By Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist Published Jun 09, 2014 at 3:02 PM

All this past week, Bishara Dorre was representing Wisconsin in the Miss USA competition. Live on NBC – locally on WTMJ-TV Ch. 4 – she was selected among the Top 10 finalists last night.

If you think you’ve seen Dorre before, you’ve probably have. She is one of the Fox Sports Wisconsin girls, was a member of the Energee dance team with the Milwaukee Bucks, filled in covering traffic on WTMJ’s morning news, and is the in-arena host for Bucks home games.

"Just finished competing in the Miss USA preliminary competition," Dorre posted on Thursday on the Fox Sports Wisconsin Girls Facebook page. "I am so proud to represent Wisconsin!"

Dorre was featured in the swimsuit and evening gown sections of the broadcast, and appeared in footage taken over the week in Louisiana, the home for this year’s event. She wasn’t selected to the final round on Sunday night, which consisted of the Top 5 as selected by the judges, and a sixth competitor who advanced through a live vote on Twitter.

When I interviewed Dorre last year when she took on the new role with Fox Sports Wisconsin, she said she loved meeting people through all of the activities she is involved with.

"My schedule is pretty busy with appearances with Fox Sports Wisconsin and as Miss Wisconsin USA," Dorre said.

"The fan base is interactive, and we stay connected through social media. And we get to interact with them face-to-face at sporting events."

The rapport she is able to build at the Bucks games truly showcases Dorre’s personality. During the live broadcast last night, that personality shone through as well.

In the end, Miss Nevada, Nia Sanchez, was crowned the winner, and first runner-up was Miss North Dakota, Audra Mari.

NATIONAL HONORS: Milwaukee’s own "Black Nouveau" received four nominations in the National Association for Black Journalists’ 2014 Salute To Excellence Awards. In its 22nd season, "Black Nouveau" on MPTV Ch. 10 is one of the nation’s longest running local weekly series. The program looks at issues, culture, history and challenges affecting African Americans.

"Few other television programs across the country can match the longstanding commitment  ‘Black Nouveau’ has to covering topics of significance to and interest in the African American community," said Ellis Bromberg, general manager of Milwaukee Public Television. 

"We are delighted that the NABJ has recognized our work and insight in these areas."

The nominations include:

  • "Black Nouveau: Hannah White," Liddie Collins, Producer, Features (Long Form)
  • "For Jobs and Freedom: A Black Nouveau Special," Everett Marshburn and Joanne Williams, Producers, Documentary
  • "Soldiers’ Stories: A Black NouveauSpecial," Everett Marshburn, Liddie Collins, Joanne Williams and Darryl Fortune, Producers, Public Affairs Program
  • "Pullman Porters: A Black Nouveau Special, Joanne Williams, Producer, Public Affairs Segment

The Salute to Excellence Awards honors work from print, television, radio, online, photojournalism and public relations. Winners will be announced at the NABJ's 39th Annual Convention and Career Fair in Boston on Aug. 2.

NEW APP: Last week, Disney launched Disney Movies Anywhere, a free app that streams and has Disney, Pixar and Marvel films available for download. With the launch, the company is offering a summer promotion to draw attention to the new digital platform.

"With Pixar Summer Movies To Go, a different fan favorite film will be available each week and you can unlock exclusive bonus content like special filmmaker introductions, film trivia and more Pixar surprises," Disney reported in a release. "Additionally, in the Discover section of the Disney Movies Anywhere app you'll find Countdown to Pixar's Ultimate Movie-Making Secrets."

For a limited time, when the Disney Movies Anywhere app is downloaded and linked to iTunes, the Pixar film "The Incredibles" will be available for free.

More information on the app is available online.

Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist

Media is bombarding us everywhere.

Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.

The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.