1. "Mary is trying hard in school this semester," her father said.
2. Early in the show, Steven Wright asked, "How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?"
3. Did Steven Wright say, "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you"?
4. "No," the taxi driver said, "I cannot get you to the airport in 15 minutes."
5. Gov. Peterson said she will support a tax increase this session. "Without it, schools will close," she said.
6. "My favorite line is when Jerry Seinfeld said, 'My parents didn't want to move to Florida, but they turned 60 and that's the law,'" Smitty said.
7. My French professor told me my accent is "abominable."
8. "Is Time a magazine you read regularly?" She asked.
9. When did Roosevelt say, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself"?
10. "Can you believe that it has been almost five years since we've seen each other?" Dot asked me.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Word News
"Columnist William Safire Dies" by Jeff Holley for the Washington Post. Published in the Spokesman Review.
William Safire died at age 79 from pancreatic cancer. Safire was a conservative columnist for the New York Times and wrote a column for the New York Times Sunday magazine called "On Language" about grammar and the origins of words. He also wrote more than a dozen books on the subject. Safire also won the Pulitzer Prize and wrote speeches for President Nixon. He was quesitoned by collegues whether this would effect his ability to write for the Times.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/28/celebrated-columnist-william-safire-dies/
"Author hopes genius grant will shine on Haiti" by Jonathan M. Katz, published in the Seattle Times
Writer Edwidge Danticat received the "genius grant" ($500,000 over the next five years) from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She hopes it will bring attention to "the wealth of talent struggling to be heard in Haiti." One of her earlier novels, "Breath, Eyes, Memory" was an Oprah's Book Club pick.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2009926388_apcbhaitigeniusgrant.html
William Safire died at age 79 from pancreatic cancer. Safire was a conservative columnist for the New York Times and wrote a column for the New York Times Sunday magazine called "On Language" about grammar and the origins of words. He also wrote more than a dozen books on the subject. Safire also won the Pulitzer Prize and wrote speeches for President Nixon. He was quesitoned by collegues whether this would effect his ability to write for the Times.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/28/celebrated-columnist-william-safire-dies/
"Author hopes genius grant will shine on Haiti" by Jonathan M. Katz, published in the Seattle Times
Writer Edwidge Danticat received the "genius grant" ($500,000 over the next five years) from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She hopes it will bring attention to "the wealth of talent struggling to be heard in Haiti." One of her earlier novels, "Breath, Eyes, Memory" was an Oprah's Book Club pick.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2009926388_apcbhaitigeniusgrant.html
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Library Article
WSU libraries eliminated membership in the Center for Research Libraries (CRL) and reduced the size of the administrative support staff by two positions, saving a total of $100,000 in compliance with the 2010 budget reduction goal.
“We’ve gone down from five administrative workers to three,” Beth Lindsay, assistant dean of libraries said. “There have been trade-offs though because some things like moving the printing to Cougar Copies removed a big chunk of what somebody had to do here.”
Lindsay also explained the elimination in membership in the CRL was due to use levels and demand. “A lot of their collections are humanities-based and we just don’t have the programs here.”
In addition, the Holland and Terrell Libraries eliminated reference hours on Saturdays, the last of the six libraries to offer that specific service. According to Lindsay, the library administration will monitor that change and see if any major problems arise.
With all of the logistical changes taking place and the addition of access to the CUB through the library, the library has seen growth in the number of students using the building, its resources and the website.
“We think of the website as the main branch because we can always deliver services,” Lindsay said.
Online resources have also been expanding as the library has been making a gradual shift to more resources available electronically, through e-books and online subscriptions, rather than traditional, physical books subscriptions.
According to Alan Cornish, head of library systems, even in a tight financial situation, the library is expanding some services and increasing availability of articles and other non-traditional forms of media.
“We’ve had a 25 percent increase in article requests this year,” Cornish said.
Another area of growth and demand has been with the computer workstations located in the Holland and Terrell Libraries.
“I was waiting for a new computer for a week and when I needed to do online homework, it would take me forever because people were using Facebook,” sophomore mechanical engineering major, Erik Hille said. “There just aren’t enough resources.”
Lindsay agrees that there is still heavy usage of the public computers, especially at certain hours of the day.
“We still don’t have stable funding to really do a replacement cycle and we don’t have additional funding to get more machines at this time,” Lindsay said.
While changes are still taking place and services are evolving, Lindsay said she’s grateful the libraries were able to maintain the major forms of access for staff and students. However, according to Lindsay, more budget cuts may be taking place in the near future.
“Mostly we’re just waiting to see what happens with the state revenues,” Lindsay said. “Everyone’s kind of on warning that there could be another mid-year cut, so we’re just trying to be cautious and keep everything up and running.”
Some other schools cut library services over breaks and holidays. Whether similar changes are in the future for WSU libraries is unknown.
“I think anything would be on the table if another large cut came through,” Lindsay said. “Especially is another one cam in mid-year.”
Sources:
Beth Lindsay
Assistant Dean of Libraries
509.335.6134
elindsay@wsu.edu
Alan Cornish
Head of Library Systems
509.335.1895
cornish@wsu.edu
Erik Hille
Sophomore mechanical engineering major
erik.hille@email.wsu.edu
Article Outline
1. What happened with legislature
a. Specific budget cuts
2. What happened at the university as a result
3. Effects due to changes
4. Other changes due to economy
a. Computer stations
b. Online resources and articles
5. Outlook
a. Mid-year budget cuts?
b. Closures?
“We’ve gone down from five administrative workers to three,” Beth Lindsay, assistant dean of libraries said. “There have been trade-offs though because some things like moving the printing to Cougar Copies removed a big chunk of what somebody had to do here.”
Lindsay also explained the elimination in membership in the CRL was due to use levels and demand. “A lot of their collections are humanities-based and we just don’t have the programs here.”
In addition, the Holland and Terrell Libraries eliminated reference hours on Saturdays, the last of the six libraries to offer that specific service. According to Lindsay, the library administration will monitor that change and see if any major problems arise.
With all of the logistical changes taking place and the addition of access to the CUB through the library, the library has seen growth in the number of students using the building, its resources and the website.
“We think of the website as the main branch because we can always deliver services,” Lindsay said.
Online resources have also been expanding as the library has been making a gradual shift to more resources available electronically, through e-books and online subscriptions, rather than traditional, physical books subscriptions.
According to Alan Cornish, head of library systems, even in a tight financial situation, the library is expanding some services and increasing availability of articles and other non-traditional forms of media.
“We’ve had a 25 percent increase in article requests this year,” Cornish said.
Another area of growth and demand has been with the computer workstations located in the Holland and Terrell Libraries.
“I was waiting for a new computer for a week and when I needed to do online homework, it would take me forever because people were using Facebook,” sophomore mechanical engineering major, Erik Hille said. “There just aren’t enough resources.”
Lindsay agrees that there is still heavy usage of the public computers, especially at certain hours of the day.
“We still don’t have stable funding to really do a replacement cycle and we don’t have additional funding to get more machines at this time,” Lindsay said.
While changes are still taking place and services are evolving, Lindsay said she’s grateful the libraries were able to maintain the major forms of access for staff and students. However, according to Lindsay, more budget cuts may be taking place in the near future.
“Mostly we’re just waiting to see what happens with the state revenues,” Lindsay said. “Everyone’s kind of on warning that there could be another mid-year cut, so we’re just trying to be cautious and keep everything up and running.”
Some other schools cut library services over breaks and holidays. Whether similar changes are in the future for WSU libraries is unknown.
“I think anything would be on the table if another large cut came through,” Lindsay said. “Especially is another one cam in mid-year.”
Sources:
Beth Lindsay
Assistant Dean of Libraries
509.335.6134
elindsay@wsu.edu
Alan Cornish
Head of Library Systems
509.335.1895
cornish@wsu.edu
Erik Hille
Sophomore mechanical engineering major
erik.hille@email.wsu.edu
Article Outline
1. What happened with legislature
a. Specific budget cuts
2. What happened at the university as a result
3. Effects due to changes
4. Other changes due to economy
a. Computer stations
b. Online resources and articles
5. Outlook
a. Mid-year budget cuts?
b. Closures?
Questions for Chris Hedges
1. What inspired you to get into the field of war/terrorism reporting and being a foreign correspondent?
2. Why did you decide to begin writing books in 2002?
3. How is that medium different from news writing?
4. What has been your greatest challenge over the course of your career?
5. What advice do you have for journalism students?
2. Why did you decide to begin writing books in 2002?
3. How is that medium different from news writing?
4. What has been your greatest challenge over the course of your career?
5. What advice do you have for journalism students?
Sunday, September 20, 2009
recent articles relating to beat
"Children Can Listen and Learn"
by Rochelle Adams for the Daily Evergreen
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29346
"Jane Goodall Talk on Wildlife Fascinates Students"
by Katy Muldoon for the Associated Press
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-60/1253005810323800.xml&storylist
by Rochelle Adams for the Daily Evergreen
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29346
"Jane Goodall Talk on Wildlife Fascinates Students"
by Katy Muldoon for the Associated Press
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-60/1253005810323800.xml&storylist
Thursday, September 17, 2009
political story idea
In the assignment description, it was suggested that we cover how budget cuts affect services and programs. I have decided to research how budget cuts have affected WSU libraries and/or Pullman library. Recently, the Seattle library closed down for one week to save about $655,000 to help make up for economical strain and I'm wondering whether WSU and Pullman are experiencing the same types of pressures and considering similar alternatives (of cutting hours/products) and how that might affect students and residents.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Beat coverage
In the news:
"'Reading Rainbow' closes the book" by Dan Warn
published 9-08-09 in The Daily Evergreen
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29301
"Greenwood's Couth Buzzard Books Flies Again" by Mary Ann Gwinn
published 9-14-09 in The Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2009849952_litlife14.html
"'Reading Rainbow' closes the book" by Dan Warn
published 9-08-09 in The Daily Evergreen
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29301
"Greenwood's Couth Buzzard Books Flies Again" by Mary Ann Gwinn
published 9-14-09 in The Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2009849952_litlife14.html
Speech Story
In a public forum hosted by the WSU Police Advisory Board September 8, WSU Police Officer Kelly Stewart explained non-lethal action and Pullman Police Officer Scott Kirk described non-lethal equipment in the CUB lounge.
“If an officer has the authority to make a detention… they have the authority to use force of the threat of force,” Stewart said.
Stewart went on to explain that the officer’s actions must be reasonable and “necessary” in response to the use of force situation. The term “necessary” also entails that no reasonable effective alternative appears to exist.
Citing Supreme Court cases Graham v. Conner (1989) and Tennessee v. Garner (1985), Stewart explained how the most recent Supreme Court standard was set.
Stewart said that the use of force continuum varies from state to state and from agency to agency but gives framework officers can reference to determine the appropriate amount of force for a given situation.
Stewart did note that the continuum doesn’t directly take into account any known violent history of the subject, the duration of the action, the physical condition or size of the suspect in relation to the officer or the ago of the subject in relation to the officer.
Kirk said the Pullman Police Department continuum is used mostly for training, reference and as a reason to justify actions.
Kirk also described a variety of gasses and pepper sprays, smoke and pyrotechnic grenades and specialty impact munitions.
When selecting which less-lethal option to use, the decision is up to the officer in the situation, Kirk said. However, the officer should first determine the environment in order to choose between various calibers, propellants and projectiles.
A highlight of the public forum was when Brandon Wilson, a junior criminal justice major, got Tased as an example for forum attendees to witness the experience first-hand. Supported by two policemen, Wilson stood with his back to the crowd as Kirk aimed the Taser at Wilson’s upper back and fired. After a few seconds of tense reaction, Wilson dropped to the ground.
After recovering, Wilson said he would rather be Tased than sprayed with pepper spray due to the shorter reaction time. Wilson said that students shouldn’t take either lightly, “If anybody pulls out OC [gas] or Taser, just get on the ground.”
In reference to the Taser, Kirk said, “It’s not the volts that are dangerous. It’s the amps.”
Kirk also said that as word spreads throughout the public about Tasers, fewer people are resisting police because they know there is a possibility they could be Tased.
Bill Gardner, the WSU Chief of Police said the WSU Police Advisory Board hosted the public forum with the underlying goal to allow students more face-to-face time with officers because they want students to get to know the officers on campus.
Because there are many misconceptions about what police can and will do, Kirk wants students to know that officers have a lot of choices and that they try to use the minimum amount of force necessary.
Sources:
Kelly Stewart: 509-335-4408
Scott Kirk: 509-332-2521
Bill Gardner: 509-335-8548
Brandon Wilson: banw83@msn.com
3 questions:
1. How do you determine what method of force to use in a given situation?
2. Is the Pullman police department continuum the same as WSU's? Why or why not?
3. How often are Tasers or gas used in your program? In what way?
“If an officer has the authority to make a detention… they have the authority to use force of the threat of force,” Stewart said.
Stewart went on to explain that the officer’s actions must be reasonable and “necessary” in response to the use of force situation. The term “necessary” also entails that no reasonable effective alternative appears to exist.
Citing Supreme Court cases Graham v. Conner (1989) and Tennessee v. Garner (1985), Stewart explained how the most recent Supreme Court standard was set.
Stewart said that the use of force continuum varies from state to state and from agency to agency but gives framework officers can reference to determine the appropriate amount of force for a given situation.
Stewart did note that the continuum doesn’t directly take into account any known violent history of the subject, the duration of the action, the physical condition or size of the suspect in relation to the officer or the ago of the subject in relation to the officer.
Kirk said the Pullman Police Department continuum is used mostly for training, reference and as a reason to justify actions.
Kirk also described a variety of gasses and pepper sprays, smoke and pyrotechnic grenades and specialty impact munitions.
When selecting which less-lethal option to use, the decision is up to the officer in the situation, Kirk said. However, the officer should first determine the environment in order to choose between various calibers, propellants and projectiles.
A highlight of the public forum was when Brandon Wilson, a junior criminal justice major, got Tased as an example for forum attendees to witness the experience first-hand. Supported by two policemen, Wilson stood with his back to the crowd as Kirk aimed the Taser at Wilson’s upper back and fired. After a few seconds of tense reaction, Wilson dropped to the ground.
After recovering, Wilson said he would rather be Tased than sprayed with pepper spray due to the shorter reaction time. Wilson said that students shouldn’t take either lightly, “If anybody pulls out OC [gas] or Taser, just get on the ground.”
In reference to the Taser, Kirk said, “It’s not the volts that are dangerous. It’s the amps.”
Kirk also said that as word spreads throughout the public about Tasers, fewer people are resisting police because they know there is a possibility they could be Tased.
Bill Gardner, the WSU Chief of Police said the WSU Police Advisory Board hosted the public forum with the underlying goal to allow students more face-to-face time with officers because they want students to get to know the officers on campus.
Because there are many misconceptions about what police can and will do, Kirk wants students to know that officers have a lot of choices and that they try to use the minimum amount of force necessary.
Sources:
Kelly Stewart: 509-335-4408
Scott Kirk: 509-332-2521
Bill Gardner: 509-335-8548
Brandon Wilson: banw83@msn.com
3 questions:
1. How do you determine what method of force to use in a given situation?
2. Is the Pullman police department continuum the same as WSU's? Why or why not?
3. How often are Tasers or gas used in your program? In what way?
Legislative Exerceises
1. SB-5913, concerning online access to the U of W health sciences library bu certain health care providers.
2. Education Appropriations 10/01/09, 1:30 p.m. Update changes made to online learning
3. Chair: Kathy Haigh (D) 360-786-7966
4. Legislative Assistant: Lisa McCollum 360-786-7155
5. Sen. Mark Schoesler (R)
Rep. Don Cox (R)
Rep. Joe Schmick (R)
6. Agriculture and Rural Economic Development
Financial Institutions Housing and Insurance
Rules
Ways and Means
SB-5076
7. 360-786-7844
8. tvw.org -- education reform-- #2
9. 10/01/09 at 1:30 p.m.
10. RCW: revised code of Washington- all permanant laws now in force
WAC: Washington Administrative Code- different departments and agency implimentations
13. contributions: $13,661,703.15
b. Avista Corp, Hecla Mining, Microsoft Corp, Wells Fargo, Alltel Corp.
2. Education Appropriations 10/01/09, 1:30 p.m. Update changes made to online learning
3. Chair: Kathy Haigh (D) 360-786-7966
4. Legislative Assistant: Lisa McCollum 360-786-7155
5. Sen. Mark Schoesler (R)
Rep. Don Cox (R)
Rep. Joe Schmick (R)
6. Agriculture and Rural Economic Development
Financial Institutions Housing and Insurance
Rules
Ways and Means
SB-5076
7. 360-786-7844
8. tvw.org -- education reform-- #2
9. 10/01/09 at 1:30 p.m.
10. RCW: revised code of Washington- all permanant laws now in force
WAC: Washington Administrative Code- different departments and agency implimentations
13. contributions: $13,661,703.15
b. Avista Corp, Hecla Mining, Microsoft Corp, Wells Fargo, Alltel Corp.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Floyd Blog lede and lede quote
In a blog posted Tuesday, President Elson Floyd said that some media response regarding reported cases of H1N1 influenza at Washington State University have been incomplete and that symptoms reported have been quite mild in most cases.
"While it is probably safe to assume that most people reporting flu-like symptoms did indeed have the flu, it is difficult to make an absolute estimate of cases based on the numbers of contacts," Floyd said.
"While it is probably safe to assume that most people reporting flu-like symptoms did indeed have the flu, it is difficult to make an absolute estimate of cases based on the numbers of contacts," Floyd said.
Public Disclosure Commission
1. Susan Fagan (R), Hailey Patricia (R), Glen Stockwell (D), Arthur Swannack (R), Darin Watkins (R)
2. Raised: $142,213
Spent: $109,439.05
3. July: Cash and In-Kind $8,740
Total: Cash and In-Kind $59,887.08
4. $11,301.87
5. $118.83
2. Raised: $142,213
Spent: $109,439.05
3. July: Cash and In-Kind $8,740
Total: Cash and In-Kind $59,887.08
4. $11,301.87
5. $118.83
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Martin Luther King Jr.
In front of the Lincoln Memorial and 200,000 civil rights supporters, in a speech directed to the entire nation, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave voice today to the cries so many were begging to be heard.
"America has given the negro people a bad check. But we refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt," King challenged.
At the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, King urged Americans to be accountable for the self-evident truth that all men are created equal, begging that all men would be guaranteed the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
"America has given the negro people a bad check. But we refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt," King challenged.
At the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, King urged Americans to be accountable for the self-evident truth that all men are created equal, begging that all men would be guaranteed the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Monday, September 7, 2009
current writings
Two recent stories regarding my beat:
"Reader's Digest Stays Upbeat Despite Trouble Signs" by the Associated Press, pub. 9-06-09
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/09/us/AP-US-Readers-Digest.html
After 87 years, one of the largest, most read magazines, Reader's Digest, is adapting to life after their parent company filed for Chapter 11 this summer. In an interview, the editor-in-chief makes a good point that all articles regarding the death of print are in print! The article goes on to compare Reader's Digest to the US magazine industry overall and highlights cost-cutting practices the company is taking to stay afloat.
"A New Assignment: Pick Books You Like" by Motoko Rich, pub. 8-29-09
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/books/30reading.html?_r=18&scp=1&sq=students%20get%20new%20reading%20assignment&st=cse
This article spotlights a 7th and 8th grade English teacher who has turned over the decision regarding class readings to her students. Rich writes that this practice is aiming to "revolutionize the way literature is taught in America's schools." Hitting closer to home, the article also notes that many of Seattle's public middle schools are adopting this pedagogy. Contrary to methods that DO build a shared literary culture but limit choice, this technique aims to promote a "lifelong love of reading." This article also cause me to more closely consider the common reading program for freshman here at WSU.
"Reader's Digest Stays Upbeat Despite Trouble Signs" by the Associated Press, pub. 9-06-09
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/09/us/AP-US-Readers-Digest.html
After 87 years, one of the largest, most read magazines, Reader's Digest, is adapting to life after their parent company filed for Chapter 11 this summer. In an interview, the editor-in-chief makes a good point that all articles regarding the death of print are in print! The article goes on to compare Reader's Digest to the US magazine industry overall and highlights cost-cutting practices the company is taking to stay afloat.
"A New Assignment: Pick Books You Like" by Motoko Rich, pub. 8-29-09
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/books/30reading.html?_r=18&scp=1&sq=students%20get%20new%20reading%20assignment&st=cse
This article spotlights a 7th and 8th grade English teacher who has turned over the decision regarding class readings to her students. Rich writes that this practice is aiming to "revolutionize the way literature is taught in America's schools." Hitting closer to home, the article also notes that many of Seattle's public middle schools are adopting this pedagogy. Contrary to methods that DO build a shared literary culture but limit choice, this technique aims to promote a "lifelong love of reading." This article also cause me to more closely consider the common reading program for freshman here at WSU.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Beat Note
My beat for this semester is literary culture, which includes developments surrounding the written word, the evolution of media forums, mediums and outlets, and the social implications of innovations and declines.
The most important issues within my beat for Pullman residents and WSU staff and students are industry cutbacks and progress and technological and educational advancements and changes.
Locally, written formats are important to the city of Pullman in three main ways. Information regarding education and academia - innovations, news, standards and requirements - both at the high school and college levels are important to WSU students and faculties as well as Pullman families. Also, as a small town, Pullman relies on local, national and international news to keep up with the rest of Washington and the World. Changes made to the mediums through which society receives the news could impact many residents. Finally, students majoring in Communication, English, or English teaching need to know developments within the community and world to stay educated about the industry and prepared for future employment.
There are a multitude of resources for stories representing different aspects of my beat. For example, Crag Hill teaches English courses at WSU focusing on young adult literature and knows what's popular, new, controversial and banned. Karen Weathermon is involved with the freshman reading program and should be able to talk about the positives and downfalls of the program, it's history and what might be expected for the future. Alan Cornish and Sarah French would be good contacts for statistics and trends for WSU libraries (who mostly serve WSU students and staff), and Geraldine de Rooy would be the go-to contact for facts for the Pullman public library (which likely serves more Pullman residents). Cheryl-Anne Millsap is very knowledgeable about our industry's climate in Eastern Washington, Spokane magazine forecasting and has experience with the Spokesman Review. Professor Demers would be a good source for publication and textbook facts.
The Essentials:
It's clear that literary culture is important to the Pullman and Eastern Washington communities because of the press received in The Spokesman Review, The Pacific Northwest Inlander, The Daily Evergreen and through other news aggregates. Recent popular topics include: graduation requirements and academic standards, social trends, textbooks, small magazine companies and technological advancements, to name a few. I personally would like to cover any issue involving students and the written word and education standards and expectations most often.
Three proposed story ideas:
-- Future of required freshman reading
-- Textbook prices and sales over time
-- Magazine subscription rates and advertising rates over time
-- Circulation and funding for local and national public libraries
Three relevant articles from local and national publications:
"At Metro's End" by Daniel Walters for the Pacific Northwest Inlander
published 8-13-09
http://www.inlander.com/content/newscommentary_spokane_metro_out_business
"'Tintin' Deemed Racist, Removed From Shelves" by Will Alden for New York Press
published 8-21-09
http://www.nypress.com/blog-4906-tintin-deemed-racist-removed-from-shelves.html
"Freshmen read about food industry" by Taras Zhulev for the Daily Evergreen
published 09-01-09
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29213
The most important issues within my beat for Pullman residents and WSU staff and students are industry cutbacks and progress and technological and educational advancements and changes.
Locally, written formats are important to the city of Pullman in three main ways. Information regarding education and academia - innovations, news, standards and requirements - both at the high school and college levels are important to WSU students and faculties as well as Pullman families. Also, as a small town, Pullman relies on local, national and international news to keep up with the rest of Washington and the World. Changes made to the mediums through which society receives the news could impact many residents. Finally, students majoring in Communication, English, or English teaching need to know developments within the community and world to stay educated about the industry and prepared for future employment.
There are a multitude of resources for stories representing different aspects of my beat. For example, Crag Hill teaches English courses at WSU focusing on young adult literature and knows what's popular, new, controversial and banned. Karen Weathermon is involved with the freshman reading program and should be able to talk about the positives and downfalls of the program, it's history and what might be expected for the future. Alan Cornish and Sarah French would be good contacts for statistics and trends for WSU libraries (who mostly serve WSU students and staff), and Geraldine de Rooy would be the go-to contact for facts for the Pullman public library (which likely serves more Pullman residents). Cheryl-Anne Millsap is very knowledgeable about our industry's climate in Eastern Washington, Spokane magazine forecasting and has experience with the Spokesman Review. Professor Demers would be a good source for publication and textbook facts.
The Essentials:
It's clear that literary culture is important to the Pullman and Eastern Washington communities because of the press received in The Spokesman Review, The Pacific Northwest Inlander, The Daily Evergreen and through other news aggregates. Recent popular topics include: graduation requirements and academic standards, social trends, textbooks, small magazine companies and technological advancements, to name a few. I personally would like to cover any issue involving students and the written word and education standards and expectations most often.
Three proposed story ideas:
-- Future of required freshman reading
-- Textbook prices and sales over time
-- Magazine subscription rates and advertising rates over time
-- Circulation and funding for local and national public libraries
Three relevant articles from local and national publications:
"At Metro's End" by Daniel Walters for the Pacific Northwest Inlander
published 8-13-09
http://www.inlander.com/content/newscommentary_spokane_metro_out_business
"'Tintin' Deemed Racist, Removed From Shelves" by Will Alden for New York Press
published 8-21-09
http://www.nypress.com/blog-4906-tintin-deemed-racist-removed-from-shelves.html
"Freshmen read about food industry" by Taras Zhulev for the Daily Evergreen
published 09-01-09
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/29213
Sources for future stories:
-- Crag Hill, cahill@wsu.edu, 509.335.2581
WSU English professor
-- Linda Russo, lrusso@wsu.edu, 509.335.2581
WSU English professor
-- Karen Weathermon, kweathermon@wsu.edu, 509.335.5488
Director of Learning Communities for Office of Undergraduate Education
-- Alan Cornish, cornish@wsu.edu, 509.335.1895
Head of library system, Pullman
-- Sarah French, frenchsw@wsu.edu, 509.335.2694
Head of education library
-- Geraldine de Rooy, 509.338.3269
Director of Neill public library
-- Cheryl-Anne Millsap, catmilsap@gmail.com
Freelance writer and writer for the Spokesman Review
-- David Demers, ddemers@wsu.edu
WSU professor, wife in the publication business
Questions for Jonathan Randal
1. How did you first get your start at The Washington Post?
2. What advice do you have for near graduates in the field of journalism?
3. What intrigued you about foreign affairs and what were some of your proudest moments as a foreign correspondent?
4. How was the transition from hard reporting to novel writing?
5. What inspired/caused you to change your medium?
2. What advice do you have for near graduates in the field of journalism?
3. What intrigued you about foreign affairs and what were some of your proudest moments as a foreign correspondent?
4. How was the transition from hard reporting to novel writing?
5. What inspired/caused you to change your medium?
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