Tiffany Olin’s first assignment with ABC 30 sent her into the Fresno heat.

As anchor Graciela Moreno introduced the story about how outdoor workers are staying safe, there was Olin outside in the blazing sun, a dusty field behind her.

Olin arrived from KTVL, the CBS-affiliate in Medford, Oregon. She did a bit of everything in the 136th largest TV market. The Sinclair-owned station dumped its local newscasts in May.

A southern California native and UCLA alumna, Olin also interned at the ABC-owned local station in Los Angeles.

Fresno is familiar territory for Olin. Her parents and siblings moved to town a few years ago.

Another newcomer to ABC 30 is Gabe Ferris, who will work on the City Hall and courts beat. Ferris worked as a production assistant for ABC News in Washington, D.C., and is a recent graduate of American University.

NEW: I’ve joined ABC30 Action News in Fresno, California!

Later this summer, I’ll begin reporting on Fresno City Hall and courts for the top-rated station in the market, one of ABC’s eight O&Os.

Thanks to all who made this possible. I can’t wait to call the Central Valley home. pic.twitter.com/nT0qzrts4r

— Gabe Ferris (@GabeFerris) July 11, 2023

Willis Has Ultimate Cutie Live Shot

I’m very impressed with another ABC 30 newcomer, Brianna Willis. She is the best new hire of any station this year.

She is polished, professional, and has easily adapted to the Fresno market. She started last month, after a stint in Bakersfield.

Last week, she had a viral-worthy moment. Reporting on pets and the heat, she held a chihuahua mix in her arms. As the live shot closed, she got a kiss from her four-legged friend.

Heidi Watney Thriving with Baseball

Remember Heidi Watney?

The baseball reporter for Apple TV+’s coverage of “Friday Night Baseball” reflected on her career in a recent interview with BSM Sports Media.

The Fresno native started her broadcast career at KMPH Fox 26 as a traffic reporter, before moving to the sports desk. She then covered the Red Sox for regional cable outlet NESN, before landing the MLB Network job as host of “Quick Pitch”.

She talked about facing misogyny. I remember hearing the unkind things said about her in the press box.

“You learn how to handle and adapt, and I think that’s sage advice for life – adapt and survive – and just learn how to kind of handle things,” Watney told BSM.

Watney also talked about the future of televised baseball, especially on the digital stream.

CMAC Racks Up Awards

CMAC, the local public access channel, won several 2023 Hometown Media Awards.

The highest among the seven honors — overall excellence for public access stations.

“I am incredibly proud and honored to receive this recognition from the Alliance for Community Media,” said Bryan Harley, executive director of CMAC. “We will continue to strive for excellence in providing a platform for diverse voices to be heard and shining a light on the stories that make our community truly special.”

The full list of award-winning videos from CMAC producers are:

CMAC High School Football
Sports Coverage Live Competition – Student
CMAC Fresno/Clovis
McLane High School

Fentanyl: The American Crisis
Public Health Programming – Student
CMAC Fresno/Clovis
Isabella Riley

El Poder of a Classroom
Underserved Voices – Student
CMAC Fresno/Clovis
Daniela Maciel Navarro

Endangered Language
Underserved Voices – Independent Producer
CMAC Fresno/Clovis
Jennifer Robin

Media Representations & Why They Matter
Instructional/Training – Access Center Professional
CMAC Fresno/Clovis
Natalie Nigg

Download the CMAC App
Access Program Promo – Access Center Professional
CMAC Fresno/Clovis
Kyle Lowe, Ben Cruz

Overall Excellence in Public, Education and Government Access

Journalism Group Gets First Director

The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative hired Alma Martinez as its first executive director.

Martinez comes to the position with journalism experience at Radio Bilingue. She was also listed as an ” immigrant community liaison” in the news release announcing her appointment.

CVJC is a nonprofit launched by the McClatchy Foundation, “dedicated to keeping public service journalism thriving in California’s Central Valley, despite the collapse of the traditional media industry over the last 15 years.”