Meghan Nelson's Blog

Analysis: Computer Assisted reporting in story about Minnesota teaching violations

2011-04-25T02:36:07Z

In a Star Tribune investigation about teacher licensure violations the reporter used a wide array of computer-assisted reporting. The reporter used Minnesota state education records, state Board of Teaching records and several different school district records. In order to uncover this story the reporter had to have poured over countless of online documents detailing violations since the investigation covered the entire state. They also must have had to carefully analyze these violations by each district, figure out how many students each violation affected and break these numbers down into useful percents and figures. The reporter obviously knew how to search state databases and glean information from them.

WikiLeaks suspect moved out of Quantico amid human rights violations allegations

2011-04-25T02:32:15Z

Army private Bradley Manning, accused of dispersing classified government data to WikiLeaks, is being moved from his detention in a Marine Corps base at Quantico, Virginia, to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, amid growing criticism of his pre-trial conditions.
According to Al Jazeera, the Pentagon announced Wednesday that Manning would make the move in the close future and would be put in a facility which typically houses those with short prison terms or those awaiting trial.
Pentagon officials said they made the decision because the new facility offers a more extensive array of health care for Manning and not because his previous detainment in Quantico was inappropriate, the Los Angeles Times reports.
According to Al Jazeera, the Pentagon's announcement comes only a week after a UN torture investigator spoke out about being denied an unmonitored visit with Manning and Germany's parliament decried Manning's treatment to the White House.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Manning currently faces almost two dozen charges, the most serious aiding the enemy, which can be punishable by death sentence but Army prosecutors have told Manning's defense that they will not recommend the death penalty.

Study shows how taxes could pay for new Vikings stadium

2011-04-25T02:30:10Z

A study released by the Minnesota Revenue Department details how taxes on sports memorabilia can cover nearly two-thirds of the state's annual contribution for the new Vikings stadium.
According to the Star Tribune, the study shows that a 10 percent tax on all wholesale sports memorabilia, not just the NFL but anything sold in Minnesota and licensed by any pro sports team or league, could generate $17.6 million of the state's $30 million annual contribution.
The study released shows how several other taxes in addition to the sports memorabilia tax can generate money over the next four years, WCCO reports.
According to the Star Tribune, $7.8 million will also come from a 5 percent surcharge on any Vikings player or employee that makes over $250,000 a year and income that opponents make while playing in the new stadium.
The new taxes also include a 6.5 percent tax on both satellite TV DVR and luxury suite box rentals as well as $2.1 million from a Vikings themed lottery game, WCCO reports.
The estimated cost of the new stadium is between $700 million and $900 million and will be split between the state, Vikings and a still undecided local government partner, The Star Tribune reports.

Sexual assault in a Woodbury Park

2011-04-25T02:27:31Z

A 33-year-old woman was sexually assaulted while jogging in a Woodbury park Saturday morning.
The woman was assaulted around 5:30 a.m. while jogging along a walking path in Margrafs Lake Park in northeast Woodbury, the Star Tribune reports.
According to WCCO, the victim was not able to describe her attacker and was treated for her sustained injuries at Woodwinds hospital.
Police have no suspects in custody and have not received any reports of other assaults in the area, WCCO reports.
The Star Tribune reports that police are telling people to not use the paths alone and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Tornado damages St. Louis airport

2011-04-25T02:25:29Z

A tornado touched down close to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Friday, causing damage and forcing the airport to close.
Although the tornado caused enough damage to have the airport temporarily shut down, airport officials expected to reopen at 70 percent capacity Sunday, the New York Times reports.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, the storm destroyed houses in many surrounding suburbs of St. Louis and left about 35,000 residents without power.
Airport officials said that the airfield was still fully functional and they hope to be operating at full capacity by the middle of next week, the New York Times reports.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, the tornado ripped away a large part of the main terminal's roof and blew most of its windows out.
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in the area with winds of over 165 miles per hour, the New York Times reports.

Hundreds missing and killed amid Syrian government crackdown

2011-04-25T02:18:20Z

Since Friday, dozens of Syrian residents have gone missing and at least 121 people have reportedly been killed by a fierce government crackdown on dissidents.
According to the New York Times, the missing Syrian residents are from the city of Homs and towns surrounding the capital of Damascus, both sites of recent protests.
At least 10 people died on Saturday when security forces loyal to the President Bashar al-Assad reportedly fired upon mourners in a funeral procession in Douma, CNN reports.
The New York Times reports that the people killed were holding funeral processions for many of the 109 Syrians that were killed the day before, when the government opened fire on protesters in 14 cities.
The government-operated Syrian news agency broadcast that seven people were killed Saturday by "armed criminal groups," according to CNN.
According to the New York Times, Human Rights Watch has asked the United Nations to investigate into the recent deaths for human rights violations by the current regime.

Damaged Japanese nuclear plant creates plan to shut down reactors

2011-04-17T22:46:32Z

The Tokyo Electric Power Company said Sunday that it has created a plan that will stabilize reactors at the nuclear power plants damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami by the beginning of next year.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the plan will stabilize 3 reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and bring them into a state called a "cold shutdown."
The two-part plan will also improve safety conditions at the plant amid the struggles to cool reactors, the New York Times reports.
The Los Angeles Times reports that since March 11 explosions in the plant have released dangerous radioactive isotopes into the air, soil and water.
According to the New York Times, part one of the timetable plans to install a cooling system to lower the reactors' temperatures and reduce radiation in the surrounding area.
The second part of the plan will bring reactors into a stable shutdown state and will allow workers to eventually deactivate the reactors, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf makes surprise visit to capitol

2011-04-17T22:44:18Z

Zygi Wilf, owner of the Minnesota Vikings, surprised lawmakers with a visit to the Capitol to discuss plans to build the new Vikings stadium Thursday.
According to the Star Tribune, Wilf did not give specific details as to what progress has been made in pushing through the taxpayer supported stadium plan but was optimistic about getting it done this legislative session.
This legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on May 23, so lawmakers will have to approve a construction plan for the stadium by next month, the Pioneer Press reports.
According to the Star Tribune, the Vikings' lease at their current home, the Metrodome, expires after this year and the Vikings have said they will not renew it.
Wilf refused to say any details over negotiations about how much the Vikings will pay to build the new stadium but said the team will make a "significant" contribution, the Pioneer Press reports.
Wilf also said that there have been no talks to sell the Vikings, dismissing rumors that the team may be sold after the expiration of their lease, the Star Tribune reports.

Minnesota National Guard soldiers depart for Afghanistan

2011-04-17T22:42:23Z

A Minnesota Army National Guard unit of 55 soldiers is leaving from Minnesota for training for a one-year tour in Afghanistan.
According to the Star Tribune, the unit is from 136 infantry hall and includes residents of 38 counties in Minnesota.
Soldiers also hail from communities in Iowa, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the Pioneer Press reports.
The Star Tribune reports that the unit's mission is to train Afghan security forces, coalition forces and the Afghan Army in counterinsurgency operations.

Deadly tornadoes sweep through U.S.

2011-04-17T22:40:29Z

A string of super cell storm systems ravaged the southeastern U.S. killing at least 40 people and leaving hundreds of thousands without power over the past three days.
According to CNN, North Carolina was one of the worst hit states with 62 tornadoes and 23 deaths.
The storm began on Thursday in Oklahoma, killing one person, and then swept through Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina, The Guardian reports.
CNN reports that in Bertie County, North Carolina, the weather service reported 14 deaths alone.
Over 100 tornadoes were spotted throughout the southeastern states as well as flash floods and hail the size of golf balls, The Guardian reports.
According to CNN, in addition to the deaths in North Carolina four people were killed in Virginia, seven in Alabama, two in Oklahoma, seven in Arkansas and one in Mississippi.

Libyan rebels battered by Pro-Gaddafi forces in key town

2011-04-17T22:38:25Z

Heavy rocket and artillery fire from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi have caused Libyan rebels to flee the strategic town of Ajdabiya Sunday.
According to the New York Times, rebels were pushed out of Ajdabiya by Pro-Gaddafi forces and were seen headed towards Benghazi, the rebel capital.
Before being pushed out of the city, rebels were advancing towards the strategic oil town of Brega about 40 miles west, Al Jazeera reports.
The New York Times reports that the rebels criticized NATO for not conducting air strikes against government forces advancing on the city and said their weaponry was still inferior to that of Gaddafi's forces.
According to Al Jazeera, a strong sandstorm prevented NATO forces from lending air strikes against government forces.

Analysis: Diversity in story about Mexican drug cartels

2011-04-11T00:05:01Z

As I discussed an Associated Press article about drug cartel killing in the border towns of Mexico with Claudia Martinez, a student at Gustavus Adolphus College, we found some interesting issues related to bias in coverage.
Claudia has family that lives in the state that the killings in the story took place, Tamaulipas, Mexico and has traveled there every year of her life. We found that the report is quite stereotypical of the type of reports usually given on the topic. On a larger scale, we realized that the American press only reports on the killings while ignoring the larger topic of why the cartels have so much power and the Mexican governments unsuccessful and reportedly ill attempts to stop them. In the story itself though the coverage is substantive and not stereotypical. It tells the story through quotes from officials, data on the number of killings in the area and needed background information on the conflict. The article didn't however have a single quote from a non-government related Mexican citizen, which we thought is also quite stereotypical of the way the conflict is covered.

Mubarak decries allegations of corruption

2011-04-11T00:02:22Z

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak made the first remarks since his ouster denying abuses of power for personal gain Sunday.
According to CNN, Mubarak said that by investigating into his finances the Egyptian government is trying to tarnish his reputation and undermine his "history."
The pre-recorded speech was broadcast by the Al-Arabiya news channel after demonstrators in Cairo demanded that the transitionary government investigate into Mubarak's large wealth, CBS news reports.
According to CNN, Mubarak and his sons were summoned for questioning by the Egyptian attorney general's office the same day.
Mubarak claims that allegations about owning property abroad or possessing foreign bank accounts are false and that he is willing to cooperate with any investigation to prove so, CBS news reports.
According to CNN, Mubarak also added that he would sue anyone who tried to undermine his reputation.

Police seeking driver who left the scene of fatal Brooklyn Center crash

2011-04-11T00:00:32Z

Police are searching for the driver of a car that crashed in Brooklyn Center and killed one passenger Thursday morning.
According to the Star Tribune, the rollover killed Taylor S. Horan, 22, at 57th Avenue N., near the top of the northbound exit from Highway 100.
The suspect fled the scene of the accident and a second unidentified passenger was not injured in the crash, the Associated Press reports.
The Star Tribune reports that Horan was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the car after it hit a utility pole and fence.
State Patrol said they have the suspected driver of the 1995 Mercury Marquis but will not identify him, according to the Associated Press.

Three dead in Brooklyn Park shooting

2011-04-10T23:58:23Z

An unidentified man suspected of shooting two people at a grocery store in Brooklyn Park fatally shot himself when officers tracked him to Washington Avenue Bridge Friday night.
According to the Star Tribune, the victims, Abigail M. Fedeli, 20, and Michael Habte, 21, were killed in the break room of Brooklyn Park's Festival Foods.
Police arrived after someone reported several shots from the back of the store around 8:30 p.m., the Associated Press reports.
The Star Tribune reports that the alleged shooter is reportedly an ex-boyfriend of Fedeli's, Habte was currently dating Fedeli.
Officer's found Fedeli dead when they arrived at the employee break room, Habte died later that night in surgery at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, the Associated Press reports.
The suspected shooter fled to the Washington Avenue Bridge area and took his own life around 9:30 and 10 p.m., the Minnesota Daily reports.