Staying Connected With Stowe tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012-03-22:/stowe055/3101newsfall2011//16128 2012-04-12T22:37:11Z Movable Type Enterprise 4.31-en Man that set teen on fire gets 12 years in prison tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/stowe055/3101newsfall2011//16128.350897 2012-04-12T22:11:08Z 2012-04-12T22:37:11Z Curtis Reed was sentenced Thursday in Ramsey County District Court to 12 years in prison after he set his girlfriend's son on fire last summer. Reed sprayed the victim, Antoine Willis Jr., with lighter fluid before he set him on... stowe055 Curtis Reed was sentenced Thursday in Ramsey County District Court to 12 years in prison after he set his girlfriend's son on fire last summer.

Reed sprayed the victim, Antoine Willis Jr., with lighter fluid before he set him on fire, according to authorities. Police said that Willis proceeded to run out of the house with a basketball-sized around his head.

Willis attended sentencing on Thursday but declined to speak with reporters. Other than scars on the side of his neck, Willis appeared to be in good physical condition.

Reed and his girlfriend got in a verbal dispute around 3 a.m. on July 20th when Willis tried to breakup the conflict, according to court records. Willis grabbed Reed around the neck while two of Willis's friends punched Reed. Reed reportedly told Willis "You got me" before adding "Don't got to sleep," according to witnesses.

Willis was awakened just before 7 a.m. by liquid being poured on his head before he felt fire. He was later hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns to the head, neck, and torso.

]]> Analysis: U.S. deploys 2nd aircraft carrier to Persian Gulf tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/stowe055/3101newsfall2011//16128.350402 2012-04-10T01:20:03Z 2012-04-10T01:49:10Z The United States has sent another aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf, but navy officials claim the deployment has nothing to do with Iran's disputed nuclear program. The author seems to be quite suspicious of the move (believing that the... stowe055 The United States has sent another aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf, but navy officials claim the deployment has nothing to do with Iran's disputed nuclear program.

The author seems to be quite suspicious of the move (believing that the deployment may have something to do with Iran), and references rising tensions with Iran several times in the story. A U.S. Navy Commander quoted in the in the story does says that the deployment is routine and not in response to any threat.

The author points out that the new aircraft carrier will patrol the Persian Gulf's strategic oil routes that Iran has threatened to shut down in retaliation to economic sanctions slapped on the Islamic Republic because of its nuclear program. But the U.S Navy Commander quoted in the story says that the primary roles of the carrier will be to support military operations in Afghanistan and help anti-piracy efforts off the coast of Somalia.

While the U.S. Navy Commander leaves no reason to believe that Iran's weapons program played a role in the Navy's decision to deploy the carrier, the author presents evidence that make the claim very believable. A person reading this article can expect to come away second-guessing the United States' motives for this action.

]]> Best Buy to cut 400 jobs and close 50 stores tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/stowe055/3101newsfall2011//16128.348312 2012-03-29T16:34:49Z 2012-03-29T16:56:24Z Best Buy to cut 400 jobs and close 50 stores By Kyle Stowe To cope with declining store sales, Best Buy will cut 400 jobs and 50 stores nationwide in an attempt to boost profits. The cuts will save the... stowe055 Best Buy to cut 400 jobs and close 50 stores
By Kyle Stowe

To cope with declining store sales, Best Buy will cut 400 jobs and 50 stores nationwide in an attempt to boost profits. The cuts will save the company over $800 million over the next 3 years.

The cost savings will help Best Buy improve customer experiences and competitive prices, according to Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn. Dunn believes these improvements will help drive revenue in the long-term.

CEO Brian Dunn said that Best Buy needs to find ways to maintain its profit margins as they shift their focus to fighting online competitors like Amazon for market share.

In an attempt to increase profit, Best Buy also plans to increase the number of Best Buy Mobile stores in the U.S. from 600 to 800 by 2016. In addition, the company also continue to expand in China.

]]> "Pink Slime" in my Hamburger? You Betcha tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/stowe055/3101newsfall2011//16128.346928 2012-03-22T05:38:23Z 2012-03-22T06:04:11Z Hamburger with "pink slime" gone at Cub Foods By Kyle Stowe Supervalu Foods, which supplies Cub Foods and other supermarket chains with many different types of groceries, recently pledged to remove what is known as "beef filler" from the hamburger... stowe055 Hamburger with "pink slime" gone at Cub Foods
By Kyle Stowe

Supervalu Foods, which supplies Cub Foods and other supermarket chains with many different types of groceries, recently pledged to remove what is known as "beef filler" from the hamburger they distribute to different grocery outlets. The decision was made based purely on customer concerns, according to Supervalu spokesman Mike Siemienas.

The beef filler, also know as "pink slime" has historically been inserted into hamburger to kill pathogens. The filler makes it possible so that tissue in the hamburger that might otherwise go wasted can be turned into grist for hamburger.

The filler is not being removed because of a safety issue. Companies like Supervalu have been putting it in their hamburger meat for the last 20 years, according to food companies. It's purely an "ick" factor that has detracted consumers and caused food distributors like Supervalu to remove the filler from their hamburger, according to food experts.


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