Three months after breaking the story that coal lobbyists forged letters to Rep. Tom Perriello, Brian McNeill headed up to Washington D.C. to cover a congressional hearing investigating the scandal. He was sent up to cover the story for the Daily Progress; Media General sent him up, rather than using somebody from the media conglomerate’s D.C. bureau. It’s a small thing, sending a correspondent two and a half hours north, but by sending the guy familiar with the story, they’re going to get better coverage. That’s good for the Progress, and that’s good for Media General affiliates around the country who are also following the story.
Unusual for Media General to do anything smart. Since most of the Media General Affiliates are on forced furlough and sitting at home cooling their heels, maybe the move wasn’t so much smart as he’s the only one working right now.