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Reporter Allegedly Fired After Anthrax Joke

Man Named Best Investigative Reporter in 1989, 1990

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A veteran television news reporter in Des Moines was fired after he sprinkled face powder around the newsroom, calling it anthrax, the reporter's attorney says.

Lawyer George LaMarca has confirmed that Steve Oswalt, a 15-year veteran at KCCI-TV, sprinkled the powder in front of a group of co-workers on Monday.

The station's news director, Dave Busiek, says that the 48-year-old Oswalt, who anchored the Channel 8 news on weekends, is no longer an employee as of Friday.

Busiek would not discuss further details about Oswalt, saying it was a personnel issue. Oswalt referred all questions to his attorney.

LaMarca says the incident was clearly done in a joking manner, in front of managers who knew it contained no threat.

KCCI hired Oswalt about 15 years ago. He was named best investigative reporter by the Radio and Television News Directors Association in 1989 and 1990.

Station employees say Oswalt was escorted from the station on Wednesday. They said station managers told them not to discuss the issue.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2001

Answers

I think they should have just given him a one-week suspension. Sounds like he just snapped.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2001

Sounds as if this was just the excuse they needed. Granted, it was in poor taste but it sounds like a bit of overreaction to me. Of course, I don't physically work at my station; I might feel differently if I did.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2001

I'm sure that turd didn't grow up in Iowa.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2001

I love the fact that you had to get this from an Oklahoma link. The Des Moines Register online hasn't had anything about it.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2001