Kenny's News Tidbits

"NBC said on the eve of Sunday's Super Bowl that it has sold the last two of the 67 advertising spots for the game, pushing total ad revenue for the event to a record $206 million." http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11599192

The major news element is novelty seeing that it's a story about the large sums of revenue being brought in by NBC through advertising. The lead starts with the who, NBC and continues to the what, Super Bowl ads. The other news value that's being used is immediacy because the Super Bowl is coming up very soon. The numbers are detailed including the final two spots being sold and that $206 million is being brought in by NBC.

Posted by nels5410 at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered their second consecutive loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night at the Target Center. (Star Tribune and Pioneer Press)

The Timberwolves' forward Al Jefferson provided for 34 points 15 rebounds but it wasn't enough to counter the star power of the Lakers. Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol combined for 48 points and 24 rebounds while Kobe Bryant chipped in 30 for the Lakers. (Pioneer Press)

Kevin Mchale, the coach of the Wolves, said, " One thing we can take away for this game is that we can drop 119 on them, i don't like the fact that they have dropped 132 on us. (Pioneer Press)

At half-time the game seemed to be somewhat in control as the Lakers were holding onto a slim 62-58 lead. This changed quickly in the third quarter as the Lakers took the reigns and built the lead to as many as 20 points.

The Lakers length provided issues for the Wolves as evident in the Lakers' 53-43 rebounding advantage, including 19 offensive rebounds. (Star Tribune)

A season record 19,111 people were in attendance at the Target Center to view the high scoring event.

Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/38729482.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUo8cyaiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU

Pioneer Press: http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_11595400

Posted by nels5410 at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Minnesota Vikings are looking to build a new stadium and they are getting ready to push for it during the new legislative session KSTP-TV reported.

With the Metrodome lease ending in 2011, the Vikings are looking to make sure that a new facility can be built to increase revenue and keep the team in Minnesota.

The current economic climate, including the $4.8 billion budget deficit is going to make it difficult for the Vikings to convince lawmakers to use taxpayers money to pay for the a new sports facility. "I just don't think there is any reason taxpayer dollars should be going to fund a stadium to increase the profits," said Sen. John Marty, (D) Roseville, KSTP-TV reported.

The Vikings say that even with the tough economic times a new stadium could create up to 3,000 jobs.

Roger Goodell the commissioner of the NFL says that a stadium for the Vikings is a priority. The Vikings last year were last in revenue in the NFL the Star Tribune reported. Goodell cited the new Twins' and Gophers' stadiums as signs that the community does put a priority in sports.

KSTP-TV: http://kstp.com/news/stories/S769983.shtml?cat=206

Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/38733282.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUo8cyaiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU

Posted by nels5410 at 8:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saturday, protesters throughout Russia showed their discontent at the Russian government and the handling of the current economic slowdown both the BBC News and The New York Times reported.

Protesters gathered in the eastern city of Vladivostok to protest the recent raise in car tariffs to boost sales for national made vehicles. Some residents in Vladivostok make their living importing cheep Japanese cars but the tariffs are hurting business.

This protest was organized by the Communist Party reported the BBC News.

The fall in oil prices, rising unemployment, and the world economic downturn are playing havoc on the Russian economy which was looking promising last year with the sharp rise in oil prices.Citizens believe that the Kremlin doesn't have a clear strategy towards the future of Russia.

Protests were also held in Moscow by the Russian Communist Party and a pro-Kremlin Party according to The New York Times. The protests have been mostly nonviolent with minimal police involvement. The New York Times reported that 41 people were arrested in a unsanctioned protest in Moscow.

BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7862370.stm

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/world/europe/01russia.html?_r=1&hp

Posted by nels5410 at 7:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A man was shot and killed Saturday morning at 976 Legion Ave., behind the American Legion in St. Paul the Star Tribune reported. http://www.startribune.com/local/38747092.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUT

Jeffery Lamont Logan, 44 was found lying in the alley and was rushed to Regions Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Witnesses saw a vehicle leaving the scene and officers found it driving south on St. Albans St., and arrested three men there. http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11598832

The men were, Elston Marc Williamson, 28, of St. Paul, Ronald Hill, 20, of West St. Paul, and Henry Marcello Reed, 27, of St. Paul, the Pioneer Press reported.

Only two men were arrested at the scene of the vehicle, while the other two were captured after a search. All the men are being booked at the Ramsey County jail reported the Star Tribune.

Posted by nels5410 at 7:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A 33-year-old Southern Californian woman, who gave birth to eight children Monday, is stirring up a whirlwind of discussion on the issue of fertility clinics and high-multiple births the Associated Press reported. http://www.twincities.com/ci_11595143?nclick_check=1

Nadya Suleman the mother of the eight children, which includes six boys and two girls, already had six children making some people debate about the ethical issues of having many children. Large multiple births "are presented on TV shows as a 'Brady Bunch' moment. They're not," fumed Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at the University of Pittsburgh. http://www.twincities.com/ci_11595143?nclick_check=1

On the other side of the issue Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg, who has his own fertility clinic, said, "Who am I to say that six is the limit? There are people who like to have big families."

The Associated Press reported that Nadya Suleman is obsessed with having kids even when she was a teenager. http://www.startribune.com/nation/38747437.html?page=1&c=y

Angela Suleman, Nadya's mom, is currently taking care of the other six children while her daughter is in the hospital but said, ""I'm going to be gone," when her daughter comes back. http://www.startribune.com/nation/38747437.html?page=1&c=y

Posted by nels5410 at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)