NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 SAVE the DATE State Legislative Day January 29, 2020 at the State Capitol in Madison CHAIR’S COLUMN Broadcasters to reach out to lawmakers on body cameras bill I’m proud to say that Wisconsin’s that few agreed on when they started. The members debated and broadcasters are part of a legislative compromised, and after many long meetings, they agreed. All but one of the ten members of the Legislative Council Study Committee on the effort that exemplifies an ideal model Use of Police Body Cameras approved of a proposed bill that was then of making public policy. approved unanimously by both the Legislative Council and, more recently, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. Let’s see to it that it gets put to a vote. The bill, in part, maintains Wisconsin's current standard of public Steve Lavin In the last legislative session, broadcasters and law WBA Chair enforcement were at odds over a proposed bill that records being assumed accessible to the public, unless a records would have set rules for the use of police body cameras and the release custodian rules against openness using the balancing test. The bill uses of video recorded by these devices. The bill put many lawmakers at the balancing test to determine if video should be released, and asks odds as well. records custodians to take into consideration the expectation privacy for anyone who appears in the video and the treatment of victims and This previous bill didn’t get a vote in the last session, but the situation minors. The bill also directs records custodians to use redaction where prompted legislative leadership to establish a Legislative Study necessary to allow for a video to be released. Committee to study the many complex issues surrounding body cameras. That committee included representatives of broadcasters, law All stakeholders gave something, got something, and in the end, came enforcement, attorneys, newspapers, and both political parties. up with solutions that would largely address their concerns. It was compromise in the most positive sense of the word. They did what few The committee was given a tough job, but it worked hard on issues Continued on page 3 > CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S COLUMN New director testifies in favor of police body cameras bill . 2 Sanks, Jorstad retire from WBA Bob Barry podcast highlights unearthed interviews . 2 Awards Column. 3 Foundation Board 2019 WBA Broadcasters Clinic Report . 4 Please join me in giving a effervescent presence will be missed. Laurin Workshop to prepare journalists for plans to spend more time out of state 2020 election . 6 heartfelt thank you to Michelle visiting his children and grandchildren. WBA renews updated Insight Edge Weekly Vetterkind, WBA Foundation Board Enjoy, Laurin! membership service . 6 CAE Chair David Sanks and Both Sanks and Jorstad are hoping their Educators Column: “A Veritable WBA President Buffet for Broadcasters” . 7 Vice Chair Laurin Jorstad departures will make room for dedicated and CEO DC trip restructured for 2020 . 8 broadcasters who are currently in the industry to bring for their outstanding fresh ideas to WBA Foundation leadership. Your WBA Online payment available for 2020 dues . 8 service on the board. Foundation Board will determine its next steps when it Jacobs Media: Advertisers at a David has been an active member of meets on Jan. 28. crossroads—Broadcasters the WBA for more than 33 years. Sanks’ farewell is included in his Foundation report on to the rescue. 8 There’s no doubt that his leadership page 14. Student Awards . 9 has left an indelible mark on the WBA Names in the News . 9 and the WBA Foundation. We are so 29 states represented at Broadcasters Clinic Members in the Spotlight. 10-12 very grateful for his many years of The WBA Broadcasters Clinic was a huge success again Nominations open for Hall of Fame service and wise, eloquent counsel. We wish David this year, drawing hundreds of broadcast engineers and Award and Local Broadcast the best in his retirement and trust that we will vendors from 29 states and Canada. SBE National was on Legends Award . 13 continue to see him at WBA events. hand for Clinic this year. Thank you to all the attendees, WBA Foundation Year End 2019. 14 vendors, and sponsors for making this such a valuable Laurin’s can-do attitude has earned him a reputation 2020 Walker Broadcast Management event. And a special thank you to our own Linda Baun, as someone the WBA Foundation can count on to Institute . 15 committee Chair Kent Aschenbrenner, and the rest of the get things done (albeit, often behind the scenes). Thank you, WBA Foundation! . 15 fabulous Committee. We have photos and full report on His megawatt smile lights up a room and his Calendar of Events . 16 page 4. Continued on page 2> PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Continued from page 1 WBA represented at Radio Show, SMTE to put any of these recordings on the air, you Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Your WBA can! Just let us know. And trust me, you NEED to was on hand listen. Officers & Board of Directors for the NAB The podcast is funded through a donation from OFFICERS 2019-2020 Radio Show fellow Hall of Famer Terry Baun who is now also Chair of the Board in Dallas and part of the WBA Foundation Legacy Club. Thank Steve Lavin WBAY-TV, Green Bay Small Market you, Terry, for your special gift! Vice Chair - Radio, Chair Elect Chris Bernier Radio Plus, Marinette/Fond du Lac Television Read more about the podcast on page 3. Exchange in Vice Chair - Television Don Vesely WMTV-TV, Madison Austin in Members are the voice of WBA Treasurer September. When there’s an issue important to broadcasters Lupita Montoto La Movida WLMV Radio, We’re always up for debate among lawmakers, they want to Madison excited to see hear from YOU. Secretary our members Jan Wade WISN-TV, Milwaukee WISN-TV News Director Ben Hart recently at these Immediate Past Chair provided testimony during a public hearing on a Steve Wexler important national events. bill regarding police body cameras (see below). Good Karma Brands, Milwaukee At the Radio Show we Others, like Sean Dwyer (WXOW-TV) and Jim celebrated NRG Media BOARD OF DIRECTORS Murphy (WRJC-AM/FM), have also recently Chairman and CEO Mary Judson Beck WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV, provided testimony. Quass who received the La Crosse/Eau Claire National Radio Award. These members, and everyone who makes calls Brian Burns Morgan Murphy Media, Madison Congrats! at State Legislative Day, are representing all WBA Paul Cameron The Family Radio Network, Appleton members. For that, we thank you! Herb Cody QueenB Radio, Platteville WBA launches podcast with Hall of Famer We hope to have a strong showing for the next Dave EdwardsWUWM-FM, WBA Hall of Famer Bob Barry conducted State Legislative Day on Jan. 29. If you’ve never Milwaukee Public Radio, Milwaukee hundreds of celebrity interviews during his come before, please consider it. Lawmakers Anna Engelhart WKOW-TV, Madison amazing career in Milwaukee radio and he was want to hear from their constituents, and that Aleese Fielder NRG Media-Wausau/ looking for a place to share his best recordings. includes their local broadcasters. Call us or Stevens Point, Plover Your WBA just launched a podcast for Bob to do email [email protected] to get JT Koser Koser Radio Group, Rice Lake/Hayward just that. “Bob Barry’s Unearthed Interviews” involved. Mike Smith WFRV-TV, Green Bay podcast is available most places you can find On behalf of Linda, Liz, and Kyle, your WBA podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, and they’re Mark Strachota Weigel Broadcasting Co., Team would like to wish you a happy, safe, Milwaukee also on the Wisconsin Broadcasting Museum and relaxing holiday season. We can’t wait Chuck Sullivan Entercom Communications, website. New episodes are released each to see what the new year brings! As I seem to Hales Corners Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe and if you’d like say repeatedly…..it’s never boring! Jeff Welton Nautel, Hackett’s Cove, Nova Scotia Michael Wright Midwest Communications, Green Bay/Wausau Ex Officio - NAB Board News director testifies in favor of different body camera bills during the previous Tom Walker police body cameras bill legislative session. Neither were signed into law. Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Madison The current bill, in part, maintains the Wisconsin’s WBA Team current standard of public records being assumed accessible to the public, unless a records custodian President & CEO Michelle Vetterkind, CAE rules against openness using the balancing test. The [email protected] bill uses the balancing test to determine if video should be released, and asks records custodians to Vice President - Administration Linda Baun [email protected] take into consideration the expectation privacy for NCSA/PEP Coordinator Liz Boyd anyone who appears in the video and the treatment [email protected] of victims and minors. The bill also directs records Director of Operations and Public Affairs custodians to use redaction where necessary to Kyle Geissler [email protected] allow for a video to be released. WISN-TV News Director Ben Hart testified Sept. 17 in WBA Board minutes are always available for The bill also sets standards for record retention and members. Please email Linda Baun at favor of a bill that would set standards for Wisconsin [email protected] to request a copy. law enforcement agencies that use body cameras. mandates training for police departments that WBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind adopt the use of police body cameras. introduced Hart at the Senate Committee on Representatives of law enforcement also Judiciary and Public Safety public hearing on SB50.