Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis…
FNC was owning the early coverage of the breaking story of a bridge collapse in Minneapolis. FNC is relying heavily on an exclusive live chopper shot from KMSP and WCCO that shows the carnage in detail with Shepard Smith and Trace Gallagher report on the details. CNN is stuck with a distant shot from KARE that really can’t show the worst damage. MSNBC broke in late from Hardball with Milissa Rehberger and is also relying on KARE’s distant shot…
UPDATE: CNN and MSNBC started broadcasting KARE’s newscast of the coverage around 7:40 ET…
UPDATE @ 7:46: CNN is now showing I-Report still shots of the damage and Wolf Blitzer is interviewing Mark LaCroix who is on the scene and supplied the pictures I believe.
UPDATE @ 7:54: FNC is broadcasting audio from a reporter on the scene…
UPDATE @ 8:07: KARE now has a chopper in the air and MSNBC and CNN are broadcasting that footage. Odd but MSNBC is on a delay of some sort as their footage is about five seconds later than CNN’s feed of the same shot.
UPDATE @ 8:11: FNC started showing its first uReport images of the scene. Shepard Smith brought in Gretchen Carlson to talk about the story as Carlson was from the area.
UPDATE @ 8:20: FNC is now airing a live video feed from a KMSP reporter who is on the scene at the bridge…
UPDATE @ 9:55: Hannity & Colmes continued FNC’s coverage. Wolf Blitzer was on for Larry King. Dan Abrams was on for MSNBC. HLN extended Nancy Grace for another hour.
UPDATE @ 10:00: HLN has gone to tape with Nancy Grace. Keith Olbermann is back on MSNBC. Anderson Cooper is on CNN. Greta Van Susteren is on FNC…
UPDATE @ 10:44: Shepard Smith commented on this disaster earlier…
Some of Minneapolis’ bravest are on scene and no doubt saving lives as first responders, again, are coming to the rescue of people across the twin cities. It has been an hour twenty minutes now, maybe an hour and twenty five since suddenly and with no warning on another hot Minneapolis afternoon, as people were headed home from work or over to see the Twins play this evening, the Mississippi River Bridge collapsed beneath their vehicles. Dozens of cars, we’re now told, are in the water. Dozens of people were thrown into the water. Many I am quite confident are not yet accounted for. As on the east bank of the Mississippi river, it’s now my understanding that portions of this bridge collapsed onto vehicles on the ground and the rescue attempts are far from over. It will be a long and very difficult night across the Twin Cities.
Fox has the best visuals of the bridge. Shep and Trace are doing what they do best.
Comment by Alix — August 1, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
This is a surreal sight. When you look at the bridge that is still standing compared to what collapsed it is unbelievable. It is hard to watch at times when you see the submerged cars, the school bus, etc.
Heartbreaking.
Comment by jerziegrl — August 1, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
This is a huge new event. FNC has done a great job. As always, Shep Smith is excellent anchoring these breaking news stories.
Comment by Objective Analyst — August 1, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
PAULA’S REVENGE! THE WORST COVERAGE EVER SEEN IN CNN!
Comment by Rodrigo — August 1, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
Shep&Trace are great, plus the simulcast is informative… Whew, the only way to watch PZ is on mute. Ahhhh, back to the Braves game.
Comment by Terance — August 1, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
Terance, I’d agree with you on the duo on FNC, they are owning the coverage and the pictures have been some of the best. Some amazing pictures from this whole event to say the least.
Comment by Chris (clind) — August 1, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Totally agree with everyone…Shep & Trace (and FNC) are amazing as always.
Comment by Gab — August 1, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Should we start a betting pool on how soon someone finds a way to blame Bush for this?
Comment by mlong — August 1, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
Changing to CNN for a second, amazing how bland and careless Zahn looks. In all respects, go Paula and make that mothership that failed you eat their words that they wouldn’t repeat “that mistake”!
Comment by Chris (clind) — August 1, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
Smith has just done one of the most amazing summaries ever. This is why Trace was moved from Weekends!
Just put Zahn on… very poor coverage, stumbling all over the place and saying obvious stuff. Not even bothered with MSNBC
AS I TYPE lauren green now on FNC! I think shep will be hosting till 10 then toss to GVS. Cant see H&C coming on at 9?
Comment by craig gordon — August 1, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Its the Paula’s retaliation… CNN coverage is very poor… 3 dead, CNN reports at 20:40 ET
Comment by Rodrigo — August 1, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Honestly, an event like this with FNC’s coverage reminds me of just how pointless all the graphics these networks love to splash in front of us really are. More than once, I think the network found themselves removing L3a, the logos, and whatnot just to show the pictures.
Comment by Chris (clind) — August 1, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
FNC’s graphics have been outstanding along with the coverage in my opinion
Comment by craig gordon — August 1, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
Why in the world is FNC throwing this to Hannity & Colmes?!?! Shepard’s coverage was top notch and now we have two people who are ment to be opinionated, not newsy! Why FNC, why?
Comment by Chris (clind) — August 1, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Gosh… Wolf / Special Edition of Larry King Live
Comment by Rodrigo — August 1, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Chris, I was thinking the same, but I figured Shep is probably heading out to get on a plane to Minn.
Comment by Gab — August 1, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
Shep might be back at 11 im think, i think Fox New Live will run all night. I would have liked to see shep carry on though as this is what he was made for.
Comment by craig gordon — August 1, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
Taking bets on how long it will take for Cooperman to be on the scene
Comment by Ginger — August 1, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
Spud: I hope and pray that your use of the word “carnage” proves to be premature.
Comment by Ira — August 1, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
Chris - completely agree. Sending this to H&C is pointless. Shep and Trace were top notch and now Colmes is droning on and on and Sean just doesn’t do well with this stuff.
CNN was doing a piss poor job. At one point PZ said that when they get any new/more information they would come back to the story. She then started reporting on Pat Tillman. Unbelievable that she did not continue with this huge story. Everything was new and still breaking. I cannot believe how badly she handled this.
Comment by jerziegrl — August 1, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
Wolf is doing better than H&C! I think he could beat FNC in the ratings for this hour.
Comment by craig gordon — August 1, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
I agree jerziegrl… Finally Wolf is back. Not worst than the Paul’s coverage.
Comment by Rodrigo — August 1, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
FNC is going out live on Sky News in the UK and CNN is on CNNi
Comment by craig gordon — August 1, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
#14 Chris (clind) - Totally and 100% agree. I flipped over to MSNBC and Olbermann was covering the story too, and I thought that was strange. There should be a clear difference between their opinion guys, and their hard news guys.
Comment by ImNotBlue — August 1, 2007 @ 9:29 pm
Wolf is doing a good job.. I will tell us about the media coverage on the wires. Incredible.. there aren’t a lot of pictures yet. Only screengrabs from Fox News and CNN via AP and AFP. A few pics from Pioneer Press via AP and no more. Looks like the AP photographers in Minneapolis are at the bar or on vacation or something.
Comment by Rodrigo — August 1, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
Paula was just doing what she was told to do by exec producer, don’t blame Paula. She only has one more night to go, she probably doesn’t give a hoot anymore.
Forget Cooperman going there, why isn’t he the one covering this? The face of CNN makes such a big toot over having a beeper in case an emergency happens but he should have already been at the CNN building getting the show ready.
Comment by Mary Snow — August 1, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
I think Hannity & Colmes are doing a good job covering this. Hannity is actually a solid anchor when he wants to be.
They’ve had plenty of relevant interviews interspersed w/ the video and updates.
Comment by bigred — August 1, 2007 @ 9:53 pm
Fox News Website now streaming Sky News in the UK. Sky News however is simulcasting Fox News… very odd!
Is there a legal reason why Fox cant just stream their coverage on their own website? Rather than going through Sky News?
Comment by craig gordon — August 1, 2007 @ 9:58 pm
Very dramatic pictures are arriving at the wires now from AP. Looks very very bad.
Comment by Rodrigo — August 1, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
was watching cnn and they had great coverage. i think its pretty much time to move on though. I bet bill o’rielly will be pissed that he was pre-empted.
Comment by Harry — August 1, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
Picture: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1131/979819427_fdc1c6cd0e_b.jpg
Comment by Rodrigo — August 1, 2007 @ 10:20 pm
Another dramatic image:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1418/979826963_dcf0e30515_b.jpg
Comment by Rodrigo — August 1, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
Recue teams working:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1042/979977665_35be8a4630_b.jpg
Comment by Rodrigo — August 1, 2007 @ 10:25 pm
Wow… great pics Rodrigo… good find.
Comment by ImNotBlue — August 1, 2007 @ 11:21 pm
Rodrigo, those are good pictures. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Comment by Missy — August 1, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
Any bets on how long it takes Hannity to tie the collapse to Democratic inspectors, or faulty safety codes during the Clinton years, or maybe even illegal immigrants working construction on the bridge when it faltered?
Comment by bill — August 2, 2007 @ 12:32 am
You missed it bill. He didn’t do any of that.
Comment by erljr — August 2, 2007 @ 12:36 am
Actually, the point I was trying to make was how both the fanatical divisions of the right and left will soon be politically spinning this tragedy. I’ve already mentioned what Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck and their ilk will eventually do with this story. The left (Miller, Shultz, Maddow, Malloy etc) will paint it with the “Bush-is-causing-the-infrastructure-of-the-country-to-fall-apart” brush. Not today, not tomorrow….but certainly by next week.
Comment by bill — August 2, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Bill, I’ll take your bet on Hannity, Limbaugh, etc. I say they won’t blame anyone until we receive the actual facts about what happened, and who is to blame.
Comment by bigred — August 2, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Well….well…well…
Too late, the President’s done the hit job already. He comes up, makes a few remarks about the tragedy and launches into an attack on Congress and the spendin bills. So its THEIR fault!
Meanwhile he praised the Republican governor that recently vetoed spending bill that might have provided funds FOR the infrastructure. AMAZING!
How dare Bush condemn Congress for going on vacation when the Iraqi leaders are ALSO on vacation while Americans continue to fight and die for nothing….as the President gets ready to head to Crawford for another of his many vacations. God, how wish he’d stay Texas and never come back.
Comment by bill — August 2, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Plenty of finger pointing over at Eschaton{ but what would you expect from a bunch of death worshipping liberals}.
Can’t help noticing Bill is doing a bunch of finger pointing too.
Comment by papertiger — August 2, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
Bill: Your wild Bush Derangement Syndrome remarks aside, my political question is how, within 15 minutes of the collapse, can somebody in Washington, not Minneapolis proclaim that terrorism was not a factor?
Comment by Ira — August 2, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
#40
Why don’t you go over to the Daily Kos and rant about Bush. You could even say the collapse was Bush’s fault because we have full employment and with everyone working there were to many cars and trucks on the bridge at one time. They will agree with you!
Comment by Sam — August 2, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Ira…actually you make a good point. Homeland Security can’t know that quick. I guess they want to quell fears from the outset.
I really don’t think have BDS as you suggest. I’m originally from Texas and voted for the man when he was governor. But I think it was crass and irresponsible of him to tie remarks about the tragedy into bashing Congress about spending bills and vacations.
Like John Wayne said about JFK…”I didn’t vote for him, but he’s my president and I hope he does a good job.”
Bush is my president. But he’s done a lousy job and its time for him to go.
Comment by bill — August 2, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Bill: All Federal funding for FY2007 is already committed (the fiscal year ends 9/30) so there should be no political excuses from any quarter about not having Federal money on hand.
Assuming the FY in Minnesota began July 1 as it does in most states, I’d be curious exactly what the Governor vetoed and whether it included state matching funds for highway maintenance.
Comment by Ira — August 2, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
Look, I don’t know who’s fault is was that the bridge collapsed. Except that it wasn’t the President’s (no Sam, I’m not stupid enough to buy the far left wing agenda there), it wasn’t the Congress, it wasn’t the illegal immigrants working on the bridge and large Muslim population of the area (as alluded to by FNC and Michelle Malkin)…
All I was originally trying to say was that I thought the President was out of line talking about the Democratic Congress and the bridge tragedy without taking a breath.
Ira, I’ll check on the Governor’s veto concerning state/federal highway dollars. I was told by a Republican friend(fell like disclosure is needed) in Minnesota that it had, but I’ll make sure before posting another accusation.
Comment by bill — August 2, 2007 @ 3:14 pm