Enterprise Story

Outline

Lede

-Basketball season thus far,

-Recent struggles of the program

-Quotes

-How the team and university plans to move forward and continue with a successful season.

-Quotes

- Whats lays ahead for the basketball team.

The hot start by the WSU men’s basketball team has helped ease the pain of a dismal football season, which saw the Cougars finish last in the Pac-10 with one win.

The Cougars have started the season with eight wins and only two losses, coupled with a tournament victory in the Great Alaska Shootout.

It has been a rough last year for the Cougs. They lost in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament, they saw their coach skip town for a coaching job at the University of Virginia, and they have plenty of new faces join the team this year, including six freshman and head coach Ken Bone.

Sophomore DeAngelo Casto, who looks to play a significant roll this season, was one of the many players shocked by Tony Bennett’s decision to leave, but he decided not to transfer and to stick with the program.

“When they brought Ken Bone in and we listened to him talk he was a great guy, easy to get along with, and easy to talk to,” said Casto in an interview on KJR radio station. “Then he introduced his philosophies and how he wanted to play and everyone got on board and was like, ‘you this is how we can really play and its going to be fun.’”

Despite the early success of the new coach and young team, many Cougar fans are still upset at Tony Bennett for leaving the team.

“I remember him saying he wanted to end his career as a cougar and then just like that he’s gone,” said junior Trevor Brink. “It was a shock to all of cougar nation, we all felt a little bit betrayed.”

Despite the feelings of anger and disgust, the cougar faithful can’t be too upset with what Ken Bone has done so far this season. Sophomore Klay Thompson has had a breakout year, earning two Pac-10 player of the week awards and is currently the nations second leading scorer, averaging just over 25 points per game.

“I was upset when Bennett left,” said junior Zzu Cru member Jeff Peugh. “But now I honestly think it’s for the better. We have a more up-tempo offense that is fun to watch and so far we are getting the results.”

The young team appears to be prepared for success in the future, especially with emerging stars such as freshmen Xavier Thames and Reggie Moore.

“At the point guard position we have Xavier Thames and Reggie Moore coming in and taking the spot of Taylor Rochestie who really ran the team [last year],” said Casto with KJR radio host Ian Furness. “Reggie and Xavier have been huge.”

Last year, Taylor Rochestie was one of the leaders for the cougars. He led the team in points per game, minutes per game, assists per game, and steals per game.

“As a fan I have been most impressed with how this young team has managed to succeed without players like Aron Baynes and Taylor Rochestie,” said Peugh. “It’s been fun to watch players like Thompson and Casto emerge.”

Other fans feel the same way, noting the up-tempo offense as one of the main reasons the Cougs are succeeding.

“With the athletic guys we have on the team and the new offense, it has allowed some players to emerge as scorers,” said junior sports management major Trevor Harvey. “I think within the next few years we will see something pretty special here in Pullman.”

The new, dynamic, up-tempo cougars will face Portland State this Saturday in Kennewick, Wash., before heading to the annual Cougar Hardwood Classic in Seattle where they will face Louisiana State.

Trevor Brink – 509 961 1239

Jeff Peugh – 253 224 6817

Trevor Harvey – 602 882 5328

3 ledes

1. District 9 Sen. Mark Schoesler on potential WSU budget cuts:

“Until the economy is turned around, higher education is always at risk.”

Background: WSU cut its budget by $54 million earlier this year. Tuition has increased by 14 percent since the university fiscal budget was announced last spring. It will increase by another 14 percent in the next school year.

Lede: Amid the WSU budget cuts and rising cost of tuition, District 9 Sen. Mark Schoesler fears that until the economy recovers, higher education is at risk.

2. WSU President Elson S. Floyd:

“Christine [Gregoire] has told me they plan to cut higher education by $99 million. She happens to have a very different view from me on how that money should be distributed.”

Background: WSU cut its budget by $54 million earlier this year. Tuition has increased by 14 percent since the university fiscal budget was announced last spring. It will increase by another 14 percent in the next school year.

Lede: Following the $54 million budget cut earlier this year, WSU President Elson S. Floyd will face even more financial trouble after Gov. Christine Gregoire announces a higher education cutback of $99 million. 

3. Background: Andrew Storfer, an associate professor at the WSU School of Biological Sciences, spoke to the zoology club Wednesday at Eastlick Hall. He said about 180 amphibian species are extinct, and a very small amount of amphibian species actually had an increase in population. Storfer said 43 percent of amphibian populations worldwide are in decline. He listed six probable causes: habitat destruction, invasive species, exploitation, global climate change, contaminants, and emerging diseases.

Amphibian populations worldwide are struggling to survive due to threats such as habitat destruction and climate change among others said Andrew Storfer, associate professor at the WSU school of Biological Sciences. 

Speech Story

Outline:

What speech covered in lede

Basics about the speech - where was it, when, what for

What did Elson Floyd speak about

What was the reaction from the audience

What can we look forward too

WSU President Elson S. Floyd spoke to the Pullman Kiwanis and other members of the community on Thursday, Dec. 3, about the recent budget cuts facing the university and how he plans to continue to help the school grow and flourish.

Floyd spoke to a crowd of roughly 150 people at the Gladish Community Center, and made it his point to emphasize the importance of community involvement. During these tough economic times Floyd understands the importance of community support.

“This is a community and we are going to do it together,” Floyd said. “You made an investment in our university by paying taxes and attending football games. We want to make sure your investment was worthwhile.”

This past year, Floyd was forced to cut the school budget by $54 million, which was by far the biggest budget cut in school history. Floyd emphasized that the economic struggle was not over, and that there is more trouble on the horizon.

“Christine [Gregiore] has told me they plan to cut higher education by $99 million,” said Floyd. “She happens to have a very different view from me on how that money should be distributed.”

Floyd, who was hired three years ago, has admittedly had a tough stretch and he has been forced to make tough decisions.

“In the midst of everything we had to make some very painful decisions,” Floyd said. “We have had to cut the theater and dance programs because these particular programs do not receive the funding they need to compete.”

Local citizens and students in attendance trust Floyd, and expect him to make the right decisions when the time comes.

“I have full confidence in what Mr. Floyd does,” said Johannes Petrusson, a junior at WSU who regularly volunteers with Pullman Kiwanis. “When the government is cutting our budget so significantly, some programs will unfortunately take the grunt of the cutback. There’s only so much he can do.”

With the financial crisis in mind, Floyd has started taking steps to improve branch campuses that are directly associated with Washington State University.

WSU Spokane will alter its programs and focus completely on health science, eventually transforming into a four-year degree program Floyd explained.

Like the Spokane campus, WSU Tri-cities and Vancouver will also refocus their research emphasis. The Tri-City campus will shift focus to bio-fuel technology as well as efficient energy, and the Vancouver campus will move towards technological research.

“We are taking some of the programs that we can no longer afford to have at the Pullman campus and moving them elsewhere,” Floyd said.

William Dornes, a junior who volunteered for the Kiwanis at home football games, is saddened to see the budget cuts but believes Floyd is doing his best to compensate.

“I understand that these are tough times and that President Floyd has to do what is right for the direction of the university,” Dornes said. “It is great to see him take time out of his busy schedule to get back to the community and let us know what’s going on.”

Steven Wilkerson, a senior at WSU, worked with Kiwanis and Elson Floyd last year to raise over $2,000 for charity. He believes one reason WSU has survived the recent budget cuts is because of the culture that comes along with a Washington State University education.

“They say ‘once a Coug, always a Coug,’ and I think this mindset has helped get us through the tough times,” Wilkerson said. “Elson realizes this, and has made an effort to reach out to the community that continues to support the university in hard times.”

Floyd’s goal was to offer a sense of hope for not just the Pullman Kiwanis, but to all members of the community.

“You’re looking at one university President who is extremely grateful for what you do,” Floyd said. “We cannot do it alone, we are going to need your help.”

Sources

Johannes Petrusson – 425 – 301 – 0089

William Dornes - 206 - 817 - 3686

Steven Wilkerson – 360 – 391 - 5731

Questions:

-How is WSU dealing with budget cuts during the struggling economy?

-Was last years budget cuts a one time thing or can we look for more cuts in the future?

-What do the Kiwanis mean to the community and Washington State University?

Sentence Summary of News Feature - story review

WSU Athletic Director Jim Sterk announced the construction plans for the next step in the renovation process of Martin Stadium on Sept. 22, and is hosting six town hall meetings throughout all of Washington and in Portland to discuss the process.

Four of the six town hall meetings have already taken place; one at Fireside Grille in Pullman, one at the Hyatt in Bellevue, one at The Hub in Tacoma, and another at the Rose Garden in Vancouver.

Sterk is working in coordination with the WSU Athletic Foundation to raise $34 million for the completion of construction. All funding for the project will be philanthropic donations, meaning students will see no increase in tuition costs.

“The students did their part back in 2006 when 65 percent of them voted to put $50 of their annual tuition toward the earlier phases of the renovation,” said Sterk at the Pullman town hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 29. “Phase III will not take one dime out of the students’ pockets but will bring in more revenue for all 17 athletic programs we have here at WSU.”

Phase III looks to add 1,800 luxury suites to the north end of the stadium, which will offer alumni the opportunity to experience the game from a completely different setting, Sterk said. He believes that the luxury seating could potentially double game-day revenue from $2 million to $4 million.

Some students believe that the money spent on stadium renovation should be put to a more important use than athletics.

“I understand the sort of revenue that football games bring in,” said Ben Kappler, a sophomore at WSU. “But I think that at the end of the day we are here to learn, and the money should be spent on student scholarships and education.”

However, not all students agree.

Junior Kathleen Bresnahan thinks it’s an important step for the university.

“Football is by far one of the highest-grossing revenues for our university, so it makes sense that we would want to make improvements to increase profits,” she said.

At the Fireside Grille town meeting, Sterk echoed Bresnahan's point, stating that football makes the most money for athletics by far and that athletics are solely here to benefit the university.

“Many students believe that money should be spent on enhancing student education,” said junior Jeff Peugh. “What they don’t realize is that the stadium enhancements will pay themselves off in a short matter of time, and all the extra money will be recycled back into the university.”

If Sterk and the Athletic Foundation can sell 80 percent of the luxury seating by Dec. 18, the construction will begin early, and stadium renovation will be completed by the 2011 football season. If they fail to do so, construction will be delayed and the Phase III upgrades will not be finished until 2012.

The next town hall meeting is scheduled for Nov. 11 at the Meadow Springs Country Club in the Tri Cities and the final meeting is at the Northern Quest Casino in Spokane on Nov. 12.

WSU Athletic Director Jim Sterk recently announced Phase III construction on Martin Stadium, and is now hosting six town hall meetings across Washington and in Portland.

Sentences

1. Even though the Seattle Sounders FC inaugural season ended Sunday with a 1-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo, the Sounders’ still have a lot to be proud of.
Even though the Seattle Sounders FC's inaugural season ended Sunday with a 1-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo, the Sounders still have a lot to be proud of. (what do they have to be proud of?)

2. Tommy Sullivan was one of the many fans that were able to attend a game this year.
Tommy Sullivan was one of the many fans who was able to attend a game this year.

3. With the work of improvement in mind, Pullman residents feel the comfort of a clean, high-quality, diversified neighborhood more and more.
With the improvement work in mind, Pullman residents feel the comfort of a clean, high-quality, diverse neighborhood.


4. “People will come in and buy them by the case,” said Ryan Jones, a senior management operations major and employee of Bobs Corner Market for 3 years. “It’s not uncommon for them to run out at the warehouse, sometimes I think they just can’t keep up.”
"People will come in and buy them by the case," said Ryan Jones, a senior management operations major and employee of Bob's Corner Martket for three years. "It's not uncommon for them to run out at the warehouse. Sometimes I think they just can't keep up."

5. Yagiz started school as an undecided major but after taking Geology her sophomore year, she had found what she wanted to study.
Yagiz started school as an undecided major, but after taking geology her sophomore year she found what she wanted to study.

6. If inacted, the plan will positively effect the neighborhood of college hill and the collegiate experience of WSU students, he said.
If enacted, the plan will positively affect the College Hill neighborhood, and will enhance the collegiate experience of WSU students, he said.

7. More than 60% of off-premise establishments provided at least one type of beer promotion.
More than 60 percent of off-premise establishments provided at least one type of beer promotion.

8. A fleet of camouflage, army cargo trucks sit in a parking lot while men from the National Guard use forklifts to load supplies into the truck beds.
A fleet of camouflaged army cargo trucks sits in a parking lot while men from the National Guard use forklifts to upload supplies into the truck beds.


9. Potential employers are increasingly likely to view social-networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace when screening applicants for a position.
When screening applicants for a position, potential employers are increasingly likely to view social-networking Web sites such as Facebook and Myspace.



10. Stefany Unda, Career Development Program Coordinator for CACD, said the biggest misconception out there is that setting your Facebook to private will protect you from allowing people to view your profile.
The biggest misconception is that setting your Facebook to private will protect you, said Stefany Unda, the career development program coordinator for CACD (whats that).



11. He said he expects to see a number of transit systems turn to voters to try and get more revenue.
He expects to see a number of transit systems to turn to voters in order to get more revenue.



12. With more traffic on the website than in the department digital technology to be very organized and has allowed archives to out into the public sphere more.
With more traffic on the Web site than in the department, digital technology has to be very organized?.....



13. “We just buy and sell real estate, it is what we do but the market doesn’t dictate the price,” she said. “The price is the price and I haven’t seen a noticeable change.”
"We just buy and sell real estate. It is what we do, but the market doesnt dictate the price," she said. "The price is the price and I haven't seen a noticeable change."

14. These bails are then sold to a processing center in Tacoma, Wash. for a mere $24.
These bales are sold to a processing center in Tacoma, Wash., for $24.



15. “In five or ten years something else will be cool and texting while driving while be a primary offense but it’s going to take a little time,” said Tennant
"In five or 10 years something else will be cool, and texting while driving will be a primary offense, but it's going to take a little time," said Tennant.

PR Release

Virtual World Journalism Conference held at WSU
Researchers are studying the importance of commercial and citizen reporting within the virtual world and will present results at an upcoming conference at Washington State University. The study, sponsored by Washington State University and the McCormick Foundation, will take place at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication on April 6, 2010 in Pullman, WA.
The founder of Second Life Philip Rosedale as well as Club Penguin co-founder Lane Merrifield will be among presenters at the event. Also speaking will be ThinkBalm co-founder Erica Driver, CNN.com senior producer Lila King, and award-winning virtual world reporter and musican Bernhard Drax.
The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication is highly regarded among professionals and educators world-wide and is the only program in the Northwest to offer programs in all six communication fields.
The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation’s largest charities, with $1.2 billion in assets. Founded by the long-time editor of the Chicago Tribune, the foundation seeks to stimulate more active and engaged lifestyles.
"The McCormick Foundation is proud to partner with Brett Atwood and WSU's Edward R. Murrow College,” said Clark Bell, director of the McCormick Foundation's Journalism Program. “Our reporting institutes are designed to be timely, engaging and insightful. This event should certainly fulfill our expectations and serve as a valuable learning platform for the participating journalists."

1 – How was the sponsorship set up?
2 – How does virtual world communication effect every day communication?
3 -

News Feature

Outline

Jim Sterk is traveling around the state for phase three

What is phase three?

How does phase three affect the students?

What will Phase three bring to the university?

When is the next meeting?

WSU Athletic Director Jim Sterk announced the construction plans for the next step in the renovation process of Martin Stadium on Sept. 22^, and is hosting six town hall meetings throughout all of Washington and in Portland to discuss the process.

Four of the six town hall meetings have already taken place; one at Fireside Grille in Pullman, one at the Hyatt in Bellevue, one at The Hub in Tacoma, and another at the Rose Garden in Vancouver.

Sterk is working in coordination with the WSU Athletic Foundation to raise 34 million dollars for the completion of construction. All funding for the project will be philanthropic donations, meaning students will see no influx in tuition costs.

“The students did their part back in 2006 when 65 percent of them voted to put $50 of their annual tuition toward the earlier phases of the renovation,” said Sterk at the Pullman town hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 29. “Phase III will not take one dime out of the students’ pockets but will bring in more revenue for all 17 athletic programs we have here at WSU.”

Phase III looks to add 1,800 luxury suites to the north end of the stadium, which will offer alumni the opportunity to experience the game from a completely different setting said Sterk. He believes that the luxury seating could potentially double game-day revenue from $2 million to $4 million.

Some students believe that the money spent on stadium renovation should be put to more important use than athletics.

“I understand the sort of revenue that football games bring in,” said Ben Kappler, a sophomore at WSU. “But I think that at the end of the day we are here to learn, and the money should be spent on student scholarships and education.”

However, not all students are singing the same tune.

Junior Kathleen Bresnahan thinks it’s an important step for the university.

“Football is by far one of the highest grossing revenues for our university, so it makes sense that we would want to make improvements to increase profits,” she said.

At the Fireside Grille town meeting, Sterk echoed Bresnahan's point, stating that football makes the most money for athletics by far and that athletics are solely here to benefit the university.

“Many students believe that money should be spent on enhancing student education,” said junior Jeff Peugh. “What they don’t realize is that the stadium enhancements will pay themselves off in a short matter of time, and all the extra money will be recycled back into the university.”

If Sterk and the Athletic Foundation can sell 80 percent of the luxury seating by Dec. 18, the construction will begin early, and stadium renovation will be completed by the 2011 football season. If they fail to do so, construction will be delayed and the Phase III upgrades will not be finished until 2012.

The next town hall meeting is scheduled for Nov. 11 at the Meadow Springs Country Club in the Tri Cities and the final meeting is at the Northern Quest Casino in Spokane on Nov. 12.

Sources

Ben Kappler – 425 444 3157

Kathleen Bresnahan – 509 590 7439

Jeff Peugh – 253 224 6817

1. Same-sex couples exist whether schools teach about them or not. - could be a bias opinion... needs attribute

 

2. This raises the question, would universal health care work here, locally? - who's raising the question

 

3. Although SB 5688 has been dubbed the “everything but marriage” bill, many people opposed to it feel that if it is approved by state voters and enacted into law it will eventually pave the way for gay marriage in the state of Washington. - who dubbed the bill, and what constitutes many people

 

4. “Tonight, in an historic vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people,” President Barack Obama said.

 

5. The ASWSU Senate is taking a stand against initiative 1033 with their newest resolution. - This implies that initiativev 1033 is wrong, creating a writing bias

 

6. TAPOR is largely considered a financial disaster for Colorado and was suspended in 2005. - Who considers it a financial disaster... get rid of uncommon acronyms

 

7. Many local citizens face the tough decision between buying insurance and putting food on the table. - attribution, who is saying it. If these people exist we need to find them.

 

8. President Obama has received significant public attention for his health care bill, and residents of Whitman County are well aware of what his plan means. - same as the one above.

 

9. While the lighting initiative is important, Workman believes that not all the lighting requested may be necessary. - who says its important? Workman

 

10. Though only a few were positive H1N1 cases, the hysteria spread throughout the community and led to the large number of suspected cases. - did it spread through the media? or through the community. 

Grammer Changes

An astonishing* 29.2 percent of Whitman County residents do not have current health insurance, according to a recent U.S Census Bureau report, making health care one of the most important issues facing voters this November.

Whitman County has the second-highest uninsured rate in the state of Washington and is almost double that of the national average, which stands just below 30 percent. This raises the question, would universal health care work here, locally? 

“I think it has a chance to work,” said Brian Bell, a member of the Young Democrats student organization. “The cost of insurance today is so exorbitant it’s no wonder that almost 30 percent of people are uninsured.”

With the cost of insurance rising and the economy fighting its way out of a slump, many local citizens say that health care just isn’t affordable.

Whitman County’s average income has dropped to just over $35,000, (why not say the number here – it would save us a couple words and not slow readers down) almost $20,000 less than the statewide average. Many local citizens face the tough decision between buying insurance and putting food on the table.

 

Dennis McConnell, a member of the Pullman Kiwanis Club and co-owner of the Pullman Gladish Community Center, considers himself a member of the middle class.

“It’s tough to come up with the money to keep yourself covered, but when it comes to health I don’t want to take any chances,” McConnell said. “I have friends who haven’t been as lucky and aren’t covered. It’s just not right.”

According to Obama’s numerous press releases, he hopes his bill will lower the cost of health care and will make plans more secure and stable. It is similar to health care systems in countries such as Canada, England and Spain but has its own regulations and stipulations. Despite Obama’s best efforts, some people are not quite as enthusiastic about the plan.

District 9 candidate Susan Fagan opposes the universal health care program on her Web Site, saying she does not support a government-run program.

Pat Hailey, agrees, saying she does not support the liberal agenda of representatives in Seattle.

“When I decide who I’m voting for it will come down to who wants to help fix our health care system,” said junior Brian Mitchell. “Both district 9 candidates seem opposed to Obama’s bill, but they have their own ideas as well.”

Whether it’s Obama’s bill or a candidate’s new idea on the issue, health care will most definitely be in the minds of the voters and at the forefront of November’s election. 

profile thing.

Lede:

Freshman year growing pains are something that the majority of college students are all too familiar with, but for Michelle that struggle involved the decision to transfer universities.

Michelle moved from sunny Azusa Pacific University to the winter wonderland that is WSU. It was a tough decision that has led Michelle to where she is today; in a sorority, studying communication and hoping to one day work for a Public Relations firm on the westside.

3 questions

1) What is your most memorable moment and why?
I guess in the last couple years it wouldve been the day i decided to withdraw from APU and live at home and find a new university. My freshman year dropping out of college, it was a really tough decision, to find myself in the last three years. I changed my major, i moved from a sunny private christian college to a snowy liberal school.


2) What are your plans for after graduation? Im really unsure of the future, Ideally i would love to work for a PR firm, specifically something involved with representation of hotels restaurants, salons, just large luxury companies, and finding an apartment and roommate in Kirkland and reall want to get a kitty.


3) Who is your biggest influence, and how have they helped shape you? I feel like its changed throughout my life. I have had chunks of 5 years where it has changed. At this point it is probably my best friend Candace, she is someone i really look up to, she inspires me and helps me stay true to myself.

Michelle

1. We looked through the church and searched outside the building.

 

2. These lights would be funded by ASWSU, he said.

 

3. His car is black, yellow and orange.

 

4. Gunnell said everything is still in the early stages of planning, but he hopes the project will be underway by next summer.

 

5. For breakfast he had juice, bacon, and ham and eggs.

 

6. In July, the grassroots organization Protect Marriage Washington turned in thousands of signatures in order to stall the bill and bring the issue to a statewide vote.

 

7. She was tired so we stayed home.

 

8. “This is not a bill for gay marriage, I just want to save some money on my taxes and live my life.”

 

9. Elected to the council were Mark Roberts, 19, a sophomore from Miami, Fla., Suzanne Idley, 20, a junior from Nashville, Tenn. and Alberto Greenberg, 21, a senior from Hartford, Conn.

 

10. We wanted to leave to the old house, but something held us there.

 

Math

1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year? 7,885

2. The spelling and grammar tejjst was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed? 82.9 percent

3. One out of 12 students at WSU are in the Greek system. What percent are in Greek system? 8.3 percent

4. Bruce Springsteen was born on Sept. 23, 1949. How old will he be in May 2016? 66

5a. The former assistant manager was demoted to sales clerk. His pay was cut from $12 to $8. What was the percent decrease? 33.3 percent

5b. The sales clerk was promoted to assistant manager. Her pay increased from $8 to $12. What was the percent increase? 50 percent

6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase? 10.7 percent

7. Joe Smith wants to build a 2,500-square-foot house for him. The builder tells him it will cost $110 a square foot to build. How much will the house cost? 275,000

8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get? 3

9. The Poynter Institute’s budget for computer programs jumped from $5,500 to $7,300. By what percent did it increase? 32.7 %  

10. Checkers at a grocery store earn the following salaries: $10,000, $12,500, $5,890, $16,453, $14,000. The median salary is: 12500

Political Story

Outline:
Lede with statistics – directly into the story
Facts about insurance rate
Quotes
More facts - costs
Healthcare plans and local impact
Closing.

An astonishing 29.2 percent of Whitman County residents do not have current health insurance according to a recent Washington state census, making health care one of the most important issues facing voters this November.
Whitman County has the second highest uninsured rate in the state of Washington and is almost double that of the national average which stands just below 30 percent. This raises the question, would universal health care work here, locally?
“I think it has a chance to work,” said Brian Bell, a member of the Young Democrats student organization. “The cost of insurance today is so extortionate its no wonder that almost 30 percent of people are uninsured.”
With the cost of insurance ever rising, and the economy fighting its way out of a slump, health care just isn’t affordable for many local citizens.
Average income has dropped to just over $35,000, almost $20,000 less than the statewide average. Many local citizens face the tough decision between buying insurance and putting food on the table.
Dennis McConnell is a member of the Pullman Kiwanis Club and is co-owner of the Pullman Gladish Community Center and considers himself a member of the middle class.
“Its tough to come up with the money to keep yourself covered, but when it comes to health I don’t want to take any chances,” McConnell said. “I have friends who haven’t been as lucky and aren’t covered,” he said. “Its just not right.”
President Obama has received significant public attention for his health care bill, and residents of Whitman County are well aware of what his plan means. The issue facing voters next month is choosing the candidates that best represent their beliefs.
Obama hopes his bill will lower the cost of health care and will make plans more secure and stable. It is similar to health care systems in place in countries such as Canada, England and Spain but has its own regulations and stipulations. Despite Obama’s best efforts, some people are not quite as enthusiastic about the plan.
District nine candidate Susan Fagan clearly states her opposition to the universal health care program on her website saying she does not support a government-run program.
Fagan’s opposition Pat Hailey sings a similar tune, saying she does not support the liberal agenda of representatives in Seattle.
“When I decide who I’m voting for it will come down to who wants to help fix our health care system,” says junior Brian Mitchell. “Both district nine candidates seem opposed to Obama’s bill, but they have their own ideas as well.”
Whether its Obama’s bill or a candidate’s new individual idea on the issue, health care will most definitely be in the minds of the voters and at the forefront of November’s election.
Contacts

Brian Bell – 206 718 7576
Dennis McConnell 509 432 5534
Brian Mitchell – 425 275 2254

Re-write

Outline:
Lede
Alcohol statistics here on campus…
Examples?
Run down of basic law
Learning your rights
Examples
The kicker – quote from Thomas.


More than 800 people received alcohol referrals and 175 people were arrested in 2008 alone according to the WSU Police Department 2009-2010 Annual Security/Fire Report.

Current state law sites that a police officer must prove that the person in question is exhibiting the signs of consumption to charge him or her with possession. This includes having the smell of alcohol on the breath, being in close proximity to a container or showing visible signs of a lack of coordination.

Whether or not people agree with the current laws, it is crucial to understand them and know individual rights believes Ben Thomas, the associate director of WSU student legal services.

Last year Thomas hosted a program to teach students their basic rights when confronted by an officer. A lawyer and a police officer also shared their side of the story.

“The idea of the program was to help not only decrease the number of incidents on campus, but to inform students of their basic rights,” Thomas said. “The only thing that state law requires of those under question for an MIP is for them to produce valid identification.”

Thomas discussed how the program didn’t stop with MIP’s. The officer talked about protocol on everything from drug-related arrests to simple traffic violations. The audience was involved with the presentation and asked questions, whether they be about legal issues or police protocol.

Senior Jeff Wilson was in attendance last year. Wilson received a supplying to minors citation his junior year and was able to consult the lawyer about possible courses of action.

"It was an easy way for me to get an idea of what I was up against," Wilson said. "Once I got some basic advice I was able to take the next step and prepare myself for court."

Many people are so uninformed that they believe it is required by law to take a breathalyzer when asked to do so says Thomas.

“I always assumed you had to do exactly what the officer tells you,” said Erik Dargitz, a junior at WSU. “I didn’t realize how hard it can be for the cop to prove anything.”

Dargitz has managed to keep a clean sheet over the years, but others haven’t been so lucky.

“I got an MIC [minor in consumption] last year in Idaho when our designated driver got pulled over for a broken taillight,” said James Whelan, who was a sophomore at the time. “I got nervous and admitted to having a few beers and the next thing I know I’m paying a $500 fine.”

For those who don’t want to end up like Whelan, Thomas said the best thing to do is just know your rights.

“If people knew what they were up against, most of the time they would be able to avoid trouble,” he said. “Just hand the officer your ID, shut up and you’ll be fine.”

Contacts:

Ben Thomas

253 332 2609

James Whelan

425 941 8598

Erik Dargitz

360 739 3681

Jeff Wilson

425 443 8956

Legislature Thingy

1. List two of the bill's sponsors. Murray and McDermot and others
2. Who sponsored companion bill 1727? Pedersen and Walsh among others
3. On what date did Gov. Gregoire sign the bill? May 18
4. How many pages in the original bill? 
5. In the Senate Bill Report, find the names of two people who testified in support of the bill and two who opposed the bill.
6. Based on the report's synopsis of public testimony, list one argument in support of the bill and one argument in opposition.
7. Find the fiscal note for the bill. Look at the most current estimate of cost.
a. What are the estimated receipts from 2009 to 2011?
b. What are the estimated expenditures during the same period?

Whitman County Agenda

Whitman County Agenda

 

a. According to the agenda, what meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m.? Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee meeting.

 

3. Review the minutes from the Sept. 21, 2009, meeting. Find the H1N1 report.

 

                            a. How many confirmed cases in Whitman County? 4

                            b. How many doses of vaccine will be available in Washington state? 600,000

                            c. How many in Whitman County? 360

                            d. What is Dr. Moody’s suggestion on how to distribute? Use community centers and give                                 doses to those that are considered high risk patients. 

e. Write a lede based on this information.

- Whitman county has four confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus throughout the region and announced that they received 360 doses of vaccine, which will likely be withheld until more vaccine is available. 

 

 

Census

I. State and local

1. What’s the population of Whitman County? 41,664
2. Percent white? 86.6%
3. Percent with bachelor’s degree? 44.0%
4. Median household income? $36,538
5. Persons below poverty? 26.7%

II. Drilling down into Census data: Housing

1. Find the annual construction costs for building permits for Pullman from 2004 to 2008. Report it for each individual year. 2004: 21,793,767
2005: 40,062,508
2006: 34,549,367
2007: 31,922,839
2008:14,007,013

2. What’s the most current construction cost for 2009? (Obviously the annual report isn’t yet available so look for the most recent month.)
August 2009 - 7,170,166

3. Write a lede based on this information
- The amount of money spent on construction in the city of Pullman decreased by over 55 percent from 2007 to 2008 and showed no signs of recovery as of August 2009.

III. Federal grants and insurance

Who needs government? Well, Whitman County certainly received some federal help last year. But we want to know how much.

1. How much did Whitman County farmers receive in Crop Insurance?  134,236,720
2. How much did Whitman County receive in grants? 122,982,596
3. Name three of the grants. 

-AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH-BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH GRANT

- PLANT AND ANIMAL DISEASE, PEST CONTROL AND ANIMAL CARE GRANT

-WILDLIFE SERVICES GRANT

IV. Health Care in Whitman County

 

1. Which two counties have the highest percent of uninsured people? San Juan and Whitman 

2. What’s the percentage in Whitman County? 29.2 percent

V. Population

 

1. Type “Whitman County population” into Google Uncle Sam. Which federal or state agency comes up first in the Google list? The Office of Financial Management

 

2. On the profile page, click on “Population, Change, Marriages and Divorce.”

 

a. What’s the total population change in Whitman County from 2000 to 2007, according to OFM? 1960

b. What’s the natural increase? 1,324

c. Explain the difference between “total change” and “natural change.” Total change is the exact number that the population increased from 2000-2007 while natural change does not include people moving away, migration, just people being born and dying. 

 

3. Based on this projection, how many people will live in Whitman County in 2025? 46,786

VI. Spokane City Council Agenda

 

1. What’s the number of the ordinance that would create a new alcohol-impact area? ORD C34475

2. What will the ordinance do? Write a lede based on the City Council’s approval of this ordinance.

- A Spokane ordinance will place restrictions on liquor licenses of those with off-premises sale licenses.  

 

Libel

1. “Up until the day he died, he was a brilliant writer. But the drugs made him a thief, a pimp and a liar,” said friend Karen Smith, who was with Johnson at the time of his death.
-This is not libel because it is not published, and is a persons thought. Libel is written.


2. “Megan Fox is a man!” Headline on Weekly World News Web site
This is libel because it is a written statement that is a negative source of news for the person its about.


3. “In my opinion, Kevin is a murdering rapist.”
- Not libel because its an opinion and the person saying it states that, its not published.

Justice story

Outline:
Lede
Alcohol statistics here on campus…
Examples?
Run down of basic law
Learning your rights
Examples
The kicker – quote from Thomas.

Each year hundreds of Washington State students find themselves face to face with a police officer and in many cases students incriminate themselves and make the officers job much easier.
According to the WSU Police Department 2009-2010 Annual Security/Fire Report over 800 people received alcohol referrals and 175 people were arrested in 2008 alone.
People don’t realize how simple it is to avoid incriminating themselves when being stopped by the police
According to state law RCW 66.44.270 in order to charge someone with a minor in possession all a police officer needs to prove is that the person in question is exhibiting the signs of consumption. This includes smelling alcohol on the breath, being in close proximity to a container or showing visible signs of a lack of coordination.
Whether or not people agree with the current laws it is crucial to understand them and know individual rights.
Last year Ben Thomas, the associate director of WSU Student legal services, held a program to teach students their basic rights when being confronted by an officer of the law. A lawyer and a police officer were present to speak at the meeting sharing their side of the story.
“The idea of the program was to help not only decrease the number of incidents on campus, but to inform students of their basic rights,” Thomas said. “The only thing that state law requires of those under question for an MIP is for them to produce valid identification.”
Thomas discussed how the program didn’t stop with MIP’s, the officer talked about protocol on everything from drug related arrests to simple traffic violations. Those in attendence were given opportunities to ask any question whether it be legal advice or a question about police protocol.
Many people are so uninformed that they believe it is required by law to take a breathalyzer when asked to do so.
“I always assumed you had to do exactly what the officer tells you,” said Erik Dargitz, a junior at WSU. “I didn’t realize how hard it can be for the cop to prove anything.”
Dargitz has managed to keep a clean sheet over the years but others haven’t been so lucky.
“I got an MIC [minor in consumption] last year in Idaho when our designated driver got pulled over for a broken taillight,” said James Whelan who was a sophomore at the time. “I got nervous and admitted to having a few beers and the next thing I know I’m paying a 500 dollar fine.”
For those who don’t want to end up like Whelan, Thomas says just know your rights.
“If people knew what they were up against, most of the time they would be able to avoid trouble,” he said. “Just hand the officer your ID, shut up and you’ll be fine.”

Contacts:

Ben Thomas
253 332 2609

James Whelan
425 941 8598

Erik Dargitz
360 739 3681

Welsh

Spokane detectives named a local Catholic bishop, Lawrence Welsh, a suspect in an incident in which a Chicago prostitute was sexually assaulted.

editing peers

1. The guest speaker is Kimberly Robertello who is Clinical Assistant Professor at Washington State University. Robertello also teaches courses in human anatomy and biomechanics at WSU.
- The guest speaker is Kimberly Robertello, a clinical assistant professor at Washington State University, teachers courses in human anatomy and biomechanics at WSU.

2. The group decided to start a voter registration drive for the upcoming Nov. 03 Washington General Election. This will help qualify more students to vote. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 05. so the group has to work quickly within the next couple weeks.
-The group decided to start a voter registration drive for the Nov. 3, Washington General Election in order to help qualify more students to vote. The last day to register is Oct. 5.

3. This led to PRSSA President, Tara Wyman to say “how many people are serious about going so we can reserve hotel rooms for everyone.”
- "How many people are serious about going so we can reserved hotel rooms for everyone?" PRSSA President Tara Wyman said.

4. “Its not always the most fun thing to do on a Wednesday night but once I graduate I’m going to reap the rewards,” Parker said. “Nothing gets you farther than contacts in the field.”
-"It's not always the most fun thing to do on a Wednesday night," Parker said. "Once I graduate I'm going to reap the rewards. Nothing gets you further than contacts in the field."

5. Candidates Derrick En’Wezoh, ASWSU Representative and Jason McConnell, GPSA Representative, both wanted to share the chairman position.
- ASWSU representative Derrick En'Wezoh and GPSA representative Jason McConnell wanted to share the chairman position.

6. However, with the apparent unified front, representatives proposing to go against the grain are often intimidated.
- With the apparent unified front, representatives going against the grain are often intimidated.

7. A rush of new Homecoming ideas from Student Entertainment Board’s meeting Monday, construct bright path for Homecoming 2009 for all WSU student participants and discussed ways to improve participation level.
- A rush of new Homecoming ideas from Student Entertainment Board’s meeting Monday constructed a bright path for all WSU student participants for homecoming 2009, and discussed ways to improve participation level.

8. Director of Student Affairs, Joshua Hart highlighted the program's lack of volunteers and asked the executives to sign up to volunteer.
-Director of Student Affairs Joshua Hart highlighted the program's lack of volunteers and asked executives to sign up.

Quotes

1. Mary's father said that she is trying hard in school this semester.

2. "No, I cannot get you to the airport in 15 minutes," the taxi driver said curtly.

3. "I believe that the best time of year to visit Europe is in the spring," Jack remarked. "At least that's what I read in a book titled Guide to Europe."

4. My French professor told me that my accent is abominable.

5. "Is Time a magazine you read regularly?," she asked.

6. When did Roosevelt say, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself?"

7. "Can you believe that it has been almost five years since we've seen each other?," , Dot asked me.

Adapted from the University of Purdue’s Owl Resources.

Justice Proposal...

#1 I'm looking into is the issues of minors in the possesion/consumption of alcohol or drugs, and how police respond to such issues. How can a police officer find proof of the infraction? What procedures are legal and what is not during questioning? How does a minor, such as an undergrad at WSU, avoid self-incrimination?

#2 I want to look into is the issue of Guantanamo Bay. President Obama has publicly announced his plan to shut down the facility due to unethical interrogation. Does the US government have the power to interrogate unlawfully in order to 'protect' the nation?

Question for Berkes

1) Where do you find the inspiration or ideas for your stories?

2) What is the number one thing that has helped you become as successful as you are today?

3) Its not always easy to get good quotes from your sources, how do you get the strong, quality quotes like the ones you use in your pieces to come to light?

Accounting Fraternity Meets with Accounting Firm

Outline
I. What was the meeting and what happened and who was there
II. What did they talk about at the meeting
i. quotes
III. Who benefited from the meeting, who didn’t
IV. Review what Beta Alpha Psi is, and how it is useful to students
i. quotes


Two employees from Clark Nuber accounting firm met with members from Beta Alpha Psi accounting fraternity on Wednesday to give students insightful information about their major.
The guest speakers were Ryan Krebs, an Audit Senior, and Dan Maehren, a Tax Senior from Clark Nuber
Krebs and Maehren set up a game of Clark Nuber Jeopardy that tested Beta Alpha Psi members on their knowledge of five different topics. The different categories were How to Land the Interview, Clark Nuber, Accounting Potpourri, Washington State University, and Networking.
“It was a fun way to get the information across,” said Marshall Lloyd, a junior accounting major and member of Beta Alpha Psi. “They could have just come in and listed off facts but they spent the time to leave a good impression.”
Krebs and Maehren stressed the importance of making a strong first impression during an interview. They recommended that students dress in business casual for interviews, greet employers with a firm handshake, provide a well-made resume, and follow up with a personalized thank-you card that thanks the employer for their time.
Both Krebs and Maehren graduated from Washington State with degrees in accounting, and were both members of Beta Alpha Psi. They both stressed how useful Beta Alpha Psi was in helping them get jobs with Clark Nuber.
Overall members of the Fraternity found the presentation insightful.
“I could really see myself at a company such as this,” said Lloyd. “Its not one of those big accounting firms you know? I feel I could actually get some experience and learn a lot.”
Lloyd went on to express the importance of a group such as Beta Alpha Psi.
“Without it, I don’t think I would really understand what I’m getting myself into,” he said. “We get to listen to these presentations and learn about different firms and how to get involved.”
Like Lloyd, senior member Jesse Parker believes that being a member of Beta Alpha Psi will eventually pay dividends.
“Its not always the most fun thing to do on a Wednesday night but once I graduate I’m going to reap the rewards,” Parker said. “Nothing gets you farther than contacts in the field.”
The purpose of Beta Alpha Psi is to help Accounting students learn the ropes of the accounting industry, learn how to make a good first impression during interviews, and stress the importance of networking with future employers.
Throughout the year Beta Alpha Psi is host to numerous guest speakers, all of whom share their personal insight into the world of accounting. It offers students the opportunity to expand their horizons and learn valuable knowledge about their major.
Graduate student Jason Meersman has seen the benefits of Beta Alpha Psi first hand.
“I started going to the meetings at the end of my sophomore year, beginning of my junior year,” Meersman said. “Now I’m the campus spokesman for Becker, a company that helps people prepare for their Certified Public Accountant exams.”
Beta Alpha Psi is open to all accounting students regardless of year in school.


Marshall Lloyd
Junior Accounting Major
425 – 218 – 1853

Jesse Parker
Senior Accounting Major
206 – 595 – 4403

Jason Meersman
Graduate Student – BA in Accoutning
206 – 321 - 4841

Ledes about firearms and such

Mayor Gregory J. Heep banned citizens from carrying guns on public owned property earlier today, effective immediately.
"It’s madness to bring guns to public gathering places," said Carla Worthingham, whose daughter was blinded last June in a random drive by shooting at the public library. "It only invites disaster."
The order, which does not need any City Council approval, spawns from a recent incident involving a firearm on public property. Three people were shot on May 24th at the Folklife Festival when a man with a concealed weapon lost his cool. However, not all people agree with the mayors decision including Walt Hostetler, the legislative director of the Committee to Keep and Bear Arms.
“Our state has a longstanding firearms statute that a permits the legal carry of concealed handguns by licensed private citizens on city property," he said. "This order violates the letter and the spirit of that statute.”

1. The band Gym Class Heroes will perform at a concert hosted by the WSU Student Entertainment Board on Oct. 18.


2. Caron used cheap piercing and the hypnotist as examples of events that they will probably repeat because of the students' past enthusiasm.


3.The Head of Spokane, which is an all-day event, will feature teams from Gonzaga University and WSU.


4. The men's team is off to a good start with roughly 40 new members and 35 returning members who will make up the varsity roster, said Williams.

5. “Then one day Cupid’s Chokehold came on the radio and I thought, ‘That’d be cool.’”

6. “I didn’t hear about the décor contest but I bet I would win if I submitted a picture of my roommate's room,” said junior Carlie Halstrom, “maybe I will check it out.”

7. “I think it would have been cool to do something like that as a freshman," Bobson said. "I know my parents would have loved it.”

8. It's official: a new year has started here at Washington State; classes are beginning, homework is being assigned, and the spirit of Coug football now hovers around Pullman.

9. There have been talks of taking the money used for free parking at the Student Recreation Center away, Whitmore said.

10. The Education Abroad Offices at Washington State University, will hold their semi-annual education abroad fair on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. outside of Terrell Mall, where a huge portion of students walk through to get from class to class.

11. More than 22,000 fans piled into Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash., to watch the Cougars take on the Stanford Cardinal.

12. Eighteen year old Kaitlin N. Norton, a freshman agricultural education major from Enumclaw, has been waiting for this game for a long time. Though she has always gone to Cougar games in Seattle, this will be Norton’s first game at Martin Stadium.

13. Entertainment, drink specials and giveaways welcomed back the 21-and-over crowd.

14. “I want to keep it exciting," Goldfinger said. "I have been with Stubblefields a long time, and sometimes you just have to try a new position.”

15. Registration for this and future events is through the University Recreation’s Web Site.

Active vs. Passive

Active vs. passive
Would you change the following sentences? If not, why not? Rewrite those that need clarification.

1. The points of the lecture were quickly learned by the students, but they were also quickly forgotten.
changed to: The students quickly learned and forgot the points of the lecture.

2. Later in the day, the employees were informed of the layoffs by the boss himself.
changed to: Later in the day the boss informed employees of the layoffs.

3. With five seconds left, a three-point shot was missed by LeBron James.
changed to: LeBron James missed a three-point shot with five seconds left.

4. Participants in the survey were asked about their changes in political affiliation.
changed to: Participants answered questions about their changes in political affiliation.

5. Tall buildings and mountain roads were avoided by Raoul because he had such a fear of heights.
changed to: Raoul avoided tall buildings and mountain roads because of his fear of heights.

6. The bill is being considered by the Legislature.
changed to: The Legislature is considering the bill.

7. The practice of covering up mistakes has been pursued by the government.
changed to: The government practices covering up mistakes.

8. The class is reading the book.
not changed

10 sentences

1. He wandered the streets.

2. The suspect sprinted across the yard.

3. The war refugees sought a haven across the border.

4. “I would never support an independent counsel,” the Mayor said. “It would infringe on the autonomy of the City Council.”

5. A police spokesman reported five shootings Saturday night, three of which were in Central Park.

6. The reporter said that during his 30-year career he had covered wars in 18 countries.

7. The project is funded by state and federal grants.

8. She earned a degree in journalism from Cal State Fullerton.

9. The police department abandoned the use of stun guns due to many lawsuits.

10. A reporter’s typical day might consist of meeting with editors, interviewing sources and writing stories.

Football Returns to the Palouse

Summary: The WSU Cougars took on the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday, leaving fans and coaches optimistic about the rest of the season.

The Cougars, coming off a dismal season a year ago, took the field Saturday afternoon hoping to help Washington State return to the top of the Pacific-10 Conference standings once again.
Just over 22 thousand fans piled into Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. to watch the Cougars take on the Stanford Cardinal.
The Cougar defense got off to a slow start, allowing the Cardinal to march down the field and score a touchdown on the opening drive, but the WSU offense responded with a seven-minute drive of their own. The Cougars however failed to capitalize as kicker Nico Grasu missed a chipshot from inside the 20-yard line and turned the ball back over to the Cardinal.
This theme continued throughout the game, with Stanford capitalizing on each opportunity and Washington State failing to execute time and time again. The Cougars went into the locker room at halftime trailing 22-3.
WSU showed signs of life in the second half, outscoring the Cardinal 10-7 in the third quarter but could not manage to fight back from the early deficit losing by a final score of 39-13. Despite the lopsided score many fans seemed pleased with the performance.
“It was good to see our offense actually move the ball,” said junior construction management major Jack M. Montgomery. “The score didn’t justify how we played compared to last year.”
Others felt the same way and believed that the Cougars made significant strides during the offseason.
“We looked a lot stronger, a lot faster and a lot more focused than last year,” said sophomore environmental engineer major Jason W. Abt. “It didn’t even look like the same team out there today.”
Despite the early season praise, it wasn’t all positive for the Cougars who gave up 481 total yards to a less than prolific Stanford Cardinal offense, including just shy of 200 yards passing by true freshman quarterback Andrew Luck.
“It will be interesting to see how we stack up against some stiffer competition such as USC,” Abt said.
Only time will tell how this season will unfold, but as far as the fans can tell it truly cannot get much worse.
“Lets be honest,” said senior economics major Steven A. Wilkerson. “Last year it was painful to watch, but this year there is a sense of improvement and a hope that we can return to a bowl game soon.”
“[We were] A hundred times better – big difference in attitude, big difference in physicality,” Head Coach Paul Wulff said in a WSU press release following the game. “These guys have been showing it every day in practice. The players would tell you there’s a big difference. We did have a couple of special teams’ blunders that hurt us, but this is a whole different team.”
Call it blind optimism, but the Cougar faithful seem to have a restored hope for Paul Wulff and the 2009 Cougars. WSU will take on the Warriors of Hawaii next Saturday at Qwest Field in Seattle for the annual Gridiron Classic.


Contacts:

Jason W. Abt
Sophomore
Environmental Engineer
509 – 715 – 9272

Jack M. Montgomery
Junior
Construction Management
425 – 765 -2955

Steven A. Wilkerson
Senior
Economics Major
360 – 391 - 5731