Our country is filled with all types of challenges.  The economy is certainly one of them. Unemployment  in North Carolina  is near a record high.  Education and busing are big issues. A lot of people have some real concerns about the future.

One word you don't hear a lot these days is "pride."  I'd like to spend a moment of your time to tell you that I have a LOT of pride in the men and women of WRAL.  So why am I writing about this now?  There are a few specific things that have occurred recently that I'd like to share with you.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending an awards ceremony (along with Jim Goodmon, President and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company; John Clark, General Manager of WRAL.com; John Conway, Creative Services Director of WRAL.com; and Jodi Glusco, Managing Editor of WRAL.com) in New York City.  This was no ordinary ceremony.  This event celebrated the best of the best within journalism. ...