Cabarrus Cheap Seats

Scott Jagow was the litmus test of my morning commute.   As I took in the morning news from the local NPR outlet, if I pulled into work when Scott was still on - I was on time.  Now if I hear Mr. Jagow - I’m late.  This is because he’s moved to California and is the voice of the nationally-syndicated Marketplace Morning Report which wraps up around 8AM.

As you might suspect, many people in the media in Greater Charlotte Area take jobs here as part of a path to more lucrative ventures.  Scott Jagow is one example.  As you may suspect, it’s not isolated to radio and print.  Every few years, the twenty-something reporter we get used to on the local Evening News moves on to be the seasoned reporter in their late-twenties on the Evening News in a larger market.

However, it would be cynical to characterize all of our local journalists as carpetbaggers checking in and out of our community or locals dreaming of leaving a sleepy mill town in the dust to seek fame and fortune.  The editor of one of our local papers is a West Rowan graduate who’s sticking around.

Of course, I’m talking about Joanie Morris.

This Kannapolis Citizen reader was glad to read some familiar writing: Joanie Morris is back.  For those of you who don’t know - Mrs. Morris is the editor of the Kannapolis Citizen.  Those of you do who read the Citizen know that she’s been out with the birth of her first child - a son named Connor. 

Most folks Cabarrus County either take in the Tribune or the Observer; but if you’re passing over papers like the Kannapolis Citizen and the Concord Standard - you’re missing some of the better and more insightful writing in this area from people who know their way around here and know the players personally.

In her latest column, Joanie goes into well-worn territory for this blogger - being a rookie parent:

For example, in my life, I never thought I would be inspecting another person’s nose goobers — or poop. But, when my son, Connor (now 9 weeks old), has a cold, you can find me suctioning his nose and blowing the little blue bulb into a Kleenex to make sure it’s the right color or whatever. I don’t even know what the right color is supposed to be, so I don’t know why I even do this.

The rest of the piece is funny, rather touching, and worth a read - [CLICK HERE TO READ THE REMAINDER OF THE ARTICLE]

It’s good to see you back, Joanie.