Free Republic

Veteran ESPN broadcaster Ron Franklin was pulled from the air before Saturday's Fiesta Bowl after he called ESPN sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards "sweetcakes" during an off-air spat, Sports By Brooks reported Sunday. Franklin and Edwards were scheduled to work together for Friday's Chik-fil-A Bowl and the incident occurred in a pre-game production meeting also attended by ESPN announcers Ed Cunningham and Rod Gilmore. When the conversation turned to the subject of Gilmore's wife Marie being elected mayor of Alameda, Calif., Edwards tried to join in but was shut down by Franklin, according to the report. “Why don’t you leave this...

As I watch the World Series this year, I am reminded, once again, how I miss the poetic voice of VIN SKULLY. His lyrical narrative in describing the game was very inspiring and went far beyond the sport he was observing. A talented broadcaster with a Word Paintbrush. For those who remember, here are just a few more quotes he was known for. (Please click Link for a just a brief reminder of his talent).

TOKYO – Japanese broadcaster NHK says North Korea has launched a rocket, citing the Japanese government. The report came Sunday morning amid heightened tensions in the region. North Korea had informed international authorities that it planned to launch a rocket sometime between Saturday and Wednesday in order to put a satellite into orbit.

A twist in the Mount Soledad cross saga pits the lawyer fighting to move the towering symbol against a fresh foe: Padres broadcaster Jerry Coleman. Coleman wants to sign the ballot argument in support of keeping the cross on its La Jolla hilltop. But attorney Jim McElroy has asked a Superior Court judge to rewrite the argument, which McElroy claims is misleading, and exclude Coleman's signature because he missed a filing deadline by one week. The argument is the latest in a 16-year court battle. On July 26, San Diegans will vote on a successor to Mayor Dick Murphy, who...

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A San Joaquin Valley broadcaster cannot aid Republican candidates with free air time unless the same offer is extended to other candidates, the Federal Communications Commission ruled Friday. Pappas Telecasting Cos., which had donated $325,000 in air time on its radio and TV stations to 13 GOP county committees last week, had insisted for days that the gifts were legal and did not trigger federal equal time rules. It was not clear whether the company would appeal the staff ruling to the full commission. Phone calls to the Visalia-based company, which operates 28 stations in 11 states,...

Sinclair Broadcast, whose stock price has been battered over its plans to broadcast a documentary critical of Senator John Kerry, gained back some ground on Wall Street yesterday after it appeared to reduce how much of the film it would show. The company's critics, which have included institutional investors, consumer groups and representatives of Mr. Kerry's campaign, were not mollified. At the same time, the producer of the film, "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Don't Heal," which presents former prisoners of war denouncing Mr. Kerry's statements against the Vietnam War, said he was disappointed that the film might not be seen...

Ex-Worker Accusing TBN Pastor Says He Had Sex to Keep His Job By William Lobdell Times Staff Writer September 22, 2004 A former Trinity Broadcasting Network employee who was paid $425,000 to keep quiet about his claims of a homosexual tryst with televangelist Paul Crouch has disclosed details of his complaint, saying that he had felt forced to engage in the alleged sexual acts to keep his job. Enoch Lonnie Ford, 41, said he was going public with his story because he believes TBN officials breached a confidentiality agreement that was part of a 1998 settlement that provided the payment...