Back in the 70s and 80s, WTLV had a helicopter they used for traffic reports, and I think WJXT either had or rented one, too. Then one day, it crashed next to I-10/I-95 during a live report during the morning news, it crashed, killing at least one of the crew (which was pilot, photographer, reporter). Since then, there hasn't been much aerial presence for the local TV stations.
But you are right, after all of them are HD, that will likely be the next phase of news-tech wars.