WestJour3101Blog

Oregon Bank Bombing

2008-12-15T05:42:33Z

The two articles that I chose were from the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. Both articles reported the bank bombing in Woodburn Oregon but they each had a different angle. The Los Angeles Times article was about the arrest of the suspect and The New York Times article was about the mourning of the town. According to the articles, a bomb exploded in a Wells Fargo Bank killing two police officers and injuring the police chief. The Los Angeles Times said that someone called in a bomb threat to the bank and authorities found two devices. After evacuating the bank they moved the device inside and at around 5:30 p.m. it exploded. There was no explanation from police as to why the device as moved inside. On Saturday night, nearly 200 residents, church leaders, elected officials and police officers gathered for a vigil, The New York Times reported. The New York Times also had a number of quotes from people around the town and also listed the victims names which were Capt. Tom Tennant, 51, and Senior Trooper William Hakin, 51. According to the Los Angeles Times, a suspect was arrested in Seattle “but authorities declined to release the identity of the suspect or the circumstances of the arrest until Monday afternoon, saying only that the suspect was detained Sunday evening in the area of the Oregon capital of Salem.�?

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bombing15-2008dec15,0,1640826.story

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/us/15oregon.html?_r=1&ref=us

Man was 5 times over legal drinking limit when he ran over a woman with his car

2008-12-15T05:36:02Z

A 36-year-old man was five times over the legal drinking limit when he ran over a 66-year-old woman on Friday in a Bloomington Sam’s club parking lot, the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press reported. Anthony Phillip LaSalle told police that he drank a half liter or vodka that night before driving to Sam’s Club. His blood alcohol level was 0.41 which was 5 times the 0.08 legal limit. LuAnn Marie Johnson and her husband were walking across the cross walk into the store when LaSalle accelerated and knocked Johnson on the pavement, the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press reported. Johnson’s husband shouted at LaSalle to stop his vehicle but instead LaSalle continued to drive, dragging Johnson 10 feet. Johnson was rushed to the Hennepin County Medical Center and died an hour later, the Pioneer Press reported. After hitting a parked SUV and rear ending another car, police stopped LaSalle. LaSalle would not get out of the car and told police they would have to kill him, the Star Tribune reported. The Pioneer Press said that police had to use a Taser to subdue him and he was taken to Fairview Southdale Hospital to treat a cut. According to police, LaSalle told them he felt the car drive over someone but continued driving. LaSalle is being charged with third degree murder and will have his first court appearance on Monday. The Star Tribune article was less detailed about LaSalle’s past where the Pioneer Press added that he was charged for driving under the influence on two other occasions and spent time in the Hennepin County Workhouse. The Pioneer Press also added that if he was convicted of third degree murder he could spend up to 25 years in prison.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_11221796?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/36061859.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

President Bush visits Iraq one last time

2008-12-15T05:30:21Z

President Bush made a surprise visit to Baghdad today, the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times reported. He met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and other Iraqi leaders at Salam Palace to discuss the war and its progress one last time before his presidency is over. "The work hasn't been easy, but it has been necessary for American security, Iraqi hope, and world peace," Bush said to the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. President Talabani referred to Bush as a great friend and said that he helped liberate the country and get them to where they are now. The Washington Post devoted a large portion of their article to the trip and how it was Bush’s forth one. They also said that it was done in secrecy and Bush took 13 journalists with him and scheduled it on the calendar as a “Christmas in Washington�? event. The Washington Post also said that at a speech in West Point, N.Y. last week, Bush said that his administration laid a solid foundation for President-elect Obama overseas. The Los Angeles Times used most of the same quotes as the Washington post but the main difference was that they said Bush is also planning to visit the Prime Minister of Iraq today.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bush-baghdad15-2008dec15,0,7525255.story

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/14/AR2008121400504.html?hpid=topnews

No more Mischke

2008-12-08T04:06:03Z

According to the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press, Tommy Mischke, a KSTP-AM radio talk show host, was let go. “Mischke, 46, of St. Paul, acknowledged he was let go by the station on a blog on the station's website, the Star Tribune said. The Star Tribune also said that Mischke was known for his “wacky humor�? and on “air banter.�? Mischke won the “Best AM Radio Personality" award eight times in his 16 years working for KSTP. Both KSTP and Mischke have not commented on the matter. “On Thursday, KSTP-TV, Channel 5, laid off as many as 18 people, including Emmy Award-winning reporter Kristi Piehl,�? the Pioneer Press reported. The main difference between the articles was that the Pioneer Press was brief and the Star Tribune had more quotes and background information about Mischke’s career.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_11158009
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/35659879.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU

Obama's plan to create jobs

2008-12-08T04:03:33Z

President-elect Barack Obama’s plan to create 2.5 million jobs was addressed on Saturday and would be the largest public works program since President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the federal interstate system in the 1950s, The New York Times and The Washington Post reported. According to both articles, the goals are to lift the county out of economic recession, rebuild highways in the United States, make public buildings energy-efficient, renovate aging schools and install computers in classrooms, extend high-speed internet to under served areas and modernize hospitals, The Washington Post reported. Both articles state the report on Friday that 533,000 jobs were lost in the month of November. The articles also point out that there were no details about how much the plan will cost and that Republicans want to resist such a plan. “Borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars today to try to fix the economy, they argue, will leave a huge bill for the next generation,�? The New York Times reported. The Washington Post said that “Republicans in the House oppose Obama's plan, saying they favor a series of tax cuts that they say would put money in people's pockets and encourage businesses to expand domestically.�? Both the articles have similar information however The Washington Post offers more attributions from government officials with their questions and concerns.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/06/AR2008120602187_2.html?nav=hcmodule

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/us/politics/07radio.html?pagewanted=2&em

Taliban strike destroys NATO trucks in Pakistan

2008-12-08T02:58:50Z

The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times reported that over 100 NATO trucks carrying supplies to Afghanistan were destroyed by Taliban militants on Sunday. The Los Angeles Times reported that there were over 150 trucks destroyed where The New York Times reported over 100. According to both articles, Peshawar the area in which the attack took place, is the last stop on a major transportation route to Afghanistan. “The United States relies on the route for an overwhelming proportion of its supplies for the war in Afghanistan,�? The New York Times said. The trucks were carrying military supplies to U.S. troops when they were bombarded at 2:30 a.m. by militants who disarmed the security guards and threw grenades and fired rockets at the trucks, The New York Times reported. Both articles reported that U.S. officials in Afghanistan said that the loss was militarily insignificant. The main difference between the two articles was the references to other attacks in the past two months. Both noted that the attacks are ongoing and keep getting worse but the Los Angeles Times gave more specific details such as the death toll.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/08/world/asia/08pstan.html?_r=1&ref=world
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pakistan8-2008dec08,0,2335333.story

Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai

2008-11-30T23:19:33Z

The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times reported the terrorist attacks that happened on Saturday in Mumbai, India. The terrorists started the attacks on Wednesday in two luxury hotels, a restaurant, and a Jewish Center, the Los Angeles Times reported. They killed over 190 innocent people and injured over 289. “There were clear signs on Saturday that the security forces were ill-prepared to handle the crisis,�? The New York Times reported. The attacks and aftermath continued well into Saturday. “Officials have suggested that Islamic militant groups based in rival Pakistan who were responsible for previous attacks in India were responsible for this one,�? the Los Angeles Times reported. However, Pakistan is denying any involvement with the attacks. The main difference between the articles is the attributions. The Los Angeles Times quotes citizens and workers of Mumbai, giving a different perspective to the story.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fg-mumbai30-2008nov30,0,7540241.story
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/world/asia/30mumbai.html?pagewanted=1&ref=todayspaper

Man dies in shopping stampede

2008-11-30T06:05:24Z

A Wal-mart employee was trampled and died in a shopping incident on “Black Friday�? in New York City, reported the Los Angeles Times and the Herald Community. The Nassau County Wal-mart was having major sales the day after Thanksgiving, which brought a huge crowd. “Nassau County Police say that the man was knocked to the ground by a rush of customers shortly after the store's 5 a.m. opening,�? the Herald Community reported. A 28-year-old pregnant woman was also injured and taken to a hospital as well as others. According to the Los Angeles Times, the man was 34-years-old and was a temporary employee. The Herald Community said that his name has not been released. Both articles had similar information the only major difference was that the Herald Community listed the Wal-Mart spokes person’s name and gave a longer statement.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20209407&BRD=1601&PAG=461&dept_id=479861&rfi=6
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-walmart-death29-2008nov29,0,4038125.story

Shooting in Minneapolis

2008-11-30T04:28:56Z

The Star Tribune and Pioneer Press reported a shooting in Minneapolis that occurred on Saturday morning around 3:00 a.m. According to the police reports, a car was parked at a stop light when another car pulled up and fired shots. The driver was killed and the passenger was injured with non-life threatening injuries. Both articles attribute Sgt. Jesse Garcia of the Minneapolis police. According to Garcia, the victims tried to escape the shooting and drove several blocks until crashing into a house. The Star Tribune reported the exact location which was the 1400 block of Dowling Avenue. The newspaper also mentions that it is the second shooting in 3 days but the shootings are not related. In the Star Tribune article, the homeowner of the home the victims crashed into was also attributed. The Pioneer Press present more of a brief than a story.

http://www.startribune.com/local/35252644.html?elr=KArks:DCiUnP::DE8c7PiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU
http://www.twincities.com/ci_11101999?source=most_viewed

Man suspected in shooting of 15-year-old boy surrenders to police

2008-11-24T02:35:49Z

On Sunday, 19-year-old Alfredo Gutierrez-Gonzales who was connected with the shooting of Jacob MacKenzie, surrendered to the police, the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press reported. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and he claims that the shooting was an accident. Jacob MacKenzie, 15, died on the families porch after the shooting, the Star Tribune reported. Jayna Emerson, Gutierrez-Gonzales’s girlfriend, pleaded on Thursday for him to come forward and investigators believe this may have led to his surrender. Both articles listed the funeral service for MacKenzie which was today at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The Star Tribune attributed MacKenzie’s mother Michelle Olson. The Pioneer Press mentioned the type of rifle used and that Gutierrez-Gonzales was charged with terroristic threats and pleaded guilty with a three year supervised probation.

http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/34810779.html?elr=KArks:DCiUoaW_eEO7UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
http://www.twincities.com/stpaul/ci_11036612

Obama's expansive economic plan

2008-11-24T00:54:20Z

The two articles I chose were from the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times. The articles discussed the announcement that Barack Obama gave on Saturday about a stimulus plan that is going to create 2.5 million jobs in the next two years by spending billions of dollars to rebuild roads and bridges, improve educational areas, and construct wind farms and other alternative sources of energy. Both articles point out that the plan is different than what he proposed during his campaign because it is more aggressive. They also report that Obama plans on letting the Bush tax cuts expire in 2010. “Still, with the financial markets and the public clearly looking for reassurance, Saturday's announcement -- and Monday's news conference -- signal that the transition has entered a phase in which the president-elect will become more visible and vocal,�? the Los Angeles Times reported. The Washington Post had a lot of the same information as the Los Angeles Times, however they questioned where the money would come from. “He provided few details and no price tag, but said his economic team is working on "a plan big enough to meet the challenges we face that I intend to sign soon after taking office," the Washington Post reported.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/22/AR2008112200656.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-obama-team23-2008nov23,0,4746332.story

France Socialist Party in shambles

2008-11-24T00:49:52Z

The two articles I found were from The New York Times and the Washington Post. The articles discussed the present state of the Socialist Party in France. According to The New York Times, the Socialist Party has become deeply divided by rivalries and other embarrassing factors such as the controversial vote for a new party leader. “France's once-reigning Socialist Party, the main opposition to President Nicolas Sarkozy, fell into full disarray Saturday over a backbiting leadership struggle that betrayed deep divisions about the role of a leftist party in modern France,�? the Washington Post reported. According to both articles, the party declared Martine Aubry had won the election for first secretary by 42 votes out of 135,000 casted. Her opponent Segolene Royal, said it was fraud and demanded a recount. The party is not in a good state and there are many disputes and disagreements on how things should be run and what the party should stand for. The New York Times article was easier to read and went into more depth about what the party is and why this outcome occurred.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/22/AR2008112202188.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/24/world/europe/24france.html?_r=1&ref=world

Four Palestinians killed in airstrike on Sunday

2008-11-17T04:00:39Z

The articles I found were from The New York Times and the Telegraph.co.uk. According to both articles, four Palestinians were killed in an airstrike in Hamasrun Gaza on Sunday. “The men, members of the small Popular Resistance Committees, were planning to fire rockets or mortar shells at Israel, according to the group and the Israeli military,�? The New York Times reported. The Hamas are a militant group in Gaza and according to reports, at least 15 other militants have been killed in almost two weeks of clashes with Israel, The New York Times reported. “But Palestinians, who vowed revenge for today's killings, said the barrage of rockets had only resumed after Israel staged a ground offensive into the Gaza strip two weeks ago,�? the Telegraph.co.uk reported. Although the violence has increased, both sides want to maintain the ceasefire agreement made five months ago. Both articles had similar information and used quotes from Ehud Olmert, the Israeli lame duck prime minister. The New York Times explained more in depth what the Hamas mission was as a terrorist group.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/3467818/Four-Palestinians-killed-as-ceasfire-breaks-down.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/world/middleeast/17mideast.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

Husband charged in Prior Lake murder

2008-11-16T06:12:18Z

The articles I found were from the Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune. Charles Maddox Jr. was charged with second-degree murder of his wife, Ruth Anne Maddox. Charles a Ruth married five years ago and resided in Prior Lake with their cat and two pit bulls. Ruth, originally from Indiana, was a reporter for the Shakopee Valley News. Three weeks ago Ruth filed for divorce and friends said that their was an abusive incident a year earlier. On Tuesday, co-workers were worried as to why Ruth did not show up for work and the unusual text message that they received. “Colleagues told police that it was "very unusual" for her to contact them via text message and that calls went directly to her voice mail,�? the Star Tribune reported. The Pioneer Press explains that Ruth had several story deadlines or Tuesday and when she didn’t show up for work, her employer became concerned and that’s when they contacted the police. When the police arrived at the Maddox home on Tuesday afternoon to investigate, Charles claimed he did not know where Ruth was and refused to let the police in. On their third attempt, the police had a search warrant and Charles opened the door and led them to where her body was in the garage. "I might as well save you the trouble; you will find Ruth Anne's body in the garage," Charles Maddox is quoted as telling the police, the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press reported. According to both newspapers, Charles Maddox told the police that his wife, Ruth, came at him with a knife and screwdriver and he put his knee on the arm holding the knife and strangled her to death. “Maddox, 43, remains in the Scott County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail,�? the Star Tribune reported. The main differences between the articles were that the Pioneer Press gave emphasis on the case and how it links with domestic violence. It gave information on the precautions women should take when leaving their husbands. The Star Tribune had attributions from Charles lawyer, Larry Rapaport, stating that there is more behind the story than most people know.
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_10989031?nclick_check=1
http://www.startribune.com/local/south/34465819.html?page=1&c=y

California wildfires destroy hundreds of homes and put thousands under evacuation

2008-11-16T06:08:01Z

The two articles I chose were from The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. The articles discuss the three major wildfires in California and their affects on the local residents and visitors. According to both articles, hundreds of homes have been destroyed and more than 10,000 people have been put under a mandatory evacuation order. At least 18 people have been injured and one fatality has been reported, The New York Times reported. “Of the three major fires, firefighters appeared to be gaining the most control of the Montecito fire, which was about 40 percent contained by Saturday, Curtis Vincent, a spokesman for the Montecito Fire Department, told The New York Times. The fires have shut down the 91 and 51 Freeways, both of which are major roads. “The greatest damage in the Valley was reported in the Oakridge Mobile Home Park near Sylmar, where more than 500 homes were destroyed in the so-called Sayre blaze that started late Friday,�? the Los Angeles Times reported. John Tripp, incident commander of the Los Angeles Fire Department said that the number one priority is to get citizens out of the fires path, the Los Angeles Times reported. Other officials such at Assistant Chief Donald Frazeur of L.A. Fire Department, said that too many people are standing around and watching the fire instead of leaving. Both articles discussed a lot of the same information and had similar statistics. The New York Times called the fires by their names and the Los Angeles Times just focused on their locations. The New York Times used quotes from some of the people in the mobile home park as well as a statement from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Los Angeles Times used quotes from more fire department officials.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/us/16calif.html?ref=us
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sylmarfire16-2008nov16,0,4171399.story