Needles Notes: Rodgers Invited To Pro Bowl

Aaron Rodgers is heading to Miami next month, but will he be traveling to play in the Pro Bowl, or the Super Bowl?

   Rodgers was one of three Packers selected to the NFC Pro Bowl team on Tuesday, joining cornerback Charles Woodson (an NFC starter), and safety Nick Collins. It’s the first Pro Bowl selection for Rodgers, who will be joined on the NFC squad by the player he used to back up, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. Both of them will start on the bench behind Drew Brees of the Saints, but only if the Eagles, Cardinals or Cowboys represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

   This season, for the first time, the Pro Bowl will be played one week before the Super Bowl in Miami, which is also hosting the Super Bowl, so none of the players from the Super Bowl teams will be allowed to play in the Pro Bowl.

   So, if the Packers do not reach the Super Bowl, there is a chance Ryan Grant, Chad Clifton, Clay Matthews or A.J. Hawk could be added to the NFC Pro Bowl squad (all of them were selected as alternates).

   The other five NFC playoff teams all had more Pro Bowl selections than Green Bay did (Minnesota 8, Dallas and Philadelphia 6, New Oleans 5, Arizona 4), and the six playoff teams combined for 32 of the 41 NFC Pro Bowl selections.

Slideshow: ‘GMA’ Block Party

Check out the Slideshow here:

http://www.wisn.com/slideshow/slideshows/19317017/detail.html

‘Good Morning America’ Coming To Waukesha

'Good Morning America'

 

A Waukesha family is one of five finalists for the “GMA At Your House” special. The entire crew will broadcast a show live from one family’s home.

 

They have not chosen who that family will be, but the crew is planning a block party to show their appreciation to Mike and Kelly Schmitt for being so accommodating during the process, and they’re inviting all the neighbors to come out.

 

“It’s a barbecue. There will be food there, and basically we’ve just invited all the neighbors in this area around Buchner Park to come out and enjoy some free food and some entertainment and just hang out,” Good Morning America producer Morgan Zalkin said.

 

The party is Tuesday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Buchner Park on Waukesha’s east side.

 

Stay tuned to WISN 12 to find out if the Schmitts will be chosen.

A New Year

2009 shall be interesting.

No big election to watch, no major sports dramas … it will be a year to watch the dollar.

It’s the economy, that’s the focus of attention. And it is where WISN.com will focus its energy.

Look forward to news you can use to help your situtation and your pocketbook.

Here’s a recap of UPFRONT with Mike Gousha, taking a look at 2009:

http://www.wisn.com/politics/18408512/detail.html

What We Do And Why We Do It

“Freedom of the Press”

In America, we have some freedoms. We don’t take them lightly and we shouldn’t. We have a right to free speech, a right to exchange thoughts and ideas.

Many in mass media are quick to tout these rights. What is bothersome in a political polarizing climate in which we exist, is that some journalists have lost sight of the baggage that comes with it.

There’s a need for responsibility with the power of broadcasting a message. Trust is not just a word to use in promotions. Credibility is earned and maintained. That comes with proving over time that the story is approporiate. It is how we conduct ourselves, no matter the situtation, that is important in presenting information to the community.

The message is accurate, immediate and is delivered on multiple platforms. That is what we do.

Milwaukee, it is our pleasure to serve in delivering information that connects with you and the community.

Texting And Driving: A Deadly Mix

Drivers get distracted. Accidents, fender benders, hitting a patch of ice and ending up in a ditch – all of these happen to drivers that are paying attention.

The problem is when there are other factors that cause a driver to become distracted. Advances in technology have added to the list of causes of inattentive driving. 

Young drivers are learning the rules of the road every time they sit behind the wheel. But if they are trying to send text messages on a cell phone or Blackberry or other PDA, they are becoming a hazard on the roadway.

Channel 12 put teens to the test and put them on a course while texting. See Joyce Garbaciak’s report Tuesday night on WISN News at 10 p.m.

Students, Parents Feel Mislead

Colleen Henry investigated our school system in Wisconsin for higher education.

Not all places are the same, even within the system. A class offered at one school may or may not be good enough to be recognized for credit at another school.

Unfortunately, students are being mislead, paying for classes they are told will transfer to a University of Wisconsin system school.

In these tough economic times, and with the importance of education … these issues between institutions are costing families, students and taxpayers money.

Check out Colleen Henry’s report tonight at 10 p.m. on Channel 12.

Financial Stories Told

Families in Wisconsin tell us just how hard this economy is hitting them.

Read Patrick Paolontonio’s report online here:

http://www.wisn.com/money/18020387/detail.html

And watch tonight for stories from your friends and neighbors at 10 p.m. on Channel 12.

Watch Now: Families On The Brink Of Financial Disaster

Numbers Are Staggering

People in Wisconsin are looking for a financial lifeline.

Bankruptcy looms for many households struggling through these tough financial times.

Tonight and Thursday at 10 p.m., check out the report on WISN Channel 12. I’m told the number of cases are shocking.

Watch Now: Patrick Paolantonio Reports On Staggering Economic Stats

Bankruptcy … It’s Not Good

That is what most of us think. We want to do the right thing and avoid bankruptcy.

But the economy is rough. Job cuts, higher costs, it all adds up.

Some of us, will be directly dealing with bankruptcy. All of us will be affected by it.

LISTEN NOW: Patrick Paolantonio Reports: People Try To Make It Through Tough Economy

Wednesday and Thursday nights at 10 p.m., Patrick Paolantonio is reporting on how people in Milwaukee are dealing with tough economic times.