I agree with this. Everyone knows it isn't live, but they want to watch a recording of the livestream as it happened because that's what's the most exciting. It's the same reason why so many people watch Steve Jobs' live keynotes after the fact even though they could just watch the video advertisements or look at the Apple store for the products at that point.
No, I'm talking about the local newscasters. I'm in Chicago, these were newscasters people here in the city.
I think it's fair to assume that a Chicago news caster is speaking primarily to an American audience. Specifically, a Chicago audience. So even in that context they weren't being misleading. Relax a bit.
Just like everyone on the East Coast forgets the West Coast exists when it comes times for New Years Eve.