crime reporting

Crime reporting is tough. I don't want to be one of those reporters making everyone think the world is a bad place. But, I also want people to be aware of what is happening in the world and to use that information to keep themselves safe. Today, I reported a sickening story about a man who tried to rape a woman in her own home. Thankfully, she manipulated him into loosening his grip for a moment so she could get away.

We've been reading a lot about context and framing in my media theory class, so as I was reporting the story, I wanted to delve deeper into the life of a man who is obviously quite disturbed, power hungry and sexually frustrated. And, I also wanted to hear more about the victim. Her quick thinking helped her escape from a terrifying situation. But, I didn't have time and I probably didn't have the resources to add that kind of information or context. And, from a reporting perspective, it may not have even been entirely appropriate to include it in a short crime brief. But, it's interesting to consider anyway.

Man arrested in connection with first-degree burglary and sexual abuse

Research papers...

I've never read so many research papers in my life. I have a thick stack of articles on my desk from my media theory class and I'm amazed at how quickly the pile grew over the course of the semester. Then, last week, I added some serious depth to the stack. I printed off 25 articles for my literature review and have spent the past several days reading them. My eyes are bleary from the reading, but my mind feels sharp. I love being surrounded by so much data.

So, tonight, as I organized my life for next semester, I realized that I really want to take a quantitative research course next semester. For some reason, I had it in my head that I would take qualitative, but tonight, as I flipped through dozens of pages of data, and liked what I saw, I knew that even though in-depth interviews are awesome (and I will always love them), I want to learn more about how numbers can inform decision making.

My annotated bibliography is due tomorrow, which means that I have now read and synthesized 25 research studies on media advocacy. (This is a theory that explores how public health advocates can utilize media to promote their public policy agendas.)

My two favorite articles on media advocacy are entitled: "More than a message: Framing public health advocacy to change corporate practices" and "Different perspectives: A comparison of newspaper articles to medical examiner data in the reporting of violent deaths." They are excellent and if you want to read more, ask me for my literature review next week. Then, if you really want to learn more, ask me for my research project next year.

Ahh, grad school. It's really hard. But, I love it.

multimedia project - complete

We finished up our multimedia project last Wednesday. It was quite an experience. I learned how to use audio equipment, video equipment, a tripod, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop and even a bit about how to shoot photographs, although I probably could have used some additional training on the photo part. I enjoyed learning how to use the video software and realized that multimedia projects are more time-intensive than I thought. I'd like to create a project on Turkmenistan and use some audio, video and photos from my time there. It would be a fun Thanksgiving project. At the moment, I'm not sure if I have permission to post the project here, so for now, I'm going to wait.

breaking news

Last Wednesday I was in the newsroom preparing for my law class when my editor forwarded me a release from the Chief Boone County Prosecutor's office. The release said the prosecutor did not plan to file charges against the man who shot and killed Brandon Coleman last May. The document was several pages long and I had only read a short article about the case before I started reporting it. I read as fast as I could, but it was definitely more than I could absorb in just a few moments. I think if I covered crime reporting more often, I could have synthesized the information faster. But, my inexperience with the terms and the legal system slowed me down. I managed to write up a few paragraphs, but had to get to class and unfortunately, couldn't spend the rest of the afternoon helping to report the story. I experience I did have was really interesting, though. Covering breaking news requires two skills:

• speed reading for content
• speed writing for precision (it's easy to miss quick details when speed reading)

Here's a much longer version of the original piece I helped to report: UPDATE: Prosecutor says no charges in Brandon Coleman killing

Thinking more critically

The New York Times ran a fantastic piece last week called The Russia Left Behind. I read it the day it was published, shared it on Facebook and then just went on with my day.

But today, about a week later, I realized that I haven't stopped thinking about that article. It wasn't until I read three research articles on uses & gratifications theory and wrote a one page thought paper, that I comprehended what that article meant to me.

I lived in a former Soviet-bloc country for 24 months. But, I have never been to Russia. A year and a half later, I still wonder about the similarities and differences between my life in Turkmenistan and the lives of Russians. I always think 'oh, I'll read up on it,' or 'I'll visit St. Petersburg someday.'

But, in the meantime, I still wonder: 'what does life in Russia look like, taste like, feel like?' This article answered those questions for me. And, looking back, I sought out that news in a way I don't typically seek out news. I looked forward to reading that article later in the evening and when I finally did sit down, I relished the experience.

I still remember the people featured and can see them living their daily lives just across the ocean. I can visualize their lives because I had the chance to draw a parallel to my own time in a Russian-influenced land.

This master's degree program is a great gift. Although it is removing some of the mystery I have always reserved for writing, it is giving me the chance to break down media into disparate pieces and theories and examine the reasons we consume words and the reasons we write them in the first place.

Learning about the reasons behind the mystery is quite empowering and enlightening.

GA reporting

I'm working the late shift at the Missourian and started last Wednesday. I wrote a life story about a fascinating woman named Tatiana Kudriavsteva. It was a really fun process. I enjoy delving into people's lives and learning so much about them. For some reason, the fact that they are no longer living, makes the details seem more important. I know maybe that sounds strange and I'm not sure if I'm verbalizing my sentiment well enough, but I always feel as I'm writing a life story that it carries a little more importance than the average article.

The woman I wrote about spent most of her life working as an English to Russian translator. Her family estimates she translated more than 80 books in her life. She met authors like John Updike and John Steinbeck. By the end of the night, her son-in-law, a retired MU journalism professor, had sent me pictures of Mrs. Kudriavsteva with John Updike and Graham Greene. She spent many winters in Columbia because he daughter was married to an MU professor. It was fun to examine the Columbia angle, but also step back and tell some of the stories about her life in Moscow.

Tatiana Kudriavsteva, prominent English to Russian translator, dies in Moscow

About five minutes after I finished the accuracy check on the life story, Allie heard about a residential fire over the scanner. Jacob Hamilton and I drove out to the fire and I had the chance to cover my first fire. I met one of the Division Chiefs from the Columbia Fire Department and learned about fire response in the city. It was a small shed fire and caused a few hundred dollars in damage. I haven't had the chance to cover much breaking news. It was a good experience. I went home around 10 p.m. hungry for dinner.

Shed fire causes a few hundred dollars in damage

Multimedia Project

The multimedia project is awesome. I would never prioritize a project like this with my current schedule, but because it's required, I was forced to take the time to learn how to use the photo equipment as well as Final Cut Pro. The software was actually surprisingly user friendly.

Marcie and I spent last Monday interviewing and photographing Steve Easterling, a 62 year old musician currently living in Columbia. Easterling has a fantastic voice and he humored us while we figured out how to use the equipment.

Yesterday, we  sat down to edit and were able to produce a basic 2-minute interview slideshow. I tried to watch some examples online and found some amazing stuff (thanks for Hannah Baldwin's direction). Most of it came from the LA Times, which I realize I need to read/watch more often.

I've never paid attention to the anatomy of an interview slideshow, even though I've probably watched thousands. Still shots from varying angles. Sound bites from an interview. If video is included, the camera is often not even moving. The scenes unravel slowly.

At some point, I'd like to delve into multimedia more. I'd really like to take a convergence class and an infographics class. I just hope I have enough time for it all.

Quint took a look at our video today and liked it. We just need to a title slide, pick a name and export it. If it's good enough, it'll be published.

Pestering people

I published a follow up article on the BJC HealthCare Benefits changes after exactly three weeks of pestering Jacob Luecke. Originally, I didn't even think about following up right away. I knew the changes would be officially announced, but I thought that meant I would follow up in 2 weeks or a month. But, the next business day, Katherine told me I needed to call him every day. While I didn't call him every day, I did call him consistently for about three weeks. Eventually, he got back me and I spent last Thursday afternoon interviewing him and the senior vice president of human resources. It was a really interesting interview. I really enjoyed speaking with them and was actually amazed that they didn't know some of the answers to my questions. The skeptic in me thinks they do, especially my number questions. Perhaps they just aren't willing to share? Does the vice president of HR not actually know how many people are set to lose their benefits in less than three months? I can't believe it. Katherine helped me get a number on the Columbia-side, so that was helpful in terms of providing context.

I know that we have to keep moving along on stories, but right now, I just want to rest for a minute, focus on my three research papers and read a newspaper.

Some Boone Hospital Center part-timers to lose benefits; smokers won't be hired

Writing on deadline

I've never had to work under an actual deadline. But Thursday evening, after I returned from an event, Stephanie told me I had 45 minutes to write the article. I spent 10 minutes panicking that it wasn't enough time. Ironic, right? But, then I just started typing. It was just me and my notes and one deadline. All the other thoughts about grading, my law paper, the article for tomorrow, just disappeared. I had one task. It turns out, I didn't finish the article by 9:30 p.m., but I did finish it in time for the copy desk to edit it and send it on to the print desk. I realized I have no idea how that part of the newsroom works and I look forward to learning either this semester or in upcoming semesters.

My article on the Ethics of Obesity lecture is here: Obesity examined: Health Ethics Conference talk at MU encourages compassion

My article made it into my Google Alert

I set up a Google alert a few weeks ago to help report the BJC HealthCare changes and yesterday, my Missourian article showed up in my Google alerts. That was pretty cool.

I don't understand

Why do people seem so apathetic about the government shutdown? I think it might be because we are all too busy. At least for me, I spent most of my day chained to my desks, madly typing up research papers and reading for class. I would like to think if I were working as a full-time reporter right now, I would be covering the shutdown more.

In honor of the outrage I currently feel, I'd like to give a shout out to a scene from Network.

This is how I feel about the government shutdown: I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.

Helpful links

I'm going to compile a list of helpful links on this blog.

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

another good lede

I'm TAing a cross-cultural journalism class this semester. Yesterday, we discussed privilege, class and race. I came across an interesting blog post from the New York Times entitled: 'Mixed Kids Are Always So Beautiful.'

I love the lede: "Like many other people of color, I am no stranger to awkward conversations about race."

I was hooked and just kept reading.

Discussion on ledes

I like this lede from this New York Times article on cheating: "When was the last time you cheated?"

I like it because we're not supposed to start with a question, but I think there are times when the rules must be broken. Hoffman's lede drew me in and I just kept reading. I also answered her question in my head: The mini-golf session I played last Sunday with Alberto. I totally cheated, and incidentally, I won.

to be continued...

Orientation Assignment Part II

Friday I met with Andrea Waner, the PIO for the Columbia/Boone County Health Department. We spoke for about 45 minutes about the work the health department is doing and discussed potential story ideas. The health department has many projects that aren't actually listed on the website, which was interesting - I can't just rely on the website for information. Andrea just started working as the PIO and in the process of updating their website.

Some potential story ideas:

FIT WIC Program: a health educator provides healthy cooking lessons, activities for kids, time in the community garden. The program aims to help mothers learn how to prepare healthy food from the store. (Feature on one of the mothers?)

STD Clinic - 5-7pm Tuesday, but family planning/preventative services are offered everyday. (Calendar event?)

Free spay/neuter for dogs/cats of low-income residents (Brief?)

Follow-up on the vaccination grant launched in 2011 that provides children 6 months - 18 years free flu vaccines. Need to cite this, but Andrea mentioned that children 5-14 year old are most affected by the flu.

Out Proud and Healthy - health program that encourages lesbian and bisexual women over 40 to be out, proud and health conscious. (Feature on one of the women participating?)

Follow-up on the smoking cessation program launched in 2012. Nurses run counseling sessions and classes are Thursday noon to 4 p.m. What are some of the results from the program we could report? (Feature on someone who has successfully quit smoking?)

Hot Topic - a safe sex program at the Activities Recreation Center for teens 14 - 17 years old. They educate teens in safe sex, the connection between sex, drugs and alcohol, focus on relationships and communication.

Rural vaccines at schools and community centers occur every so often. Consult Andrea for upcoming dates.

The health department cut the rural health program about five years ago because of low turnout. That was interesting to me. What has that meant for rural health in Boone County? People must travel for care.

The multimedia project begins

Tomorrow, I'm starting my first multimedia project. I've been wanting to make a video, audio, photo compilation for years, so I'm glad it's finally happening. My favorite Oregonian reporter does some really cool work. I remember watching this video of hers while I was traveling around Asia. The first time I watched it, it reminded me of home and after clicking through her videos this evening, this video again reminds me of home. Mostly I don't miss Portland, but sometimes, I experience a vivid rush of nostalgia and I find myself dreaming of Portland's mossy sidewalks and lush cityscape.

Video from Casey Parks: Fall 2009

Great investigative piece

I finally sat down and finished the ProPublica article on accidental acetaminophen overdose. It's a fantastic article and I recommend reading it:

Use Only as Directed 

(Yes, it is incredibly long. It's worth it.)

Sub-beat

I started reporting for the government shutdown sub-beat today. Joe Dixon and I co-wrote an article about the closure of nutrition education programs across Missouri. It was the first time I co-wrote an article and I really enjoyed it. It was fun to discuss every sentence, and even though it took longer than normal, I think it was valuable to write an article with someone else. He suggested viewpoints I hadn't taken and ways of writing I hadn't considered. The experience made me realize I need to expand my sentence structure repertoire and include more semi-colons, dashes and perhaps even creative turns-of-phrase. I need to spend more time analyzing the way people write when I read, rather than simply reading to gather information.

Government shutdown stops MU Extension nutrition education

Back in the swing

Wednesday I wrote up a short event preview and joined the "government shutdown sub-beat."

Casey Bischel and I also gave a libel presentation on the New York Times, Co. v. Sullivan and Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc. cases. I was mostly terrified of this presentation because the cases are so technical and I typically absorb 25 percent of the content I read for that class. I usually just rely on the professor to explain the other 75 percent in class. The problem on Wednesday was that I was supposed to be co-teaching the cases with the professor. Fortunately, Casey and I survived and we even provoked some lively debate from our classmates.

I spent the remainder of my Wednesday on GA. I'm starting to get into the swing of reporting. I still feel so young and inexperienced in this profession and I think the title cub reporter is quite apt. But the speed at which the newsroom operates is a distinct advantage for learning new things. I can learn more in an 8 hour shift as a reporter than I did in four weeks as a volunteer coordinator for Harlem RBI or web content coordinator for Medical Teams International. In the newsroom, everything happens so fast.

I also noticed that after a long weekend away, I was able to maintain my balance much more effectively. I spent too many weekends in August and September studying and working and didn't take a break. I need to remember that vacations actually improve productivity. Even four-day vacations that don't seem like that much time away can set the reset button and make grad school fun again.

Here's the event preview: Harvest Hootenanny fundraiser to raise awareness of locally-grown foods

Orientation Assignment

This past week, I visited the MUPD, the Columbia Police Department and the Boone County Courthouse, which included the the Clerk's offices. I sat in on a divorce case that was incredibly depressing. The moment I entered the courtroom, I felt sadness, frustration and irritation. It was strange to see two people who had once married and brought kids into the world fighting through two lawyers. The MUPD and the Columbia Police Department were essentially closed off to the public, except for the lobbies. I located the blotters and read through some of the recent crimes. The one that stands out was an assault and sodomy charge - yikes! Pictures from my trips are below:

At the Boone County Courthouse - 705 E. Walnut

At the Columbia Police Department - 600 E. Walnut

At the MUPD - 901 Virginia Ave.