Gabe Caggiano, WJMN’s anchor on its brand new 11 pm newscast, is not your typical bright-eyed kid eager to shine in his very first broadcasting job.
He’s been around the block a few times. He’s worked as an anchor, reporter, writer and columnist. He’s been employed by Inside Edition and Al Arabiya. He’s moved around from Texas to New England to Maryland to DC. He covered the first Gulf War and the White House.
He was even an actor on TV several years back with credits from Matlock and Radioland Murders.
He’s got talent. He’s won a few awards.
And he’s got a bit of a reputation. A TV columnist in Austin referred to him as “very likely the most hated man in Austin television journalism.” To be fair, that was back in the 90s, and God knows, we’ve all made mistakes and enemies.
But some of the criticism has followed him over the years–hotheadedness, insensitivity, egotism.
Now he’s in the UP at WJMN. He does a nice job. Let’s hope we see more of the talent and less of the flaws.
By the way, an attempt to interview Caggiano was rebuffed by him until he got corporate approval. Maybe that’s a good sign. Discretion.
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Speaking of WJMN, the CBS station has been broadcasting local news for just about three weeks now, and there’s not much to criticize.
Cynthia Thompson’s team looks professional and energized. The news set, graphics and production values are superb.
In fact, you might say the overall presentation reminds you a lot of TV6, the longtime number one station in Marquette. What WJMN lacks is TV6’s storied history, the leadership of Steve Asplund, and perhaps most important…Karl Bohnak.
People love weather in the UP and they love Bohnak who’s very possibly the most trusted and popular man in the Upper Peninsula. It’s very tough for a 20-something meteorologist to come in and compete with that.
As for Rick Tarsitano’s troops at ABC10, they continue, despite a shortage of resources, to put on a remarkably strong newscast, and their website is robust and current with a strong social media presence.
WJMN’s website, by contrast, has a strange, minimalist look. Not sure why. Looks like something circa 2003.
In any case, they’ve joined the fray. The UP now has three legitimate TV news and website sources. We viewers are the winners.
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This may have slipped your mind, but the YMCA, after getting a three million dollar federal loan last year, is getting ready to start a major expansion and renovation at its Marquette facility.
Like doubling its size.
It all starts on June 1st with the resurfacing of its pool deck. That’ll take a couple of weeks.
But then comes the exciting stuff: two new basketball and volleyball courts, bleachers, a concession stand, an indoor running track, a gym for gymnastics, a climbing wall, new high-tech machines, an expanded exercise and weight room…and a seniors locker room.
Huh? A separate locker room for oldsters?
Yep, apparently that was the request of some seniors–to dress and shower away from the rabble-rousing young folk.
Seems like the YMCA could find a better use for the money than that.
Still, a lot to celebrate here. Construction will continue through late summer, fall and early winter. Should be done in January.
Meantime in Negaunee, members are getting an entirely new, bigger and better facility. That, too, should be ready in January. (Correction: the Negaunee facility will be open in June.)
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The Marquette Farmers Market is getting ready to open after a tumultuous off season. It’s time to forget all the dissension and instead, focus on the food and the crafts
The first Saturday of the season is May 17th.
Forty-three full season vendors will be selling their goods–36 are returnees, 7 are new, and the word is, there are more produce and meat vendors this year than last year. All of them are from the UP. Hoop houses and green houses here have extended the season and the varieties.
No vendors selling produce from downstate applied to sell at the market this year.
As usual, there were many more wannabe vendors than spots available, so about 30 of them will have to settle for daily spaces. The Downtown Development Authority expects to create 3-7 new spaces by mid-summer when the market is re-configured.
All in all, it sounds like local farmers are determined to make farming in the frozen tundra of the UP work.
Which is great for those of us who love local produce and meat.
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And who’s not eagerly awaiting the opening of the new Marquette Food Co-op on Washington Street? That’s May 22nd.
It’ll be triple the size and double the inventory of the charming but cramped store on Baraga Street.
The new store will also feature a meat and seafood counter, a deli, and a little café. With Wifi.
Yikes. We’re becoming bigtime.
The Co-op will close down on May 20th and 21st while it makes the move to the new location.
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Now that the snow has finally melted, you’ve probably noticed with dismay that your spruces and junipers are rust-colored on the outside and on top.
Dead? You can’t be certain.
Gardening guru Barb Kelly says the best advice she’s heard is that you should wait four to six weeks before lopping off any branches. Give them a chance with warming temperatures to come back.
If you’re impatient, break open a branch and see if there’s any green left. If it just snaps off easily, it’s likely dead.
Yeah, Kelly says, this is the worst winter for plants she’s ever seen here. The dwarf Alberta spruces, one of our most popular varieties, were especially hard-hit.
You got news? Email me at briancabell@gmail.com