Final Post

This class has helped me tremendously in my journalism skills. I also have realized much more how easy it is to let your opinion "leak in" to the stories.

Keeping opinion out is difficult but has helped me respect the work of other journalists that much more.

I enjoyed this class, and it challenged me.

I hope everyone has a great summer!

New York bomb suspect trained in Pakistan

The New York Times Square car bomb case suspect, Faisal Shahzad, reportedly has had training in bomb making in Pakistan. Shahzad was charged on Tuesday with attempting to use weapons of mass destruction. He admitted to the crime after he was arrested last Saturday.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/nyregion/05bomb.html?hp

Feature Story

With every bump in the road, pain shot through the leg of a young John Loomis. He had yet again broken his leg, this time in the middle of a cub scouts meeting. Although it was one out of many times he had to deal with a broken bone, that did not dull the pain.

Loomis, now 18 years old, and an Anoka-Ramsey Community College student, was born with brittle bones, technically known as osteogenesis imperfecta. The student estimates that he has broken a bone around 50 times in his life. He has undergone much pain, suffering, surgical treatments, and hospital time.

Through such hardship in his life, he has developed into a man of great inner strength. His faith carries him through the good times and the bad, and he has developed a love for and skills in music. He continues to develop his passion in his faith and in his music, and it helps fuel him when times are tough, as well as when life is not as difficult.

Loomis is literally one in a million. Only one out of every million people diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta do not receive it genetically. Loomis is one of the extremely rare cases in that he did not inherit his brittle bones from family members.

Throughout his life, Loomis has had countless surgeries and medical procedures to suffer through, aside from the pain of breaking bones. In one notable case, in January of 2007, he had a major surgery on his back.

“I had extreme scoliosis,” he said, “and I had to have my vertebrae fused together.” After a lengthy amount of time spending all day in his bed for week after week, and after a slow recovery, Loomis’ back is now essentially immobile after the procedure. “Now I can’t bend my back,” he said.

Loomis said he kept track of those last few moments before surgery, because he knew he would be limited after the procedure. In reference to the morning of the surgery, he said, “I got to crack my back for the last time at 7 am that day.”

A couple of years later, in September of 2009, Loomis had an external fixator inserted into his leg through a very painful surgical process. This was done in hopes of extending the length of one of his legs, as one was shorter than the other.

“I had five osteotomies,” he explained, “and the external fixator was on my femur. I had to daily use screws and bolts to lengthen it.” As can be imagined, this was a severely painful process. Loomis ended up having to stay, almost completely immobile, in his bed for several more months, until December of 2009.

Not three months later, in March of 2010, Loomis began feeling severe abdominal pain. “At first,” he said, “I thought that I had the flu. Well, after not eating for five days and being in quite a bit of pain - and that’s saying much for me - I told mom that I thought I was going to die one night. She said, ‘Well, I guess we should take you into the emergency room.’”

“Well, they poked and prodded, and finally, after about five hours, found the problem. I had burst my appendix, and it had been burst for three days. The doctor said that I would have died that night if we had not come in.”

Throughout all of this, the suffering, the near death experience, and the reasons to want to give up hope, Loomis has held his head high and grasped a higher power. His religious faith has given him hope and strength to carry on.

Referring to his faith, he said, “It is the most important part of my life.”

By writing and performing music for the Catholic Marian group Schoenstatt (German for “beautiful place”), he combines his spirituality with his obvious love for music.

Loomis has been playing piano for 10 years, cello for eight years, guitar for two years, and the drums for two years.

Throughout his times of hardship and troubles, pain and suffering, music was always a big part of his life. If he couldn’t physically play an instrument, he would be listening to it or singing it from his bed during his times of recovery.

Vomiting dog causes driver to crash

Police confirmed the report of an 18-year-old driver, who crashed his vehicle into a poll in Winona, Minnesota. He claimed that he crashed because his dog vomited on him. Police did find vomit in his car.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/nation/92242489.html?elr=KArks:DCiUMcyaL_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU7DYaGEP7vDEh7P:DiUX

Poll Story Number Two

It is often said that college students, even if raised in a religious household their whole lives, often lose their faith once they begin to attend college. A recent survey conducted at Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) gives a snapshot of various religious beliefs and attitudes of 43 students attending the college.

When asked the broad question of whether or not they believe in any sort of God or supernatural creator, 93% of respondents said that they did believe. Many of the students explained that they were raised to believe in a God and their views haven’t changed. Others said that it makes logical sense to them that there is a supernatural creator of some sort, or that they believe in a God because of what they have read in the Bible.

The 7% of students who did not believe in any sort of supernatural creator reasoned that there is no evidence supporting it, but that there is evidence to refute it.

Although 97% of the students who were surveyed believed in God, just 83.7% belong to an organized religion. This likely directly correlates to the question, “In your opinion, would the world be overall better off without religion or with it?” The same percentage, 83.7%, as those who are in an organized religion answered “better with religion” to this question. This makes sense because if someone believed that religion is a negative thing, they would not logically then join an organized religious group.

Those who believe that the world is better off with religion argued that groups of faith help morally guide, and that believing in a higher power gives people hope, joy, and peace.

Students who disagreed, 16.3%, said that religion has created war, division, and prejudice attitudes.

So although well over nine out of every ten of the students polled believed that a God does exist, just over eight out of every ten of those same students believed that organized religion is actually a good thing.

Regarding the initial issue presented, where many students lose their religious faith after and during their time at college, 66.7% of respondents actually said that they expect their faith to be stronger in five years than it was at the time of the survey. 4.8% said that they thought it would be weaker in five years, and the remaining 28.6% of students said that they expect their religious faith to be about the same in five years.

Of those same students polled above, 76.9% of them are currently active in their church (attending a church service at least once a week). 7.7% of them attend a few times a month. The remaining 15.4%, although they are a part of an organized religion, do not regularly attend any of their religion’s church services.

So overall, although many people say that college students will lose their faith after and during their life at college, it does seem that the majority of college students, based on the survey of ARCC students, have a faith and plan on sustaining if not growing in their faith during their life at college and beyond.

Salt regulations and reductions

Consumers can expect a reduction in salt in food products within the next few years. If the federal government doesn't set health regulations for a maximum amount of salt in food products, it is expected that companies will reduce their salt anyways based on warning from the government.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703763904575196283015020398.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth

Story 7

Current college students are the future voters, job-creators, politicians, and middle class of America. But do these students actually care about what is happening in the world around them? Politically, are they aware, involved, and do they care?

A survey recently conducted looks for the answers to these questions. 27 students from Anoka-Ramsey Community College were polled. They were asked the question, “How much would you say you really care about political issues in general?”

The majority (almost half, at 12 students) said that they “kind of care” about political issues.

The next highest category, with seven students, said that they “definitely care”.

Three students said they “care” about political issues, and three others said they are “mostly indifferent”.

Only two students said that they “don’t care” about political issues at all.

Clearly, how college students feel about political issues is fairly widespread. However, the vast majority of students do care in some way about these issues.

Some students believe that the issues in the news doesn’t affect them, or that the media and society makes a big deal about something that might not deserve it. ARCC student Collin Plante made the comment that, “Most of the political issues are mostly hype.”

Seven of the students were asked questions regarding their political involvement. One of the students said she has not been and is not planning on being politically involved anytime soon (this includes voting).

Four of these students said they have and/or are planning on voting.

Just two of these students said that they are planning on voting as well as being politically active in some other way. This would include rallies, protests, contacting a representative, attending a caucus, etc.

Judging by the ARCC students who were polled, the next generation (current college students) may not differ that much from the current American middle class after all. Most students care and are involved in some way or another.

Conan O'Brien launches comedy tour

Not long after his departure from "The Tonight Show", Conan O'Brien has just launched a national comedy tour. "This is the first time anyone has paid to see me," said O'Brien in a joke on the opening show in Oregon. "They've paid me to go away".

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/90624164.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUq9_b9b_jEkP:QUiacyKUnciaec8O7EyUr

Skillet CD News Release

SKILLET AWAKE

Ardent Records
2000 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104

Contact: Ardent Records

Phoneline: (901) 725-0855

Skillet releases new CD "Awake"

The popular rock band Skillet released its newest CD "Awake". This release follows their mega-popular CD "Comatose". It continues Skillet's beloved rock sound, combining aggressive vocals and instruments with orchestral rock.

Pawlenty to sue over healthcare bill

Minnesota Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty announced on Tuesday that he will sue the federal government on the "basis that the federal government now requires citizens to buy health insurance." This announcement came a day after Attorney General Lori Swanson recommended he not sue over the health care bill.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/blogs/90004672.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUT

Enterprise Story topic

For my enterprise story, I will focus on how "in the know" students are on current events and important issues and debates. Because current college students are the future voters, leaders, politicians, and decision-makers of America, it is important that they have an understanding of the world that they live in and are being educated to work in.

My enterprise story will focus not only on how much they actually think they know, but also how much they care about current issues, politics, etc.

Twins pick Liriano as fifth starter

After giving up only three hits in six innings, pitcher Francisco Liriano was informed that he would start the fifth game of the regular season. This unofficially sets the lefty up as the fifth starter in the Twins pitching rotation.

Source: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100330&content_id=9015596&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min&partnerId=rss_min

Story 6

Dr. John Mago works for the business department of Anoka-Ramsey Community College at the Coon Rapids campus. However, his experience and expertise extends far beyond the field of business.
Mago is equipped with a doctorate in leadership and organizational development, masters in business administration, masters in management, and a bachelors in finance. This has helped shape him into the admirable leader that he is today. In his own words, “Ideal leaders are rarely defined in the public eyes because they do not seek the notoriety that fame and fortune bring.” Mago is a great example of a true leader. He has offered his services at Anoka-Ramsey Community College by serving on the multicultural diversity committee and hiring committees, as a past advisor for Phi Theta Kappa honors society, a current business club advisor, and as a judge for the Business Professionals of America. In an interview, Mago expanded on his talk on leadership. When asked why he chose a degree in leadership, he explained by saying, “I chose leadership as it applies to all facets of business and life in general. Effective leadership allows an organization to develop (organizational development) into a fully functional and efficient entity. A doctoral degree inleadership allows one to lead businesses, consult leaders, facilitate learning at all levels of higher education, or write books. This degree has broadened my horizons in my capacity to think outside the box and elevate my understanding of the inefficiencies of many leaders today.” Mago also said that there is a true lack of actual leadership skills in today’s society’s leaders. He admitted, “I do believe there is a serious deficiency in effective leadership skillsand abilities at all levels of business and government.” Because education is so important, building leadership skills during one’s education can be one of the most effective way to learn, he says. Finally, when asked if he had any pointers on how to be a good leader, he said, “A good leader is a good follower. Believe in open communication, recognize the good in people, recognize your own faults and learn from them, listen to what all people have to offer and choose to utilize what you deem as valuable, realize that everyone is human, hold everyone accountable for their actions including yourself, if you cannot do the job then find someone who can, admit your failures, and finally be humble. Sometimes leadership is a job so do it the best you can and when given the opportunity to be a leader, be the best you can.” Mago has been building on his leadership skills at Anoka-Ramsey Community College for four years so far. He teaches in the business department. Mago uses his business skills as not only a teacher but also by providing constructive criticism as a judge for Business Professionals of America. ARCC hosts regional competitions where students from local high schools come to compete for a chance at the state level. As a part of the business faculty at the college, Mago volunteers his time to judge these students and provide helpful criticism. Mago’s closing thoughts were regarding education. “Education is for everyone so why not take the learning opportunity.” He said. “The only way to succeed is to know more than the next person. If society in general became educated, the those in government positions cannot oppress the public anymore.” The examples the Mago sets should make him a role model for all students, especially those who will be in leadership positions.

Interview 2 Transcript

DR. JOHN MAGO
(NOTE: This is the first part of the interview. Dr. Mago has not yet replied to the second set of questions.)


Q: How long have you worked at Anoka-Ramsey Community College?
A: I have been at ARCC for 4 years.

Q: What areas do you teach in?
A: I teach in the business department.

Q: Aside from teaching, are you involved in other ways on campus?
A: Yes, I serve on a variety of campus organizations including the
multicultural diversity committee, hiring committees, judging for the Business
Professonals of America, past advisor for PTK, current business club advisor.

Q: What do you do with Phi Theta Kappa at ARCC?
A: I was the advisor for PTK this past fall however had to resign due to other
commitments.

Q: What is your educational background?
A: I have a doctorate in leadership and organizational development, master's in
business administration, masters in management, bachelor's in finance.

Q: What do you do for hobbies or for fun?
A: Anything outdoors is fun, playing sports with my sons, reading, exercise,
fishing, riding motorcycle, and enjoying life!

Obama signs health care bill into law

Early Tuesday afternoon, President Obama signed into law the health care reform bill that was passed by the House on Sunday evening. He used 20 pens to sign his signature almost letter by letter. The bill is now a United States law.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/health/policy/24health.html?hp

Story 5

On March 4, 2010 the Anoka-Ramsey Music Department presented the musical production “March Fo(u)rth!” at the Coon Rapids campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College. It began at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center and concluded about two hours later.

As the title implies, “March Fo(u)rth!” had a general theme of marching music, but involved so much more. It began with the anthem “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” as the Concert Choir entered the stage from both sides of the auditorium, men on one side, women on the other. To conclude the production and fulfill the theme of marching band music, the Concert Band performed the “National Emblem March”.

Even with the marching music theme, the musical performances between the opening and closing songs were very diverse.

Right after the opening performance of “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In”, the Concert Choir switched the mood to the very slow, gloomy song “Come, Sweet Death” and then concluded their string of songs with “Stomp Your Foot”, a choral square dance number.

The Guitar Ensemble, which contained eight guitarists playing simultaneously, had a Spanish folk song theme. It was a special night for the Guitar Ensemble as it was their first year as a group at the Coon Rapids campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

The Chamber Singers performed three vastly different songs, from the song “El Hambo” inspired by the Swedish Chef from “The Muppets” television show, to the musical “Rent”’s version of “Seasons of Love”. Just the women of the Chamber Singers performed the slow, melodic harmonies of “Come My Way, My Truth, My Life”. Then the men of the Chamber Singers performed the fast-paced and humorous Dutch Folk Song “Johnny Schmoker”. The song, which received much laughter and applause, involved rapid hand motions to match the lyrics, and the pace of the song increased as it neared the end.

A ten minute intermission transitioned the production into the second half, which consisted of solely instrumental performances.

The Jazz Ensemble led off the second half of “March Fo(u)rth!” with their own version of Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island”. This group of musicians included typical pieces of a jazz group, including a piano and brass instruments, but also had a cello, which the ensemble’s director Richard Manik called a unique addition to jazz music.

The String Orchestra performed traditional songs with the full orchestra but also played a piece, “‘Simple’ Symphony”, where they plucked the strings the entire song rather than used their bows to play the string instruments.

The Concert Band closed the performance with their combination of brass and percussion. Their first song, “Incantation and Dance”, developed from a slow, gloomy number into a fast, dramatic piece. They then concluded the evening with a classic march song merged with the National Anthem, in “National Emblem March”.

The evening provided a vast source of musical genres and included instruments and ensembles of all sorts. “March Fo(u)rth!” was a great showing of the musical talents of the students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Twins' Nathan to likely miss 2010 season

Minnesota Twins star closing pitcher Joe Nathan has a significant elbow ligament tear. Surgery is a probable result of the injury, which would likely eliminate the possibility of the all-star pitching in the 2010 season. This is a major blow to the Minnesota Twins organization.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/87107167.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU1yDEmP:QMDCinchO7DU

Interview Story

“Everyone understands body language!” Karina Haack responded when asked what she likes most about dancing. She has done messianic worship dancing for more than seven years. “It’s different than most, but it’s awesome.” Haack explained. “It’s got a little bit of everything because it’s not really categorized.”

Haack is a PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Option) student at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. PSEO students take college courses that are paid for by the state in their junior and/or senior years of high school. In Haack’s case, she is a junior in high school hoping to get her Associate of Arts degree at ARCC before she graduates. In her free time, though, it is dancing and theater that is her passion.

“I love everything about dancing,” said Haack. She currently dances messianic worship for an organization called For His Name Sake. “I’m not on the team,” she explained, “but when they dance locally, I dance with them.” Haack also mentioned that For His Name Sake does performances around the world.

Haack has also been involved in theater. “I have played the main character in two plays and have been stage manager and various small parts,” she said. Her acting interests lie solely in theater, however. “I haven’t done film - it’s not really my style!” she said. “You don’t get the instant gratification you do on stage than on film.”

After finishing her Associate of Arts degree at ARCC, Haack plans to transfer to the University of Madison, Wisconsin where she will major in criminology and minor in literature or theater.

Interview Transcript

Q: Hey Karina. I think we could start if you just rant off a bunch of things about yourself. Interests, hobbies, future plans, stuff like that. Maybe something weird or cool or different about you.
A: Well I’m a junior in high school doing PSEO at AR. I dance, and love to act. I don’t really know what you want to know. Um, I plan to get my AA degree before I graduate high school and then transfer to the University of Madison, Wisconsin where I’ll major in criminology and minor in either literature or theatre.

Q: Have you ever played any major parts in plays?

A: Yes I have played the main character in two plays and have been stage manager and various small parts.

Q: Have you ever done acting in areas other than theater, such as film?

A: I haven’t done film - it’s not really my style! You don’t get the instant gratification you do on stage than on film.

Q: What made you want to do PSEO rather than just do high school classes?

A: What made me do PSEO is, well, I wanted to get college credits for free and high school was just really easy.

Q: How long have you been dancing?

A: I have been dancing from 7-9 years.

Q: What do you like most about dancing?

A: I love the freedom of dancing. You can express yourself through motion. Everyone understands body language! It’s a way to connect to people.

Q: What do you not like about dancing?

A: I love everything about dancing. Except when I get hurt from landing wrong off of a jump or a lift!

Q: What type of dancing do you do?

A: I do messianic worship. It’s different than most but it’s awesome. It’s got a little bit of everything because it’s not really categorized!

Q: Do you dance for a certain group or organization?

A: I dance with For His Name Sake. I’m not on the team but when they dance locally I dance with them. Their dance classes are called remnant worship so it’s a little bit of both.

Q: Do you tour or dance in other states, or do you mainly dance locally?

A: The team goes around the world, but until I join I will be just local!

Q: Thank you for your time.

Saturday mail may be eliminated

Thanks to large deficits, the United States Postal Service unveiled on Tuesday a budget plan that includes eliminating Saturday mail delivery in order to reduce costs. When the prospect of five day delivery has been brought up before, it has always been not well received by Congress.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/local/85958747.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUycaEacyU

Story 3

Nina Cortez had no idea that after coworker Kevin Blohm brought her coffee yesterday morning, it would be the last time she would see him alive.

Cortez arrived at the North Point Inn just before nine a.m. She has done the bookkeeping at the Inn for seven years. When she arrived, she noticed a car in the parking lot that she didn’t recognize, but didn’t think much of it.

After chatting with Blohm, a cook at the North Point Inn, shortly after she arrived, Cortez went through the previous day’s revenue. It was then that, according to her, “a man came around the corner, carrying a knife.” She described him as being around 6 feet tall, in his early 20s, and having a medium build. He was wearing blue jeans, a blue plaid shirt, and blue tennis shoes. He was wearing a scarf to cover the lower half of his face.

Fortunately, Cortez was left unharmed. The robber “just took the money and walked out.”
Cortez said that she did hear the voice of another man, and a few minutes after the money was stolen someone tried to get into her office, but she had locked the door. Several minutes later, the police had arrived.

On the way out of her office she saw Blohm’s body on the floor of the hall. He was dead and had knife wounds on his chest and hand.

Studies show harms of sitting

Recent studies show that too much sitting can offset the benefits of exercise. Even with daily exercise, sitting frequently at work or at home can still trump the benefits of exercise and lead to obesity and illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

Source: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/stand-up-while-you-read-this/?hp

Obituary

Josh Gloe, 17, died last night after being strangled with his mullet by zombies. Josh was a driven PSEO student at Anoka-Ramsey Community College who enjoyed meeting new people, writing music with his cousins, and joking about his muscular physical features.

His cousin, Jacob Gloe, said today, “Oh, I miss Josh so much. I loved all his amazing music, and his extremely ripped muscles.”

Josh was planning on transferring to a four-year college to double-major in Marketing and Mass Communications after graduating from high school. He had a job as a Library Aide at the St. Francis branch of the Anoka County Library system. Josh did web design work in his free time, and recently proclaimed his love for God as being stronger than ever because of a TEC (Together Encountering Christ) retreat just last weekend.

Josh is survived by his parents Craig and Theresa, his brothers Tyler and Sam, and his closest friends Collin, John, Nathan, and Rachel.

Josh’s funeral is at The Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids on Friday at noon.

Deficit Panel leaders appointed

To plan deficit reduction strategies, President Obama has begun appointing leaders of his Deficit Panel. Leaders include both Republicans and Democrats in an effort to encourage bipartisanship in Washington.

Source: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/obama-to-name-leaders-of-deficit-panel/?hp

Anoka County commissioners dispute over police funding

A dispute developed last Thursday between the Anoka County sheriff and county commissioners. Sheriff Gus Dicesari accused county commissioners of “putting the lives of the people of this county in jeopardy” for cutting some of Dicesari’s department’s budget in order to save money.

Commission President Anne Chenn said that the county does not have enough money to spend so much money in his department. Specifically, the money she does not want provided would fund new police cruisers and the hiring of five new sheriff’s deputies.

Several county commissioners agreed with Chenn, while others sided with Dicesari. The total vote by the end of the meeting was 5-2 against Dicesari’s request for additional funds for his department.

Health care reform alternatives to be televised

Republicans will get a chance to present their ideas for health care reform to the nation in a televised event on Feb. 25. Alternative strategies regarding this issue will be revealed by both Democrats and Republicans, who will get a chance to debate each other’s ideas in this televised event.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/health/policy/09health.html?hp

My first day at Anoka-Ramsey

I vaguely remember my first day at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. It was the Fall semester of 2008. My first class was weight training, and I took this with my best friend from High School. The first day we just went over the syllabus in the gym and finished with that, which allowed me time to wander the college and get a better feel for the place.

The rest of the day I don't really remember, except that I forgot that one of my classes only started in the second half of the semester. I and a few other students in the class sat in the room and waited naively for the teacher, complaining that she was late. Then, a counselor stopped in and informed us that the class didn't start for several more weeks...

Obama includes health care reform in 2011 budget

Even with the possible loss of the needed majority to pass the current version of the health care reform bill in the election of Republican Scott Brown, Obama is confident the bill will pass. Included in his budget for the fiscal year of 2011 is the $150 billion deficit reduction that the bill is expected to create.

Source: http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/new-us-budget-assumes-passage-of-health-care-bill/

Story 1: Exercise 2, Number 2, Chapter 9

Devastating accident kills two, closes highway

Two drivers were killed and several others injured in an accident this morning on Interstate 790. Two tractor trailers collided at 6:45, causing a chain reaction involving 16 other vehicles, according to Sgt. Albert Wei of the police department. One of the four tractor-trailers involved in the accident was hauling diesel fuel. Luckily, said Wei, the truck didn’t roll over or dump any of the highly flammable fuel. The driver of the truck hauling diesel wasn’t injured. However, 20 others did sustain injuries. Four of the injured victims suffered life-threatening bodily damage, according to fire chief Tony Sullivan. He described the scene as something from a war zone, with bodies, blood and chaos. Sullivan said this morning’s accident was the worst thing he’s seen in his 18 years with the fire department. He and other firefighters had to cut the roofs of three of the cars off in order to free those that were trapped inside. The Coon Rapids “Life Flight” helicopter from the Memorial Hospital flew two of the most severely injured victims 50 miles to the trauma center in Statesville. According to Sgt. Wei, all of Interstate 790 is still closed, and there is no indication when it will open up again.

Obama to propose controversial spending freeze

Obama will announce on Wednesday in his State of the Union speech a three-year spending freeze on many domestic programs. When administration officials announced this on Monday, it caused outrage within the President’s own party as well as criticism from Republicans as too little too late.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/us/politics/27budget.html?hp

Lessons on writing leads

DO...

... include details that will make the story seem interesting. Try to draw the readers in with the lead, just like an author tries to catch the reader's attention within the first chapter or so.

... include the most important details.

... read it over several times to make sure it flows right and doesn't sound too choppy or awkward.

DON'T...

... use run-on sentences in a lead. It is easy for a sentence to extend beyond what is acceptable when you're trying to fit all of the information in one sentence.

... try to fit in every little detail. Some things that may seem sort of important might not be able to be fit into the lead. There's the rest of the story to add in those details. The lead should simply be an overview of the most important or interested details, not a summary of every detail.

... create the lead like it is the headline.

Xbox Live: the next cable network?

The Xbox 360 not only plays games, but now provides television, internet, and more. Xbox advertising sales manager Mark Kroese compared it to a “cable network”. With tens of millions of users, more people might indeed use their Xbox Live account as their main media portal, rather than cable.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/business/media/19xbox.html?hpw

Introduction

Hi.
I'm Josh Gloe, a senior in High School, currently enrolled in PSEO at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. I take my on-campus courses at the Coon Rapids campus.

After I finish up my generals at Anoka-Ramsey, I'll attend a 4-year college and double major in Marketing and Mass Communications. Because Mass Communications will involve lots of journalism, I thought this course would be beneficial and interesting.

I've written articles for our local church newsletter, as well as done some graphic design with it. I am a featured writer on Twinsmix.com, a blog on the Minnesota Twins MLB baseball team. I also just launched my own website, Project:Informed (http://projectinformed.proboards.com), which I am excited about. The website should help me get experience in Mass Communications.

I hope to get to know all of my classmates as well as Mrs. Christensen throughout this semester, and I hope to gain knowledge and experience in Journalism.