honored to be a part of the "Go Red for Women" luncheon today at the TelCom Center along with my co-workers Stephanie Bell-Flynt, Maggie Wade and Dawn Russell. We have a wonderful time visiting with the women there and encouraging them to take their heart health seriously.

This afternoon, I was busy with tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings. We did have a report of a tornado touchdown on Hwy 43 at the Pike County/Walthall County line. We have Skycopter 3 down there now and will have video shortly. Check back on our nightly newscasts as well as www.wlbt.com to see the damage.

My heart aches for the families of those who died in this tornadic outbreak. Here is the latest story on the damage.

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/tornadoes-kill-13-in-alabama-mo-girl/n20070301175109990003?ecid=RSS0001

Keep them in your prayers. I've walked that road they are walking now and they need all of the grace they can get.