March 2012 Archives

Article using numbers from Bloomberg

This article is all about the super PAC Restore Our Future and how they are using money to support/derail candidates from the GOP presidential nomination.

Money is mentioned many times to show the difference between how much they are spending on attack ads for Gingrich and Santorum vs. support ads for Romney. They attribute the numbers for $35 million spent on attack ads vs. $1.1 million spent on support ads to Center for Responsive Politics, who track political money handling.

The reporter also uses numbers to describe the amount of broadcast spots that Romney's campaign has released since the beginning of his campaign: 12,817 spots, according to the CMAG, which doesn't seem to be written out anywhere before that mention.

Also, the reporter uses the number of negative ads that Restore Our Future has released: 41,612 vs. the number of ads that have come from Gingrich's and Santorum's campaigns: 8,172 and 8,121.

I think that the numbers make it easy to see direct comparisons. However, this is an emotionally charged article, obviously against Restore Our Future (understandably). There weren't really any percentages or percent change figures, which would have been more compelling since the campaigns are on completely different scales. Also, there could have been clearer attributions.

The Environmental Protection Agency will impose new greenhouse gas limits on new power plants as early as Tuesday, the Washington Post reported.

The new rules may put an end to the construction of traditional coal-fired power plant facilities in the United States.

The proposed rule states that new power plants must emit less than 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt of electricity produced.

The ban does not effect coal plants that are already permitted, but will most likely prevent the construction of new plants, as it is very hard for them to meet the proposed carbon dioxide limit.

This is the first ever limit of greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in the United States, the Huffington Post reported.

Coal based power plants that will break ground within the next year will be exempt from the limitations.

Authorities are investigating whether texting while driving was a factor in a crash near Hinckley that left a teenager dead, the Star Tribune reported.

Haylie Samuelson of Pine City was driving with a friend around 9:15 p.m. Friday when their car hit the lip of a driveway entrance and rolled over near Hinckley.

Samuelson was ejected from the car and died shortly after while her friend was taken to the hospital.

Investigators have reason to believe that Samuelson was texting while driving and that could have contributed to the crash.

Texting while driving is banned in 34 states, including Minnesota.

Investigators plan to release more information this week, FOX News reported.

Most of the defendants in a major sex trafficking case are Somali refugees from populations in Minnesota and Tennessee, CBS Minnesota reported.

Of the 30 people indicted in 2010, 15 are now facing charges related to the trafficking of two girls.

The sex trafficking ring was believed to have been run by Somali gangs from Minnesota to Tennessee: The Somali Outlaws, the Lady Outlaws and the Somali Mafia.

The trail could involve over 200 witnesses, and the victims may testify during the trial, according to the Star Tribune.

The defendants are facing charges of conspiracy to commit sexual trafficking of children by force, fraud or coercion.

The wife of the U.S. soldier accused of killing 17 Afghan civilians defended him in an NBC interview that aired on the Today show Monday, CNN reported.

U.S. officials reported that Staff Sgt. Robert Bales wandered off the base in Afghanistan and killed eight Afghan adult civilians and nine children.

Bales' wife Karilyn said in the interview, "He loves children. He's like a big kid himself. I have no idea what happened, but he would not do that."

She also said that Bales never told her that he sustained a traumatic brain injury until he returned home from his tour in Iraq.

Karilyn Bales has talked to her husband twice since he was detained for the massacre. Her husband called her once shortly after he was detained and once from Fort Leavenworth where he is being held.

The couple has two children, a girl named Quincy and a boy, Bobby.

A Pennsylvania three-year-old was rushed to the hospital Thursday after impaling himself on a dresser hinge, CNN reported.

Police were called to a private residence at about 2:30 p.m. after the homeowner called and said an object was impaled in the child's face.

The boy was jumping on the bed when he fell off and landed on a dresser with exposed metal pieces, The Patch reported.

The homeowner confirmed that his daughter was babysitting the boy and that it was an accident.

The girl was babysitting the boy who was injured and another little boy at the time of the accident.

The boy was taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and is expected to recover.

Although Steve Jobs died last October, I thought his obituary in the New York Times had a lot of impact.

The lead used the classic New York Times style with the full name, identifying factor or claim to fame, and age at the end listed simply as "He was 56."

The lead was effective because it stated simply that Steve Jobs completely changed life as we know it in the digital age, siting many avenues like music, movies and mobile communications.

There are many sources listed. Some of them are:
-Apple
-Family friends
-Previous interviews
-Bill Gates
-Twitter users
-Steven Levy, author of "Insanely Great"
-Edwin Catmull, co-founder of Pixar
-Regis McKenna, a Silicon Valley marketing executive

The obit differs from a resumé because of the ability to see into the person's character rather than just their accomplishments. Other people have the ability to weigh in on the person's life.

Mohammed Merah, the French gunman who killed seven people in south-west France vowed to "bring France to its knees" before he died when police raided the apartment he was hiding in, the New York Daily News reported.

Merah, 24, had apparent connections with terrorist organizations and considered himself a member of the Al Qaeda network.

Merah escaped from prison in Afghanistan where he had been charged with carrying equipment used to make bombs.

News channel BFM TV reported that Merah may also be linked to the extreme Islamist group Forsane Alizza (Knights of Pride), which was banned in France last month.

Merah was killed from a shot to the head when he ran out of his apartment, wildly shooting at officers who had been watching him for days, the Daily Mail reported.

Jason Russell, the director of "Kony 2012", a viral video about Joseph Kony, the Ungandan warlord, will remain hospitalized after a psychotic episode, CNN reported.

Russell was spotted running in the street in his underwear, screaming last Thursday and picked up by San Diego police.

Russell, 33, is one of the founders of the nonprofit Invisible Children, the creator of the "Kony 2012" video that went viral online this month.

The video has had almost 85 million views since its March 5 release.

Russell's family believes that his jump from anonymity to world-wide recognition could have spurred the psychotic episode, Los Angeles Times reported.

Russell's wife Danica said in a statement, "On Jason's behalf, keep your attention turned to the end of Africa's longest-running conflict, and setting a precedent for all future injustice."

At least three people were killed in a plane crash near Glencoe, CBS Minnesota reported.

Glencoe authorities were notified of the crash at 11:12 a.m. Wednesday. The plane crashed north of Glencoe near Falcon Avenue North and 150th Street.

All three victims were adults and no names have been released, the Associated Press reported.

Witnesses said they heard a popping noise before the plane broke apart and crashed into a field, according to the Pioneer Press.

The Federal Aviation Administration was called in at about 3 p.m. Wednesday and will investigate the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board was also called to investigate after it was discovered the plane was not in contact with local radio towers when it crashed.

For Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney led former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum by a 47%-to-35% margin in the recent Illinois Republican primary, CNN reported.

Romney was set to win around 41 of the 54 Illinois delegates, leaving him with a total of 562, more than twice the number of Rick Santorum, in second with 249.

Santorum has been thriving in rural areas and those that consider themselves extremely conservative.

Both Santorum and Romney plan to campaign in Louisiana, Wisconsin, and North Carolina along with Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Illinois is a unique state in that voters vote once for their Republican candidate and once more for their delegate choices, according to the Huffington Post.

At a disadvantage, Santorum failed to qualify for the ballot in four of the state's 18 congressional delegates, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The number of delegates required to clinch the Republic presidential nomination is 1,144.

Fifth Precinct Inspector Matt Clark said that 14 people have been charged in connection with drug dealing in or around a Minneapolis bar, KARE 11 reported.

Champions Sports Bar on Lake Street has been a hot spot for crime, and in the last year the Minneapolis police have been called to the bar 214 times.

The Fifth Precinct conducted an undercover investigation of Champions from Sept. 2011 to Jan. 2012.

Officers made 19 undercover drug deals during that time period, five of those inside the bar.

During one drug sale, undercover police were trying to buy from one man when another dealer came up and said, "You don't want to buy from him. Buy from this guy!", the Star Tribune reported.

An Indiana woman lost part of both of her legs after protecting her children from debris when two tornadoes struck their home, CNN reported.

Stephanie Decker's husband texted her Friday to warn her that there were tornadoes heading toward their Henryville, Indiana home.

Decker brought her son and daughter into the basement, wrapped them in a comforter and shielded them with her body.

When a tornado stuck the house, debris struck Decker, breaking seven of her ribs and nearly severing both of her legs.

Decker's son Dominic ran to a neighbor's house for help after a second tornado struck the house, ABC News reported.

Neither of the children suffered any injuries in the event.

One person was killed and six were injured when a meth lab exploded in a nursing home in Ohio Sunday night, USA Today reported.

Around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday night, police were called to the Parkhaven nursing home after a fire damaged the second floor of the building, FOX 8 reported.

Shawn Warrens, 31, a non-resident, was killed in the fire.

Ashtabula Fire Chief Ron Pristera said that four others were injured in the fire, one with severe injuries.

Authorities are still discovering the origin of the meth lab and why it was hidden in a room at the nursing home.

The nursing home's lawyer and spokesperson had no comment.

Minnesota school district top officials settled two lawsuits over a policy that was criticized for failing to protect victims of bullying, CBS Minnesota reported.

Superintendent Dennis Carlson of the Anoka-Hennepin County School District says that the districts will work with the US Department of Justice to create lasting change to combat bullying and harassment related to sexual orientation.

The district's insurance will pay the students involved in the lawsuit a total of $270,000.

Kathy Tingelstad, a member of the school board, cast the only no vote.

Tingelstad resigned after the vote and says that the settlement sets a bad precedent, KSTP reported.

Gunmen disguised as an official security force opened fire on police, killing 27 at multiple checkpoints in Haditha, Iraq, CNN reported.

Three of the shooters were killed after a confrontation with police, Khalid Salman, the head of the Haditha local council said.

At least 30 gunmen disguised as security officers arrived in at least 14 SUVs at 2 a.m., carrying warrants for senior police officials.

The attackers managed to flee the town but left one body behind and leaflets warning Iraqi police that they will carry out more attacks.

Experts believe that the attackers were affiliated with Al Qaeda and Sunni militant groups, according to Reuters.

Coordinated attacks on February 23rd killed over 60 people, mainly police forces, in Shi'ite areas.

In an effort to get prescription drugs off the streets, Hennepin County will offer medicine drop boxes starting Monday, KARE 11 reported.

"70 percent of all people who use illegal pain medications say they got it from family or friends," said Captain Chris Omodt with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department told KARE 11.

Accepted substances include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicine, pet medicine, and vitamin and supplements, the Star Tribune reported.

Medicines should be in their original container; if that is not possible, a clear plastic bag.

There are three locations around the Twin Cities:

401 4th Av. S., Minneapolis

9401 83rd Av. N., Brooklyn Park

4141 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park

Clinton's Speech on Climate Change

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton made a speech at the Department of Energy conference last week. Since this was a relatively confusing subject, there was a lot of background information placed strategically in the story without oversimplifying the subject matter. Clinton was speaking on behalf of the Clinton Climate Initiative and as an expert on the subject.

The speech was a calling the the Obama Adminstration to invest more of the budget on clean energy development, so the reporter referenced Obama's future plans/how Clinton's differs.

However, I did not think that the reporter put the "news" first, at least with the quotes. I would have put the more loaded quotes at the beginning that had to do with Clinton calling out the Obama administration. The reporter put those near the middle and toward the end, while more irrelevant quotes were put at the beginning.

A 20-month-old girl was found alone and severely injured in a field after tornadoes struck areas in Indiana, CNN reported.

The girl was found Friday with no family nearby, Clark County Sheriff's Department Maj. Chuck Adams said.

She was taken to St. Vincent Salem hospital and then flown to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville, around 35 miles southeast of Salem, Indiana.

The girl was intubated with a tube to help her breathe and is in critical condition.

Cis Gruebbel, chief nursing officer at Kosair, told msnbc that the girl has been identified and that her family has been notified.

At least eight people have died since tornadoes hit three Indiana counties last week.