Week #13

National News:

Oil drilling accidents prompting new safety rules

Federal regulators did not need this week's explosion aboard a state-of-the-art rig to know the offshore drilling industry needed new safety rules: Dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries over the last several years had already convinced them that changes were needed.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100424/ap_on_bi_ge/us_louisiana_oil_rig_explosion;_ylt=AoLWA3QdlGT9mt9X6S4b_ZNvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTMzMXZhaDR0BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDI0L3VzX2xvdWlzaWFuYV9vaWxfcmlnX2V4cGxvc2lvbgRwb3MDNgRzZWMDeW5fYXJ0aWNsZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA29pbGRyaWxsaW5nYQ--

Photo Caption: In this aerial photo taken in the Gulf of Mexico more than 50 miles southeast of Venice on Louisiana's tip, a boat with an oil boom tries to contain oil spilled from the explosion and collapse of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, approximately seven miles from where the rig sunk, on Friday, April 23, 2010.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness and impact.  Recently an oil rig exploded causing serious danger and harm.  Now there must be changes made to stop such instances from happening again.

A day to honor poets? Quoth the raven 'Evermore'

A former teacher who founded the Dead Poets Society of America and traveled 15,000 miles to document the graves of poets has a new mission — to create a Dead Poets Remembrance Day on Oct. 7, the date master of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe died.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100423/ap_on_re_us/us_dead_poets;_ylt=Avv._bhqG2ygfDFBDcr5QSpvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJqdHQxcDA4BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDIzL3VzX2RlYWRfcG9ldHMEcG9zAzIyBHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDYWRheXRvaG9ub3Jw

Photo Caption: Walter Skold of Freeport, Maine, chats with a visitor in Eastern Cemetery, Tuesday, April 20, 2010, in Portland, Maine. Skold, the founder of the Dead Poets Society of America, will be leading a poetry reading at the cemetery this Friday to kick off his upcoming 22-state tour to make Oct. 7th 'Dead Poets Remembrance Day.'

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and prominence.  Poetry is a form of writing that has grown to be extremely popular especially due to some great poets of the past such as Edgar Allan Poe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Walt Whitman and more.  The founder of the Dead Poet's Society of America is currently embarking on a 22-state tour to make Oct. 7 'Dead Poets Remembrance Day.'  It is outstanding to see such passion to have a day to honor some of the amazing poets of the past and further the love of poetry.

Vet gets prison for faking paralysis to avoid Iraq

A military veteran who claimed a rollover wreck left him paralyzed collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer benefits and was kept stateside when his Army unit shipped off to Iraq. Yet doctors could never pinpoint why he couldn't use his legs.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100423/ap_on_re_us/us_army_veteran_faked_paralysis;_ylt=AvikMNYxtV4x.5dQyh4xeRZvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTM1a2VxODBoBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDIzL3VzX2FybXlfdmV0ZXJhbl9mYWtlZF9wYXJhbHlzaXMEcG9zAzI1BHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDdmV0Z2V0c3ByaXNv

This story holds the news values of impact, timeliness, currency and conflict.  A military veteran was recently sentenced to more than six years in prison for fraud and conspiracy.  He lied about being paralyzed and collected well over $300,000 in taxpayer benefits.  This is such an impacting story since the main reason why the man lied to begin was to stay in the states instead of shipping out to Iraq.  Now it is conflicting as to how he's going to pay back all the money he essentially stole.

International News:

Official: Abuse victims receive threats in Brazil

A Brazilian official said Friday that three former altar boys who accused a Roman Catholic priest of sexual abuse have received threats and are under police protection.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100424/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_brazil_church_sex_scandal;_ylt=AsA0KjBKxTHDrwv8iHcExUpvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTMycGs0djQ5BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDI0L2x0X2JyYXppbF9jaHVyY2hfc2V4X3NjYW5kYWwEcG9zAzEyBHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDb2ZmaWNpYWxhYnVz

This story holds the news values of impact, currency, timeliness and conflict.  In recent months more and more victims of sexual abuse done by priests in the Roman Catholic Church keep coming forward.  In Brazil, three former altar boys are receiving threats now for coming forward and have been placed under police protection along with a different priest who had abused altar boys, but he is willing to work with the police.

Little Princess: New Film Shows the Queen at Four Years Old

A new exhibition at Windsor Castle includes never-before-seen footage of Queen Elizabeth II as a playful four-year-old, and helps paint a fuller picture of her ascent from cheeky princess to illustrious monarch...  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100423/wl_time/08599198410800;_ylt=Aq9Q5.7aEJ_4aqCESZEF6ktvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJtM3V2aW0xBGFzc2V0A3RpbWUvMjAxMDA0MjMvMDg1OTkxOTg0MTA4MDAEcG9zAzMxBHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDbGl0dGxlcHJpbmNl

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness and prominence.  A new exhibition including footage of Queen Elizabeth II as a little girl has recently been released at Windsor Castle.  The history of the family evolving into the royalty they are known for today is well represented through the photographs and videos.

Egypt finds hoard of 2,000-year-old bronze coins

Archaeologists unearthed 383 bronze coins dating back to King Ptolemy III who ruled Egypt in the 3rd century B.C. and was an ancestor of the famed Cleopatra, the Egyptian antiquities authority announced Thursday.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100422/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_antiquities;_ylt=AvfsEiSbJZI_o07hV2Ca.jgQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJxbXBmN20wBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDIyL21sX2VneXB0X2FudGlxdWl0aWVzBHBvcwMxBHNlYwN5bl9wYWdpbmF0ZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2VneXB0ZmluZHNobw--

Photo Caption: This undated photo released by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities on Thursday, April 22, 2010, shows some of 383 recently-unearthed bronze coins, said by the Supreme Council to be inscribed with the hybrid Greek-Egyptian god Amun-Zeus on one side, with an eagle and the words Ptolemy and king in Greek on the other side, dating back to King Ptolemy III who ruled Egypt in the 3rd century B.C. Descendants of one of Alexander the Great's generals, the Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt for some 300 years, fusing Greek and ancient Egyptian cultures.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Supreme Council of Antiquities

This story holds the news values of impact, bizarreness, currency and timeliness. Recent discovery of ancient antiquities have been unearthed dating back to the 3rd century B.C. and the 4th millennium B.C..  They are in pretty good condition considering how old they are which is the bizarre part.  Furthermore, the coins, necklaces and other unearthed artifacts tell even more about the history of the Egyptians and Greeks cultures fusing together.

Local News:

Toms River East league probed

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the finances of the Toms River East Little League for the years 2005 through 2007.  Full Story

http://www.app.com/article/20100423/NEWS05/4230376/1070/NEWS02&source=rss

This story holds the news values of impact, currency, timeliness, conflict and proximity.  Little League Baseball is that of great excitement in Toms River, New Jersey being that in 1998 the team from Toms River beat a team from Japan in the Little League World Series.  Since then other teams from Toms River have made it to the Pool Play in the LLWS, yet none have walked away victorious.  Now an investigation is being conducted of the finances of the Toms River East Little League for the years of 2005 through 2007.  This season that just began and last season will remain as is, but the past is being looked into.

L.I. girl uses lessons from ' SpongeBob SquarePants ' to save choking friend

An important life lesson from an unlikely source -- " SpongeBob SquarePants " -- helped a Long Island girl save her choking friend's life.  Full Story

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/04/23/2010-04-23_li_girl_uses_lessons_from_spongebob_squarepants_to_save_choking_friend.html

Photo Caption: SpongeBob SquarePants

Photo Credit: Nickelodeon

This story holds the news values of proximity, bizarreness, currency and timeliness.  It is unheard of that cartoons help save lives, yet somehow it has happened.  A Long Island, 12-year-old girl saved her saved her friend from choking on a piece of gum by mimicking SpongeBob's antics when his pal Squidward chokes on his clarinet.

Fashion's Night Out gets ready for biggest NY fashion show in September at Lincoln Center

The most crowded catwalk in city history is coming this September.  Full Story

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2010/04/23/2010-04-23_big_night_to_strut_returns_in_sept.html

Photo Caption: Models Liya Kebede, left, and Raquel Zimmermann wearing tops that are representative of the Fashion's Night Out limited edition charity tees.

Photo Credit: Patrick Demarchelier/AP

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, proximity and impact.  The biggest fashion show is coming to Manhattan in the Fall.  Vogue and others are teaming up with over 200 top models to strut the most wanted clothes of the season.  It's certainly a big deal in the world of fashion!

Other News:

Bret Michaels hospitalized with hemorrhage

Bret Michaels is in critical condition suffering from a brain hemorrhage, his publicist said Friday.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100424/ap_en_ce/us_people_bret_michaels;_ylt=Aq6mhBkgtkg19BHSwjnzOkldDxkF;_ylu=X3oDMTJ0dWV2Z2NoBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDI0L3VzX3Blb3BsZV9icmV0X21pY2hhZWxzBHBvcwM2BHNlYwN5bl9wYWdpbmF0ZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2JyZXRtaWNoYWVscw--

Photo Caption: In this Jan. 10, 2010 photo Singer Bret Michaels arrives at the NBC Universal Winter 2010 press tour party in Pasadena, Calif.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Dan Steinberg

This story holds the news values of prominence, timeliness, bizarreness and currency.  The 47-year-old rocker has hit some serious health concerns since he is currently in critical condition.  It is very scary for someone as young as he is to have a brain hemorrhage.  Furthermore, it just occurred hours ago prior to him having to perform in San Antonio, TX.

 

Week #12

National News:

2 decades after shaking baby, father jailed again

Soon after Christina Welch turned 18 in the spring of 2005, her biological parents asked permission to pay her a visit. Mike and Tina Wells broke down when the bed covers were pulled back and they saw the state of the girl: so severely brain damaged as a baby that she never learned to walk, talk or sit up by herself.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100417/ap_on_re_us/us_twice_atoned;_ylt=AgJStvORyOJElDUAIryBQedvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJrODA3dGQzBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDE3L3VzX3R3aWNlX2F0b25lZARwb3MDNwRzZWMDeW5fYXJ0aWNsZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2Z1bGxuYnNwc3Rvcg--

Photo Caption: Christopher Wells, shown in this 2010 Florida Dept. of Corrections photo, is currently in jail on second-degree murder charges, after he left his daughter Christina with permanent brain-damaged after he violently shook her and covered her mouth to keep her from crying when she was two-months old. Christina never learned to walk, talk, or sit by herself and died in March 2006 at age 19.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Florida Dept. of Corrections

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, impact and conflict.  This story began in 1989 when Mike Wells shook his baby who was then adopted by Maureen Welch.  Wells and his wife served less than a year each on aggravated child abuse charges.  Since they got out they were never seriously in trouble with the law again.  They met their daughter, Christina Welch when she turned 18 learning the harm that his shaking had caused all those years ago--she never learned to speak, walk or sit up.  Welch doted on her hand and foot and then a sad day came in 2006 when Christina died at the age of 19 with the medical examiner ruling it as a homicide--what her father had done to her years earlier was the cause of her death.  Wells is facing 15 years, but now he's leaving the new family he made.  It is rather bittersweet--he's a changed man from who he was then when he did that to Christina, yet due to her death that past came back to get him and Welch feels awful, yet happy--conflicted.  "I just want it all to be over," she said.

Discovery leaves space station; next stop is Earth

Discovery and its crew left the International Space Station on Saturday and aimed for a homecoming in two days to wrap up one of the last missions of NASA's storied shuttle program.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100417/ap_on_sc/us_space_shuttle;_ylt=AqY4paGxjMzwXSYOpCMxDlBvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJtNzVsa2UwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDE3L3VzX3NwYWNlX3NodXR0bGUEcG9zAzEyBHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDZGlzY292ZXJ5bGVh

Photo Caption: In this image provided by NASA the Space shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station is seen with the ammonia tank assembly and the cargo carrier module stowed in it's payload bay as they pass over Europe early Friday morning April 16, 2010. Discovery is due to depart the space station Saturday. Landing in Florida is scheduled for Monday morning.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/NASA

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness and impact.  The space shuttle, Discovery launched on April 5 and is set to land back on Earth on April 19.  Four of the 13 involved in this mission are women which is a world record.  There were eight Americans, three Russians and two Japanese in this crew.  The crew is bringing back more than three tons of trash and old space station equipment.  Furthermore, only three shuttle flights remain with only 12 crew members so this Discovery mission is huge!

Wayward NM cat has free flight home from Chicago

No one knows how a tabby cat named Charles traveled the 1,300 miles from his New Mexico home to Chicago, but he's set for a complimentary flight home on American Airlines in a carrier donated by an Albuquerque business.   Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100417/ap_on_re_us/us_wandering_cat;_ylt=AmEFeNvS9Z1vgQN5BcdM43BvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJsMnJ1YWloBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDE3L3VzX3dhbmRlcmluZ19jYXQEcG9zAzEEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawN3YXl3YXJkbm1jYXQ-

Photo Caption: Charles the cat traveled 1,300 miles from his home in New Mexico to Chicago, where he was picked up as a stray. He waits at Chicago Animal and Control in Chicago IL, Friday, April 16, 2010. Charles' life was spared when staff at Chicago Animal Care and Control found a microchip between his shoulders and used it to contact his owner, Robin Alex of Albuquerque.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/David Banks

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, impact and bizarreness. This little guy traveled from New Mexico to Chicago where he was picked up as a stray and almost put down until the miracle discovery of his microchip that allowed the staff at the Chicago Animal Care and Control to contact his owner who is living in Albuquerque.  It is still unknown as to how Charles managed to get the 1,300 miles from home, but he is set to go on a flight back home through American Airlines with help from a neighbor of his owner's.  This cat is extremely lucky since he has previously been missing for over eight months.  I doubt his owner will ever let him out of her sight again!

International News:

Ash may hover for days over uncertain Europe

The Icelandic volcano that has kept much of Europe land-bound is far from finished spitting out its grit, and offered up new mini-eruptions Saturday that raise concerns about longer-term damage to world air travel and trade.    Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100417/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_iceland_volcano;_ylt=AsJTJ4hOw6TuLO7CW5Y.34NvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJub2RzcWxmBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDE3L2V1X2ljZWxhbmRfdm9sY2FubwRwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5fYXJ0aWNsZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2FzaG1heWhvdmVyZg--

Photo Caption: This aerial image shows the crater at the summit of the volcano in southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull glacier Saturday April 17, 2010. A lingering volcanicash plume forced extended no-fly restrictions over much of Europe Saturday, as Icelandic scientists warned that volcanic activity had increased and showed no sign of abating — a portent of more travel chaos to come. Although the ash plume has grown, a northerly wind was expected to allow enough visibility for scientists to fly over the volcano Saturday.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jon Gustafsson /Helicopter.is ** ICELAND OUT **

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness and impact.  Lately mother nature has been quite the force causing multiple earthquakes and more damage all around the world.  The latest happens to be a volcano in southern Iceland which is getting closer and closer to its mass explosion.  The volcano's activity has increased according to scientists who also said the ash the volcano releases can be catastrophic to plane engines depending on the wind and more.  Overall there is an unsafe presence known.

Young China quake survivor survived by sleeping in

Her roommates used to call her a "lazy pig" for trying to sleep in before class. But it was Song Yuhuan's slowness to get out of bed that saved her life — the girls who rushed from their dorm were crushed by the walls collapsing in an earthquake that leveled their town and left 1,484 dead.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100417/ap_on_re_as/as_china_earthquake;_ylt=Aq_5Nc21nrKrGyGaYE9alQpvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJvZWZlYWU3BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDE3L2FzX2NoaW5hX2VhcnRocXVha2UEcG9zAzcEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNmdWxsbmJzcHN0b3I-

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, impact and bizarreness.  As mentioned in the pervious blurb of news values in the previous story this one also holds prominence due to mother nature.  In China there was an earthquake Wednesday, but this story reveals bizarre qualities--a girl survived it due to staying in bed.  She is known to her roommates as "lazy pig" for trying to sleep in before classes, yet sleeping in managed to save her life!

Europe struggles with Muslim dress code

Chances of seeing a burqa in Belgium are only a little better than spotting a liquor shop in Saudi Arabia. Yet Belgium soon may be the first European nation to outlaw the burqa and other Islamic garb that completely hides a woman's body and face.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100416/ap_on_re_eu/eu_europe_burqa_ban;_ylt=AgqPW7.bvXZfSDgfI1e4WxEQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJwdnBpdG4yBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDE2L2V1X2V1cm9wZV9idXJxYV9iYW4EcG9zAzEEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDZXVyb3Blc3RydWdn

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, impact and conflict. Belgium may become the first European nation to outlaw the burqa and other Islamic garb that hides a female's body and face entirely.   France and the Netherlands may also join too!  Western European societies find this attire demeaning to women as well as a gateway to radical Islam in which the women would/are treated as suicide bombers in most cases causing harm to whomever is around them.  A stop is trying to be put to that as well as the overall demeaning ways of the religion in outside societies.  Some Muslims are not happy with any of this, but then again if you're living in somewhere other than a Muslim populated country you should respect the culture and if there's a ban you must abide.

Local News:

Bloods and Crips alliance in plot to kill cops discovered in drug and gun ring takedown

A massive gang takedown in Queens uncovered a rare alliance between Bloods and Crips and a ruthless plot to assassinate cops, authorities said Friday.  Full Story

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/04/17/2010-04-17_drug__gun_ring_had_finest_in_sights_united_crips_bloods_nabbed_in_takedown.html

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, proximity, impact, bizarreness and conflict.  The Bloods and the Crips are not known to come together as one, yet recently proved in Queens at a massive gang takedown uncovered a rare alliance between the two to ruthlessly assassinate cops.  Due to wiretaps and more this plot was discovered and now the gang members that have been caught will serve plenty of time in prison.

Jackson Township elementary teacher arrested for public lewdness at rest stop

A second-grade public school teacher was arrested today after he allegedly exposed himself to a state trooper at a rest stop on the Garden State Parkway, State Police said.  Full Story

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/jackson_township_elementary_te.html

This story holds the news values of proximity, currency, timeliness, conflict and impact.  This story holds the news value of proximity since I am from Jackson and I attended the elementary school at which this second-grade teacher works.  Furthermore, he was caught masturbating in a public area near the men's rest room at the Monmouth Service Area in Wall Township at 9 a.m. this morning.  Aside from that he has drug charges against him for possession of marijuana.  Now the questions swarm, will he still be allowed to teach, how will parents of the second-graders feel and more?

Deals in NYC for stranded travelers

Special deals offered in New York City for travelers stranded because of the volcanic erruption in Iceland.  Full Story

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7390947&rss=rss-wabc-article-7390947

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, proximity, conflict and impact.  The Icelandic volcano is causing nothing but problems there and everywhere else.  Flights to and from Europe are currently on hold and Manhattan hotels are offering deals to the stranded travelers.

Other News:

A Minute With; "Glee" music producer Adam Anders

Quirky musical TV comedy "Glee" returned to Fox this week after four months off-air with nine new episodes, including a highly-anticipated program featuring the show's unique twist on the hits of Madonna.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100415/tv_nm/us_television_glee_tv;_ylt=AhDmzWDgZDB.Y_GRTvhbnWJpMhkF;_ylu=X3oDMTJzN3ZiMDMzBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTAwNDE1L3VzX3RlbGV2aXNpb25fZ2xlZV90dgRwb3MDMzgEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDYW1pbnV0ZXdpdGhx

This story holds the news values of prominence, currency, timeliness and impact.  "Glee" returned last Wednesday after being off-air for four months.  It's next episode is all the talk now since it is featuring the show's unique twist on the hits of Madonna.  The music producer shared some inside knowledge on himself and the show as well as this highly-anticipated episode!  The show is all about reinventing classics that are loved, yet a twist of original music is bound to be shared in one of these nine new episodes.

  

Week #11

National News:

W.Va. miners were varied in experience, interests

They ranged in age from 20 to 61. Some had been miners only a few months, others for 34 years.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100410/ap_on_re_us/us_mine_explosion_victim_vignettes;_ylt=As2ylqzhd50.VRXduYLj0Qx_ws8F;_ylu=X3oDMTM4MjhwaXMwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDEwL3VzX21pbmVfZXhwbG9zaW9uX3ZpY3RpbV92aWduZXR0ZXMEcG9zAzQEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDd3ZhbWluZXJzd2Vy

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency and impact.  There have been multiple mine disasters around the world including in China which was pretty bad, yet that one cannot even top this one in West Virginia that left 29 dead.  The situation not only impacts the families of the deceased miners, but millions of others that have miners in their families.  It brings about fear and worry for anyone who works in a mine or knows someone that does.

Achoo! Pollen at its worst in years in many areas

Pollen: It's on your car, in the air and especially in your sinuses.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100409/ap_on_re_us/us_plentiful_pollen;_ylt=AsURkfRSPc7H.FKonCsm6uF_ws8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJxam9uZmZpBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDA5L3VzX3BsZW50aWZ1bF9wb2xsZW4EcG9zAzEwBHNlYwN5bl9wYWdpbmF0ZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2FjaG9vcG9sbGVuYQ--

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and proximity.  The 2010 allergy season is shaping up to be a monster!  The words "pollen" and "allergy" are among the top 10 trending topics on Twitter in several U.S. cities.  Everywhere, it seems, is covered in a fine yellow dust that irritates our lives.  Experts say it's the worst they've seen in years in many areas!  "It's wicked bad this year," said Dr. Mona Mangat, an allergy specialist in St. Petersburg, Fla., who can't recall a worse year in the six she's worked there.  "We're just overwhelmed with patients right now. We're double- and triple-booked with new patients, trying to work people in because we know how much people are suffering."

Alaska eagle survives plunge after mating dance

An acrobatic display of passion proved too much for a pair of eagles engaged in a mating dance over Alaska's Prince William Sound.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100410/ap_on_re_us/us_death_spiral;_ylt=AhduA498Z4bfd.bwVAUwysV_ws8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJtajM3MmZxBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDEwL3VzX2RlYXRoX3NwaXJhbARwb3MDMTMEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDYWxhc2thZWFnbGVz

Photo Caption: 

This Sunday, April 4, 2010 picture provided by Bob Benda, a bird rescuer and biology professor at Prince William Sound Community College, shows a female eagle who fell into the snow in Valdez, Alaska. An acrobatic display of passion proved too much for a pair of eagles engaged in a mating dance in Alaska's Prince William Sound. The surviving female bird is recovering from injuries sustained when the winged couple slammed beak first into a hard snowbank in what her rescuers believe was an aerial courting ritual gone awry. The male died in the impact.

 

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Bob Benda

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, bizarreness and impact.  It is quite strange that the female eagle pictured above and her male counterpart got so lost in their hormones that the male ended up dying.  She is recovering, but it is unusual for these eagles to have such a problem.  It is just good that the female at least survived so reproduction is still a possibility.

  

International News:

Polish leader, 96 others dead in Russia jet crash

The crash of an aging Russian airliner ravaged the top levels of Poland's military, political and church elite Saturday, killing the Polish president and dozens of other dignitaries as they traveled to a ceremony commemorating a slaughter that has divided the two nations for seven decades.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100411/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_plane_crash;_ylt=AvJIU07O2wcLgTsAmFWaUrkQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJybzZmc2RoBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDExL2V1X3J1c3NpYV9wbGFuZV9jcmFzaARwb3MDNARzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNwb2xpc2hsZWFkZXI-

This story holds the news values of impact, timeliness and currency.  A tragic event occurred when an old Russian airliner crashed killing the Polish President and other dignitaries.   It's a awful tragedy leaving many deeply tearful as they mourn over the losses.

Russia furious over adopted boy sent back from US

Russia threatened to suspend all child adoptions by U.S. families Friday after a 7-year-old boy adopted by a woman from Tennessee was sent alone on a one-way flight back to Moscow with a note saying he was violent and had severe psychological problems.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100410/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_adopted_boy;_ylt=AlzClujOcra1U1dC1q1Gnh0Qr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJyMWxocTB0BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDEwL2V1X3J1c3NpYV9hZG9wdGVkX2JveQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNydXNzaWFmdXJpb3U-

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and conflict.  Russia is outraged by the U.S. adoptions that have gone wrong.  Most recently a female from Tennessee adopted a 7-year-old boy that expressed very violent behavior and instead of trying to cope with it and getting him help she sent him back to Russia with a one-way ticket.  That sounds a bit unlawful and Russian authorities are fed up and are ready to pull the plug on allowing Americans to adopt Russian children if this keeps being the result.  It's like getting a toy and tossing it to the side when you get bored of it.  It's just wrong!  Yes, the woman should be concerned about her safety, the boy's and others around her, but just getting rid of him seems so cruel.

Dead Yemeni child bride tied up, raped, says mom

A 13-year-old Yemeni child bride who bled to death shortly after marriage was tied down and forced to have sex by her husband, according to interviews with the child's mother, police and medical reports.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100410/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen_child_bride;_ylt=AuWjjfzkPJ4pRx3tFBXFoWwQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJyNXR2ZGFqBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNDEwL21sX3llbWVuX2NoaWxkX2JyaWRlBHBvcwMxOQRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNkZWFkeWVtZW5pY2g-

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and conflict.  It is in the Yemeni culture to marry off young females since they are most obedient, yet there have been many cases in which the young bride is abused and ends up dead.  The law to ban this practice is on hold since religious leaders are fighting it.  This situation surely has females in outrage.  No female, no person for that matter should be treated in such a way.  It is horrid!

Local News:

Yankees could face fines in free tickets scandal

The Yankees are still facing a possible fine for floating free World Series tickets to Gov. Paterson.  Full Story

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/04/10/2010-04-10_yankees_could_face_fines_in_tix_scandal.html

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact, conflict, prominence and proximity.  The Yankees are possibly going to be hit with a fine for giving Gov. Paterson a gift.  It is unlawful to do such a thing, but the Yanks are arguing that they have a letter stating that Gov. Paterson was at Game 1 on official business.  

Meadowlands Stadium Debuts With College Lacrosse

Meadowlands Stadium held its first event open to the public on Saturday, but neither the Jets nor the Giants were part of their new home's debut. College lacrosse was center stage at the new stadium.  Full Story

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/lacrosse/2010-04-08-lacrosse-meadowlands-opener_N.htm

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency and proximity.  The new stadium was graced by top-ranked Virginia and No. 2 North Carolina (both 10-0).  Syracuse also played there versus Princeton.

Brooklyn school official arrested on animal cruelty charge

A Brooklyn school administrator was arrested on charges he starved, abused and abandoned a French Bulldog in his filthy Long Island apartment bathroom, authorities said today. Frank Hopson, 59, was nabbed Thursday afternoon outside Clara Barton High School, where he is an assistant principal.  Full Story

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/brooklyn_school_official_arrested_3Z0jmJlb1O6KfX8dk0MKqI?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and proximity.  This Brooklyn school administrator won't only have the dogs coming after him.  He surely has ruffled many peoples' feathers for being so cruel.  He's definitely given himself a bad wrap.

Other News:

"Hannah Montana" creators sue Disney for profits

Two of the creators of Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana" franchise have sued the network for more than $5 million in profits from the show.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100410/tv_nm/us_hannah;_ylt=AkxzpilRvJ.ZbPK1jwviN0NpMhkF;_ylu=X3oDMTJmMDM0bmwwBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTAwNDEwL3VzX2hhbm5haARwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNxdW90aGFubmFobW8-

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact, conflict and prominence.  The Disney Company is being hit with a lawsuit by two of the creators of the ever-so-successful "Hannah Montana."  They have been denied their profits and are now taking it to court.  A Disney spokesperson made the claim that the company is declining comment.