By Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist Published Aug 28, 2012 at 4:33 PM

As Hurricane Isaac heads toward the Gulf Coast states, area media from all four TV news outlets in southeastern Wisconsin are in Florida.

They are not there to cover rain and crashing waves; rather, the wind and hot air in Tampa that is part of the GOP national convention. I'm equal opportunity here – many of those same news teams will experience the hot air and wind in Charlotte, N.C., for the Democratic national convention next week.

Morning anchor Tom Durian of WDJT-TV CBS 58 sent over a photo via Facebook on Monday morning of the palm trees swaying in the storm winds. Mike Lowe of WITI-TV Fox 6 filed a report interviewing U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and catching up with the delegates from Wisconsin.

WTMJ-TV Ch. 4's Charles Benson has been providing coverage for TV and radio on WTMJ-AM 620, along with this photo gallery, and WISN-TV Ch. 12 anchor Craig McKee has been taking a few photos, as well, sending them out on Twitter and Facebook.

This has been a huge political year in Wisconsin, and the TV stations – which profited greatly from political spending through general and recall elections – are right to keep covering these stories. It will prove worthwhile in the ratings for having the expense of sending a crew and purchasing satellite time to cover the presidential election on a national scale with local reports.

Wisconsin will be on the national stage, with V.P. candidate Paul Ryan, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and Tuesday's convention speaker Gov. Scott Walker all hailing from the Dairyland.

"With the critical role Wisconsin is playing in this upcoming election, it's important to bring our viewers unique perspective from both these conventions," Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN-TV said in a statement.

"Craig and Kent (Wainscott) are veteran reporters who consistently provide relevant coverage of the issues that matter to the viewers of southeastern Wisconsin. By having them on location, WISN 12 News can dissect every angle to help voters make an informed decision come November. This team coverage is part of our promise to lead the way with important local coverage."

MEDICAL LEAVE: "Good Morning America" host Robin Roberts will start her extended medical leave next week to undergo a bone marrow transplant. Roberts is being treated for MDS, or myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow.

The team at ABC News is covering the events as they unfold in Robert's fight against MDS and is encouraging people to show their support by signing up to be a donor. You can find more information here.

FORBES LIST: Oprah Winfrey, who walked away from hosting her syndicated talk show to run the OWN cable outlet, is again at the top of the list of highest-paid celebrities. OWN, which is reportedly losing money, continues to falter, however the media icon still has some cash cow enterprises with Harpo Productions. Some of the funds that led her to the top of the list came from reruns of her show, as well as "The Dr. Oz Show," "Dr. Phil" and "Rachel Ray."

"Transformers" producer Michael Bay was second on the list and Steven Spielberg was third.

See the full list on Forbes.com.

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.