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So I got this blog a little over a year ago for my JCOM:1100 class. My only intention was to post practice news stories and other professional things, but I changed my mind. From now on my professional blog will be hanahgillman.wordpress.com. This will be my personal blog. I look forward to getting started, and updating my mom on my life since when I actually do get started she will most likely be my only reader. Even if that is the case I'm excited.

Practice News Story 11: Accident

Posted: April 17, 2008 11:00 p.m.

USU Van accident kills four.

TREMONTON, Utah—“The driver side rear tire exploded—it blew—then Evan lost control.” This is the scene described by Kyle Holden, an employee of Green Line Implements who was traveling with the group of students in his own car. A van carrying 10 Utah State University students and one professor rolled over this afternoon. The van was carrying agriculture students of the university. They were on their way back to Tremonton from a field trip on Interstate 84.

Lt. Jason Jensen said, “It was a horrific scene… It is a tragedy. It is something that will affect people for years.” He was the first to respond to the scene. Jensen said that in his 15 years it is the worst accident he has ever seen. “My experience tells me that high velocity factors into it.” Jensen said that the van may have been traveling too fast and there may have been a tire problem.

Kyle Holden said that he passed the van moments before the accident and recalls having his cruise control set at about 80. Only further investigation will determine if speed was a factor in the accident.

Evan Parker, a professor at Utah State University, was driving at the time of the crash. Parker was pronounced dead at the scene. Three USU students, Steven Bair, Curt Madsen and Brad Wilcox, were also pronounced dead. Robert Peterson and Jared Nelson survived the crash and are being treated at Ogden Regional Medical Center. The names of the others involved have not been released.

Noel Cockett, Dean of The College of Agriculture, said, “This was an exceptional group of students.” It is a tragedy to loose these students on Agriculture Week. Agriculture week is a week at USU to celebrate the College of Agriculture. The remainder of the activities for the week has been cancelled.

Practice News Story 10: Investigative Story

Practice News Story 10: Investigative

Posted: April 10, 2008

Turner to work with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

LOGAN, Utah—Could this be two of the worlds greatest philanthropists be working together? Bill and Melinda Gates were spotted getting off a private jet with Ted Turner yesterday in Africa. They were apparently going to meet with African officials to discuss future plans to help the people. Bill Gates said that Ted is working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation along with Warren Buffet. They are hoping to combine their efforts.

The Foundation will be working with the World Health Organization to educate African people about health issues. Gates said, “Once education is out there the people will take care of themselves.” African Mayor Malik Ok could not agree more. Ok said that they get donations from some groups, but when the people do not know how to use the supplies or teach others to use them that when they run out of supplies they are back where they started. Ok said, “I like the education.” He believes that The Foundation talked to him because they can see that his town would greatly benefit from this help.

Bill Gates said that they want to do the most good they can with the money they can give. He believes that Ted Turner and Warren Buffet have recognized the good that The Foundation does. Gates thinks it will be a good relationship.

Practice News Story 9: Sports Story

Practice News Story 9: Sports Story

Posted: April 4, 2008 10:56 p.m.

Jazz Defeat Spurs

SALT LAKE CITY—The Utah Jazz had a great game against the San Antonio Spurs tonight in the Energy Solutions Arena. The Jazz defeated the Spurs 106-99 in this crucial game. This game just one important game for the Jazz on their road to the playoffs.

“I really give credit to my team for defense. We had some good stops,” said Coach Jerry Sloan about the Jazz’s performance. It was a close game and the Jazz had some great stops at the end. Ronnie Brewer was very important to the Jazz for this victory. Sloan said they took it easy because Brewer is back from an injury, but he really was able to come through and help the team at the end of the game. Brewer said he was glad to be in today’s game. Brewer is returning from a right groin injury.

The Jazz had a great night they broke the franchise record for 3-pointers by making 16 3-pointers in this game. Sloan said, “Maybe we will define ourselves as a 3-point shooting team.” C.J. Miles had his career high of 30 points in this game. Kyle Korver made all of his three attempted 3-pointers.

Gregg Popovich said the Jazz are hard to beat at home they are a great home team and it came down to the end and went the Jazz’s way. The Western Conference is tight this year. Eight teams will go to the playoffs and the top nine teams are only separated by six and a half games. The rest of the games this season will all be important to secure the Jazz a place in the playoffs.

Practice News Story 8: Business

Practice News Story 8: Business
Posted: March 20, 2008

Google makes offer to Time Warner

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Google Inc. purposed a hostile takeover bid for Time Warner Inc. on Thursday. The purchase price is said to be $50 billion in cash and stocks. At this point there is no telling what the outcome of this bid will be.

“Google strikes while the Iron’s hot, and the iron is hot right now in the media industry; this is the correct move at the correct time for Google,” said Google CEO Dr. Eric Schmidt. This offer will be sent to she stockholders of the company. The offer purposes $35 billion in cash, $10 billion in stock and $5 billion in assumed debt.

Reports say that this upsets Yahoo Inc., who has hoping that Time Warner would purchase them. Microsoft Inc. is also feeling discontent about this offer as they had talked about making and offer to purchase Time Warner.

Practice News Story 7: Speech

Practice News Story 7: Speech

Posted: November 19 1863

President Lincoln speaks at Gettysburg

Gettysburg, Penn.—President Lincoln addressed 1,500 people at the historic Gettysburg battlefield. It has been over four months since 7,500 solders lost their lives at Gettysburg. This speech was given to dedicate a portion of the battlefield as a cemetery for those who were killed here. President Lincoln said that we are dedicating this those who lost their lives in the battle that our nation “might live.”

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.” These remarks from the President are a vital step in showing respect for those brave men who fought and died here. Lincoln said these men did not die in vain and it is up to us to see that we advance the cause that these soldiers fought for.

President Lincoln said that the world “can never forget what they did here.” This speech and the dedication of this cemetery are proof that this tragic battle and the sacrifice of these men will not be forgotten.

Practice News Story 5: Obituary

Practice News Story 5: Obituary

Oprah Dies in Tragic Accident

CHICAGO Ill.—Oprah Winfrey, beloved talk-show host, actress, producer, and respected public figure passed away yesterday afternoon. She died around 3:30 p.m. on February 14, 2008 after being suffocated by her adoring fans when leaving a taping of her show. She was 54 years old.

Oprah led an extraordinary life. She started her amazing career in radio broadcasting. Since then she has gone on to work on numerous projects. Her talk show was the highest rated in American history. “You have to admire Oprah Winfrey," Bill O'Reilly said, "She is the most powerful woman in the country and comes from a very humble background. The woman has succeeded on talent and energy.” Oprah worked very hard to get where she is today. She earned all the success she had.

She won numerous awards for all her hard work. These awards included: The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity—2007 Humanitarian Award, National Civil Rights Museum – 2005 National Freedom Award, International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences — 2005 International Emmy Founders Award, United Nations Association of the United States of America – Global Humanitarian Action Award, National Association of Broadcasters – Distinguished Service Award, National Book Foundation – 50th Anniversary Gold Medal, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences® – Lifetime Achievement Award, International Radio & Television Society Foundation – Gold Medal Award, and 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards® – Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. Her show won over 40 Daytime Emmy Awards® including seven for Outstanding Host and nine for Outstanding Talk Show.

She was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Hall of Fame. Newsweek named her the Most Important Person in Books and Media, and she was named Television performer of the year by TV Guide. CNN correspondent, Dana Bash, said, “She actually is somebody who has the ability to move mountains and change minds.” It is no wonder that her name has come up on Time Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People in the World numerous times.

She will be remembered for her remarkable influence on this world. She cared so much about people. She was a great Humanitarian. Chris Matthews said, “She's instructive. She's empowering. Every time you watch an Oprah broadcast, at the end of it, you know more than you started and you feel stronger. That's her strength.” She was truly an amazing person, and she will be greatly missed.

Oprah is survived by her partner, Stedman Graham, and the millions of fans she left behind.