Top News Story #4

A hurricane warning was issued for the state of Maine today. The warning is the first for the state in over 17 years according to the National Weather service. Hurricane Kyle formed in the mid Atlantic ocean and is churning northward towards the upper Eastern states, and threatens the New England regions with tropical storm like conditions. 4 inches of rain have already fallen on the upper Eastern coast, and more is expected before the weekend is through.

I read this story on Yahoo News. I believe this new story is important due to the fact that our country is experiencing a rise in hurricanes and natural disasters. Since the recent disaster of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, hurricane seasons have been much more severe then in past years. Some may believe it is due to global warming, which has lead to warmer temperatures around the planet, therefore, warmer temperatures will lead to warmer waters which are prime birthing grounds for hurricanes. Regardless of the cause of the rise of hurricanes, we must look at what we are doing to the planet and understand that mother nature will eventually fight back.

Here is the link for the story...

Hurricane Kyle Heads for Maine

Impact: Thousands of people's lives will be influenced by this hurricane if it makes landfall as a strong hurricane. Hurricanes are the greatest storms on earth and if one makes landfall in a state that hasn't had a hurricane in 17 years, the effects can be disastrous.

Proximity: This story is taking place in the upper Eastern states within our own country. This is much more relevant than Typhoons in the Western Pacific ocean.

AP Style Exercise #3 (I-L)

Please identify and correct the AP and other style errors in the following sentences.

1) There's been no letup all day. After class, I plan to soak in my Jacuzzi and then lie down for a short nap.

2) They call the previous Senator Fred Fried a left-winger because he voted against the Patriot Act.

3) As they unfurled her white sails, the sailboat caught the breeze and began to slice steadily through the waves. Their dream cruise of the Pacific islands had begun.

4) After two days of hard rain and rising waters, the river flooded its banks, leaving the road partly impassable.

AP Style Exercise #2 (E-H)

1) To ensure the accuracy of the new story, Sarah Jones checked with her source. For Jones, this is an everyday practice, not the exception. 

2) As the two boys argued over who should get the last piece of pizza, both seemed equally hungry. Clearly, they had forgotten their earlier decision to forgo having seconds.

3) He suspected his neighbor was selling drugs, so he called the FBI. His neighbor, however, cried foul at the accusation. 

4) She grew up on the Great Plains, near Alliance, N.E., where the winters are long and harsh and the living is hand to mouth.

5) Her car was sideswiped by a hit-and-run driver on Route 1A this morning. She was not injured, but the impact sent the contents of her purse helter-skelter. 

Top News Story #3

A Marriot Hotel in Pakistan was destroyed today when a truck carrying a bomb exploded in the lower garage. The suicide attack killed 40 people and wounded hundreds, dozen more are feared dead inside the building as it still burns. I read this story on Yahoo News. This story continues the terrorist attack that have plagued our world in the new millenium. The hotel was targeted because it is an American chain and it came at a time of growing anger over Pakistans involvement with the United States and Afganistan. I decided to report on this story due to the fact it contains many newsworthy elements. 

This attack of terror effects the lives of people in Pakistan, America, and of those fighting the war on terror. The act shows disapproval of Pakistan's new president Asif Ali Zardari, widower of Minister Benazir Bhutto, and sets up the field for another attack in the coming weeks.

The terrorist attack could not come at a worse time due to the fact America is 6 weeks away from electing a new president of their own. Although this event took place on the other side of the world it effects our own lives here at home dramatically and will effect the future of U.S. international relations. 

News Story #2

A tourist couple from Taipei were robbed at gunpoint yesterday morning in the Saint Mary's Cathedral parking lot, according to.

The victims were WeiMing Chen, 28, and his wife, Li Lu, 30. The couple had left their tour group around 10 a.m. to take pictures in the cathedral's lower parking lot.

A man approached them and waved a pistol as he demanded their money. Chen handed over $100 dollars, a Visa card, passports, camera and airline tickets. The thief then took off running.

The police are searching for the suspect who is described as being about 18 years old, wearing a black jacket and cap. It is unsure wether the couple made their flight back to Taipei before 1pm, Sgt. Lawrence Price of the San Francisco police department said.

News Story #1

Yesterday, firefighters rescued Robert Kent, 50, from a fire in a single-story home on Annapolis Way in San Jose. Kent is retired and lived alone.

According to San Jose fire Captain Rob Piper, the fire began in the kitchen and spread to the attic as smoke engulfed the entire house. No smoke detector was inside the home

Firefighters pulled Kent out of his home as he was surrounded by flames. Kent suffered third-degree burns and is burned on 50 percent of his body. He was found on the floor unconscious, says Piper. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Lead Exercise #5

Delayed 1

Gross Engineers employee Duane La Chance suffered third-degree burns while installing new pipes on the roof of the Springfield Municipal Power Plant.

The 55-year old pipe fitter was electrocuted when he accidently touched a power line, he is listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit of Springfield Hospital.

Immediate 1

Gross Engineers pipe fitter Duane La Chance lies in critical condition at Springfield Hospital after suffering third degree burns by accidently touching a power line carrying 15,00 volts.

Delayed 2

Two cars collided today on the U.S. 63, just one-tenth a mile north of Blue Ridge Road.

James W. Cunning, 20, and Wayne Clay, 19-years old were involved in the accident after Clay crossed the center line sticking Cunning's vehicle.

Immediate 2

A serious car accident occured today on the U.S. 63 near Blue Ridge Road, both parties suffered minor injuries and are in satisfactory condition at Springfield Hospital.

Leads Exercise #4

Forty passengers evacuated from Northwest Airlines jet.

Forty passengers were evacuated from a Northwest Airlines jet today at LaCrosse, Wis., Municipal Airpot. Flight 428 was spotted having smoke near the wheels by tower employees, following a flight from Minneapolis. 

7-year old missing boy found in Brick Township N.J.

A 7-year old boy who had been missing for three years, was found in Brick Township N.J. on Monday night. A neighbor called police, after recognizing the child's picture when it was shown after the movie Adam : The Song Continues.

Leads Exercise #3

1. Yesterday, comedian and Bard College alumni, Chevy Chase, was appointed to the board of trustees for Bard College in New York.

2. Yesterday at 1:30 p.m. , the Amtrak train, the Colonial, collided with three Conrail locomotives on a switch that merges four tracks into two causing the worst accident in Amtrak's history. The crash happened near Chase, Md., and killed 15 people, injuring 175. Amtrak spokesman, Larry Chase claims the Conrail diesels were headed northbound with the Amtrak trains, and apparently ran a stop sign. 

AP Style Exercise #1 (A-D)

Please find and correct the AP style errors in the following sentences. The number in parentheses at the end of each sentence tells you how many errors are in that sentence. Be sure to consult your AP Stylebook for this exercise.

1) The new head of the Journalism Department, Dr. Deborah Dunwoody, recently bought a house at 6 Riverside Dr. in San Mateo; a lovely city in the San Francisco bay area.

2) "What kind of person would break into my apartment and steal my brand new thongs?" she asked her friend.

3) The instructor asked her students to read Chapter 6 in the text, and to pay close attention to the section on the Great Depression, beginning in the late 1920's and continuing through the 1930's. 

4) Sarah Smith has not let partial blindness nor wheelchair confinement stop her from living her life to the fullest. In spite of her handicaps, she volunteers at a local seniro center and enjoys going for strolls -- she calls them "rolls"-- with her friends.

Lead Exercise #2

Yesterday, a US Air airplane crashed directly into the ground outside of Pittsburgh as it prepared to land. The rash killed all 131 people on board and was flying in from Chicago. This crash is the worst in the United States in the past 3 years. 

Lead Exercise #1

1) A local couple was awarded $150,000 in damages yesterday in Butte County Court for suffering injuries in a traffic accident this past March.

2) Another snowstorm is expected to hit the Sierras today as apart of a series of snowstorms this week.

3) Three firefighters were injured and 41 families were evacuated as a fire roared through a six-story building at 204 Union Ave. today, stated police.