MarniHughes's Blog

We have a great vantage point from the Fox 9 skybox.. to bring you up close to all the action happening at the 2008 Republican National Convention.  Our set is stage-left.. and gives us a birds-eye-view of everything happening on the convention floor and around the X-Cel Energy Center.  Our Fox 9 reporters, photographers and producers, tech crew and web staff are working hard to bring you the best coverage possible.

We are doing live web broadcasts each hour.. with the latest convention news and other important stories of the day, including Hurricane Gustav.  These web cut-ins are really fun, because they are a lot less formal than our normal broadcasts.  We show you some of the things we can't fit into the newscast.  It's a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at what's happening.  Also, all our newscasts are broadcasting live from our Fox 9 set inside the X.  Hope to see you on tv.. or the web for our continued coverage of this major international event happening in our back yard.

Marni

I wasn't sure what to expect.. after we went off the air last night (Sunday).  All was quiet at the X-Cel.. as media from around the country and the world shifted their focus from the convention to coverage of Hurricane Gustav off the Gulf Coast.  As many of the delegates and politicians gather.. talk of the storm is front and center.  Many parties transformed into relief efforts.. and people were called to text in their help and open their wallets to assist the victims of this major storm.  Still, day one is busy, and there is a lot to cover.

Inside the Convention Center.. there's a flurry of activity as the business of the day gets underway.  The call to order came just shy of 3pm Central Time.. followed by the day's business.  Adopting rules and a party platform... delegates learning and taking part in the process.. before finally nominating a candidate.

With a few spare moments.. I took a walk around the X.  I saw lots of familiar faces.. from the political world and from the national media including someone from the Fox family, Brit Hume.  I heard unfamiliar voices and languages.. from the foreign press.  There were also a few celebrities... like actor, John Voight who greeted delegates and stood for pictures outside the Fox News Channel Sky Box .

Delegates are excited to be getting activites underway.  I met a guy from Texas.. here for his second convention.  As is custome for most of the Texas delegation.. he was wearing a cowboy hat.. and embroidered cowboy boots with the convention logo.  It's hard to miss the Florida delegates.. in their matching Hawaiian t-shirts.  Then there are all the other delegates collecting and exchanging buttons from their state.

Until next hour...

 

 

Tonight, we reported on a tragedy, involving a 2-year-old girl in St. Paul.  She opened a dresser drawer, and a 27-inch television fell on top of her.  Her precious life was cut short... all because of a preventable accident.  My heart goes out to her family.

As a parent of young kids, hearing stories like this forces me to look around my own home, for possible dangers.  There are so many we don't even realize.  For instance, do you know about the toilet paper roll test?  Anything that can fit inside the cardboard roll... is also small enough to fit in a child's mouth, creating a choking hazard.  You may be surprised the items around you home posing a potential danger.

At my house, some of the things we do, that are obvious and simple... cover eletrical outlets, put all cleaning supplies up and out of reach and gate off stairs.  We close bathroom doors and make sure the strings hanging from window treatments aren't within reach.  And don't forget the stuff up high.. that can also be a danger, like tv's, computer monitors, free standing microwaves, or other household appliances. 

I know I'll go home tonight, and take another look around.

 

Outside, I mean. 

This past weekend was the Great Minnesota Picnic.  State Parks drop the admission fee and people can come enjoy what the State has to offer at no extra charge (except for the gas- ouch).

What are you most looking forward to  this summer? 

For me, it's bike rides with the family, exploring different parks and trails, and hopefully hitting the water for some skiing. 

Marni Hughes

 

Fox 9 recently sat down with Paul and Sue Rosenau.  You may recall, the Waseca couple won the 180-million Powerball Jackpot in early May. 

The couple plans to donate some of their winnings to help find a cure for Krabbe's Disease.  The Rosenau's lost their granddaughter McKalya to the disease several years ago.

When we aired our story, the couple was waiting on lab results regarding their new baby granddaughter, Allyson.  There was some concern she may carry the same gene as her older sister.  

I've stayed in touch with the family since our report and am happy to update... baby Allyson is not a carrier of Krabbe's.  She is a healthy, happy little girl.  The family says they are relieved and jubilant. 

Congratulations Rosenau's... on hitting the jackpot.  And I'm not talking about the lottery!

Marni Hughes

 

That's the question Vivian Hempel posed to one of our Fox 9 photographers recently.  Boy, does this lady have spunk!

One of the best parts of my job is meeting new and interesting people with a story to tell.  Vivian is one of those people.  She is 94-years-young and works out 2-3 times a week at Curves in St. Paul.  This lively lady skiied until she was 88, rides a bike, dances and is a pro on the hula hoop.

In an age when waistlines are expanding, and that walk from the couch to the fridge is considered physical activity, Vivian is an inspiration.  She credits her longevity to a healthy diet, full of fresh fruits and veggies, and an active lifestyle.  She must be doing something right.

We've posted our story on Vivian at myfox9.com.  Just type in "Vivian" into the search box.  It's good for a chuckle, and a few words of advice from this neat lady.  Our Health Page is also a great place to "stay connected" to the latest in health news 24/7.  Have fun and be healthy.

Marni

 

 

As parents, we want to make the best decisions possible for our children, especially when it comes to their health.  I think that means doing your research and getting the facts.

Right now, there's a lot of information floating around about Autism and childhood vaccinations.  Some think that vaccines  lead to autism. 

I recently sat down with my children's pediatrician and asked the important questions.  Is this true?  What are the facts?  What are the risks?  What are the warning signs?

Based on what I've researched, there is no medical or scientific link between the two.  I learned the importance of vaccinations.  I learned that vaccines trick our bodies into thinking we've already had a virus... so that if we come across a dangerous strain, our bodies are already programmed to fight it.  Knowing that, I did get my children vaccinated.  However, I encourage all parents to ask the same questions.  Ask more!  Get answers for yourself, and don't believe everything you read on the internet.    

Doctors are still researching the root of autism... in fact the nations largest study is underway right now, looking at genetic and environmental factors of the disease.  They're studying 27-hundred children, and their families to determine a cause and find better ways to treat Autism.  I look forward to what they find.

 

Recently we took our 5 o'clock newscast on the road.  We hit five different spots in five days.  What a blast!

As part of the festivities, I had the opportunity to put together short history pieces on each of the communities.  What a pleasure it was to visit and learn about each and every place, it's history, and the people who keep things  ticking. 

Thank you to each of  the 5 communities:  Burnsville, Blaine, Minneapolis, Maple Grove, and St. Paul. 

I know with time comes change... and new development, but it was great to get a glimpse into the past, and see how these cities got a start, and continue to grow today.

I encourage you to travel "outside the box", and visit some of these spots, as well as other areas around the state.  You'll be amazed at the people you meet, and the history you uncover.

Marni 

In the news this week, we are reporting several dog attacks.  From a pit-bull attacking a 5-year-old boy in Detroit to two young girls recovering from dog bites here in  Minneapolis.

This isn't the first or last time dogs will attack, so I wanted to do a little research.  As a parent of a toddler, and dog owner, I think it's important to know the facts and take preventative measures to keep my family safe.

It so happens we're in the middle of National Dog Bite Prevention week (May 20-26th).  It's a campaign, joining the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Veterinary Medical Assocation (AVMA), the United States Postal Service (USPS) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).  They provide tips of prevention and things to do if a dog bites you or someone you know.  Here's a link to the CDC site- there's some great information on staying safe: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/biteprevention.htmp>

I found out that dogs attack 4.7 million people a year.  Of those, about 390-thousand need emergency treatment.  Furthermore, children 5-9 are attacked the most.   On average 12 people die a year from dog attacks.

We often link certain breeds to dog attacks, usually pit-bulls and rottweilers.  Although those breeds account for more than half of the reported attacks, recent statistics show there are many breeds that can turn on people.

With that said, I'm very cautious around strange dogs.  I teach my child to keep her distance as well.  There are a lot of things that are out of our control in life, but this isn't one of them.  Dog attacks are preventable.  I encourage you and your family to read the statistics, research if you're thinking of adopting a dog into your family, and treat animals with respect.  It should be a privilege to own one.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the issue.

Marni

 

 

Who agrees... there's not enough time in a day?

I'm sure I'm not the only one wishing everyday came with a few extra hours.  Just a little bit of time, to run those errands, make those phone calls, spend time with the family, and make a dent in that pile of work on your desk.

Well, on Sunday we're going to lose another hour as we turn our clocks ahead for Daylight Saving Time. 

Don't get me wrong, it's a necessary step to take advantage of the daylight hours, but boy could I use that hour.

So, what would I do?  As a matter of fact, I have a couple of things in mind.  First, I'd hang out with my daughter an extra hour.  I'd spend more time with my husband.  I would sleep in an extra hour.  I'd stay up an hour later.  I would come in to work an hour later.  I'd leave work an hour later.  I'd take my time, when it eat, when I drive, when I talk, when I listen.  And that's just if I had an hour... Image if we had two.

I want to know what you would do with some extra time in the day!

Let me know... if you had that time, how you would spend it.

Marni

I’m not exactly known for packing light when going on a trip. I usually take too much stuff… and end up paying for it in extra pounds and money.

If you find yourself in a similar situation… you may be interested in our story on airport baggage. Some of the experts weigh in on those airport baggage scales… and we find out how accurate they really are.

I was surprised by some of the results. For instance, did you know that if a scale is off by just a couple of pounds… the airport isn’t required to take it out of rotation?

Think about that the next time you’re charged $25 to $100 more just to check that extra weight.