A brigade of New Orlean citizens, mostly black, camp out along the side of an interstate which cuts through the heart of the city. The citizens wait for buses to take them from their previous shelter at the Superdome to new shelters in Dallas and Houston.
Where a busy highway once existed now serves as a waiting area with hundreds of people but few cars in sight.
A tight crowd of evacees at the Superdome eagerly wait for buses to transport them out of New Orleans. People in the crowd display a mix of emotions from anger to disbelief as the thousands of citizens cram into lines.
Jeremiah Ward's sandals are anything but typical. Beneath each of his feet are two cardboard packages wrapped together by a rubber band. The cardboard packages ironically say, "keep moving"- something that many citizens have had to do in order to survive Hurricane Katrina.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Politics Story Proposals
Referendum 71
To localize this story I would talk to local groups that support and disapprove the referendum. Possible ideas would be to talk to a spokesperson from the Gender Identity/ Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center or other politic groups that support or oppose the referendum. I can also get input from random students. Furthermore I would ask questions how the referendum would directly impact WSU if it would at all. To get further detail in the story I could contact a lobbyist who may have a direct impact with the referendum. I would also need to provide background on the referendum such as what it would do if passed and how it became a referendum.
I-1033
There are several possible angles I could take on covering this controversial issue. I think the most affective angle that pertains to WSU would be how it could affect higher education if passed. According to a Seattle Times article published yesterday, the inititive if passed could mean deep cuts for higher education across the state. With massive budget cuts already in place it would be interesting to find opinions on those who support and oppose this initiative. I would interview sources within the WSU administrative and lobbyists in Olympia (possibly the ASWSU lobbyist for WSU). I could also get student input and input from professors.
To localize this story I would talk to local groups that support and disapprove the referendum. Possible ideas would be to talk to a spokesperson from the Gender Identity/ Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center or other politic groups that support or oppose the referendum. I can also get input from random students. Furthermore I would ask questions how the referendum would directly impact WSU if it would at all. To get further detail in the story I could contact a lobbyist who may have a direct impact with the referendum. I would also need to provide background on the referendum such as what it would do if passed and how it became a referendum.
I-1033
There are several possible angles I could take on covering this controversial issue. I think the most affective angle that pertains to WSU would be how it could affect higher education if passed. According to a Seattle Times article published yesterday, the inititive if passed could mean deep cuts for higher education across the state. With massive budget cuts already in place it would be interesting to find opinions on those who support and oppose this initiative. I would interview sources within the WSU administrative and lobbyists in Olympia (possibly the ASWSU lobbyist for WSU). I could also get student input and input from professors.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Justice Story
During two hot summer nights in mid-August a series of assault allegations shook the WSU campus and raised serious concerns about public safety and accountability.
The three allegations from two freshman women turned out to be false.
“If you look at what happened when they did this you saw a sense of alarm and a sense of uneasiness around campus,” WSU Police Lt. Steve Hansen said.
The first alleged assault was reported on Aug. 19 and was followed by a second and third report on Aug. 24.
The freshman woman who reported the first and third assaults later recanted both accusations after police found inconsistencies in her statements.
The second report made by another freshman woman also had inconsistencies and was proven fictitious. There is no link between the two freshman women, Hansen said.
“We treated all three incidences as if they were valid until we proved they were wrong,” Hansen said.
The two freshman woman could face a gross misdemeanor for filing a false report which carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $10,000 fine, Hansen said.
Although WSU Police are unsure if they will file criminal charges, Hansen said they have a year and a day after the accusations took place to file a claim.
“These women should be punished to the fullest extent,” freshman general studies major Zach McKiernan. “Because of these false claims, women are now afraid when they see me or any guy when I’m walking home at night.”
The false assault claims led several students to ask questions about public safety, said freshman kinesiology major Allie Guy.
“Just because the assaults were fake doesn’t mean something like that couldn’t happen,” she said. “All the sudden me and my friends were a lot more cautious.”
Over the five day period when the three assault claims were reported, students who registered their cell phones to the campus alert system were informed through text messages about the alleged assaults.
“I think (the text messages) were very affective,” Hansen said. “It got the message we wanted out there in a short period of time.”
With members of the Cougar Security Program, police interns, and WSU and Pullman police making their presence seen during the night, Hansen considers campus a safe place.
“We’re always out there in the night patrolling,” he said.
Although there has not been a significant decrease or increase in the number of assaults on campus, new safety measure such as code blue alarms, elevator alarms, increased lighting and women’s transit has made campus feel safer, Hansen said.
“I definitely feel safe when I walk around campus at night,” Guy said. “I feel the likelihood of an assault is really low but there are devices that make me feel even safer.”
###
The three allegations from two freshman women turned out to be false.
“If you look at what happened when they did this you saw a sense of alarm and a sense of uneasiness around campus,” WSU Police Lt. Steve Hansen said.
The first alleged assault was reported on Aug. 19 and was followed by a second and third report on Aug. 24.
The freshman woman who reported the first and third assaults later recanted both accusations after police found inconsistencies in her statements.
The second report made by another freshman woman also had inconsistencies and was proven fictitious. There is no link between the two freshman women, Hansen said.
“We treated all three incidences as if they were valid until we proved they were wrong,” Hansen said.
The two freshman woman could face a gross misdemeanor for filing a false report which carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $10,000 fine, Hansen said.
Although WSU Police are unsure if they will file criminal charges, Hansen said they have a year and a day after the accusations took place to file a claim.
“These women should be punished to the fullest extent,” freshman general studies major Zach McKiernan. “Because of these false claims, women are now afraid when they see me or any guy when I’m walking home at night.”
The false assault claims led several students to ask questions about public safety, said freshman kinesiology major Allie Guy.
“Just because the assaults were fake doesn’t mean something like that couldn’t happen,” she said. “All the sudden me and my friends were a lot more cautious.”
Over the five day period when the three assault claims were reported, students who registered their cell phones to the campus alert system were informed through text messages about the alleged assaults.
“I think (the text messages) were very affective,” Hansen said. “It got the message we wanted out there in a short period of time.”
With members of the Cougar Security Program, police interns, and WSU and Pullman police making their presence seen during the night, Hansen considers campus a safe place.
“We’re always out there in the night patrolling,” he said.
Although there has not been a significant decrease or increase in the number of assaults on campus, new safety measure such as code blue alarms, elevator alarms, increased lighting and women’s transit has made campus feel safer, Hansen said.
“I definitely feel safe when I walk around campus at night,” Guy said. “I feel the likelihood of an assault is really low but there are devices that make me feel even safer.”
###
Monday, October 5, 2009
Welsh Lede
Spokane police believe a local Catholic Bishop is the lead suspect in a strangling to a male prostitute in Chicago last month.
The Bishop, Lawerence Welsh, was visiting Chicago for a Knights of Columbus convention when the altercation took place.
The Bishop, Lawerence Welsh, was visiting Chicago for a Knights of Columbus convention when the altercation took place.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Story Proposals
Story 3 Proposals
Student Recreation Camera- An Invasion of Privacy?
One issue that is ripe around campus is the ASWSU proposal to install cameras in the Recreation Center so students could monitor if the popular work out areas are crowded. Ideally the plan is a good one. Students can see when the best time to work out would be. Also the Rec. wouldn’t be so crowded. However, many students are saying this is a clear invasion of privacy. For this story I would be sure to get lots of student input on if they believe the cameras are a good idea or a tool that could be used to abuse power. There are also alternative ideas such as a technology that would report on occupancy levels rather than having a camera. My question would be how much more important is this technology than the camera?
What happened with the students who cried wolf?
Over a course of a week about one month ago the WSU campus was startled to hear about a series of assaults that had taken place during three nights. Students across campus were notified of these assaults via text messages and e-mail alerts. President Elson Floyd teamed up with the WSU department to create a $5,000 reward for the capture of the perpetrator. However, all three assaults were later recanted. What consequences did these female students face after falsely reporting such news? An incidence such as this one tarnishes WSU’s image and could create trouble in the future if other female students actually get assaulted and administrators are slow to believe their claim.
Student Recreation Camera- An Invasion of Privacy?
One issue that is ripe around campus is the ASWSU proposal to install cameras in the Recreation Center so students could monitor if the popular work out areas are crowded. Ideally the plan is a good one. Students can see when the best time to work out would be. Also the Rec. wouldn’t be so crowded. However, many students are saying this is a clear invasion of privacy. For this story I would be sure to get lots of student input on if they believe the cameras are a good idea or a tool that could be used to abuse power. There are also alternative ideas such as a technology that would report on occupancy levels rather than having a camera. My question would be how much more important is this technology than the camera?
What happened with the students who cried wolf?
Over a course of a week about one month ago the WSU campus was startled to hear about a series of assaults that had taken place during three nights. Students across campus were notified of these assaults via text messages and e-mail alerts. President Elson Floyd teamed up with the WSU department to create a $5,000 reward for the capture of the perpetrator. However, all three assaults were later recanted. What consequences did these female students face after falsely reporting such news? An incidence such as this one tarnishes WSU’s image and could create trouble in the future if other female students actually get assaulted and administrators are slow to believe their claim.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Meeting Story
Headline: New Group Sets out to Give
The white board stood mostly blank at the beginning of the first meeting for GIVE, a university group aimed at completing community service projects.
After an hour of brainstorming the board was covered with philanthropy ideas.
“We’re shooting for open-ended projects that people can get involved with,” said senior Edison Kent, ASWSU director of philanthropy and community outreach.
GIVE is an offshoot of ASWSU’s philanthropy branch. The organization plans to receive funding from ASWSU and the Center for Civic Engagement.
“[GIVE] is really our own beast,” Kent said. “The CCE and ASWSU are groups that are willing to support us because they believe in students getting involved and making a difference.”
The concept of GIVE started with senior Erika Schoonmaker. To generate funding and ideas, Schoonmaker teamed up with Kent. Though the group has only had one meeting and is in the process of becoming a university-recognized club, members of GIVE are eager to make a difference.
GIVE intends to switch off between local, regional, and national or international projects, Schoonmaker said.
“If we can make service fun and something people want to do then it will go a long way,” Schoonmaker said.
The nine members in attendance on Thursday discussed their mission statement, t-shirts ideas, and various outreach projects they plan on becoming involved with.
Schoonmaker unveiled the logo for GIVE. The design is a hand forming a peace sign with GIVE ingrained in the middle and the words “Hope, Love, Back” under it.
GIVE plans on creating t-shirts for their organization. Kent hopes a mass distribution of t-shirts will create a buzz around campus and encourage student involvement.
“We are going to figure out a way to get t-shirts to everybody; and by everybody I mean a lot of people,” Kent said.
For every project GIVE works on, members will come up with a different t-shirt design. The t-shirts will include the ASWSU and GIVE logos on them along with a story or statistic about the cause the project is intended to help.
Organizations that GIVE discussed contributing to include TOMS Shoes, Invisible Children, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Ten Thousand Villages.
Sophomore Alicia Reddy proposed the idea of raising awareness against drunken driving. The issue stemmed after the death of recent graduate Tanya Guseva, a passenger that died in a drunken driving accident over the summer outside of Pullman.
“I think doing something against drunk driving would be something very educational for this campus,” Schoonmaker said.
To make a lasting impact on WSU students, Reddy proposed setting up a mock crash at Terrell Mall to show the harsh reality of drunken driving accidents.
“For this thing you want the shock factor,” Kent said. “For one specific day you park this car on the hill. I think it would work really well.”
In order to turn their brainstorming into action, GIVE thought of ways to reach out to students. Possible solutions included setting up a booth in the CUB, designing a Facebook group, displaying GIVE information on the CUB electronic board, and passing out fliers.
GIVE plans to meet every Thursday in CUE 319 at 5:30.
The white board stood mostly blank at the beginning of the first meeting for GIVE, a university group aimed at completing community service projects.
After an hour of brainstorming the board was covered with philanthropy ideas.
“We’re shooting for open-ended projects that people can get involved with,” said senior Edison Kent, ASWSU director of philanthropy and community outreach.
GIVE is an offshoot of ASWSU’s philanthropy branch. The organization plans to receive funding from ASWSU and the Center for Civic Engagement.
“[GIVE] is really our own beast,” Kent said. “The CCE and ASWSU are groups that are willing to support us because they believe in students getting involved and making a difference.”
The concept of GIVE started with senior Erika Schoonmaker. To generate funding and ideas, Schoonmaker teamed up with Kent. Though the group has only had one meeting and is in the process of becoming a university-recognized club, members of GIVE are eager to make a difference.
GIVE intends to switch off between local, regional, and national or international projects, Schoonmaker said.
“If we can make service fun and something people want to do then it will go a long way,” Schoonmaker said.
The nine members in attendance on Thursday discussed their mission statement, t-shirts ideas, and various outreach projects they plan on becoming involved with.
Schoonmaker unveiled the logo for GIVE. The design is a hand forming a peace sign with GIVE ingrained in the middle and the words “Hope, Love, Back” under it.
GIVE plans on creating t-shirts for their organization. Kent hopes a mass distribution of t-shirts will create a buzz around campus and encourage student involvement.
“We are going to figure out a way to get t-shirts to everybody; and by everybody I mean a lot of people,” Kent said.
For every project GIVE works on, members will come up with a different t-shirt design. The t-shirts will include the ASWSU and GIVE logos on them along with a story or statistic about the cause the project is intended to help.
Organizations that GIVE discussed contributing to include TOMS Shoes, Invisible Children, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Ten Thousand Villages.
Sophomore Alicia Reddy proposed the idea of raising awareness against drunken driving. The issue stemmed after the death of recent graduate Tanya Guseva, a passenger that died in a drunken driving accident over the summer outside of Pullman.
“I think doing something against drunk driving would be something very educational for this campus,” Schoonmaker said.
To make a lasting impact on WSU students, Reddy proposed setting up a mock crash at Terrell Mall to show the harsh reality of drunken driving accidents.
“For this thing you want the shock factor,” Kent said. “For one specific day you park this car on the hill. I think it would work really well.”
In order to turn their brainstorming into action, GIVE thought of ways to reach out to students. Possible solutions included setting up a booth in the CUB, designing a Facebook group, displaying GIVE information on the CUB electronic board, and passing out fliers.
GIVE plans to meet every Thursday in CUE 319 at 5:30.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Preview Story
Headline: Briggs Roberts to make symphonic debut
Summary: Conductor Jeremy Briggs Roberts will make his debut leading the Washington/ Idaho Symphony at the Richard L. Domey Auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The quiet chambers of the Richard L. Domey Auditorium will come to life on the night of Sept. 26 as the Washington Idaho Symphony performs the works of Mozart and Tchaikovsky.
The performance titled, “Symphonic Titans” will be musical director and conductor Jeremy Briggs Roberts’ debut as the leader of the Washington Idaho Symphony.
“It’s a completely active entertainment option,” Briggs Roberts said. “It requires you to engage your mind. It’s an interesting form of entertainment. There’s nothing like coming to a live performance.”
The show starts at 7 p.m. and general admission tickets cost $18. Richard L. Domey Auditorium is located in the Gladish Community and Cultural Center in Pullman.
The two pieces that will be heard at the Richard L. Domey Auditorium are Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major or more commonly referred to as “Jupiter,” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor. Briggs Roberts considers these pieces powerhouses in the classical music genre.
“Both pieces are huge representations of the classical symphonic repertoire,” he said. “When they are played they are very large in scope.”
Prior to the show, Briggs Roberts will give a lesson about each piece and how they are performed. Briggs Roberts believes it is important for the audience to know about the background of each piece.
“People who come to this show will walk away with a unique experience,” Briggs Roberts said. “From depths of sadness and depressions to jubilation and happiness this show encompasses all emotions. It shows the full capability of the orchestra.”
More than 70 instrumentalists make up the Washington Idaho Symphony. One reason why such a large symphony can exist in a sparsely populated area is because Washington State University and the University of Idaho create a vast pool of talent.
Most of the instrumentalists come from the musical programs of both universities, said Kierstin Ross, executive director of the Washington Idaho Symphony.
“All our musicians go through a competitive audition process,” she said. “We really do have a world class orchestra. Considering our location I think we are very fortunate.”
A portion of the money collected from the show will go directly back to the Gladish Community and Cultural Center to help support programs at the center such as karate and education lessons, said Denis McConnell, Gladish executive director.
Events like the symphony also increase the visibility of the Gladish Community and Cultural Center to people who normally would not see it.
“We get a lot of students that come here for the symphony and see we have an auditorium and then use it later for their groups,” McConnell said.
Ross admits that college students do not make up a large portion of the audience that goes to a symphony. However, the Washington Idaho Symphony has tried to expand its audience by choosing exciting pieces to perform and keeping ticket prices affordable.
“I think a lot of students just haven’t tried to go to a symphony,” Ross said. “Many are not in touch with classical music. It can be such a nice evening out and I think it’s something students would enjoy.”
Briggs Roberts promises his first show will be a hit for those in attendance.
“It will be a really lively and vibrant atmosphere,” he said. “Everyone should really come and enjoy it.”
Summary: Conductor Jeremy Briggs Roberts will make his debut leading the Washington/ Idaho Symphony at the Richard L. Domey Auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The quiet chambers of the Richard L. Domey Auditorium will come to life on the night of Sept. 26 as the Washington Idaho Symphony performs the works of Mozart and Tchaikovsky.
The performance titled, “Symphonic Titans” will be musical director and conductor Jeremy Briggs Roberts’ debut as the leader of the Washington Idaho Symphony.
“It’s a completely active entertainment option,” Briggs Roberts said. “It requires you to engage your mind. It’s an interesting form of entertainment. There’s nothing like coming to a live performance.”
The show starts at 7 p.m. and general admission tickets cost $18. Richard L. Domey Auditorium is located in the Gladish Community and Cultural Center in Pullman.
The two pieces that will be heard at the Richard L. Domey Auditorium are Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major or more commonly referred to as “Jupiter,” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor. Briggs Roberts considers these pieces powerhouses in the classical music genre.
“Both pieces are huge representations of the classical symphonic repertoire,” he said. “When they are played they are very large in scope.”
Prior to the show, Briggs Roberts will give a lesson about each piece and how they are performed. Briggs Roberts believes it is important for the audience to know about the background of each piece.
“People who come to this show will walk away with a unique experience,” Briggs Roberts said. “From depths of sadness and depressions to jubilation and happiness this show encompasses all emotions. It shows the full capability of the orchestra.”
More than 70 instrumentalists make up the Washington Idaho Symphony. One reason why such a large symphony can exist in a sparsely populated area is because Washington State University and the University of Idaho create a vast pool of talent.
Most of the instrumentalists come from the musical programs of both universities, said Kierstin Ross, executive director of the Washington Idaho Symphony.
“All our musicians go through a competitive audition process,” she said. “We really do have a world class orchestra. Considering our location I think we are very fortunate.”
A portion of the money collected from the show will go directly back to the Gladish Community and Cultural Center to help support programs at the center such as karate and education lessons, said Denis McConnell, Gladish executive director.
Events like the symphony also increase the visibility of the Gladish Community and Cultural Center to people who normally would not see it.
“We get a lot of students that come here for the symphony and see we have an auditorium and then use it later for their groups,” McConnell said.
Ross admits that college students do not make up a large portion of the audience that goes to a symphony. However, the Washington Idaho Symphony has tried to expand its audience by choosing exciting pieces to perform and keeping ticket prices affordable.
“I think a lot of students just haven’t tried to go to a symphony,” Ross said. “Many are not in touch with classical music. It can be such a nice evening out and I think it’s something students would enjoy.”
Briggs Roberts promises his first show will be a hit for those in attendance.
“It will be a really lively and vibrant atmosphere,” he said. “Everyone should really come and enjoy it.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)