News 8 Austin

Infobox Network
network_name = News 8 Austin
network_
branding = News 8 Austin
country = United States
network_type = Cable television network
slogan = "Your news now."
available = Time Warner Cable systems in Austin and Fredericksburg only
owner = Time Warner Cable
launch_date = September 13, 1999
website = [http://www.news8austin.com/ www.news8austin.com]

News 8 Austin is a 24-hour local cable news-station based in Austin, Texas, owned by Time Warner Cable. Launched on September 13, 1999 [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:227255] , it is only available to subscribers of Time Warner Cable's Central Texas Division which includes Austin, San Marcos, Round Rock, Killeen and Waco. The news channel appears on channel 8 on those cable systems.

The channel operates on a wheel format, offering pre-recorded blocks of news, features, and weather. During more limited times of the day it also provides traffic and sports segments. Producers update the wheel throughout the day, inserting new material as stories are filed and updated information becomes available. Weather segments air every 10 minutes "On The Eights". The channel also provides nonstop "wall-to-wall" weather coverage during Tornado and Thuderstorm warnings.

News 8's studios are located at 1708 Colorado Street in Austin, just north of the Capitol and immediately south of the main campus of the University of Texas.

Without the traditional limitations faced by network affiliates, News 8 is known in Austin for its coverage of community news and more restrained coverage of TV news staples such as crime and scandal. The channel is also distinct from traditional TV news operations in that its shows are traditionally hosted by a single anchor and in that its reporters occasionally set up, shoot and edit their own stories without the assistance of a video photographer.

The channel also has a video-intensive website, www.news8austin.com, which features an extensive weather section and a video application which allows site users to build customized online newscasts that mimic the channels on-air programs.

News 8 also operates several other video and information services, including:
*News 8's RadarNOW, a 24-hour Doppler Radar service, with NOAA Weather Radio audio.
*News 8's Non-Stop Weather, 24-hour regional weather channels in both English and Spanish.
*News 8's TrafficNOW, a 24-hour traffic camera service utilizing TxDOT roadway cameras from around the Austin area.
*News 8's Non-Stop Sports, a 24-hour sports headline channel featuring local and national sports highlights.
*News 8 on Demand, a video-on-demand archive of features, series and event coverage from News 8.

Time Warner operates seven other similar local cable news operations including New York 1, Capital News 9 in Albany, News 10 Now in Syracuse, R News in Rochester (all in New York state) as well as three news channels operating under the News 14 Carolina banner serving Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro. Bright House Networks also operates two former Time Warner Cable news channels -- Bay News 9 and Central Florida News 13.

On-Air Personalities

Anchors:

* Todd Boatwright (News Anchor)
*Paul Brown (News Anchor)
*Crestina Chavez (News Anchor)
*Jennifer Borget (News Anchor)
*Veronica Castelo (News Anchor)

Weather:

*Burton Fitzsimmons (Chief Meteorologist)
*Rich Segal (Weather Anchor, Meteorologist)
*Marc Gomez (Weather Anchor, Meteorologist)
*Maureen McCann (Weather Anchor, Meteorologist)
*Adam Krueger (Weather Anchor, Meteorologist)
*Miguel Montoya (Spanish) (Weather Anchor, Meteorologist)
*Carolina Saiz (Spanish) (Weather Anchor, Meteorologist)

Sports:

*Jeff Power (Sports Director, Lead Anchor)
*Shane McAuliffe (Sports Anchor)
*Ricky Doyle (Sports Anchor)
*Leslie McCaslin (Sports Anchor)

Reporters:

*Amy Hadley (Fit for Friday/Forever Families)
*Reagan Hackleman (City of Austin Reporter
*Bob Robuck (General Assignments Reporter)
*Catie Beck (State Capitol Reporter)
*Kendra Mendez (General Assignments Reporter)
*Chelsea Hover (Williamson/Bell County Reporter)
*Russell Wilde (Hays/Caldwell County Reporter)
*Heidi Zhou (General Assignments Reporter)
*Victor Diaz (Entertainment/Sports/General Assignments)

Management

General Manager
*Brian Benschoter

News Director
*Kevin Benz

Assistant News Director
*Mike Pearson

Executive Producers:
* Rachel Elsberry-Special Projects
* Mary Nell Sanchez-PM News
* Annette Smith-AM News

Assignments Manager:
* Cyndie Espinosa

Producers

Senior Producers:
* Chris Lambert
* Meredith Rainey
* Lessly Stallings

Producers:
* Michelle Cortez
* Robyn Gressett
* Bob Hernandez
* Hardy Meredith
* Amanda Oskey
* Rachel Smith

Photographers

Chief Photographer:

* Ed Keiner

Senior Photographers:

* Roy Kuntz
* John Pope

Photojournalists:

* Drew Moses
* Andy Brooksbank
* Vic Stephens
* Sean Farrar
* Ted Nguyen

Awards

2008:
* Regional Edward R. Murrow Award: Best Continuing Coverage - Chester's

2007:

*Lone Star Emmy Nominations:
* Human Interest – Series – Fit for Friday – Amy Hadley/Ed Keiner
* Documentary – Historical – The Tower Shooting – Paul Brown/Rachel Elsberry

*Texas Associated Press Broadcasters:
* First Place – Series: Paul Brown/Rachel Elsberry: The Tower Shooting
* First Place – Documentary: Paul Brown/Rachel Elsberry: The Tower Shooting
* First Place – Continuing Coverage: Veronica Castelo: ACC Election
* Second Place – Sports Story: Crestina Chavez/Chris Hardie: Trading Helmets.
* Honorable Mention – News Anchor: Paul Brown
* Honorable Mention - Weathercast: Burton Fitzsimmons
* Honorable Mention – Sportscast: Jeff Power
* Honorable Mention – Specialty/Beat Reporting: Amy Hadley, Fit for Friday
* Honorable Mention – Website: News 8 Austin.com

*Regional Edward R. Murrow Award:
* Sports Reporting – Vincent’s Hometown: Crestina Chavez
* Documentary – The Tower Shooting: Paul Brown/Rachel Elsberry
* Writing – The Tower Shooting: Paul Brown/Rachel Elsberry

* Austin Chronicle Reader's Poll: Best Reporter • Amy Hadley; Best Website • news8austin.com

2006:

* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters• First Place – Documentary: Rachel Elsberry & James Keith: He Said/She Said• Second Place – Series: Crestina Chavez and Chris Hardie: The Cost of DWI
* Regional Edward R. Murrow Award • Best Continuing Coverage: Austin After Katrina
* Texas Association of School Boards' Media Honor Roll • Veronica Castelo
* Austin Chronicle Critic's Poll: Best Weathercaster • Burton Fitzsimmons
* National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Nomination - Texas Flood • Rachel Elsberry & Burton Fitzsimmons

2005:
* Radio–Television News Directors Foundation
* N.S. Bienstock Fellowship Award: Hermelinda Vargas, government reporter

Goodwill Community Partnership Awards - Media Partner of the Year

Texas Associated Press Broadcasters• First Place – TV Magazine/Special: Rachel Elsberry & Lalo Garcia: ACL Fest Preview• Second Place – TV Magazine/Special: News Staff: Longhorn Game Day
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place – Documentary: Crestina Chavez, Chris Hardie & Lalo Garcia: On the Streets with APD.
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place: Web site: news8austin.com
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Second Place – Sports Story: Jeff Power:Heart of a Champion
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Second Place – General Assignment, Crestina Chavez: The Filling Station
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Honorable Mention – Feature/Light: Allie Rasmus: Tamale Tradition
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Honorable Mention – Series, Allie Rasmus & Eddie Garcia, Tale of Two Campaigns
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Honorable Mention – Continuing Coverage, James Keith, Baby Asia

2004:

* National Edward R. Murrow Award • Documentary – Erica Riggins – Child Abuse
* Regional Edward R. Murrow Award • News Documentary – Erica Riggins – Child Abuse
* Regional Edward R. Murrow Award • Web Site – news8austin.com
* Lone Star Emmy Award • Barry DeCrane and Mike Harvey – AMOA Warhol Exhibit
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place – Spot Story-Individual • Erica Riggins and Kevin Coons – UT War Protest
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place – Specialty/Beat Reporting • Eric Allen – Government
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place – Continuing Coverage • Staff Effort – Killer D's
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place – TV Website
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Second Place – News Anchor/Team - Paul Brown
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Second Place – Documentary • Erica Riggins – Child Abuse
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Honorable Mention – Feature (Light) • Lessons In Leadership
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Honorable Mention – Series • Erica Riggins – Child Abuse
* Barbara Jordan Media Award • TV News Feature • Jitin Hingorani – Open Door Preschool

2003:

* Regional Edward R. Murrow Award • News Series – Antonio Castelan • News 8 Explores – Mold
* Regional Edward R. Murrow Award • Web Site – news8austin.com
* Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards for excellence in broadcast journalism• Honorable Mention – Doug Shupe – Los Trabajadores series
* USC Annenberg Walter Cronkite Award for Political Journalism • 2002 Election Coverage – Local Cable News Station
* Best Local News Website • Austin Chronicle “Best of Austin” Readers Poll
* Lone Star Emmy Award • Outstanding Live Report – Erica Riggins and Kevin Coons
* Lone Star Emmy Award • Outstanding Engineering Achievement – Glenn Patterson • September 11, 2002
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place – Spot Story-Individual • Antonio Castelan and Dathan Hull – As bad as it gets
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place – Series • Rachel Elsberry & Brian Elledge – Sept. 11: Reflections
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place – TV Website
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Second Place – General Assignment • Eric Allen – The Motivator
* Mental Health Association in Texas Media Award • News Series – Doug Shupe – Mental Illness
* National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Media Award • News Series – Doug Shupe – Mental Illness
* Champions' Media Award from the Austin New Milestones • News Series – Doug Shupe – Mental Illness

2002:

* National Sigma Delta Chi Award for Distinguished Service in Journalism• Breaking News Coverage – Sept. 11: Austin, Texas
* Best Local News Website - Austin Chronicle “Best of Austin” Readers Poll
* Best Traffic Reporter - Jabari Warfield - Austin Chronicle “Best of Austin” Critics’ Choice
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • First Place – Spot News Story • Eric Allen – San Marcos Flooding
* Dallas Press Club Katie Awards • Finalist, Spot News Story – Sept. 11: Austin, Texas
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Second Place – Best Sports Story • Jeff Power
* Houston Press Club Lone Star Award • Third Place, Spot News Coverage – Sept. 11: Austin, Texas
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Honorable Mention – Best Division II Reporter Candace Byers
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Honorable Mention – Spot News Story Doug Shupe – Shoal Creek Flooding
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Honorable Mention – Continuing Coverage Yogurt Shop Murder Trial
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters • Honorable Mention – Spot News Coverage Round Rock Fire

2001:
* Houston Press Club Lone Star Award- Best Medium/Small Market Newscast
* Dallas Press Club Katie Awards - Finalist – Best Medium/Small Market Newscast
* Dallas Press Club Katie Awards - Finalist – Web Site News Content • Yogurt Shop Murder Trial
* Austin Chapter of Public Relations Society of America - Best Media Organization
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters - Honorable Mention – Best Division II Newscast
* Best Fashion News on Television - Cheryl Bishop - Austin Chronicle “Best of Austin” Critics’ Choice

2000:

* National Sigma Delta Chi Award for Distinguished Service in Journalism• Continuous Reporting of a Breaking Event - Texas A & M Bonfire Collapse
* Regional Edward R. Murrow Award - Television Spot News Coverage • Texas A & M Bonfire Collapse
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters - First Place – Continuing Coverage • Texas A & M Bonfire Collapse
* Texas Associated Press Broadcasters - Second Place – Sports Story • Kelli Johnson – Deaf Football Player
* Austin Chapter of Public Relations Society of America - Texas PR Choice Award
* News 8 Austin has also been cited for outstanding coverage and cooperation with the Associated Press, both in Texas and nationally.

External links

* [http://news8austin.com News8Austin.com]
* [http://www.newschannels.org Association of Regional News Channels]