Journalism 3101W

  By: Madison Maronde Writing labs in class is a rush of emotions. It’s the initial freak out over needing to read the paragraphs of information, followed by the frantic writing of a lede. While I piece together a story, I also wonder if I chose the right major, if someone in my class will do significantly worse than me, and if I will finish on time. It helps, while under pressure, to remind myself that someone in the class is probably feeling the same stream of emotions as I am. The feedback I have been getting in my labs is beneficial and every week I am surprised by how much I learn through these assignments. Some things I need to work on as I learn to write like a journalist include simple AP rules like number formatting as well as knowing where to insert a colorful quote. Also I am learning how to decipher information given by press releases. Meaning, I am learning how to pick and choose the information that is essential for me to include in my piece.

  By: Madison Maronde A volcano on a Spanish island continues to erupt for nearly the second week, according to an article by the Washington Post . The island being affected, La Palma, is in the Canary Islands and it’s volcano originally erupted on Sept.19. According to an article by ABC News , 6,000 people have been evacuated and 589 buildings have been destroyed.  The lava has now flowed over 630 acres of the La Palma. The island is about 22 miles long according to an article by the Washington Post. The lava flow has also reached the ocean, according to an article by ABC News, this interaction is dangerous as it can release toxic gas and cause explosions.  No one has been killed, however many people have lost their homes and livelihoods according to an article by ABC News. The last time the volcano erupted in 1971, volcanic activity after the fact continued for about a month according to an article by the Washington Post.

  By: Madison Maronde On Wednesday an article by CNN announced Britney Spears’s father is no longer her conservator. Jamie Spears has been the conservator for his daughter, Britney Spears, for 13 years. He has controlled all of her assets and is alleged to have placed recording devices in his daughters room and used the situation for personal gain according to an article by CNN. Britney Spears has been fighting to get her rights back in court and to no longer have her in father control her assets of more than $15 million according to an article by CNBC . "I just want my life back. It's been 13 years, and it's enough," Britney Spears said in June according to an article by CNN. John Zebel, who is a California accountant, is currently the conservator for Britney Spears’s assets. Her wellbeing and medical care will continue to be monitored by Jodi Montgomery, a licensed private fiduciary according to an article by CNBC. Britney Spears supporters, called an army, accordin

  By: Madison Maronde The search continues for the fiancé of Gabby Petito in Florida, after the FBI issued an arrest warrant for him Thursday according to News Channel 8.   Gabby Petito’s remains were discovered September 19 in Wyoming, and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, has yet to be found. The warrant issued is for activities that occurred after Petito’s death such as using unauthorized devices according to CNN .  The warrant for Laundrie’s arrest will help officers to arrest the suspect, however officers claim they will be working just as hard to find the fiancé as before. The area that is being searched, Carlton Nature Preserve in Sarasota County Fla. is described by officers as being rough and includes many acres of thick vegetation according to an article by CNN. The family of Laundrie said this is where he was last seen. According to a CNN article, the parents of Laundrie are concerned he may hurt himself, as he left his valuables at home the last day he was seen. The FBI is encour

  By: Madison Maronde  The Longform Podcast features Wesley Lowery, a Black reporter, who was in Minneapolis after George Floyd’s death. Lowery talks about being at the scenes of protests and the difference between night and day at the protests.  Lowery discusses the argument that events only happen because the media is there, and that the media amplifies situations. He explains that of course people can act differently around the media, but the protest and event would still be occurring without the media. I enjoyed hearing Lowery describe the relationship between journalists and protestors, and that many protesters are doing exactly what journalists are doing: taking pictures and talking to people. Lowery said it is important for journalists not to think of themselves as above the protesters. The most important thing he gave insight on as far as reporters coming into a city to report on something was to talk to people. We are not better than the people at scenes or protests, we are

  By: Madison Maronde A U.S. diplomat of Haiti resigned Wednesday, as the U.S. deports thousands of Haitians who are seeking refuge at the U.S. border according to the New York Times . Daniel Foote resigned after the U.S. began deporting Haitians from the U.S. Mexican border back to Haiti which is currently in dire condition according to CNN. Haiti was hit with a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in August and had their president assassinated in July.  Haiti is also experiencing heavy gang violence according to the New York times. Needless to say, the country is being faced with a crisis.  Foote called the decision by the U.S. “inhumane” and “counterproductive” according to CNN and said that he does not want to be associated with it.  According to an article by CNN, Foote did not make complaints of the situation in Haiti, or express concerns over the situation at the border before resigning, which White House officials said he could have done.