Dullinger Daily

Analysis: Hospital helicopters

2012-12-05T19:42:36Z

Hospital helicopters are not used so much for reporting to scenes of accidents as much as they are used for transporting patients from hospital to hospital, the Argus Leader said.
The focus of the story was on whether the cost of hospital helicopters is worth it. Helicopter trips are increasingly expensive, yet increasingly popular, the article said.
The article provides a large amount of numbers. On the first page of the lengthy article, there is a table on the side that provides data from three different hospitals. The data includes the number of Medicare flights, scene of accident flights, hospital transfers, the average cost, and total cost. The information is used to provide details to reference the expenses of hospital helicopters. The table is not interactive. Readers cannot click on the table to get more information.
In order to produce this story, I assume the reporter had to use some basic math skills in order to provide interesting facts and relevant comparisons. The reporter broke down the information in order to make it more comprehensible and easier to follow. Simply stating the numbers would not have been as hard hitting. The way the information was present made the story that much more relevant.
It appears the reporter did not use any computer skills to create this story. The story is basically cut and dry math, reporting, and writing.

Text message celebrates 20th anniversary

2012-12-03T21:38:37Z

The text message, a popular form of communication by all, is 20 years old today, the Los Angeles Times said.
The first text message was sent on Dec. 3, 1992, from software engineer Neil Papworth to Vodafone director Richard Jarvis, CNN said. It read, "Merry Christmas," the Los Angeles Times, said.
Text messaging has changed over the past 20 years. From T9, to full QWERTY keyboards, to voicing your message to Siri, texting has gone completely mainstream, the Los Angeles Times said.
Texting is popular around the world because it is compatible on all phones, whether it be old flip phones or expensive smartphones, CNN said.
The average adult, 18-24, sends approximately 4,000 text messages a month, the Los Angeles Times said. Adults, 55 and over, send almost 500 text messages a month, the Los Angeles Times said.
Six billion text messages are sent around the world daily, CNN said. While text messaging is still popular, it has recently been on the decline, the Los Angeles Times said.
Text messaging is costly, and people are finding ways to avoid these costs, CNN said.
According to Chetan Sharma, a consulting firm, free alternatives to texting such as Apple's iMessage, Facebook's chat, and other apps are creating the first decline for texting ever, CNN and the Los Angeles Times said.
2013 may be the year texting sees a harsh decline, CNN said.

Man charged in sexual assault of St. Kate's student

2012-12-03T21:04:30Z

A Hastings man was arrested Tuesday and later charged with the Nov. 19 sexual assault of a St. Catherine's student walking in Minneapolis, WCCO said.
The student was walking to St. Catherine's from Riverside Park when she was approached by a male asking for money. He claimed to have a gun and took her by the arm, WCCO said.
"He took the victim onto a trail in a wooded side of the park and robbed the victim of cash, her backpack, wallet and financial cards. Then, the complaint says he forcibly pulled down the victim's pants, pulled off her panties and sexually assaulted her with his finger. He also struck the victim in the face, leaving an abrasion," WCCO said.
Louis Richard Oliver, 48, who is also known as Terry Woods, was arrested after Regions Hospital security officers noticed him approaching women in the parking lot, the Pioneer Press said. Oliver was allegedly asking women for jumper cables for his car, WCCO said. When security went to where he said his car was parked, they found nothing, WCCO said. A Ramsey County deputy recognized Oliver from a sketch of the man who allegedly assaulted the St. Kate's student, WCCO said. After Oliver was detained, a background check found he is a registered sex offender, WCCO said.
The victim of the alleged assault confirmed Oliver as her assailant in a photographic lineup, WCCO said.
"Oliver faces one felony count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine plus conditional release," WCCO said.

Joe Mauer gets hitched

2012-12-03T20:32:53Z

Minnesota Twins' catcher Joe Mauer tied the knot Saturday in St. Paul, the Pioneer Press said.
Mauer, 29, married Maddie Bisanz, of St. Paul, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, the Pioneer Press said.
The reception was held Saturday at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis, the Pioneer Press said. Photos can be viewed here. Over 600 guests attended the reception that lasted until 2 a.m., the Pioneer Press said.
One guest reported, "Joe and Maddie went out of their way to make sure it was very entertaining, and they thought of every detail," the Pioneer Press said.
The reception was full of current and former Twins players and coaches. Jim Thome, J.J. Hardy, Jesse Crain, Orlando Hudson, Mike Redmond, Justin Morneau, Glen Perkins, Brian Duensing, and general manager Terry Ryan, the Pioneer press said.
Mauer's wedding was not the only marriage in the Twins family this weekend, the Star Tribune said.
Joe Gaetti and Ashley Gladden were married Saturday in Scottsdale, Ariz., the Pioneer Press said. Gaetti is the son of former Twins third baseman Gary Gaetti, and Gladden is the daughter of former Twins outfield and current Twins radio analyst, Dan Gladden, the Pioneer Press said.
Dave St. Peter, who was not in attendance at the Gaetti/Gladden wedding, tweeted he heard the wedding was "quite the bash," as reported in the Star Tribune.
Jack Morris, Kent Hrbek, Tim Laudner and Randy Bush joined about 150 guests at the wedding, the Pioneer Press said.

Smuggling clash kills US Coast Guard officer

2012-12-03T19:31:03Z

A suspected smuggling vessel crashed into a small U.S. Coast Guard boat killing one officer and injuring another off the Southern California coast Sunday, according to authorities, CBS News and Fox News said.
The small boat was deployed from a cutter by the Coast Guard to help in investigating a suspected Mexican drug smuggling vessel, CBS News said.
The Coast Guard spotted a panga, which is an open, low-sided fishing boat, near the Channel Islands west of Malibu before dawn, Fox News said. The Coast Guard issued a statement saying the panga, operating at a high speech and without lights, crashed into the inflatable boat deployed from the cutter, CBS News said. Two members of the Coast Guard were thrown from the boat, CBS News said.
Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III, 34, of Redondo Beach, sustained traumatic head injuries and was pronounced dead after being brought to shore, CBS News said.
The second man was treated for minor injuries, but his name has not been released, Fox news said.
The alleged smuggling vessel tried to flee, but another Coast Guard vessel was able to stop it and detain two suspects, CBS News said.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano released a statement, saying, "This tragedy reminds us of the dangers our men and women in uniform face every day, and the great risks they willingly take, as they protect our nation," as reported on CBS News.
Horne and his wife Rachel have one daughter and a child on the way, CBS News said.

Kate Middleton expecting first child

2012-12-03T19:09:23Z

England's Royal Family confirmed Monday the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child, Fox News said.
It was also confirmed that Princess Kate was also admitted to the hospital due to Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which is acute morning sickness due to pregnancy, Fox News said. She is expected to stay in the hospital for several days, but her illness is not serious, the Los Angeles Times said.
It has not been confirmed how far along Middleton is, however the rep for the Royal Family said she has not passed 12 weeks, Fox News said.
The news brought much to delight. Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted, "I'm delighted by the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby," he said. "They will make wonderful parents."
The child, boy or girl, will be in line behind William for succession of the throne due to a recent change in the royal succession act in October, the Los Angeles Times said. Previously, the eldest son would be heir to the throne, the Los Angeles Times said.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who currently reside in North Wales where William is a search-and-rescue pilot, married in April 2011 after dating for eight years, Fox news said.

Analysis: Obama pressures Congress to reach deal on debt

2012-11-28T20:59:30Z

Obama held an event today on the White House grounds to pressure Congress to avoid the fiscal cliff, the San Francisco Chronicle said.
The report not only talked about Obama's event, but the event where John Boehner spoke as well.
The article goes beyond simply transcribing the speech by providing background information on why the events were taking place. The reported also provided information on how reporters were solicited to the event.
The report chronicles Obama's plan to lower the National debt, along with the current status of Congress' acceptance of the plan.
The reporter also interviews prominent politicians for their opinions and viewpoints on the topic.
The report goes above and beyond simply reporting on the various speeches. Background information and commentary is pepper throughout the report to provide complete understanding for readers who are not fully up to date on the subject.

Reply-Allpocalypse: NYU student replies-all to 40,000 classmates

2012-11-28T19:23:09Z

A New York University student accidentally replied-all in an email to 40,000 students, which created the "Reply-Allpocalypse" on Monday night, the Huffington Post said.
Max Wiseltier, a sophomore at NYU, was trying to forward an email from the Bursar's office when he accidentally hit "reply to all," Yahoo News said. The email was sent to 39,979 students, the Huffington Post said.
Wiseltier immediately sent out an apology email explaining he accidentally hit "reply to all," which only furthered the "Reply-Allpocalypse." Almost 40,000 students realized they were able to send out mass emails, the Huffington Post said.
"We simultaneously realized that any message, complaint, whim, link, video, or GIF could be sent to nearly 40,000 people in an instant," Kelly Weill wrote in an NYU student newspaper, as reported in Yahoo News.
Thousands of students reportedly started sending mass emails, Yahoo News said. Popular emails included a picture of Nicholas Cage, and various questions posed to students, the Huffington Post said.
"Would you rather fight 100 duck sized horses, or 1 horse sized duck?" asked one student, as reported in Yahoo News.
"According to NYU Local's Ben Zweig, Reply-Allpocalypse occurred because several NYU departments still rely an 'older, discussion-based ListManager program,' which sends mass emails, 'but allows discussions (in the form of reply-alls), unless the settings are adjusted,'" the Huffington Post said.
The issue has since been resolved and students can no longer send out these mass emails, the Huffington Post said.
David Vogelsang of NYU's Student Resource Center announced in an email that he has the account that started the "Reply-Allpocalypse" has been deleted, the Huffington Post said.
"I'm the culprit behind the Lyris blunder," Vogelsang said. "I was assisting the Bursar with an email message and in populating one of the SRC Listserves did not realize the list I was using was one that allowed for responses," he said, as reported in the Huffington Post.
"I take full responsibility for this blunder and offer my sincere apologies for the frustrating situation that was created," Vogelsang said, as reported on Yahoo News.

Vikings' Smith and Rudolph cleared from concussions

2012-11-28T18:52:54Z

Vikings' head coach Leslie Frazier announced Tuesday two key starters have been medically cleared to practice after both receiving concussions on Sunday, the Star Tribune said.
Tight end Kyle Rudolph and free safety Harrison Smith each received concussions while playing against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago Nov. 25, the Pioneer Press said. Rudolph may not practice due to a shoulder strain he has been dealing with, Frazier said as reported in the Star Tribune. Both players are expected to play in Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, the Pioneer Press said.
"To know that Kyle and Harrison have been cleared, that's a big deal because they are two keys to our football team," Frazier said, as reported in the Pioneer Press.
Receiver Percy Harvin sprained his ankle Nov. 4 and has not played a game since. He will be testing his ankle in practice today, the Star Tribune said. It is unclear whether he will be able to play in Sunday's game, the Pioneer Press said.
"Percy is going to try and see what he can do and then we'll get a better gauge [on his status for Sunday's game at Green Bay] post-practice," Frazier said as reported in the Star Tribune.
Harvin ran drills on Tuesday, but was not fully functioning, the Pioneer Press said.
"[T]he fact that Percy is going to attempt to do something today, that's encouraging. It's just a matter of how far he can go," Frazier said as reported in the Star Tribune.
Running back Adrian Peterson, dealing with a shoulder strain, will participate in practice, but plans on taking it easy, the Star Tribune said.
The Vikings', who are 6-5, embark on their toughest lineup of the year. Their game against the Packers could weaken or strengthen their playoff chances, the Pioneer Press said. The Vikings trail Green Bay by one game in the NFC North, but they are 1-5 on the road. The Vikings have lost nine of their last 12 games against the Packers, the Pioneer Press said.
Quarterback Christian Ponder has faith in the team.
"We're 6-5, sitting in a great position, going into one of the biggest games of the year. We're ready. I think it's a lot easier to focus this week than it has been any other week. We know how good an opponent this is and what this game means," Ponder said as reported in the Pioneer Press.

Stolen items found in shooting victims' car

2012-11-28T18:21:00Z

A car believed to belong to the Little Falls' teens who were shot to death Thanksgiving Day was found to contain burglarized items, including prescription drugs, the Pioneer Press said.
Haile Kifer, 17, and Nicholas Brady, 18, cousins who were shot repeatedly, and eventually died, in the home of Byron Smith, of Little Falls after they allegedly broke into his house and encountered him in his basement, the St. Cloud Times said. Smith is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, the Pioneer press said.
Today, Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel said the red Mitsubishi Eclipse seized after the shooting of Kifer and Brady contained items reported stolen from an earlier burglary south of Little Falls, the St. Cloud Times said.
Morrison county deputies were in contact with Brady on Nov. 21 around 9:25 p.m. after a homeowner reported a suspicious vehicle parked on Hilton Road in Little Falls Township, the St. Cloud Times said.
Brady told deputies he and Kifer ran out of gas, and Kifer left to get gas, the Pioneer Press said. Deputies gave Brady a ride to Little Falls, leaving the car on Hilton Road near the residence of Richard Johnson, the St. Cloud Times said.
Johnson reported a burglary on Sunday after he had been out of town for over a week, the Pioneer Press said. Six bottles of prescriptions were reported missing, the St. Cloud Times said. The prescriptions bottles found in the Mitsubishi Eclipse were in Johnson's name, the St. Cloud Times said.
Wetzel said authorities are still looking into the shooting and the possible connection of the burglaries, the St. Cloud Times said.

Obama shops on "Small Business Saturday"

2012-11-26T21:33:05Z

President Obama shopped at a local small bookstore to promote Small Business Saturday, the Christian Science Monitor said.
Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia joined the President at One More Page Books in Arlington, Va., the Christian Science Monitor said.
Small Business Saturday, an alternative to Black Friday, was created in 2010 by American Express to promote small business, CBS News said. Last year, approximately 100 million people participated in Small Business Saturday, the Christian Science Monitor said.
This is the second year Obama has participated in the Saturday event, CBS News said. Last year, the President shopped at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe. He purchased eight books that year, the Christian Science Monitor said.
This year, the President consulted his Blackberry, then purchased 15 books before even browsing the store, CBS News said. He claims he came prepared with a list.
"That's how I shop. Michelle, she can go wandering around forever. I like knowing what I'm coming in here for," the President said, as reported in CBS News.
When asked to report on politics, Obama said, "Come on, we're doing Christmas shopping. Happy Thanksgiving, folks," as reported in the Christian Science Monitor.
"Through events such as 'Small Business Saturday,' we keep our local economies strong and help maintain an American economy that can compete and win in the 21st century," Obama said as reported by CBS News.

Fire at German disabled workshop kills 14

2012-11-26T20:59:29Z

A fire at a workshop for the disabled in Germany killed 14 and injured eight Monday, the Guardian said.
The cause of the fire, which took place in the Black Forest in the town of Titisee-Neustadt near Freiburg in southwest Germany, is still unknown, The Financial Times said. However a German news agency reported an explosion may have occurred in a storage area, the Financial Times said.
The institution, run by the Catholic charity of Caritas, employed 120 mentally or physically disabled workers, the Financial Times said. Employees complete a variety of jobs including metalwork, woodwork and electrical installation, the Guardian said.
Approximately 300 personnel, including firefighters and paramedics, and two helicopters were on the scene to qualm the blaze, the Financial Times said.
"It is devastating. We now have to find out how it happened," Titisee-Neustadt mayor Armin Hinterseh said, as reported in the Guardian.

Analysis: Mexico labor laws

2012-11-16T00:44:57Z

There are big changes coming for Mexico's labor laws which have not seen changes in 40 years, USA Today said in an article in the St. Cloud Times.
The news story involved Mexico's workers, which is a different cultural group than my own. The story moves beyond the stereotype of Mexicans. In the U.S., many believe Mexicans do all they can to come and live in the U.S. as illegal immigrants. This article breaks that and specifically interviews hard-working Mexican citizens.
The story features quotes from a variety of laborous Mexican workers. The sources of this story include a construction worker, a worker who used to work accounts receivables departments, among other professionals who are knowledgable on the labor laws in Mexico.
Different professors, specialts, and supporters of Mexican labor laws were interviewed and quoted in this story.
The professionals and supports of the Mexican labor laws add credibility and help break down the stereotypes that many believe of Mexican citizens. This article does an excellent job of providing a news story without a lot of bias.

No voters in a Minneapolis precinct

2012-11-14T21:40:58Z

A computer error resulted in no votes being cast in the Nov. 6 election from Ward 10, Precinct 3B in Minneapolis, the Star Tribune said.
City Clerk Casey Carl said the occurrence was due to the electronic redistricting of the area, therefore the precinct lies underneath the water of Lake Calhoun, United Press International said.
"It's the unintentional result of a programming error made in drawing new ward boundary lines during the redistricting process," Carl said in a email to the Star Tribune.
The Star Tribune noticed the lack of votes in the precinct after the elections. The error was to have been corrected before the elections, but never was, the Star Tribune said.
"So far, no one has been lured to the precinct to cast a vote," United Press International said.

Red Bull Crashed Ice event to return to St. Paul

2012-11-14T21:00:41Z

St. Paul will again be host to the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championships in late January, the Pioneer Press said.
New details were announced Wednesday regarding the changes from last year's Crashed Ice event, which will include a more challenging course, WCCO said.
The event, which is scheduled for Jan. 24-26, will feature over 200 competitors, WCCO and the Pioneer Press said.
Last year, the event drew in 100,000 spectators, $20 million and national television coverage, WCCO said.
Like last year, the event will start near the cathedral in downtown St. Paul. Competitors start at a ramp 48 feet high, which is 12 feet higher than last year's ramp, WCCO said. The course will lead them down 1,300-foot ice-covered course, in which racers could reach speeds of 40 miles an hour, the Pioneer Press said.
"We wanted to make it more fun for the athletes," Team USA Coach Charlie Wasley said of the taller ramp, as reported in the Pioneer Press.
Athletes come from a variety of backgrounds including hockey, downhill skiing, and speed skating, the Pioneer Press said.
Brian Schack, of Lino Lakes, is a former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher hockey player competing in the event, WCCO said.
"It's fun. I know, we're crazy," Shack said. "You got be athletic, but you also gotta have that little edge of 'I can do this.'"
Red Bull, the sponsor of the event, will be providing shuttles and parking for the event, the Pioneer Press said. The energy drink company also funds extra police coverage of the event, costing St. Paul virtually nothing, the Pioneer Press said.
Mayor Chris Coleman said last year's event of Crashed Ice "was too good not to do again," the Pioneer Press said.