Straining at the forest to see the trees

Two stories out of Orange County today…One that everyone covered… and one that nobody covered.

The story that all three stations had… a fatal fire in Vidor…really doesn’t affect anyone other than the old man who died and his family.

The story that nobody had…Whites Chevron closing… affects a lot of people.

Think about it.

A gas station that has been open for 30 years, and one that is owned by the Sheriff and his wife, is a landmark.

It’s closing due to hurricane damage affects a lot of people and also changes the familiar.

The fire, although tragic, is something most of the viewers will not even remember tomorrow.

My take.

All three news agencies missed a chance to make a connection with their audience.

The simple, the every day, the life-affecting stories are the ones people want.
The rest (big fires, fatal accidents, etc) is just background noise.