The mystery has been solved! After a few rumors started popping up online and in TVSpy’s mailbox about the recent disappearance of KABC meteorologist Dallas Raines, we went straight to the source for answers.

Cheryl Fair, news director for the Los Angeles ABC owned station, told TVSpy Raines has been “off on a long-planned well-deserved special vacation.”  Fair added that Raines would be back on the air tonight.

On Raines’ company facebook page, viewers began posting comments like, “Where are you Dallas ?” and “Where have you been? You’re the best dresser on t.v. You’re an impeccable dresser! You’ve got the best personality of any weatherperson. I miss seeing you. Are you o.k.? I hope all is well with you.”

Newsblues reported Raines last checked in on air at 5:09 p.m. on April 12 and last tweeted on April 8, the subscription news site also said it was “unusual” KABC made no mention of his absence, especially since it happened during the beginning part of May sweeps. (The newsblues link leads to paid subscription site)

John North, longtime political reporter for Los Angeles ABC owned station KABC, has announced he is retiring at the end of this week.

The news came to KABC staffers last week in an email from vice president and news director Cheryl Fair which said in part, “As you know, John has been at the center of our coverage on some of the biggest stories – from his terrific work during the OJ Simpson saga which he covered almost every day for over two years – to being front and center for most of our local and national political coverage.”

Fair went on to call North, “one of those reporters who helped define Eyewitness News.”  She then added, “We and the viewers have appreciated John’s contributions to Eyewitness News through the years and we wish him well in this next chapter of his life.” Read more

With 344,145 Facebook fans and 78,056 Twitter followers, Los Angeles’ KABC is leading all local news stations in social media, according to Lost Remote. Cheryl Fair, vice president and news director of the ABC O&O, talks to the website about the importance of a strong online community:

As a news organization, we see social media as a way for our viewers to talk to us, and not just as a way for us to talk to them. Listening is important. Since starting our Twitter feed in 2008, we have made it a commitment to reply to comments and questions as often as we can. People will frequently Tweet us to let us know about what’s happening near them and to ask us for details. That carried over to our relationship with our viewers on our Facebook page.  Read more

Los Angeles is used to serious traffic congestion, but as the city gears up for “Carmageddon” — a weekend later this month when the 405 Freeway will be shut down in both directions from Friday night to Monday morning — KABC has found a way to let viewers participate in the station’s traffic reports.

The ABC O&O has teamed up with Waze, the creator of a popular traffic app that lets users record traffic conditions using their smartphones. Information recorded using the app will be shared with KABC, who will air real-time traffic reports on road congestion during “Carmageddon.”  Viewers can watch KABC before they leave their homes to plan their driving routes with the latest traffic news, then use the app to get updates while they’re driving.

“What’s really exciting to us is how it enables our viewers to play an active part in easing the traffic congestion,” KABC vice president and news director Cheryl Fair said.

The station eventually hopes to have access to Waze’s “road reporters.” KABC would be able to locate drivers on a map and could communicate with them from the scene — after they’ve pulled over, of course. (The Waze system will not allow the station to communicate with drivers while they drive.)