the inverted pyramid style is one of the most important story structures for a "hard news story"
most important information at the top (lede is paragraph number one), as you go down it gets less important
5 W's and 1 H (who, what, when, where, why, how)
lede answers as many of these as possible (how & why sometimes excepted)
second paragraph: Nut graf
third paragraph is a direct quote
fourth paragraph is a factual statement
fifth paragraph is another direct quote
repeat until end of story
Car Accident Story
Who: Roger Clementine, John Jacob Jingleheimer-Smith, Melba
What: A car accident occurred.
When: Tuesday afternoon at 4:45 pm
Where: First Street and Slaughter Lane.
Why: One of the drivers was unlicensed, speeding, and driving on the wrong side of the road.
How: One of the drivers was on the wrong side of the road and hit another car head-on.
Tuesday at 4:45 on 1st Street and Slaughter Ln. two cars collided with each other, one driven by John Jacob Jingleheimer-Smith, 91, and his wife, Melba, 67, and the other driven by Roger Clementine, 13.
The couple was driving their 1989 Yugo Firebelcher at 10 miles an hour while Clementine, an unlicensed and underage driver was driving his uncle's 1948 Studebaker at 60 miles an hour on the wrong side of the road.
"That kid could barely see over the steering wheel and he was plowing down the street like nobody's business. I don't know how that couple survived with the way those cars looked afterwards," eyewitness Mary Simpson said.
Melba underwent minor injuries and was released from the University Medical Center Brackeridge after treatment, but her husband, John Jacob Jingleheimer-Smith, the driver of the Yugo which was totaled in the wreck, suffered major head injuries and is in critical condition.
"I just feel bad for Melba. By the looks of John, he won't last the week. His skull was just about cracked open and his face was covered in cuts and bruises," Melba's sister, Lisa Jones, said.
Roger Clementine, the driver of Studebaker that received a crumpled fender, also suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital after treatment.
"That boy has been nothing but trouble for me since his parents died. He's my nephew and I love him in my own way, but he's going to be getting serious punishment for this. That poor couple," Clementine's uncle, Rod Clementine, said.
Clementine received three citations from the APD for driving without a license, speeding, and driving in the wrong lane.
"The insolence of that kid was crazy. He didn't even seem sorry," Austin Police Department officer Jay Stevenson said.
After a century of fighting for suffrage, the USA's women finally win the right to vote. This was a huge success for American women, and suffragettes celebrated nation-wide. Though a huge milestone in feminism, there would be, and still are, more to come.
This is one of the major news stories of the 20th century because it is the beginning of America taking steps forward in civil rights. There were still men who believed that women shouldn't be able to vote, but the amendment still passed in favor of the suffragettes. It would take 40 more years for the next similar civil rights movement to make a large success such as this.
First Man On the Moon!
In 1969, nine years after John F. Kennedy declared that a man would be on the moon within the decade and seven years after his untimely death, Neil Armstrong sets foot on the moon. Though the Soviet Union won the space race, getting a man in orbit before anyone else, the US managed to get a man on the moon first with the Apollo 11 mission. 600 million people watched the moon landing from their own homes.
It's impossible to imagine what it would be like to watch another human being set foot on an entirely different celestial body than Earth for the first time, less than 70 years after the first airplanes flew. No one knew exactly what was going to happen, for space was still a great unknown for the most part, and this was a huge milestone that would be the catalyst to send the human race to the stars.
The Unsinkable Sinks!
The Titanic was a British passenger liner that was deemed "unsinkable" by the press. On her mother voyage from New York, however, she hit an iceberg and sank. Due to a lack of lifeboats over 1500 people perished in icy waters—only 675 survived, mostly women and children, who were given first privilege to lifeboats.
Each generation has their own major tragedy, and the Titanic's sinking is one of these. The ship was called "unsinkable" and yet on her first voyage she went down with the majority of those on it. People were absolutely shocked, and the press had a field day no doubt, as they do with most tragedies of this scale .
School uniform story sources:
- teacher
- administrator
- student for the uniforms
- student against uniforms
- parent
School uniform story questions:
1. What did you think when you first heard about the new school uniforms?
2. Do you think that public schools should be allowed to enforce uniforms?
3. Have you ever been at a school where uniforms are enforced?
4. Will you wear the uniform?
5. How will you protest the uniforms?
6. What do you think of those who are against the uniforms?
7. What do you think of those who are for the uniforms?
8. Are uniforms practical? After all, does the real world have a universal uniform?
9. Do you think that uniforms repress students' freedom to express themselves? Explain.
10. Why was the uniform decision made?
11. Did you take part in the decision?
12. Will the uniforms last? Why do you think so?
13. Are any of the opposing sides' opinions understandable to you? Which ones?
14. What might be some pros of the uniforms?
15. What might be some cons of the uniforms?
16. Why are students against the uniforms?
17. How was the decision made?
18. Are parents upset since they have to provide uniforms for their children?
19. How could uniforms affect the social climate of our school?
20. How can changes or compromises be made on this new policy?
Student of the Month sources:
- students of the month
- student's parents
- student's teacher they are grateful towards Student of the Month interview: 1. What sort of things were considered for student of the month selection?
Whenever I was working on an assignment and I was tired I used the SoM as a motivator. 2. Why are certain students considered and others not?
Some students try hard to achieve this and some don't, it depends on the person. 3. Who chooses the winner?
All the teachers come together and discuss how you're doing in class. 4. What can other students do to reach the goal that you have?
Just set goals in your mind—just set a goal and anyone can reach it. 5. What makes you stand out in class?
I always participate and do extra credit and assignments even if I won't get credit for them. 6. What is your favorite class?
Geography. 7. What extra-curricular activities do you do?
I dance and I'm in theatre and I'm gonna sign up for clubs. 8. What clubs are you involved in?
As many as possible—I'll sign up for a culinary arts club and a gardening club. 9. What did your parents say when you won?
They were very proud—they knew how hard I was working. 10. How did you find out that you were Student of the Month?
I was in biology class and I got a note to go to the office—the principal and vice principal told me how hard I had been working and that I was student of the month. 11. Why do you think you were chosen?
Because I feel like teachers notice that I work really hard and turn in every assignment and get all A's. 12. Are you surprised by your achievement?
A little bit—even though I was trying I know how many other students are trying as hard or harder. 13. Do you think you deserve this award?
I do, I guess, because if I wasn't trying I'd be like "Why did I get this?" but I was working really hard this past month. 14. Are your grades used to choose you or is it your involvement?
I feel like its both. Your grades and how many clubs you go to. 15. Do you feel particularly grateful towards a particular teacher?
I like Mr. Lauer because you can tell he cares about the students. 16. What sort of rewards or privileges do you get for Student of the Month?
You get to go off campus even if you're not a senior and you get a homework pass and you gain teachers' respect. 17. What choices lead you here?
The choice of always doing my homework in time, in working really hard. 18. Was it difficult to become a student of this caliber?
It just depends on the person. If you're the kind of person who doesn't like to study then it would be hard, but for me it wasn't hard. 19. What challenges have you faced?
I'm not good in biology so I had to go to tutoring and nervousness for tests. 20. Why was this monthly award started?
To encourage students to try as hard as they can.
Student of the month separate sources: Mr. Lauer 1. What did your think when you saw that the Student of the Month felt particularly grateful towards you?
I was glad that I've made an impression on her, and I'm very proud of her accomplishment. She's going places. 2. How does she stand out in class?
She always has her hand up, ready to participate, and her essays are truly remarkable. She has some great insights. 3. Were you one of the teachers that nominated her?
Certainly. Just from the first week of her being in my class I could tell she would be an excellent candidate for Student of the Month.
Student's mother: 1. Did you know that your daughter was striving towards this award?
Oh yes! She always told me who this month's student was, and I could tell that she wanted that sort of academic recognition, even if she didn't say it.
2. What was your reaction to your daughter's accomplishment?
I was so proud! I know how many exceptional students are at Bowie, and I know how many are in the running for awards like these—and only nine a year! I knew she could do it, though.
3. Has your daughter always been such a hard worker?
Yes, she's always been quite the worker bee! She definitely has a bright future ahead of her.
1. How much money did Gov. Rick Perry give to companies without requiring them to file applications for state incentives? Page A1 "Audit hits…." Rick Perry gave companies $222 million.
2. Why did a little boy wander away from Pickle Elementary Thursday morning? Page B1 "Probe begins in…." He wandered away after an argument with an older sibling in the cafeteria at breakfast.
3. How much is the rifle used in the UT Tower shootings from 1966 being sold for? Page B1 "Rifle used in UT…." The rifle has an asking price of $25,000.
4. Who had the key interception in Bowie's 42-37 victory over Austin High last night? Page C7 "Hendrickson on cruise control…" Matt Dickey had the key interception.
5. List one positive and one negative thing about owning a drone. Page SA1 "Look up in the sky…" They can take really neat pictures, but there is a lot of controversy on how they should be regulated.
What is ride sharing and why is it such a big issue in Austin right now? Story found on Page A1"Council debates ride sharing…" Ridesharing companies use smartphones to connect drivers to people who need a ride, but it's an issue because they don't have to follow the same regulations that taxi drivers do.
1. What is "El Grito"? Page B1, "Grito event celebrates…"
A holiday that celebrates the anniversary of the speech that lead to the Mexican war of independence. 2. Why is PETA worried about a proposed fee for people surrendering their unwanted animals? Page B3 "PETA against…" PETA is against the proposed fee for surrender of animals to animal shelters because they think that it will increase the amount of homeless animals because some people would rather dump their pet on the road instead of pay a fee.
3. How much is Microsoft going to pay to buy Minecraft? Page B5 "Microsoft to add…" Microsoft is going to pay $2.5 billion dollars to buy Minecraft.
4. Who has rushed for the most yards in area high school football play so far this year? Page C6 "Football Fab Five" David Hamilton from San Marcos has rushed the most yards this year.
5. Where can you go camping in Brooklyn, NY (be specific)? Page SA2 "Urban camping…" You can camp at a former airport in Brooklyn that is now taken care of by the National Park Service. What punishment do you think should be handed out for the parents of Colton Work for their involvement in his death allegedly at their hands? Should Child Protection Services have any punishments leveled against them for their lack of inaction. I think that the parents of Colton Work should definitely be severely punished for their treatment of their child and ultimate involvement of his death; it's certainly murder, and when they decided to hide his body instead of coming clean they only dug their own grave deeper. I don't think that CPS should receive punishment as severe as the boy's parents, but they should definitely make a statement about their involvement with the family and whether they dismissed Colton's case as one in which he wasn't in danger—when the truth comes to light then it should be determined whether CPS could have done anything to prevent the boy's death and whether they will be penalized for it.
1. Who's the "Predator"?
When NBC created a series titled "To Catch a Predator," many questions of journalistic ethics were raised. The television "newsmagazine" worked hand-in-hand with law enforcement, executing "sting" operations to expose child predators. People on the team would pose as minors on the internet, lure in the potential sex offender, and when the man arrived at the "child's" address, they would be met with Dateline reporter, Chris Hansen.
If my newspaper or television station was approached to participate in a "sting" operation to identify and arrest potential child sex offenders, I would accept. I personally have no ethical qualms with exposing these predators to the world—maybe NBC did it to get the numbers, but in my opinion it's also doing a service to society. These men deserve to be outed and arrested to prevent them from harming any (more) children.
I do think that the reporters themselves actually executing the sting operation is unnecessary; to me it seems like it should be the law enforcers actually doing the "luring," but the reporters could just report on the confrontations and arrests. But I don't think that the concept itself is unethical, at least by my standards.
2. Using the 'Holocaust' Metaphor
Animal rights organization, PETA, launched a campaign titled "Holocaust on Your Plate" in 2003, comparing animal slaughter for meat to the genocide of Jews (6 million deaths) and other minorities (5 million deaths) by the Nazis in WWII. This caused severe backlash from several countries and groups, even resulting in the banning of the ad in Germany.
I think that PETA's ad campaign is incredibly insensitive and offensive. They are an organization that has a reputation for using shock value for their ads (as well as hypocrisy with their own treatment of animals), but in my opinion this is one of their worst reprehensible actions. I'm all for animal rights, but it's not appropriate to exploit an international tragedy, a genocide, for your own organization's benefit. Nonprofit organizations shouldn't have to rely on shock value for support, especially at the expense of the millions people who still feel the Holocaust's impact today.
3. Naming Victims of Sex Crimes
When kidnap victims whose names were broadcasted across the state, even the nation are found and discovered to be victims of sexual assault, media is often left at an ethical crossroads as to whether publish the child's name along with the crimes committed against them, or to discontinue the use of their names. The conundrum is complicated by the fact that even if their name isn't used, most of the public would be able to easily infer who the article was referring to.
I think that the privacy and wellbeing of the young victims of these atrocious crimes should be put first and foremost. If the child has been determined to be mentally sound enough to be interviewed or make a choice as to whether they want their name used, they should be allowed to. Of course, they should be made aware of potential consequences of their ordeal being made public, but ultimately they should have their own autonomy to make the choice. No matter what, in cases like this the child victims and their families should be involved in decisions about what is included in media coverage of their story.
1. Why are members of the APD taking trainings on how to deal with aggressive dogs? Page A1 "Officers get training…."
Officers are getting learning how deal with aggressive dogs with non-lethal force to decrease canine shootings.
2. How many workers have contracted Ebola and have had to be treated in Atlanta? Page A6
Four workers have contracted Ebola and had to be treated in Atlanta.
3. Why is the family of a 9-year old soccer player suing? Page B1 "Kin of boy sue…"
The 9-year old was hit by lighting during a soccer practice and is unresponsive on life support. His parents are suing because weather safety warnings were disregarded.
4. What two major releases are coming from Apple in the next six months? Page B7
The Apple Watch and the iPhone 6 are being released in the next six months.
5. What is Ray Rise in trouble with the NFL for? Page C1 "Heat on league…"
Ray Rise is in trouble for footage of him punching his then-fiancee.
Watercooler Opinion:
I don't think that the student should have been suspended for the apparently innocent usage of the drone—they should have been investigated for their intentions and received a warning if they were innocent. I think that the point they make of the camera zooming in on their face and broadcasting it on the big screen is totally cool, but this isn't is also valid. I do understand that it is a private citizen using the drone and there are privacy issues attached to it, but I think that some of the things that the government has used drones for as well is questionable. In general I think that drone usage is a relevant issue at the moment, but in my opinion the fact that citizens are put under the microscope for taking photos at a football game and the drones involved in the deaths of civilians in the Middle East (and who knows what else), which are government drones, aren't is rather hypocritical.
Conflict
This article details a conflict between ISIS and a rival Sunni tribe, which resulted in 17 dead.
ISIS Kills 17 in Attack on Rival Sunni Tribesmen in Iraq
BAGHDAD — Members of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria attacked Sunni tribal fighters north of Baghdad early Monday, killing at least 17 people as the militants showed new determination to punish Sunnis who have resisted the ISIS onslaught into parts of northern Iraq.
Using an explosive-laden Humvee, apparently captured from the Iraqi Army, the militants assaulted an entrance to the town of Dhuluiya, about 50 miles north of Baghdad, according to local tribal leaders.
Some of the district’s most prominent Sunni tribes, including the Al-Jabour, have been openly fighting the Sunni extremists of ISIS for the last two months. The participation of Sunni fighters in the resistance to ISIS is seen as a key to halting its advance. Over the weekend, Sunni tribal fighters in Anbar Province joined Iraqi Army troops in attacking ISIS fighters in towns near the Haditha Dam as United States warplanes bombed the militants.
The fighting on Monday came as Iraqi politicians argued over the complexion of a new government, which has been rumored for days but is said to have been repeatedly delayed over disputes about key cabinet posts. Iraq’s incoming prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, who is set to replace Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, is required to name a cabinet by Tuesday.
Iraq’s Western allies have called for an “inclusive” government, insisting that new leaders seek to reverse the divisive legacy of Mr. Maliki, whose Shiite-led government was accused by Sunnis of marginalizing and antagonizing them. As Iraqi cities fell to ISIS this summer, pressure intensified on Mr. Maliki to step down, from inside and outside Iraq.
There was no assurance that a new government would quiet the crisis. Lists of possible cabinet members that have circulated over the past few days have been full of familiar names, suggesting a reshuffling rather than a revitalization.
Iraq’s Parliament speaker said members would vote on a cabinet during Monday’s session, though many anticipated a further delay. Even so, members of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra sat in the chamber on Monday, preparing in case there was something to celebrate.
“We are ready to play the national anthem whenever they form the government,” the deputy manager said.
Novelty
This article details the novelty event of unneeded lighthouses being given away to private owners by the government.
Want a lighthouse? Feds giving them away
(NEWSER) – Ever wish your man cave or summer retreat was in a lighthouse? You may be in luck, now that the federal government is selling or giving away dozens of them, the AP reports.
They've shed 100 obsolete or unneeded lighthouses in 14 years, 68 of them freebies handed off to preservation groups and the other 36 sold at auction. The agency handling the lighthouse purging has no target number to sell or give away, but the Coast Guard wants to retire 71 considered "no longer critical" to its mission, says a spokesman.
Don't feel bad for the iconic historic structures — the easily accessible ones get a second life as museums, private homes, or bed-and-breakfasts. The ones needing some TLC or cut off from civilization, however, generally languish on the auction block.
By finding new "stewards" for their lighthouses, the government says it's ensuring their preservation. Public groups or nonprofits can apply to get one, and if no one is interested the lighthouse goes to auction, the agency explains.
That's how Dave Waller got the Graves Island Light Station in Boston Harbor for nearly $1 million, and Art Girard bought the tallest lighthouse in New England (Maine's Boon Island Light Station) for $78,000, reports the AP.
More for sale signs can be found outside lighthouses on both coasts and the Great Lakes. The feds will alert you when a new one is up for sale; and the AP provides this list of available lighthouses in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
Human Interest
The story about people at high risk for untreated diabetes, especially in Latinos and African Americans, that leads to misery creates human interest in sympathy.
Untreated diabetes left Austin woman in misery
Hispanics, blacks and low-income people at greater risk for disease.
By Nicole Chavez NCHAVEZ@STATESMAN.COM
For nine years, Maria Limon tried to ignore the intense migraines, thirst and mood swings, all symptoms of her uncontrolled diabetes.
Between her job at a money transfer store, house chores and taking care of her children, she had enough on her plate.
Then, one day after lunch, she suffered an embolism, a stroke and another stroke.
“I was trying to be strong, to ignore the pain and look out for my children,” said Limon, now 47. “I didn’t have time to get sick.”
Like Limon, thousands of people in the Austin area do not treat their diabetes despite family medical histories and doctor recommendations.
The disease is particularly prevalent among Hispanics, blacks and low-income people.
An estimated 12.4 percent of those who earn less than $25,000 a year in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos region were diagnosed with diabetes in 2012, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
The same study showed that about 55,000 adults in Travis County had diabetes that year.
A local nonprofit group that has been focusing on diabetes education for the past three years has seen an unusual spike in cases in North Austin, Northeast Austin and Dove Springs in Southeast Austin.
“We’ve also seen a lot of diabetes in the east side and the immigrant community,” said Crescencia Alvarado, director of Promotoras/Community Health Workers of Travis County. “People from Mexico and Central America come from places with many needs, here we live in abundance. We have more access to things that are not necessarily healthy.”
Each year, an average of 2,500 people are assisted by Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services paramedics for diabetes emergencies, records show.
In most cases, paramedics respond to calls of people whose blood sugar levels have dropped so low that they can’t wake up from sleep or appear intoxicated. The condition,hypoglycemia, can lead to a coma.
EMS officials said that most emergencies are either patients who do not control their diabetes or those who know about their medical condition and missed a step of their treatment.
Paramedics do what they can to stabilize the patient’s condition; hospitalization is uncommon.
“You’ll see a lot of paramedics making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the field,” said EMS spokesman Commander Michael Benavides.
Limon, 47, is one of those who had to be taken to the hospital.
After she fell ill, she was hospitalized for two months as she recovered from multiple diabetes complications — including the Guillain-Barré syndrome that paralyzed 90 percent of her body.
Looking at the scars in her abdomen and neck, Limon remembers there was a moment when she opened her eyes, and while seeing a handful of tubes attached to her body — and realized she couldn’t move a muscle.
“I didn’t want my children to see me like that, attached to all the tubes and wearing diapers,” she said.
It has taken five years for her to recover to the point that she can sometimes bathe without her daughter’s help or walk a few steps without the assistance of a cane.
Limon has a college degree from Mexico, where she worked for the government before coming to the U.S. with her family, but she still cannot work.
Her husband left her after she got out of the hospital. She and her two children were homeless for nearly two years, staying at apartments sponsored by churches, local shelters and even at the homes of strangers who invited them.
Now, with a home provided by a local nonprofit, Limon hopes her recovery will continue and she will be able to help her children, who are now teenagers, get into college. Every day, she works to keep the house clean and organized, even if it means mopping one or two steps at a time before she needs to rest.
“I want to get back on my feet and be productive,” she said.
Found at Austin American Statesman.
Timeliness
This article details the very recent funeral of Joan Rivers, a recently deceased comedian.
Comedian gets her star-studded funeral
Mourners are from worlds of fashion and entertainment.
By Karen Matthews ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Howard Stern delivered the eulogy, Broadway singer-actress Audra McDonald sang “Smile” and bagpipers played “New York, New York” at Joan Rivers’ funeral Sunday, a star-studded send-off that — like the late comedian herself — brought together the worlds of Hollywood, theater, fashion and media.
At a funeral befitting a superstar, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus sang Broadway hits, including “Hey Big Spender,” before six-time Tony Award-winner McDonald sang her tribute to Rivers, a champion of theater for decades.
Tributes and reminiscences were delivered by TV anchor Deborah Nor-ville, close friend Margie Stern, columnist Cindy Adams and Rivers’ daughter, Melissa, who spoke about how she respected her mother, who died Thursday at 81, and appreciated everyone’s support.
Hugh Jackman sang “Quiet Please, There’s a Lady On Stage” at the end of the memorial, and bagpipersfrom the New York City Police Department played on the streets as mourners filed out of Temple Emanu-El, many dabbing their eyes.
A legion of notables turned out to remember Rivers: comedians Kathy Griffin, Rosie O’Donnell and Whoopi Goldberg; E! network “Fashion Police” colleague and friend Kelly Osbourne; Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick; and celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz.
Theater stars Bernadette Peters, Alan Cum-ming and Tommy Tune were there. Record producer Clive Davis was, too.
Fashion designers CarolinaHerrera, Dennis Basso and Michael Kors were in attendance. Stars from TV such as Barbara Walters, Geraldo Rivera, Diane Sawyer, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb and Andy Cohen. Late night band leader Paul Shaffer. And moguls Barry Diller, Donald Trump and Steve Forbes.
Mourners had lined up outside the Fifth Avenue synagogue and waited for their names to be checked against a list before entering. A crowd of media stood watch behind barriers, and fans from as far away as Australia and England lined the streets.
The comedian detailed in her 2012 book “I Hate Everyone ... Starting With Me” that she hoped for “a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action” and “Hollywood all the way.”
Instead of a rabbi talking, Rivers asked for “Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents” and “a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing just like Beyonce’s.” Her wishes were so important they were printed in the funeral program.
Nearby on the sidewalk, Bronwen Brenner, 13, stood wearing pearls with a 1940s pillbox hat with a jewel-studded veil atop her magenta curls. Rivers would approve of her outfit, she said — except for the Converse sneakers.
“She probably would criticize me for not wearing heels,” she told the New York Times.
Her mother, Jamie Brenner, 43, said she thought all the hoopla surrounding the funeral on Fifth Avenue was deserved.
“How many 81-year-olds have a 13-year-old fan?” she asked.
Rivers’ cause of death is being investigated. She was hospitalized on Aug. 28 after she went into cardiac arrest during a routine procedure at a doctor’s office. Found at Austin American Statesman.
Proximity
This article talks about a barge-mounted nuclear reactor, located in Galveston, that is to be towed to Virginia and to be scrapped. Galveston isn't far from Austin, and if there was to be some sort of mishap, our coasts could be poisoned.
Nuclear barge to be scrapped in Galveston
Plan is for USS Sturgis to be towed from Virginia.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
GALVESTON — A World War II-era Liberty ship converted to a barge-mounted nuclear reactor will be towed from Virginia to Galveston to be scrapped.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to have a public hearing Tuesday in Galveston to detail the plan for the scrapping of the USS Sturgis.
Galveston was chosen for the scrapping because of its proximity to facilities that accept the sort of low-level radioactive waste and other toxic, discarded material to be removed from the ship, said Hans Honerlah, a Corps of Engineers program manager and health physicist.
Towing the ship to Galveston to be broken up is safer than removing the waste at its present berth at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in the James River of Virginia, he said.
“The higher risk is trucking, followed by rail. Towing it here (to Galveston) is safer than having a lot of trucks traveling across the country,” Honerlah said.
According to the Corps of Engineers, the Sturgis was outfitted with a nuclear reactor to generate electric power for military and civilian operations in the Panama Canal Zone in the 1960s. The reactor was shut down in 1976, the fuel was removed and it was mothballed in 1978.
“It’s radioactive metal,” Honerlah said. “There’s no fuel or anything liquid onboard. The atoms in the metal have been made radioactive through operations associated with the power plant.”
The Corps of Engineers has signed a contract with CB&I Federal Services in Galveston to remove the radioactive metal from the ship and place it in special containers for shipment to a low-level radioactive waste storage facility in Texas, said Brenda Barber, a project manager for the Corps of Engineers’ Baltimore Division. Once the radioactive parts are removed the ship will be gutted and sold, either as is or cut up into scrap, she said.
The entire process is expected to take 12 to 14 months, Barber said. “When the project is done, nothing of the Sturgis will remain,” she said.
The barge is expected to arrive in Galveston in mid-December, she said. Found at Austin American Statesman.
Prominence
This article discusses what the following actions towards the Ferguson, MO. police force as well as investigations into U.S. law enforcement practices that should be implemented. This is prominent news ever since the murder of Michael Brown, and it affects everyone in America.
Justice in St. Louis County
Inquiry Into Ferguson, Mo., Police Practices Is Just a Start
The Justice Department took a much-needed step last week when it opened a broad civil rights investigation into police practices in Ferguson, Mo., where the killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, by a white police officer last month sparked days of demonstrations and riots.
But the investigation should not be limited to Ferguson. News accounts and a recent study of court systems in neighboring towns strongly suggest that the police in St. Louis County may be systematically targeting poor and minority citizens for street and traffic stops (in part to generate fines), which has the effect of criminalizing entire communities. This history of discriminatory stops and abuse fueled the protests and violence that erupted after Mr. Brown was gunned down.
Though federal officials have reformed several police departments in the past two decades, Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. has been particularly aggressive. He has opened 20 such broad investigations into large and small police departments across the country. The Justice Department is currently enforcing 14 consent decrees or out-of-court agreements — in places like New Orleans, Seattle and Detroit — with the aim of making sure that police operations under its guidance obey the Constitution.
The investigation into Ferguson’s policing practices will run parallel to a separate federal inquiry focused specifically on the circumstances of Mr. Brown’s shooting. In addition, President Obama — responding to disturbing images of Ferguson police officers facing down civilians with military assault equipment — has rightly ordered a review of the government’s policy of outfitting local police with that level of firepower.
The civil rights investigation will focus on whether officers there made discriminatory traffic stops, mistreated prisoners or used excessive force in the years before last month’s fatal shooting of Mr. Brown.
The Justice Department will find plenty of evidence of disparate treatment of black motorists in St. Louis County, which is crowded with municipalities. As The Washington Post reported last week, some of these towns get 40 percent or more of their revenue from traffic fines and fees from petty violations. And since there are 90 municipalities in St. Louis County, that means drivers can pass through several towns in just a few miles on one main thoroughfare. Motorists who are detained in one town are often dragged through the courts or jails in several communities.
As Campbell Robertson and Joseph Goldstein of The Times reportedlast month, the municipal courts in places like Maplewood, Mo., are filled with blacks who are pulled over by officers and charged with offenses that increase in cost when a defendant misses a court date. According to a report by the state attorney general in 2013, black motorists in Maplewood were searched or arrested during stops at more than twice the rate of whites — even though searches of blacks and whites were similarly likely to turn up contraband.
A startling analysis released last month by ArchCity Defenders, a nonprofit group in St. Louis, offered up a harrowing portrait of these interlocking court systems, which appear to be structured to persecute minority communities. In one community, “100 percent of all searches and arrests originating from traffic stops in Bel-Ridge in 2013 were of black individuals,” the report said.
Lawyers at ArchCity Defenders said their clients who were unable to pay the fines were illegally jailed and lost their jobs and housing as a result of being locked up. These practices “destroy the public’s confidence in the justice system,” as the report notes, and they impose ruinous burdens on impoverished citizens and violate the Constitution.
A wealth of evidence suggests that justice is not being fairly administered in either Ferguson or greater St. Louis County. If the Justice Department confirms what others have reported, it needs to use all of its authority to restore fairness to the law enforcement process.
