SF Media Late on Kaepernick Allegations; KNBR 'Gary and Larry' Get Sanctimonius; TMZ Report

 We try to keep it media-related here, for the most part. Occasionally we'll drift to other more mundane matters but we know our place.


We also know the vibe and what's the topic of the day and here in this area, right now it's Colin Kaepernick and allegations about a "suspicious incident" at a Miami hotel.


TMZ reported it first. There's been several amendments and the Sac Bee and Matt Barrows, its 49ers beat writer has a more detailed account.


When the TMZ report first aired, KNBR's morning program, "Gary and Larry" briefly mentioned it and moved on to other topics. Sounded sort of disingenuous when Radnich said it would be a ratings grab to "go non-stop" on the Kaepernick story.


No, Gary, you're wrong. In today's environment you can discuss what is clearly on the Bay Area water-cooler circuit without sounding utterly phony and sanctimonious. Especially when it involves the most popular player of the most popular sports team in the community.


We stress again we're not indicting Kaepernick--we don't know the facts, obviously, and stories like this are almost a daily occurrence so until we get something more concrete, like facts, for instance, everything else is kind of murky.


KNBR wasn't alone in its curious time to acknowledge the report. SFGate finally had it a good hour or so after TMZ. And to their credit, KNBR finally had Barrows on for a phone interview talking about the story.


In a perfect world it would be great to sit back and not elaborate or, in this instance, under-report what is clearly on the minds of people and non-sports-minded people themselves are reading and discussing. So Gary and Larry's "let's be fair" mantra sounds sort of ridiculous. We're not making the inference too because KNBR happens to be the 49ers flagship station--that would be too easy and it's not right anyway.


We are making the accusation that this sort of selective reporting is not only the wrong way but, in Gary's words, not knowing how to read the room. There's ways of handling this and KNBR struck out today early on.


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Exclusive: KGO-TV Reporter Ishimaru Was To File Suit Against Station Before Her Medical Setback; Hostile Work Environment Complaint; Angela Alioto To Rep Her

Days before she suffered a serious stroke, KGO-TV reporter, Heather Ishimaru, was about to file a hostile work-environment lawsuit against the station, according to well-placed broadcast sources close to Channel 7.


Ishimaru, who is unable to speak or swallow food is in a SF rehab facility. Her attorney, Angela Alioto, confirmed to me on the phone that Ishimaru had planned to file a lawsuit.


"She, (Ishimaru), wrote three letters to management, (News Director, Tracey Watkowski and Assistant ND, Stephainie Adrouney),  about some work-related issues then suddenly she had her medical setback," Alioto said.


Watkowski did not return phone calls requesting comment.


Privately, my sources at KGO, (all requested anonymity due to the nature of the story), told me that Ishimaru, who is a veteran and much-respected reporter, had asked for some time away from the station dealing with a family matter involving one of her kids, a special-needs child. Alioto confirmed this account.


Watkowski balked.


"They were giving her shit," offered one of the sources. "They essentially told her to take care of the 'issue on her time, not the company dime, and that's just bullshit."


Needless to say the Ishimaru tragedy has rocked the KGO newsroom where several staffers are unhappy with the vibe overall. "This has just added to all the angst inside the building--there's a tremendous amount of tension here. They, (management), just don't get it--they're in over their heads."


Added Alioto:


"Heather has an incredible performance record.  She was harassed and treated differently by her superiors Stephanie and Tracey concerning medical leave to take care of her son. Heather was very stressed out about the treatment."






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