We know our readers can’t get enough of the people behind the “@.” So here are five Valley newscasters that have us glued to Twitter.
@lcooney12news
Lin Sue Cooney is an award-winning television weeknight news anchor for 12 News. Serving the Valley for more than 20 years, Cooney continues to provide leading-class news coverage. She especially loves to report “hero” stories, which shine the light on everyday people doing extraordinary things in the local community.
Followers: 1,177
Following: 33
Number of Tweets: 232
Favorite person to follow?
NBC Nightly News.
Why did you start Tweeting?
I started Tweeting because our station wanted to reach out to our viewers and open the lines of communication all the time. That way we weren't just connecting during newscasts, but anytime. What do you never Tweet about?
What do you never Tweet about?
The insignificant details of life that so many Tweeters incorrectly think the rest of us find fascinating.
What Tweet has generated the most response?
A news story about a handicapped man who needed a wheelchair.
What is the strangest place you've Tweeted from?
The drive-thru of McDonald’s while waiting on my iced coffee.
How do you choose who you follow?
People who I would enjoy talking to or those who are full of interesting, useful information.
iPhone or BlackBerry?
Blackberry Storm. I love that phone.
@FAYFREDRICKS
Fay Fredricks is a three-time Emmy recipient news anchor for 12 News Today. Ranging from the Olympics to presidential debates, Fredricks covers a variety of local and national topics to keep Arizonans informed and up to date. Aside from reporting, Fredricks enjoys traveling and hopes to one day fulfill her dream vacation in Africa.
Followers: 1,330
Following: 237
Number of Tweets: 288
Favorite person to follow?
I actually use Twitter primarily as a news consolidation service, monitoring it from the anchor desk from 4:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. throughout 12 News Today. Stories break on Twitter and we frequently update and change our coverage as new information crosses my Twitter feed.
Why did you start Tweeting?
I love the concept of instant access to information. Plus, I can browse topics quickly without having to click through a Web site.
What do you never Tweet about?
I try not to bore people with mundane personal stuff – ‘just finished washing the dishes’– whew-hoo.
What Tweet has generated the most response?
I think it was ‘Who is ready for Friday?’ or something like that. It was not exactly ‘deep thoughts’ but definitely tapping into the Twitter-verse’s mood that morning.
What is the strangest place you've Tweeted from?
I had to sneak a Tweet on a flight recently. The passenger next to me was such a jerk to the flight crew (and everyone else). I really wanted to take a picture and post it, but opted just to Tweet about him instead.
How do you choose who you follow?
I started with friends, newsmakers and news organizations, and then started browsing their lists. Also, if I get a ReTweet and the original person is entertaining, I’ll follow them too.
iPhone or BlackBerry?
iPhone all the way.
@ smclaughlinkpho
Sean McLaughlin is the chief meteorologist, news anchor, reporter and main weeknight male anchor for CBS 5 News. His credentials boast the likes of NBC, MSNBC, presidential inaugurations, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and a slew of accomplishments including an impressive seven Emmy Awards.
Followers: 2,124
Following: 1, 102
Number of Tweets: 2,680
Favorite person to follow?
@ConanOBrien because his Tweets are few and far between, but simply brilliant. I also like to follow tons of local people that make me laugh, think and participate in the daily conversation, but I’m afraid I would miss someone if I started listing them here.
Why did you start Tweeting?
I was encouraged by @notblue, an incredible Web guru by the way, and got hooked immediately. This is an incredible tool for journalists, but it can’t be your only tool in your toolbox.
What do you never Tweet about?
I try to keep my family out of the conversation, but my youngest son does poop like a sailor.
What Tweet has generated the most response?
I’ve had lots of reaction to breaking news stories, election night results…and my favorite, ‘Did you really just leave that shopping cart in the middle of the parking lot? You couldn’t walk another 5 ft. and put it away? #IHateLazyPeople.’ That was one that everyone could relate to.
What is the strangest place you've Tweeted from?
Bedside while my beautiful wife, Emily, was giving birth to our equally beautiful daughter, Ellie. Too much?
How do you choose who you follow?
Since I use Twitter daily in my job, I will follow almost anyone here in the Valley or state. But it has to be a two-way street. It you haven’t Tweeted in like two months, what’s the point of a follow?
iPhone or BlackBerry?
I’m doing the DROID X…and the jury is still out.
@tara3tv
Tara Hitchcock is the host of the Valley’s most popular news program, “Good Morning Arizona” on 3TV (Channel 3). She has a love for sports evident in her reporting from a three-day newscast on the World Series to enjoying Tampa Bay, Fla. during the Cardinals’ Super Bowl appearance.
Followers: 1,563
Following: 52
Number of Tweets: 173
Favorite person to follow?
Kurt Warner or Johnjay from the radio. Kurt because he's on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and Johnjay because he's addicted to twitter.
Why did you start Tweeting?
I started because the station asked me to. They set up my page and essentially said, ‘You need to start Tweeting more!’
What do you never Tweet about?
I haven't Tweeted enough to have a list of things I don’t Tweet about.
What Tweet has generated the most response?
The most responses were probably from something about Tiger, the Cardinals or a hat I can't find! What is the strangest place you've Tweeted from?
I only Tweet from the computer (on-set or at home).
How do you choose who you follow?
1) Do I know them? (Kurt Warner/Johnjay Vanes/Carey Pena) 2) Do I find them interesting? and 3) My friends suggest following someone fun.
iPhone or BlackBerry?
I don't have an iPhone or Blackberry! I have a cheap hot pink Motorola with no internet access.
@rickdamico
Rick D’Amico is a two-time Associated Press Award-winning news anchor for Fox 10 News (Channel 10). With more than 44 years of broadcast and radio experience, D’Amico continues to display his reporting skills on “Fox-10 Arizona Morning,” Fox 10 News at Noon and the Business Report. Besides the journalism world, D’Amico loves sailing the Pacific.
Followers: 4,585
Following: 184
Number of Tweets: 2,681
Favorite person to follow?
Conan O’Brien because he can say the funniest things in two lines.
Why did you start Tweeting?
Just to keep in touch with our viewers and my friends. It’s also turned out to be an excellent source for breaking news and strange news stories which I use on my ‘News of the Weird!’
What do you never Tweet about?
My bald spot.
What Tweet has generated the most response?
‘What’s for dinner tonight?’
What is the strangest place you've Tweeted from?
A couple of miles off the coast of Point Loma, San Diego, when I almost got run over by an aircraft carrier while Ruth, my granddaughter, and I were sailing in my boat, Airtime. I Tweeted pictures of the Coast Guard boat with the man on the gun, and the aircraft carrier, the USS John C. Stennis.
How do you choose who you follow?
Some people ask me to follow them and most times I do. I also follow people from a variety of backgrounds—mostly media, entertainment and PR people.
iPhone or BlackBerry?
Blackberry.
