You have probably noticed by now that KSBY News is operating a bit differently now.
The changes we've made and continue to make are being done in the name of health and safety as our nation and world battles the coronavius pandemic.
We appreciate the grace and patience our viewers have shown us as we navigate new challenges in how to execute our jobs.
The majority of our staff has transitioned to working from home, including the entire sales and advertising department.
A few newsroom employees are still working in the building but the newsroom is far quieter than usual as most people are working remotely. Meanwhile, the news cycle is anything but quiet.
The KSBY team is working around the clock to keep you informed during a crisis that has turned our world upside down.
Social distancing guidelines have changed the way we report the news.
Reporter and weekend news anchor Megan Healy has turned her bedroom into a home office and uses her living room as her live shot location.
Interviews are being conducted at more than an arms length by attaching a microphone to a six-foot pole.
The majority of interviews are no longer done in person. Instead, we're using FaceTime, Zoom and Skype to interview people.
Instead of meeting in the KSBY conference room, our reporters, photographers, producers and news managers have our morning editorial meeting via Zoom to decide which stories to cover.
News anchors used to sitting shoulder to shoulder in the KSBY studio everyday now have been separated for weeks to maintain social distancing. Now, one morning anchor and one evening anchor is broadcasting from home while their counterpart reports from the studio. The weather department is now forecasting remotely from home.
These changes are awkward and imperfect. However, our mission as journalists is stronger than ever.
Yet as we adapt, we stand in total awe of the truly essential workers, the healthcare workers, soldiering on in uncharted territory.
Our hearts go out to all those who are suddenly without work.
Times are tough. So much is uncertain. But, there's still plenty of hope and gratitude to celebrate.
Together, we will get through this and we'll be stronger because of it.
To our viewers, thank you for your understanding.
We are taking the CDC's guidelines extremely seriously. No story is worth more than the health and safety of our employees.
We will continue to find new ways to do this job so we can give you the information you need to know and share stories that matter most.
