Well, I do know two local TV broadcasters who claim they have NOT been contacted by KARE11 about the vacancy created by the departure of anchor Mike Pomeranz.
Neither retired WCCO-TV anchor legend Don Shelby nor current Fox 9 anchor Jeff Passolt says he's heard from KARE11. Both names have been circulating in broadcasting speculation by those who just cannot imagine KARE11 elevating yet another sports guy, this time Randy Shaver, to news anchor.
Passolt's contract is up this year.
The Passolt-has-gotten-a-call-from-KARE chatter has gotten so loud that I've started to joke with sources that Jeff might possibly be behind the talk.
With a pause Tuesday, Passolt said, "No I haven't" when asked if he had received a call from KARE11. Asked how this rumored phone call had become such hot conversation, Passolt said, "I don't know." Passolt sounds optimistic, if cautiously so, about renewing his Fox 9 contract. "We're chatting here," he said, adding, "You know what? Until the name's on the [document], you never know."
Being at KARE11 would mean Passolt would get to see his brother photographer Matt Passolt at the office as well as at family gatherings. "They already have the important one," said Jeff.
Some media watchers think KARE11 could pull a slick end-around, for at least a couple of years, by hiring Shelby, the closest person to a Twin Cities version of Edward R. Murrow.
Shelby's already known in the market, so he has high name recognition after 32 years at WCCO.