Dinky Town Weekly

Summary: The sport of ultimate fighting failed in an attempt to be sanctioned under the Minnesota Boxing Commission. It was not sanctioned because the commissioner does not know enough about ultimate fighting to properly regulate it.

Challenge: There was no information about the other states that sanctioned ultimate fighting. The article made mention that it was sanctioned under 22 states.

Comparison: The Star & Tribune reported that “Biting, head butting, poking eyes and punching spines, groins or kidneys are not allowed in ultimate fighting… most everything else --including punching a downed fighter in the head -- goes.�

Opinion: This was an unsuccessful article because it had no focus. It never went into detail the problems that could arise from sanctioning ultimate fighting in Minnesota. The article just said that it was very dangerous.

Posted by Johan Quie at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: The Vikings picked former Oklahoma star Adrian Peterson to add some explosiveness in their offense. There are a lot of questions arising on how Vikings Coach Brad Childress plans to share the back field with Vikings Back Chester Taylor.

Comparison: The St. Paul Pioneer Press’s article focused greatly on what Peterson will do to help out the Minnesota’s struggling offence. The St. Paul Pioneer Press focused on the past injuries of Peterson and whether or not he will ready for this summer training camp.

Challenge: The reporter did not use any direct quotes from Peterson or Taylor

Opinion: both articles were successful in their own way. Each story had separate focuses that they accomplished informing.

Posted by Johan Quie at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: The state must cut $200 million in order for the light rail to go from Minneapolis to St. Paul. The plans deal with having light rail go down Washington Ave. on the University campus and run to the St. Paul Campus. One thing that will is indefinite that the light rail will run down on University Ave. on campus. Legislators are very serious about revamping the area around University Ave. and make it attractive so light rail riders will have the urge to get out and walk around.

Comparison: The Star & Tribune reports that “doing without the tunnel under Washington Avenue at the U could save about $155 million. But it would also put trains on Washington Avenue, which is already crowded with 25,000 vehicles per day, said Bob Baker, executive director of U parking and transportation services.�

Challenge: The reporter faced a challenge dealing with numbers. The reporter handled it well. The flow was good and easy to follow.

Opinion: This was a successful story it was very newsworthy. The article focused on all possible ways to save money and focused on plans that are for certain.

Posted by Johan Quie at 10:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: The Wolves were mathematically eliminated out of the playoffs. Golden State’s win over Utah finalized the wolves being eliminated. This moved the Warriors to the top 8 eliminating the Clippers and the Wolves. The wolves have 5 more games remaining in their season the best they can finish is 27-45.

Comparison: The Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press both published very short stories about the Wolves elimination of the playoffs. The Star Tribune gave a breakdown at the end of story describing the options for the wolves for the remainder of the season. The St. Paul Pioneer Press only gave a short summary of the Wolves playoff elimination.

Challenge: This story was very similar to the Twins ball park story in terms of having no quotes from players or coaches. This would have been wise to get the opinion of the head coach of what he sets out to do for the rest of the season.

Opinion: This story was unsuccessful. It was very thin as far of the facts that were presented because it did not give any possibilities the Wolves have to improve for next season.

Posted by Johan Quie at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: Southwest Minnesota is expected to receive 7 inches of snow by Wednesday. In some parts of Madison ,WI, there are reports of 2 inches of snow. The National Weather Service is predicting 5 inches of snow for tomorrow morning’s rush hour.

Challenge: The reporter faces a challenge on deciding whether or not to provide background information why Minnesota is getting snow in April.

Comparison: The Star Tribune reported that KLQP radio in Madison, measured 1.5 to 2 inches of snow in several locations in the radio station's yard just after 11 a.m.

Opinion: This was a successful story. The reporter kept it short and told the reader what happened where it happened and when it happened.
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1111253.html

Posted by Johan Quie at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: A Woman driving drunk ran the car she was driving into a Jo-Ann Furniture store killing the passenger and injuring the driver’s child. She will face 7 criminal charges; bail is set at $400,000

Challenge: The reporter used the word drunk instead of intoxicated. Drunk can carry some negative connotations. In the lead the reporter did not include when this incident happened

Comparison: The Star Tribune reported, “Authorities say tests showed that Virgen-Ceja's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.�

Opinion: This was a very successful story. It had a great lead that with very effective nut graphs.

Posted by Johan Quie at 4:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: Three University of Minnesota football players were suspected for being involved in a rape. The incident took place Tuesday night at University Village apartments. The players will be tried on Monday. All three members are suspended from the team and did not participate in the annual spring game.

Challenge: The reporter was sensitive to the rape victim for not publishing her name. The Star Tribune only printed two out of the three men being convicted. The reporter had a challenge with publishing critical information since the case has not gone to trial and the facts of the case have not been presented.

Comparison: The Star Tribune reported that the “University police receive about eight to 20 reports of sexual assaults, with only one or two, if any, of the incidents involving rape by a stranger.�

Opinion: This was successful article the reporter summarized the event that tool place very broadly with out giving to much detail. There was good background information presented and quotes from public officials (University Police).

http://www.startribune.com/467/

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Summary. The Twins come in to a series with the Yankees with a 4-1 record, the second best in the American league. The Twins beat the White Sox Sunday 3-1. Justin Morneau hit a 3 run homer. Johan Santana limited the White Sox to one hit over 7 innings. Joe Nathan gave up to hits in the ninth. According to the Santana he feel’s everything is where is needs to be.

Challenge: The reporter chose to use a lot of numbers in the story. It was necessary since it was a sports article.

Comparison: The Star Tribune reports that Santana, “now 2-0, Santana is 80-31 in his stellar career. That .721 winning percentage, according to the Twins, is the highest all-time winning percentage among pitchers with at least 1,000 innings thrown.� St. Paul Pioneer Press reported, “Twins OF Rondell White, a late scratch from Saturday's game with a strained right calf, was not in the lineup on Sunday.�

Opinion: This is successful article it starts out describing what the Twins are up against next then gives a brief summary of the highlight of Sunday’s game.

http://www.startribune.com/509/story/1107618.html
http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_5620555?nclick_check=1

Posted by Johan Quie at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: young chefs are gathering at children’s cooking schools in Eden Prairie and Edina. Way-Cool Cooking School has been open for 18 months. There are six employees and a many students including parents who want to learn more about cooking along with their kids

Challenge: The reporter chose not to use many quotes. A student and the owner of the cooking school were the only ones quoted.

Comparison: StarTribune reported that Lynn Elliot (owner of Way-Cool Cooking School) left her position as vice president for a food distribution company.

Opinion: This was a successful story. The reporter chose an interesting topic and did a good job reporting on it. The story covered how it got started and why gave a detailed look at the business to give the reader a clear understanding.

Posted by Johan Quie at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: The Dream Act is when children of illegal immigrants are granted in state tuition. Minnesota is one of the states that is trying to get this passed. In other states, such as Kansas, children of immigrants are getting receiving in state tuition but there is still a low number of people go on to higher education because the cost is still to high.

Challenge: The article does not make clear when the bill will be passed onto congress.

Comparison: The Star Tribune reported Gov. Tim Pawlenty is in opposition of the Dream Act.http://www.startribune.com/587/story/1063714.html

Opinion: this was an unsuccessful story because the reporter did not give enough background info and description of the details of the bill and what it would mean for the state of Minnesota. The reporter did not mention any other states that has had the same problem as Minnesota in dealing with the “Dream Act�

Posted by Johan Quie at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: The Wolves lost another home game, it’s their second consecutive 26 point lose at home. Kevin Garnet showed his frustration when the Randy Wittman tried to mix up the lineup in the game. Nothing seemed to work.

Challenge: The reporter of the Star Tribune did not go into detail about the lack of people in attendance of Friday’s game nor did not state why the basketball hoop had a malfunction.

Comparison: KFAN reported that the reason why the basketball hoop had a
Malfunction was because “Disney on Ice� was held at the Target Center the following nights and there was ice under the hoop. The Star Tribune reported Friday marked the first time in franchise history the Wolves had lost two consecutive home games by 20 or more points.

Opinion: This was an affective story. The reporter only quoted Kevin Garnet. They were good quotes but quotes from coaches and other players would have been suiting.

http://www.startribune.com/511/story/1032278.html

Posted by Johan Quie at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: The courts are getting tougher on first time child porn
offenders. Over the last three years the penalty for the crime has become Stricter than ever. On Tuesday Bruce Betcher, child pedophile, could serve up to a life sentence for being involved with child pornography.

Challenge: This story focused on the overall crime of child pornography
and also one specific man who is being charged with child porn.

Comparison: The Star Tribune reported the “Protect Act�, passed in 2003, set stiff mandatory minimum sentences. The “Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act�, enacted last summer, stiffened sentences even more, and also established the “Dru Sjodin� National Sex Offender public website.

Opinion: This was a successful story. The story raised many interesting
Points about how big of a problem this is while also stating the how the government is becoming stricter on these crimes.

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1032190.html

Posted by Johan Quie at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: Division III schools will start implementing full year drug tests after players of the UW-Stout football team were arrested for illegal performance enhancing drugs.

Challenge: The author focuses on the problems at UW-Stout then goes on to talk about other Division III schools around the nation.

Comparison: The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that drug testing will cost the NCAA $1.2 million and 115 Division III schools will participate in it.

Opinion: This story was well written it started off being a local story analyzing the problems that UW-Stout faces and then went on to bringing up the problem of other Division III schools are facing.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/16781590.htm

Posted by Johan Quie at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: there is a concern in eastern suburbs as far as Hastings that the tap water has been contaminated by a 3M Co.

Challenge: The reporter focused on one family particular and described what they are doing to cope with the problem. A description of the affected communities and schools is also analyzed. The writer wrote the story in two sections; First describing the problem at hand through a young family’s view point and then goes on to analyzing the problem in the affected towns point of view.

Comparison: the Star Tribune reports that schools are urging parents to send bottled water with their children if they are concerned.

Opinion: This story was very successful. The two part story of the family and then the affected towns worked well. The story got information from a variety of sources including towns people and a worker of 3M.
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1023659.html

Posted by Johan Quie at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: Ohio State moved up to No. 1 in the AP Men’s Basketball poll after beating the Gopher’s 85-67. The buckeyes came out strong early. The gophers came with in one at 6:30 into the first half, but Ohio states Greg Odem and Minnesota’s turnovers made difficult to regain the game. During the second half the 1982 Big Ten championship team was honored.

Challenge: It was a lot of information in this story. It talked about the history of the Ohio state and Minnesota’s basketball programs. The possibility of future coaches and the future of the Ohio State program. The author did a good job organizing the story by making it easy to read and follow

Comparison: The Associated Press announced that the last time the Ohio State Buckeyes were No. 1 in ranking was 45 years ago when “John Havlicek, Jerry Lucas and a sub named Bob Knight were leading the Buckeyes to the NCAA championship game.�

Opinion: This was a successful story. It gave you the proper history and dramatic events throughout the entire game to make it feel like you were there. The quotes from coaches were all used accordingly to give the reader a more personal understanding.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/colleges/16729456.htm

Posted by Johan Quie at 7:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: Minnesota Native T. Denny Sanford makes the second largest medical donation in history. Sanford donated over $400 million to a south Dakota Medical center.

Challenge: The author immediately talks about Sanford’s history in the lead, and then in the third paragraph the author explains about the donation. The organization was not traditional.

Comparison: The StarTribune reports that Sanford is worth an estimated $2.5 billion. He made his money through bank and credit card companies; Sanford is also ranked the 14th most generous donor in 2005

Opinion: this was a successful story. It gave proper background to the reader about Sanford. The author did a nice job with quotes. It really captured the mood of the story and the excitement of people involved in the medical world.
http://www.startribune.com/1244/story/1009325.html

Posted by Johan Quie at 7:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summary: An intruder shoots to death a husband and a son in a Waseca family's home. The Intruder Michael S. Zabawa says the shotgun went off three times on accident.

Challenge: The reporter included the 911 emergency phone call in the story. This would have also been effective on TV but this technique worked in print as well.

Comparison: The Star Tribune reported that Zabawa also stole the family’s pick up truck.

Opinion: This is a very effective story. The 911 phone call being included was successful in showing the emotion of the victims and the dispatcher. The use of the inverted pyramid was effective. The reader gained a full understanding about the victims and the shooter
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/993292.html

Posted by Johan Quie at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)