Recently in National Category

By: Andrew Krammer

In an article done by CNN, the reporter writes about the recent settlements the U.S. Senate has approved for minority farmers.

For this anlysis, I talked to an african-american friend of mine, fellow University of Minnesota student, Jordan Becker. Jordan lives near me in Dinkytown.

Within the article, the report does move past stereotypes and discusses how the government is paying back billions of dollars towards many races of farmers.

"The report does a good job sticking to the news of the settlements and avoiding the discrimination lawsuits that brought them," Jordan said.

The article brings in quotes from President Barack Obama and other notable people such as the president of the National Black Farmers Association. By bringing in these quotes, it shows how the settlements are paying back such damages done by these 'stereotypes'.

The article ends by describing how multiple people from all political parties are supporting this bill.

This display of reporting shys away from any kind of discrimination and instead focuses on how the government is fixing and repaying damages done by stereotypes and discrimination.

By: Andrew Krammer

The U.S. Senate has approved $1.15 billion to settle discrimination claims brought by black farmers against the Agriculture Department more than a decade ago, CNN reported.

The senate also approved $3.4 billion for American Indians who said the Interior Department had been swindling them out of royalties since the 19th century, USA Today reported.

To pay for the settlements, the money would be taken from a surplus in nutrition programs for women and children and by extending customs user fees.

Cases include the 1997 Pigford v. Glickman case against the U.S. Agriculture Department, which was settled out of court 11 years ago. Under a federal judge's terms dating to 1999, qualified black farmers could receive $50,000 each to settle claims of racial bias.

By: Andrew Krammer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration told the makers of seven caffeinated alcholic beverages Wednesday that caffeine is an unsafe food additive to alcholic beverages, CNN reported.

The federal government could seize the products if the companies don't change their current form and remove the caffeine.

The move came after a year-long review into reports of hospitalizations and deaths, Businessweek reported.

One of the main arguments against the beverages is that the caffeine can mask the effects of alcohol, leaving drinkers unaware of how intoxicated they are.

Four Loko, a popular caffeinated-alcohol beverage, was among the companies that received warning letters from the FDA.

By: Andrew Krammer

In an article by CNN, a reporter uses numbers to show the relationship between teenage salt intake and health risks such as hypertension and other heart conditions.

The numbers are rather overwhelming, saying that a reduction of only 3 grams of salt a day can lead to a 68 percent decrease in the number of teens with hypertension.
Since they are dramatic, the statistics fit well in the story and get the point across.

The reporter placed all of the raw details in the beginning of the story, which could be done differetly. If the statistics were spread out, the reader would have an easier time going through the story.

The numbers are attributed in the story to sources such as the University of California and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

By: Andrew Krammer

The creator of the famous "Garfield" comic, Jim Davis, has issued an apology for a strip that ran on Veterans Day, the Washington Post reported.

The strip depicts a spider's thoughts as Garfield is about to crush it with a rolled-up newspaper, "If you squish me, I shall become famous!" read the thought bubble.

"They will hold an annual day of remembrance in my honor, you fat slob," the spider continues.

The last square shows the spider at a teacher's desk, as he addressed a group of spiders: "Does anyone here know why we celebrate 'National Stupid Day?'"

The cartoonist said the strip was created almost a year ago, CNN reported

"I had no idea when writing it that it would appear today - of all days," Davis said.

By: Andrew Krammer

In an obituary done by the New York Times, Frosty the Clown recieved a traditionally styled article.

The lead begins with his name, Glen Little, followed by his claim to fame, Frosty the Clown with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. This lead works well with the obituary and sources, such as Mr. Little's wife, were used to confirm the death. Other sources included Mr. Little's protoges, who gave insight into his worklife, which is what he was known for.

The structure of the obituary differs from that of a resume because the obituary follows his life for what he was known for, a clown. The reporter adds in personal touches with quotes from coworkers, but does not simply just list his accomplishments.

Overall, the obituary follows the classic lead, claim to fame, and biography structure.

By: Andrew Krammer

A rare Honus Wagner baseball card was sold at an auction by an order of Roman Catholic nuns for $262,000 on Thursday night, NBC reported.

Heritage Auctions, based in Texas, conducted the internet auction, with a winning bid coming from Doug Walton, who owns stores specializing in sports cards, CNN reported.
The nuns will recieve a profit of $220,000 from the sale and the proceeds will go to the order's ministries in more than 30 countries around the world, Sister Virginia Muller said.

Only around 50 or 60 of the Honus Wagner cards are believed to exist.

By: Andrew Krammer

A writer from Philadelphia is suing Oprah Winfrey for reading passages of his book on her show last year, without his permission, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Charles Harris filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Winfrey, who read word-for-word questions that were the same as in his work, "How America Elects Her Presidents," CBS news reports. The accused episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," aired on Feb. 16, 2009.

Harris stated in his suit that he sent her a letter and 10 copies of his booklet in January of 2008 to see if she would back it on her show. Harris is seeking $150,000 for each "intentional unlawful use" and additional damages, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

By: Andrew Krammer

The Department of Veterans Affairs added 1,200 advertisements to the Washington area to promote its Suicide Prevention Hotline.

In a story by the website GIBill, all of the information from the news release by the VA was included. The reporter chose to include both full quotes and general facts given by the VA. He then added some background on the topic that was not included in the news release.

The reporter gave statistics regarding how many veterans fell victim to suicide, to give reason to the new advertisements set to be displayed on city buses, subways, and bus shelters.

He then added further details regarding the duration of these advertisements and at the end he provided a link to further information.

By: Andrew Krammer

Retired NFL linebacker Junior Seau drove his white Cadillac SUV off of a cliff Monday morning shortly after being arrested, NBC reported.

Seau was arrested on a domestic violence charge in Oceanside, California, after his girlfriend told police that he assaulted her during a verbal argument shortly after midnight Monday, according to CNN. The alleged victim is a 25-year-old live-in girlfriend of Seau's who had minor injuries that didn't require medical attention, police said.

Seau was released on bail just prior to his car crash, police said. Police said that Seau was the only occupant in the vehicle and that the cause of the accident is still under investigation.