Employees Abandon Kansas City Star

More than anything, this note proves to us that "local journalism" is just another elitist clique that's mostly closed off to alternative perspectives and community voices outside of the mainstream.

However . . . Watching the newsies direct their blather to one another can be a fun distraction if only to consider the self-importance of yet another special interest group.

And so . . . 

A retired newsman offers a cringe-y tribute to a current news dude and his latest job hop . . .

Steve Vockrodt, confirmed in a phone call that his last day at The Star was Friday and that he would be joining NPR’s new “Midwest Newsroom,” a consortium of four stations, including Kansas City affiliate KCUR, on Wednesday.

Vockrodt’s new title is investigative editor for the Midwest Newsroom, which consists of KCUR, St. Louis Public Radio, Iowa Public Radio out of Des Moines and Nebraska Public Media out of Lincoln. Technically, his employer will be St. Louis Public Radio, although he will be working primarily out of KCUR.

Don't get it twisted . . .

This is a very nice gig. 

State-run media seems like a worthwhile, secure job in these uncertain times. 

More importantly as the dead-tree newspaper is now confined to the dust bin of history. . . 

The donation-government-funded progressive model of "journalism" now reigns supreme as most people avoid paying for news that doesn't really impact their daily lives. 

Read more of JimmyC's lover letter to a local newsie via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .

Stellar investigative reporter Steve Vockrodt headed to NPR and KCUR

On. Aug. 15, Kansas City Star editor and president Mike Fannin announced that the paper would be "hiring nearly a dozen new journalists" and nearly doubling its investigative team to nine reporters and three editors. Today, however, one of the leading members of that investigative team, reporter Steve Vockrodt, confirmed in a phone call that...