Please take six minutes in the hours or days to come to learn about and remember one of the most remarkable women I've ever met.
My heart for all homicide survivors tonight, especially the warrior mothers. Please take care while watching.
If you see a
@TorontoPolice
officer today, remember there is a human being behind that uniform. A human being with a hurting heart, who may want to scream or cry. Don’t be afraid to have a conversation, to say you are so very sorry for their loss.
It is with a hurting heart (because I love my job) and a heart so full (because I love my family) that I announce my departure (this coming Friday) from CTV.
My heart is west of Toronto today, with the shattered family for whom my condolences I can’t even begin to describe. It is also with the Good Samaritans, the first responders and medical staff who so badly wanted to save those kids and their mom, but couldn’t.
My six-year-old put up his hand to pause story time tonight so he could ask this very important question: “Why is Christmas only one day, but Coronavirus is a bunch?” Preach, bud. Preach.
My heart is with every member of
@TorontoPolice
tonight and every one of their family members, but in particular the family that is hurting most.
My heart also goes out to the loved ones of the other person killed today.
What an awful, awful thing.
I have a book cover!
Huge thanks to designer Zoe Norvell for creating something that clutched my heart immediately, and everyone at the
@ecwpress
team. This will be on shelves in the Spring.
JOURNALISM
IS SO
IMPORTANT.
The continued bloodletting and shuttering of journalism schools across the country should concern anyone with one iota of interest in a democratic society.
My heart is so heavy.
My heart is so sad for the loved ones of those who were killed in Oshawa last night — and the woman who survived but who will no doubt be carrying the horrors of what she witnessed for the rest of her life.
Soooo I just found a stack of these in my desk. Was supposed to give them out to people who asked for them. Nobody did and I wouldn’t have anyway. Except to my family as a joke. Thanks Grandma for framing the one you got.
JOURNALISTS WHO REPORT ON TRAUMA:
I got an email today from a homicide survivor whose son was murdered 4.5 years ago. He was killed outside their home, while she was inside. She was with him right after he was shot. Imagine the layers of trauma. . .
A snapshot of being inside with 3 young kids: I'm watching my 1.5 year old playing with a bucket of beads that is teetering on edge of table. Pre-isolation me: "NOOOOO! GET THAT BUCKET!" Today me: "If he dumps that thing, the cleanup could be a good activity. I will allow this."
@JennValentyne
My first day in television, I wore a dress for the first time in my career, wanting to impress. A woman said she liked my dress. A man said he likes me walking away in the dress. “Careful, we want to keep this one,” the woman said.
Never wore a dress to work again.
Even after a seven-hour sleep, radio hit and 30-minute spin, I still had the energy to shovel (slash snow-blow) before my husband and kids got up for the day. God bless me and all Canadians who like fresh air, exercise, and a clear drive/walkway.
My g-ma died this week. I type this not for sympathy but to share some joy from her big, beautiful, boisterous life. We got to hold her hand and stoke her hair and kiss her forehead. We were so lucky to have had her and to have said goodbye in this way.
My heart is heavy today with news that some of the best radio reporters in the country, those who make
@NEWSTALK1010
newscasts so damn good that I continue to listen to them from the Prairies, are now without jobs.
Gordon Stuckless is dead and that news just stopped me in my tracks. What a profound effect he had on so many. I will be thinking about his victims — his many, many victims — today.
Hey anti-vaxxers: We all have a role to play in keeping the most vulnerable healthy. Do you get it now? Or are you too busy stocking up on toilet paper and water bottles to see the bigger picture?
In more than a decade of crime reporting in this city, I've seen many cases of (non-Muslim) kids making up stories on their ways to/from school. From sex assaults to the more common attempted abduction by man in white panel van.
Drawing a line between the arrest of a young man and his suicide 2 days later — after the officers recognized his illness, took him to hospital, and hospital sent him home — is the most egregious recent example of reckless "journalism" I can recall in mainstream Canadian media.
I don’t recall the last time I felt such jubilation. My heart is so happy right now for the two Michaels and their families. What incredible, incredible news. May they carry their trauma lightly.
First time in 15 years I don’t need to count on my fingers to figure out if I’m losing an hour or gaining an hour of sleep (who am I kidding, I haven’t gained an hour of sleep since before I had kids).
#Saskatchewan
, where the time is what it is, all year long.
My heart for all impacted. I hate hate hate that two more pictures are being shared this way, two more ripples of trauma sent through families, the community, the police and first-responder communities.
RIP Constable Devon Northrup and Constable Morgan Russell.
I can't adequately express how excited, grateful and honoured I am to have found an amazing agent who not only believes in the work I'm doing, but wants to help me share it with the world.
#traumainformed
#journalism
#survivorsupport
Something I learned after arriving
@CTVToronto
was that sometimes, people are actually as great as they seem on TV. (Sometimes they're not, too, but I digress).
@AnwarKnight
is exactly as he seems: PURELY GOOD, and incredibly strong. Guys, he can literally hold the whole world.🤯
Let’s cut the noise about the Amber Alert system for now and find this boy. Shammah Jolayemi, 14, last seen yesterday morning near Jane and Driftwood. Someone knows something. Call
@TPS31Div
or, anonymously,
@1800222TIPS
.
When I first started
@CTVToronto
, one of the first things my (Sasky) parents said was, “THAT's where Tom Brown went!” They were so excited. As were the many masses over the years who were graced with his presence, often on live television. Cont'd 👇
I know my upset pales in comparison to the upset of so many — survivors, Constable Gillespie’s loved ones — but I am so especially angry this time because
@YRP
has worked so damn hard to stop this shit.
I want to scream.
@YRP
, I am so sorry.
As I inch toward four hours on hold with
@CanRevAgency
because of something THEY did, I would like to table a motion for each hour to be tax deductible at a rate of $1,000. Because surely my soul is worth that much.
Since moving to
#Saskatchewan
, little has felt different. Still can’t see my family (much), work has remained the same (virtual) and I listen to
@NEWSTALK1010
on the regular. Well folks, shit just got real.
My heart is aching for this boy tonight. Are you that someone who knows something and doesn’t want to get involved? Now’s the time to get involved. Be anonymous, call
@1800222TIPS
. Police can’t track you. Just get him home. This isn’t his beef.
Tom delighted everyone just by being Tom: Grinning, hugging, indulging, being so larger-than-life that surely it must have been an act, but it wasn't. He's a total wonder and, while not on Twitter, "humbled and moved” to be included in this thread. Also:
Phil also took the time last night, after a no-doubt crappy day, to send me this. A reminder that on the many hard days in the bad-news biz, having team members who can make you smile goes a long way. The guy in the background is cameraguy/truck operator Ricardo Alfonso. 👇
For journalists reporting on Indigenous communities,
@duncanmccue
created an excellent resource for you.
Take the time to work your way through it before knocking on doors.
Be a storyteller, not a story taker.
Thinking about all
#HumboltStrong
families today. For journalists covering the anniversary, please keep in mind that for many trauma survivors, anniversaries are among the toughest of days.
#traumainformed
#journalism
I don't know whether their interviews will be used, but I have this to say:
If you're taking a traumatic story from someone, you sure as hell better find a place for it somewhere. I get that nights are short-staffed. I get that you might be re-directed to another story . . .
Guys, I’m talking about me and my new consulting firm: Pickup Communications. My services are geared toward the investigative community. Check them out at .
A lesson about
#trauma
from a reporter who used to cover a lot of it but has realized of late that she knew very little about it.
(Me, I’m talking about me).
Please indulge me in this thread for some insight I wish I had many years ago.
Toronto has been in lockdown for nearly two months, but shootings remain high. Where we are at and what’s being done in this great analysis from
@wendygillis
.
For journalists considering reaching out to 9/11 survivors to mark the 20-year anniversary this weekend, please remember that for many
#trauma
survivors, anniversaries are among the hardest days and not necessarily the best timing for interview.
#traumainformed
#journalism
Guys: All the kind notes, hugs, tears, chats, smiles, frowns, likes and comments this past week — I can't even. Thank you so much.
Now, what to do with all the stories in my head...and in this box...and in the stack of paper in my basement...
Days like today I wish I was on a dating site so I could say I’m double vaXXXed!
Any by my sister
@SarahPharmacist
at the best pharmacy in
#yqr
where they not only collect clothes for those in need in winter, but have BBQs for them in summer!
My most sincere condolences to Constable Jeff Northrup’s wife and three kids and mother, along with his police family and all whose lives were touched by his. This is a dark day for so, so many. My heart is with you all.
When Phil Fraboni (
@HamCam
) arrived at CTV some years back, us reporters were like, “Who is this guy?” We quickly learned: A gift! Very few are so good at so much: Shooting, editing, lighting, interviewing, and being all around DECENT. Bonus: He’s a Storm Trooper on the side.
Now to another gem. Not only is
@Glynnperkins
a completely capable, consummate professional with a level hand and a level voice when the world is on fire, but he is one of the most decent human beings I have ever worked with. LinkedIn here:
And if anyone can appreciate the unique stresses of working at the motherboard of the
@CTVToronto
newsroom like Glynn, it’s
@IvyMak_
, who is equal parts capable, kind and chic. With Ivy on your team, you will smile and be thankful each and every day. She’s a total rockstar.
While on maternity leave, what could be better than cuddles and conversations with my adorable little people? Nothing. But news that I’ve received a
#CndScreenAwards
Best Local News Reporter nomination comes pretty darn close. Thanks
@TheCdnAcademy
!
#woohoo
#howdidthishappen
I don’t think a day has gone by since hearing the halting news of her death that I haven’t thought about Christie. Oh how wonderful it would have been to have her this last year. Thanks
@sunlorrie
HEY,
JOURNALISTS, NEWSROOM MANAGERS, J-SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND J-SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS!
I've compiled some tips for
#traumainformed
#journalism
.
You can find them here:
I saw the most jarring thing en route to daycare pickup today. A man driving while wearing a suit jacket, button up shirt and tie.
And I have every reason to believe he was wearing suit pants, not sweat pants.
A huge shout out to my journalist colleagues. Not because you’re out there braving the virus rather than being home with your families. Yeah, yeah, there’s that. But because you’ve been reporting on the same story for more than a week! More than a WEEK!
I’m generally not one to read into these sorts of things, but my grandfather, aka The Old Fart, who loved loved loved the
@BlueJays
from the comfort of his Saskatchewan armchair, died last year. This guy has taken up camp in my parents’ backyard. ❤️ Go Jays Go!
Still working hard to change how trauma victims & survivors interact with and are impacted by the media with
@PickupComms
. But now also this 👇. So pumped to join your totally incredible team,
@KPWcomms
! 💃💃💃
Coming up on Newstalk Tonight across the iHeartRadio Talk Network, I welcome my very first in-home-studio guest. He is one of my heroes, an incredible human being who is on the brink of retiring after 45 YEARS in medicine. Oh, and I love him to bits because he’s my dad.
Boy oh boy will we miss hearing
@meyer_lucas
's questions during live news conferences, myself even more so because whenever I listened to him report seriously (and he is an INCREDIBLE journalist), I thought of this...
@isda1979
I remember the very spot, the one I’m standing in now, in my kitchen, and there very moment that I got word of your kids, Jenn. I didn’t yet know their names, or yours, but my heart sank and it sinks still today. I’m sorry your news was different than mine.
My heart hurts so very much right now. Christie was such an incredible human being, among my favourite of all time. She was equal parts fierce, brilliant, kind and compassionate. She was so much of all these things. This loss is immense for journalism, democracy and humanity.
I just HAD to listen to Adele on my drive home from an evening with my former (still getting used to past tense) colleagues. I have taken one step back in my emotional recovery, despite all the big steps taken forward over the last two weeks.
#feelingallthefeels
🎉🎉Bragging News🎉🎉
While unplugged from social media, I was named Sister of Citizen of the Year.
So proud of
@SarahPharmacist
who has received this most deserving recognition for her trailblazing service of some of our most vulnerable.
#proudsister
These r the
#guns
that our
@TPS43Div
officers recovered last nt from the shooting on Danforth 3 youth arrested after a short pursuit Happy to say both victims r going to make it thanks to our officers &
#paramedics
@TorontoPolice
will never stop working 2 keep our community
#Safe
Taking a mostly break from this place and most other things while I write my book but I’m just here to say that after two dreary days, we had a beautiful sunset in
#yqr
tonight and here it is.
#timelapse
#landoflivingskies
Can't for the life of me figure out why, but I've been asked to talk on the radio again. Will be on filling in for
@jamiljivani
on
@iHeartRadio
stations across the country the next three nights. Maybe don't listen tonight or tomorrow. Should have things figured out by Thursday.😬
Thank you
@CarymaRules
for joining us on the radio and for your incredible advocacy in calling out and drowning out the dangerous voices that threaten our health and safety in more ways than one. You rule!
Feeling absolutely gutted as I see the list of CFTO casualties grow. Most viewers likely don’t appreciate how much of the machine runs thanks to incredibly talented (and good, these people are so good) people behind the scenes. Journalism is important. This effing sucks.
As we head into
#MothersDay
weekend, I want to give a shout out to all the moms out there who are hurting because their kids are no longer with them. I’m wishing you whatever happiness you can find on this most unhappy occasion for you.