Math
As we look at trends and data sets that drive our reporting, we need to establish a baseline for dealing with … math. Let’s do a quick quiz of the basics. (Credit: Poynter Institute)
1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?
$7,885
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed?
82.9%
3. One out of 12 students at WSU are in the Greek system. What percent are in Greek system?
8.3%
4. Bruce Springsteen was born on Sept. 23, 1949. How old will he be in May 2016?
66
5a. The former assistant manager was demoted to sales clerk. His pay was cut from $12 to $8. What was the percent decrease?
33%
5b. The sales clerk was promoted to assistant manager. Her pay increased from $8 to $12. What was the percent increase?
50%
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?
10.7%
7. Joe Smith wants to build a 2,500-square-foot house for him. The builder tells him it will cost $110 a square foot to build. How much will the house cost?
275,000
8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get?
3 slices
9. The Poynter Institute’s budget for computer programs jumped from $5,500 to $7,300. By what percent did it increase?
32.7%
10. Checkers at a grocery store earn the following salaries: $10,000, $12,500, $5,890, $16,453, $14,000. The median salary is:
$12,500
Monday, October 26, 2009
Political Story
Power Grid Grant
Kerry Gugliotto
kerbear732@yahoo.com
Headline:
Senate Passes Bill Giving WSU $1 Million
Summary:
Sen. Patty Murray included $1 million for transmission grid research and development at WSU in the 2010 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill.
The Senate passed the bill Oct. 15, by a vote of 80-17.
President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill into law soon, Eli Zupnick, Murray’s deputy press secretary, said.
“Our nation’s transmission system is badly aged and vulnerable to disruptions,” Zupnick said. “WSU researchers are working to develop faster, more advanced technologies that will ensure the stability of the power grid.”
WSU’s specialty is creating computer and communication systems that allow the power grid to function in real time and increase efficiency, reliability and stability, said Anjan Bose, a co-principal investigator and Regents professor in the College of Engineering and Architecture.
The technology helps avoid and anticipate major blackouts as well as incorporating renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar, Bose said. The grant will be used to create a platform to simulate the behavior of the large grid to test the computer and control algorithms being developed for the smart grid.
“This platform should be running in about a year,” Bose said.
Other professors from the College of Engineering and Architecture, Dave Bakken, Carl Hauser and Mani Venkatasubramanian, will work with Bose as the other co-principal investigators for the transmission grid research and development.
“The success of efforts to upgrade the national electric grid to a so-called ‘smart grid’ depends heavily on the research being performed here at WSU by Dr. Anjan Bose and his team,” WSU President Elson Floyde said.
Last year, the professors received a similar grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, and with a team of graduate students, research associates and postdoctoral fellows, they started researching and developing this summer, Bose said. They are having the first of many meetings with the DOE on Monday.
WSU has also been working with local companies like Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. and Avista Corp. on similar projects.
Improving the electric grid to smart grid technology is a national focus, and an initiative for the smart grid was included in the $819 billion stimulus package passed by the House of Representatives on Jan. 28.
Avista has paired with other regional partners, such as Battelle, and proposed implementing smart grid technology through the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project. The project would make Pullman the region’s first smart grid community to be followed by the rest of the Northwest. The companies hope to get matching stimulus money from the DOE to pay for the total implementation cost of $178 million.
If approved, this would create benefits for students as well as Avista customers, Avista spokesman Hugh Imhof said.
Avista customers’ rates would remain the same, but new technologies, like a smart-meter, would allow consumers to better control and cut down their usage and essentially save them money, Imhof said.
“People don’t realize how much they can save by making a few adjustments,” he said.
WSU is one of the multiple partners that would participate in the smart grid project for Pullman, and the university already has a lot of interaction with Avista, Imhof said.
“We are very interested in electrical engineers because they are important for the future of power systems, so working with WSU is a great opportunity for both Avista and WSU students,” Imhof said.
Related web sites:
http://cleantech.wsu.edu/projects/smart.aspx
This article was written by Kerry Gugliotto,
kerbear732@yahoo.com
Contacts:
Eli Zupnick:
202-224-2834
Eli_zupnick@murray.senate.gov
Hugh Imhof:
509-495-4264
Hugh.Imhof@avistacorp.com
Anjan Bose:
509-432-9679
bose@wsu.edu
Kerry Gugliotto
kerbear732@yahoo.com
Headline:
Senate Passes Bill Giving WSU $1 Million
Summary:
Sen. Patty Murray included $1 million for transmission grid research and development at WSU in the 2010 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill.
The Senate passed the bill Oct. 15, by a vote of 80-17.
President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill into law soon, Eli Zupnick, Murray’s deputy press secretary, said.
“Our nation’s transmission system is badly aged and vulnerable to disruptions,” Zupnick said. “WSU researchers are working to develop faster, more advanced technologies that will ensure the stability of the power grid.”
WSU’s specialty is creating computer and communication systems that allow the power grid to function in real time and increase efficiency, reliability and stability, said Anjan Bose, a co-principal investigator and Regents professor in the College of Engineering and Architecture.
The technology helps avoid and anticipate major blackouts as well as incorporating renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar, Bose said. The grant will be used to create a platform to simulate the behavior of the large grid to test the computer and control algorithms being developed for the smart grid.
“This platform should be running in about a year,” Bose said.
Other professors from the College of Engineering and Architecture, Dave Bakken, Carl Hauser and Mani Venkatasubramanian, will work with Bose as the other co-principal investigators for the transmission grid research and development.
“The success of efforts to upgrade the national electric grid to a so-called ‘smart grid’ depends heavily on the research being performed here at WSU by Dr. Anjan Bose and his team,” WSU President Elson Floyde said.
Last year, the professors received a similar grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, and with a team of graduate students, research associates and postdoctoral fellows, they started researching and developing this summer, Bose said. They are having the first of many meetings with the DOE on Monday.
WSU has also been working with local companies like Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. and Avista Corp. on similar projects.
Improving the electric grid to smart grid technology is a national focus, and an initiative for the smart grid was included in the $819 billion stimulus package passed by the House of Representatives on Jan. 28.
Avista has paired with other regional partners, such as Battelle, and proposed implementing smart grid technology through the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project. The project would make Pullman the region’s first smart grid community to be followed by the rest of the Northwest. The companies hope to get matching stimulus money from the DOE to pay for the total implementation cost of $178 million.
If approved, this would create benefits for students as well as Avista customers, Avista spokesman Hugh Imhof said.
Avista customers’ rates would remain the same, but new technologies, like a smart-meter, would allow consumers to better control and cut down their usage and essentially save them money, Imhof said.
“People don’t realize how much they can save by making a few adjustments,” he said.
WSU is one of the multiple partners that would participate in the smart grid project for Pullman, and the university already has a lot of interaction with Avista, Imhof said.
“We are very interested in electrical engineers because they are important for the future of power systems, so working with WSU is a great opportunity for both Avista and WSU students,” Imhof said.
Related web sites:
http://cleantech.wsu.edu/projects/smart.aspx
This article was written by Kerry Gugliotto,
kerbear732@yahoo.com
Contacts:
Eli Zupnick:
202-224-2834
Eli_zupnick@murray.senate.gov
Hugh Imhof:
509-495-4264
Hugh.Imhof@avistacorp.com
Anjan Bose:
509-432-9679
bose@wsu.edu
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Justice Story Rewrite
Kerry Gugliotto
Consequences of Underage Drinking in Pullman – Justice Story
Kerry Gugliotto
Headline:
Underage Drinking Costs Students Time, Money
Summary:
Ashley Musselman learned exactly how much time and money underage drinking can cost.
First, there was a $300 court fee. Then, another $300 went for a lawyer. And finally a counseling class that WSU required her to take cost her $100.
“The MIP affected me for over a year and cost me nearly a grand,” Musselman said. “But I continued to drink as a minor.”
Each fall freshman come to Washington State University excited to be free from their parents’ authority. But this new freedom often leads to partying, which results in students finding themselves answering to a new authority: the police and the university.
The day before classes began this semester, Aug. 23, the Pullman Police issued 18 minor in possession (MIP) charges, five minor exhibiting charges and one driving while under the influence (DUI) charge.
“It’s no secret that minors consume alcohol in Pullman, but the efforts made by the university as well as the police seem to be only costing these minors time and money,” Ashley Musselman, a senior at WSU said. “There are more important issues that the police should be worried about.”
On the other hand, Thomas Elhart, a resident advisor, member of the night patrol and Cougar Security at WSU believes the Office of Student Conduct, Pullman Police Department, and the WSU Police Department do a good job dealing with the issue of underage drinking.
“They are focused on the safety of students rather than just getting them in trouble,” Elhart said.
“There will always be parties and underage drinking on a college campus, but as a member of night patrol and Cougar Security, it is my job to watch for those who get out of control,” Elhart said.
Though the amount of charges and arrests related to alcohol seem to remain about the same from year to year, the fact that the police and university are so on top of underage drinking reminds students “they can only push things so far until they are reprimanded,” Elhart said.
In 2007 there were 174 alcohol arrests and in 2008 there were 175, according to the 2009-2010 Cougar Annual Security/Fire Report.
Alan Scott, a junior at WSU, learned how far he was willing to push his luck after receiving an MIP charge last spring semester.
“I was never a huge partier to begin with, but now I am even more cautious,” Scott said.
The night Scott was charged with an MIP, he had had only about 3 drinks over a period of about 2 hours, but could have been a lot smarter about the situation, he said.
“I was holding an open beer can outside of a party,” Scott said. “Now I realize that I was just asking for trouble.”
Though Scott was able to get the misdemeanor removed from his record, paying court fees and dealing with the justice system has taught him a lesson, he said.
“The process is a bit excessive, but it has prevented me from getting in trouble again.”
As long as there are parties, there will be police officers handing out MIP charges, Elhart said.
“My advice to incoming freshman is that if you are going to party, be smart about it and don’t get caught,” Musselman said.
“A lot of minors take part in drinking and partying, but they rarely think about the consequences,” Elhart said.
Related web sites:
http://adcaps.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=201
http://www.pullman-wa.gov/Departments/Police/Default.aspx
This article was written by Kerry Gugliotto,
kerbear732@yahoo.com
Contacts:
Alan Scott
(360) 509-2264
Ashley Musselman
(360) 990-2300
Thomas Elhart
(360) 635-1305
Consequences of Underage Drinking in Pullman – Justice Story
Kerry Gugliotto
Headline:
Underage Drinking Costs Students Time, Money
Summary:
Ashley Musselman learned exactly how much time and money underage drinking can cost.
First, there was a $300 court fee. Then, another $300 went for a lawyer. And finally a counseling class that WSU required her to take cost her $100.
“The MIP affected me for over a year and cost me nearly a grand,” Musselman said. “But I continued to drink as a minor.”
Each fall freshman come to Washington State University excited to be free from their parents’ authority. But this new freedom often leads to partying, which results in students finding themselves answering to a new authority: the police and the university.
The day before classes began this semester, Aug. 23, the Pullman Police issued 18 minor in possession (MIP) charges, five minor exhibiting charges and one driving while under the influence (DUI) charge.
“It’s no secret that minors consume alcohol in Pullman, but the efforts made by the university as well as the police seem to be only costing these minors time and money,” Ashley Musselman, a senior at WSU said. “There are more important issues that the police should be worried about.”
On the other hand, Thomas Elhart, a resident advisor, member of the night patrol and Cougar Security at WSU believes the Office of Student Conduct, Pullman Police Department, and the WSU Police Department do a good job dealing with the issue of underage drinking.
“They are focused on the safety of students rather than just getting them in trouble,” Elhart said.
“There will always be parties and underage drinking on a college campus, but as a member of night patrol and Cougar Security, it is my job to watch for those who get out of control,” Elhart said.
Though the amount of charges and arrests related to alcohol seem to remain about the same from year to year, the fact that the police and university are so on top of underage drinking reminds students “they can only push things so far until they are reprimanded,” Elhart said.
In 2007 there were 174 alcohol arrests and in 2008 there were 175, according to the 2009-2010 Cougar Annual Security/Fire Report.
Alan Scott, a junior at WSU, learned how far he was willing to push his luck after receiving an MIP charge last spring semester.
“I was never a huge partier to begin with, but now I am even more cautious,” Scott said.
The night Scott was charged with an MIP, he had had only about 3 drinks over a period of about 2 hours, but could have been a lot smarter about the situation, he said.
“I was holding an open beer can outside of a party,” Scott said. “Now I realize that I was just asking for trouble.”
Though Scott was able to get the misdemeanor removed from his record, paying court fees and dealing with the justice system has taught him a lesson, he said.
“The process is a bit excessive, but it has prevented me from getting in trouble again.”
As long as there are parties, there will be police officers handing out MIP charges, Elhart said.
“My advice to incoming freshman is that if you are going to party, be smart about it and don’t get caught,” Musselman said.
“A lot of minors take part in drinking and partying, but they rarely think about the consequences,” Elhart said.
Related web sites:
http://adcaps.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=201
http://www.pullman-wa.gov/Departments/Police/Default.aspx
This article was written by Kerry Gugliotto,
kerbear732@yahoo.com
Contacts:
Alan Scott
(360) 509-2264
Ashley Musselman
(360) 990-2300
Thomas Elhart
(360) 635-1305
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Telling Details
Hurricane Katrina left countless victims in New Orleans waiting for help among the damage that was left behind. Flooded streets, remains of buildings, deserted cars, lost pets and gray skies create a scene full of chaos and hopelessness. Once neighborhoods are now polluted lakes littered with house reamains and telephone poles. The military and rescue team members stand out among the wreckage, equipped to reach as many as they can, but many seem to be stuck waiting until it is their turn to be helped. Those who were affected by the disaster wait in crowds with what little they have left trying to find a safe place to stay. In this frenzied scene, those who are injured or in dire need of assistance receive help from all of those who are capable.
Monday, October 19, 2009
In Class Stuff
1. List two of the bill's sponsors.
Murray, McDermott
2. Who sponsored companion bill 1727?
Representatives Pedersen, Walsh, Moeller, Johnson, Carlyle, Quall, Sullivan, Maxwell, Roberts, Chase, Upthegrove, White, Conway, Nelson, Cody, Hudgins, Morris, Eddy, Liias, Kagi, Ormsby, Rolfes, Clibborn, Dunshee, Pettigrew, Springer, Hunter, Williams, Blake, Darneille, Goodman, Dickerson, Hasegawa, Linville, Kenney, Appleton, Van De Wege, Kessler, Santos, Sells, O'Brien, Ericks, Wallace, McCoy, Kirby, Haigh, Takko, Hurst, Seaquist, Wood, Flannigan, Orwall, Jacks, Finn, Hunt, Simpson, Driscoll
3. On what date did Gov. Gregoire sign the bill?
May 18 Governor signed.
4. How many pages in the original bill?
110
5. In the Senate Bill Report, find the names of two people who testified in support of the bill and two who opposed the bill.
Support: Senator Murray, prime sponsor; David Itemizer,
Opposed: Phillip Irvin, Margaret Reich,
6. Based on the report's synopsis of public testimony, list one argument in support of the bill and one argument in opposition.
PRO: This bill is not marriage. The over 1,138
federal rights and protections granted to married couples will still be denied to same sex
couples if this bill passes. This bill does not deny anyone their religious freedoms. No
church or synagogue or other religious organization will be required to perform a marriage
for anyone they do not want to marry. This bill does not deny anyone their right to free
speech. This bill does not change existing adoption law in Washington State. This bill will
not hurt small business. This bill is about security for families in a time of great insecurity.
CON: As a citizen I am concerned that this bill will impose a value system on our public
schools that is in conflict with my values and the values that I try to teach my children. My
husband I should be the people who provide our child with her moral compass. We don't
want our tax dollars to be used to teach our child values we don't agree with. We don't want
our child to be taught that any sexual activity is acceptable as long as it is consensual, or that
there is no difference between a man and a woman. I believe children should have a mother
and a father. If the state insists on codifying these values, we will not lose our children to the
schools, the schools will lose our children.
7. Find the fiscal note for the bill. Look at the most current estimate of cost.
1,934,304
a. What are the estimated receipts from 2009 to 2011?
606,039
b. What are the estimated expenditures during the same period?
300,000
1. Look at the committee agendas for Oct. 29, 2009. Which committee meets that day?
Higher Education (H)
2. According to the agenda, what will the committee discuss?
The Committee will engage stakeholders to better understand the connections between tuition policy, system expansion, and the use of technology in improving access, affordability, and quality of higher education.
3. Click on 'Higher Education' to get more info on this committee. Who chairs the committee?
Wallace, Deb (D) Chair
Sells, Mike (D) Vice Chair
4. Near the top of the page, click on 'Committees' to find other legislative bodies. List three other legislative committees.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Audit Review and Oversight
Capital Budget
Murray, McDermott
2. Who sponsored companion bill 1727?
Representatives Pedersen, Walsh, Moeller, Johnson, Carlyle, Quall, Sullivan, Maxwell, Roberts, Chase, Upthegrove, White, Conway, Nelson, Cody, Hudgins, Morris, Eddy, Liias, Kagi, Ormsby, Rolfes, Clibborn, Dunshee, Pettigrew, Springer, Hunter, Williams, Blake, Darneille, Goodman, Dickerson, Hasegawa, Linville, Kenney, Appleton, Van De Wege, Kessler, Santos, Sells, O'Brien, Ericks, Wallace, McCoy, Kirby, Haigh, Takko, Hurst, Seaquist, Wood, Flannigan, Orwall, Jacks, Finn, Hunt, Simpson, Driscoll
3. On what date did Gov. Gregoire sign the bill?
May 18 Governor signed.
4. How many pages in the original bill?
110
5. In the Senate Bill Report, find the names of two people who testified in support of the bill and two who opposed the bill.
Support: Senator Murray, prime sponsor; David Itemizer,
Opposed: Phillip Irvin, Margaret Reich,
6. Based on the report's synopsis of public testimony, list one argument in support of the bill and one argument in opposition.
PRO: This bill is not marriage. The over 1,138
federal rights and protections granted to married couples will still be denied to same sex
couples if this bill passes. This bill does not deny anyone their religious freedoms. No
church or synagogue or other religious organization will be required to perform a marriage
for anyone they do not want to marry. This bill does not deny anyone their right to free
speech. This bill does not change existing adoption law in Washington State. This bill will
not hurt small business. This bill is about security for families in a time of great insecurity.
CON: As a citizen I am concerned that this bill will impose a value system on our public
schools that is in conflict with my values and the values that I try to teach my children. My
husband I should be the people who provide our child with her moral compass. We don't
want our tax dollars to be used to teach our child values we don't agree with. We don't want
our child to be taught that any sexual activity is acceptable as long as it is consensual, or that
there is no difference between a man and a woman. I believe children should have a mother
and a father. If the state insists on codifying these values, we will not lose our children to the
schools, the schools will lose our children.
7. Find the fiscal note for the bill. Look at the most current estimate of cost.
1,934,304
a. What are the estimated receipts from 2009 to 2011?
606,039
b. What are the estimated expenditures during the same period?
300,000
1. Look at the committee agendas for Oct. 29, 2009. Which committee meets that day?
Higher Education (H)
2. According to the agenda, what will the committee discuss?
The Committee will engage stakeholders to better understand the connections between tuition policy, system expansion, and the use of technology in improving access, affordability, and quality of higher education.
3. Click on 'Higher Education' to get more info on this committee. Who chairs the committee?
Wallace, Deb (D) Chair
Sells, Mike (D) Vice Chair
4. Near the top of the page, click on 'Committees' to find other legislative bodies. List three other legislative committees.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Audit Review and Oversight
Capital Budget
Monday, October 12, 2009
Finding Trends
Finding trends in local government
I. State and local
1. What’s the population of Whitman County? 41,664
2. Percent white? 86.6%
3. Percent with bachelor’s degree?44.0%
4. Median household income? 36,538
5. Persons below poverty? 26.7%
II. Drilling down into Census data: Housing
1. Find the annual construction costs for building permits for Pullman from 2004 to 2008. Report it for each individual year.
2004: 21,793,767
2005: 40,062,508
2006: 34,549,367
2007: 31,922,839
2008: 14,007,013
2. What’s the most current construction cost for 2009? (Obviously the annual report isn’t yet available so look for the most recent month.)
2009 - Until August 2009: 7,170,166
3. Write a lede based on this information.
The total amount of money spent on construction in Pullman during 2008 was more than half of what it was in 2007, this number has been declining since 2005 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and the current construction costs for 2009 seem to be fitting the trend.
III. Federal grants and insurance
1. How much did Whitman County farmers receive in Crop Insurance?
134,236,720
2. How much did Whitman County receive in grants?
122,982,596
3. Name three of the grants.
10.001 AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH-BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH 1,379,278
10.025 PLANT AND ANIMAL DISEASE, PEST CONTROL AND ANIMAL CARE 482,743
10.028 WILDLIFE SERVICES 30,000
IV. Health Care in Whitman County
1. Which two counties have the highest percent of uninsured people?
San Juan County, Washington - 30.0%
Whitman County, Washington – 29.2%
2. What’s the percentage in Whitman County?
29.2%
V. Population
Is Whitman County’s population growing? Let’s look at population trends.
1. Type “Whitman County population” into Google Uncle Sam. Which federal or state agency comes up first in the Google list?
2007 Data Book – Office of Financial Management Whitman County
a. What’s the total population change in Whitman County from 2000 to 2007, according to OFM?
1,960
b. What’s the natural increase?
1,324
c. Explain the difference between “total change” and “natural change.”
Natural change is the difference between the amounts of births compared to deaths. Total change includes this and the amount of people who migrate to Whitman County.
4. Go back to the Google search results for ‘Whitman County population.”
5. Choose the second result, which should take you to Whitman County page.
6. Under General Information, click on “Whitman County Overview from the Choose Washington website.” (Should be Web site, right?)
7. Under “County Data,” click on Population.
a. Based on this projection, how many people will live in Whitman County in 2025?
2025 - 46,786
Spokane City Council Agenda
2.What’s the number of the ordinance that would create a new alcohol-impact area?
ORD C34475
7. What will the ordinance do? Write a lede based on the City Council’s approval of this ordinance.
The Spokane City Council approved an ordinance that restricts alcohol sales in the downtown and east central parts of Spokane.
Whitman County Agenda
1. The Web site www.whitmancounty.org provides the agendas and minutes for the meeting of the county’s commissioners. Navigate to the commissioners’ page.
a. According to the agenda, what meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m.?
2:00 p.m. – Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee meeting.
a. How many confirmed cases in Whitman County?
Whitman County has 4 confirmed H1N1 cases.
b. How many doses of vaccine will be available in Washington state?
Washington state is slated to receive 600,000 doses.
c. How many in Whitman County?
Whitman County will receive approximately 360 doses.
d. What is Dr. Moody’s suggestion on how to distribute?
Dr. Moody feels we
should wait to distribute the vaccine until there is enough injectable vaccine to offer to the majority of residents. Public Health is considering using community buildings in various locations after school and on weekends to administer the vaccines to high-risk residents first followed by clinics. These 360 doses must also be shared with local providers.
e. Write a lede based on this information.
Whitman County will receive about 360 of the 600,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine that will be available in Washington State, and experts believe we should wait to distribute them until enough are available to vaccinate the majority of the population.
I. State and local
1. What’s the population of Whitman County? 41,664
2. Percent white? 86.6%
3. Percent with bachelor’s degree?44.0%
4. Median household income? 36,538
5. Persons below poverty? 26.7%
II. Drilling down into Census data: Housing
1. Find the annual construction costs for building permits for Pullman from 2004 to 2008. Report it for each individual year.
2004: 21,793,767
2005: 40,062,508
2006: 34,549,367
2007: 31,922,839
2008: 14,007,013
2. What’s the most current construction cost for 2009? (Obviously the annual report isn’t yet available so look for the most recent month.)
2009 - Until August 2009: 7,170,166
3. Write a lede based on this information.
The total amount of money spent on construction in Pullman during 2008 was more than half of what it was in 2007, this number has been declining since 2005 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and the current construction costs for 2009 seem to be fitting the trend.
III. Federal grants and insurance
1. How much did Whitman County farmers receive in Crop Insurance?
134,236,720
2. How much did Whitman County receive in grants?
122,982,596
3. Name three of the grants.
10.001 AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH-BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH 1,379,278
10.025 PLANT AND ANIMAL DISEASE, PEST CONTROL AND ANIMAL CARE 482,743
10.028 WILDLIFE SERVICES 30,000
IV. Health Care in Whitman County
1. Which two counties have the highest percent of uninsured people?
San Juan County, Washington - 30.0%
Whitman County, Washington – 29.2%
2. What’s the percentage in Whitman County?
29.2%
V. Population
Is Whitman County’s population growing? Let’s look at population trends.
1. Type “Whitman County population” into Google Uncle Sam. Which federal or state agency comes up first in the Google list?
2007 Data Book – Office of Financial Management Whitman County
a. What’s the total population change in Whitman County from 2000 to 2007, according to OFM?
1,960
b. What’s the natural increase?
1,324
c. Explain the difference between “total change” and “natural change.”
Natural change is the difference between the amounts of births compared to deaths. Total change includes this and the amount of people who migrate to Whitman County.
4. Go back to the Google search results for ‘Whitman County population.”
5. Choose the second result, which should take you to Whitman County page.
6. Under General Information, click on “Whitman County Overview from the Choose Washington website.” (Should be Web site, right?)
7. Under “County Data,” click on Population.
a. Based on this projection, how many people will live in Whitman County in 2025?
2025 - 46,786
Spokane City Council Agenda
2.What’s the number of the ordinance that would create a new alcohol-impact area?
ORD C34475
7. What will the ordinance do? Write a lede based on the City Council’s approval of this ordinance.
The Spokane City Council approved an ordinance that restricts alcohol sales in the downtown and east central parts of Spokane.
Whitman County Agenda
1. The Web site www.whitmancounty.org provides the agendas and minutes for the meeting of the county’s commissioners. Navigate to the commissioners’ page.
a. According to the agenda, what meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m.?
2:00 p.m. – Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee meeting.
a. How many confirmed cases in Whitman County?
Whitman County has 4 confirmed H1N1 cases.
b. How many doses of vaccine will be available in Washington state?
Washington state is slated to receive 600,000 doses.
c. How many in Whitman County?
Whitman County will receive approximately 360 doses.
d. What is Dr. Moody’s suggestion on how to distribute?
Dr. Moody feels we
should wait to distribute the vaccine until there is enough injectable vaccine to offer to the majority of residents. Public Health is considering using community buildings in various locations after school and on weekends to administer the vaccines to high-risk residents first followed by clinics. These 360 doses must also be shared with local providers.
e. Write a lede based on this information.
Whitman County will receive about 360 of the 600,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine that will be available in Washington State, and experts believe we should wait to distribute them until enough are available to vaccinate the majority of the population.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Is it libelous?
Why or why not? Post your answers to your blog.
1. “Up until the day he died, he was a brilliant writer. But the drugs made him a thief, a pimp and a liar,” said friend Karen Smith, who was with Johnson at the time of his death.
Not libelous because he is dead and it is attributed to a reliable source.
2. “Megan Fox is a man!” Headline on Weekly World News Web site
This is not libelous because she is a public figure.
3. “In my opinion, Kevin is a murdering rapist.”
If there was an attribution this might be okay. Not really an oponion statement.
1. “Up until the day he died, he was a brilliant writer. But the drugs made him a thief, a pimp and a liar,” said friend Karen Smith, who was with Johnson at the time of his death.
Not libelous because he is dead and it is attributed to a reliable source.
2. “Megan Fox is a man!” Headline on Weekly World News Web site
This is not libelous because she is a public figure.
3. “In my opinion, Kevin is a murdering rapist.”
If there was an attribution this might be okay. Not really an oponion statement.
Justice Story
Consequences of Underage Drinking in Pullman – Justice Story
Kerry Gugliotto
Headline:
Underage Drinking Costs Students Time, Money
Summary:
Each fall freshman come to Washington State University excited to be free from their parents’ authority, but this new freedom often leads to partying which results in students finding themselves answering to a new authority, the police and the university.
The day before classes began this semester, Aug. 23, the Pullman Police report issuing 18 minor in possession (MIP) charges, five minor exhibiting charges and one driving while under the influence (DUI) charge.
“It’s no secret that minors consume alcohol in Pullman, but the efforts made by the university as well as the police seem to be only costing these minors time and money,” Ashley Musselman, a senior at WSU said.
“There are more important issues that the police should be worried about.”
Musselman learned exactly how much time and money underage drinking can cost when she was charged with an MIP her freshman year while walking home from a friend’s dorm after consuming one or two beers. About three months after being charged, Musselman had a court date. There was a court fee of about $500. She paid an additional fee of about $300 for a lawyer, Musselman said.
The MIP was removed from Musselman’s record, but only after she paid $100 to take a class, called IMPACT, sponsored by WSU Counseling Services about drug and alcohol use as well as not being charged with any more misdemeanors for a year, Musselman said.
“The MIP affected me for over a year and cost me nearly a grand, but I continued to drink as a minor,” Musselman said.
On the other hand, Thomas Elhart, a resident advisor, member of the night patrol and cougar security at WSU believes the Office of Student Conduct, Pullman Police Department, and the WSU Police Department do a good job dealing with the issue of underage drinking.
“They are focused on the safety of students rather than just getting them in trouble,” Elahart said.
“There will always be parties and underage drinking on a college campus, but as a member of night patrol and cougar security, it is my job to watch for those who get out of control,” Though the amount of charges and arrests related to alcohol seem to remain about the same from year to year, the fact that the police and university are so on top of underage drinking reminds students “they can only push things so far until they are reprimanded,” Elhart said.
Alan Scott, a junior at WSU, learned how far he was willing to push his luck after receiving an MIP charge last spring semester.
“I was never a huge partier to begin with, but now I am even more cautious,” Scott said. The night Scott was charged with an MIP, he was not excessively drunk, but could have been a lot smarter about the situation, he said.
“I was holding an open beer can outside of a party; now I realize that I was just asking for trouble,” Scott said. Though Scott was able to get the misdemeanor removed from his record, paying court fees and dealing with the justice system has taught him a lesson, he said.
“The process is a bit excessive, but it has prevented me from getting in trouble again.”
As long as there are parties, there will be police officers handing out MIP charges, Elhart said.
“My advice to incoming freshman is that if you are going to party, be smart about it and don’t get caught,” Musselman said.
Related web sites:
http://adcaps.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=201
http://www.pullman-wa.gov/Departments/Police/Default.aspx
This article was written by Kerry Gugliotto,
kerbear732@yahoo.com
Contacts:
Alan Scott
(360) 509-2264
Ashley Musselman
(360) 990-2300
Thomas Elhart
(360) 635-1305
Kerry Gugliotto
Headline:
Underage Drinking Costs Students Time, Money
Summary:
Each fall freshman come to Washington State University excited to be free from their parents’ authority, but this new freedom often leads to partying which results in students finding themselves answering to a new authority, the police and the university.
The day before classes began this semester, Aug. 23, the Pullman Police report issuing 18 minor in possession (MIP) charges, five minor exhibiting charges and one driving while under the influence (DUI) charge.
“It’s no secret that minors consume alcohol in Pullman, but the efforts made by the university as well as the police seem to be only costing these minors time and money,” Ashley Musselman, a senior at WSU said.
“There are more important issues that the police should be worried about.”
Musselman learned exactly how much time and money underage drinking can cost when she was charged with an MIP her freshman year while walking home from a friend’s dorm after consuming one or two beers. About three months after being charged, Musselman had a court date. There was a court fee of about $500. She paid an additional fee of about $300 for a lawyer, Musselman said.
The MIP was removed from Musselman’s record, but only after she paid $100 to take a class, called IMPACT, sponsored by WSU Counseling Services about drug and alcohol use as well as not being charged with any more misdemeanors for a year, Musselman said.
“The MIP affected me for over a year and cost me nearly a grand, but I continued to drink as a minor,” Musselman said.
On the other hand, Thomas Elhart, a resident advisor, member of the night patrol and cougar security at WSU believes the Office of Student Conduct, Pullman Police Department, and the WSU Police Department do a good job dealing with the issue of underage drinking.
“They are focused on the safety of students rather than just getting them in trouble,” Elahart said.
“There will always be parties and underage drinking on a college campus, but as a member of night patrol and cougar security, it is my job to watch for those who get out of control,” Though the amount of charges and arrests related to alcohol seem to remain about the same from year to year, the fact that the police and university are so on top of underage drinking reminds students “they can only push things so far until they are reprimanded,” Elhart said.
Alan Scott, a junior at WSU, learned how far he was willing to push his luck after receiving an MIP charge last spring semester.
“I was never a huge partier to begin with, but now I am even more cautious,” Scott said. The night Scott was charged with an MIP, he was not excessively drunk, but could have been a lot smarter about the situation, he said.
“I was holding an open beer can outside of a party; now I realize that I was just asking for trouble,” Scott said. Though Scott was able to get the misdemeanor removed from his record, paying court fees and dealing with the justice system has taught him a lesson, he said.
“The process is a bit excessive, but it has prevented me from getting in trouble again.”
As long as there are parties, there will be police officers handing out MIP charges, Elhart said.
“My advice to incoming freshman is that if you are going to party, be smart about it and don’t get caught,” Musselman said.
Related web sites:
http://adcaps.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=201
http://www.pullman-wa.gov/Departments/Police/Default.aspx
This article was written by Kerry Gugliotto,
kerbear732@yahoo.com
Contacts:
Alan Scott
(360) 509-2264
Ashley Musselman
(360) 990-2300
Thomas Elhart
(360) 635-1305
Monday, October 5, 2009
Welsh Lede
Spokane detectives R. Graves and R. Webb investigate the report that Catholic Bishop Lawrence Welsh allegedly strangled a male prostitute in Chicago.
Edit Sentences
Read your sentences and edit them. Post answers on the blog. (Five minutes)
1. The guest speaker is Kimberly Robertello a clinical assistant professor, human anatomy professor and biomechanics professor at WSU.
2. The group decided to start a voter registration drive for the Nov. 3 election. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5.
3. “How many people are serious about going, so we can reserve hotel rooms for everyone?” Tara Wyman PRSSA President asked.
4. “It’s not always the most fun thing to do on a Wednesday night, but once I graduate I’m going to reap the rewards,” Parker said. “Nothing gets you further than contacts in the field.”
5. ASWSU representative Derick En’Wezoh, and GPSA representative Jason McConnell, wanted to share the chairman position.
6. However, with the apparent unified front, representatives proposing to go against the grain are often intimidated. …said who?
7. New ideas from Student Entertainment Board’s meeting Monday, find ways to improve participation level in Homecoming activities.
8. Joshua Hart, director of student affairs, highlighted the program's lack of volunteers and asked the executives to sign up.
1. The guest speaker is Kimberly Robertello a clinical assistant professor, human anatomy professor and biomechanics professor at WSU.
2. The group decided to start a voter registration drive for the Nov. 3 election. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5.
3. “How many people are serious about going, so we can reserve hotel rooms for everyone?” Tara Wyman PRSSA President asked.
4. “It’s not always the most fun thing to do on a Wednesday night, but once I graduate I’m going to reap the rewards,” Parker said. “Nothing gets you further than contacts in the field.”
5. ASWSU representative Derick En’Wezoh, and GPSA representative Jason McConnell, wanted to share the chairman position.
6. However, with the apparent unified front, representatives proposing to go against the grain are often intimidated. …said who?
7. New ideas from Student Entertainment Board’s meeting Monday, find ways to improve participation level in Homecoming activities.
8. Joshua Hart, director of student affairs, highlighted the program's lack of volunteers and asked the executives to sign up.
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