Joseph Gorden-Levitt's reviews in Don Jon are in!

The reviews for Levitt's new role in Don Jon are in and are mostly positive. Joseph plays a 32 -year- old modern day Don Juan addicted to porn in search for a better sex life. The movie is set to release Sept. 27.

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Go Make Me a Sandwich

Author, Stephanie Smith, reveals herself to be the writer of the blog named "300 Sandwiches." She started the blog when her boyfriend told her she is 300 sandwiches away from getting an engagement ring. She tells her readers her boyfriend is more of a cook than she is to make sure they dont htink it is a sexist blog.

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Miley Is Still Crazy!

Miley Cyrus went out on a limb and got "Rolling Stones" tattooed on the bottom of her feet. The idea for the tattoo came when she was at a tattoo parlor with Josh Elles. The tattoo was to commemorate her first ever rolling stones cover.

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To Publish or not to Publish

When it comes to photojournalism, morals and ethics need to be greatly presented in order not to offend the reader or the person within the photo. The article concerning the revealing of graphic army pictures is one of these stories. I would understand why they would want to show it to the world. The whole point of adding pictures in a story is to make it more personable and make it hit closer to home. What are the pictures that capture your attention the most? I bet you would say, the unusual ones. While we are in our comfy homes there is a real crisis going on over seas and people are dying. A true photojournalist would want their reader to feel like they are there within  the story. It is a true reality that needs to be known. On the other hand, although, this person is a loved one who died in a horrible way. posting a picture to make money off of or to show for entertainment and news only hurts the family even more than they have already been. Ethics within journalism should always come before the story presented. It is here that you gain a reputation for being a real human being instead of an entertainment hog.

Photojournalism and Reporting with Graphics

With the innovation of the 21st century beyond what anyone could predict, the styles and needs for writing have increased in popularity and creativity. Before the invention of the camera, reporters had to be creative with wording and fonts to capture the attention of the readers through other forms of visual communication. Today, reporters are pressured to provide information quick and easily for the busy readers who may only have a few seconds to spare and only one article to read. The use of photographs since the early 1930's has completely revolutionized the way reporters and journalist present content.

Photojournalists have to one of the most creative groups of people on this planet. Not only do they need to know how to present their story in a manner worthy of reading, but also provide a creative and informative way to present visual information. This visual information can come from a simple list, a skewed photograph or graph.

The use of photography within journalism has grown extensively  with the rise in technology such as DSLR cameras and high resolution cellphone cameras. Photographs not only need to bring the reader in by connection of sight with words, but also must show a well taken photograph. The photographer must know the basics of using their camera, of taking a picture with good lighting and perspective and know what sort of picture would be appropriate for the story and for the sensitivity of the situation,ethics. Cutlines or captions must also be presented underneath the presented photograph to describe not only what is happening but also describe the scenery of what the lens could not capture. 

 One more aspect opt photojournalism could be presented through the use of charts within a story to present statistics and to clarify information. The audience wants to know as much information they can get within a short timeframe; a chart can be a perfect solution. The reporter, in this situation, must know the basics of the information and be able to validate the information to clarify accuracy.

12 Cars Invovled in Chicken Truck Pile- Up

• Truck driver, Jeff Johnson made an illegal left turn which flipped the truck that was carrying 300 chickens to Gadsden.
• 25 people injured, 2 hospitalized
• Alabama Poultry Inc. estimates $700 set back for dead and missing chickens.

Twenty-five people injured in a 12 car pile-up at 6 p.m. Monday when a semi- truck carrying chickens, flips on its side on the corner of McFarland Boulevard. and 15^th Street.   

Truck driver, Jeff Johnson,  45, was transporting 300 chickens to a farm near Gadsden and flipped the truck on its’ side when he made an illegal left turn.

According to Sergeant John Jones, eleven cars and one truck were involved in the accident. Johnson was transported to Denver County Hospital with a possible broken ankle and bruises.

Also involved in the accident was 63- year- old, Sarah Bernell, a retired local kindergarten teacher Bernell was transported to the hospital to treat her injuries after being hit in a car driven by her nephew, Mike Kenyon.

Twenty- three others involved in the accident were left with small injuries and minor damages to their vehicles.

“It was the biggest pile- up I’ve ever seen. Lots and lots of smashed bumpers but the worst part were the screams of chickens.” Jones said when asked to give more about the accident.

Many of the chickens were trapped in the semi- truck until firemen arrived to get them out. At least 30 chickens are dead and 40 missing.

The chickens are property of Alabama Poultry Inc. whose farms hold 20,000 chickens that supply eggs to IGA stores across the south. 

Alabama Poultry president, Carlton Fitzsimons, said each chicken was insured for $10, costing the company over $700 for the dead or missing chickens.  If any chickens are found, please return to Alabama Poultry Inc.

The hospital spokesperson, Clarence Dimotta reports that Bernell has a slight concussion but is doing well, and Johnson is in good condition and should be returning to his family in Alberta City soon.

Ex-NFL player's home trashed by partying teens

Brian Holloway, former NFL offensive lineman, thought it was a joke at first until he saw a picture of teenagers standing on the dining room table he bought with a bonus, live feed on Twitter. Over 400 teenagers causes at least $20,000 of damage to his home in New York. Holloway is now using the teens own posts on Twitter to reveal the identities and set them on a better path. 

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San Francisco 49ers have become a ground for injuries.

The San Francisco 49ers were defeated in Seattle last week, 29-3, and have yet to get over their loss. They ended the game with one injury but are now claiming 10 injuries before their game with the Indianapolis Colts. All players have minor injuries but many have decided not to play the next game against the Colts.

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Giants Coach Tom Coughlin's Brother Dead

Tom Coughlin's brother, John Coughlin, died Monday night at Hackensack University Medical Center when he hit his head while exiting a cab. The accident reportedly occurred after the game between Denver Broncos and the New York Giants. Despite his brother's death Tom intends to coach the team against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. 

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Writing for the Mass Media: 5.14

A High School World Religions Course

Johansen High School requires students to pass a course on world religions which includes:

• Hindu ideas about the cycle of death and rebirth
• Fundamental beliefs of major world religions such as: Christianity, Muslim, and Confucian 
• History of religion in the United States.

Polio

Stigmas against vaccination of Polio:

• Rumors that the vaccine carries AIDS 
• Meant to sterilize young muslim girls 
• Although relatively cured, 8 cases were found last year

Home Runs

• In 1935, Babe Ruth retired with 714 home runs
• In 1976, Hank Aaron broke that record with 755 home runs
• In 2007, Barry Bonds broke the record with 762 home runs

Bees

Tarwater argues that bees are much more than just stingers:

• They are the only insect that provides a food for humans to consume
• Responsible for pollinating much of the food that we eat
• If one were to place a bee hive next to a garden, the yields of that garden would increase
• They have a fascinating social structure in which they cannot live by themselves 

Writing for the Mass Media: 5.13

5.13

Malpractice Suit
What: doctors being suied for malpractice when lawyer has a heart attack
Who: Barney Olive and Stephen Rogers with William Hamilton
When:
Why:
Where: both doctors practice at Riverside Hospital
How: were being sued for malpractice and then the lawyer had a heart attack
Lead: During the trial for two malpracticed doctors, the plantiffs lawyer suddenly goes into a heart attack and with some quick work from the doctors, they save his life.
2nd: Bareney Olive and Stephen Rogers were being sued by Bertie McNicholls for malpractice. McNicholls' lawyer, William Hamilton, started to have a heart attack during his final arguements. With some quick response Olive and Rogers hurried to save the lawyers life. Hamilton is now recovering at Riverside Hospital.

Alumni Festival
What:Spring festival being planned
Who:Alumni Association
When:April
Why:hoping to raise money for school library
Where: football field
How: games, contest, barbeque lunch. baseball game.
Lead: The Alumni Assocation has announced a Spring festival being planned for the beginning of April to raise money for the school library.
2nd Paragraph: The festival will be held on the football field and includes everything from games, contests, barbeque lunch and exhibition baseball game.

Writing for the Mass Media: 5.10

5.10

Faculty Plane Crash
What: 5 people killed on TWA Jet crash
Who: professors of Backwater State U iversity were on the plane, 45 passengers and crew members
When: Thursday night
Where: Kennedy International Airport
Why:
How: crashed on take off
Lead: Five people killed out of fourty-five passengers when a TWA jet plane crashed at Kennedy International Airpot Thursday night.

Meeman Speaks
What: author speaks, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for  his book My Life as Far as It Goes
Who: Norman Meeman
When: 4:30 p.m.  in Room 111
Where: William Oxley Thomson Memorial Library
Why: to talk to english students about being a great writer
How:
Lead: The author and Pulitzer Prize winner for his book "My Life as Far as It Goes," spoke to English students on Thursday evening at William Oxley Thomson Memorial Library.

Professor Wins Award
What: Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge annouced its annual George Washington Honor Medal winners
Who: Clement Crabtree
When: last week
Where:Pennslyvania
Why: cited for his essay titled "Plan for Peace"
How:
Lead: A university professor of horticulture won one of Freedom Foundation at Valley Forges' annual George Washington Honor medal last week in Pennslyvania.

Writing for the Mass Media: 5.11, 5.12

5.11

Curriculum changes

What: changes in requirements for graduation 
When: next fall
Who:David French, president of university
Where:
Why: because only 20 percent took a math course and it will allow to make better educated persons
How: next fall- one math class , computer science, and foreign language
Lead: The university president announced a major graduation requirement change in effect next fall in attempt to make students more educated.   
2^nd Paragraph: David French made the announcement on Tuesday that students next fall must take one math, computer science and foreign language.

Arrest

What: 22-year-old arrested
When: Wednsday night
Who: Cathy Benson
Where:
Why: under the influence of alcohol for the third time in 6 months
How:
Lead:  A Vanderbilt University senior was arrested Wednesday night for driving under the influence of alcohol for the third time in six months.
2^nd Paragraph: Cathy Benson, 22, the daughter of Jim Benson, was this year’s homecoming queen and a straight- A student pursuing graduate studies in biology.
*do not put that she is the daughter of Jim Benson. she is 22 and is not under the authority of her father any longer 

 Record Weather:

Who:
What: unreasonably warm
Where: Port Columbus
Why: yesterday it was 82 degrees at 3:30 p.m.
When: 
How: hottest temperature since 1888
Lead:  A Port Columbus weather officer reported the high temperature for Monday was the hottest it has been on Sept. 18 since 1888.
2^nd Paragraph: It has been so unusually warm that the temperature on Monday was a high of 82 degrees at 3:30 p.m.

5.12

Protest
Who: led by Wilbur Straking against the biology class taught by Laura Cliff
What: group of citizens are protesting evolution in biology class
Where:  state capitol
When: next Monday
Why: evolution being taught in biology class room
How:  lead a group of 25 dedicated Christians to the state capital
Lead: A group of citizens plan a protest on the University next Monday to object the teaching of evolution in one of the biology classes.
2^nd Paragraph: The group is being led by Wilbur Straking who plans to “lead a group of 25 dedicated Christians to the state capital… to speak with legislation about this problem.” The class that is being objected to is taught by Laura Cliff, associate professor of biology.

 Lawsuit

Who: Ellie Maston
What: $100,000 suit filed against produce market for nedligence
Where: filed in Circuit City Wednesday
When: Wednesday
Why: Maston slipped and broke a hip April 1
How:
Lead: A suit was filed Wednesday in Circuit City against Amburn’s Produce Market for $100,000 when a customer slips on green beans and breaks a hip.
2^nd Paragraph: Ellie Maston is suing saying she suffered permanent bodily and metal injuries, incurred medical expenses and lost income when she fell on April 1.

 Agreement Announced

Who: Clyde Parris , president of Ambrose Steel Company and president of United Steelworkers Local 923
What: strike called off
Where: in front of union
When: terms of agreement will be announced in front of union
Why: would have put steel workers off the job
How:
Lead: The strike that was planned for Monday at midnight and would have put 457 steelworkers off the job, was called off Friday once the Ambrose Steel Company and the United Steelworkers Local 923 reached a collective bargaining agreement.  
2^nd Paragraph: Presidents of both the  Ambrose steel Company and United Steelworkers Local 923 made the joint announcement which includes “substantial wage agreements”; the terms of the agreement will be announced tonight to a meeting of the union

Benghazi hit by blast on anniversary of U.S. Consulate attack

On the anniversary of the death of four Americans in the U.S. Consulate, a car bomb exploded outside a Foreign Ministry building in Libya Wednesday. The blast took out chunks of the surrounding building but left no human deaths. One of the REsidents of Benghazi, Sami Berriwen, told CNN if the blast were to have happened an hour earlier, the street would have been filled with people. 

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More than 550 child soldiers freed in DR Congo

The United Nations stated Wednesday that over 550 children left the armed ranks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said shelters have taken 444 of these children while the rest rejoined their families.  The program that freed the 550 was carried out by UNICEF. 

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Catalans plan human chain in their call for secession form Spain

Thousands of Catalans formed a human chain  Wednesday in northeastern Spain to pressure Madrid  into an independent breakaway state. Consisting of over 370,000 Catalans, the 400 kilometer chain started at 11:14 a.m. to honor those who lost a decisive battle to spanish troops on Sept. 11,1714. Madrid insists that the Spanish Constitution does not allow any of Spain's 17 regions to break away even if they have their own flag like Catalonia

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Writing for the Mass Media: 5.8, 5.9

5.8 Writing Leads 1

Crash

What: Jet plane crashed

Who: Air Force major

Where: Super Shopping Mall parking lot 

When: at noon

How:  N/A

Lead: An Air Force major was killed and 15 cars were destroyed in a jet plane crash Tuesday in the Super Shopping Mall parking lot.  

City Council

What: 10 percent increase in city property tax

Who:

Where: this morning

When: first of next month

How: city council meeting

Lead: A 10 percent increase in city property taxes will take affect the first of next month causing average taxes to go up by about $50 yearly. 

University Raises

What: all faculty and staff to get 15 percent pay raise

Who: vice president for finance

Where: front steps of the university admin building. 

When: this fall

How: revenues from state

Lead:  The university vice president announced for the first time in two years, a 15 percent pay raise for all faculty and staff, effective this fall. 

Journalism Students Meet

What: boycott

Who: 200 students 

Where: journalism classes

When: monday

How: the tuiton is supposed to be going up.

Lead:  Two hundred members of the Journalism Student Association decide to boycott all journalism classes on Monday to stand up against the 10 percent increase in tuition next fall. 

5.9 Writing leads 2

Plant Accident

What: serious condition at Methodist Hospital 

Who: pipe fitter of Gross Engineers

Where: Petal Municipal Power Plant  Petal, Mississippi

When: 3 pm. 

How: Installing new pipes on the rood of the plant when he accidentally touched wrench to power line carrying 15,000 volts.

Lead: A pipe fitter of Gross Engineers is in serious condition at Methodist Hospital after installing new pipes on the roof of  Petal Municipal Power Plant in Petal, Miss. 

McCartney Illness

What: Explanatory throat surgery 

Who: Famous rock singer Peter McCartney

Where: Riverside Hospital 

When: tuesday

How: Voice reduced to a whisper following a performance in front of 1,000 fans. 

Lead:  Peter McCartney was entered into Riverside Hospital Tuesday for an explanatory throat surgery after his voice reduced to a whisper following a performance in front of 1,000 fans. 

BOE Meeting

What: enrollment dropped and new rules enforced

Who: Hattiesburg board of Education

Where:

When: this morning 

How:

Lead:  Hattiesburg Board of Education met Monday morning to discuss new rules for the administration and the increasing drop in enrollment which dropped 200 students this school year. 

The Aftermath of Tragedy

An interview took place with Andrew Dinges and his recollection of the events of Sept. 11. 

1. Where were you when you heard the news of the terrorists attack?      

      Andrew was a freshman in high school.  At the time of the attacks, he was in his history class when teacher, Mr.Ryan, ran in to turn on the television to show the class. "I just remember watching and not really understanding at first and some girl in the back of the classroom started to cry and ran out..."

2. What went through your head at that time? 
   
   "oh, snap!," Andrew commented. No one really knew what was happening at that time. No one knew if it was a terrorist attack or an accident; it wasn't until we saw the second plane come in on T.V. that we realized that it was not a mistake.

3. What did the school do?   

   "We were in Jersey, (about an hour away from the city) so naturally everyone was scared." The school sent everyone home early.

4. Once you got home, how was your family reacting? 
   
     No one really knew what was going on still so they couldnt have a complete reaction. For the next few days they worried about Jonathan Dinges (Father) who worked at the closest army base to the city. Jonathan had to go into work the next day.

5. Do you know anyone who was affected by the attack?  

  "We were just really afraid for Dad because he had to go back to work the very next day and it is a government agency." Also family friend, Megan VanHine's father, lost his life when the building collapsed on the firefighter trying to save lives.

6. In one phrase, how would you say 9/11 affected Americans as a whole?   

 "We've lost our sense of safety." We can't go on a bus with  backpack without someone questioning what is in it. We have all become too cautious and can't live our lives of freedom with this treat over our shoulder.

7.How did President Bush react?   

He was doing a story reading for a Kindergarten class when one of the secret- service men whispered in his ear what had happened. Even with a blank face, Bush finished the reading and calmly walked out of the room to address a nation in chaos.

8. How do you feel our nation's leaders rose up during the event?   

 "President Bush really kept his cool." What had to be the hard part was knowing that these people who were flying, were actually citizens. That truly is the scariest part for every American because who knows who else is out there, and who is living next door.

9. What is your views on what the nation is doing right now to prevent something like this from happening again?   

 "Honestly, I believe this 'be ready for it' mentality is crazy." Its the same thing with the issue with Syria right now; they just gassed their people and we are prepared to "write a strong letter" to them for their use of chemical weapons. "interfere with what they're doing not for how they're doing it." Like the new law in New York, racial profiling, which states that a cop can't pull someone over if they look suspicious because it is racist. 

10. What do you think we can do to prevent something like this happening in the future? Do we need to be more proactive or build up our defenses?    

"I think with this question i have to take the middle ground." We cant do nothing because it is our nation, but we shouldn't invoke people with advertising on buses which say to watch out for suspicious baggage because it implants an idea into our minds that the terrorists wanted, fear. "If we are not proactive we are reactive."

Kidnapper Found Dead

John Esposito, who imprisoned 10- year-old Katie Beers for 17 days in a New York dungeon, was found dead in his cell Thursday. Beers expresses sympathy for Esposito's family but not for him. Esposito dies at the age of 64; his death is under investigation but does not seem suspicious.  

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McDonald's Changing Dollar Menu

McDonald's is considering changing the status of the dollar menu to make it more profitable for the company. The new dollar menu would contain items from $1 to $5, marketing sharable items. The company's proposal to increase prices is due to McDonald's rough past with its sales.

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Make- Over for Yahoo!

At midnight on Sept. 5, Yahoo embraced its new company logo capping off months of updates to the web browser. Marissa Mayer, the CEO, spent months with the design team to redesign all of Yahoo which now features a dancing and darting exclamation mark.  To keep up with the "whimsical, yet sophisticated" theme of Yahoo, the company's exclamation point will be an animation that changes frequently.

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What?! No More Hot Dogs?!

1.  Many European countries celebrate May Day (May 1) as the day working people are honored
2. The first state to make Labor Day a holiday was Oregon, Feb 21, 1887
3. No one knows which one of the McGuire brothers came up with the idea of labor day.
4. The first labor day was celebrated Sept. 5,1882 in New York City.
5.  The 8-hour workday was firmly established by the Adamson Act in 1816.
6. Many may think Labor Day originated in the U.S. but it Toronto, Canada was the first to hold a parade to strike 58- hour workweek. 
7. The first Labor Day parade in the U.S consisted of over ten thousand workers.
8. In the early 19th century, many workers worked a 12-hour day seven days a week.
9. Although a decreasing tradition, Labor day was considered the day to pack up all your white clothing.
10. Congress passed the law making Labor Day the first monday in September.
11.  One of the supposed founders, Peter McGuire, thought of Labor Day as a day to "honor those who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
12. Labor Day was made a holiday under President Grover Cleveland. 
13. Labor Day celebrates the 155.2 million workers above the age of 16, who work.
14. After Memorial day and the Fourth of July, Labor day is the third most popular holiday to barbecue.
15. According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, Labor day is the official end of hot dog season.
16. Due to the large amounts of teenagers and young adults wanting to get the most out of the last few days of summer, Labor Day has been named one of the worse days for car accidents.
17. Labor Day is often referred as the "unofficial last day of summer."
18. Labor Day was not originally a celebration but a protest for shorter work days.
19. The largest occupation as of May 2012 was in retail sales.
20. The largest occupation in 1910 was farmers at 6,132,000.

References: Read me!, Or Read me!, or this one!, Maybe this one?, web!, 6,7, Last one!

Writing for the Mass Media: 3.14, 3.15

Baseball Game

The Bay City Blubirds rallied from a 3-run deficit Tuesday night to defeat Carmel Cardinals 6-3 and win the Western Tri- state Championship.

The Bluebirds are now assured a place in the Tri- state playoffs next week.Their opponent will be determined 9 p.m. in a game between the Santa Ana Generals and the Redwood Knights.

The Cardinals led the Bluebirds for most of the game and they had 3-0  lead in the eighth- inning. 

In the eight-inning, Tim Story from the Bluebirds, walked and stole second. Left- fielder, Biff Carbosi was intentionally walked and both runners moved up a base on a wild by Cardinals', Ronnie Miller. Miller was then relieved by Chuck Nelson.

Bluebird second baseman, Carbo Garbey, lined Nelson's first pitch into deep centerfield, to put the Bluebirds ahead. The Bluebirds added two more runs in the ninth-inning to insure its victory. 

Guilty Verdict

A jury found a Midville man guilty of second -degree manslaughter after an hour of deliberations Tuesday. 

Johnny Gene Garber was convicted at the end of a three-day trial during which his mother testfied against him. He was charged in the death of a 39- year- old brickmason, Gardner Jackson, of 12 Ninth Street in Jonesville. 

 Garber stood silently as the jury read the verdict.  Judge Jonas T. McMillen, set a sentencing hearing for next Monday at 8 a.m. 

   Garber was charged with drunk-driving down Highway 69 in March. His car swerved out of control and ran head-on into a car driven by Jackson, who had been attending Midville Baptist Church.

During the trial, Able Sasson, the prosecuting attorney, called Garber's mother, Minnie Lee Garber, to testify her son had been drinking heavily at their home before that evening the accident occurred.

 Garber received a sentence of two to five years in prison for the crime he committed.