For Joe: I don't know if Nike tried unsuccessfully in the past to get the rights it secured this time around to outfit American athletes on the podium. I do know Nike has been part of the Olympics for a while.. but this is definitely a higher-profile avenue (retail sales of Nike stuff with the Olympic rings on it that you and I can buy).

You also asked about reporters who use ethnic sounding last names that are fake and are not maiden names, etc... Yes, I have heard of this and know a few people first-hand who do it. None of them work at KGW but I do know it happens. As to why: well, you'd have to ask them why they did it and I wonder if they would deny having a fake last name if you asked.

PS. Your possibly politically-charged/controversial story idea is really interesting, but I don't know how we'd verify something like that, you know??

For Mark: Here are a few links I found that I hope are helpful..

http://familydoctor.org/590.xml

http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0013/default.asp

http://kidshealth.org/teen/

This is short and "to the point":

http://www.extension.umn.edu/info-u/families/BE904.html

I really do hope they help you and anyone else!!

And Ryan: Yes, my hair.. everyone seems to have an opinion (which often conflict proving that even if I wanted to I couldn't make everyone happy). Some people are nice and love it, others rude. I probably have the world's thickest skin though so even the nastiest emails give me a laugh. It's quite long right now which is why I pin it back. Short was fun for a while, as was platinum blonde, and who knows.. I may decide on some happy medium at some point. But, I'm pretty fickle when it comes to hairstyles so I suppose the only constant thing with me is change. I just figure as long as you can see my eyes when I'm talking to you and it's not hot pink or super distracting, then it's really not important how it looks.

One of my favorite hair comments just came, actually, over Christmas. I got what I first thought was the nicest card from a viewer who I have never met. Ina writes (and I'm quoting because I HAD to keep it): Dear Stephanie, I have really enjoyed your progress with channel 8. Your reporting is great. You are a most attractive woman. But your present hair style is not for you. You look like an "old lady." Please, there is a right style for you that is more flattering. Lovingly, Ina.

Well, hey.. at least she feels comforatable telling me how she feels!!

Come on, tell me how much you love/hate/could care less about my hair/face/wardrobe choice: sstricklen@kgw.com :-)