Cleveland case sheds light on 800,000 children reported missing in the U.S.

Photo Courtesy: abc2news.com

Today parents with missing children got a little hope. Three women missing for more than a decade were found inside a Cleveland home.  Three men are now behind bars in connection with the case.

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight were found in a residential area a few miles from where they disappeared as teenagers.

This case is a reminder that 800,000 children are reported missing every year in the U.S.Today is the day to find those parents in your city who may have a child missing.

We tend to be there when a child goes missing, but in time–let’s be honest, the media goes away and the parents remain in agony, waiting to hear word about their missing child.

Here are some facts according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:

• 800,000 children are reported missing every year in the U.S. or 2,000 every day.
• An estimated 200,000 are abducted by family members and 58,000 by nonfamily members.
• Primary motive abduction is sexual
• 115 represent the most serious cases in which the child is abducted by a stranger and killed, held for ransom, or taken with the intention to keep.

TELL THE LOCAL STORY

• Call local police: How many missing cases are they working on? Is there something to be learned from this Cleveland case?
• Call your local FBI office for information on missing cases.
• Check your newspaper or TV stations archives for those stories you’ve done on a missing child.
• Find that high-profile missing child case and see if a relative or parent will talk.

Go help find a missing child. Good luck!

Rebecca Aguilar is a multiple Emmy award-winning freelance reporter based in Dallas.  She has 31 years in the business, including 27 in television news.  She’s currently the VP of Online for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the VP of Membership for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  

Story Idea: The state of your local library and how Target is helping

Photo Courtesy: Target

About a week ago, I took two boxes of books to my local public library in Dallas. To be honest, I had not been inside a library for more than a year.  It was nice to see the place full of people reading books or on the computers.

That day I decided that I was going to visit one of our local libraries at least once a month. When you think about it–libraries do keep us journalists employed. They display our magazines and newspapers on the shelves, and have computers so others can read our news stories online.

But what is the state of your local public library or school library? The American Library Association (ALA) reports in its 2013 report:

Libraries offer resources often unavailable elsewhere during an economic “recovery” that finds about 12 million Americans unemployed and millions more underemployed. And the library community continues to rally support for school libraries, which seem destined to bear the brunt of federal budget sequestration.

TARGET COMES TO THE RESCUE FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Target Corporation plans to renovate 25 school libraries across the country through the 2013 Target School Library Makeover program.  What a great positive story.  I don’t know of any other corporations doing this for our local libraries.  What I do know is that this is a story that can inspire and leave a community feeling good. Target is partnering with The Heart of America Foundation to get the job done.

Here’s part of Target’s press release:

As part of the renovation process, each in-need school will receive 2,000 new books and a technology upgrade complete with iPads, interactive white boards and more. At the unveiling of each library, every student and his/her siblings will also receive seven new books to take home.

“The Target School Library Makeover program is part of our commitment to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015,” said Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. “By reimagining school libraries and transforming outdated spaces into state-of-the-art learning centers, Target hopes to ignite a love of learning and put more children on the path to high school graduation.”

TELL THE STORY

What a great people story right in your own backyard.  Maybe Target isn’t sprucing up your local public or school library, but just maybe there is a good samaritan in your city who has made it his or her mission. Find that person or company.  Here are more sources to help you tell the story:

• American Library Association 2013 Report–good for vital information of the state of libraries today
• Target’s chosen 25 school libraries–check out the list and find that school now. They plan to have them done by the beginning of next school year.
• School PTA–call the president
• School Librarian—she knows the status of the library (closing, lack of books, lack of funds, big donors)
• Public Libraries usually have “Friends of the Library” groups that help find funds, speakers, donors. Check the website for info.
• Find a family or one child who spends time at the local library and tell the story through their eyes.

Go save our libraries! Good luck!

Rebecca Aguilar is a multiple Emmy award-winning freelance reporter based in Dallas.  She has 31 years in the business, including 27 in television news.  She’s currently the VP of Online for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the VP of Membership for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  

Investigating a Twitter Account? Website Helps Identify When a Twitter Account Was Started

By now you know you have to be careful and double-check whether certain tweets are real news information, and whether they are factual.  As reporters we have plenty of followers feeding information via Twitter. Sometimes when some information seems to good to be true, I start trying to find out more about the person’s Twitter account.

The first thing I want to find out is when was the account set up.  If its been a few hours well that could be a red flag.

twbirthday.com is a great place to find out the “birthdate” of a Twitter account.

It’s FREE.

Have another website you think would come in handy for journalists? Let us know.

Newspaper Reporters and Photojournalists on List of Top 10 Stressful Jobs

There’s something about being a reporter and a photojournalist.  It’s not like any other job. We are where history happens and everyday we do something different and meet new people.

But according to CareerCast both jobs are on its Top 10 list of most stressful jobs in 2013.

Graph Courtesy: FJP

Here’s a graph that Future Journalism Project put together. We’re in the same company with firefighters and police officers.

Some of the 10 least stressful jobs: liberian, hair stylist, jeweler, and university professor.

 

Story Ideas: New Flu Strain, Morning After Pill, Fast Food Changes, & Fewer Jobs

Many national news stories can be localized. Here’s just a few stories you should be producing in your own cities.

• Morning After Pill could soon be sold over the counter. No questions asked. What do parents think of this move, and how about your local religious leaders? Many assume that girls are going buy it like candy–is that really the case? Let’s talk to the teens.

• President Obama is about to give back 5% of his $400,000 salary to show support for federal workers who have to take unpaid furloughs do to the budget cuts. What would happen if your school officials took a 5% pay cuts? How many teachers could that keep employed. What if your city or county officials took a 5% pay cuts; where could that money be used? Would they even entertain the idea? Go talk to them.

• Fewer new jobs. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports only 88,000 new jobs were added in March 2013. Economist hoped for more than 200,000. What is your community doing to put people back to work? Find those unique grass-roots programs or those started by huge corporations. Dig the up. Are more people taking part-time jobs? 12 million people are still unemployed in the U.S.  (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• North Korea threats of nuclear attack and possible missile launch later this month. There are many Koreans who have settled into most of our communities, many are from South Korea with family back in their homeland. Find out what they are thinking about the threats.  Good people story and one with a diverse angle.

• The CDC says there’s a new strain of flu in China. What is your health department doing to prepare for it, if it ends up in the U.S? Are they staying up with the news of the flu.  Experts say if someone travels by airplane with the new flu strain from China, it could spread quickly. (Source: CDC)

• KFC is about to go big on boneless chicken. This is just another fast food restaurant make a menu change. This could be a fun story. Ask kids and parents what they think. Also why not talk to a dietitian or nutritionist.

All of these are good people stories. Good luck!

Story Idea: Matching Veterans with New Jobs

Photo Courtesy: Hire Heroes USA

It’s estimated that more than 700,000 veterans are out of jobs in the U.S.  When was the last time you looked into the unemployment of veterans who live in your community, and who is helping them get jobs?

This is a great people story.  All you have to do is find a couple of veterans who are in need of help and willing to share their struggle.  Find out if the city, churches or a nonprofit is conducting any job fairs.

Hire Heroes USA is one program trying to get jobless veterans prepared for the job market.   Veterans are helped in writing their resumes, translating their military experience into terms that would grab an employer’s attention.

Hire Heroes prepares veterans how to be leaders and competitive in the job market.

Hire Heroes is a good resource to help you localize stories in your cities.  The site lists where it is having job fairs and job workshops.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also has a program called “Hiring of Heroes.” It matches veterans with jobs, and also holds many career fairs around the country. Here’s where you can find upcoming job fairs>>list.

WORKING FOR YOUR LOCAL JOBLESS VETERANS

This is an easy story to tell through the eyes of a man or woman who have served our country and today may need that extra help to find a job.

SOURCES:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics:  Good for government statistics on unemployed veterans.
• Hire Heroes USA: This nonprofit can probably help you find a local contact.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Hiring of Heroes
• Chamber of Commerce: Several chambers around the country are holding their own employment events for veterans.
• Directory of groups that serve veterans.

Americans are giving people and always want to help those who need a little boost. This is a story that would inspire your readers,viewers or listeners.

I leave you with this quote…

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”–John F. Kennedy

Rebecca Aguilar is a multiple Emmy award-winning freelance reporter based in Dallas.  She has 31 years in the business, including 27 in television news.  She’s currently the VP of Online for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the VP of Membership for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  

Good Reporters Are Not Spoon Fed Stories

Good reporters don’t wait for someone to hand them a story or a press release. If you’re a reporter, you should be looking for a story while you’re on assignment, food shopping, working out, even driving from location to location.

I won’t mention names, but I know many reporters who just waste time chatting on their cellphones, Facebook or Twitter.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to be on social networks, but make it a priority to also use social networks to dig up stories.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY

Here are just some of the responses I got when I posted  ”Good reporters are not spoon-fed stories. They find them”  on my Facebook page.

Facebook responses:

Jessica D. “Speaking of finding stories, did you know that only 1 out of every 10 Right to Know requests filed in Pennsylvania are from the media? There’s no excuse. Reporters should be filing RTK requests daily.”

Alfredo C. “We dig em out, slowly, carefully and passionately!!!”

Kim J. “Please share that with the students when you come! It’s something so important that many of them need to understand:)”

Sue G. “Ahmen! I try to explain that to my students , that they should be walking around, looking, and always asking ‘why’ “

OFFER YOUR TIPS

Feel free to leave a tip on how to find stories in our comments section. The more we help each other, the better.

Rebecca Aguilar is a multiple Emmy award-winning freelance reporter based in Dallas.  She has 31 years in the business, including 27 in television news.  She’s currently the VP of Online for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the VP of Membership for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  

Story Ideas: Make the Pope’s Resignation a Local Story

Photo Courtesy: The Vatican

When the story broke that Pope Benedict XVI resigned, I imagined all these news managers in a frenzy telling reporters “Head to the closest church to get comments from loyal Catholics!”

Within the hour of the announcement, a local TV station in Dallas had a live shot of the outside of the largest Catholic Church in Dallas.  There were no people, just the outside of the church, but it was “live.” I don’t think that was the best way to localize the resignation, but I get that the producer wanted something “local” for the news cut-in.

This is definitely a story that must be given a local angle. According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) there are currently 66 million Catholics in the U.S.

LOCAL STORY ANGLES

Here are some story ideas to give the Pope’s resignation a little more depth than just soundbites from parishioners.

Photo Courtesy: Triposo.com

• A Catholic Bishops Journey: Most bishops were once little boys who dreamed of becoming a Cardinal or the Pope.  Maybe you can find a bishop who met Pope Benedict or Pope John Paul II before he passed away. Get their perspective on the resignation.
• Who has been blessed by the Pope? Find the Catholic who has personally been blessed by the Pope.  There are many Catholics who have been fortunate to have a one-on-one moment with the Pope at the Vatican or during one of his visits to the U.S.  Your job is to find that person and get their point of view on the resignation.  They usually have photos of their personal moment with the Pope.
• Men in the priesthood: Do a story on men who have just gotten into the priesthood. Statistics compiled by CARA reveals that there has been a huge drop in the number of men becoming Catholic priests.  There were 58,000 priests in 1965, and only 38,000 in 2012.  Is the Pope’s resignation discouraging to these men who have committed their lives to the church?
• Today’s Lesson at the Catholic School: How did the teachers break the news of the Pope’s resignation to the children in the Catholic schools? It’s always interesting what the children will say.
• Latino Community and the Pope: It’s well-known that many Latinos are devout Catholics.  In many Latino communities, you’ll find the Catholic church full of Latinos during the lunch hour on a weekday.  This is a good place to get a different angle.

WEBSITE RESOURCES

• The Vatican
• CARA
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

If you’ve been given this assignment today, it’s easy to do the obvious–a bunch of comments from Catholics.  Give your story more depth and make it memorable.

Rebecca Aguilar is a multiple Emmy award-winning freelance reporter based in Dallas.  She has 31 years in the business, including 27 in television news.  She’s currently the VP of Online for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the VP of Membership for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  

Orlando Reporter Jessica Sanchez Praised and Criticized for Live Shot in New Orleans

Photo Courtesy: Facebook

Did Jessica Sanchez do anything wrong during her live shot?

The women on ABC’s “The View” got a laughed from it, but today others are criticizing WKMG-TV reporter, Jessica Sanchez. She was doing a live shot on Bourbon street in New Orleans when a woman came up and interrupted her.  Sanchez was there as part of her station’s Super Bowl coverage.

Bourbon Street is known for being full of tourists, people under the influence, and interesting individuals. Sanchez had to be aware that she was in area where she was bound to get interrupted or harassed. Reporter “live shots” are a magnet for people who just want to get on TV.

If you’re a television reporter, you know what Sanchez was going through when the woman approached her.  But it is how she handled the woman that has everyone’s attention.

Sanchez asked the woman “How long have you had an STD?”  The woman responded “I don’t have an STD.”  Here watch it yourself..

Social media is full of people criticizing Sanchez or laughing at the situation.  I did a Twitter search on the reporter’s name and found journalists from all over the country applauding and praising her for what she did, other journalists wondered why she started talking about STD’s.

I’m not here to judge Jessica Sanchez, because I don’t know what she was thinking.  I don’t know what she was dealing with before the live shot, or what her producers told her they needed from her.  Maybe she was tired or just frustrated with people coming up to her.

I’m sure today she is probably re-evaluating her live coverage.

WHEN YOU’RE LIVE, YOU CAN’T TAKE BACK …WHAT YOU SAY

Twitter Search on Jessica Sanchez

I’ve written about doing live shots before. You constantly have to be thinking on your feet, because you are “live.”

Yes, people interrupt you, people drive by and honk the car horn, your lights may go dark, your microphone may go silent, a producer may be yelling in your ear to “stretch it” and so many other things can happen.

During a live shot–you must always be prepared for the unexpected AND keep your cool.

•  Put yourself in a location where you can turn around and see what is happening around you.
•  If it’s just you and the photographer, find someone–a volunteer from the crowd to watch your back.  People are always helpful. Sometimes there are cops around. Ask them to stand near by.
•  If someone approaches you on camera,be kind and just say “Hi, I’m on live TV right now.”  Acknowledge them, assess the situation.
•  If someone approaches you and they are under the influence–play it safe, toss it back to the anchors. “Joe, I’m going to throw it back to you in the studio.” Most  producers will understand you are not taking any chances.
• Leave your ego out of it. There’s nothing like preparing for a good live shot and one person can ruin it.  It happens. Don’t let it bother you.
• Keep your cool.Do not get angry or upset. Don’t yell or be rude. Remember everything now ends up on  YouTube FOREVER.

WKMG’s RESPONSE

WKMG General Manager Skip Valet told the Orlando Sentinel ”One of the challenges of live television is that the unexpected can and does happen. We are continually assessing how to balance our reporting when confronted with these type of interruptions.”

Rebecca Aguilar is a multiple Emmy award-winning freelance reporter based in Dallas.  She has 31 years in the business, including 27 in television news.  She’s currently the VP of Online for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the VP of Membership for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  

How to Find Elder Abuse Stories

Photo courtesy:
Nursing Home Abuse Blog

We’re so focused on the abuse and deaths of children, that many times we forget about the elderly. The abuse of the elderly is a growing problem.

Who’s abused the most among the elderly? Do you know? That would be a woman, who is white and around the age of 77-years-old. Most of the elderly victims are abused in the form of neglect.

The National Center on Elder Abuse, Bureau of Justice Statistics reports the following:

• Number of elderly abuse cases in 2010 in U.S.–5,951,568
• Percent of elderly population abused in 20120—9.5%
• Percent of elder abuse victims (women)–67.3%
• Average age of elder abuse victim–77 years of age
• Percent of white victims–66.4%
• Percent of black victims–18.7%
• Percent of hispanic victims–10.4%

WHERE DO YOU FIND THE ELDER ABUSE CASES?

Lawyers: Find lawyers who are experts in elder abuse.  The ones who take on cases against nursing homes and caregiver agencies. Don’t just call these attorneys when the story breaks.  Always get to know a lawyer so you become the first reporter they call when they get a good case.

Adult Protective Services is a state agency that has social workers who work elder abuse complaints and cases. This is the agency that gets the calls when a loved one is suspected of abusing an aging parent. Get to know who runs the agency and again–call them before they issue a press release about a case. Get to know social workers for APS.

Non-Profits that work with the Elderly: These are the advocates for the elderly. The ones who fight for the protection of the elderly and for funding of programs for the aging.  These are also the people who get calls when someone suspects an elderly person is being abused.

Community Centers for the Elderly: You’d be surprised how many elderly people go to these community centers and start talking. They know who is being abused by a friend or family members.  Sometimes the people running these centers are the ones who call police when they suspect an elderly person is being abused.

WEB SOURCES ON ELDER ABUSE

• Center on Elder Abuse
• National Center on Elder Abuse
• Nursing Home Compare
• AARP
• Adult Protective Services–Google for this agency in your state.
• Help Guide

STOPPING ELDER ABUSE

Elder abuse is like child abuse, we can prevent it.  Find stories that can help people become familiar with signs of elder abuse, and find sources for help. Aside from bringing up the problem, always do stories that offer solutions.  When you do a story on abuse, also offer solutions in your story or in a separate story.

• How to find background information on a nursing home and caregiver agencies.
• What questions should be asked if a loved one has to go into a nursing home.
• The function of Adult Protective Services.

We’re all going to be old one day. That’s the simple truth.  Why not look out for these people now.  As reporters, we are their voice.  Good luck!

Rebecca Aguilar is a multiple Emmy award-winning freelance reporter based in Dallas.  She has 31 years in the business, including 27 in television news.  She’s currently the VP of Online for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the VP of Membership for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  

Reporters, Make 2013 Work For You

Photo Courtesy: PublicInformationOfficer.com

As we start a new year, let’s take a moment as reporters to reflect back on all the stories we’ve  covered in 2012. We can’t predict what’s to come for each one of us in 2013.  What’s important is to continue having passion for journalism.

Don’t punch in and punch out when you get to work. Get involved, find good stories, tell a good story, flush out corruption, profile a good samaritan, and take time for yourself.

Tips That Will Work For You

To get you started for 2013, I’ve put together some tips to keep you ahead of the game.   Print it out, memorize it, share it with other reporters.  Remember journalism is not about a paycheck….it’s about an experience.

1. Find more sources. You need them to find the stories that no one else is reporting.
2. Revisit a story that got a lot of play in 2012. Is there a good follow-up?
3. Work with your assignment editor not against him/her. Pitch more of your own stories.
4. Volunteer to work on weekends when the weekend reporter is on vacation. Great time to do that story you just can’t get done on a weekday.
5. Explore a part of your city or county where you don’t have any contacts.
6. Meet the brass at your local police department. There are always changes because of promotions/demotions.
7. Call your District Attorney’s Office for big trials coming up.
8. Don’t leave your Twitter or Facebook followers hanging, communicate with them, it’s social media.
9. Have lunch once a month with a co-worker, and get to know him/her.  Do you know your main anchorman’s hobby? Enough said.
10. Join a journalism organization (NABJ, SPJ, NAHJ, IRE, etc), most offer great conferences with lots of workshops.
11. Take a refresher class on English punctuation and grammar.  We always need a refresher.
12. Get out of debt. You never know when there will be a change in your employment.
13. Volunteer to speak to your local high school journalism class. We need to keep our business alive!
14. Share any job openings with The News Treadmill and the masses. Don’t wait for HR to post it.
15. Ask yourself: Do I still have passion for journalism?  If you don’t, time to move on. If you do, thank you.

Rebecca Aguilar is a multiple Emmy award-winning freelance reporter based in Dallas.  She has 31 years in the business, including 27 in television news.  She’s currently the VP of Online for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the VP of Membership for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  

TV Live Shots: Be Ready for the Unexpected

During a television live shot, the only thing you’re in control of is what you are about to say to your viewers. Anything can happen during a live shot.   You cannot control who may come up and surprise you.

Here’s what happened  recently to a WNBC reporter in New York City .  She was doing a live shot outside  Penn Station when a woman walked up to her claiming she was Jay-Z’s sister.  The reporter kept calm and professional, and did her job.

YOU CAN’T PLAN FOR A SURPRISE VISIT

On a live shot you just have to prepare for the unexpected and stay clam. Thinking on your feet will save you from looking bad or having anything bad happen to you. Here are a few more tips.

1. Before a live shot, figure out a safe place to stand.

2. Seconds before the live shot, glance around you and behind you.  See if there is anyone that appears suspicious or “up to something.” Your reporter gut will tell you if someone appears to be planning to disrupt your shot.

3.  Remind your videographer to stay on alert, and also be looking around.

4.  During a live shot, don’t lose your cool, stay calm and keep going.

5.  If you believe you’re in danger or someone is about to do something violent–toss the live shot back to the studio anchors. Make sure your videographer keeps rolling just in case you have to press charges.

6.  Turn off any monitor you may be using to watch the station’s news. Those are magnets for people who want to see themselves on TV.

YOU’RE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY LIVE SHOT

Most news managers I know believe you’re more important than any live shot.  Think smart out in the field, and don’t be afraid to call 911. Feel free to share your tips with us on the comments section.

Rebecca Aguilar is an multiple Emmy award winning,  freelance reporter in Dallas, Texas.  She has 31 years in the journalism, including 27 years in TV news. She is currently the VP of Online for the National Association of Hispanic Journalist and VP of Membership for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.   

Freelancers:What describes you?

If you’re a freelancer, you’re going to get a laugh from this bingo card.  Maybe some of the topics apply to you.  Just have a laugh!

Bingo Card Design courtesy DanWarrenArt.blogspot.com

Reporter Tip: Have A Lawyer on Speed Dial

I was reading the story about the 16-year-old in Canada who witnessed security guards at a mall arresting a man.  The teenager took some photos with his camera.  A security guard noticed the teen was taking photos and suddenly turned his attention on the kid.  According to the CBC, security demanded the teen delete the photo.

Eventually, mall security got their hands on the camera.  The teen has been banned from returning to the mall for six months.  His father told the CBC that security and police got out of hand.  The CBC reported:

“Lawyer Douglas King, of Pivot Legal in Vancouver, agrees, saying that private mall security guards and police have no right to try to seize someone’s camera or demand that photos be deleted — even on private property.”

CALL A LAWYER

I know I don’t have to ask permission to shoot video or photos from a public sidewalk or public area like a city park. With many people having smartphones today, I can’t see every security guard stopping every person for taking photos of any incident at a mall.  But it happened to this 16-year-old in Canada.

When you’re in a mall, you’re still technically in a private business. Are you in the right or wrong?

My advice–have an attorney on speed dial if you’re hassled in such a place. We’ve all covered stories and become friends with attorneys.  I have many lawyer friends who don’t mind me calling them for a piece of advice. In a crunch, cover your behind and make a call.  No one wants to be thrown in jail.

Even when you’re in a public area, you may get hassled.

One time, two immigration officer tried to bully me outside the immigration office in Dallas.  My videographer and I were getting video from a public sidewalk outside the facility.   The immigration officers threatened to call the cops if I didn’t leave with my videographer.  I told them “Call the cops.”   They didn’t want us getting video of  suspected drug dealers they were going to bus to south Texas.

They got nasty and we just kept rolling the video.  I figured either way I was going to use the video of the bully immigration officers or the suspected drug dealers or both.  I called an attorney in front of the feds and asked if I was breaking the law.  He said no. I told the officers what the lawyer said and demanded to see their supervisor.  I kept the lawyer on the phone.  Finally, the immigration officers gave up and walked away.

So when you feel that you’re not quite sure if you’re in the right–call a lawyer. If you don’t have one on speed dial today, find one or two of them.

 

Rebecca Aguilar is an Emmy award winning,  freelance reporter in Dallas, Texas.  She has 31 years in the business, including 27 years in TV news.