1. Week 4: Journalism 2001 February 18, 2008

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

3. Announcements Extra Credit Opportunity: 10 points Extra Credit Opportunity: 10 points –An Evening with Gerard Baker –Tuesday, February 19 –5:30 p.m., Kirby 268 (Multicultural Center) –RSVP to:  Suzanna Storkamp at stork010@d.umn.edu –Email me 5 paragraphs (not a story) about what you learned

4. Let’s take a quiz!

5. Data analyzed by the Duluth News Tribune shows that the perception that Duluth is a ______________ is mostly false. 1. haven for artists 2. depressed city 3. welfare magnet

6. The Duluth Planning Commission unanimously advised last Tuesday that the City Council retain its ordinance banning new rental licenses within 300 feet of existing rentals. 1. True 2. False

7. UMD and the NCAA are investigating the _________________________. 1. eligibility of women’s hockey player Iya Gavrilova 2. background of the men’s hockey coach Scott Sandelin 3. suitability of the DECC for the Frozen Four

8. Duluth News Tribune Correction http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/article s/index.cfm?id=60466&section=Correction s http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/article s/index.cfm?id=60466&section=Correction s http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/article s/index.cfm?id=60466&section=Correction s http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/article s/index.cfm?id=60466&section=Correction s Links on class website: http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes/08Jour20 01Spring/ http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes/08Jour20 01Spring/

9. Declining enrollment and the rising cost of benefits are the main causes behind an estimated $5.95 million deficit facing _____________ in the 2009 fiscal year. 1. UMD 2. the Hermantown School District 3. the Duluth school district

10. According to data compiled and released last week by the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, ________________ led all U.S. Representatives from Minnesota by bringing back $5.1 million in district earmarks in fiscal year 2008. 1. Jim Oberstar 2. Betty McCollum 3. Dave Obey

11. It lived up to its name: The temperature in _____________ fell to 40 below zero last Monday, just a few days after the town won a federal trademark making it officially the “Icebox of the Nation.” 1. Hibbing 2. International Falls 3. Duluth

12. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency wants to ban _______________ in state waters. 1. coal smokestacks 2. deisel engines 3. the discharge of untreated ballast water

13. A nine-month-old colt was left outside in frigid temperatures on Feb. 9 and is now fighting for its life in South Range, Wis. What has the colt been nicknamed? 1. Flicker 2. Windchill 3. Survivor

14. The debate over allowing a clinic and assisted-living facility in the ________________ neighborhood ended quietly last Monday night, with a 6-1 City Council vote to approve the project. 1. Lincoln Park 2. Lakeside-Lester Park 3. West Duluth

15. A man dressed in black opened fire with a shotgun and two handguns from the state of a lecture hall at ____________ on Thursday, killing five students and injuring 16 others before committing suicide. 1. Northern Illinois University 2. Notre Dame 3. Purdue

16. How to sign up for text alerts http://www.d.umn.edu/unirel/homepage/ 07/emtext.html http://www.d.umn.edu/unirel/homepage/ 07/emtext.html http://www.d.umn.edu/unirel/homepage/ 07/emtext.html http://www.d.umn.edu/unirel/homepage/ 07/emtext.html

17. Review 2/11 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

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

19. A local resident on Lawler Avenue returned home Friday night to find a house fire caused by a smoldering cigarette had caused $50,000 in damage before firefighters could arrive. A cigarette caused a house on Lawler Ave. in Skokie to go up in flames causing $50,000 in damages but injuring no one. An empty, unattended house on Lawler Avenue started on fire from a smoldering cigarette left on a mattress and pillow, causing fire fighters to forcibly enter the home to put out the fire. No one was home Friday night as local firefighters extinguished a fire started by a smoldering cigarette on Lawler Avenue causing an estimated $50,000 damages. Firefighters rushed to a home on Lawler Ave. Friday night to extinguish a fire caused by a cigarette that had been left smoldering on a bed, resulting in $50,000 worth of damage.

20. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Another storm brought snow, hail and even torrential rain to Northern California early Thursday morning, putting drivers in considerable danger as they navigated icy roadways. The latest snow storm, on Thursday in Northern California, brought snow, icy roads, and frigid temperatures which led to fender-benders and mudslides. A snowstorm occurred early Thursday morning, covering most of Northern California and leaving behind hazardous conditions. Hundreds of fender-bender accidents in Northern California Thursday morning resulted from a winter story that brought snow, hail, torrential rains and standing water on roadways, in turn making the roads icy form the frigid temperatures.

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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!

24. After a 10-year break, Lucy Kragness returns to the classroom with an abundance of new technology awaiting her and the hope to convey the power of clear communication to her students. After a 10-year break, UMD journalism instructor Lucy Kragness is back in the classroom. An answer to an ad for journalism teachers for the University of Minnesota Duluth in the Duluth News Tribune brought Lucy Kragness back to the teaching profession after a ten-year absence. Lucy Kragness, professor of Journalism at University of Minnesota Duluth, comes back to students after a 10 year break, ready to embrace the “ah ha” moments and looking to the future.

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

26. 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’

27. 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

28. Let’s look at run-on sentences Go to link on my homepage: Go to link on my homepage: –http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes

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

31. 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

32. 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

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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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!

40. Hard News 1 Story Assignment Work in teams to interview Duluth citizens Work in teams to interview Duluth citizens Each reporter writes own story Each reporter writes own story Interview 5-10 Duluthians Interview 5-10 Duluthians –Might not use all sources in story –List all sources, with contact info, at end of story Groups of 1 to 4: Groups of 1 to 4: –Any group changes? Stories will be posted on class website: Stories will be posted on class website: –Last fall’s website: Fall Jour 2001 Website Fall Jour 2001 WebsiteFall Jour 2001 Website

41. Here’s an excellent story pitch Michelle Skarp Michelle Skarp

42. Completed interviews? Cara Stromback at Mount Royal Cara Stromback at Mount Royal Anyone else? Anyone else?

43. Hard News 2 Story Pitch Due: February 20 Select a meeting to cover from story list Select a meeting to cover from story list –Duluth City Council: Tuesday, 2/26, 7 p.m. –Duluth School Board: Tuesday, 2/26, 6:30 p.m. –Schools Budget Meeting: Tuesday, 3/4, 5 p.m. –Superior Common Council: Tuesday, 3/4, 6:30 p.m. Duluth –St. Louis County Board: Tuesday, 3/11, 9:30 a.m. –Other: Arranged Length of story pitch: three paragraphs, about 200 words Length of story pitch: 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 Complete article due: March 14 Complete article due: March 14

44. Sample Hard News 2 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.

45. Sports Story Story Pitch Due: February 20 Select a UMD or prep sporting event to cover Select a UMD or prep sporting event to cover Length of story pitch: no more than three paragraphs, about 200 words Length of story pitch: 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 Complete article due: March 31 Complete article due: March 31

46. 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.

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

48. 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

49. 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

50. 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

51. 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

52. 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

53. 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

54. Journalism Case Studies Today: Today: –Stop! This is a warning... Suppressing news at police request Go to: http://www.journalism.indiana.edu/gallery/ethics/supp_pol.html - Compiled by University of Indiana School of Journalism

56. Assignment: Due 2/25 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 email a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnes Write your story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and email a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnes Make sure to copy yourself on the email Make sure to copy yourself on the email

57. In-class assignment for tonight More editing practice! More editing practice!

58. Egradebook Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: –http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook

59. 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: https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.j sp Access Electronic Portfolio at: https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.j sp https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.j sp https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.j sp