Vikings rookie QB Christian Ponder is bringing much-needed sizzle to Winter Park. Belatedly, while watching KSTP-TV's "Sports Wrap with Joe Schmit," I got the memo: PONDER IS HOT! Dressed casually in expensive-looking loafers, golf shorts and a dress shirt, while speaking in complete sentences to Schmit, there was something Joe Willie Namath-charming about Ponder, a Florida State grad who earned his undergraduate finance degree in 2 1/2 years and in 2010 received his MBA. The QB drips sex appeal, a little of which I thought was glistening from his chin dimple. If Ponder can play football ... Lord Have Mercy! "Yes, you are right," said Schmit. "Christian Ponder had...
Ponder this: Can Vikings QB be as hot on the field as off?
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C.J.: KSTP's Vineeta Sawkar is on her way out of anchor job
KSTP-TV morning anchor Vineeta Sawkar has been told she's being dismissed from the anchor desk as of May 1. "I'm in the middle of a long [five-year] contract. They are giving me a year to find another job," Sawkar confirmed Monday. "It's not like I haven't been renewed." What's the bottom line? "[I] don't think I'm part of their future, and that's fine," she said. Sawkar has been at Channel 5 for 17 of her 22 years in broadcasting. "It's been wonderful. I've really enjoyed it. I feel fortunate. Honestly, that's the way this business goes. You know, it's a subjective business. You know that when you get into it. I don't take it personally. I'm not bitter....
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C.J.: Sawkar is signing off from KSTP baby boom
KSTP-TV anchor Vineeta Sawkar is finished making pregnancy announcements. Her additional contributions to the population will not be missed around Channel 5's newsroom, where there's been a virtual baby boom. Case in point: Leah McLean had labor induced Wednesday to facilitate the arrival of her first baby, a girl, Grace Evelyn. Congrats. "It started with Jessica Miles last year, who had No. 2 in July 2011," said news director Lindsay Radford. "Then it went to Megan Newquist, who had twins in October 2011. Then it went to Jennifer Copeland, who's now left -- her husband was transferred -- who had hers in December [2011]. And amazing as it sounds, Jessica is pregnant again....
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KSTP to join the early-morning fray
Vineeta Sawkar, part of KSTP's morning team In June, KSTP news director Lindsay Radford told us that her station had no plans in the immediate future to join WCCO and KSMP and start their morning news broadcasts at 4:30 a.m. Turns out "immediate future" is less than two months. The station announced today that they will start at 4:30 a.m. beginning Aug. 30. “This is a reflection of changing lifestyles as people are going to bed earlier and getting up earlier," Radford said. "A few years ago no one would have thought there was an audience at 5:30 a.m. but now there is." ...
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Paul Douglas and Vineeta Sawkar talk weather at Star Tribune event
Star Tribune chief meteorologist Paul Douglas joined Vineeta Sawkar at Star Tribune headquarters for a lunchtime event to discuss this year's weather. ......
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How KSTP lost MN's biggest defamation case ever
Mark Reilly Managing Editor - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal Email | Twitter | LinkedIn | Google City Pages dissects the defamation case that led to a $1 million verdict against KSTP-TV last fall....
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'Bachelorette': Emily Maynard Sends Contestant Home for Calling her 'Trophy Wife'
share ABC Ryan Bowers should have learned from Kalon McMahon that Bachelorette Emily Maynard has a low tolerance for men who say the wrong things.our editor recommends'Bachelorette' Emily Maynard’s $350,000 Wardrobe Show’s Most Expensive Ever'Bachelorette' Emily Maynard Sounds Off on 'Helicopter Guy,' Bad Boy Bentley Williams PHOTOS: 19 of Hollywood's All-Time Shortest Marriages Just like McMahon was sent home after calling Maynard’s child “baggage,” Bowers got the boot after labeling Maynard a “trophy wife” on Monday’s episode. Maynard took the...
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Rod Simons to leave KSTP in October
KSTP lead sports anchor Rod Simons will be leaving the station in October when his contract expires, according to people with knowledge of the situation. Simons was hired by KSTP as a sports reporter in October 2003 after working in the Seattle market for 15 years. He took over as the main sports anchor on an interim basis in February 2005 and was named to the permanent position in July of that year. It wasn’t immediately certain if KSTP plans to replace Simons or promote sports reporters Ryan Kibbe or Anne Hutchinson. ...
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Law enforcement cracking down on distracted driving
Traffic reporter Tim Harlow talks with Vineeta Sawkar about what is legal and not legal when using a phone while driving in Minnesota. ......
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KSTP's Jessica Miles out dances the competition at CornerHouse gala
C.J.: KSTP's Jessica Miles out dances the competition at CornerHouse gala...
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KSTP's Jessica Miles out-dances competition
C.J.: KSTP's Jessica Miles out-dances the competition at CornerHouse gala....
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A local sports anchor returns to KSTP
It doesn't seem a week passes by where we're not reporting the depature of some local media figures, so it's nice to report that Joe Schmit will be returning as sports director and main sports anchor for KSTP News. "Joe was an integral part of our newsroom and we are thrilled he will be back on our team," said news director Lindsay Radford. We've got a call into Joe. Check back for updates....
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KSTP poll shows Oberstar locked in a draw
In a sleeper race that’s turned into a cage match, the U.S. House race between veteran DFLer Jim Oberstar and GOP upstart Chip Cravaack appears to be a potential tossup. A new SurveyUSA poll in Minnesota’s 8th congressional district for KSTP TV, the first independent poll in the race, shows a 47-46 Oberstar lead, or, in other words, a dead heat. The poll was scheduled to be released on KSTP at 6 p.m. But poll numbers were made available to operatives on both sides earlier in the afternoon. Democrats question the accuracy of the KSTP/SurveyUSA poll, saying it consistently overestimates Republican strength. Another KSTP/SurveyUSA poll has the governor's race virtually...
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Al Tighe was a longtime KSTP sportscaster, announcer
Walter (Al) Tighe of Minneapolis, who was KSTP-TV's sports anchor during the 1960s, was also known for his quick and tireless play-by-play reporting. Tighe, who left radio for KSTP-TV in 1952, died June 11 in Minneapolis. He was 84. After graduating from South High School in Minneapolis in the early 1940s, he attended the University of Minnesota. He began his radio career in Rice Lake, Wis., later working at stations in North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and Duluth. After joining KSTP in 1952, he served as a general assignment sports reporter, covering everything from professional sports to sled dog races at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. After KSTP's sportscaster, former Chicago Bear Dick Nesbitt,...
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KSTP's Hauser to return to political beat
With election season in full swing, KSTP political correspondent Tom Hauser would appear to have one of the best journalism gigs in town. Just one problem: It's not the job he wanted. Hauser, who has been serving as co-anchor for the ABC affiliate's morning show for a little more than a year, is being replaced at the end of this month by Art Barron, who worked at the station from 1991 to 1996. Hauser will return to covering politics full time. "It's certainly not a bad consolation prize," Hauser said. "My preference would have been to continue anchoring, but politics is a lot of fun." Looking strictly at the numbers, the switch is a bit of a puzzlement. KSTP's morning...
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KSTP-TV's Art Barron has been demoted
Morning and midday anchor Art Barron is being kicked off KSTP-TV but not out of the building. "He will do midday up until the May book starts and then he will transition fully into a Web position," KSTP-TV news director Lindsay Radford told me today. "He will be a Web producer for us. We are launching a whole bunch of community sites and have hired a whole bunch of people for that. God bless Art. He's got the best attitude in the world." As a producer, Barron's face won't be seen anymore, which means that he'll probably experience a cut in pay, broadcast insiders tell me. "It depends on a lot of variables," Barron begged to differ. "Obviously, it's not...
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KSTC-TV adds local news coverage
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Twin Cities-based KSTC-TV is resuming a 9 p.m. local newscast that it dropped six years ago. The station debuts the 30-minute newscast Monday night. Megan Newquist will anchor the 9 p.m. weeknight newscast. Newquist joins Channel 45 from WTVQ-TV in Lexington, Ky. KSTC also began a two-hour morning show on Monday. The 7-9 a.m. weekday show will feature Vineeta Sawkar, Art Barron, Rebekah Wood, Patrick Hammer and Rusty Gatenby (GAYT'-en-bee) from sister station KSTP-TV. KSTC is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. The station dropped its 9 p.m. newscast in early 2003, citing a lack of viewers. ___ On the Net: KSTC-TV: Recent Local + Metro stories - July 13, 2009 - Like many...
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KSTP-TV and American Public Media win Peabody Awards
The 70th Annual Peabody Awards were announced Thursday with a record-breaking 39 recipients -- including two with Twin Cities ties. KSTP, Channel 5, was recognized for "Who Killed Doc," an investigation of a Minnesota sailor's accidental electrocution in Iraq, led by reporter Mark Albert. American Public Media, based in St. Paul, got a nod for producing the radio series "The Promised Land," a forum, hosted by Majora Carter, for conversation about the environment and justice. The Peabodys, presented annually by the University of Georgia, recognize the best in electronic media. Other winners include the broadcast dramas "The Good Wife" and "Justified,"...
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Regional hair, celebrity style
Regional Hair, Celebrity Style Hair colorist Tony Castro breaks down the best in celebrity hair color. NEW YORK HAIR "Very conservative blond, like Sarah Jessica Parker." L.A. HAIR "It has a lot of different colors, like Reese Witherspoon." MINNESOTA HAIR "It's just white," he said, citing Pamela Anderson. "Here, everybody is white. They were like that when they were 5, but now they're 35. It makes you look older. You don't need multicolors, but you shouldn't be white," Castro said. Hair stylist Frédéric Fekkai agreed. "The totally platinum look does not work for most women, and requires way too much maintenance," he said. REDS...
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TV talk shows: Friday
MORNING 7 a.m. Today Jeret Peterson, Emily Cook, Daniel Boulud, Michael Buble. (KARE, Ch. 11) Good Morning America Lifetime CEO Andrea Wong, co-author of "Secrets of Powerful Women"; Boyz II Men; Steve Harvey; Michelle Kwan. (KSTP, Ch. 5) The Early Show Jessica Biel, Patti Stanger. (WCCO, Ch. 4) 9 a.m. Live With Regis and Kelly Jessica Biel, chef Marcus Samuelsson. (KSTP, Ch. 5) The Ellen DeGeneres Show Anne Hathaway; the 2010 Sports Illustrated swimsuit-edition cover model. (WCCO, Ch. 4) 10 a.m. The View Jeff Bridges, Katharine McPhee. (KSTP, Ch. 5) The Bonnie Hunt Show Phil Keoghan, Dorothy Hamill. (KMSP, Ch. 9) AFTERNOON Noon The Wendy Williams Show Patti Stanger. (KMSP, Ch. 9)...
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'The Bachelorette 2012' Episode 3: The cocktail party drama and who heads home
This week on ABC's “The Bachelorette 2012,” Emily Maynard had two one-on-one dates and one group date. Heading into the cocktail party and rose ceremony, Arie Luyendyk, Jr. and Chris Bukowski already had roses from their individual dates. Tony is gone, and Sean Lowe got the group date rose. Emily will be sending two more guys home by the end of the night. So, who gets a rose and who heads home? Emily tells the guys that she has some questions for some of them, and she pulls Kalon McMahon aside first. She says she can tell he's a genuine guy, but she knows she hasn't spent much time with him. He jokes about “having the week off” since he wasn't on a date, and he says he took it personally...
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Malmberg in KSTP shift for a week
Al Malmberg, laid off as the weekday overnight host at WCCO Radio (AM 830) about a month ago, is back on the air. The gig at KSTP (AM 1500) is just temporary, however. Malmberg, who was fired by WCCO in what the station described as a consequence of larger economic problems, is filling in at KSTP this week from 8-11 p.m. The usual host for that slot, Dave Thompson, is covering the noon-2 p.m. shift. Those two hours had been staffed by longtime host Tommy Mischke, who was fired in early December. Thompson, in a chat board posting on KSTP's website, said he'll stay on the afternoon shift "until further notice" yet also described the noon-2 p.m. shift as "my new home." One...
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The Bachelorette Review: Finally, Some Drama (and Alessandro Dates His Cousins)
Natalie Getz is a former Bachelor contestant and the first-ever winner of Bachelor Pad. In reviewing The Bachelorette for TV Fanatic this season, she brings...
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KSTP-AM going all sports, all the time
updated 10:48 a.m. ET Feb. 12, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS -- Sports enthusiasts in the Twin Cities now have another option for listening to around-the-clock sports talk on the radio. On Thursday, KSTP-AM announced they'd be switching formats -- from talk radio to strictly sports talk radio. The Hubbard-owned station reached a long-term deal with ESPN. In fact, the station will eventually become known as 1500...
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'The Bachelorette': 10 Most Ridiculous Quotes From the 'Men Tell All' Special
share ABC/CRAIG SJODIN The Bachelorette’s “Men Tell All” special brought back the 23 men who Emily Maynard cast aside in her search for love.our editor recommends 'Bachelorette' Recap: Emily Picks Her Final Two Men 'Bachelorette': What to Expect at 'The Men Tell All' (Video) 'Bachelorette' Finale to Air Sunday Night, Followed by Live 'After the Final Rose' 'Bachelorette': Emily Maynard Sends Contestant Home for Calling her 'Trophy Wife' While Emily will choose between Arie and Jef in the finale on Sunday, this week was all about letting the brokenhearted men share their feelings and argue with each other. VIDEO: 'Bachelorette' Contestant Says He Was...
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KSTP Radio's Jay Kolls back after alcohol treatment
KSTP Radio talk show host Jay Kolls returned to the air this morning following a long absence for alcohol treatment. Kolls, who turned 49 last week, told AM 1500 listeners that he spent 28 days at the Hazelden treatment center in Minnesota, which he described as a humbling experience. Not only did he leave behind drinking, Kolls said, but he spent a lot of time hearing what a "jackass" he'd been. The on-air acknowledgment came in an interview with his co-host, Pat Reusse, the Star Tribune sports columnist who went through his own alcohol rehabilitation many years ago. Along with a broadcast career that included reporting for KSTP-TV, Channel 5,, Kolls is also known as the...
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U student is charged in post-firing rant at KSTP
Jennifer Nicole Anato-Mensah's alleged antics probably would have been a better fit on MTV's "Punk'd!" than they turned out to be in a TV station's newsroom. The 21-year-old University of Minnesota student is accused of chasing after an executive producer at KSTP-TV, screaming obscenities after she was fired as an intern at Channel 5. She also kicked out and shattered a window in a conference room door in her quest to get at the woman she believed had scorned her, charges say. Anato-Mensah of Blaine has been charged in Ramsey County District Court with misdemeanor criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct in connection with the Oct. 13 incident. Her first court appearance...
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KSTP wins national Emmy
KSTP's piece, "Prisoners Ride the Bus," was honored for outstanding investigative reporting at Monday night's News & Documentary Emmys in New York. It tied with KHOU in Houston. The only other regional winner: KPIX in San Francisco for outstanding Spot News. Investigative reporter Bob McNaney worked on "Prisoners," along with producer Mike Maybay and assistant news director Sam Zeff. The piece deals with how the US government is using bus companies to transport unescorted prisoners. Maybay priased McNamey's investigatve work. "It's very exciting and humbling," Maybay said. "I'm glad to be able to do this kind of work." The big...
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KSTP-AM cans host Dave Thompson
KSTP Radio (AM 1500) talk show host Dave Thompson told his listeners this afternoon that his weekday show from noon to 2 p.m. has been canceled. Thompson, a native East Grand Forks, Minn., joined the station in 2001. The onetime practicing attorney expressed views that were generally conservative and also discussed with listeners topics involving culture and sports. Thompson took over that time slot after longtime host Tommy Mischke was fired in early December. Thompson, in a chat board posting on KSTP's website, said at the time that he considered the noon-2 p.m. shift as "my new home." There was no immediate word on how the station would fill the time slot. Paul Walsh •...
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Intern breaks window chasing KSTP producer, cops report
St. Paul police were called to KSTP-TV last week after an intern allegedly tried to administer a beat down to an executive producer. St. Paul Police Department spokesman Peter Panos told me he had read the police report, but due to a technical glitch I have not been able to see it yet. Off the top of his head Tuesday, Panos recalled: "Female intern, they had had some disciplinary problems with; she was having problems that morning. They decided to terminate her at that point. When they did, she went off on the person who terminated her. Tried to attack Danielle. Somebody got in between them. Later on in the morning, this girl came at her again. Danielle ran into an office and the girl...
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Intern breaks window chasing KSTP producer
St. Paul police were called to KSTP-TV last week after an intern allegedly tried to administer a beat down to an executive producer. St. Paul Police Department spokesman Peter Panos told me he had read the police report, but due to a technical glitch I have not been able to see it yet. Off the top of his head Tuesday, Panos recalled: "Female intern, they had had some disciplinary problems with; she was having problems that morning. They decided to terminate her at that point. When they did, she went off on the person who terminated her. Tried to attack Danielle. Somebody got in between them. Later on in the morning, this girl came at her again. Danielle ran into an office and the girl...
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Cyndy Brucato to leave KSTP
Cyndy Brucato Here we go again. Just weeks after Robyne Robinson left the air and short months before Don Shelby departs, KSTP's lead anchor has announced her departure. Here's the press release from the station. Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN – 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS anchor Cyndy Brucato has announced plans to leave the anchor desk at the end of the summer, but will continue to anchor the 6:30 p.m. newscast through the Minnesota State Fair. "It's been a blast and now it's time to turn my attention to my own communications company," Brucato said. Brucato will continue to work with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on special projects. Brucato has worked with KSTP-TV...
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New set for new local news programs
TV news is supposed to be an endangered species, going the way of the spotted owl and parachute pants. So what in the name of Edward R. Murrow is the Hubbard family doing by investing nearly $400,000 in a new set? The space-age digs, which would make Capt. James T. Kirk feel downright cozy, give KSTP, the local ABC affiliate, an HD-friendly makeover and provide a home for two new programs on its sister operation, KSTC, Ch. 45, a station that hasn't had a local-news presence since early 2003. Starting today, KSTC will launch a two-hour morning show, hosted by Vineeta Sawkar, Art Barron and Rebekah Wood, as well as a 9 p.m. broadcast that will go head-to-head with the first half of KMSP, Ch....
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New set for new news programs
TV news is supposed to be an endangered species, going the way of the spotted owl and parachute pants. So what in the name of Edward R. Murrow is the Hubbard family doing by investing nearly $400,000 in a new set? The space-age digs, which would make Capt. James T. Kirk feel downright cozy, give KSTP, the local ABC affiliate, an HD-friendly makeover and provide a home for two new programs on its sister operation, KSTC, Ch. 45, a station that hasn't had a local-news presence since early 2003. Starting today, KSTC will launch a two-hour morning show, hosted by Vineeta Sawkar, Art Barron and Rebekah Wood, as well as a 9 p.m. broadcast that will go head-to-head with the first half of KMSP, Ch....
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Local anchors try to become "Millionaires"
KSTP news anchors may not be the most popular in town, but they'll try to prove that they're the smartest. Megan Newquist and Patrick Hammer will be a two-person team vieing for $1 million on special editions of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," airing at 4 p.m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 6 on KSTP. Their winnings will go to the Children's Hospital Association in St. Paul. Hammer will host a viewing party on the Dec. 6 at Mad Jacks Sports Cafe in Vadnais Heights.....
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C.J.: Diller was a dilly in her day
It's all right with Joan LaBelle if her late husband is being chased around heaven by Phyllis Diller. LaBelle was telling me about her recent lunch with Lisa Kudrow when I asked if she thought Diller, the barrier-busting comic who died this week, was in the after-life pursuing Lorney LaBelle, who died in 2010. "Oh definitely, no question about it," said LaBelle, who summers in Minnesota and spends the rest of the year in California. "I don't mean to be bad because I miss him so much." Lorney worked with Diller a couple of times during his illustrious advertising career. He played a major role in developing...
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Four staffers cut at WCCO, KSTP
Twin Cities radioland suffered another jolt this week with the dismissal of four key people at two stations. KSTP (1500 AM) program director Steve Konrad told staff members Thursday that morning-drive personality Willie Clark and producer Jeremy Kienitz were no longer with the company. At WCCO (830 AM), news reporters John Wanamaker and Cory Kampschroer confirmed Thursday that they were laid off. Management at both stations did not return phone calls for comment. Wanamaker said he was told that the decision was based on seniority, not performance. "We were at the bottom of the rung," said Wanamaker, who was hired in 2003. The station's news department is down to six people after...
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KSTP-TV's Miles gets engaged; Hartnett gets a stomach bug
KSTP-TV weekend anchor Jessica Miles is indeed sporting an engagement ring. Thanks for noticing, Linda Clarin and Todd Shoemaker, who I'll assume are not related to Miles. After reading their e-mails expressing interest in what looked like a rock on Miles' left hand, I inquired Monday. Miles promised to call back as soon as she finished some news business. Later, she left this voice mail: "Hi, it's Jessica Miles with 5 Eyewitness News. I am sorry I am getting back with you now, after 7 o'clock. I was out of town and just kind of frantically hurrying to get my stuff done today. My apologies, I know you work on deadline. Anyway, to answer your question: Yes, I am engaged. I just got...
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C.J.
Columnist | The Dish Phone: 612-332-TIPS Email: cj@startribune.com C.J. is a columnist in the Star Tribune's Twin Cities section. Her column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays....
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Will Angie Kent 'pull a Honey Badger'? Rumours swirl The Bachelorette will choose NEITHER suitor ...
Rumours are swirling that Angie Kent may 'pull a Honey Badger' and pick neither suitor in Thursday's season finale of The Bachelorette. Last year's Bachelor, rugby player Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins, left viewers outraged after he rejected both finalists in the final episode. And there are now whispers that Angie, 29, could do the same after she had an emotional breakdown while sending home Ryan Anderson on Wednesday's episode. Oh, no! Rumours are swirling that...
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Former KSTP-TV intern charged after newsroom altercation
Jennifer Anato-Mensah's alleged antics probably would have been a better fit on MTV's "Punk'd!" than they turned out to be in a TV station's newsroom. The 21-year-old University of Minnesota student is allegedly to have chased after an executive producer at KSTP-TV, screaming obscenities after she was fired as an intern at Channel 5 and later kicking out and shattering a window in a conference room door in her quest to get at the woman she believed had scorned her. Anato-Mensah of Blaine has been charged in Ramsey County District Court with misdemeanor criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct in connection with the Oct. 13 incident. Her first court appearance is scheduled...
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