Author Archives: Bernard McCoy

About Bernard McCoy

My views are my own and not a reflection of my employer. I'm a professor of Journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I've also been a working journalist for the past 29 years. I have covered news stories in war zones, reported on human and natural disasters, presidential conventions, a presidential inauguration and the September 11th, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. My career experiences include work as an award-winning documentary producer, television news reporter, photographer, producer, and anchor. I worked at WIBW-TV, Topeka, KS., KCTV, Kansas City, MO, WKBD-TV, Detroit, MI., WILX-TV, Lansing, MI. and WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH. I have also worked as a contributing reporter for The Columbus Dispatch, Associated Press, CBS, CNN, the Ohio News Network and lecture at the Kosovo Institute of Journalism and Communications. I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in telecommunications management from Michigan State University.

Coronavirus: What history tells us about “flattening the curve”

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Bernard McCoy

Influenza struck the United States in spring 1918. By summer it seemed the outbreak was over, but a second wave of cases occurred in September. Two cities’ responses to the return of disease shed light on why today’s efforts to “flatten the curve” are so important. Continue reading →

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Coronavirus and Las Vegas casinos: It’s a health gamble

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Bernard McCoy

My wife and I have enjoyed many visits to gamble in Las Vegas casinos. As the coronavirus pandemic threatens public health across the U.S. and world, I ask: How safe is it to gamble in casinos? Come on Vegas. You’ve … Continue reading →

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66 years ago Bevo Francis scored 113 points in a college basketball game

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Bernard McCoy

66-years ago today. One of college basketball’s greatest games featured a scoring wizard named Bevo Francis. He played for the Rio Grande Redmen at little Rio Grande College in Ohio’s Appalachian hill country. Francis scored 113 points in a 40-minute … Continue reading →

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Television icon Don Meier dies

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Bernard McCoy

Donald Meier, creator, producer and director of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, one of America’s most iconic television programs, has died. A Meier family member said he died peacefully of natural causes last Saturday in his Winnetka, Illinois home. Meier … Continue reading →

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And No Bird Sang: World War I

Posted on September 8, 2018 by Bernard McCoy

Author’s note: This story is just one from a series that look at World War I and WWI General John J. Pershing. Click here to see more of the series.- Bernard R. McCoy) After the war’s end in 1918, an … Continue reading →

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Trump’s trade war with China could hurt Nebraska’s economy

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Bernard McCoy

The trade war between the United State and China has officially launched as both countries have imposed tit-for-tat tariffs. A prolonged trade war could have major economic consequences for Nebraska. In response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on … Continue reading →

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Behind-the-scenes star of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom dies

Posted on July 2, 2018 by Bernard McCoy

(Editor’s note: Don and Lorena Meier have been long-time scholarship donors and friends of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. See below for Lorena Meier’s obituary) From 1963 to 1987, “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild … Continue reading →

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Black Jack Pershing: Love and War

Posted on December 2, 2017 by Bernard McCoy

My latest documentary project “Black Jack Pershing: Love and War” is in distribution. Here’s the documentary’s trailer. For more information on the documentary go to JJPershing.com His name was John “Black Jack” Pershing and his roots ran deep in 20th century … Continue reading →

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Insect Labor Day

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Bernard McCoy

What natural beauty lies and flies under our noses this Labor Day weekend in my Lincoln, Nebraska yard. The insect world is busy gathering nourishment for the cooler fall and winter temperatures that will begin arriving in the months ahead. … Continue reading →

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A relection – 15 years ago : “From one who was there. In memory of 9/11.” 

Posted on September 11, 2016 by Bernard McCoy
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