Legislature honors local broadcasting great 'Luther'

NASHVILLE -- The General Assembly on Thursday honored Chattanooga broadcasting legend Luther Masingill.

Mr. Masingill, best known simply as "Luther," has a career that spans nearly 70 years in radio and 56 years in television and includes announcing locally Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Senate Bill 2643 renames a section of Broad Street "Luther Masingill Parkway" in what the bill describes as "a lasting tribute to an excellent broadcaster and public servant and even more accomplished human being."

The section includes the 3300 block of WDEF radio and television studios, where Mr. Masingill continues to work.

Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, chairman of the Hamilton County legislative delegation, told senators that the bill was an "important opportunity to pay tribute to one of, if not the most, esteemed citizens in the county."

He described Mr. Masingill as a local "icon" but also a "humble man who shuns the spotlight of personal recognition."

The measure passed on a 31-0 vote.

Rep. Tommie Brown, D-Chattanooga, whose district includes the designated area of Broad Street, later stood in the well of the House chamber with other Hamilton County lawmakers as the legislation was read and approved on a 92-0 vote.

A minor amendment on the bill requires it to go back to the Senate for concurrence.

"If Luther didn't say it happened, it didn't happen," Rep. Brown said.

She noted that Mr. Masingill's reports on weather, school and road closings as well as lost pets long ago made him an integral part of the Chattanooga area.

In 2007, the Times Free Press described how a local soldier, soon to be deployed to Iraq, needed someone to care for his dog. Capt. Bill Spurlock turned to Mr. Masingill and his drivetime morning radio show.

"I knew that people find their dogs, people find their wallets on Luther's show," he said.

A couple quickly volunteered to take the pet.

In other legislative action Thursday:

The House voted 88-4 to boost the minimum time armed robbers serve in prison from about 2 1/2 years to nearly six years.

The bill, sponsored by House Minority Leader Gary Odom, D-Nashville, requires people convicted of aggravated robbery with a weapon to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences. The current minimum is 30 percent.

In a time of depressed state revenues, Rep. Odom's House Bill 2813 pays for the stiffer punishments by reducing jail time for 19 nonviolent crimes, including passing worthless checks and shoplifting.

But the bill stalled Monday when Rep. Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, objected to changing the sentences for the nonviolent crimes and tried to remove several from the bill.

Rep. Odom accused Rep. Hill of political grandstanding and charged that his amendment would kill the legislation because of its additional cost.

"I work hard every single day for the people of Washington County and when my motives are questioned, the people of Washington County are questioned because I am their representative," Rep. Hill said.

He then withdrew his amendment. The bill is scheduled to be heard next week in the Senate Finance Committee.

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Article: Lawmakers honor local broadcasting legend Luther Masingill

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