Hi everyone, Teri asked me to sort of "guest blog" tonight! This is after I spent part of my day with some local bloggers as part of a story we ran on both News 3 @ 9 on UPN-14 and News 3 The Update. First of all, I am amazed by the creativity that many of these people have, to blog almost on a daily or multi-daily basis. After discussing this story with some other reporters and staff here, some of us wondered that if we created our own blog, would we really have "something to say" every day that's original, and more importantly, interesting? (and this is from a group of professional communicators!) These bloggers we featured tonight not only did that, but they've managed to start a whole new realm of discussion about community issues.

I have to say, even before doing this story I considered starting my own blog many times, but always stopped short. There's something about putting your thoughts really "out there" that's both empowering and intimidating at the same time. But these bloggers are going beyond the "daily journal" blog and taking it to the next level-- offering their opinions without hesitation, and both allowing and encouraging people to agree or disagree.

In this technology age we live in, it seems more and more people are striving to "make their voices heard" or want us to know what news it is they care about. If you do blog, let us know about it and we can add it to the long list of many places we look for news each day. If you don't, you can (like me) think a little harder about it-- or you can just email us with your story ideas.

Thanks!!

Jessica Arp, News 3 Reporter jarp@wisctv.com