When I started writing the Daily Brief in January of 2007, I had so many news sources I could really create a compelling and useful summary of news about Santa Clarita.

Back then, we could count on the Signal and the Daily News, and sometimes even the Los Angeles Times, to write honest-to-goodness news articles about Santa Clarita if not on a daily basis, then at least a weekly basis. In fact, the Daily News’ Santa Clarita bureau consistently pumped out three or four high-quality, well-written news stories every day, and its coverage of the SCV was second only to The Signal.

That was useful for a number of reasons. Primary among them was the fact that we as readers and consumers of news could compare articles on the same subject. While the Signal could be counted on to give a pretty good summary of a given news story, the Daily News could always be relied on to bring somewhat of an outsider’s perspective to the news.

Sadly, those days are long gone. The Daily News closed its SCV branch a year ago, and its one SCV reporter writes maybe two stories a month.

Other news sources stepped into the void but the quality just isn’t the same, and therefore, they don’t make the Daily Brief cut.

It’s ironic and tragic that media coverage of our city declines even as our population increases and our news stories become more complex and difficult to understand, but them’s the breaks.

So I’m left to ponder the state of the Daily Brief as it exists now. To be honest, I do little more than rehash the Signal, which, if you read this website, you probably already read. What’s the point of summarizing a single news source when you already know where to get it?

Therefore, I’m considering dropping the Daily Brief and instead writing longer and more focused articles on various topics using the sources we’ve become familiar with. On the plus side, this might give you a more comprehensive view of important news topics.

What do you think? Vote in the poll below.

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Over the last two weeks, I’ve received many angry emails and comments posted on this website about the “Awaiting Moderation” message commenters receive when they attempt to submit a post on this site. I’ve changed the way comments are managed, click read more to find out why.

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It felt as if it never would come. But right as rain (do people still use that phrase?), it’s finally here: Jeff’s 2008 Vacation.

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My quest to bring more (and better!) media coverage to and about the Santa Clarita Valley will get a significant boost in the months ahead as I’ve been invited to become a contributing writer to the popular Los Angeles blog, LAist.com. Read the rest of this entry »

I didn’t want to have to do this, but my hand has been forced, so prepare for some changes here on SCVTalk.com.

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Are the various campaigns for city council abusing a free and non-partisan blog site to slam rival candidates? I can’t say for sure, but I have my suspicions. A word of caution and advice ahead for SCVTalk.com readers. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you an SCVTalk fan and a graphic artist? Or do you know someone locally who is? If so, I could use your help.

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Surprised at our new look? So am I frankly. It was a long time in coming. Step inside and read more about this big change.

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