Two reporters back in the day at Ball State

One's now a Statehouse reporter and one is on TV in South Bend

Video: When your car stops running

(From Twitter:) Waiting for a tow truck on the side of I-69 on my way to present at the HSPA conference. I'll get there yet!

        I'm a veteran of car breakdowns.
       A failed alternator once left me sleeping next to an Ohio gas station off the interstate, waiting for the place to open.
       Near Monteagle, Tennessee, my Chrysler's water pump stopped working. I couldn't understand much of what the mechanic said, but he only charged $40 for the repair, and I could understand that.
       The other day I had the AC compressor replaced in my Nissan Versa, which still runs great at 175,000 miles. That wasn't a breakdown. But driving from my home in Muncie to Indianapolis to speak at a conference, the engine began emitting ominous thumping sounds.
        Every red light on the dash went on - alternator, engine temp, etc. Power steering went out. I'm no mechanic, but the failure of all those systems at once was kind of a clue.
        I was going to speak about mobile video. So naturally, I had to make something to demonstrate video editing on my phone.....
  

Indiana Weekend-TV: Peru Circus

   The amazing performers of the Peru Amateur Youth Circus - everyday Indiana kids with some uncommon skills.
   We meet some of the students and talk to one of their ringmasters, a former county judge, about how they do it, on WIPB-TV's Indiana Weekend.

Test firing an AR-15 and AK-47 for my job

                                                     







(I wrote this column for The Indianapolis Star just before the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, as tensions increased over safety and security at home.  I thought of it recently because of the debate over civilian ownership of assault-style weapons.)
(Photo: Neil Dorgan/Flickr)

By John Strauss
February 14, 2003

As store shelves throughout the city are emptied of duct tape and plastic sheeting by people concerned about terrorist attacks, other folks think the best defense is a good offense.

Don Davis said gun sales at his Westside store have doubled since the latest terrorism alert. He said the $599 AK-47 is a top seller.

Davis became locally famous a few years ago with endlessly repeated TV commercials in which he cocked a finger at the camera and cackled, "Folks, I don't want to make money -- I just love to sell guns."

It turns out that terrorism sells.

"For me, when times are bad, business is good," Davis said Thursday.

He was at a trade show in Florida this week, shopping for gas masks for customers suddenly nervous about chemical or biological attacks.

At his Don's Guns, manager Ben Chance let me test-fire the AK-47 and a $999 Bushmaster, similar to the military M-16, in the store's indoor range.

The Bushmaster delivers a high-velocity round very accurately with little kick. The AK-47 will give you a jolt, but with that kick you get a larger round.

Just what you need to stop terrorists invading your subdivision.

Of course, some people might end up with guns simply for home protection. And if that's the case, Chance says, an old-fashioned shotgun might do the trick.

"A 12-gauge is a nice gun to have in the house. You don't have to aim the gun. You just point it in the general vicinity, and you're actually going to hit what you're pointing toward, because (the shot) scatters."

Business also was up at 500 Guns on the Westside and at Pop Guns Trading Post on the Eastside. But managers at those stores said that had more to do with the arrival of income tax refund checks than Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein.

"There have been a few people come in and express concern," said Mike Hilton, the manager at Pop Guns. "But overall, people tend to be pretty complacent about it, to be honest."

Hilton said he recommends that someone who wants a gun take a training course. Then, once he has an idea of their skill level, he'll suggest a firearm -- often a small revolver.

He's not big on the AK-47 in this case. If used for self-defense, it's likely to "overpenetrate" -- go right through the attacker, through the wall of your home, through the wall of the next house and into somebody there.

Guy Montgomery, manager of 500 Guns, also recommends a revolver -- not a battlefield rifle -- for home defense.

Still, there's a magnetism about the assault weapons. Firing one of these guns is the shooting equivalent of twisting the throttle on a squat Harley -- lots of noise and simple, raw power.

They're fun, but they may not be real practical.

So if you're convinced al-Qaida is down the street and you want to establish a defensive perimeter in the front hallway, do the neighbors a favor.

Just borrow dad's old shotgun.

Ball State jounalists win SPJ awards

Jake Fox, Robby General, Casey Smith, Bre Daughterty, Cam Ridle

and Zach Huffman with their SPJ awards

Ball State student journalists won two dozen awards in the annual Society of Professional Journalists state contest, including first-place honors for best website, editorial writing, sports reporting, graphics and continuing television coverage.

The television award went to Cameron Ridle of NewsLink Indiana, who was also named Student Journalist of the Year by SPJ at the annual dinner on Saturday.

Other first-place awards went to Dakota Crawford and Tyson Bird of the Ball State Daily News for sports writing and graphics; to the Daily News staff for editorial writing and to The Ball State Daily for best website. Zach Huffman won first place for radio features reporting.

For the first-place editorial award, judges said the Daily News staff “shows diverse, consistent opinion. The editorials submitted give a clear view of issues that should be important to students. They are the best in this contest because they are clearly, sharply written and well-edited.”

The Daily News earlier won first place in editorial writing in SPJ’s Mark of Excellence regional contest, which includes entries from Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Crawford also won a first-place for Sports Column Writing in the regional awards. Those first place winners, announced March 30, go on to compete in the SPJ national contest.


Here are the awards won by Ball State student media at the SPJ state contest:

Category: Spot News Reporting 
2nd Place:
Christopher Stephens
“Ball State Professor, Wife Suffer Smoke Inhalation After Morning Fire”

Category: Non-Deadline News 
2nd Place:
Anthony Lombardi
“Muncie's Methamphetamine Dilemma”
Ball State Daily News

Category: Sports Reporting 
1st Place:
Dakota Crawford
“Grown-Man Decision”
Ball State Daily News

2nd Place:
Robby General
“Ball State Pockets $1.2 Million For Texas A&M Game”
Ball State Daily News

3rd Place:
Jake Fox
“Gilbert's Dream Fuels Success Beyond Ball State”
Ball State Daily News

Category: Editorial Writing 
1st Place:
Ball State Daily News Staff
Ball State Daily News

Judge’s comments: “The work of the staff of Ball State shows diverse, consistent opinion. The editorials submitted give a clear view of issues that should be important to students. They are the best in this contest because they are clearly, sharply written, and well edited.”


Category: Column Writing 
2nd Place:
Daniel Brount
“Do You Copy?”
Ball State Daily News

3rd Place:
Anna Bowman
“Film Analysis”
Ball State Daily News

Category: News Photography 
2nd Place:
Breanna Daugherty
“Pence Visits 4th Graders”
Ball State Daily News

Category: Sports Photography 
3rd Place:
Breanna Daugherty
“Women's Volleyball”
Ball State Daily News

Category: Features Photography 
3rd Place:
Emma Rogers
“Benny The Barber”
Ball State Daily News

Category: Page One Or Cover Design 
2nd Place:
Ball State Daily News Staff
Ball State Daily News

Category: Graphics Or Illustration 
1st Place:
Tyson Bird
“A World Without Lafollette”
Ball State Daily News

Judge’s comments: “The best graphics instantly communicate more than one fact with visuals that don't just illustrate those facts but put them into context. All the winners here balanced the complexity of presenting so many facts with visual appeal. And they're all local facts on otherwise mundane topics.”


2nd Place:
Stephanie Redding, Dakota Crawford
“What Cost Of Attendance Stipend Could Look Like At Ball State”
Ball State Daily News

Category: Investigative Reporting 
2nd Place:
Kara Berg
“Sexual Assault”
Ball State Daily News

Category: Best Journalism Website 
1st Place:
Ball State Daily News Staff
“Ball State Daily”
Ball State Daily News

Judge’s comments: “The gap between first and second was narrow, mostly because both regularly cover a lot of ground yet embark on ambitious projects. The third-place winner is equally impressive but gets less credit for not toiling under the daily burden of those who finished ahead.”


3rd Place:
Staff Of Ball Bearings Magazine
“Ball Bearings Magazine”
Ball Bearings Magazine


Category: Best Online Multimedia 
2nd Place:
Alan Hovorka
“Muncie Police Department To Receive Body Cameras”
Ball State Daily News

3rd Place:
Miranda Carney
“THE AFTERMATH”
Ball Bearings Magazine

Category: Television Continuing Coverage 
1st Place:
Cameron Ridle
“Ball State Award Leads To Controversy, Resignation”
NewsLink Indiana

Judge’s comments: “Thorough coverage of campus issue, including nice followup of administrator's resignation following threat to pull a campus organization's funding.”


Category: Best Design Other Than Cover 
3rd Place:
Ball State Daily News Staff
Ball State Daily News


Category: Radio Features Reporting
1st Place:
Zach Huffman
“Fighting The Fire”
Indiana Public Radio

Judge’s comments: “Immersed into the story thanks to the detailed descriptions of the scenes. Great audio to support/reinforce the narrative.”

Category: Feature Story
3rd Place:
Kourtney Cooper
“We Are Coming”
Ball Bearings Magazine


Indiana Student Journalist Of The Year
Cameron Ridle
Ball State University

Judge’s comments: “Cameron has accomplished quite a bit at just 22 years old and simply reading his nomination letter and viewing his clips, it is clear he is very deserving of this honor. I expect cameron to do great things ... Get his autograph now.”


Here are the Daily News winners in the regional SPJ contest from March 30:

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Daily Northwestern - by staff, Northwestern University
Finalist: The Ball State Daily News - by The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University
Finalist: Indiana Daily Student - by Staff, Indiana University

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Student describes experience on Purdue's campus during shooting - by Emma Kate Fittes, Ball State University

Editorial Writing
Winner: Our View: Daily News Editorials - by The Ball State Daily News Editorial Board, Ball State University’’’

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Finalist: Liquor store Frank - by Christopher Stephens, Ball State University

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Full-Court Press - by Dakota Crawford, Ball State University


Full list of regional Mark of Excellence winners:

http://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=1322

-30-

For student job-hunters, the details matter

Cristi Hegranes, founder and CEO of Global Press, has written a terrific reminder for job-seeking students that ought to be taped up on dorm refrigerators everywhere.

"I want to help you," she writes. "But you aren't making it easy."

An Open Letter to Journalism Students Who Want Jobs

February 15, 2016
By: Cristi Hegranes Founder and CEO

Dear J-School Students,

We’ve been hearing for a long time that the market is tough for you guys.

Opportunities are few and far between. Salaries are low. Traditional jobs don’t exist like you thought they would.

Times are tough. I get it. And I want to help you.

But you aren’t making it easy.

Over the last few years Global Press Institute and our newer brands Global Press Journal and Global Press News Service have hosted more than a dozen college interns. And we’ve hired about 16 percent of them. As an organization, we are committed to providing high-quality, inspiring employment. I think the team would agree when I say this work is challenging, fun and unique in today’s industry. Our work spans two dozen countries and confronts very real questions about journalism innovation everyday.

So when we posted an entry-level newsroom coordinator position last month, we were all excited to bring in a young, talented go-getter to help coordinate our ever-growing team of international journalists and to participate in reader engagement, fact-checking and other newsroom tasks. Senior members of the team agreed: This is a job we would have killed for when we were just starting out.

Over the last four weeks we’ve received 41 applications via a variety of job posting sites and through our own organic channels.

I’m sad to report that the quality of the applications has been abhorrent....
Read the entire letter here.

Daily News wins Gold Circles for digital work

 

Kara Berg won first place for single spot-news photo with

      an image taken at a candle-light vigil at Ball State 

honoring protests in Ferguson, Missouri.

The Ball State Daily News has won a dozen Gold Circles for digital media, including first-place honors for news writing, in-depth news / feature writing, sports and sports commentary.

The awards by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association were chosen from among 4,232 entries from colleges, universities and high schools across the country.

Anthony Lombardi won the top national collegiate award in the news and in-depth categories for his look at meth abuse in Delaware County, where Ball State is located and a place that has led the state in meth-lab busts. Lombardi profiled a meth addict who lost everything to the drug except for the clothes on his back - and a Bible.

“Meth is my demon,” the man told Lombardi.

Former Editor-in-Chief Dakota Crawford won first place for sports commentary, and Sports Editor Robby General took a first in sports news for his look at what Ball State earned for playing Texas A&M in football - what’s known as a “guarantee game”:

“Ball State pocketed $1.2 million this weekend for playing a game in which it didn't stand a chance,” General wrote.

Elsewhere, News Editor Kara Berg won first place for single spot-news photo with an image taken at a candle-light vigil honoring protests in Ferguson, Missouri. And Emma Rogers won the top feature photo award for a picture from the “Pretty in Pink” fashion show to promote breast cancer awareness.

The 2016 awards are from work produced between Oct. 11, 2014 and Oct. 13, 2015. The Gold Circle winners for digital work were announced Feb. 4.

Full list of Gold Circle winners:
http://cspa.columbia.edu/recepient-lists/2016-awards-student-work-gold-circle-awards-collegiate-recipientshttp://cspa.columbia.edu/recepient-lists/2016-awards-student-work-gold-circle-awards-collegiate-recipients

Daily News wins national Pacemaker Award

                 

The Ball State Daily News was among five student newspapers in the country to win this year's national Pacemaker Award, sometimes referred to as the Pulitzer Prize of student journalism.

“The winners featured strong writing, excellent news judgment—tough stories and story selections that showed the editorial staff knew their audience,” judges wrote.

“A clean, easy-to-read layout and strong photography set the winners apart. Most importantly, these papers showed creativity and ingenuity.”

The Daily News was a finalist in 2014 and last won the Pacemaker in 2009.

American Collegiate Press began the awards in 1927 and has co-sponsored the competition since 1971 with the Newspaper Association of America Foundation.

This year's other winners were from Indiana University, the University of Alabama, the University of Minnesota and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

The awards were announced at the National College Media Convention this weekend in Austin, Texas.


Previously:  Daily News a finalist for Pacemaker Award
Sept. 9, 2015

The Ball State Daily News is among seven finalists for the Pacemaker Award, the top prize in college newspaper journalism from Associated Collegiate Press.

Other finalists are UCLA, Indiana University, Alabama, Minnesota, North Carolina and Oklahoma. ACP announced the finalists Tuesday and said winners will be named at the National College Media Convention in Austin, Texas, Oct. 28-Nov. 1.

ACP is the nation's oldest and largest national membership organization for college student journalists. The Pacemaker, sometimes called the Pulitzer Prize of student journalism, is based on "coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership on the opinion page, evidence of in-depth reporting, design, photography, art and graphics."

The Daily News has won or been a finalist for the Pacemaker 10 times in the past 21 years, including last year. Most recently it won in 2009.

The 2014-15 staff was led by editors Emma Kate Fittes and Daniel Brount, with Kathy Jesse, the newspaper's adviser last year.

The paper typically competes for the top awards in college journalism from ACP and the Collegiate Scholastic Press Association.

In 2014 it won a Gold Crown Award for general excellence, the highest recognition from CSPA. Its digital operation won a Gold Crown for online news in 2012.

- John Strauss, jcstrauss@bsu.edu

Writing and math resources for reporters

Check these out....

Math basics for journalists
http://journalistsresource.org/tip-sheets/foundations/math-for-journalists

NewsLab - Getting the numbers right
http://www.newslab.org/resources/math.htm

Six rules for writing a great news lead
http://drkblake.com/six-rules-for-writing-a-straight-news-lead/

SPJ - Journalists Toolbox
http://www.journaliststoolbox.org/archive/writing-with-numbers/

Daily News wins top Gold Circles

The Ball State Daily News has won 72 Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, including 15 first-place honors for digital news in sports, news writing, photos and commentary.

The Daily News print edition took first place for informational graphics, sports page design and photo layout: full page.

The newspaper’s Gold Circle Awards for Digital Media included top honors for breaking news, in-depth/feature story, secondary coverage, editorial writing, general or humor commentary, sports commentary, sports news and entertainment reviews.

Another was for first-person experience given to former student Evie Lichtenwalter, for “Prognosis Unknown: I Have Cancer, but Don’t Get Weird.”

“Cancer is still a scary word to a lot of people, and many associate the diagnosis with death,” she wrote. “Just because I have cancer doesn’t mean I’m going to die.”

Anna Ortiz won first place in personal opinion: on-campus issues for her column, “Common Sense: How to Take Your Parents to a Bar.”

This year’s CSPA Gold Circle Awards attracted 11,110 entries from college and high school students across the country, the organization said. The print newspaper work was produced between June 11, 2014 through June 10, 2015. Digital media entries were published from Nov. 2, 2013 through Oct. 10, 2014.

Full list of Gold Circle Awards here.


Ball State winners:


Print Newspaper

N1. News writing
CM. Alan Hovorka, “Parking Permits Exceed Spaces,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N2. In-depth news/feature story
CM. Dakota Crawford, “Student Fees Fund Most of Athletic Budget,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N3. Editorial writing
CM. Daniel Brount, “Keeping Students Informed on Crime,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N7. Sports commentary
3. Dakota Crawford, “UAB Cuts Football Team, Takes Steps Forward,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N8. First person experience
CM. Jordan Huffer, “Don’t Rush Through Grief,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N9. Sports news
CM. Dakota Crawford, “UAB Cuts Football Team, Takes Steps Forward,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N10. Sports features
CM. Dakota Crawford, “More than Just a Number,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Dakota Crawford, “Grown-Man Decision,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N11. News feature
CM. Kara Berg, “Living with Trauma After Sexual Assualt,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N12. Personality profile
2. Ryan Howe, “Raised by Fire,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Kaitlin Lange, “Meer Algier,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N13. General feature
CM. Ryan Howe, “We’ll Be Waiting for You in the Darkness,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N14. Entertainment reviews
2. Anna Bowman, “Nolan Creates Groundbreaking Film,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N26. Photo story
CM. Jonathan Miksanek, “Drag Show,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N27. Single spot news photograph
CM. Breanna Daugherty, “President Barack Obama,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

N29. Single sports photograph
2. Breanna Daughert, “Calyn Hosea,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Breanna Daughert, “Renee Bennett,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N34. Informational graphics
1. Ashley Downing, “Comparing Indiana Seasonal Produce Prices,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Michael Boehnlein and Stephanie Redding, “High Price to Get High,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Staff, “Mixing Your Beats,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Tyson Bird, “Stross Fractures and Athletes,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Ross May, “2014 FIFA World Cup,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N42.|N43.|N44. Page One Design
2. Daniel Brount, “Atlas Wins,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N58.|N59.|N60. Feature Page Design
2. Michael Boehnlein, “Eddie Izzard,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Daniel Brount, “Byte,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N62.|N63.|N64. Sports Page Design
1. Breanna Daugherty, Ross May and David Polaski, “Rumble,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Tyson Bird, “Sports,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

N66. Photo layout: Full page
1. Stephanie Redding, “A Nation in Protest,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Staff, “Drag Show,” Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;


Digital Media

DM1. Breaking news
1. Emma Kate Fittes and Aric Khokey, “SGA Vice President Resigns,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Ashley Dye, “Trustees Announce Paul W. Ferguson as Ball State’s 15th President,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Staff, “Victim in Purdue Shooting Identified,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM2. Secondary coverage
1. Anna Ortiz, and Jeremy Ervin, “Behind the Tape,” “Miles Away” and “Across the Street,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Rachel Podnar, “ Immersive Learning Hallmark of Gora’s Presidency, Faculty Says,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

DM3. News writing
1. Lauren Chapman, “Students Turns to Crowdfunding,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Lauren Chapman, “University Approach to Emergencies in Step with National Security Procedures,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Kaitlin Lange, “One Third of Students Drop Honors by Graduation,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Lauren Chapman, “Students Host Performance Art Demonstration,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Kara Berg, “Student Makes Petition to Get ASL Counted as Foreign Language,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM4. News feature
CM. Kaitlin Lange, “Study Abroad Can Lead to Openness,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM5. In-depth news/feature story
1. Rachel Podnar, “Researcher Calls Rise of Campus Crime ‘Hype’” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Rachel Podnar, “Sexual Offenses Often Go Unreported,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Kaitlin Lange, “Socialization Instrumental in Gender Gays Among Students, Professors,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Rachel Podnar, “Studies Point to Learning in Efficiency in Etextbooks,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM6. Editorial writing
1. Staff, “Our View: SGA Does Matter,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Staff, “Our View: Gora’s Successor has Much to Prove,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

DM7. Personal opinion: On-campus issues
1. Anna Ortiz, “Have Common Sense: How to Take Your Parents to a Bar,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

DM9. General or humor commentary
1. Anna Ortiz, “Common Sense: How to Take Your Parents to a Bar,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Kourtney Cooper, “Fashion Fix: Bundle Up, Don’t Bulk Up,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

DM10. First person experience
1. Evie Lichtenwalter, “Prognosis Unknown: I Have Cancer, but Don’t Get Weird,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Jordan Huffer, “Born in a Ball Jar: Living Through Grief,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

DM11. Sports commentary
1. Matt McKinney, “Killer Crossover: Wenning’s Performance Shouldn’t Affect His Legacy,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Matt McKinney, “NFL Must Prepare for Gay Athetes,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

DM12. Sports news
1. Matt McKinney, “Majok, McCrae Battle in Ball State Victory Over Buffalo,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Dakota Crawford, “Wide Receiver Leaves School for NFL Drafts, The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Matt McKinney, “Jahwan Edwards Carries Offense in GoDaddy Bowl Loss,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Matt McKinney, “Tough, but Not Enough,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM13. Sports features
3. Mat Mikesell, “Money Game,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Anthony Lombardi, “Not for Long,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM14. Personality profile
2. Danielle Grady, “Knightly Ritual,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Ryan Howe, “A Message of Hope,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

DM15. General feature
CM. Ryan Howe, “Looking for Acceptance,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM16. Entertainment reviews
1. Matt McKinney, “Binge Watcher: ‘Gotham’ Shows Promise in Series Premiere, but has Room to Grow,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Ryan Howe, “Testing Her Metal,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Jeremy Ervin, “No Sleep Till Muncie: Rayman Legends Provides New Challenges with Familiarity for Fans” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM21. Non-fiction interview
1. Ashley Dye and Evie Lichtenwalter, “Eddie Izzard’s ‘Force Majeure’ to Stop in Indianapolis,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM26. Single spot news photograph
1. Taylor Irby, “‘Gunman’ on Campus,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Jonathan Miksanek, “Tony Proudfoot and the Media,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM27. Single feature photograph
1. Breanna Daugherty, “REO Speedwagon,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
3. Jordan Huffer, “Pendergrass,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Jordan Huffer, “Twins,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM28. Single sports photograph
3. Jonathan Miksanik, “Tori Widrick,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

DM36. Informational graphics
1. Erika Espinoza, “Deadly Fever,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
2. Ryan Wiaranowski, “The Next Technological Revolution,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Aidan Feay, “What Time is Your Final,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;
CM. Stephanie Redding, “High Price to Get High,” The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN;

DM37. Typography: Overall look of the entire website
3. Aidan Feay, The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

-30-

"Indiana Weekend," radio and TV

To stay current as a journalism instructor and because it's fun work, I do a show called "Indiana Weekend" on Indiana Public Radio each week:

http://indianapublicradio.org/indianaweekend/

Last year we also started a TV version. Above, Katie is shooting from our "chase canoe" for a story on White River, with Robbie Mixell of Canoe Country.

Here's a look at our first season on TV. Because we're learning as we go along, we like the most recent episodes (at the bottom) the best:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb294dtN1KEG9t3GnBR86xMOR2dhrWS40

Fall class for "Indiana Weekend"

Our highlight reel is above. Here's a look at what the class is about:

NEWS 397 Immersion: IN Weekend
 Students join a team of professional broadcasters at WIPB-TV and Indiana Public Radio to work on the show “Indiana Weekend,” winner of top awards for public affairs and documentary reporting. Students with an interest in video production and news features are encouraged to join the team. The show highlights interesting people and places in the area between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Students work together based on their interests and abilities to propose story ideas, shoot and record them for broadcast and the Web, edit segments in those formats, produce audio podcasts, shoot photos and write social media updates to help promote the show.

Contact: John Strauss, jcstrauss@bsu.edu

"Magi" offers audience the magic of live radio

Jennifer Blackmer

By John Strauss

jcstrauss@bsu.edu

A fourth holiday-themed live radio drama performed before an audience at Ball State University proves the enduring fascination people have with radio storytelling, the show's director says.

“The Gift of the Magi” comes to Sursa Performance Hall on Friday Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m., produced by Indiana Public Radio, which includes WBST 92.1 in Muncie, WBSB 89.5 Anderson; WBSW 90.9 Marion, WBSJ 91.7 Portland and WBSH 91.1, Hagerstown/New Castle.

Classic story

"Magi" is based on O. Henry’s poignant story of a young couple's love and sacrifice, and was adapted for radio by Kirsten Fentz, a Ball State graduate of theatrical studies. Fentz was awarded membership in the Dramatists Guild of America earlier this year at the American College Theater Festival.

The show features period costumes, live sound effects - an art in itself - along with an orchestra conducted by Michael Elliott. It's directed by Jennifer Blackmer, Ball State's director of immersive learning and an associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Fourth Christmas show

IPR has aired four previous live radio dramas, including three holiday favorites: "A Christmas Carol," "It's a Wonderful Life" and last year's "Miracle on 34th Street" - also directed by Blackmer.

"They had cycled through the available Christmas stories in the radio-drama canon," Blackmer said. Those scripts, usually Lux Radio adaptations from the 1940s that are now in the public domain.

"We tried to figure out what the next step would be," she recalled. "We thought it would be too soon to do the ones we had already done, so we came up with idea of just doing our own."

Blackmer has taught playwriting on campus for eight years and immediately thought of Fentz, who graduated last year and is now writing professionally. Fentz' "The Last Sunrise" was performed at New York's Kennedy Center as part of the American College Theater Festival.

"She was excited to do this and to work in radio with this wonderful group of actors," Blackmer said.

The challenge of radio

The writer and director both had a lot to learn, though Blackmer had the advantage of her experience in last year's show.

Part of the challenge is remembering that though there's a live audience in the theater, the piece is really written for listeners who can't see the production.

"I spend a lot of times working with my eyes closed, listening to how the soundscapes unfold," Blackmer said. "We really want the audience to create their own imagery as they're listening."

She said listening to radio is an active process, different from television, because the audience has to imagine the scenes they're hearing.

Energy from the actors

That means an extra challenge for the actors.

"It's about the energy you put into the performance," Blackmer said, "You're remembering as you are talking to another person in the play that there is also a whole world of listeners out there who are also part of the story."

Because the radio audience can't see them, the actors don't have their bodies to work with. They have to channel all their energy and emotion into their voices. The show's writer also has to remember, for example, that since the audience can't see a character leave the room, the dialog has to include a reference to that action.

'People seem to want it'

"Magi" may benefit from renewed interest in radio-style storytelling. Blackmer cited the "Serial" podcast from producers of public radio's "This American Life," which has explored a nonfiction story over multiple episodes since October.

"I think there's an audience out there that is still really hungry for this kind of storytelling," she said.

"Whether it be the old-fashioned, feel-good Christmas story or the things you hear on "This American Life," people seem to want it.

"That's because it's truly active storytelling. The listener is an active part of it, visualizing what's going on."

“The Gift of the Magi” is presented by LifeStream Services, with major support from Ball State Federal Credit Union and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

BOX: If You're Going

What: "The Gift of the Magi" live radio play.

When: Friday Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sursa Performance Hall, Ball State

Broadcast: Live simulcast on IPR beginning at 8 p.m. with an encore presentation on Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. A special video presentation will air on WIPB Public Television Dec. 18 at 9 p.m.

Tickets: $10 ($5 students) and are available in advance at Emens Box Office,765-285-1539, or at Sursa Hall the night of the performance.

Indiana Public Radio is a service of Ball State University, a Public Radio International affiliate, and a National Public Radio member station. Its format includes NPR, news and classical music broadcast on WBST 92.1FM Muncie, WBSB 89.5FM Anderson, WBSW 90.9FM Marion, WBSJ 91.7FM Portland, and WBSH 91.1FM Hagerstown-New Castle. Online audio streaming is available at indianapublicradio.org.

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Example: Mitch Albom - From bank job to trimming bushes, man keeps his faith

http://archive.freep.com/article/20120812/COL01/308120127/Mitch-Albom-From-bank-job-to-trimming-bushes-man-keeps-his-faith

By Mitch Albom
Detroit Free Press Columnist
August 12, 2012

He kneels in garden beds. He trims branches and lays mulch. Once upon a time, five months ago, he had an important position as a security official for Fidelity Bank, a place he'd worked for 38 years. He wore a suit and tie to work.

Today, he wears shorts and a tank top and prunes hedges or clears flowerbeds for neighbors or older folks. It is, to date, the only work he can find.

"I have to make ends meet," he says.

His name is Rick Vallee, he is 59 years old, and he is one of so many Americans who thought life was going to be different. He thought by this age, he'd be winding down, looking forward to retirement.

Instead, he is unemployed, he cannot afford health insurance, and he can barely cover his bills, supporting a wife and family, including a disabled son. The bank he worked for was purchased by another. The new bank used him for transition, then told him he was done. He handed his key to a woman he barely knew, and walked out the door of his once-familiar working life into a new corner of America, a vast and depressing landscape known as "What Now?"
When companies buy companies

As a devoted Christian, Rick says, "This is where the rubber meets the road. But just because I'm a believer doesn't mean I don't have concerns."

Rick's story will sound sadly familiar. He started as a bank teller in 1974 and worked his way up through the company. Branch management. Security officer. Eventually he was named a vice president charged with enforcing the Bank Secrecy Act, a government initiative aimed at identifying security concerns such as identity theft and terrorism funding.

At its peak, he says, Fidelity had a portfolio of more than a billion dollars. Rick handled security for all 15 branches.

Then the economic downturn happened. Things began to darken. The bank was failing. There were rumors of a sale. Rick hoped the buyer would be a growing company, which might have use for his expertise.

Instead, Fidelity was purchased by a much larger firm. Rick came home and told his wife, "This is it." He sensed he would not be needed in a place that already had so many people.

He was right.

He endured the painful, antiseptic end, a Friday afternoon visit by government officials and new ownership, who waited until 5 o'clock, then began dismantling his office, taking his computer, stripping the Fidelity name, losing all shreds of the old regime.

A few months later, they lost him, too. After 38 years. No severance. No pension. No company. Just an offer of COBRA insurance, which can be laughingly unaffordable once you're fired.
So many are underemployed

I know Rick. It was my idea to write about him, not his. He is not a complainer. Quite the opposite. He is humble, soft-spoken, embarrassed to even mention that he continues his weekly charity work with a local food pantry. He lives modestly, in a small ranch house in Shelby Township. He has never adopted a "Why should I care anymore?" approach.

He tried all his banking contacts. There were simply no jobs. He looked at his prospects, looked at his bills and picked up some landscaping tools, hoping to earn a few dollars. He was not ashamed to do physical labor, despite all the work suits in his closet.

"There are some times out there when I can't believe it," he admits. "But I know God has a plan for me. I just wonder what it is."

You don't know anymore in this country. That white-haired guy in Starbucks might have been a district manager somewhere last year. That woman taking your order at Denny's might have been an executive assistant. And that man cutting your hedge might have once made sure your money was safe.

Rick still prays a company could use his skills. He remains upbeat, and there is something inspiring in that, people who take the bitter yet hope for the sweet. But it is no longer a great distance from the office to the flowerbed, and while the promise of this country always will glow, we are all learning this: You cannot count on the strength of your workplace, only your own.

Contact Mitch Albom: 313-223-4581 or malbom@freepress.com. His new novel, "The Time Keeper" (Hyperion, $24.99, 224 pages), will be released Sept. 4. He will sign copies: Sept. 4, Barnes & Noble, 14165 Hall, Shelby Township, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 6, Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 7, Barnes & Noble, 6800 Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 8, Sam's Club, 15700 Northline, Southgate, noon; Sept. 8, Costco, 20000 Haggerty, Livonia, 2:30 p.m.

John Strauss: Fun, foul-ups part of pledge drives

http://www.thestarpress.com/story/opinion/contributors/2014/11/01/john-strauss-fun-foul-ups-part-pledge-drives/18206249/

By John Strauss 
November 1, 2014
This is pledge season for public radio stations across the country. And the pleas for support, tiresome for some listeners, can be exhausting for the people pitching behind the microphones.

Angie Rapp, marketing manager for Indiana Public Radio and WIPB-TV at Ball State University, has worked behind the scenes and on-air — pitching, or asking for contributions, producing the show, organizing volunteers, serving food, washing dishes and even taking out the trash.

Sitting in front of the mic was the hardest job when she started.

“It’s incredibly hard the first time,” she said. “It’s intimidating and a little scary because you’re afraid you’ll mess up.”

But the fear passes when you remember the basics: Be yourself. Just try to have a conversation with the other person in the studio — and with the listeners.

“At the end of the day you’re just talking about something you’re really passionate about, and that part is easy.”

Behind the scenes and on the air

Plenty goes on behind the scenes at Indiana Public Radio, a group of five stations between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, based at WBST in Muncie. Volunteers in a converted conference room answer the phones and take pledges. A manager tallies the contributions. Some givers offer a matching challenge: Raise a certain amount in an hour, say $300, and they’ll contribute the same amount to double the contributions.

Through a soundproof window, the phone volunteers can see into a studio next door where the on-air crew is pleading for pledges. They’re with a producer who keeps track of the clock and makes sure they finish up in time to rejoin the network. Talk too long and you risk “upcutting,” the NPR feed by talking over it.

In a second adjoining studio, a board operator switches between the network feed and the studio where the volunteers are pitching. That person makes sure the right elements are being played, including weather breaks, news and underwriting announcements.

Mistakes happen all the time, glitches in the show that add their own spontaneous charm.

During “All Things Considered,” for example, the producer will have a list of times, down to the second, when the period to ask for contributions can begin and end.

People making the pitch have been known to completely lose their train of thought or misread the clock.

“I did that,” Rapp said. “I thought we were out of time, when really we had three minutes to go.”

She started waving frantically at IPR staffer Matt Bloom, her partner in the broadcast, right in the middle of his careful explanation about how to give.

“He didn’t know what to think,” she said.

“But that happens: At least one time in every pledge, you lose your train of thought and hit a brick wall.”

Watching the clock

Emily Kowalski, member services coordinator, started working pledge drives in 2009.

“I got to be on the air the first time that year,” she said. “It was terrifying.”

Her partner reminded her to pretend they were just having a conversation.

She had been briefed on hand signals the producer would use when their time was up. A raised index finger signifies one minute to go. A cupped hand like the letter “C” means 30 seconds. A fist means 15 seconds.

Kowalski paid attention but promptly forgot all the signals in the excitement. Not even the large digital clocks on the walls help every time.

“I had a hard time talking and watching the clock,” she said.

“You start talking and you get on a roll. Then the producer will start waving their hands because they’ve been trying to tell you that you only have a few seconds left.”

Ahead: More voices, more smiles

When not on the air she helps organize the pledge drives. There are two a year, and about a month after one drive has ended, she starts planning the next, calling volunteers, getting people scheduled in the jobs.

She’s already started thinking about what to do in the spring.

“We’ll have a few more voices on the air, some that we haven’t heard before. We’ll have people from the community who our listeners will know. We’ll make the listeners smile.”

Kowalski knows pledge drives aren’t always popular.

“But they’re necessary. And if we could just get those other nine people you know, who aren’t members but who listen, to pledge just $40 per year we wouldn’t have to be on the air so long.”

Like everybody else who’s worked on-air for the drive, she’s had her moments.

“The worst thing is when you’re on the air and in the middle of a sentence, and you forget what you’re saying. I’ve done that. I was being really dramatic. I was gesturing and I was saying, ‘You just need to pick up the phone, and….’

Her mind went blank. She couldn’t think of what to say next.

But her partner knew what to do. Stephanie Wiechmann jumped in and said:

“Yes! Pick up the phone now - and dial 1-800-646-1812.”

John Strauss, a Ball State University journalism instructor, is interim general manager of Indiana Public Radio and WIPB-TV, the public broadcasting stations owned by the university.