Week #9

National News:

Judge orders renegotiation of 9/11 settlement

A federal judge on Friday rejected a legal settlement of more than a half-billion dollars for people sickened by ash and dust from the World Trade Center, saying the deal to compensate 10,000 police officers, firefighters and other laborers didn't contain enough money for the workers.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100319/ap_on_bi_ge/us_attacks_health_trials;_ylt=Ai1_wLIDoQsLQ_QkvdQwl2pvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJwa3VtN2h2BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzE5L3VzX2F0dGFja3NfaGVhbHRoX3RyaWFscwRjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDZnVsbG5ic3BzdG9y

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, impact, conflict and proximity.  In New York it was decided today by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein that the proposed legal settlement was unfair!  This entire situation has been ongoing since the 9/11 attacks occurred and the trails of the case do not officially start for another two months.  The final settlement will impact many lives and the ongoing conflict of not agreeing is making the impact that much more meaningful.

APNewsBreak: Calif. boosts sex offender tracking

California parole officials have ordered increased monitoring of all sex offenders after several recent high-profile lapses.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100319/ap_on_re_us/us_parole_changes;_ylt=Ai4Qjj.EAN_FV_mGFCrsbvtvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJtOXF0MmxxBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzE5L3VzX3Bhcm9sZV9jaGFuZ2VzBHBvcwM5BHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDZnVsbG5ic3BzdG9y

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, conflict and impact.  In recent months it has been noted that parole officers have not been keeping up with sex-offenders as much as them should be.  For instance, agents were criticized for not learning convicted sex offender Phillip Garrido was allegedly keeping a young victim hidden at his Contra Costa County home for 18 years.  Also, corrections officials are reviewing whether they should have revoked the parole of John Gardner, charged with killing one San Diego County teen and suspected of killing another.  It is an ongoing problem and the policy is now changing so a better watch is kept on these sex-offenders.

Malcolm X assassin granted parole in New York

One of three men convicted of killing Malcolm X 45 years ago was granted release from weekends in prison in his 17th appearance before a state parole board.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100319/ap_on_re_us/us_malcolm_x_killer_parole;_ylt=AoKkioeoDfz7mgSRW609izxvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTMwdjgydGQxBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzE5L3VzX21hbGNvbG1feF9raWxsZXJfcGFyb2xlBHBvcwMyMgRzZWMDeW5fYXJ0aWNsZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2Z1bGxuYnNwc3Rvcg--

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, proximity and impact.  Thomas Hagan was one of the three shooters that killed Malcolm X.  He has been in prison since April 1966 and he has finally been granted some form of release.  His release will be effective starting April 28, state Division of Parole spokeswoman Carole Weaver said.  Until then, he'll remain at the Lincoln Correctional Facility in New York City, where he has been locked up two days a week for 22 years. The other five days, he's been allowed to work and live with his family.

International News:

Pope's Irish letter faces critical Catholic world

Pope Benedict XVI addresses Ireland on Saturday in a letter apologizing for the sex abuse scandal here — a message being watched closely by Catholics from Boston to Berlin to see if it also acknowledges decades of Vatican-approved cover-ups.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100319/ap_on_re_eu/eu_church_abuse_pope;_ylt=An4RBRrrcQOi7TSAruft2ZJvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJsZHBzamFyBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzE5L2V1X2NodXJjaF9hYnVzZV9wb3BlBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMwRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNmdWxsbmJzcHN0b3I-

This story holds the news values of conflict, currency, timeliness and impact.  The issues of sexual abuse amongst the Catholic church has been ongoing for years and Pope Benedict XVI is finally coming to terms with the problems and came out with an apology last weekend.  The fact that he is finally recognizing the problems instead of shunning them is remarkable!

'Lawyer' for US missionaries in Haiti is arrested

A fugitive who once acted as the lawyer for a group of U.S. Baptist missionaries accused of kidnapping 33 Haitian children was arrested on human-trafficking charges, authorities said Friday.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100319/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_dominican_haiti_americans;_ylt=AiyD2RDoMujBRzp08NWz5NJvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTMxcTE4bW4yBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzE5L2NiX2RvbWluaWNhbl9oYWl0aV9hbWVyaWNhbnMEcG9zAzQEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNsYXd5ZXJmb3J1c20-

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and conflict.  The disaster in Haiti continues with rebuilding the the constant kidnapping of Haitian children now.  Some U.S. Baptist missionaries have been in and out of the news constantly within the last couple of months due to their attempts of human-trafficking.  Their "lawyer" was even in on the bad doing.  This man, Jorge Puello is already wanted in multiple states for similar bad doings as well as in Canada for the illegal smuggling of immigrants.

Clinton says agreement with Russia near on nukes

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday that American and Russian negotiators are "on the brink" of agreement on a nuclear arms reduction treaty.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100319/ap_on_re_eu/eu_clinton_russia;_ylt=AvjAsHjeycbddrOGlfFlk.4Qr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJvY241Y3VjBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzE5L2V1X2NsaW50b25fcnVzc2lhBHBvcwMxMARzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNjbGludG9uc2F5c2E-

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency and impact.  Recently American and Russian negotiators are on the brink of an agreement to a nuclear arms reduction treaty.  This entire situation has been a problem in the past, yet lately it appears as though the two countries have smoothed over their relationship and are coming to terms with each other.

Local News:

Obama won't reverse 2005 decision to close fort

President Barack Obama will not reverse the 2005 decision to close Fort Monmouth and move most of its mission to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.  Full Story

http://www.app.com/article/20100319/NEWS/3190341/1004/NEWS01&source=rss

This story holds the news values of impact, timeliness, currency, conflict and proximity.  The closing of Fort Monmouth is ruffling feathers!  Due to the closing there will be a shortage in personnel and even more money will be spent to constitute transfers and so on.  It is looking more and more like an unhappy mess.

Some N.J. Residents Left With Nothing After Storm

Nearly a week after the big nor'easter, floodwaters are finally receding in parts of New Jersey. Willowbrook Mall in Wayne reopened Friday afternoon. Businesses were shut down for three days due to flooding, which left parking lots and nearby Route 23 looking more like lakes. Other parts of Passaic County are feeling a bit less waterlogged Friday.  Full Story

http://wcbstv.com/local/little.falls.new.2.1575318.html

This story holds the news values of impact, timeliness, currency and proximity.  The storm last weekend shook up parts of New Jersey.  Parts of northern Jersey such as Wayne are just getting power and life back on track today.  Other parts are still swimming in water due to the excess amounts of water brought by the storm.  Traffic flow is restricted in Little Falls due to the flooding and with another storm possibly coming in this weekend flood watch is still on for New Jerseyans.

Uproar In NYC Over Controversial Mural

A highly visible and highly controversial piece of artwork is causing outrage in Times Square Friday. With bright lipstick, long fingernails, lots of attitude and hardly any clothes, the highly visible mural depicting black and Latina women puts broad stereotypes on display.  Full Story

http://wcbstv.com/local/mural.jay.dow.2.1576203.html

Photo Caption: A mural depicting black and Latina women in Times Square is causing controversy across New York City.

Photo Credit: CBS

This story holds the news values of impact, conflict, timeliness, currency and proximity.  The mural is depicting black and Latina women, but its stereotyping is causing all the rage!  The artist, Sofia Maldonado, says her piece is simply misunderstood, describing it as "real New York." And yet its been the subject of protests – with one scheduled for Friday evening, with critics saying the mural negatively depicts black and Latina women as scantily clad prostitutes.

Other News:

NCAA March Madness On Demand Achieves Record Breaking Traffic

CBSSports.com, in partnership with CBS Sports and the NCAA, today released traffic statistics for NCAA March Madness on Demand (mmod.ncaa.com) for the first day of the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. In total, there were 3.4 million hours of live streaming video and audio consumed, over 20% growth versus 2009 figures, by 3 million unique visitors to the NCAA March Madness on Demand video players. Both figures represent the largest single day of traffic for a live sport event on the Internet.  Full Story

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031910aac.html

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency and impact.  It's that time of the year again when college hoops is nothing but madness!  CBS and NCAA released the number of hours of live streaming video and more in regards to the website mmod.ncaa.com and it appears as though new records have been reached.  This site has gotten so many views since March Madness began only a day ago; March 18.

Week #8

National News:

Daylight-saving time: It's back

America is springing forward.  Full Stoy

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100313/ap_on_re_us/us_spring_forward;_ylt=AiYLuXxr9.Qwx3mw9_VrwHx_ws8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJvb29vdHJtBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzEzL3VzX3NwcmluZ19mb3J3YXJkBHBvcwMyNQRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNkYXlsaWdodC1zYXY-

Photo Credit: AP

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, proximity and impact.  Tomorrow morning at 2 a.m. the clocks will be pushed ahead an hour due to Daylight Saving Time.  We'll be losing an hour of sleep by turning our clocks ahead an hour in order to gain more hours of sunshine (hopefully).  People losing an hour of sleep is a big deal since most people usually don't get the sufficient amount of sleep per night as it is.

US avoids anti-abortion debate at UN meeting

A U.N. meeting to assess progress in advancing the fight for women's equality that ended Friday had a dramatically different slant than a similar session held five years ago: This time, the United States was not trying to make an anti-abortion declaration a crucial theme.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100313/ap_on_re_us/un_un_women_s_equality;_ylt=AvYqz.9O5SK28ffDAYjkaAx_ws8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJ0bDlzNXQzBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzEzL3VuX3VuX3dvbWVuX3NfZXF1YWxpdHkEcG9zAzQwBHNlYwN5bl9wYWdpbmF0ZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA3VzYXZvaWRzYW50aQ--

Photo Caption: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, meets United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations headquarters on Friday, March 12, 2010.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

This story holds the news values of impact, currency, timeliness and conflict.  Five years ago it was made clear that the U.S. had a slant against abortion that was causing a lot of controversy; however this year they weren't as slanted.  Anti-abortion wasn't even the main concern at this meeting, which was found to be extremely shocking.  The focus Clinton held was on "galvanizing fresh momentum to promote equal opportunities for women in business and education, to end discrimination under law and in practical reality, and to stop the "global pandemic" of violent attacks on women."

 

Al-Qaida suspect from NJ worked at 6 nuke plants

An American seized in Yemen in a sweep of suspected al-Qaida members had been a laborer at six U.S. nuclear power plants, and authorities are investigating whether he had access to sensitive information or materials that would be useful to terrorists.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100313/ap_on_re_us/us_yemen_hospital_clash_nj;_ylt=Ar3vDZe0U7LAurj4d9woWm9_ws8F;_ylu=X3oDMTMxYjUzZG1lBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzEzL3VzX3llbWVuX2hvc3BpdGFsX2NsYXNoX25qBHBvcwMxNQRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNhbC1xYWlkYXN1c3A-

This story holds the news values of proximity, timeliness, currency and impact.  Recently an American that was living in New Jersey and working in multiple nuclear plants there was seized in Yemen in a sweep of suspected al-Qaida members.  It is extremely dangerous and scary to believe that this man was in Jersey living his life and working at nuclear plants where he potentially could have gained useful information for terrorists.

International News:

Austrian govt finds mass graves of Nazi victims

At least two mass graves containing dozens of people killed by the Nazis have been found on property used by the Austrian army, government officials said Friday. An army statement suggested some of the remains may be that of U.S. pilots shot down and imprisoned during World War II.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100312/ap_on_re_eu/eu_austria_nazi_mass_grave;_ylt=AsgbdQ05jyyVJXu8Ksg05rMQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTMxNjlvNmw5BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzEyL2V1X2F1c3RyaWFfbmF6aV9tYXNzX2dyYXZlBHBvcwMxMgRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNhdXN0cmlhbmdvdnQ-

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency and impact.  In an Austrian town there happens to be mass graves that the Nazis used during World War II.  Recently these graves have been opened and many bodies and what is left of others were discovered.  It appears that the Austrian government will work with the U.S. to try to identify the remains that were found so some closure can be given.

Chinese zoo blamed for death of 11 Siberian tigers

Eleven rare Siberian tigers have died at a wildlife park in a startling case that activists say hints at unsavory practices among some zoos and animal farms in China: They are overbreeding endangered animals in the hopes of making illicit profit on their carcasses.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100312/ap_on_re_as/as_china_tiger_deaths;_ylt=AkLIqJR6yuCzupltiae6OmoQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJzaGdxc2MzBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzEyL2FzX2NoaW5hX3RpZ2VyX2RlYXRocwRwb3MDMTUEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDY2hpbmVzZXpvb2Js

This story holds the news values of conflict, timeliness, currency and impact.  China is causing a lot of controversy by further harming an already rare breed of tigers; Siberian tigers.  It is animal cruelty and is absolutely awful!  The tigers may eventually become extinct if the zoo they are in China does not properly take care of them.

Iran hangs drug trafficker in public

Iran has publicly hanged a man, convicted of drug trafficking, in the western city of Ahvaz, the ISNA news agency reported on Friday.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100312/wl_mideast_afp/iranexecution;_ylt=AnA2mEIuG50kjG3Eh_EmQ4cQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJsb3M1aTdnBGFzc2V0A2FmcC8yMDEwMDMxMi9pcmFuZXhlY3V0aW9uBHBvcwMzMgRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNpcmFuaGFuZ3NkcnU-

This story holds the news values of impact, timeliness, conflict and currency.  Drug trafficking is a huge problem all around the world; however Iran handles it in an extremely vulgar manner by hanging convicted drug traffickers publicly.  It is very disturbing and conflicting.

Local News:

N.J. rain storm brings heavy winds, flood warnings

A St. Patrick's Day parade scheduled in Morristown was canceled with less than 15 minutes until it was supposed to start. Jon McHugh, Lisa Kotz and her sister Kellie McGuire, members of The Grand Pipes and Drums from Basking Ridge, seeks shelter from the rain and wind.  Full Story

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/nj_rain_strom_brings_heavy_win.html

This story holds the news values of proximity, timeliness, currency and impact.  The weather this weekend is stirring flood warnings in New Jersey.  It is ruining may plans for St. Patrick's Day parades all across the state.

Insurer and NY hospital system reach agreement

One of the country's largest health insurers and a New York hospital system have settled a contract dispute that might have disrupted care for tens of thousands of New Yorkers.  Full Story

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/health&id=7328925&rss=rss-wabc-article-7328925

This story holds the news values of proximity, impact, conflict, currency and timeliness.  Recently one major health insurer in the state of New York held a major conflict with the hospital system in the state.  Luckily they have reached an agreement, which is relieving to those New Yorkers that hold this insurer's plan.

The Meatball Shop on the Lower East Side

The Meatball Shop on the Lower East Side delivers six kinds of meatballs with four kinds of sauces in any combination you wish!  Full Story

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/neighborhood_eats&id=7327763&rss=rss-wabc-article-7327763

This story holds the news values of bizarreness, currency, proximity and timeliness.  It has never existed before, but there is now a shop in Manhattan that only sells meatballs.  It is very unique, yet it seems to be doing well.  This shop has been opened since February and is doing well!  People cannot stay away!

Other News:

U.S. theater stars sing "Happy Birthday" to Sondheim

The leading lights of U.S. musical theater will sing "Happy Birthday" to the great Broadway composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday in two New York Philharmonic concerts next week.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100312/stage_nm/us_sondheim;_ylt=Algst5G7.R2uzvi5Tzks5_URr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJoOGZlYTRoBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTAwMzEyL3VzX3NvbmRoZWltBHBvcwM3BHNlYwN5bl9wYWdpbmF0ZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA3VzdGhlYXRlcnN0YQ--

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, proximity and prominence.  There will be an array of stars from the great stage such as Victoria Clark, George Hearn and more.  Sondheim is even that of a prominent stance.  He is a "great" in musical theatre history!  

Week #7

National News:

Eliot Spitzer Comeback: Ex-Governor Plots After Downfall

New York's fallen governor Eliot Spitzer is edging back toward public life after an epic scandal. Does he deserve a second act? Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100305/us_time/08599196959500;_ylt=AoAuUgskw_B2FagBPilNiO9_ws8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJuNnNscmw0BGFzc2V0A3RpbWUvMjAxMDAzMDUvMDg1OTkxOTY5NTk1MDAEcG9zAzQ0BHNlYwN5bl9wYWdpbmF0ZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2VsaW90c3BpdHplcg--

Photo Caption: In this April 4, 2007 file photo, Gov. Eliot Spitzer, right, and Lt. Gov. David Paterson talk with students during a visit to the Campus West School in Buffalo, N.Y. Paterson, who went on to become governor in 2008, when Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in a prostitution scandal, announced Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 that he will end his campaign to seek a full term as New York's governor, citing an accumulation of distractions, but saying he had never abused his office.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/David Duprey, File

This story holds the news values of impact, timeliness, currency and proximity.  Former New York Governor Spitzer wants back into the politics.  It is very impacting if he does gain back the trust of the New York population considering his past history of lies and scandal.  Although, his scandals may be looked as less damaging than current Governor Paterson's scandals that are brewing.  Many people are claiming that at least Spitzer got work done.  I guess we'll see what happens in days to come with who gets to claim the Governor's seat in New York since it looks like Paterson will have to resign soon anyway.

Woman bitten by bear at Wis. zoo, fingers severed

Police say a bear bit off a woman's fingers at a Wisconsin zoo after she ignored barriers and warning signs to try to feed the animal.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100306/ap_on_re_us/us_bear_bite_wisconsin;_ylt=Ahj5vg7ca6Xv4IV7R4jm3PxvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJzYmVxcnVwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzA2L3VzX2JlYXJfYml0ZV93aXNjb25zaW4EcG9zAzE0BHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDZnVsbG5ic3BzdG9y

This story holds the news values of bizarreness, currency and timeliness.  It is bizarre to believe that someone would be stupid enough to ignore signs that clearly state no feeding of animals is allowed and to reach through the barriers even.  It is just not the usual; however, it recently happened and a bear bit off a 47-year-old woman's thumb and forefinger as well as damaging two other fingers as well as biting her boyfriend since he tried to pry the bear's mouth off of her hand.

Obama turns up the heat for health care overhaul

President Barack Obama is trying to persuade a weary public and wavering Democrats to get behind his frantic, late-stage push on health care, while Republicans dig in and demand starting from scratch after a year's worth of work.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100306/ap_on_bi_ge/us_obama_health_overhaul

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, prominence, conflict and impact.  President Obama is a very prominent figure in our country.  He is currently trying to get the Democrats behind his frantic push on health care while the Republicans just want to start over.  This is much conflict brewing between the two political parties and the end result will surely leave a large impact on America that is if they ever reach an agreement.

International News:

Switzerland Keeping the Secrets of Alleged Tax Evaders

UBS agreed to give up the names of alleged American tax cheats -- but for Switzerland, giving up secrecy is a hard thing to do.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100305/wl_time/08599196842500;_ylt=AuQVan44vv.OI_xp249WSxUQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJtY3BpdG1mBGFzc2V0A3RpbWUvMjAxMDAzMDUvMDg1OTkxOTY4NDI1MDAEcG9zAzEEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDc3dpdHplcmxhbmRr

This story holds the news values of impact, timeliness, currency and conflict.  The IRS has been frantic over the last two decades worrying about people cheating the system and it appears that the worrying was in fact right on point.  So many doctors, lawyers and so on from the states have offshore accounts in places like Switzerland.  Switzerland isn't willingly handing over the names of these people that are clearly breaking the law.

Doctors warn of health threat from Chile wreckage

Huge piles of wreckage and tons of rotting fish and other debris blanketing the ground could turn coastal towns shattered by Chile's earthquake and tsunami into nests of infection, doctors warned.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100306/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_chile_earthquake;_ylt=AnfUxqzPHeK2qCI2GFmM.zcQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJwajd0bWt1BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzA2L2x0X2NoaWxlX2VhcnRocXVha2UEcG9zAzYEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDZG9jdG9yc3dhcm5v

Photo Caption: People watch TV outside their quake-damaged houses in Concepcion, Chile, Saturday, March 6, 2010. An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Chile last Feb. 27, causing widespread damage.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency and impact.  The most recent earthquake occurred in Chile and now there is great concern of spread of infection and other illnesses.

Prominent German boys' choir faces abuse claims

An ever-widening sexual abuse scandal involving Germany's Roman Catholic Church spilled into the heart of Pope Benedict XVI's homeland Friday when a former member of the prominent Regensburg boy's choir claimed he was a victim.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100305/ap_on_re_eu/eu_germany_church_abuse;_ylt=AuZFuGEXHyYWZlHcQ0StEvIQr7sF;_ylu=X3oDMTJ1YjcxcW11BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzA1L2V1X2dlcm1hbnlfY2h1cmNoX2FidXNlBHBvcwMyMARzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNwcm9taW5lbnRnZXI-

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, prominence and impact. The Pope and Catholic church in general are getting a lot of heat for recent cases being opened of abuse whether it was sexual or just physical throughout the years.  It makes going to church look bad even.

 Local News:

NJ law on teen license plate decals upheld

A New Jersey judge has upheld a new law that requires drivers younger than 21 to display identifying decals on their vehicle license plates. State Superior Court Judge Robert Brennan dismissed a lawsuit brought by Gregg Trautmann, a Rockaway lawyer who challenged the measure on behalf of his teenage son and nephew.  Full Story

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nj_law_on_teen_license_plate_decals_wlj89mdD1yzq9ni0OsThbM

This story holds the news values of proximity, timeliness, currency and impact.  New Jersey government is taking driving seriously and cautiously now.  They are singling out the young drivers under the age of 21; however, they claim it is for their safety.  As May 1st approaches I guess we'll see how well this new regulation to have a decal on your license plates goes over if you are under 21.

NJ Murder-Suicide Victims Identified

A former model who earned public accolades six years ago for fighting off an attempted rape in New York's Central Park along with her dog fatally shot her boyfriend and set fire to the New Jersey home she was renting, then turned the gun on herself, authorities said.  Full Story

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/new_jersey/100306-NJ-Murder-Suicide-Victims-Identified-apx

This story holds the news values of proximity, prominence, bizarreness, timeliness, currency and impact.  A beautiful former model living in a lavish Holmdel home appears to have taken the life of her boyfriend, her dog and herself.  It is not the typical story you hear, but that seems to be the case and the cause of all of this is still unknown.

Ramapo Woods Cleared for New Baseball Stadium

 The town of Ramapo, in Rockland County, is building a $25 million minor-league baseball stadium.  Full Story

http://www.1010wins.com/pages/6511575.php?contentType=4&contentId=5698327

This story holds the news values of proximity, currency, timeliness and conflict.  In the town of Ramapo the woods are being cleared out to house a minor-league baseball stadium.  It seems to have mixed feelings going towards it.  Some people want to preserve the woods and others are excited that even college teams from the area will get to use the new field that is scheduled to open in June of next year.

Other News:

"Alice in Wonderland" opens strongly at box office

"Alice in Wonderland" set a new record for a March release at the weekend box office in North America, earning an estimated $41 million on its opening day, distributor Walt Disney Co said on Saturday.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100306/film_nm/us_boxoffice;_ylt=AhVGZV1EkvL6d_oml5JS3W5xFb8C;_ylu=X3oDMTJpaTR1NmhtBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTAwMzA2L3VzX2JveG9mZmljZQRwb3MDMTQEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNxdW90YWxpY2Vpbnc-

This story holds the news values of prominence, timeliness, currency and impact.  Burton's take on "Alice in Wonderland" has set a new record in the month of March at box offices; an estimated $41 million on opening day.  This film is filled with celebrities and Burton's strange take on filming in general.