melindaspaulding's Blog

The debut of Fox 26 News at 5 and 5:30 is finally here.  Join me, Mike, Jim, Ruben and the gang for our interactive broadcast on myfoxhoustonlive.com.

Looking forward to chatting with you!

We all scream for FREE ice cream!

Join the crew of the upcoming Fox 26 News at 5 & 5:30 (8.18.08) gang as we roll our ice cream truck around the Houston area this week and meet our viewers.

Monday...we kick of the licking in the parking lot of the Fox 26 studios at 4261 Southwest Frwy (59 & Weslayan). 

We make other stops throughout the week.  Who knows...we could end up in YOUR neighborhood.

Looking forward to meeting you :)

Melinda

Teri Gault introduced Fox 26 viewers to her website:  www.thegrocerygame.com four years ago.  Today, the site is flooded with shoppers who subscribe to save money on their grocery bills.  Wednesday, on Fox 26 News at Nine, we'll put her list to the test!

Have you tried the Grocery Game?  What do you think? Do you have any great shopping tips to save money on ever-rising grocery bills?

Okay...maybe I'm going through some sort of life change or something...but I have become totally addicted to the show "Jon & Kate Plus 8" on TLC.

I am amazed at the way this family works. 

Do you watch the show?  What do you think?

This morning I spent some time with the students and teachers at North Shore High School.  The broadcast facilities there are so advanced!  Some of that equipment is better than what we have here at Fox 26 (just kidding?). 

The students asked great questions...and they even let me do a guest anchor spot for their morning announcements!  I told the kids if they had more questions to fire away here on the blogs.  Sooo, fire away!

It was definitely one of the loudest political events I've ever covered live...but who cares about my hearing?!  I'm more interested in your opinions.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE OBAMA RALLY AT THE TOYOTA CENTER TUESDAY NIGHT? 

Tuesday night, we kicked off a four part series profiling "Houston's Modest Millionaires".  I've learned so much in my research...but interview our first subject, Chris Noble, gave me even more insight.  She doesn't have all the millionaire trappings (not that there's anything wrong with that if you've got the bank account to back it up) but she's more than comfortable.

"Delayed gratification" is what comes to mind when I meet people like Noble. 

What do you think of modest millionaires?  Could you adopt their habits?  Are you already doing it?

From the response we've gotten so far from our story on "Deadbeats"...it seems to be an unfortunate...yet increasingly common issue.

Here's the link to the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division:

http://childsupport.oag.state.tx.us/

We know every mom or dad's story situation is different...but children are always at the center of the matter.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CHILD SUPPORT EVADERS?  ARE THEY DEADBEATS?  IS THERE EVER A GOOD REASON TO NOT FINANCIALLY SUPPORT A CHILD?

We're kicking off a new weekly series on the morning news that puts us "In the House" with Houstonians.

Got an interesting home you want to show off?  Did you make all your furniture?  Got a unique collection of snow globes?  Live in a log cabin?  Whatever it is...we want to know about it...just email at spaulding@fox26.com.  I love home improvement and design shows...so this is a really fun segment for me.

In the meantime...I've gotta know this...WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST DECORATING FAUX PAS? 

 I'll start with mine...growing up in the 80's...my parents had customized plastic over one of our sofas!!!!

Our own Ned Hibberd did a story about ticket re-sellers charging outrageous prices for the upcoming Hannah Montana concert in November.  The were apparently purchased during a "pre-sale" period.

Now, I don't have children yet, so please excuse my ignorance on the subject..BUT:

WHO WOULD PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR A HANNAH MONTANA CONCERT TICKET?

New Orleans is a city that's near and dear to my heart.  I lived and worked there for four years....and had a first hand look at the devastation caused by Katrina when I covered the story for Fox 26 News. 

Two years later...it breaks my heart to see the slow progress in New Orleans East and the Ninth Ward.

AS WE MARK THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF KATRINA...WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

Mike Iscovitz, in a very nice way, outed my need for doughnuts this morning!!  My offer to the newsroom, you drive..I'll buy (thanks to associate producer lyndsay levingston for making the run).

There's something about the sugar from a glazed doughnut that can just jumpstart my energy (especially since I've been suffering from sleep issues lately).

Yes, I know it's not good for me..and I will eventually crash, but I can't be alone one this.

I've gotta know:

**WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SUGARY TREAT?***

On Wednesday night, I was honored to emcee an awards ceremony for the Houston Police Department.  I left the event sooo inspired by the officers and citizens who were recognized for their service.

Everyday folks were honored for everything from taking down license plate numbers to stepping in and helping police hold down a bad guy to make an arrest.  One young man was honored for speaking up and being a good witness which led to the arrest of a dangerous criminal.

And those HPD officers...so impressive!  From delivering a baby in a car, to firing at a suspect after being shot themselves (and more than once!).  Officers were also recognized for stopping major crime rings along with so many other things.

These are the stories we need to hear about! 

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP US SAFE...THEY DESERVE IT (and they're reading this blog :))