Top of the Ticker: Thursday’s edition of NBC News’ morning show, Today, appeared to run smoothly, but behind the scenes, an unsettling situation took place as an intruder made his way into the secure production area.
During a break in the show, Andrew Truelove allegedly managed to bypass security at NBC News’ offices at 30 Rockefeller and find his way to the street-level studio where he confronted Today co-anchor Craig Melvin and hurled racial slurs. According to a statement provided to TVNewser by NBC News, Melvin alerted security, and Truelove was detained and taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident.
On Friday, Truelove, according to a complaint filed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, was charged with hate crime burglary, hate crime menacing, hate crime criminal trespass, and harassment. The judge assigned to the case set bail at $10,000.
In the NBC News statement, the network said it takes the safety and security of its employees and guests “extremely seriously” and is reviewing the incident and its security protocols, while remaining committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all who work or visit the studios.
Meanwhile, Melvin, on Friday’s broadcast, addressed the incident, saying they are fully cooperating with the NYPD during the investigation and adding that “we are just happy that everyone is safe.”
New Suit: Two Utah-based nonprofits have filed a lawsuit against Fox News Media and reality star and businessman Kevin O’Leary, alleging defamation after O’Leary, who appeared on the network in May, claimed these organizations were “proxies for the Chinese government.” The nonprofit founders claimed they have suffered reputational, financial, and emotional damage after O’Leary repeated these allegations at least 10 times on Fox News, according to the suit.
In a statement to TVNewser, Fox News Media said it “publicly corrected the record on every program where on-air guest Kevin O’Leary’s comments were made, all of which was extensively publicized. We will vigorously defend against this lawsuit.”
Champagne toast: MS NOW celebrated its 30th anniversary this week, marking the occasion with a soiree featuring current and former executives. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the network will be heading to the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area for its annual fan event, MS NOW Live: Together in Texas. The community event will take place at College Park Center at the University of Texas at Arlington on Saturday, September 26, putting the network, its journalists, newsmakers, and special guests in the home of one of the most hotly contested senate races ahead of the midterm election.
