One of the greatest things about being at a game is the crowd. The crowd provides some of the best parts of the game, and if you are surrounded by a group of like-minded fans the game is all the more enjoyable. For those of you watching last night's Cavaliers-Celtics game, you probably noticed the always loud Boston crowd was especially vocal and united in their opinions. But what if I told you the crowd was taking cues from a fellow Boston fan, 3000 miles away, in Los Angeles?

ESPN columnist Bill Simmons decided to play a social experiment for Game 6. He created a Twitter account called CelticsChants, promoted it in his ESPN.com column, and asked fans attending the game to become followers and start his chants at the game. Not only did it work, it also drew attention from commentators, the media, and rival teams. The most noticeable chant was late in the game. As LeBron James shot free throws, Simmons suggested the chant "New York Knicks", an allusion to James' impending free agency this summer.

Now others are jumping on board. A Laker's fan has started a similar movement, and I am sure it is only a matter of time before every team has a Twitter account. I am curious to see if it catches on, or if it is a passing fad. Either way, I like it. It gives the home crowd something to get behind, and makes the game as a whole more enjoyable.

What about you? Is this a case of technology enhancing the sports experience, or distracting from it?

I'm almost fifty years old and I'm playing catch up. I always figured I'd be way ahead of the game by now. Guess not. It's time to admit that I'm technically challenged.

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It's been over two weeks since an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded. Over two weeks has passed and still oil spews into the ocean at a clip of about 200,000 gallons a day.

As sad as this story already is, chances are things will get worse before they get any better.

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As we settle in with our new moniker and look, we at News 8 are making other changes behind the wizard's curtain that we know you'll like.

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Over the decades we have been on the air in Connecticut, WTNH (and WNHC) have had a number of different logos. For instance this one below is a bumper sticker from the late 1980's when Action News 8 was "Everywhere".

Yeah, we used that slogan way before 'they' did. This one is hanging in the news director's office. Anyway, as we transition to another look, I spent a few minutes hunting around the building and found a few other examples of the good old 8.

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We've received plenty of e-mails and Facebook messages asking us when we're making the switch to our new look. Very soon, folks.

And one part of the rollout you'll see on the streets now. Our news vehicles are getting decked out in the new motif. Here's a look.

Several staffers have been working for weeks on getting everything ready, from the on-air and website graphics to the little things like business cards and office stationary stationery. As for the day when everything changes -- it's coming next week.

I guess it could be. The highest wind ever measured on the face of the earth is an April creation on Mount Washington. We have had April snows, and back in 1976 we were in the midst of a blistering heat wave which brought 100-degree readings to the region. So, I guess anything goes, although this April has been extra special. We have had rain on only 3 days, we are going at a record warm pace for the month. Of course, pollen has been something else...the warmth has brought out the blossoms, at the same time. So we are receiving an extra dose of spring, tree pollens. And the dryness combined with some gusty winds has raised the brush fire potential. But if you like your weather peaceful and quiet, this month has been for you. Can it go on?

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Each year, the Boston/New England chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences conducts its annual EMMY awards competition. While there is a national EMMY competition for the big networks--there is also our regional version, which is a pretty big honor for those of us who work in television across New England.

Some of these awards are for the people you see on the screen, many are for the people who work behind the scenes to produce the programs and the various elements that go into them. For many years, stations paid for the entries to be submitted in an effort to garner as many awards in the station's name as possible. No knock on the Academy intended, but it isn't an inexpensive proposition.

So, like many things in our ever belt-tightening world, we've cut back on extra things like awards submissions this year, and left it to individuals to deem their work worthy enough to submit for consideration.

We are exceptionally proud of our colleagues and their nominations for these prestigious honors, as the best in television for 2009.

News Specialty Report-Business/Consumer
"Legacy lost: The Plight of the Lobstermen"
Adam Francis, Editor
James Muro, Reporter
[Watch the story here]

News Specialty Report-Sports News
"Fast Track Dreams: From Go-Carts to Glory"
Adam Francis, Editor
James Muro, Reporter

Sports Feature/Segment
"Stags Country: Greg Chase"
Noah Finz, Reporter
Casey Timmeny, Photographer/Editor
[Watch the story here]

Editor, News-No Time Limit
"Composite"
Adam Francis, Editor

Magazine Program/Special
"Connecticut Style: Food, Fashion, Fitness & Fun"

On-Camera Talent Program-Host/Moderator
Sonia Baghdady, Co-host "Connecticut Style"
Desiree Fontaine, Co-host "Connecticut Style"

On Camera Talent Reporter-General Assignment
James Muro, Reporter

Writer, News
James Muro, Writer/Reporter

The EMMY awards will be presented on Saturday, May 22nd and needless to say, we will have our fingers crossed for all of our nominees.

(EMMY is a registered trademark of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences)