March 2012 Archives

By Shannon Corrigan

In a recent video of Jason Russell, the creator of the viral "Kony 2012" video, the impact of public criticism is evident, sources report.

Russell, 33, was taken to a mental health facility for observation Thursday after neighbors reported seeing him running naked in the streets of his Pacific Beach neighborhood, pounding his fists on the sidewalk and shouting incoherently, ABC News reports.

According to the police statement the Los Angeles Times reports, police responded to "several callers [who] reported that the male removed his underwear and was nude, perhaps masturbating." When police arrived Russell was wearing his underwear.

Danica Russell said in a statement, reported the Los Angeles Times, that her husband never had and substance abuse or drinking problems, and that what happened Thursday was not a result of either. "Because of how personal the film is, many of the attacks against it were also very personal and Jason took them very hard," she said.

Ben Keesey, the chief executive of Invisible Children released a statement Friday saying Russell had been hospitalized. "Jason Russell was unfortunately hospitalized yesterday suffering from exhaustion, dehydration and malnutrition," the statement said, reported the Los Angeles Times. "He is now receiving medical care and is focused on getting better. The past two weeks have taken a severe emotional toll on all of us, Jason especially, and that toll manifested itself in an unfortunate incident yesterday."

In the obituary of John Cowles Jr. which ran in the Star Tribune Monday, the reporter begins with a standard obituary lead, like those of the New York Times obituaries. This lead works well for this individual's obituary because he was a well-known, influential person for both the audience of this publication and the publication itself. Cowles family ran Minneapolis newspapers for most of the 20th century including the Star Tribune so it works that the reporter chose to include that in the lead.

Some of the sources used in his obituary include talking to Cowles family, Mayor R.T. Rybak, his Harvard roommate, other lifelong friends, former Vice President Walter Mondale, the current publisher of the Star Tribune, and others. Using a variety of sources from family and friends to government officials reflect how influential this man was during his life.

This obituary differs from a resume in many ways, but the most evident is the emotional appeal this story has. The obituary talks not only about his success in life and his accomplishments, but it reflects what kind of person Cowles was on a personal level. With the use of quotes from friends, colleagues, and loved ones we get a glimpse of his personality. For example: His family said in a statement, "His courage, deliberate style, wisdom and love of community were some of the special qualities that gave us all joy and will continue to be an influence in our lives."

By Shannon Corrigan

John Cowles Jr., whose family ran Minneapolis newspapers for most of the 20th century, died in Minneapolis Saturday. He was 82, sources report.

Cowles died shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday in his Minneapolis home from lung cancer, the Star Tribune reports.

"His courage, deliberate style, wisdom and love of community were some of the special qualities that gave us all joy and will continue to be an influence in our lives," his family said in a statement, reported the Pioneer Press.

The one-time publisher of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Cowles also helped established many Minneapolis landmarks including the Guthrie Theatre and the Metrodome. He also gave money to help establish the Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts and the Cowles Conservatory at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, reported the Pioneer Press.

Cowles was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister, Morley Ballantine. He is survived by his wife, Sage; sons Jay (Page) of St. Paul and Fuller (Connee Mayeron) of Shafer, Minn.; daughters Tessa Flores (Ira Goldstein) of Ithaca, N.Y., and Jane (Ann Stephens) of Olympia, Wash., 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Sarah Doering, of Northampton, Mass., and a brother, Russell, of Minneapolis, reports the Star Tribune. Funeral services are pending.

By Shannon Corrigan

In the recent release of "The Hunger Games", based on the first of Suzanne Collins' popular trilogy, filmmaker Gary Ross offers up an exciting, faced-paced movie without sacrificing essential aspects of the story, reports Voice of America.

The story revolves around the Hunger Games, an annual event where contestants fight to the death while the rest of the nation watches on television. It takes place in a nation called Panem, the ruins of what was once North America. The capitol of the nation forces a teenage boy and girl from each of the 12 districts to compete in the deadly games, reports Voice of America.

"The Hunger Games" is expected to be the biggest film in Liongate's history. The company has never had a film make more than $120 million at the box office. This production is expected to beat this number in its opening weekend, reports the Wall Street Journal.

"The first Hunger Games movie is going to blow away the first Twilight movie in terms of box office" said Gitesh Pandya of Boxofficeguru.com, reports the Wall Street Journal.

By Shannon Corrigan

Jim Yong Kim, president of Dartmouth College and a global health expert, was nominated on Friday by the White House to lead the World Bank, sources report.

In an unwritten agreement, an American has always led the Washington-based World Bank since its creation in 1944 and a European has lead its sister organization, the International Monetary Fund, reported the Associated Press.

Though an American, Kim is an unconventional choice for the post. If elected Kim would be the first physician and Asian-American to lead to World Bank, reports the Associated Press.

"The leader of the World Bank should have a deep understanding of both the role that development plays in the world and the importance of creating conditions where assistance is no longer needed," President Obama said Friday reports the New York Times. "It's time for a development professional to lead the world's largest development agency."

The nomination process for the World Bank will end at 6 p.m. Eastern Time Friday. The Bank intends to have selected its new president in time for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund spring meetings in April, reports the New York Times.

By Shannon Corrigan

A powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake hit Mexico Tuesday damaging hundreds of homes and panicking thousands of people, yet apparently didn't cause a single death, sources report.

As of early Wednesday, there have been no reports of deaths from Tuesday's earthquake, even after 10 aftershocks. Though none have been reported dead, nine people were injured in Oaxaca and two in Mexico City, Interior Secretary Alejandro Poire said Tuesday night, reports the Associated Press.

The absence of tall buildings in the rural area is one of the reasons for the lack of casualties, reported the Associated Press. Seismologists and civil protection officials say that because of where and how the earthquake hit heavy damage and casualties were limited, reports ABC News.

People fled buildings in panic. Lawmakers evacuated Mexico's parliament in the middle of hearings, while other office workers fled into the street, afraid to go back into the buildings, ABC News reports.

"I felt a sudden drop and then everything started to tremble," one survivor said, reported ABC News.

Malia Obama was in Mexico on a school trip at the time of the earthquake. The White House has confirmed that she is safe and was never in any danger, reported ABC News.

By Shannon Corrigan

Two Texas teens are now facing jail time after allegedly stealing a cashbox belonging to some Girl Scouts selling cookies, reports the New York Daily News.

Justin Rogers-Zenon, 18, and his 16-year-old accomplice, who was not named by police because he is a juvenile, are facing charges of stealing approximately $200 from a group of Girl Scouts outside a Wal-Mart store, Fox News reports.

The Girl Scouts chased the two robbers. "I started hitting the boy that was in the passenger seat. I think he learned his lesson a little bit," Girl Scout Iravia Cotton said, reports Fox News.

Rogers-Zenon was released Friday on $10,000 bond, the sheriff's department said. His 16-year-old accomplice is being held at the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center.

By Shannon Corrigan

The Republican primary has "weakened" those candidates for the fall elections against President Barack Obama said a top campaign advisor of the president, reported CBS News.

"I know at what these candidates have been saying, tearing each other apart with negative ads, it is a process that in many ways has torn each of them down, and I think has weakened them for a fall election," said Robert Gibbs, the president's former press secretary and current campaign strategist, reports CBS News.

Many democrats believe the continuation of the republic contest is helping their chances this fall, and Gibbs said he does not expect the race to end soon, Politico reports.

"It's clear the Republican race is going to go on for quite some time, not a matter of weeks, but likely a matter of months," Gibbs said reports Politico. "I think anything is still highly possible."

By Shannon Corrigan

Ricky Rubio's sensational rookie season for the Minnesota Timberwolves came to a sudden end Friday, sources report.

The Timberwolves announced Saturday that Rubio will be out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee suffered during Friday night's game against the Lakers, reports ESPN.

"It's a big emotional shock," Timberwolves starting forward Kevin Love said. "He makes winning plays, he's a winner. We love having him around, on and off the court. We hope for a speedy recovery so he can help this team next year. It's a big loss for us," ESPN reports.

With the recent addition of Rubio to the team, the Wolves have won more games than they lost this season and are established as a playoff contender for the first time since 2004. The team has lost a strong asset with Rubio's injury, the Star tribune reports.

We're still in it. I don't see any reason to back away from that. There's no reason we can't win games. That's what we have to do. It's no different than before," Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said the Star Tribune reports.

By Shannon Corrigan

One year after the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands, Sendai, Japan is experiencing an economic boom, sources reports.

One year ago the magnitude 9 earthquake hit Japan's northeastern coast, killing approximately 16,000 people and leaving 3,300 people unaccounted for. The country is still coping with the human, economic and political costs, MSNBC reports.

However, in the coming months, the economy looks to return to pre-disaster levels with the help of $230 billion in rebuilding funds, reports MSNBC.

At the public employment office in Sendai, there are 17 traffic controller positions at construction sites available for every job-seeker and 11 jobs offered to each iron-beam worker. According to local business owners in Sendai, some wages are also increasing, reports the Wall Street Journal.

"We are seeing positive effects of reconstruction on the economy right now but they won't last for a long time," said Takahide Kiuchi, chief economist for Nomura Securities. "Japan's economy could well be in worse shape than before the disasters once reconstruction demand dissipates," the Wall Street Journal reports.

By Shannon Corrigan

The overwhelming success of the viral video campaign to raise global awareness of the brutal actions of a Central African rebel leader is also attracting criticism, sources report.

With the use of social media, YouTube, and other internet sites, the Invisible Children's campaign to make militia leader Joseph Kony a household name has received massive attention, reports the Associated Press.

"Kony's Lord's Resistance Army began its attacks in Uganda in the 1980s, when Kony sought to overthrow the government. Since being pushed out of Uganda several years ago, the LRA has terrorized villages in Congo, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. The group takes young women into sexual slavery and forces children to commit heinous attacks," reports the Associated Press.

Some criticized the film's content as muckraking and misleading, failing to recognize that Joseph Kony is no longer as much of a threat as he was in the early 2000s.It is now thought that the LRA only has a few hundred followers, and officials believe he is no longer in Uganda, the Washington Post reports.

Jedidiah Jenkins, Invisible Children's director of ideology, said the viral impact of the video represents its achievement. "How are you going to get young people to care about an issue on the other side of the planet that doesn't affect them?" Jenkins asked. "We did that", reports the Washington Post.

By Shannon Corrigan

In the New York Times' story of Romney's speech at Michigan's Ford Field, more emphasis was placed on the venue than on the speech itself. The story is titled "At a Romney Speech, 1,200 people and 65,000 seats," and throughout the story references were made to the vast arena filled with empty seats. The reporter chose to craft the story around the emptiness of the stadium and the image it has created for Romney. This report did not discuss the speech's content at all, but rather the significance of how the poor choice has affected his campaign

The reporter elaborated on how other reporters immediately started tweeting and reporting about the poor venue choice and made comparisons to past speeches Obama had made in similar-sized venues that were well-attended. The reporter also referenced other politicians who made similar mistakes.

New York Times Speech report

By Shannon Corrigan

A CVS pharmacy in New Jersey mistakenly provided a few children with breast cancer medication instead of the fluoride pills they were prescribed, reports the Associated Press.

CVS officials say only a few children ingested the pills. No injuries have been reported relating to the mix-up in prescriptions, the Associated Press reports.

The attorney general's consumer affairs division ordered the pharmacy to explain the mistake. They also requested names of all its employees, all emails, telephone calls, complaints, and other information pertaining to the mix-up by Wednesday, reports the New York Daily News.

Mike DeAngelis, CVS's director of public relations, said that CVS will remain in contact with the families of the children who took the breast cancer medication, reports the New York Daily News.

"The health and safety of our customers is our highest priority and we are deeply sorry for the mistake that occurred ... ," DeAngelis said, reported the New York Daily News.

By Shannon Corrigan

One person is dead and two injured in two separate but likely related stabbings in Richfield on Friday night and Minneapolis on Thursday night, the Star Tribune reports.

The Richfield police said that just before noon on Friday they were called to the 7300 block of Elliot Avenue South. One man was found dead at the scene along with a female victim who had suffered non-life-threatening stab wounds, reports the Star Tribune.

A third victim, a male was taken to HCMC on Thursday evening with non-life-threatening stab wounds, police said, reports the Pioneer Press. This victim was related to one Friday's Richfield stabbing victims, reports the Pioneer Press.

The stabbings seem to be "a self-contained incident" and the police are working to figure out how Minneapolis stabbing ties in, said the Richfield Deputy Police Chief Todd Sandell, reports the Star Tribune.

Police said the names of the victims would not be released Friday, reports the Star Tribune.

By Shannon Corrigan

Five American soldiers and an Afghan-American linguist were involved in the burning of a pile of Qurans on the NATO base in Afghanistan last week concluded Military investigators. This action resulted in a series of violent protests, reported the Washington Post and the New York Times.

"All six will be referred to the proper U.S. authorities for further action," said an official familiar with the joint Afghan-American investigation into the Quran burning, reported the New York Times.

Although the U.S. soldiers will be reprimanded for the incident it is unlikely that their punishment will be as severe as the Afghans are demanding; which would include a trial in an Afghan court. "What they did was careless, but not ill will," reports the Washington Post.

President Obama and General John R. Allen, the NATO commanding general in Afghanistan, apologized for the actions of the soldiers, the New York Times reports.

By Shannon Corrigan

Mitt Romney earned two big victories Tuesday in his home state of Michigan and also in Arizona, successfully making him the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, reports USA Today.

Romney's victory in Arizona was overshadowed by the close battle in Michigan. Although the win in Arizona awarded Romney the state's 29 delegates, attention was focused on the candidate's campaign in Michigan. The tight contest between Santorum and Romney emphasizes greater concerns surrounding Romney's candidacy, but the win spared his campaign from greater chaos, reports the New York Times.

Michigan was originally expected to be a simple victory for Romney because of his close ties to the state and primary win four years ago. Instead, with Santorum's popularity among social conservatives and the working-class the Michigan primary turned into a close battle between the two candidates, the New York Times reports.

According to the exit polls, the economy was a top issue among the majority of voters, followed by the federal budget deficit, and Romney had the edge among both groups. Santorum was popular with the one in seven voters who put abortion as the top issue, USA Today reports.

A candidate is required to have 1,144 delegates to secure the GOP nomination. According to an Associated Press tally reported by USA Today, Romney is leading with 123 delegates followed by Santorum with 72.

By Shannon Corrigan

A third student died Tuesday following the Chardon High School shooting the day before, the toll is now three dead and two injured, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Demetrius Hewlin died at the MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Tuesday morning. The boy's family described him as "a happy young man who loved life and his family and friends," in a statement reported by the Wall Street Journal, "we will miss him very much."

The suspect, TJ Lane, 17, admitted firing 10 shots with a .22-caliber pistol Monday morning at the school, Geauga County prosecutor David Joyce said at a juvenile court hearing, reports CBS News. The teenager told investigators he didn't know his victims and chose them at random, reports CBS News.

"I looked up and this kid was pointing a gun about 10 feet away from me at a group of four kids sitting at a table," said Danny Komertz, a 15-year-old who witnessed the shooting in the cafeteria reports the Wall Street Journal. Students ran for safety after the gunman had fired his initial shots, with one student "trying to get underneath the table, trying to hide, protecting his face," he said.

Judge Timothy Grendell ordered the boy, who is considered a juvenile, held for at least the next 15 days. Prosecutors have until March 1 to charge him, CBS reports.