I now watch the news with what I call the 1/2 minute test.

If within the first 30 seconds of news, if they don't launch into something really newsworthy - then I can assume it is just a regular newsday and it will be mostly garbage and plugs for that networks other shows.

Car chases seem to be big here in California and if there is one - they will stay on top of that for hours - cancelling all of the other programing.