walker, lindsay

Broadcast Script

2004-07-08T09:52:00.000-05:00

Open: GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT. I'M -------- AND I'M --------. WE WILL HAVE YOUR LOCAL WEATHER SHORTLY, BUT LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT NEWS AROUND YOU.

Story 1: FROM GOVERNORS TO INSURANCE AND AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONERS, LOUISIANA IS KNOWN FOR CONVICTED OFFICIALS. THE FBI IS CRACKING DOWN ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION, LOCALLY? BEGINNING AUGUST 1, BATON ROUGE WILL HAVE NINE AGENTS ON THE PROWL FOR CRIMINAL OFFICIALS. THE FBI IS HOPEFUL TO HELP LOUISIANA RESIDENTS TRUST THE GOVERNMENT AGAIN.

Story 2: ARE YOU WONDERING ABOUT THIS MAYOR PRESIDENT ELECTION? CANDIDATES WILL ATTEND A FEDERATION OF GREATER BATON ROUGE CIVIC ASSOCIATION AT THE CB PENNINGTON JUNIOR CONFERENCE CENTER ON THURSDAY. ADMISSION IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND IT BEGINS AT SEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE EVENING.

STORY 3:HAVE YOUR STREET'S BECOME NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS? WITH THE INCREASE IN RAINFALL, STREET SEWER SYSTEMS CAN'T HOLD ALL OF THIS WATER. CITY PARISH OFFICIALS HAVE COME UP WITH A SIX HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN DOLLAR FEE TO COVER A POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWSUIT. AS A RESULT, TAX PAYERS WILL SEE A FIFTEEN DOLLAR SEWER BILL INCREASE.

TEASER: STILL TO COME ON WBRZ NEWS 2 AT SIX...
ASCENSION PARISH WELCOME HOME TROOPS FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. AND WEATHER UPDATES WITH PAT SHINGLETON.

STORY 5: INDEPENDENCE DAY WE'LL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED FOR FAMILIES HAVING TROOPS AWAY.
THE HOUMAS HOUSE PLANTATION AND GARDENS IN BURNSIDE HOSTED FREEDOM FEST ON SATURDAY.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE TRANSPORTATION OF SOLDIERS FROM FORT HOOD TEXAS TO LOUISIANA AND RETURN. FAMILIES APPRECIATED THE TIME BEFORE SOLDIERS ARE SENT TO IRAQ.
(CUT TO FILM)

STORY 6: AND NOW LET'S CHECK WITH PAT FOR TONIGHT'S FIRST WEATHER.

WEATHER: GOOD EVENING. I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT TODAY'S WEATHER. IT WILL BE PARTLY CLOUDY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. THE HIGH WILL BE THE TYPICAL LOWER 90S WITH LIGHT WINDS.

AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE FUTURE CAST

AS FAR AS THE REST OF THE WEEK, MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, HIGHS WILL BE IN THE LOWER 90S AND LOWS AROUND LOWER 70S WITH SPORADIC SHOWERS.

BACK TO YOU ------------ AND--------.

Story 9: THANK YOU PAT. LET'S TOSS IT OVER TO TRAFFIC TO SEE HOW THOSE INTERSTATES ARE DOING.

WELL---------, I-10 TO NEW ORLEANS IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY AT THIS HOUR. WATCH FOR SOME DELAYS NEAR THE DENHAM SPRINGS EXIT BECAUSE THERE IS A THREE CAR PILE UP. THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE LOOKS GOOD AT THIS HOUR. DRIVE SAFE.

STORY 10: THANK YOU --------. FIRST WE WILL TAKE A QUICK BREAK. STAY TUNED FOR THE SPECIAL SEGMENT OF HOME AND GARDEN WITH ----------.
(COMMERCIAL)

WELCOME BACK. TODAY'S HOME AND GARDEN WILL BE ON PET ADOPTION HERE IN BATON ROUGE. WITH US IS -------- WITH PETS AND HE HAS AN ADORABLE CAT UP FOR ADOPTION. GOOD EVENING-----, PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM YOU'RE WITH AND HOW WE CAN ADOPT A PET. (INTERVIEW)

Story 11: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING. I'M ------- AND I'M ------------. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

Assignment 7- Career

2004-06-30T07:09:00.000-05:00

A project director of special events said that it is difficult to find the perfect job but when you find it, the career fits.

There are Internet websites that help further understand the event planner career such as the Department of Labor website and iseek.org.

Stacy Simon, the director of projects of the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that it took her a long time to fall into place in event planning.

"I was a fashion marketing major at LSU and I had no intention of planning events for a living. But I was known for getting things coordinated for friends and family and I really just fell into this business," Simon said.

Simon said she has spent 15 years loving her career whether in office or running her own company.

"For 11 years I worked at the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. I left for three to try my own company. I came back for at least a year to the Bureau," Simon said.

Simon explained the difficulties there are in finding a job in this industry.

"Once I knew I wanted to do this, I started small with fund raisers, and community charity events. Nothing to grand but it was a way to get contacts and to get my name out there for doing something good," Simon furthered.

Simon said in order to work in this industry, the planner needs to have three necessary qualities.

" If I had to only pick three qualities, I think the first would be a multitasking ability. It is such a demanding field in the sense that I have to be working on three big projects all at once. I can't get lost in just one project because the other two would fail. The second is to have strong organizational skills. My office is clutter free because this is where I like to work and I like to see everything I am working on. And the third thing is more of a personal struggle. Planners need to realize they are not above everyone, you can't be. Basically, you have to communicate with the person who delivers Coke and the person who owns Coke."

Simon added the ways she prepares for events.

"First, I start with creating a binder. That is the only way I keep my events separated. Next, I work on the budget, usually with the company who hired me. I go back into the binder and make a checklist of what I want for the event and how much each will receive in funding. Then pick a date and venue for the event. Usually that is done pretty early in the planning process. After that is completed, I focus on the main acts, or what the event is for. From there on, it trickles into place with no set order," said Simon.
In a website called iseek.org, the site gives information pertaining to meetings and convention planning, a more specific field of event planning.

One of links on the website describes the characteristics generally found in meeting and convention planners.

"People in this career tend to have enterprising interests. They like work activities that involve starting up and carrying out projects, especially in business. They like to lead and persuade others, make decisions, and take risks for profit. And they consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong," said iseek.org.

Another important link on iseek.org is the education necessary for this field.

"Most meeting and convention planners have at least a bachelor's degree. There is no set area of study for planners. However, good majors are marketing, public relations, and communications. Hospitality management and hotel and motel management programs also provide good preparation. Courses in business and accounting are helpful for planning budgets and negotiating contracts. Courses that sharpen your analysis and communication skills are also useful," quoted from iseek.org

iseek.org also explained the importance of job training.

"You typically begin by working on routine planning tasks under the direction of an experienced worker. You advance to organizing more complicated and larger meetings as you gain experience," said iseek.org.

The other website, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, offers a occupational outlook handbook from 2003 that offers information regarding employment rates, wages, and top paying states.

"An employer in meetings and conventions planning would nationally will receive around $33,000 annually," said the occupational handbook.

Depending on where you are located the annual wages vary because of cost of living and the amount of people working in the area.

" The top paying states include New Jersey ($51,310), District of Columbia ($50,650) and New York ($49,740)," said the occupational handbook.

Simon suggested to move to a top tier city in order to get more money and more events.

"I worked in New Orleans earlier in my career. It wasn't for me because I needed those weekend's to be with my family. That's why I moved to Baton Rouge and work on the local and community basis," she said.

Simon has planned events for Baton Rouge such as the Rivercenter Grand Opening Celebration, the American Bowling Congress, Fest for All, Bonnefete 300, and The National Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Assignment 4- Rewrite of Milk

2004-06-27T13:20:00.000-05:00

An LSU agriculture economist says the temporary peak in milk prices not only is hurting consumer pockets but could hurt Louisiana dairy farmers if it remains too high for a long period.

Wayne Gauthier, an associate professor of dairy and agriculture economics, says milk prices are temporarily up but it will not last more than a few more months.

"Milk production is based on a supply and demand system, and there has been a shortage in supply," he said.

Gauthier explained how the demand will remain stable because milk is a necessary part of a well balanced diet, especially for children.

The spring issue of Dairy Outlook, a quarterly newsletter from Penn State, states reasons for high milk prices.

One is the recent Mad Cow disease along the U.S. and Canadian border. As a result of the scare, the American government closed the border to incoming livestock. This created a shortage of pre-bred cows, heifers, which a few months after labor produce milk.

"Imports of live cattle from Canada fell from roughly 5,000 head per month to zero when the border was closed," said Dairy Outlook.

Gauthier said another reason for the decline in milk production is the reduced manufacturing of a drug that improves milk production. The drug, Posilac, is an FDA approved drug increases cow milk production. Monsanto decreased production of the drug 50 percent in February 2004, creating a tremendous drop in milk supply.

Gauthier says that dairy farmers are happy because they are getting more money for less milk. But he added in the long run the spike will hurt their income. He said Louisiana consumers will switch to milk substitutes if prices remain high.

"Our local community seems to be on tighter budgets, but still need milk daily. So it doesn't surprise me that soy milk and other substitutes are being purchased," said Gauthier.

This will hurt dairy farmers because people would get used to substitutions and reject milk products when prices drop, he said.

By August 2004, both Gauthier and Dairy Outlook say milk prices should reduce.

Michael Crichton

2004-06-22T10:26:00.000-05:00

The author of Jurassic Park said today mass media current form is on the road to extinction within 10 years.

Author Michael Crichton says the current form has failed because of the need for better quality and clearer information.

He said news will take new form giving people better quality for a price.

"To my mind, it is likely that what we now understand as the mass media will be gone within ten years. Vanished, without a trace," stated Crichton.

Crichton made comments to the National Press Club. He has authored novels such as The Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, Rising Sun, and Disclosure.

Crichton explained there was evidence proving the fast approaching extinction.

"There has been evidence of impending extinction for a long time. We all know statistics about the decline in newspaper readers and network television viewers. The polls show increasingly negative public attitudes toward the press - and with good reason," Crichton said.

He stated that the media is focused on unimportant partial facts instead what really happens affecting the appeal to readers.

"These responses suggest to me that the media just doesn't get it - doesn't understand why consumers are unhappy with their wares," Crichton explained.

Crichton said the media has many problems, the most important being the poor quality of trying to interest readers with the look instead of the meaning.

"The American media produce a product of very poor quality. Its information is not reliable, it has too much chrome and glitz, its doors rattle, it breaks down almost immediately, and it's sold without warranty. It's flashy but it's basically junk. So people have begun to stop buying it," said Crichton.

He stated one cause of poor quality is from teachers and students of media who are poorly educated in finding completed information and conveying it to an audience.

"Poor product quality results, in part, from the American educational system, which graduates workers too poorly educated to generate high-quality information," said Crichton.

Crichton emphasizes how the media is too focused on entertainment instead of using the facts as information.

"The news on television and in newspapers is generally perceived as less accurate, less objective, less informed than it was a decade ago. Because instead of focusing on quality, the media have tried to be lively or engaging - selling the sizzle, not the steak; the talk-show host, not the guest; the format, not the subject. And in doing so they have abandoned their audience," Crichton mentioned.

The media's tendency to be general instead of specific is inherently
superficial. It is also inherently speculative, because it focuses on
attitudes - what people think - and not what they do. But what people
think is far less important than what they do - because the two are often
contradictory, said Crichton.

Crichton said that the importance of real media is reflected on the changing society.

"Information today is vitally important. We live by it. For the first time in our history, by the year 2000, 50 percent of all American jobs will require at least one year of college. In this environment, news isn't entertainment - it's a necessity. We need it - and we need it to be of high quality: comprehensive and factually accurate," Crichton stated.

Crichton said people expect what purchased to have high quality, even though it is never guaranteed and it becomes a risk that readers must take to be better informed.

"But what if somebody offered me a service with high-quality information? A service in which all the facts were true, the quotes weren't piped, the statistics were presented by someone who knew something about statistics? What would that be worth? A lot. Because good information has value. The notion that it's filler between the ads is outdated," said Crichton.

Crichton said media is abandoning its monopoly traditions.

"For the next 200 or so years, the media have been able to behave in a basically monopolistic way. They have treated information the way John D. Rockefeller treated oil - as a commodity, in which the distribution network, rather than product quality, is of primary importance," Crichton stated.

He explained how repetitive the poor quality of news has become.

"This is one reason why so many people who regularly interact with the
press come to view it as an anomaly. They go about their daily work, which
is specific and complex, and then they meet with the press, where interactions are general and oversimplified," Crichton said.

Crichton said the new direction of media will involve Internet updates that relate to audiences better than today's media.

"Once Al Gore gets the fiber optic highways in place, and the information
capacity of the country is where it ought to be, I will be able, for
example, to view any public meeting of Congress over the Net. And I will
have artificial intelligence agents roaming the databases, downloading
stuff I am interested in, and assembling for me a front page, or a nightly
news show, that addresses my interests," Crichton explained.

Crichton compares media's transformation to politics because it does not aspire to change.

"This polarization of the issues has contributed greatly to our national
paralysis, because it posits false choices which stifle debate essential
to change. It is ironic that this should happen in a time of great social
upheaval, when our society needs more than ever to be able to experiment
with different viewpoints. But in the media world, a previously
established idea, like a previously elected politician, enjoys a
tremendous advantage over any challenger," mentioned Crichton.

Crichton concluded by saying how media will be stuck in its ways, but will be by no choice changed by society.

"So I hope that this era of polarized, junk-food journalism will soon come
to an end. For too long the media have accepted the immortal advice of
Yogi Berra, who said: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." But
business as usual no longer serves the audience. And although technology
will soon precipitate enormous changes in the media, we face a more
immediate problem: a period of major social change. We are going to need a
sensitive, informed, and responsive media to accomplish those changes," Crichton finalized.

Assignment 5- Career Services

2004-06-20T21:29:00.000-05:00

An assistant director of LSU Career Services says it is necessary to have a job during college.

The Career Services offers aid through classes and Internet programs.

Susan Feinberg of the LSU Career Services says students seeking careers should take advantage of on campus help.

“Your first job during college is very important,” she said.

Feinberg also stressed the importance of a job fitting the personality of the student.

“Not all students, depending on their personality and majors, can have heavy jobs. Some like the time management approach and others have flexible hours,” said Feinberg.

The Career Services has employment, job searching, career exploration, and career decision making classes.

According to a handout given by Feinberg, services range from counseling and testing to interview preparation.

Career Services created bookmarks with information on workshops and classes available to students. The bookmark was made, according to Feinberg, to remind students of the free services offered. It also has the time and room number for assistance.

Feinberg also described the online program available.

If searching for a part-time job or an internship, this website gives postings of jobs and offers to help the application process. The site address is www.lsu.edu/career or is located on LSU students PAWS account under TigerTrak.

“Businesses, whether big or small, can go to the home page and find a link for adding a job vacancy,” Feinberg stated.

Most companies apply vacancies via Internet, but some apply through fax.

As Career Services collects job vacancies, they post them for students to access and quickly apply.

Renee Areng, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, uses TigerTrak for posting job vacancies.

“I look for students through TigerTrak to fill part-time and internship positions we have at our business,” said Areng.

She stated that Career Services website made it easy and accessible to students and businesses particularly emphasizing on the wide range of majors and personalities that respond to postings.

“We have been very pleased with the resumes sent to us. The students who use this program wisely are getting a good start to receiving better careers in the future.”

Areng also spoke of the responses to postings.

“When we posted an opening for the administrative assistant position, we received at least a forty applications and resumes. It was amazing how difficult it is to finding a good job out there and how many people are willing to apply.”

Areng said they narrowed the list to around 20 applicants for interviews, most of those who used TigerTrak.

“We finally picked a student for the position, and she found out about the vacancy through TigerTrak. I would recommend using TigerTrak to other businesses because it advertises vacancies to the LSU community,” she said.

The LSU Career Services center is open to students and is accessible through the LSU buildings Coates and CEBA.

Assignment 3- Milk

2004-06-14T18:03:00.000-05:00

LSU agriculture economist says high milk prices hurts consumer pockets but briefly helps Louisiana dairy farmers recover from previously low prices.

Wayne Gauthier, an associate professor of dairy and agriculture economics, says milk prices are temporarily up.

However, consumers must suffer from over priced costs for a few more months.

"Milk production is based on a supply and demand system, and there has been a shortage in supply," he said.

Gauthier explained how the demand will remain stable because it is a necessary part of a well balanced diet, especially for children.

The spring issue of Dairy Outlook, a quarterly newsletter from Penn State, states reasons for high milk prices.

One is the recent Mad Cow disease along the U.S. and Canadian border. As a result, the American government closed the border to incoming livestock creating a shortage of pre-bred cows, heifers, which a few months after labor produce milk.

"Imports of live cattle from Canada fell from roughly 5,000 head per month to zero when the border was closed," said Dairy Outlook.

The other reason said by Gauthier, is the reduced production of Monsanto's Posilac. Posilac is an FDA approved drug when injected increases cow milk production. Monsanto decreased production by 50 percent in February 2004, creating a tremendous drop in milk supply.

Gauthier says that dairy farmers are happy because they are getting more money for less input, however in the long run it hurts their income. It is expected that Louisiana consumers are still purchasing milk and milk products, but are looking into substitutes until prices are lowered.

"Our local community seems to be on tighter budgets, but still need milk daily. So it doesn't surprise me that soy milk and other substitutes are being purchased," said Gauthier.

This will hurt dairy farmers because people would get used to substitutions and reject milk products when prices drop.

By August 2004, both Gauthier and Dairy Outlook say milk prices should reduce.

2004-06-13T13:40:00.000-05:00

An LSU wellness coordinator says summer school students need to take precautions against dehydration because of the excessive summer heat.

Kim Munro, a wellness educator at the L.S.U. Health Center, says people should drink between six and eight glass or ounces of water per day.

However, she also warns against drinking too much water.

"The maximum amount of water the body can take in 24 hours is between six and eight liters," she said.

Munro also stressed the importance of keeping cool, especially if being outside for a long period.

"Workers that are outside all day, like construction, need plenty of water."

Elizabeth Sanders, a service climatologist with the Southern Regional Climate Center, says that yesterday’s heat index – a measurement that takes into account the oppressive humidity that Louisiana has been having -- reached near 100. Temperatures for June have remained in the expected upper 90s and hotter months are yet to come.

"Late July and early August is the hottest time for Louisiana residents, especially around 2 in the afternoon," Sanders said.

There are plenty of options to stay cool. SAYS WHO? Lighter clothing made of cotton helps lower body temperature and drinking water-based drinks helps with hydration.

In addition, studies show sources of water do not only come from the faucet but from everyday items such as ????????.

Munro says that if there are any questions about dehydration or the body, the L.S.U. Health Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. throughout the summer.

COMPARE THIS TO WHAT YOU WROTE. IF ANY QUESTIONS, SEE ME.
GRADE IS 93

Assignment 2

2004-06-10T20:59:00.000-05:00

Louisiana residents are threated by excessive heat during smothering summer months resulting in higher risks of dehydration.

As the heat index rises reaching near 100, people are advised to keep water in the body.

Studies show sources of water do not only come from the faucet but from everyday items.

Wellness educator from the L.S.U. Health Center Kim Munro says people should drink between six and eight glass or ounces per day but not to over hydrate. "The maximum amount of water the body can take in 24 hours is between six and eight liters," she informed.

In a recent interview, Munro stressed the importance of keeping cool especially if being outside for a long period. "Workers that are outside all day, like construction, need plenty of water." Munro emphasized particular hydration concerns during the summer months. Other members of the L.S.U. Health Center agreed with Munro's information.

Elizabeth Sanders, a Service Climatologist of the Southern Regional Climate Center says that yesterdays heat index reached near 100. Temperatures for June have remained the expected upper 90s. While hotter months are yet to come. "Late July and early August is the hottest time for Louisiana residents, especially around 2:00 in the afternoon." Sanders indicated when there is higher humidity the heat index raises causing hot days.

There are plenty of options to stay cool. Lighter clothing made of cotton helps the body temperature and drinking water-based drinks helps with hydration.

Munro says that if there are any questions about dehydration or the body, the L.S.U. Health Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. throughout the summer.

Assignment 1, story leads

2004-06-09T09:46:00.000-05:00

Story 1: Louisiana researchers prove quality and size of crawfish depends on rainfall.

Story 2: The National Arbor Day Foundation announced a Chalmette student as winner of the statewide poster contest.

Story 3: The State Selection Committee chose three principals for principal of the year award from Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and Belle Chasse.

Story 4: Louisiana school system earns an A in continuing classroom improvement.

Story 5: The Department of Education reported 4th and 8th grade students improved in Mathematics, but showed no improvement in Reading.

Story 6: The Department of Health and Hospitals force food vendors of Mardi Gras parades to meet permit standards.

Story 7: The Department of State Civil Services will offer walk-in testing for career seekers in public service.

Story 8: The Treasury hosts annual online bidding auction of certificate deposits.

Story 9: Louisiana cotton producers attended forum for precision agriculture and technology.

Story 10: Louisiana Teacher's Retirement System (TRSL) hires Bonita "Bonnie" Brown to temporarily replace fired Director/CEO Brian Minturn.