Luesse Lot

Four teens were charged today for rape of a 13-year-old girl last weekend at a residence in St. Paul's Dayton's Bluff neighborhood said police, reported the Pioneer Press.

The 13-year-old Minneapolis girl was raped by four teens Friday night in what police say may have been a part of an initiation into the Hmong gang, Mafia Gangsters, reported the Star Tribune.

"For gangs, that's when they try to catch them, right around that age," said police spokesman Peter Panos to the Star Tribune. "They're looking to see who they are, trying to find something to belong to, an identity."

The teens - one 16, two 15, and one 13 - each face two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of committing a crime for the benefit of a gang.

The girl had been hanging out with the teens, and they were drinking alcohol, said police. Later she was bitten, punched and threatened before the four teens eventually raped her.

Panos said the girl claimed to already have been a member of the Hmong gang, and that it could be possible the 13-year-old boy was being ininitiated. The four teens made their first appearances today in Ramsey County Juvenile Court, where motions were filed to certify all except the 13-year-old for prosecution as adults.

Pioneer Press: http://www.twincities.com/ci_11774300?source=most_viewed
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/40234492.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

Posted by luess004 at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Entry on Spot and Follows
News stories: Twins finally make a splash: Sign free agent 3B Joe Crede to 1-year deal (2/21, Pioneer Press)
Signing Crede is low risk, All-Star reward (2/22, Pioneer Press)

These two stories cover the signing of third basement Joe Crede by the Minnesota Twins for the upcoming season.

The leads in the stories are very different. The lead for the Feb. 21 story is hard news. The story had clearly just broken and that was the purpose of the story. It breaks the news and details of the new Twin's acquisition. The Feb. 22 story is a much more analyitical and in-depth lead. It looks and states an analyzation of Crede and says more about him than just the facts.
The main news in the first story is covered rather traditionally, with the most important facts and details first and quotes and other material following, soundly covering the EVENT of signing Crede. The second news story finds its main news in the analyzation the writer is making, over how it was a good choice for the Twins and how it might play out. The first story's main news has an urgency and recency to it, while the second one is much more reflective and narrative. It advances the news by discussing the meaning of the details and hard news of the event and the first story. It steps back and discusses, rather than tells, what happened.

Feb. 21 Story : http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/40028502.html?elr=KArksUUUU
Feb. 22 Story: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/40035792.html?elr=KArksUUUU

Posted by luess004 at 12:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Several Republican governors said Sunday that they will turn town some of the funds alloted to them by the stimulus plan signed into law last week by President Obama, reported CNN.

Despite support of federal action to aid their states during the recession, there is a major divide among Republican governors over whether the stimulus plan money will help or not, reported the New York Times.

The disagreements were clear among Republicans during the annual National Governor's Association meeting, over differences in approach to their state's deficits, as well as reactions to the president's new stimulus bill.

"If we were to take the unemployment reform package that they have, it would cause us to raise taxes on employment when the money runs out -- and the money will run out in a couple of years," Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

Also in agreement are Republican governors of Alaska, Idaho, Lousiana, South Caroline and Texas.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California said he is in support of the stimulus funds, and told CNN that he does not foresee a need for a tax hike in the future to sustain the unemployment provisions.

"I don't like this bill, but it is now the law. ... It's now our responsibility and opportunity to try to implement it," Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told "Fox News Sunday", said CNN.

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/22/stimulus.governors/index.html
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/us/politics/23govs.html?_r=1&ref=us

Posted by luess004 at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A tourist was killed and 23 others wounded in a bombing Sunday in one of Cairo's busy tourist disctricts, according to Egyptian authorities reported CNN.

A bombing killed a 17-year-old french tourist and wounded 23 others, 18 of whom were Europeans, Sunday in an open-air hotel cafe packed with tourists in the Khan al-Khalili area. It is a major attraction and home to a prominent mosque, reported the BBC.

Security officials said a man and a woman were arrested after the explosion, but no further details have been released.

The BBC reports Egyptian police said the device, most likely home-made, was thrown from a balcony. Conflicting reports, such as that from CNN, say the bomb may have been left under a bench.

Several of the injured are expected to be released from hospital treatment on Monday, said Egyptian medical officials, reported CNN.

President Hosni Mubarak was "closely monitoring the situation" and had ordered "full medical care for all those injured in the blast," said Nile TV, according to CNN.

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/02/22/egypt.blast/index.html
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7904731.stm

Posted by luess004 at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Motion picture 'Slumdog Millionare' collected eight oscars Sunday Night at the 81st annual Academy Awards, reported CNN.

Heath Ledger won best supporting actor for his role in 'The Dark Knight', becoming only the second actor of all time to win an Academy Award posthumuously for his demented interpretation of the Batman villain, the Joker, reported the Pioneer Press.

Kate Winslet won the Academy Award for best actress for her role in 'The Reader, and Sean Penn earned the same honor for best actor for his work in 'Milk'. Penelope Cruz won best supporting actress from performance in 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'.

As the film's huge cast took up the stage, producer Christian Colson referring to 'Slumdog's' "extraordinary journey."

"Most of all we had passion and we had belief, and our film shows if you have those two things, you have everything," said Colson, reported CNN.

With ten nominations, 'Slumdog Milliionare's' other wins included best director (Danny Boyle), best adapted screenplay (Simon Beaufoy), score (A.R. Rahman), song ("Jai Ho," co-written by Rahman), cinematography (Anthony Dod Mantle), sound mixing and film editing, according to CNN.

Also, in winning his Oscar for best actor, Sean Penn commented on the anti-gay protesters demonstrating outside, and the recent California vote to ban gay marriage, reported the Pioneer Press.

"For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think it's a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that support," Penn said. "We've got to have equal rights for everyone."

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/22/oscar.night/index.html
Pioneer Press: http://www.twincities.com/ci_11762420

Posted by luess004 at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two Shakopee police officers fatally shot a man wielding a knife Saturday amidst a domestic assault investigation, police told the Pioneer Press.

Gordon William Denmark, 36, ignored multiple orders from police to drop his weapon, and was unaffected by a Taser police used against him.

Denmark had allegedly assaulted his estranged wife and a neighbor with a knife late Friday night and fled the scene in the 3000 block of Pine Tree Lane. He was wanted for second-degree assault, second-degree domestic assault and violation of an order for protection after the attack, police told the Pioneer Press.

Police came back to the scene Saturday afternoon for further investigation, where they discovered evidence of a break-in. They later found Denmark hiding in attic space, where he then came out with a knife in hand and police commanded he drop his weapon.

In fear for their lives, the two officers fired and hit Denmark. He died at the scene.

Pioneer Press: http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11761860
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/local/40058902.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUs

Posted by luess004 at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The St. Paul city attorney's office said Friday that they will not be prosecuting the 323 people arrested at the Marion and Cedar street bridges on Sept. 4 during the Republican National Convention, reported the Pioneer Press.

That means 82 percent of the total 396 people arrested that day will walk with clean records. Mostly juveniles and journalists, they were arrested on suspicion of unlawful assembly or presence at unlawful assemby.

That final protest has yet to yield a single charge reported the Star Tribune.

"When we decide to proceed on a case, it is because we believe we can succeed at trial," said City attorney John Choi at a news conference. "If we come to the conclusion that we can't prove this beyond a reasonable doubt ... we have to dismiss this case. Ultimately, it's the right thing to do in terms of our role as prosecutors."

Choi made sure to reaffirm that declining and dismissing a case does not mean police did not have probably cause to make the arrests or that they acted inappropriately.

Ted Dooley, an attorney who has represented a number of the activists, told the Pioneer press that Choi was acting "honorably."

The City attorney's office had reviewed 672 cases as of friday, with 52 resolved, 52 active or pending arrest warrants, and another 67 still under investigation reported the Pioneer Press.

Pioneer Press: http://www.twincities.com/ci_11749199?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/conventions/39993192.html?page=1&c=y

Posted by luess004 at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Structure
News story: Police: Australian fires create 'a holocaust' (CNN, Monday Feb. 9)

This news story was entirely structured with one to two, tight, informative statments. The reporter summarizes the information in small blocks of material, with a combination of importance, recency, and quality. The lead is jam packed with the core details of the story, the deaths and other consequences of the Australian fires. The next four blocks of information take on the story in a broad-reaction manner, looking at the big picture of the event with strong quotes to back them up, from police officials and Australia's Prime Minister. The next couple blocks pull back to put the story in perspective, bring in some history and using a reflective approach, including past fires and how this one relates. After this, the story turns to a much more narrative and point of view story, telling details about the story from different people's perspectives, as well as what the next steps will be.

Overall, the reporter seemed to order the information in a importance to interesting format, the most important, crucial information first, and from their prioritizing by the quality and level of interest the information had. I think this is effective. The story gets the reader the important facts first: what happened, the deaths, other consequences. From there it gives reaction, which ultimately performs the function of "what does the story mean", which the quotes and reactions give. Then history and reflection, to further inform the reader of the context and magnitude of the situation. It had a mix of facts and story. It could have been written facts first, with the lead, and following all the numbers and hard facts, such as whats happening now, whats going to happen, and so on, with the quotes and narrative later. However, this format gave plenty of crucial information, and then told a much more interesting story overall.

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/08/australia.wildfires/index.html

Posted by luess004 at 9:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, the BBC and Star Tribune broke down its details and truths on Saturday.

The $787 billion Stimulus Plan passed in Congress Friday, and will be signed into law by President Barack Obama next week, where the Star Tribune reports the stimulus will go to "paychecks to pavement, health insurance to schools."

The BBC reports that the plan is made of tax cuts, infrastructure investments, and aid to states dealing with their own budget deficits. Around one-third will go to tax cuts, and the infrastructure projects will include repairing roads, bridges and classrooms, and improving home insulation.

The Star Tribune gave details on the tax cuts, including tax breaks for "families that send a child to college, purchase a new car, buy a first home or make the ones they own more energy efficient." They also said the plan allots $87 billion for states to administer Medicaid, $90 billion for infrastructure projects, and $42 billion for energy-related investments.

"The stimulus package is likely to reduce the severity of the recession, although not eliminate its impact entirely" according to the independent Congressional Budget Office reported the BBC, but that much will depend on the reactions of citizens and government officials. Tax cuts will need to be spent rather than saved to be beneficial, while infrastructure projects must not be delayed or slow to be implemented.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment plan will be funded by borrowed money, likely pushing the year's budget deficit over $1 trillion.

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7874407.stm
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/congress/39610517.html?page=2&c=y

Posted by luess004 at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Eagan native Laura Osnes landed a role in Broadway production Saturday reported the Star Tribune.

Osnes will take on the role as the new Nellie Forbush in the production of "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center on March 10. The Pioneer press said it was fitting for Osnes, describing the role as a" cockeyed optimist.

The Eagan native starred in the successful Broadway revival of "Grease" in 2007, after winning the role of Sandy in NBC-TV's competition "Grease: Your the One That I Want". The show closed in January after Osnes had spent a year on it, according to the Star Tribune.

Osnes' local experience includes productions at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and Childrens' Theatre Company. After "Grease", Osnes had been in the Kennedy Center's "Broadway: Three Generations" concerts.

"South Pacific" is directed by Bartlett Sher and won the Tony award for best revival in 2008. Osnes succeeds Kelli O'Hara, a Tony nominee, who is pregnant with her first child and will return to the role next October, reported the Star Tribune.

Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/onstage/39611777.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU&elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU
Pioneer Press: http://www.twincities.com/entertainment/ci_11701117

Posted by luess004 at 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn into the newly created prime minister post in Zimbabwe on Wednesday reported CNN.

Tsvangirai was given the oath by President Mugabe, beginning the new unity government, a result of the power sharing agreement reached between the two in September.

Zimbabweans are hoping this will bring the end to months of political violence and a broken economy that Tsvangirai has promised to address and fix, reported the BBC. Citizens and outsiders alike hope the new unity government will restore Zimbabwe to the once-prosperous country it was, now facing some of its worst conditions since gaining independence from Great Britain in 1980.

"The first priority is to stabilise the economy," said Tsvangirai speaking to thousands of supports as the country work a festive look, according to CNN. "The economic collapse has forced millions of our most able to flee the country. This must end today."

Zimbabwe is dealing with massive inflation, a cholera epidemic that has kill near 4,000 people, and 90 percent unemployment. International aid has been promised if the country makes real positive change reported the BBC.

President Mugabe vowed to co-operate in the new unity government with his long time bitter rival.

"I offer my hand of friendship and co-operation, warm co-operation and solidarity in the service of our great country Zimbabwe," he said.

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7884282.stm
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/02/11/zimbabwe/index.html

Posted by luess004 at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The United States Senate approved the $838 billion economic stimulus plan on Tuesday reported the BBC.

The stimulus bill was passed in the Democrat-controlled Senate by a vote of 61-37, with the crucial support of 3 Republicans. Intense talks and negotiations now begin to merge the Senate bill and the version the House of Representatives passed last week.

President Obama says the stimulus bill will create some 4 million jobs and jumpstart the economy. He has called to have the final bill on his desk by Feb. 16 and said that today's vote was a good start.

"We've still got to get the House bill and the Senate bill to match up before it gets sent to my desk, so we have a little more work to do over the next couple of days,"said Obama.

The New York Times reports that officials have said that negotiations were on the fast track to possibly have the legislation completed by the end of the week.

“You are in the legislative branch,�said White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. “Anything is possible." He added, "Everybody knows the seriousness of the economic crisis.�

Along with Emanunel, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate majority leader Harry Reid and other senators close to the stimulus bill worked through the night to reconcile the two versions of the bill.

“We’re not there," Reid told the New York Times, "but we have made a significant amount of progress in the last 10 hours."

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7882143.stm
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/us/politics/11obama.html?_r=1&hp

Posted by luess004 at 12:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Minnesota Timberwolves star center Al Jefferson will be out for the rest of the season with a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament.

A magnetic resonance imaging exam showed that Jefferson had torn the ACL of his right after landing awkwardly with a mere 27.2 seconds left in Sunday's game in New Orlean's, reported the Pioneer Press. Coach Kevin McHale said Jefferson will have surgery within the next week to 10 days and told players to expect him to out for six to eight months.

"I feel terrible for Al," McHale said. "Al's really, right now, devastated. He feels terrible about it."

Jefferson, 24, is the team's leader scorer and rebounder, and was having an all-star-worthy season, averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds per game, both ranking him in the top 10 in the league. The injury will even put Jefferson's readiness for next season in to question.

"Al's played at such a high level for the team," said McHale. "Everybody around today is just down in the dumps."

The Timberwolves (17-33) will face the Toronto Raptors at Target Center tonight and have near a week off for the All-Star Game, before finishing the remaining 32 games.

Pioneer Press: http://www.twincities.com/ci_11664211
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/39322117.html?page=2&c=y

http://www.twincities.com/ci_11663164?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

http://www.startribune.com/sports/39306752.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU

Posted by luess004 at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Attribution: Police: Australian wildfires are 'a holocaust'

In an article I reported on for the blog, the attribution and its techniques seemed sound and understandable. The story was by CNN about the current wildfires in Australia.

There are multiple sources attributed, including: Phil Sheppard, inspector of police of the state of Victoria, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd from his Australian TV interview, police in general, Michelle Achisson, civilian, Dr. John Coleridge of Victorias Alfred hospital, as well as a statment from Queen Elizabeth II. These are all sources that CNN either used as quotes or statements and facts in their report on the fire. They get a good representation, from a plain citizen, to the major involved official groups like the police, to the prime minister.

The attribution is appropriately placed throughout the story in a balanced and spaced out manner. The attributions are not clumped together, but rather spaced throughout the story with statements and quotes. The attribution is set upl in all the traditional, acceptable ways, such as 'according to" and 'said'. They are seemlessly placed within the sentences and paragraphs in a way that informs the reader but is comfortable and unnoticeable. It reads smoothly and I found no issues with reliability or sources of the information they gave. It seemed rather flawless and effective attribution to me.

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/08/australia.wildfires/index.html

Posted by luess004 at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 19th ranked Gopher men's basketball team came up short against Ohio State Saturday night, their fourth loss in their past six games.

Despite Blake Hoffarbers 19 second-half points, the Gophers lost to the Buckeyes 64-58 in front of a sold out crowd in Columbus. However, Coach Tubby Smith found value in loss, especially after the route handed to them by Michigan State Wednesday night.

"We showed a little more toughness and a little more fight," Smith said. "We can do better, but this is kind of a sign of a youthful team."

The Gophers leave a three-way tie for third place in the Big Ten, and drop back to sixth, with 7 conference games left in the season. Minnesota finds itself in a bit of a slump, with a sense of urgency in place now as they try to get to the Big Dance.

"We've only won two of the last six, so we're kind of in a slump right now." said junior forward Damian Johnson. "We just have to focus on getting back to where we were. We need to go on a nice run to end the season to get us into the (NCAA) tournament."

The Gophers are set to play Indiana on Tuesday at Williams Arena.

Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/39293522.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl
Pioneer Press: http://www.twincities.com/ci_11654990?source=most_viewed

Posted by luess004 at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Australian officials have said that the death count from the wildfires, already at 128, is likely to increase reported the BBC on Sunday.

The raging wildfires in Australia's state of Victoria have killed 128 people and burned some 200,000 hectares of land and 600 homes, according to CNN. About 25 fires are still being fought, 2 of which are threatening urban areas in the midst of some towns being completely destroyed and flattened.

"I think it's important that the nation braces itself for more bad news ... this is a little horror which few of us anticipated," said Australian President Kevin Rudd. "That's why we have deployed the army, that's why we will be deploying every possible resource."

Police are saying the wildwires are the worst in the nation's history, as thousands of firefighters tirelessly battled the fires Sunday. There are reports of arson suspected and that fires may have been set deliberately reported the BBC.

The president has announced an immediate $7 million aid package to assist the affected families. The fires have surpassed the 75 person death toll from 1983 that was previously the most devastating fire in Australia, now known as Ash Wednesday.

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7878106.stm
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/08/australia.wildfires/index.html

Posted by luess004 at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Twenty-eight people were killed during protests in Madagascar on Saturday according to the BBC. CNN reports only 23.

A rally of some 20,000 people was held Saturday that continued into a march toward President Marc Ravalomanana's compound, where police opened fire killing 28 and injuring more than 200.

The protests come after the dismissal of Andry Rajoelina from his position as mayor of the nation's capital, Antananarivo. There have been repeated protests since his removal, amidst a power struggle between Rajoelina and the president.

Rajoelina has called to his supporters for the protests to continue until President Ravalomanana steps down. The BBC reports that Rajoelina has successfully tapped into the vast frustration with the government, accusing the president of misuse of public money and being a dictator.

According to CNN, Rajoelina claims to head a transitional national government, after taking to the streets a week ago and declaring himself the nation's leader after a week of violence leaving 80 dead and 300 more injured.

"The people need change," Rajoelina said to BBC reporters. "What is Ravalomanana's answer? Shots."

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7877918.stm
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/02/07/madagascar.protest.deaths/index.html

Posted by luess004 at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

President Barack Obama said Friday that the Senate's delay on the passage of his some $900 billion stimulus plan is irresponsible and inexcusable the BBC reported.

"The situation could not be more serious," said the president. "It is time for Congress to act."

Pushed by Obama's reaction, the Senate resumed its efforts Friday to come to an agreement on the plan, the New York Times reported. They are likely to vote on the stimulus bill late Friday according to Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid.

This all after the Labor Department released a new economic report showing that in January alone, 600,000 Americans lost their jobs; the worst month of job losses in 35 years.

The stimulus bill is largely made up of tax cuts and investments in job creation. Moderate members of both parties are hoping to cut some $90 billion out of the plan, as they jockey and debate for a compromise.

The House of Representatives passed their version of the stimulus package last week, and if the Senate approves their plan, the two versions will have to merged by a joint House-Senate commitee before a final vote. President Obama has said he wants the bill to be completed and on his desk to sign into action by February 16.

“If we succeed, there will be plenty of credit to go around," said Senator Reid, "But if we fail, our entire country will suffer the consequences.�

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7875520.stm
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/us/politics/07stimulus.html?_r=1&hp

Posted by luess004 at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The number of farms in Minnesota grew overall despite an overall declilne most places according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture released Wednesday.

The U.S. Agriculture Department's 2007 Census of Agriculture showed that traditional medium-sized family farms are in great decline, while the largest farms continue to grow and produce more and more of our food. This trend was true for Minnesota as well, but unlike other areas Minnesota saw an overall growth in numbers.

"Minnesota still remains a dominate force in agriculture on the national picture," said Gene Hugoson, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner, to Minnesota Public Radio. "We're ranking number seven among all the states and I think that's fairly significant."

The Star Tribune reported that Minnesota's neighbors in the Farm Belt are losing farms by the thousands, such as Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa and Indiana.

Much of the decline in the traditional mid-sized farms results from the drastic increases in energy costs. Almost all of the growth was shown to be because of the multiplying small, hobby and organic farms. Minnesota Public Radio reports that these smaller farms have increased 66 percent since the last estimate report in 2005.

The organic farm market is showing itself to be strong, formidable and in demand, and will definitely have a role in the uncertain future of agriculture.

MPR: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/02/04/agriculture_census/
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/local/south/39093342.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

Posted by luess004 at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lead: Democrats Indicate Areas of Compromise on Stimulus (New York Times, Sunday February 1)

The lead plays a crucial role in the story's consumption. It is its title, its label, its only form of identification to the eye and chance of being read. This, and all leads, usually work to summarize all the key information of the story; to indicate what about it is newsworthy and why its important and deserving of being read. It gives only the most crucial pieces(who/what/where/when/why).

This particular lead does just that. It says WHAT occured, which is the most important aspect and the news of this story. It also says WHO is involved in the WHAT. The what and the action of the story being that areas of compromise on the stimulus have been indicated, and that the democrats(who) have indicated it. The what/action of the story is the detailed area that takes up most of the lead; not just that the Democrats indcated something, not just that they indicated areas of compromise, but that they the Democrats indicated areas of compromise on the stimulus. The who is simple, being the democrats. The part most general would probably be the word stimulus. It assumes understanding and knowledge of the large economic stimulus plan that is going through the legislative branch at the moment.

Overall, this is an effective lead. The lead is the story's only chance of being read; it is the story's only representation. It indicates what I will be reading. And this lead does everything it supposed to. It tells me exactly what I need to know: what the story is about and why what about the story is important. From there, it turns everything over to me as a reader(as its supposed to) to make a decision about whether or not I will read it.

New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/us/politics/02web-talkshows.html?_r=1&hp

Posted by luess004 at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

More than 100 people were killed Sunday in Kenya after a crashed oil tanker caught fire and exploded.

The BBC reports that around 200 are also injured from the fire. Four policeman attempting to control the crowds were among the victims of the fire, according to CNN.

The explosion occured in a small town in the Rift Valley Province called Molo, CNN reported. The tanker had overturned on the highway, where people gathered to scoop up the spilled oil. They collected and siphoned the oil for over an hour before the fire was lit and the vehicle exploded.

The cause of the fire is at the moment unknown, but some reports have indicated the possibility of a lit cigarrete being the cause, or the fire being set deliberately.

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7863294.stm
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/02/01/kenya.explosion/index.html

Posted by luess004 at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bald eagles have made a sharp recovery and rebound in southern Minnesota reports the Department of Natural Resources.

The once-endangered species was taken off the list 2007 and is reported to be thriving in numbers. At one point there were only around 500 nesting pairs, which is now estimated at 10,000. In another figure, the DNR reports 872 nests in the area, a 670 percent increase since 1973.

Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer, a DNR non-game specialist, says that bald eagle populations have been growing exponentially, reported the Associated Press. Gelvin-Innaver says bald eagles need adequate tree cover, food supply, and distance from other nesting pairs to do well. It seems they must be finding just that.

Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/local/38757027.html?elr=KArksUUUU
MPR: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/01/31/bald_eagles_rebound_in_southern_minnesota/

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