SALT LAKE CITY — For National News Literacy Week, FOX 13 pulls back the curtain and shows how news stories are created...from the very beginning.
The evening shift at FOX 13 starts with an editorial call, now done over Zoom because of pandemic protocol.
In the meeting, the FOX 13 team discusses events and makes a plan for the rest of the day.
In Sunday's meeting, reporter Sydney Glenn pitched her idea to spotlight "Vessel Kitchen" and how they've adapted during the pandemic.
Read: Vessel Kitchen founders find innovative ways to stay open, expand during pandemic
Melanie Porter works as an assignment editor on the weekends at FOX 13. She monitors traffic cameras, social media outlets, makes phone calls, sorts through emails and helps to keep things organized behind the scenes.
"The desk takes in everything we need and pushes it out to everybody who needs it. without it there'd be no organization," said FOX 13 producer Bryan Johnson.
On Sunday, reporter Diego Romo was moved to a crash in Big Cottonwood Canyon that caused traffic to be at a standstill for hours.
Melanie gathered information and sent resources so Diego would be prepared the moment he got to the scene.
Read: Big Cottonwood Canyon closed twice due to crash near 'S' curve
Along with keeping up with breaking news, Melanie helps to gather videos, information and interviews for other parts of the newscast.
Adjustments have been made in how TV news is gathered and produced during the pandemic. The number of people who work in studio has dramatically decreased, and many people work from home or from the field entirely.
Anchors are kept in separate areas in studio and are only brought together in their boxes on the screen.
It may look picture perfect on your screen, but many people behind the scenes help to make sure FOX 13 delivers accurate information as quickly as possible.
