Is KVBC-TV boss pursuing Knapp?

Amid another round of deep cutbacks at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, there's growing speculation that new boss Bob Stoldal might be pursuing investigative reporter George Knapp of rival KLAS-TV, Channel 8.

Stoldal and Knapp were a formidable news team at KLAS, where Stoldal was in charge until his retirement last year.

Asked to respond, Knapp e-mailed the following comment Friday: "Ever since Bob Stoldal was hired at KVBC, people in the news business have been asking me if I am being recruited to move across town to work for him.

"We've been close friends for the last 28 years. The speculation is fueled in part by the fact that my contract with KLAS expires at the end of next month. KLAS has asked me to sign a new deal and we are discussing the terms. I've had other offers as well, and that's about all I can say."

KVBC general manager Lisa Howfield confirmed in a telephone interview that nine newsroom staffers, including six photographers, are part of the latest economy-related reductions.

In one of the biggest developments in the TV community in many years, Stoldal, 66, unretired last month to become executive vice president of news at KVBC, an NBC affiliate long operated by Jim Rogers.

REMEMBERING TED KENNEDY

Las Vegan Gene Kilroy will attend the funeral of Edward "Ted" Kennedy in Boston and burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Kilroy, a Luxor executive and longtime Muhammad Ali associate, has been friends with the Kennedys since the late 1960s, when he organized a group of high-profile athletes who backed Bobby Kennedy and joined him on the 1968 presidential campaign trail.

Kilroy's group of stars included Los Angeles Rams lineman Rosey Grier and Philadelphia halfback Tim Brown and Olympians Rafer Johnson and Don Bragg.

On a personal note, I called an old newspaper colleague this week to reminisce about one of the most famous photos in Montana history.

George Larson's photo is showing up on news pages again, 49 years after he captured Ted Kennedy impressing a skeptical crowd.

Kennedy was in eastern Montana during the 1960 presidential election, campaigning for his brother John F. Kennedy.

Since he was in town during the annual fair and rodeo, some local Democratic party leaders arranged for a meeting with Bob Scanlan, the editor of the Miles City Star.

Scanlan, a Republican, proposed that JFK's little brother ride a bucking horse during the rodeo.

Kennedy hesitated, but agreed as long as the photo would be sent to the wire services. That's where Larson, the Star's staff photographer, entered the picture.

After Kennedy got quick-fitted with cowboy garb and boots, the city slicker headed for the rodeo and a date with a bronc named Sky Rocket.

Larson got the shot and recalls Kennedy "doing a real good job. Most people were betting he would last a second or two."

Time magazine paid Larson $500 for the photo and Associated Press sent it around the world.

Teddy's gutsy ride didn't change the outcome of the election in Montana. Richard Nixon won Montana, but only by 6,900 votes in a state that's been red since Sitting Bull started wearing warpaint.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer this week recalled having had dinner with Kennedy and others at the senator's Georgetown home in Washington, D.C. Kennedy recounted the story and then fetched Larson's framed photo to prove it.

A postscript: Three years later Scanlan gave a small-town kid a shot at sportwriting and Larson, now 72, gave me my first lesson with a camera, a big-time Hasselblad he bought with the Time paycheck.

On Nov. 22, 1963, I was working at the Star the day JFK was assassinated.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The "American Superstars" show at the Stratosphere will perform a special Michael Jackson tribute tonight (6:30 and 8:30) on what would have been his 51st birthday. Featured performers will include Jackson tribute artist Frederick Henry and the Desert Angels Gospel Choir.

SIGHTINGS

Sylvester Stallone, being interviewed by British TV personality Piers Morgan at a roulette table at Planet Hollywood Resort. On Thursday, Morgan of "America's Got Talent," interviewed Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman for his show "Piers Morgan On..." which will feature Las Vegas when it airs in January. Goodman asked to be called "Lord Mayor" since the show will air for a British audience. ...

THE PUNCH LINE

"The health care debate between Republicans and Democrats isn't slowing down. These town-hall meetings ... it's like the whole country is turning into an episode of 'Jerry Springer.'" -- Jimmy Kimmel.

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.