Channel 55: 2 new news shows

Monday morning, something new -- dramatically new -- at the little station based in Melville and long known simply as "Channel 55": A two-hour morning show at 7 and an hourlong evening newscast at 9.

Suffice it to say, this much news is a huge departure for a station -- purchased by CBS earlier this year for $55 million -- long dependent on reruns and game shows. And while based in the heart of Long Island, both shows -- "WLNY News at 9," anchored by Chris Wragge and Dana Tyler, and "Live From the Couch," anchored by Carolina Bermudez, John Elliott and Lisa Kerney -- will originate from Ch. 2 studios in Manhattan.

We spoke with David Friend, WCBS/2 news director (and Woodmere resident) about the newcomers.

This newscast will not just be geared toward Long Island news but will be a representative newscast for everyone in the tristate area. But will there be more [Long Island news]? Absolutely. With Richard and our two veteran correspondents , we'll have the largest [broadcast] TV presence on Long Island.

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Its our opportunity to rewrite the local news landscape by launching a 9 p.m. news [hour] when there's an available audience. Our research shows that if you're not home by 6 p.m., your next available [sindow] to watch is 9.

Richard Rose will be doing live reports from the Melville studio, which will function as a significant bureau. Richard has the ability to focus hyperlocally on Nassau and Suffolk [plus]; he'll deliver his reports from the Melville studio that may not necessarily require a one- or two-minute report -- he'll give a smorgasbord of little stories instead.

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We want an ensemble morning broadcast , and it'll take a little time for the team to jell; we want to give them just a little breathing space. . . . How much L.I. news on this? When warranted, we'll definitely be able to call upon our Long Island resources, but still, only when warranted.

Meet Ch. 55's new local reporters

* New L.I. bureau chief

* Joined WLNY/55 in 1996

* Anchor and host of Sunday morning public affairs series

* Formerly anchor and reporter with stations in Jacksonville, Fla.; Portland, Me.; Colorado Springs; and Scottsbluff, Neb.

* Lives in Garden City with her husband and three children

* Returned to WCBS/2 in 1993 after working for Chicago's WBBW and "Nightly News"

* Began her career in Boston radio

* Covered the LIRR shooting, the crash of TWA flight 800, the Belle Harbor crash of flight 587 and the DWI limo murder trial.

* Joined WCBS/2 as a Long Island reporter last year

* Was with WNBC/4 for 15 years and co-anchored "Weekend Today in New York"

* Covered L.I. at News 12, where her stories included the Tankleff murders and Amy Fisher-Joey Buttafuoco

* Cancer survivor

* Has contributed to numerous papers, including Newsday

* Lives in Nassau County with her husband and two children.