LuKas Peterson Chronicles tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012-01-23:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656 2012-04-22T21:46:18Z A general news blog about anything and everything. Movable Type Enterprise 4.31-en Analysis: Records tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.352437 2012-04-22T21:21:18Z 2012-04-22T21:46:18Z Within the Extra Extra section of www.nicar.org, I found a story titled "Are U.S. Border Agents Crossing the Line?". The story was mainly fueled by two different records sources. The Investigative Fund of the Nation Institute is an investigative reporting... pete8290 Within the Extra Extra section of www.nicar.org, I found a story titled "Are U.S. Border Agents Crossing the Line?". The story was mainly fueled by two different records sources. The Investigative Fund of the Nation Institute is an investigative reporting focused site that drives excellence in the field. This article was written with the help of that site and the "Need to Know" feature that PBS focused on the same topic.

Using these two sites as reference, the investigative report highlights flaws in the way we monitor border patrol in the United States. The reporter linked both sites to his own article to outsource some of the information he gathered for the report. The reporter also only included the most important message from the story to make it ideal for social media use and fast reading.

]]> Totino-Grace High School evacuated after mercury spill tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.352137 2012-04-20T20:35:12Z 2012-04-20T20:52:22Z Totino-Grace students were evacuated from the Fridley school Friday but told to remain on campus after a thermometer was discovered on the floor of a classroom, the Star Tribune said. A hazardous materials assessment team and the Minnesota Pollution Control... pete8290 Totino-Grace students were evacuated from the Fridley school Friday but told to remain on campus after a thermometer was discovered on the floor of a classroom, the Star Tribune said.

A hazardous materials assessment team and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's emergency response team remained on site more than two hours after the school was evacuated.

Students were told to remain on campus, because there appeared to be no health hazard.

Students were told to stay put in case chemicals were found on shoes or other items.

Parents were alerted by phone and e-mail, and the school's website was posting continuous updates.

]]> Final action near on proposal opening beer sales at TCF Bank Stadium tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.352026 2012-04-20T02:43:14Z 2012-04-20T03:32:23Z A University of Minnesota spokesman says school leaders support a legislative proposal that could bring beer sales to the on-campus football stadium, the Star Tribune said. It would be up to the Board of Regents to decide how to manage... pete8290 A University of Minnesota spokesman says school leaders support a legislative proposal that could bring beer sales to the on-campus football stadium, the Star Tribune said.

It would be up to the Board of Regents to decide how to manage any alcohol sales at TCF Bank Stadium.

A vote could come as soon as Friday to send a bill allowing liquor sales through half-time of collegiate games and during any Minnesota Vikings games held there.

The measure is part of a larger liquor policy bill.

Liquor cannot currently be purchased at the stadium because state law required sales in either one-third of the stadium or not at all.

]]> Shocking rape video goes viral in South Africa tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.351761 2012-04-19T03:30:46Z 2012-04-19T03:51:13Z A cell phone video from South Africa is said to have gone viral Wednesday after a group of Soweto youths filmed themselves raping a 17-year-old girl, CNN said. The video spread very quickly among school kids in the township south... pete8290 A cell phone video from South Africa is said to have gone viral Wednesday after a group of Soweto youths filmed themselves raping a 17-year-old girl, CNN said.

The video spread very quickly among school kids in the township south of Johannesburg, and the term #rapevideo was trending on Twitter in South Africa on Wednesday.

The suspects, aged between 14 and 20, were arrested Tuesday morning and charged with kidnapping and rape.

Media reports suggest the police initially failed to open a missing persons case for the girl, but they have since done so.

]]> Pat Summitt steps down as Tennessee women's basketball coach tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.351755 2012-04-19T02:04:30Z 2012-04-19T02:40:52Z Legendary women's college basketball coach Pat Summitt announced that she would step down at Tennessee, the Los Angeles Times said. Summitt, the winningest coach in college basketball history, will take the title of 'head coach emeritus' and be replaced by... pete8290 Legendary women's college basketball coach Pat Summitt announced that she would step down at Tennessee, the Los Angeles Times said.

Summitt, the winningest coach in college basketball history, will take the title of 'head coach emeritus' and be replaced by Holly Warlick.

Summitt was diagnosed with early-onset dementia less than a year ago.

Summitt has coached the Lady Vols for 38 seasons, leading the team to eight national championships and 18 Final Four appearances.

She was the NCAA coach of the year seven times.

]]> Illinois couple claims the final Mega Millions prize tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.351582 2012-04-18T15:13:39Z 2012-04-18T15:29:11Z The last of the Mega Millions lottery winners are a married couple from Red Bud, Ill., and they will claim their share in the biggest jackpot in lottery history today, ABC News said. The couple will appear at a news... pete8290 The last of the Mega Millions lottery winners are a married couple from Red Bud, Ill., and they will claim their share in the biggest jackpot in lottery history today, ABC News said.

The couple will appear at a news conference today to have their identity revealed for the first time. Illinois officials require winners to come forward in order to prove to the public that the money is being rewarded.

The other two Mega Millions lottery winners were from Kansas and Maryland, and those states do not require the winner to go public.

The newly-crowned multimillionaires can decide between receiving 26 yearly payments totaling $218.6 million or a one-time lump sum of $157.8 million.

]]> Heroin deaths on the rise in Twin Cities tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.351029 2012-04-13T19:38:53Z 2012-04-13T19:50:55Z Heroin deaths skyrocketed in the Twin Cities last year as the drug grew more popular, potent and deadly, the Star Tribune said. Deaths caused by heroin in Hennepin, Ramsey and Anoka counties nearly tripled in 2011 compared to the previous... pete8290 Heroin deaths skyrocketed in the Twin Cities last year as the drug grew more popular, potent and deadly, the Star Tribune said.

Deaths caused by heroin in Hennepin, Ramsey and Anoka counties nearly tripled in 2011 compared to the previous year, rising from 16 to 46.

New test results showed that heroin purchased in the Twin Cities is 93.5 percent pure, the highest potency in the nation.

Hennepin County authorities are already on track to surpass the amount of heroin seized last year.

In Hennepin County alone, heroin related deaths rose from eight in 2010 to 21 in 2011.

Police believe the drug to be coming from Mexico, but the high potency of the drug in Minnesota makes it much easier to accidentally overdose.

]]> Best Buy CEO resigns under suspicion of personal conduct tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.351026 2012-04-13T17:53:24Z 2012-04-13T19:38:30Z Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn resigned Tuesday and the company confirmed it is investigating allegations that he engaged in personal misconduct, the Star Tribune said. Less than two weeks ago, Dunn said that Best Buy will close 50 stores nationwide... pete8290 Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn resigned Tuesday and the company confirmed it is investigating allegations that he engaged in personal misconduct, the Star Tribune said.

Less than two weeks ago, Dunn said that Best Buy will close 50 stores nationwide and lay off thousands of workers.

For three years, Dunn has faced criticism from investors over the sinking stock price and sales. In recent years, the company has been losing market share to Wal-Mart and online competitors.

The company's struggles have led to speculation that Dunn would lose his job. Best Buy's stock fell 6 percent Tuesday.

Sources said that Dunn's personal behavior, not his company's falling fortune, led to his exit.

]]> North Korea's rocket launch ends in failure tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.350904 2012-04-13T01:33:57Z 2012-04-13T01:45:20Z North Korea's long-range rocket launch ended in apparent failure, South Korean officials said, knocking the prestige of the reclusive state that defied pressure to push ahead with the project, Reuters said. North Korea said it wanted their new rocket to... pete8290 North Korea's long-range rocket launch ended in apparent failure, South Korean officials said, knocking the prestige of the reclusive state that defied pressure to push ahead with the project, Reuters said.

North Korea said it wanted their new rocket to put a weather satellite into orbit, although critics believed it was designed to deliver a nuclear warhead capable of hitting the continental United States.

A spokesman from South Korea said that the rocket had broken up and crashed into the sea a few minutes after launch.

Officials from Japan confirmed the mission failed, while ABC News cited U.S. officials saying there was no immediate indication that the rocket had failed.

This was North Korea's second consecutive failure to get a satellite into orbit.

]]> NCAA accepts Baylor's self-imposed penalties tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.350740 2012-04-11T19:57:28Z 2012-04-11T20:10:51Z The NCAA has announced it will not assess additional penalties to those self-imposed by Baylor University for the more than 1,200 impermissible phone calls and text messages made over a 29-month span, the USA Today said. The imposed penalties involved... pete8290 The NCAA has announced it will not assess additional penalties to those self-imposed by Baylor University for the more than 1,200 impermissible phone calls and text messages made over a 29-month span, the USA Today said.

The imposed penalties involved the men's and women's basketball teams mainly, but nine programs overall.

The investigation carried out by the NCAA, took more than three years to complete, but was resolved by the summary disposition process rather than a formal hearing.

There will be no appeal, and the case is now complete.

]]> Facebook purchases Instagram app for $1 billion tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.350734 2012-04-11T19:30:34Z 2012-04-11T19:42:18Z Facebook is purchasing a mobile app that teens can't get enough of, the Los Angeles Times said. Users of Instagram tend to be far younger than the users of Facebook, but the two certainly are similar in terms of popularity.... pete8290 Facebook is purchasing a mobile app that teens can't get enough of, the Los Angeles Times said.

Users of Instagram tend to be far younger than the users of Facebook, but the two certainly are similar in terms of popularity.

Instagram is a mobile application that is used to snap photos, jazz them up with effects, and post them to social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

Facebook is paying $1 billion for a hugely popular photo-sharing app maker.

The San Francisco based company says that is has more than 30 million users. Researchers say that the app attracts the most active users of apps, teens.

]]> Analysis: Diversity tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.350079 2012-04-09T01:29:31Z 2012-04-09T01:51:14Z The news story done by the New York Times on the condition of a cease fire in Syria was very different from what I usually read from a cultural aspect. The report is very effective at moving past stereotypes and... pete8290 The news story done by the New York Times on the condition of a cease fire in Syria was very different from what I usually read from a cultural aspect.

The report is very effective at moving past stereotypes and reaching a higher level of objectivity. A publication like the New York Times is very good at focusing on the news story in general, rather than the particular nature of the people involved in the matter.

By using specific quotes and attributing them to important figures, the report become much more substantive.

Lateef, of Sanford Hall, provided me with his perspective of the issue and I showed him the news story to allow him the chance to react to the data presented in the report. He told me that the professional nature and the reputation the New York Times has is what reassured him that this report was fact based and avoided stereotypes. He was confident that the cultural group portrayed in the report was shown in neutral lighting.

]]> Minnesota boy and father found after two weeks missing tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.350062 2012-04-09T01:14:05Z 2012-04-09T01:28:55Z A Minnesota boy who went missing with his father nearly two weeks ago has been found safe, and his dad is hospitalized with self-inflicted injuries, the Star Tribune said. Wyatt Nordrum, 7, and his dad James Leon Nordrum Jr., 41,... pete8290 A Minnesota boy who went missing with his father nearly two weeks ago has been found safe, and his dad is hospitalized with self-inflicted injuries, the Star Tribune said.

Wyatt Nordrum, 7, and his dad James Leon Nordrum Jr., 41, were found Saturday in a cabin on Lost Lake. The cabin is located on the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation within St. Louis County.

Wyatt was allegedly kidnapped on March 27 by Nordrum, who is in a custody battle with Wyatt's mother.

The boy has since been reunited with his mother.

Nordrum is in stable condition with self-inflicted neck injuries. Officials say he is in custody for kidnapping and depravation of parental rights.

]]> Man dies after all-terrain vehicle crash in Avon tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.350056 2012-04-09T01:02:37Z 2012-04-09T01:13:52Z A man died early Sunday after he lost control of the all-terrain vehicle he was driving and crashed into a tree in Avon, the Star Tribune said. Stearns County Police were called to the ATV crash site on Schuman Lake... pete8290 A man died early Sunday after he lost control of the all-terrain vehicle he was driving and crashed into a tree in Avon, the Star Tribune said.

Stearns County Police were called to the ATV crash site on Schuman Lake Road shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday.

It appeared the ATV was heading west when the driver lost control on the curve, slid across a dirt road and struck a tree. The driver was being flown to North Memorial Hospital but he died on the way.

His name is not being released until the family is notified. The accident is still being investigated.

]]> Yahoo laying off 2,000 employees in latest purge tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pete8290/3101newsspring2012//15656.349500 2012-04-04T19:29:09Z 2012-04-04T19:59:52Z Yahoo plans to lay off 2,000 employees , the Star Tribune said. In an attempt to turn around the struggling internet giant, new CEO Scott Thompson plans to eliminate 14 percent of his workforce in hopes of saving near $375... pete8290 Yahoo plans to lay off 2,000 employees , the Star Tribune said.

In an attempt to turn around the struggling internet giant, new CEO Scott Thompson plans to eliminate 14 percent of his workforce in hopes of saving near $375 million a year.

Workers losing their jobs were being notified Wednesday. Some of the affected employees will be staying on to complete various projects, according to Yahoo.

The housecleaning marks Yahoo's sixth mass layoff of employees in the past four years under three different CEOs. This one will inflict the greatest cuts yet.

These cuts are part of an overhaul aimed on focusing on what Thompson believes are Yahoo's strengths in the increasingly important mobile computing market.

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