CJones

Anticipation mounted Saturday as the NFL draft picks were announced. For the Vikings, it was Andrian Peterson, a running back, that proved to be their top pick. Many have concerns about Peterson because of many pervious injuries. Peterson has suffered a dislocated shoulder, a high ankle sprain, and the most serious, a broken collarbone. The Vikings' head coach, Brad Childress, is both excited and optimistic of the abilities Peterson will bring to the team. When asked about if Peterson will have any difficulties with offseason workouts, Peterson seemed optimistic. "To my knowledge, he is not going to have any of those issues," said Childress.

The challenge with writing this story is not to offend the Vikings because of a decision. It is important to deliver the news accurately, but the team and coaches are not going to be as willing to give interviews if they open up the paper and read about what horrible decision they are making.

Don Seeholzer reported on the story for the Pioneer Press. The Pioneer Press wrote a brief summary in the beginning; highlighting most of the facts the star tribune hit. After that, in three paragraphs, three questions fans might be asking themselves about the Vikings new pick were answered.

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Nicole M. Beecroft, 17, gave birth early Monday morning to a baby girl in a laundry room, but the baby was never given a chance. Beecroft is being charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the Washington County District Court for stabbing her baby to death 135 times. St. Paul police received an anoymous report on Tuesday from a cashier at the Cub Foods in Sun Ray Plaza saying Nikki Beecroft gave birth to a stillborn baby and threw it in the garbage can. Police found the baby along with bloody towels and a knife in a garbage can near Beecroft's home and she was arrested at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The challenge in this story is being sensitive to the nature of the content. The crime commited was horrific and done by a minor, although, she will be tried as an adult. It is difficult to be sensitive to the family while still reporting the news fully and thruthfully.

Alex Friedrich reported on the story for the Pioneer Press. The Pioneer Press' article ran a day later, on Saturday. Most of the facts remained the same, however, Beecroft's bail was set a $1 million dollars.

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Early Saturday Morning, Andrea Schmit received a call notifying her that her husband, Army Sgt. Joshua Schmit died from injuries after a roadside bomb exploded near the vehicle he was driving. Sgt. Schmit, a 1999 Willmar High graduate had been in Iraq since May 2006 and was suppose to come home later this month. Schmit is the 58th person with Minnesotan ties to die in Iraq or Afghanistan over the war. Greg Schmit, Joshua's father, is in the Minnesota National Guard and is scheduled to be sent to Iraq next month. Greg says he still plans to go to Iraq and will follow his commanders orders.

The challenge in this story is not letting it fall victim to just another fallen soldier in Iraq. The article noted that Schmit was the 58th person with Minnesota ties to die over the war. The media respectfully covers each death with honor, however, the story is newsworthy, it's not irregular.

David Hanners reported on the story for the Pioneer Press. The Pioneer Press' coverage was more detailed. The reader is told that Schmit's nickname was "Oompa" and that it was just 10 days before he was suppose to return home. It was almost mentioned that his Humvee had been struck three other times by roadside bombs, but Schmit escaped with his life.

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