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Health update, and some local TV news notes


Rebecca Miller, David Duitch and John Hammarley

By ED BARK
As noted a few days ago, a rather sudden health setback has knocked unclebarky.com and your namesake content provider out of commission since last weekend.

That's still the ongoing reality. But a check of emails Wednesday morning provided an opening to update two previously reported and much commented-on local TV news stories reported at length in earlier postings. I think I can manage that much.

Otherwise I'll have a "procedure" Thursday that may determine what's going on health-wise. My wife, Madeline, has been a rock through all of this. I can't tell you how lucky I am in that regard. Your kind wishes, expressed on this page and in emails, also are greatly appreciated. Depending on developments, this site will be fully operative fairly soon. And yes, the Oct. 4th Uncle Barky Show with Mark Cuban is still on.

Now for those updates, presented without further adornment:

***Former NBC5 early morning meteorologist Rebecca Miller, whose six-month "non-compete" clause ended early this month, will be back in front of a weather map on "The 33's" Thursday and Friday (Sept. 25-26) 9 p.m. newscasts.

KDAF-TV (Ch. 33) news director David Duitch said in an interview Wednesday that she is not auditioning or "trying out" for a full- or part-time position.

Miller merely is filling in for vacationing incumbent Bob Goosmann, said Duitch, who has been news director since late July. "I don't have any openings," he emphasized.

Newsroom employees at The 33 were informed of Miller's status on Tuesday, Duitch said.

Obviously, a weathercaster vacancy could develop somewhere down the road at "The 33." But in the here and now, Duitch is unequivocally on the record as saying that Miller is a high-profile substitute and nothing more.

***Former Fox4 medical correspondent John Hammarley, suspended in June and then dropped by the station in August, has landed a new position with a prominent organization that's often in the news.

Hammarley confirmed Wednesday that he is the new senior media advisor/news bureau chief for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Established in 1982, the Dallas-based "grass roots network" long has been nationally recognized for its efforts to prevent and combat breast cancer.

"It's a great organization with a phenomenal purpose, and I'm happy to be part of it," Hammarley said in an email Wednesday.

Fox4 and Hammarley have declined to comment in any way on the reasons behind their separation.