@LindseySeavert is a native Minnesotan and started reporting locally for @WCCO and now reports for @KARE11. She also is a busy mom! :)

Lindsey:    I am all of those things. And I am beginning this Twitterview with a toddler insisting to be on my lap!

Juggling and Tweeting then. :) What made you want to become a storyteller?

Lindsey:    I love to offer people a voice, words come easily and you have the ability to educate, inspire, evoke emotion.

Creation and development are important. Did you have some on-the-job mentors along the way?

Lindsey:    Yes, owe so much to peers who made tv storytelling a craft. @boydhuppert has been an incredible mentor

Being a good storyteller is important, and you also have to know your audience. What do Minnesotans like?

Lindsey:    MNs are a sharp bunch. They don’t tolerate sensationalism, demand quality. We have engaged, educated news consumers

Our viewers see through a weak report and aren’t afaid to tell you. They hold us accountable. We work for the public.

With large cities as well as a large rural area, is balance also important in the types of stories covered?

Lindsey:    Balance is paramount. Have to remember this vast state, avoid being “Cities” centric, and showcase diverse groups.

As a working mom, what kinds of things do you juggle with to get “everything done” each day?

Lindsey:    Voice in my head! Honestly, feel like I come up short often. Story ideas, deadlines, housework, boy and hub to love

Try to remember I’m doing my best. Try to forgive myself. I take longer to return emails, floors aren’t as clean.

Are there any Apps, organizing tools or strategies that you use to help to keep things scheduled?

Lindsey:    No, anyone have suggestions? I use Outlook calendar. My mind used to be enough, but I can’t keep it straight anymore!

Joel:    Thank you very much for your time and comments today for #MNMOtv. When can people see you on @kare11 again?

Lindsey:    Just started my weekend w Fri/Sat off, but I’ll be back Sunday at 10pm. M-Th for 5/6pm. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your thoughtful questions and devotion to the Twitterverse. #MNMOtv Have a beautiful weekend!

Interview took place on April 3,2013.

Hello to all of the #MNMOtv followers and to our guest, @Rachel_Slavik of @wcco TV. Lets get started and learn about Rachel!

Rachel:    Good morning, Joel!

To begin, tell us about where you grew up and how you got interested in journalism.

Rachel:    I grew up in Mound. I kind of fell into journalism during the end of my freshman yr. I needed a major and picked Journalism

I lucked out because I loved it! That could have gone horribly wrong

Did any local journalists mentor you at all? Where did you get to intern while in college?

Rachel:    No one in college, but very early in my career I was lucky enough to find a mentor in @boydhuppert. He’s become a great friend.

I interned @wcco, @WISCTV_News3, and at NBC15 in Madison

Nice! At what point did you KNOW that journalism was for you? Got any unique stories that you’ve covered?

Rachel:    I think I knew right away. It’s a fun job, for the most part. Every day I do something new.

I recently got to hang from a helicopter while flying over Afton State Park. I’d call that unique!

That sounds fun. What kind of stories do you focus on, and are you the primary reporter for @wcco #SATmorning?

Rachel:   I really am a general assignment reporter, so I can’t really say I focus on one area. I do a lot of crime stories.

Yep, I am the reporter for the Saturday morning show. But during the holidays schedules are a bit crazy.

You, @JamieYuccas and @Matt_Brickman seem to have too much fun for it to be work. :) Are mornings hard though?

Rachel:    We have a ton of fun! No, I’m a morning person. I have no problem waking up early. I prefer it

But only on the weekends :)

I get it. So during your #OffHours, what kinds of things do you enjoy doing? (Ex. reading, shopping, movies, etc.)

Rachel:    Running, spending time with friends, sampling the many fine restaurants around mpls, playing with my dog.

When it comes to running: 5k, 10k or marathons? Streets or around the lakes? Do you do any winter running?

Rachel:    half/full marathons. I love running around the lakes, but I also run on a treadmill. I read. My nook helps pass time.

What books are on your Nook right now? Do you watch movies at all on it? What #MNrestaurants have you tried lately?

Rachel:    Hunger Games trilogy, The Help, Mark Rosen’s book, to name a few. Just tried Tilia. Love! Bachelor Farmer…prefer Tilia.

I do love movies, but not in the theatre. I prefer waiting until I can order them on my DVR. It’s cheaper too.

What makes for a good restaurant to you? On the menu, are you more of a meat or a vegetables eater?

Rachel:    Fun atmosphere, interesting menu. If they can make something taste good that I normally wouldn’t eat, I call that a win.

I have to have my protein. I tend to ignore the veggies. I know, that’s bad.

As a runner, you definitely need your protein! To close, what ‘s 1 thing you’d like to accomplish in the next year?

Rachel:    I want to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I need 2 cut1.5 hours off PB time. It’ll be difficult, but a big accomplishment.

Good goal. Thanks Rachel for your time and Tweets on #MNMOtv today. Have a great day, and get a good scoop! :)

Rachel:    Thank you! Good talking to you. Have a great day.

Chris Stanford is a reporter and anchor for WCCO-TV in the Minneapolis/St. Paul television market. Chris primarily covers stories relating to consumer products, but he also covers the latest current news going on in the community.

How and why did Chris get interested in working in the news business?  Any interesting stories that stand out to him in his career?  When he’s not working, what kinds of things does Chris enjoy doing?  If he wasn’t cover the news or consumer products, what would he be doing? Get to know Chris from this 3-part interview with him.

In Part 1 of his interview, he shares what he first wanted to be when he grew up, how he got interested in journalism and reporting the news. Learn also where he got started in the news business.

In Part 2 of Chris Stanford’s interview, he talks about his start as a journalist in Wisconsin. He then talks about coming to WCCO and discusses the kinds of story ideas he’s sent from businesses and PR firms to cover.  He shares one company’s interesting subject line in an email that was for a new kind of bathroom product.

In the Part 3 of the Chris Stanford interview, he talks about his favorite sport, favorite thing to do when he has free-time, his perfect meal and what goal he has for himself.

Jamie Yuccas started working for WCCO-tv in the summer of of 2011, and promptly starting working on the Saturday Morning show, along with co-host Matt Brinkman. Jamie grew up in Minnesota and no doubt jumped at the chance to cover the news in her home state.

In this 3-part interview with her, you’ll learn about her working career and what some of her interests and talents are, as well as some of her likes and dislikes.  Find out if all of the teasing that Matt Brickman does about her cooking is real or not.  What does she like doing with her time off, and who does she enjoy spending time with?

In part 1 of the Jammie Yuccas interview, she talks about why she got interested in journalism and the news in the first place. She then goes on to share some of her stories about other news stations that she worked before coming to WCCO, and what those experiences were like for her.

In part 2 of her interview, Jamie Yuccas talks about her work in Florida and her decision to move back to Minnesota. How she was able to connect with Matt Brickman and create great chemistry for their Saturday Morning television show. She ends by discussing her cooking skills and her exercise regiment.

In part 3 of her interview, Jamie Yuccas talks about her pets, what she’s afraid of, what makes her the happiest, what sound irritates her the most and what time of day is her favorite.

Good morning! Today’s Twitterview with @CathyWurzer is now going to begin. Welcome everyone!

Cathy:    Hi Joel! Nice to join you in cyberspace.

To begin, share with us a little background about yourself. Where did you grow up and attend school?

Cathy:    I’m a south Mpls native. Grew up a few blocks off Lake St. Proud grad of Mpls South High

What kinds of things were you interested in while growing up? Did you aspire to want to do TV and radio?

Cathy:    Other than horses, I was always fascinated with the weather. I wanted to be the first TV meteorologist in the metro.

That dream was dashed by my utter inability to handle math and physics. I’m kind of an arm chair weather geek now.

Did I want to be in radio/TV when I was a kid? Nope. Had NO plans! :)

Would you ever try being a storm-chaser? After HS, what did you do and what was your first job as an adult?

Cathy:    I’ll take the storm chaser question first. HECK YES I would love to chase and while at WCCO-TV did a little chasing.

I have never seen a tornado in person. I would love to. They are fascinating creations of Mother Nature.

Maybe when I get some time, I’ll head down to Tornado Alley and chase with one of the groups that do.

Your second question about life after Mpls South High? I went to college at UW-River Falls. Very good, small school.

I deliberately went to River Falls because I thought the U of M was a tad too big for me at the time and…

I really wanted to get away from home. @uwrf had/has a really good journalism program.

I was lucky that before graduating from UWRF I had a job at KSTP-AM radio. I couldn’t believe it!

My first job at KSTP-AM radio was as the Capitol reporter. That was one of the most fun jobs I’ve had!

Oh. You asked about first job as an adult? I guess the VERY first one was as a switchboard operator at…

Lets move forward a bit. When did you start at @wcco and then how long have you been with @tptAlmanac?

Cathy:    I started at @WCCO in the late ’90′s. I’ve been doing @tptAlmanac for 18 years. I just called my producer to ask!

Also, what moved you to get into the worlds of writing and filmmaking ?

Cathy:    Thanks for asking about my other “lives”–writing and documentary filmmaking. I LOVE history and always wanted to…

produce documentaries. I wanted to “test” myself in a sense to see if I could do such a thing.

@talesoftheroad was the result. I set out to do a historical documentary about Hwy 61 and wound up writing a book.

@talesoftheroad was a labor of love. I really didn’t have a clue about the amount of work both would entail.

The book and documentary were years in the making but it was such great fun, I’m working on a sequel!

Was book 1 about going North on Hwy 61 and book 2 is about going South? j/k So you like road trips?

Cathy:    Of course, with a sequel, I’m really hoping the 1946 era Cadillac we used will be in fine motoring form and usable!

he book/documentary is about the whole highway in Mn. from Grand Portage to LaCrescent. The sequel…

…will focus on stories I left out. (RedWing Pottery, 3M in St. Paul, a haunted inn near the No. Shore.

Ultimately, I hope to do a longer form, multi-part documentary taking the road from Grand Portage, Mn. to New Orleans.

If I succeed in making it all the way down the road I’ll be a happy woman. Yes, I love roadtrips and…

Cathy:    Do you like road trips Joel?? (Sorry, I’m used to asking questions…!)

Joel:    Yes, when I have time for them. I’d love to do one from MSP through the Rockies. :)

What’s been one of your most memorable road-trips that you’ve taken? Have you ever traveled by train?

Cathy:    One of the most memorable was a family trip, out west, in a pop-up camper. I’m shocked we didn’t kill each other!

That kind of trip was exactly what we did as a family. Quite memorable! You asked about trains? LOVE ‘em.

Haven’t enjoyed train travel since I was a kid going to Chicago. Would love to take the Empire Builder out West.

Joel:    I can imagine. :) I wish we had more time, but we don’t. Thank you for your time and comments today! Have a good week!

Cathy:    Thanks so much Joel! I’ve had a ball chatting!!

Matt Brickman works for WCCO-TV as a reporter and handles the weather reporting for the station, primarily on the weekends. On Saturdays, he is the co-host of the WCCO Saturday Morning show, where he handles an informative and often entertaining segment called  “Best of MN”. As a newbie to Minnesota, he gets feedback from viewers on a variety of places to go that offer the “Best of…” something, and then gives a report on his findings. Where though did he come from? What does he like to do outside of the newsroom? In Part 1 of his 3-part interview, Matt shares the early years of his career doing television. He then talks about his start with WCCO-TV and then shares some of his favorite “Best of MN” segments.

In part 2 of Matt’s interview, he talks about his experience in connecting with others on television, Jamie Yuccas’ cooking skills and adapting to Minnesota people and places. He ends with talking about his running routine.

In part 3 of Matt’s interview, he talks about what it’s like to forecast the weather in Minnesota and the challenges that he’s faced in doing so. He then talks about some of the challenges in doing live television, especially for the WCCO Saturday Morning show.

Natalie Kane has become a fixture in the Twin Cities when it comes to sports and entertainment. So much so that at the beginning of 2011, she started as the traffic and entertainment reporter for WCCO television. How did her first year go for her at WCCO? What kinds of challenges did she face having to do early morning television? How has the transition to her new responsibilities gone for her? As someone that has done a number of things on TV and radio,  does she think that doing a variety of things has benefited her in her career, and should others do the same? Find out her answers with PART 1 of her video interview.

In PART 2 of Natalie’s interview, she will share how she was able to move forward in being a Minnesota Timberwolves dancer, to doing radio and TV work. She’ll then talk about how she feels about doing radio, as opposed to doing TV work, and then she’ll end with talking about growing up and if she played sports at all.

In PART 3  of the interview with Natalie Kane, she shares her fashion sense, where she’d like to travel to, and finally, how she navigates around the Twin Cities.