Week 4: Journalism 2001 October 1, 2007

Its, it’s or its’. Which is correct? 1. Its 2. It’s 3. Its’

Review of last week’s news Hard News: Hard News: (murders, city council, government, etc.) –Major local stories –Major national/international stories –Major sports stories Soft News: Soft News: (retirements, school programs, human interest) –Local stories –National/international stories –Sports stories

In Sunday’s newspaper, a story featured a Bayfield High School senior who is making his mark with research establishing the trend of Lake Superior ______________ for the past 150 years. 1. Fish loss 2. Invasion of foreign species 3. Ice cover

A proposal to close a portion of Garfield Avenue in Duluth for ________ got the green light Thursday. 1. Car time trials 2. a 5-K race 3. a Motorcycle rally

The Vikings beat the Packers on Sunday. 1. True 2. False

This quarterback set a new record Sunday for touchdown passes. 1. Dan Marino 2. Daunte Culpepper 3. Brett Favre

The Clure Marine Terminal in Duluth will move more than 300,000 tons of cargo this year, more than triple last year’s amount, thanks to increased interest in __________. 1. wind power 2. grain shipments 3. coal

The average annual temperature in Duluth from 2000 to 2006 was ____________ than the 30-year “normal” temperature for the city, an environmental group’s analysis of U.S. government weather data shows. 1. Almost a degree warmer 2. Almost a degree cooler 3. About the same

Duluth city councilors voted 7-2 last week against a proposed ordinance that would have limited the number of unrelated renters in homes to ________. 1. six 2. five 3. four

Review 9/24 summary lead assignment Overall continued progress! Overall continued progress! Best to use one-sentence summary lead Best to use one-sentence summary lead Style errors: Style errors: –Datelines –State abbreviations –Addresses Grammar Grammar –Spelling –Run-on sentences –In-complete sentences –Agreement –That/which

Editing marks Let’s review editing marks in Stylebook: Let’s review editing marks in Stylebook: –page 420

Skokie, Ill – A cigarette left smoldering on a mattress pillow caused a fire in a bedroom on Lawler Avenue Friday night, resulting in an estimated $50,000 worth of damage. Skokie, Ill. – The family of Lawler Ave. house returned home Friday evening to find $50,000 in fire damage due to what firefighters said was a smoldering cigarette left on the mattress in the bedroom. Firefighters forced their way into a burning house in Skokie Friday night to extinguish a fire that investigators said was caused by a smoldering cigarette. SKOKIE, Ill. – A house on Lawler Avenue started on fire just after 7 pm Friday night due to a lit cigarette left in the home. Friday night a fire started by a lit cigarette engulfed a home in Skokie causing $50,000 worth of damage, but no injuries. Firefighters were called to a home on Lawler Avenue Friday night to put out a house fire caused by a smoldering cigarette.

SAN FRANCISCO – Snow and hail caused hundreds of fender- benders Thursday morning after a winter storm fell over many parts of northern California. CALIFORNIA – Snow, hail, and torrential rains caused hundreds of fender-benders Thursday morning in Northern California because of the latest winter storm, which also left behind icy roads and frigid temperatures. Northern Calif. --- A winter storm hit much of Northern California Thursday causing icy roads, frigid temperatures, and possible mudslides although better weather is expected on soon. SAN FRANCISCO – A Thursday morning winter storm in Northern California caused hundreds of fender-bender accidents in the state and created an extreme danger of mudslides on already- saturated hillsides.

Disorder ensued Thursday morning in Northern California as hundreds of fender-benders occurred due to icy roads and unusually chaotic weather conditions. Northern California – Extreme weather has brought icy roads and frigid temperatures to Northern California as San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco were pounded with snow, creating dangerous road conditions. SAN JOSE, Calif. – A storm moved through northern California on Thursday bringing hail, snow, rains, and plenty of fender-benders. SAN FRANCISCO – Another fierce winter storm hit Northern California Thursday morning bringing with it icy roads, hail, and snow that caused fender-benders across the state and added a larger danger of mudslides on already-saturated hillsides.

Review: Writing a summary lead Usually a single sentence Usually a single sentence No more than 35 words No more than 35 words Bottom line: Bottom line: –Use a single sentence of no more than 35 words to summarize an event

Review: Lucy Kragness interview Overall tough to condense all the info! Overall tough to condense all the info! –Some “untrue” facts! Use spellchecker (how to spell Kragness?), AP Stylebook Use spellchecker (how to spell Kragness?), AP Stylebook Use past tense, third person Use past tense, third person Common style errors: Common style errors: –Titles –Years –Numerals –State names –Degrees: master’s, bachelor’s –Freelance –Internet

Use last name on second reference Use last name on second reference Watch editorializing Watch editorializing Verify facts Verify facts Paragraph length: 2-3 sentences max Paragraph length: 2-3 sentences max Grammar Grammar –Agreement –Run-on sentences –When to use hyphens Attribution: she said strongest Attribution: she said strongest Wordiness Wordiness Don’t be afraid to use quotes! Don’t be afraid to use quotes!

Let’s rewrite a lead from the Statesman! Go to:

Another its, its’ or it’s? 1. It’s 2. Its’ 3. Its

Bottom line on it’s or its Use it’s: when mean it is, it has Use it’s: when mean it is, it has All other uses: its All other uses: its No such word as its’

Useful websites Grammar, writing Grammar, writing –Purdue’s OWL (Online Writing Lab) Purdue’s OWL (Online Writing Lab)Purdue’s OWL (Online Writing Lab) –Guide to Grammar and Writing, Capital Community College Foundation Guide to Grammar and Writing, Capital Community College FoundationGuide to Grammar and Writing, Capital Community College Foundation –Guide to Grammar and Style, Jack Lynch Guide to Grammar and Style, Jack LynchGuide to Grammar and Style, Jack Lynch Journalism Journalism –Beginning Reporter Resources Beginning Reporter ResourcesBeginning Reporter Resources –Power Reporting Power ReportingPower Reporting

Let’s look at run-on sentences Go to link on my homepage: Go to link on my homepage: –

What are typical reporting beats? 1. Police & fire 2. Courts 3. Education 4. Government 5. All of the above

Chapter 20: Local Government and Public Meetings Municipal government systems Municipal government systems –Mayor-council  Strong: Mayor forms budget, administers policy  Weak: Managerial functions divided among others –Council-manager  City manager oversees city operations; hired by council –Commission  Committee of city leaders assume executive, legislative functions

Typical city government beat No typical day! No typical day! City council meetings City council meetings –Check agenda –Advance story –Meeting story City budget process City budget process Administrative reports Administrative reports Other committee, task force meetings Other committee, task force meetings –Vikings proposal Vikings proposalVikings proposal

Duluth has a weak mayor, strong council form of government. 1. True 2. False

What’s in Duluth? Strong mayor-council Strong mayor-council –City of Duluth organizational chart City of Duluth organizational chartCity of Duluth organizational chart What’s in St. Louis County? Strong administrator-commission Strong administrator-commission –St. Louis County Information St. Louis County InformationSt. Louis County Information

How to cover a council meeting Check Agenda Check AgendaAgenda Check meeting Action Check meeting ActionAction Don’t be afraid to ask questions after the meeting Don’t be afraid to ask questions after the meeting Stay to the end: Other business can be hot news! Stay to the end: Other business can be hot news! Take lots of notes Take lots of notes

Local government budget process Cover the steps in the process Cover the steps in the process Develop sources of information Develop sources of information Different types of budgets Different types of budgets –Capital budgets –Operating budgets

Writing the budget story Bottom line – the total budget Bottom line – the total budget Last year’s budget Last year’s budget Percentage increase or decrease Percentage increase or decrease Breakdown of expenses Breakdown of expenses Reasons for increase or decrease Reasons for increase or decrease Breakdown of budget revenues Breakdown of budget revenues Details on impact of tax increases or decreases Details on impact of tax increases or decreases

Public Information Officers Blessing and a curse Blessing and a curse Good source of information Good source of information Develop relationship Develop relationship Establish “call-back” rules Establish “call-back” rules Remember their role Remember their role Be skeptical, but remember they’re great resources Be skeptical, but remember they’re great resources

Checklist for covering city government Learn the system Learn the system Get to know the personalities Get to know the personalities Develop reliable sources Develop reliable sources Be persistent Be persistent Never let friendship interfere with the job Never let friendship interfere with the job Always be prepared; ask for copies of handouts Always be prepared; ask for copies of handouts Make note of story possibilities Make note of story possibilities Read other coverage Read other coverage Write to inform, not to impress: Inverted pyramid Write to inform, not to impress: Inverted pyramid Use your brain Use your brain Ask questions! Ask questions!

Story Pitches for Hard News 1 and 2 Assignments: Due 10/3 Length of story pitches: no more than three paragraphs, about 200 words Length of story pitches: no more than three paragraphs, about 200 words Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy Deadlines for complete articles: Deadlines for complete articles: –Hard News 1: October 15 –Hard News 2: October 26 Mosquito spraying story example, county commission story Mosquito spraying story example, county commission story

Sample Hard News 1 Pitch The City of Duluth Commission on Disabilities meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 3:00 p.m. in Room 106A at the Duluth City Hall. These meetings should be very important to anyone who has a disability. It is at these meetings that many issues are decided upon and in order to have a voice it is important to attend and speak out. According to the agenda listed, the October 4th meeting will begin with a review of the notes and upbringings from the September 6th meeting. It will then move on to a introduction of the correspondents which include the U of M - Communiversity Personal Grants, People with Disabilities for Change minutes, and the Duluth HOPE VI Newsletter. From there on the meeting will be discussing signage requests, and the parking meters on 2nd street between 3rd and 4th Ave. W and 3rd Ave. W between 2nd and 3rd street. As well as Accessibility issues and Committee reports. The meeting will end with any other business need mentioning.

Next week Practice City Council meeting Practice City Council meeting –Tape of meeting from last year

Reporter teams for Hard News 2 Team of reporters Team of reporters –Sign up sheet List of topics List of topics Review questions to ask community members Review questions to ask community members

Chapter 21: Police and Fire Organizational structures Organizational structures –Duluth Police Department Duluth Police DepartmentDuluth Police Department –St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department St. Louis County Sheriff’s DepartmentSt. Louis County Sheriff’s Department –Duluth Fire Department Duluth Fire DepartmentDuluth Fire Department

Covering police, fire beats Making the rounds: develop sources Making the rounds: develop sources –Each city, county different –Billings, Sheridan examples Departmental records Departmental records –Police log, reports –Fire reports

Using departmental records Accident forms, coverage of accidents Accident forms, coverage of accidents –Injured, severely injured, fatalities –Time, location –Names –Results of chemical tests –Ambulance service –Diagrams –Driver statements –Other details: road conditions, seat belts

Offense reports, crime coverage Limited access to forms recording crimes Limited access to forms recording crimes A rape story A rape story –Offense report –Talk to officers involved –Check if other rapes reported –Telephone hospital for victim’s condition

A day on the beat Assignments Assignments On-the-scene coverage On-the-scene coverage Making the rounds Making the rounds Writing the stories Writing the stories –Developing the lead: Deaths go first –Constructing the story –Attribution –Describe the scene –Using vivid details

Checklist for police, fire beats Develop, cultivate sources Develop, cultivate sources Learn how to handle hostile sources Learn how to handle hostile sources Know the job responsibilities of sources Know the job responsibilities of sources Don’t deceive sources Don’t deceive sources If a big story comes along, go after it If a big story comes along, go after it Know the territory Know the territory Learn the terminology Learn the terminology Double-check spellings Double-check spellings Check with hospital, morgue, to update information Check with hospital, morgue, to update information Be careful when reporting arrests Be careful when reporting arrests Don’t confuse an arrest with filing of a charge Don’t confuse an arrest with filing of a charge Know policy on using minors’ names Know policy on using minors’ names

Journalism Case Studies Today: Today: –Stop! This is a warning... Suppressing news at police request Go to: - Compiled by University of Indiana School of Journalism

Chapter 22: Courts Federal Judicial System Federal Judicial System Federal Judicial System Federal Judicial System –Supreme Court –U.S. Court of Appeals –U.S. District Courts –U.S. Bankruptcy Court Minnesota Judicial System Minnesota Judicial System Minnesota Judicial System Minnesota Judicial System –Supreme Court –Court of Appeals –District Courts

Types of court cases Criminal Cases Criminal Cases –Enforcement of criminal statutes –Brought by state or federal government against a person for committing a crime such as murder, armed robbery Civil cases Civil cases –Legal disputes between individuals, businesses, state or local governments, government agencies –Commonly include suits for damages from auto accidents, breach of contract, libel

Criminal Cases Basic criminal process: Basic criminal process: –Indictment/information filed: Criminal charge Criminal chargeCriminal charge –Warrant issued for arrest –Arraignment: Criminal charge is read to accused –Preliminary hearing/Grand jury: Probable cause –Second arraignment: Plea entered  Plea bargaining, jury date set –Trial by judge or jury –Jury reaches verdict

Civil cases Basic civil process Basic civil process –Plaintiff files a complaint –Defendant served with a summons –Defendant files pleading –Depositions taken –Appearances before judge  Settlement often reached –Trial scheduled: Either jury or judge –Verdict

Checklist for covering courts Learn the judicial system Learn the judicial system Learn the record-keeping system Learn the record-keeping system Provide sufficient background for the reader Provide sufficient background for the reader Double-check facts Double-check facts Use complete names, addresses or occupations Use complete names, addresses or occupations –Johnson story example

Review of story examples BN engines run into coal train BN engines run into coal train Woman, 49, is accused of aiming gun at deputy Woman, 49, is accused of aiming gun at deputy Charities fight for funds Charities fight for funds Pollution forces Sheridan to replace shale with sand Pollution forces Sheridan to replace shale with sand Drive for museum tax dropped Drive for museum tax dropped Sawmill stories Sawmill stories

Due 10/3: Sports Story Reporting Assignment Pitch Length of story pitch: three paragraphs, about 200 words Length of story pitch: three paragraphs, about 200 words Include the 5Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy Include the 5Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy UMD sports schedules UMD sports schedules –Detailed information at: 

Sample sports story pitch The sporting event that I am going to cover is a upcoming high school prep football game between the varsity squads of Duluth Denfeld and Hibbing high school. The game is scheduled for Friday, October 13th at 5:15 PM. I am expecting a large home crowd, and some theatrics from fans considering this is the end of Duluth Denfeld's homecoming week.

Assignment: Due 10/8 From information provided from a Tempe Police Department activity log, write an inverted-pyramid news story based on all the information available. From information provided from a Tempe Police Department activity log, write an inverted-pyramid news story based on all the information available. Write your story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnes Write your story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnes Make sure to copy yourself on the Make sure to copy yourself on the

In-class assignment for 10/1 More editing practice! More editing practice!

Egradebook Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: –

Portfolio Store academic information in your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage. Store academic information in your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage. Access Electronic Portfolio at: sp Access Electronic Portfolio at: sp sp sp