Westchester Lawmaker Seeks to Create Student Run News Network

We've all heard of CNN. But now, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner is hoping to create a news network of his own. Only it's not a money-making venture or even a news operation as we know it.

Starting on Tuesday Feiner plans to meet with dozens of middle and high school students from throughout Westchester County who have expressed interest in taking part in his program, which he is dubbing SNN, or Student News Network.

The Supervisor envisions the program as a way students can learn about government and journalism and have a hands-on opportunity to become a news anchor, writer, producer,reporter or even a camera person. Said Feiner, "They could do as much or as little and be as creative as they like. It's my hope that some of the students will gain experience and eventually become the next Katie Couric or Matt Lauer."

Feiner  says he's had a tremendous response to the program already, with more than 30 students signing up over the past week.  The program, he says, will be run on cable access television and will be mentored by some top journalists and tv and radio news reporters.

As of now, he says, he received offers of mentoring support from a reporter from the New York Times and a former reporter from NBC TV, among others.