The studios for Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin had been located across the river of downtown Minneapolis.  They now have a new home in downtown Minneapolis, and it’s within walking distance to two Minnesota sports teams homes, Target Center and Target Field. A great location for them in order to be “close to the action”.

The new space itself is a city block long in length, stretching from Hennepin Ave to LaSalle Ave, with windows facing out onto 8th Street. In fact, they have a great view of the new rooftop Union restaurant that just opened across the street. Located on the 2nd floor of the LaSalle Plaza building, they expect to have a good deal of foot traffic passing by their new location.  But will they take advantage of that? You better believe it!

Located on the North side of their new space, along Hennepin Ave on the 2nd floor, people walking through the skyway will be able to watch “LIVE” production as it happens, in their Studio B. The green-screen studio has a public viewing area, so when it’s being used for “LIVE” or taped programming, the public will be able to watch it as it happens.  But the connection with the public doesn’t end there.

On the South side of the new space, there is an open area that includes a LARGE screen for skyway travelers to watch FSN programming, as well as being able to watch “LIVE” programming from Studio A as it happens. You might get to see Tom Hanneman or Kevin Gorg in studio, with local Minnesota sports stars being interviewed about a recent game they played in and also being asked about how their season is going so far. All of this allows Minnesotans to get an up-close feel for what’s going on in Minnesota sports.

All of this adds up to a great experience for the true sports fan. Who doesn’t want to hear more about the Vikings, Twins, Wild, Timberwolves and Gopher sports teams, and at the same time, make a greater connection with the network that bring many of those teams games and interviews right into your home? This new location will provide fans with more access to what they want to know about their favorite teams, and the personalities that provide that to them. Do you want to know more? How about an “Inside” view of what goes on behind the doors and walls of the studio?

Be sure then to watch the video below to see what makes all of the shows that you watch at home on Fox Sports North or Fox Sports Wisconsin, possible.

Carly Aplin is a host and producer for The CW Twin Cities. She got her start doing the news, but has branched out to interviewing celebrities and style news. She has lots of energy and enjoys working in front of the camera. Where did she come from and what are some of her passions in life. Learn more about Carly by watching her 2-part interview. In part 1 of her interview with Joel Carlson, Carly Aplin shares where she grew up, her education and some of her earlier jobs before working at The CW Twin Cities. Her experience in interviewing some of the Minnesota Vikings players and what her responsibilities are at The CW Twin Cities.

In part 2 of Carly’s interview she talks about her passion for shoes, people she’s been able to interview, her thoughts on designing fashions and what she like to do outside of work.

Q – #1    Dawn, please share a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up and where did you go to college?

Dawn: I grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts (Duxbury & Whitman) and went to Boston College.  I was an athlete my whole life, as well as a dancer.  I am one of five children..and yes, the only girl!

Q – #2    What did you major in, and when did you get your first start in Television?

Dawn: I majored in Communications at Boston College.  I also took graduate courses my senior year (finished my major early) in Speech Pathology through Boston College’s Lynch School of Education.  I did an internship at Boston’s WBZ in the sports department and they hired me two weeks before I graduated.  I was the assistant to the Sports Director and also did some producing.  Soon after, I worked part-time at CH 38 and NESN/ESPN/CBS Network behind the scenes before NESN put me in front of the camera.

Q – #3    Was sports your 1st assignment?

Dawn: My first on-air assignment was at NESN (New England Sports Network). I did sideline reporting covering some Providence Bruins games. Then, I was promoted to anchor “Sportsdesk” as well as Studio Host for the Boston Bruins.

Q – #4    With Minnesota having all 4 of the major sports, did that make coming to KMSP easier or a bigger draw for you?

Dawn: Before Minnesota, I was in Chicago, so any job beckoning me would HAVE to have four major sports…so yes, it made coming to KMSP more enticing.  The major draw was the chance to get into the “Fox Sports Family” and do some network sideline reporting for the Vikings.

Q – #5    Can you give an example or 2 of some of your most favorite interviews that you’ve conducted, and why did you enjoy them?

Dawn: Wow, I’ve done so many interviews…interviewing Brett Favre on national TV after he broke the touchdown record (then with the Packers here at Minnesota against the Vikings). Also, right up there as my favorite interview was getting the chance to speak to Twins’ players in the locker room live for almost two hours when they captured the AL Central in 2006.  I think I interviewed everyone in the clubhouse that day; we had live extended coverage and it was awesome!

Q – #6    How has Social Media changed how you report stories?

Dawn: Social media has made my job an “up-to-the-second-thing.” It is fun and addicting.  You get breaking news right to your phone, you can interact with the athletes immediately and interact with the fans.  I’m still an old school firm believer in confirming a fact yourself through at least two sources before you go with a story.  The impulse as a journalist is immediacy but above all else, you want to be accurate. Every day, I check several outlets to follow up on leads before reporting a story…Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc…the world is fast-paced for sure!

Q – #7    Besides reporting on sports, do you play any currently or did you in school?

Dawn: I have been an athlete my whole life.  I played soccer since fourth grade and a few years of little league baseball.  I was on the traveling All-Star soccer team for my town growing up every year from fourth grade through high school.  In high school, I was a three-sport athlete all four years. Four years starting line soccer, basketball and was captain of my track team. I went to college to play soccer, got hurt, and ended up playing rugby. Due to my hectic schedule at work, I currently do not play an organized sport. However, I will often go out with friends and play tennis, shoot hoops, golf, etc… but not on what I call an athletic level, unless you count my Yoga sculpt class.

Q – #8    What is your favorite: Restaurant, store, winter activity, sport, Twin Cities neighborhood and national sports reporter/broadcaster.

Dawn: There are so many great restaurants here in the Twin Cities. I love Manny’s – although (gasp) I eat red meat maybe once a year, the fish is great there. I love sushi so Origami, Crave, Raku…I love restaurants in so many different neighborhoods, too many to pick.  I love to walk my dog around the lakes and get coffee and hang out. My favorite coffee shop is Dunn Bros at 43^rd and Upton in Linden Hills.  My favorite national broadcasters are Mike Tirico, Greg Gumble, Doc Emrick, Pete Gammon and Jim Kaat from the MLB Network.

Q – #9    Who is one person that you would love to have a 30 minute one-to-one interview with, and why?

Dawn: So many to choose…maybe to get Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux and Ray Bourque in one room and talk to them about hard work and success…Also Ted Williams..(if he were alive obviously) and find out what he thinks about Joe Mauer and ask why he decided to really have his head frozen….crazy stuff.

Q – #10    As a sports reporter/anchor, has the 2010 Vikings season been one of the most interesting sports stories that you’ve ever worked on?

Dawn: This year’s Vikings season hasn’t been the most interesting, but it’s been the most frustrating.  To see talented men go through difficult times, absurd situations, it’s not fun to watch.  You are always wondering what will happen next.  Now with that said, it was never boring for sure, but it was exhausting at times.  I don’t derive enjoyment from seeing other people fail…so it will go down as the most bizarre season I’ve ever covered.

Q – #11    What is one personal or professional goal you have set for yourself for the next year?

Dawn: Each year, I always strive to be better.  My goal for next year is to bring the stories people at home want to hear whether it is the pro athlete or the college and high school player doing well to some curiously fun and quirky stories.  I also enjoy doing radio shows and I hope to continue doing that.  I would like to become more savvy when it comes to social media. It’s been a fun learning curve and it’s a fabulous way to stay connected.  Fox 9 is interested in social media and is currently doing its own survey, so I definitely plan to do more of that.

Q – #12    What piece of advice would you give to others looking to get into your line of work?

Dawn: Don’t listen to others who tell you can’t do something.  Be realistic. I always say follow your heart and do the hard work and you’ll never regret it.

@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody in Twitterville! It’s time for the Twitterview with @KARE11 sports guy @Dave_Schwartz. Lets play!

@Dave_Scwartz – Lets do this!

Q – #1    So @Dave_Schwartz, tell us a little about where you grew up and what kind of schooling/jobs you had up until today.

A: Well @JoelECarlson, Grew up in upstate NY. Went to Hobart College, then got my masters at Syracuse. Jobs in Bemidji, Shreveport, LA & KARE

Q – #2    So have you always had jobs around sports, or is that something that developed over time?

A: Always sports. @JoelECarlson I love news and have a great respect for it. But don’t think I could ever stay serious long enough to do it.

Q – #3    Did you play sports in Jr High & High School? If so, which ones, and what position(s)?

A: Played many sports. Mainly Football & ice hockey. Football I played left out and a little LB. Hockey (my fav) I was a center

Q – #4    Good state for you to work in then! re:Hockey @matthewworkman says you covered Hurricane Rita. How so?

A: No kidding I love covering hockey here. Especially the HS tournament. @JoelECarlson. LOL Yeah I did cover hurriance Katrina..

When I was in Shreveport, LA we did a HS football show on a Friday night and the Hurraice was coming in over night…

So my News director asked me if I would come back at 4AM and do live shots in the rain.

He said since I was the largest member of the news staff I’d be safe out in the wind. LOL. It was actaully a lot of fun

Q – #5    With concrete galoshes on right? :) In MN, what is maybe 1 or 2 of your favorite stories that you’ve covered?

A: Hey I am from NY, I know about concrete shoes :) @JoelECarlson. Tough call on favorite stories…Probably #2 would be a story I did

On an 8th grade kid in Mound who played football..despite having no legs. He refused to wear prosthetic legs too.

It was very inspirational. @JoelECarlson. His positivity was contagious

I have to admit though the best story ever..was covering game #163 at the dome two seasons ago with the Twins

Thats just two…I have about a million more that have been great.

@JoelECarlson – I think you have “fans” of your and your work in @matthewworkman, @GRLitman and @rstanzel. :)

@Dave_Schwartz – Workman is a former co-worker and the other two are just buddies i’ve met in passing.

@GRLitman is actually a former sports producer…That is until he went to the dark side!

@rstanzel and I are not friends. He is a die -ard Yankee fan. Although I do respect him professionally :)

Q – #6    I can imagine. So how long have you been at @KARE11 now, and how is it working with @PerkAtPlay?

A: I have been here for just over 3 years and that is probably the most common question I get asked….

Working with @PerkAtPlay is like working with Rain man. He’s out there..totally random..and most times, pure genius!

Q – #7    @Dave_Schwartz LOL! So Dave. What are your top 5 most favorite sports? From least to greatest.

A: #5 Basketball #4 Olympic Curling #3 Baseball, #2 Football, #1 HOCKEY!!!

Q – #8    Interesting. Do you find that with so MANY outlets for sports-news, it’s harder to keep things original & fresh?

A: Absolutely. @JoelECarlson. BUT what we can do is provide different content that you can’t get in the national media.

Like Prep sports, or @PerkatPlay (the segment not the guy), or my segment with @VShiancoe ‘Whats Eatiing Visanthe?”

Record Wreckers (@david_watkins)@JoelECarlson. The key is to give people the bread & butter stuff that you have to get out there

But also make sure you have some great side dishes as well.@JoelECarlson. Also in MN, we get over looked a lot by the nat’l media

So that helps…

Q – #9    True. You can have customized programming, but I’d imagine @KFAN & @1500ESPN takes some “thunder” away. As well as SM.

A: Sure. I think that is where social media comes in. Using to establish yourself as someone who can deliver news

Then (u hope) they turn to your station when news breaks. Wanting what you have to offer (knowlege, your take, etc.)

Q – #10    Some more about you… Favorite: Restaurant, store, city outside of MN, non-MN athlete & interviewer (local or Nat’l).

A: Fav Restaurant: @salutfranceave (amazing fries). I am a sucker for technology stores (Brookstone, Best Buy, etc.)

Favorite city outside of MN: probably Washington, D.C…but Rapid City, SD is close (loved camping there with my wife)

Favorite non-mn athlete, Wayne Gretzky — was my idol growing up.

Fav. Interviewer is Dan Patrick. He always seems to have a great rapport with athletes and gets great answers

Q – #11    While you answer the previous question…To end, what life advice or mantra would you like to share today?

A: Sure @JoelECarlson. Never turn down advice from anyone, even if its negative….

You learn more from someone who is being critical than someone who loves your work….I definitely live by that!

@JoelECarlson – Thank you very much @Dave_Schwartz for your comments and time today. I enjoyed it, I hope you did. :) When will you be on TV again?

@Dave_Schwartz – Thanks for having me! I’m anchoring the 6&10 pm sports tonight and tomorrow. So I should probably get to work :)