Jeff City Capital

After touring the capital building with Phil Brooks, It made me even all the more eager to take the LSAT and apply to law schools.  I love national news and politics so being at the capital was a load of inspiration.  I became very interested in the Lawyer magazine that is near the AP office at the capital.  I think it would be interesting to look into what kind of journalism that magazine puts out.  --- Not to mention, the tour may have been such positive encouragement for my future because it was with Phil Brooks, a journalist but also a fun tour guide.  

Gay Marriage

Gay marriage was just OKed in Maine.  This seems to be an increasing trend.  Is the media playing a role in our changing culture? I must bring up Miss California and the Perez Hilton scandal that bought up much air time last month.  The press really played into that since it is such a controversial topic. The media plays a huge role in influencing the public and when I saw that the governor of Maine just signed the bill legalizing gay marriage I had to question if the media is behind this modernizing change in American culture.

  

Swine Flu Coverage

The press won't get off this Swine Flu coverage.  Is it as big as it is being made out to be?  1,600 plus cases have broken out in Mexico and 40 in the US.  However, only one of those 40 cases have been hospitalized... I am not wanting to belittle this universal spreading of the flu that is going on; however, it has been the only thing the press has cared to talk about for a few days now.  Keep the nation updated and aware, but cover other pressing topics at the same time.  

Zootoo Makeover! update...

The winners were announced! Congratulations to the Central Missouri Humane Society on their win in the million dollar make over competition!  I am sure Amanda Huhman and Libby Burks along with many other volunteers are happy their voting paid off!  However, last year's winners out of St. Louis still haven't seen their reward.  Hopefully this doesn't happen to our local humane society.

Tea Parties

Coverage on the controversial tea parties last week hardly scraped the news. CNN reported it like it was a naughty revolt, while fox reported it like the best thing since Obama went in office.  Either way no one can deny the outrageous live report of one CNN reporter.  A CNN reporter was live and interviewed a man at one of the tea parties. She then interrupted him and started to yell.  It was obvious she let her own political beliefs come out in a very inappropriate and unprofessional way.  This is what is wrong with national news coverage today...no straight forward facts.  Both networks are biased. 

Zootoo Makeover!

For my reporting shift last Friday I got to report on the zootoo competition.  Zootoo has a million dollar makeover contest for animal shelters.  Two young girls, Amanda Huhman and Libby Burks, here in Columbia entered the Central Missouri Humane Society into the contest.  As of Friday the Central Missouri Humane Society was in first place with only three days left of voting.  The last day to vote was yesterday at midnight.  Winners will be announced April 27th on the zootoo website.  Both girls are volunteers at the shelter and say the community has gotten involved and even if the CMHS doesn't win, they know that the community will step up and help out as it has already.

Pirates...

Somalia pirates sure hit the press by taking Captain Richard Phillips hostage.  Pirates are rare to hear about so I think the  never ending coverage was great; however, what coverage I didn't quite get what how Obama was involved with the situation.  I heard from one national network that Obama gave the OK to shoot to kill the pirates, but then I heard on a different network that the Navy was the one who gave the order.  Which is true?  Was the President bound to give the OK to the Navy? The conflicting coverage made me question which sources are talking to what networks and who is the one to blame for mixing up the information.

Rock Bridge is Cookin' it Up!!

On one of my recent reporting shifts I covered two Rock Bridge students that won a state culinary arts competition.  Margaret Hughes and Ben Truesdell both are seniors in Brooke Harlan's cooking class at the Career Center in Columbia, Missouri.  Both will be going on to the national competition this June. 

My last reporting shift, I covered the new superintendent Chris Belcher's meet and greet and guess who catered it?  That's right Hughes and Truesdell's class.  It was a good feeling being out there and seeing them and having them recognize me and say they saw the story I did on KOMU. It was a good feeling and reminded me why I enjoy meeting new people and having them let me tell their stories.   

My first VO Patrol

My first VO-patrol was this past Friday. I got to cover Russ Mitchell from CBS accepting Mizzou's highest journalism honor.  Mitchell was a student at MU and graduated with a broadcast journalism degree. He has reported in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Dallas.  I have to admit I was pretty intimidated when I gave him a few interview questions, but I ended up getting an excellent sound bite. I also learned how important it is to manually focus my camera, and not depend on auto focus because some of my shots were not too good.  I am looking forward to my next VO-patrol tomorrow and I am hoping that it goes just as well.    

What Next?

I recently attended a master class with Russ Mitchell. The last part of the hour was spent with students questions and Mitchell's answers.  One question really stood out to me and it was "how far will journalism keep going?" Journalism used to be strictly news but now its news, opinions, entertainment, opinions... and more opinions. I recently saw on the FOX NEWS website that Bridget Marquardt, ex girlfriend of Hugh Hefner, has her own show now on the Travel Channel.  She goes to different beaches and shows the different aspects of what they offer.  I thought, hmm...Is this what we are coming to? I have always considered the Travel Channel to be respected and informational with some shows and documentaries that are educational and interesting on certain places. I think this is taking it to far to let a play boy model (who lays on beaches all day) report about what beaches are best fitting for her.  This is hardly journalism and not informational but only entertainment.  

Obama at Notre Dame

It has been a tradition for the past nine President-elects to visit the University of Notre Dame and deliver the Commencement speech at the graduation.  However, this year there has been quite a dramatic controversy.  The press has been covering this for more than a week.   

 

Some Catholics are disappointed the newly elected President will speak at the graduation because of his stance on embryonic stem-cell research as well as abortions since these go against the Catholic religion.  Others think it is the respect for President Obama that needs to be considered and not over looked.  Finally a decision has been made and Obama will speak at the University. One woman I spoke with has ties to the University of Notre Dame and she said that she wishes that Notre Dame will go back to it's Catholic roots and not swing to the left.  

However, others disagree. Even Bill O'Reilly from FOX has said he thinks President Obama should be welcomed to the campus.  Since the decision was reached, the press can finally rest on this over-dramatized story. I say "dramatized" because President Obama is not the only President to be disrespected by officials at a University, and I am sure he will not be the last.  Just recently Southern Methodist University in Dallas wanted to name it's library after George W. Bush and some criticized that move.  No matter the political preference there will always be some people who oppose honoring a certain politician. 

Editing Test...

Today is the day I usually spend editing and writing my web stories for that weeks package I have been working on; however, I have no package to do this week. BUT I did have my editing test at KOMU.  Exciting! I got through it pretty easily after a little confusing instructions converting the video.  I have to admit, wasn't my best work but I got it done in time.  And the best part is that it made me extra excited to start reporting at KOMU!

Interesting, but about 2 years too late...

So I see a top read story and the link reads "Unwed birth rate reaches all time high in US." So I click on it and the headline reads..."More Babies Born in 2007 Than Any Other Year in History." What is wrong with that??? Although that is an interesting fact, it is 2009. Almost two whole years later.  Why cover that now? I even double checked the published date to make sure it was recent news.  Not only is it old news, but the link was very misleading.  The web editor might want to do some adjusting.  Click to read the old news...

Learning from Mistakes

After writing and editing my package about the possible MO Bill making pseudaphedrine a prescription, I received great feed back from my professor. I need to correct a few things though.  I put to many facts in my package.  It is only 90 seconds and I think I gave the viewers to much to focus on.  My focus was how Blaine Alberty as a local pharmacist feels about this possible bill passing; however, I went off onto the electronic log that I had mentioned in my previous blog last week.  I plan to break the package into two, one being a focus on the electronic log which could help track pseudaphedrine purchases through out the state, and the other will be Alberty's reaction to this proposed bill. 

Coverage Stems Research

We have all seen coverage over the Chris Brown and Rihanna situation.  CNN had articles, so did FOX, almost all networks have brushed the topic.  Rumors spread, and it got ugly. But what is now confirmed is that Chris Brown hit his girlfriend Rihanna causing "horrific" injuries.  Was the coverage too much? If they had been any other couple, this constant coverage wouldn't happen.  I was walking through Wal-Mart the other day and saw US Weekly had them on the cover with "Rihana's Side" written on the cover.  I think it's been over done.  Especially today when I looked at FOX NEWs and saw one of their top stories was 1 in 7 believe it is fine to hit a woman. Gee,  I wonder what recent incident sparked this research.  In my opinion the coverage has been carried extremely far; however, the results in this survey are ridiculous.  It is possible that this over stressed celebrity dispute might lead to a much bigger issue facing America. 

Wilmette Murder-Suicide

I am fascinated with anything to do with court cases, and this sure does. 

On February 28 and March 1, Richard Wiley killed his wife and her son, then turned the gun on himself.  He had been arrested in 1985 for the stabbing death of his first wife and served 15 of his 30 year sentence.   Why was he let off so easily?

I went to CNN and searched the articles and this one came up from The Huffington Post. The article it self is basically just fact based.  What is more interesting is the other ways this story has been put out there, facebook.  After the murder-suicide, facebook groups have been popping up every where in memory of Kathy Motes, and her son Christopher. 

I suppose this isn't rare. In most deaths a memory group is formed, but in this particular situation it was interesting to see the actual story unfold in a facebook group as well as on news websites.  

Drugs containing Pseudafedrine

Possible Bill Banning Some Cold Meds...

In 2008 Missouri had 1,487 meth busts according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  That works out to four busts a day.  Missouri makes up about a quarter of the meth incidents nationwide. That is an extremely large number and lawmakers want to do something to stop this meth production.  Their solution is to make cold medicines containing pseudafedrine prescriptions.  This means that Cairitin D and Sudafed along with Nyquil and other medications will be out of the hands of consumers unless they first go to the doctor and get a prescription. Being the curious person I am, I wondered what pharmacists, doctors, and consumers thought of this possible bill.  I went to a local pharmacy and spoke with Blaine Alberty, a registered pharmacist.  

Alberty told me that frankly if this bill became a reality, it would be much more of a hassle for the pharmacy and for the customers. It would make more work on behalf of pharmacists throughout the state, and it would give the every day person more steps to obtain cold medication.  Alberty went further to explain that in 2006 the state made the medications containing the decongestant pseudafedrine a behind the counter drug that people needed to be ID'd and logged into a system. People would be allowed to buy 7.5 grams of medication during a 30 day period.  Alberty believes this works; however, part of the 2006 legislation said that there would be an electronic system where each pharmacy could track a persons purchases at other pharmacies.  This electronic system was never funded.  Alberty believes that this could solve more problems that trying to recreate another solution that would be more costly to tax payers. However, it would cost close to one-million dollars to get the electronic system up and running and additional tax payer money to keep it going.  

While at Alberty's pharmacy I talked to Becky Rowson. Rowson lives in Columbia and is a therapist in a private practice.  She used to work at a  treatment facility and worked with many meth addicts.  She voiced strong opinion that she thinks the 2006 legislation was effective, and that she personally is not in favor of the talk of making these drugs prescriptive.  She says she uses those cold medications herself and it would be an inconvenience for her and others. She added that many addicts she met would steal the cold medications.  Would making them a prescription stop that?

The proposed bill was discussed last week, but debate over the conflicting issue continues.  

Banning Homework?

I'm an indulgent of national news programs.  I can't get enough of CNN, FOX, and MSNBC.  I love it all.  I recently found a top-viewed video from Greg Gutfeld titled "Cruel and Unusual." He had an 11-year-old fifth grader on his show.  This boy's name is Benjamin Barrafato.  His teacher made him write an essay about three world issues he wold like to change for homework.  It turns out he couldn't think of any so he wrote about wanting to ban homework-he even began a petition and has 30 signatures! I loved watching Gutfeld and his co-hosts interview Barrafato.  I think Barrafato did a wonderful job, his answers were so honest as most children tend to be.  The whole time I watched the interview I thought about Wayne Freedman's book "It Takes More Than Good Looks."  In chapter three, Freedman says fifth graders are the best age to interview children.  I have to agree after seeing this interview between Barrafato and Gutfeld because Barrafato's answers were clear but still had the innocence of a child.  I think Gutfeld did a good job of asking the questions that showed Barrafato's emotions and thinking process.  It was a cute interview.  

www.foxnews.com/video.index.html

Frederick's Gluten Free Cakes

My Gluten Free Bakery

There are only three gluten free bakeries in Missouri.  One in Kansas City, one in Chesterfield, and now one in Jefferson City.  LaVerne Frederick decided to open her baking business three months ago. Frederick suffers from Celiac Disease and so did her dad until he passed away last year in July. In his honor, Frederick decided to open the gluten free bakery.  Maintaining a gluten free diet is part of the treatment for Celiac Disease. She sent out newsletters and spoke with some support groups to see what response she would receive.  There was also an article about her bakery in the Fulton Sun, that is how I found out about her.  The response was tremendous and Frederick decided this was something she needed to do to serve her community.  She said, "I may not be making much money, but at least I'm making people happy." Isn't that the truth? Can you imagine being a child with a food allergy and unable to eat birthday cake? cookies? cupcakes? Mitzi Morris came into the bakery when I was visiting Frederick.  Morris was buying bread and cookies for her 20-year-old son who is in college and runs cross country.  She said that the team will go out and eat, but he is unable to do so because like Frederick, he suffers from Celiac Disease. It's wonderful Frederick is able to provide gluten free products for people like Mitzi's son.  Frederick usually uses a two to three day shipping so she can serve people outside of her community. There is a list of all the goodies she offers on her website.  http://myglutenfreebakery.com/

Defensive or Spot on?

Megyn Kelly from FOX NEWS got into it with PETA's spokes person Lisa Lange. Apparently the live interview is one of the most viewed online. PETA as an organization has had ad campaigns with two girls making out in public on an inflatable bed. (In Texas of all states, why one of the most conservative places like El Paso?) For obvious reasons, this has caused many viewers to become angry and very offended. This isn't the first time PETA has offended people with their advertisements. Remember their super-bowl commercial with women rubbing their bodies with vegetables? Although this may have gotten PETA attention and some people found it funny, is it the right attention or does it make the organization look ridiculous? For example, the message they wanted to send was that men become impotent by age 60 and that meat clogs vital organs... I'll leave it up to you to decide if two women kissing sends that message to the audience. On the other hand, it is apparent that PETA did get the attention they wanted with 3 million views online of their super-bowl ad. But is this the type of reaction they wanted? After watching the four minute video of Megyan Kelly going at it with Lisa Lange, I wondered if Megyn was to hard on the spokeswoman? Or did the spokeswoman just not give credible answers? I am torn on this because I do eat meat, but that doesn't make me view vegetarians in any different way; however, I don't see the message PETA wanted to send to the public through their ad campaigns. I mean really, can you "sex up" animal rights?

I'll leave that up to you to decide. You can view the video at http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html.

Plunge for Special Olympics

285.... That is the number of people who jumped into Steven's Lake this Valentines day.  That is 82 more people than last year's Polar Bear Plunge. Over the past 14 years there has been 8,527 participants in the Polar Bear Plunges in cities throughout the state of Missouri.   This year the plunge raised over $32,000 dollars.  The earnings go towards 15,000 Special Olympics athletes in Missouri.  Brooke Ballew is the Venue Coordinator for Special Olympics in Columbia. She has participated in the Polar Bear Plunge the last two years Columbia has hosted it.  She said her cousin is the one who got her involved in Special Olympics and in the past two years she has helped out with district golf and basketball.  She plans to keep participating in the Polar Bear Plunge in years to come.  This year each participant paid $50 dollars to join a team and jump into the frigid 33 degree water.  There were 28 teams and each had a theme with creative costumes.  

There are two more Polar Bear Plunge dates for Missouri. 

February 21 - Lake Viking, Mexico, and Joplin

February 28 - Maryland Heights, and Osage Beach

A Journalist Reflects...

Today CNN posted an article on their website, "In Rural Alaska villages, Families Struggle to Survive." It was the top story under US News.  The article started out with describing how little resources residents in rural Alaska have to survive.  Then, the author focuses on the Strongheart family.  She describes the changes they have had to make to save money. She tells the reader that the family used to take two snow mobiles to the grocery store to be safe, but since the economy is in a recession they are forced to only take one to save on fuel costs.  She also said that the family buys only enough groceries to put on the snow mobile, but the cost for all of it was over $400 dollars. The author ends the article by going broad again, and talking about what Alaska is doing to help families in need.  As a journalist, I thought it was great that the author immediately jumped into her central character, the Strongheart family.  I also liked how she was able to broaden the focus back into how Alaska plans to help the families, even though they haven't declared emergency yet.  The bulk of the story focuses on the Strongheart family which humanizes this article and makes the reader feel for the family. Not only does the article grab the readers emotions, it gives hard facts like Alaska plans to give residents $1,200 dollar energy rebate checks.  I am tired of reading articles all about the economy, but since it is in a recession that is what's making news.  I thought that this would be another bad economy, poor people piece of journalism; however, it surprised me and I think it is because of the way the author focused on the central characters in this article.  

Paquin Tower

Paquin Tower 

Columbia, MO

Paquin Tower's Rec Funds

Art supplies run low at Paquin Tower, a low-income housing facility, in Columbia MO. Paquin residents had their recreational budget cut from $88,000 to $72,000. That's a $16,000 dollar cut! That $16,000 dollars supplied their transportation around town and all their recreational activities.  

Although it seems terrible to cut $16,000 dollars from Paquin's budget, I'm sure the city had a reason; however, the City Manager Bill Watkins said nothing to the press about why such a drastic cut was made. Democratic Representative Sean Spence along with a committee of Paquin residents, workers, and volunteers decided to fundraise to help with the lost costs. They plan to hold various events in the next couple months trying to raise enough money to keep their recreational activities such as ceramics and painting classes. Hannah Rucker lives in Columbia and visits her friend Sandra, a Paquin resident, frequently. When she found out about the budget cut, she immediately started to petition.  When I asked her what her next step will be once the city makes it's new cut this year, Rucker said she would be right back out there getting signatures.  The social activities help residents get to know one another and also help with eye-hand coordination since many of the residents are disabled. 

To get more information I attended a ceramics class at Paquin, I saw the residents' faces light up when one of their friends would come into the craft room.  I spoke with many residents, the social worker at Paquin Tower, as well as the Park and Recreation specialist, Sarah Bowman. Bowman says that one of Paquin's fundraising events will be a silent auction possibly held this April. Another way for the program to make money is for the people of Columbia to get involved in the recreational activities since it is open to the community.  

This coming July, the city meets again to discuss additional cuts.  Paquin residents worry that the budget might be cut all together, leaving them nothing.  Sean Spence serves as the committee chairman of the fundraising efforts for Paquin.  The committee plans to meet the second Tuesday of each month to plan events.  Any one can join the committee and is able to do so by contacting Sean Spence at seanspence@earthlink.net.