Good Morning Polk! Tuesday, July 28, 2020

There’s a lot I could talk about of late. COVID-19. Tragedies. Maybe even the insanity of unmarked vans and federal agents with no names on their vests scooping up people and taking them away in cities like Portland and Seattle.

Instead, I want to use the space briefly to talk about news gathering, and more specifically how we in the industry usually go about gathering information to publish on police reports. This has come up in my mind because of a story correction and reposting I did yesterday after I learned that unfortunatly, the report I was reading wasn’t the entire story.

In this edition of News Gathering 101, I want you to first understand the following: all police reports are public record. Every arrest that you have been subjected to in your life is public record. Every time you went to court, there is a case file on that too.

This is one way you can determine whether the police are being fair and accountable.

So when the police reports come in first thing in the morning and I post them, I scan the entire document first to ensure that I’m not missing some kind of interesting arrest or story. If I find someone’s arrest and list of charges are what I deem “newsworthy” (for example, a lot of drug and gun charges usually will get my attention) I then inquire with whichever department has made the arrest, and whether the jail can provide any mugshots of those people who have been booked and are either still behind bars or released.

When reports eventually get back to me, I determine via the information within if I proceed further. I’ll usually write on something I get, but sometimes I decide after reading what is available that it is either not worth my time, or the headaches that come along with the chaos of family arguments. If the report seems incomplete for some reason, I’ll make phone calls to follow up.

I want you to know that I am doing everything within my power to ensure that when I write something and post it here on Polk.Today, I am doing my utmost to ensure it is accurate and timely information for readers.

I also want to know when I am absolutely wrong about something, so as to ensure that I can correct something immediately, and provide a reason why to readers.

So while I will always kick myself in the backside for being wrong about something – even if it is not my fault – and apologize for it, not just because it is important to be right, but it is also important to be remorseful.

And now… Some good news.

Thanks to our sponsors here at Polk.Today, I was finally able to obtain an important piece of equipment for newsgathering that will make a huge difference in sports coverage this fall. Below you’ll see this Canon M50, probably the nicest camera I have ever used to date. This bad boy is able to shoot not just excellent photos, but full 4K video as well. There is maybe one thing I find annoying about the camera design (I’m looking at you, microphone jack in a bad spot) but it was the perfect purchase for me. So to all of the Polk.Today sponsors out there, rest assured your money is being spent wisely and with positive investment in mind.

In short, get ready for some football highlights folks! Those interested in sponsoring video game coverage can contact me at kevin@polk.today. This will be set up on a per-episode basis. With the change in games at the start of the season, I’ll be determining which team I’m covering first via coin flip.

Today’s forecast

Rather than the chance for rainy weather this afternoon, the National Weather Service is calling for the likelihood of some wet weather this afternoon and evening. The forecast calls for 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. and before 7 p.m., with a high today of 91. Heat index values up to 98. At least a tenth of an inch of rain is expected. Overnight temperatures are down to 70, and skies should clear out tonight.

Something to watch this morning

Get your Tuesday groove on from 1993 with Tag Team in today’s edition of Summer Songs of the Past. Have a suggestion? Shoot me an email at kevin@polk.today.