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As the cutting producer of Martin Savidge's stories this week, I am on the receiving end of the amazing video and compelling stories coming out of the Katrina zone. Martin and his field producers gather the footage and interviews all day, then feed the material via satellite to me in Chicago. I then work with a video editor to put his story together, then we feed it to New York for the newscast.
Tonight's story hit close to home for me, as my father's family is originally from Washington Parish, Louisiana, Martin's last road stop of the day. I made the suggestion that our team visit there because, as the Parish president says, it is often "the forgotten parish."
My family hails from Franklinton, the Parish seat. There is a street there, T.W. Barker Drive, named for my late grandfather, an educator who pushed for racial integration and equality. But the plights of Franklinton and nearby Bogalusa were overlooked because so much of the Katrina spotlight was on New Orleans. In the days immediately following the storm, my relatives begged me to do whatever I could to help our home parish get media attention. It was the only way FEMA would know what was happening. They had no food, no water and no communication for more than a week after Katrina. Downed trees were virtually everywhere, as highlighted in tonight's story.
NBC did not travel there initially, but, as Martin's piece pointed out tonight, the folks in that Parish pulled together to make it through. This week's series is important because, finally, it is giving small towns like this a voice. The rest of the nation needs to know what they are going through -- what they have lost -- and that it is indeed going to be "a long road back." The real impact of Katrina will be felt for months to come as these small towns struggle to survive. Tonight was surreal for me as the focus touched on my family roots. It's really an honor to be part of the team telling the stories of these towns. It's one of those unique times in a journalist's career where you feel you're making a difference.
I would just emphasize to the viewers that we are getting hours and hours of video, but we're only able to bring you a 2-minute snapshot of the devastation in our reports. Multiply what you are seeing by 100 -- maybe more -- and you'll only begin to know what this region is facing. The images I have seen are indescribable; some folks who tell their stories break down as they struggle to convey their desperation. This disaster is not over, not by a long shot... and that's what this series is about.
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Discovery journalism
I am from Bogalusa, the other Washington Parish town, and I appreciate your shedding some light on an important story that has yet to be told. While there is much good news in the neighbor to neighbor help, there is still terrible devistation and great need especially among the poorest in the parish. Thanks for helping us to remember.
Bascom D. Talley, III, Washington, DC (Sent Nov 4, 2005 5:49:51 PM)
New complications arise from these weather tragedies on a daily basis. Tourism for Washington Parish is the annual Free Fair and the annual Watermelon Festival. As a Franklinton native, the grandaughter of T.W. Barker of Barker Drive, I'm appreciative of NBC and so DOGONE PROUD OF MY LITTLE COUSIN HEIDI, I don't know what to do. Our family ties to Washington Parish are a major part of what sustains us. Our pride in our heritage allows us to reach back and embrace the things that make us all great.
Kim Barker, Baton Rouge, LA (Sent Nov 4, 2005 4:28:17 PM)
I have spent more time in front of the computer over the last couple of months than ever before. It was the only source of hard news about the disaster area from which I evacuated (SWLA). This series has fascinated me like no other. I am even reading and making comments, which I have never done before. I only hope that all the hard work done in gathering this news (The Long Road Home/The Daily Nightly blogs) goes into a documentary or Dateline special.
Marylee Partin, Greenville, Tx. (Sent Nov 4, 2005 4:05:40 AM)
It's great that NBC is showing the 'now what' of this story that has not ended for those of us that are there. I have only to drive a few miles to see the people still living in tents with all they have left hanging on the fences or trees in their yards. America has been kind to us.
J Williams Irvington AL (Sent Nov 4, 2005 12:00:44 AM)
I second the above motion.. What a terrific idea, I do propose an admendment, it should be 2 hours, I don't think just one will do it justice.
Claudia Anderson Farmington NM (Sent Nov 3, 2005 11:36:56 PM)
Thanks so much for keeping the plight of the smaller towns in the spotlight. We must not forget them, even though most attention is devoted to New Orleans.
Jerre Buckels, Knoxville, TN (Sent Nov 3, 2005 11:06:14 PM)
I am sitting here shaking my head almost in disbelief over Martin Savidge's Pass Christian story. It, and the entire series have been outstanding. I feel sorry for the people who have not been following it on your blog. They are missing half the story. How about taking some of those hours of video and making a one hour documentary for MSNBC?
Celine Segda, Jersey City NJ (Sent Nov 3, 2005 9:10:09 PM)
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