Tim Geraghty will be senior director news at Central Florida News 13.

A news executive from Sacramento, Calif., will become senior director of news next month at Central Florida News 13.

Tim Geraghty joins the 24-hour cable news operation on March 19 from News 10 KXTV in Sacramento. He was vice president/news director there since 2009.

Stephen Chavarie, the former senior director of news at News 13, has retired. He worked 11 years at News 13 and spent more than 30 years in Orlando TV news.

“We are extremely pleased to have someone of Tim’s caliber joining News 13. We have a great newsroom, and we expect it will become even greater under his leadership,” Robin Smythe, News 13 vice president and general manager, said in a statement. “Tim has a strong understanding of local news and has a track record of paying quality attention to his viewers and delivering them a relevant product. Being local and relevant is what News 13 is all about, so we expect Tim to be an excellent fit here.”

Geraghty also worked as a news director at WZZM in Grand Rapids, Mich., and for more than 10 years at WTVJ in Miami, where he ultimately was news director.

News 13 is available to customers of Bright House Networks.

By Kate Merkel-Hess

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping’s visit to the US took him across the country, from Washington, DC, to Los Angeles (where, sadly, despite spending some time with a sartorially-challenged David Beckham, he did not show off his soccer skills, as he did in the subsequent Irish leg of his trip):

But it wasn’t the visits to the coasts that dominated human interest stories on Xi Jinping’s trip, but the days in the middle, when he spent a little time in Iowa. Xi first visited Iowa in 1985, when he was an official in Hebei province, and this trip was a triumphant if low-key return.

I grew up in Iowa—as a fifth-generation Iowan—and so I was particularly interested to see this rare juxtaposition of China and Iowa in the national media. And the coverage was fascinating, characterized by a dismissive tone (such as The Atlantic’s David A. Graham, who wrote of the Iowa visit: “Apparently would-be Chinese leaders have to go through the same somewhat humiliating corn-country rituals as would-be American presidents before they can take the reins of power”) that seemed to overlook that China is now the largest market for U.S. agricultural products.

In China, where over the past 25 years a growing wealth gap between city and countryside has become a yawning chasm, where farmers barely manage to turn a profit, and where rural corruption and corresponding unrest are a persistent concern, Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao have made rural modernization a central part of the government’s policy and rhetoric. “Corn-country” problems are foundational concerns for the top levels of Chinese government, whether those problems are in China or the US.

Nevertheless, the story of China’s future president in Iowa—considered a quaint Americana setting for most people in the US—was ready-made for media (as Xi certainly knew). Here are a few of the stories that highlight not just the heartland setting but the complications of the Iowa-China story.

1. NPR did some solid coverage of Xi’s visit, including this piece, which gives an overview of Xi’s 1985 stay. If you can’t get enough, here’s one from after the visit, that discusses the Tibetan protestors who were present at Xi’s stops throughout the US and also details of the gala dinner in Iowa. (Weekend Edition, meanwhile, did a story on Xi’s wife, the singer Peng Liyuan.)

2. Des Moines Register writer Kyle Munson gathered together a series of anecdotes from Xi’s visit that didn’t make it into news stories, but it was this juxtaposition that highlighted Iowa’s two conflicting recent moments in the national media: “People kept remarking on the odd contrast: One month we see caucus-crazed Republicans scurrying around Iowa railing against President Barack Obama’s socialist regime. The next month arguably the world’s top Communist becomes the toast of conservative business and political circles.”

Munson was also interviewed on Talk of the Nation about Xi’s visit.

3. “Xi’s Iowa Dinner Serves Porkfest With Side of Dietary Nightmare,” Bloomberg (h/t China Digital Times): Banquets are a big deal in China and food—its quality and quantity—matters. So it was surprising to me that the journalists who wrote this piece chose to emphasize the expansive nature of the official dinner for Xi in Iowa (tying it to Iowa’s obesity epidemic). The nutritionist they interviewed said, “It’s a lot to have appetizers, two courses, dessert, soda, wine and beer.” My reaction? That is not nearly enough food.

Also, it’s worth noting that they served an edamame-and-corn salad not only as a marriage of “Asian” soybeans and Iowan corn, but also because, while corn is Iowa’s number one crop, soybeans are second.

In fact, one of the important bits of business conducted during Xi’s trip was a $4.3 billion agreement signed by Chinese officials—to purchase 8 million tons of soybeans from the U.S.

4. The New York Times ran a piece that explored Iowans’ responses to the visit, including their urges to make a buck. Here’s an excerpt:

And with reporters and cameras swarming in town—the Chinese news media were especially keen to get shots of the various houses and bedrooms where Mr. Xi stayed—Muscatine’s moment in the spotlight, many residents said, was not to be squandered. It is the sort of rural wisdom that Mark Twain—a local hero who lived briefly here on the banks of the Mississippi River and wrote for The Muscatine Journal in the 1850s—might well have praised or parodied: When opportunity knocks, shake it by the lapels until the coins fall out.

“We’ve displayed to this world leader our work ethic, No. 1, and our value for friendship; that’s No. 2,” Mayor DeWayne M. Hopkins said in an interview at City Hall. “If that message can be disseminated into the rest of the United States in encouragement for people to be interested in Muscatine and perhaps relocate here—and I mean people all the way from households up to retail and manufacturing—then that’s a plus.”

At the Long John Silver’s fast-food restaurant, the sign out front said, “Welcome back to Muscatine Xi Jinping” on one side, and on the other, “Original menu available, fish sandwich 2 for $3.”

Inside, the general manager, Michelle Cacho, said that good buzz was good business. “It’s kind of propaganda, but if it helps folks in Iowa we might as well roll out the red carpet,” she said.

Other residents said they believed the compliment that Mr. Xi paid the town by coming back was real, and that residents should be honored.

“He could go to Nebraska, or anyplace else in heartland America, but he chose to come back here, which shows well for Muscatine,” said Dennis Figg, 62, who had stopped in at the Phillips 66 gas station on the edge of downtown to visit with a friend and buy some chewing tobacco.

5. The Wall Street Journal ran a series of short videos about Xi’s trip that provide glimpses of footage from Iowa:

Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard is helping raise awareness about homeless children in Central Florida. Photo credit: Javi Enterprises LLC and White Bird Entertainment LLC

Dwight Howard has thrown his considerable muscle behind a public-service announcement to help Central Florida’s homeless children. The spot was made available to stations tonight.

The Magic center appears in the PSA with many children, some of whom may be familiar through the “60 Minutes” reports on the homeless crisis.

That’s Beth Davalos of the Families in Transition program at right. She spoke to Scott Pelley for the two “60 Minutes” reports.

Jacob Braverman, from the first “60 Minutes” report last March, stands near Howard.

Arielle and Austin Metzger, from the second “60 Minutes” report in November, stand near Davalos.

The powerful comments from the children prompted viewers to promise millions in support.

Howard showed his support just as pro basketball’s greatest stars converge on Orlando for Sunday’s All-Star Game.

'Bachelor' Ben and Lindzi: Are they meant for each other? Photo credit: Rick Rowell/ABC

Lindzi Cox of Ocala had a very good night Monday on “The Bachelor.”

Ben Flajnik visited the hometowns of the four remaining women on the ABC dating contest, and Lindzi wowed the “Bachelor” star with a look at her parents’ horse farm. 

Lindzi made to the next round after Ben was charmed by her fun-loving parents and by Lindzi’s willingness to open up. She talked about her heart being broken by a man she lived with and had hoped to marry.

More promising signs for Lindzi: Ben learned that Lindzi’s parents were married at the San Francisco City Hall, where Ben and Lindzi had their first date. Lindzi’s dad, Harry, said he would approve if Ben proposes. Heck, Ben even said he saw Harry as a surrogate dad.

Lindzi, 27, grew up in Ocala and works as a business development manager in Seattle.

The next episode airs at 8 p.m. Monday on WFTV-Channel 9.

Ben’s other stops were Clarksville, Tenn., for Kacie B.; Fort Worth, Texas, for Nicki; and Scottsdale, Ariz., for Courtney. Kacie B. was ejected Monday.

The “women tell all” special is March 5, and the season finale will be March 12. Will Lindzi be getting that proposal? Stay tuned.

Bob Ward is led from the courtroom after his sentencing in December. Photo credit: Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel

The saga of Isleworth millionaire developer Bob Ward, who was convicted of his wife’s murder, will be recounted by “Dateline NBC” this week.

The report airs at 10 p.m. Friday on WESH-Channel 2. Dennis Murphy is the reporter.

NBC News described the hour as “a story that made national news for its bizarre jail house tapes.” In the tapes, Ward laughed and joked with relatives. He also danced and modeled his jail jumpsuit.

In September, a six-member jury convicted Ward of second-degree murder in the shooting death of wife Diane in their mansion. In December, Ward was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

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Whitney Houston's casket is carried from the church after her funeral Saturday. Photo credit: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

In a gracious gesture, Cissy Houston shared her daughter’s funeral with the world Saturday afternoon.

Whitney Houston’s service in Newark, N.J., became a celebration of the Gospel, gospel music and the traditions of the black church. The day, with the focus on faith, gave new meaning to the Houston standard “The Greatest Love of All.”

Cissy Houston allowed the service to be streamed online, and in doing so, added an uplifting angle to the heavy coverage of her daughter’s death last Saturday at age 48. CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and HLN were among the cable channels giving the service full coverage.   

This was no standard farewell to a show-business favorite. The focus was often on the Scriptures and what they meant in Whitney’s life.

Tyler Perry witnessed to her faith. Bishop T.D. Jakes made powerful comments repeating the theme that “it looked like death had won,” but adding that “love is greater than death.”

Patricia Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager, stressed that the main issue was what happened between Whitney and God, not Whitney and the world.

Faith was the prime issue, but there were some revealing personal moments about the late singer. Patricia Houston said that death had set Whitney free and told Cissy that she had done everything to help her daughter.

Kevin Costner, Whitney’s “Bodyguard” co-star, recounted her doubts in making that film. He provided what amounted to a pep talk to the late singer, saying “you set the bar so high.” Costner, who was raised in the Baptist church, told Whitney that when she sings for the Almighty, “You’ll be good enough.”

Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, BeBe Winans and CeCe Winans sang. Wonder performed two songs, adding new words to “Ribbon in the Sky,” then following up with the classic ”Love’s in Need of Love Today.”  

CNN’s Piers Morgan found it “an incredible service” and “an extraordinary four-hour event.” The Rev. Al Sharpton told CNN that the service was dignified and highlighted Whitney’s roots in the church. The Rev. Jesse Jackson told CNN that the service was “emotionally gratifying” and “uplifting” and avoided being a media circus.

Jackson described a difficult moment when Bobby Brown, Whitney’s ex, left after being asked to move from the front row, which was reserved for the family. “It seems to me they could have accommodated him better than they did,” Jackson said.

“That was a painful mar on today’s otherwise tremendous and inspiring service,” Jackson said.

In a statement, Brown said that security seated him, then asked him to move on three separate occasions. Brown also said that security prevented him from seeing his daughter with Houston. “In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene,” Brown’s statement read. “This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur.”

In talking to CNN, Bishop T.D. Jakes said through the service that Houston’s family “took ownership of their family member. They took it away from public speculation and they said who she was. They had an opportunity to say that unabridged and unedited. I think that gave some healing to the family and the community who knew so many more things of her life than what had been touted in recent days.”

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