When I emailed staff about "Yahoo" and "local news," I'm sure they thought I took another one of those phone calls from people who shall we say are "enthusiastic" about how wrong we are.
But it was about the real "Yahoo," you know the multi-billion corporation. In an interview with Dow Jones news, the new CEO Hilary Schneider said the company is looking to extend the "lens of local" across all of its programming. Yahoo already has deals with local newspapers to carry their content and provide to Yahoos everywhere.
Any astute Web observer knows for example, you can get "Mankato news" on a Google News service or as a Google alert. The news you usually get is from a Free Press story that has been posted online. Google scans Web sites with a "crawler" and then provides the link to anyone who says they would like local news.
Unfortunately, Google does not pay us for use of our copyrighted material, but they do link directly to our site, which increases our number of page views and theoretically revenue from advertisers.
Why don't we sue? 1. It's very expensive to fight a multi-billion corporation like Google. 2. We don't feel directing people to our Web site damages us. In fact, one could argue, it's good for us.
We do, on occasion, find a Web site that has just cut and pasted our story into their own Web site. That's when we raise a fuss.
But back to Yahoo. They're trying to make inroads with various partners into local news. Might they be able to recruit "citizen" journalists to "populate" a local news site with "news" or at least information they have come up with. Might these people be inclined to work for free or a cut of the ad revenues?
A thousand citizen journalists working two-hours a week, equals 2,000 hours of news reporting, more than the local newspaper.
Craigslist operates on the notion that people will use it, for free, and that is the content that drives the business or desire for advertisers to be on the site. Craig basically gets his content for free or virtually free. Could a news site like Yahoo do a version of Craigslist as a local free place for information?
My question to the staff is: How would we, as professional journalists, newspaper managers, combat that prospect?
The answer might be to recruit our own band of citizen journalists to provide hyper local information. That is a strategy some newspapers are already using.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Family under spotlight duress
It's not surprising Colleen Hauser was shocked people would think she was in "hiding" when she left her Sleepy Eye farm with her cancer-stricken 13-year-old son, in part at least, to avoid court-ordered chemotherapy treatment.
That flight made this into a national news story, with all the bells and whistles: satellite trucks, rude reporters (from other newspapers, mostly national media of course) and intrusive photographers with telephoto lenses.
Unfortunately, there are few laws that prevent the media from following a story like this or any other story for that matter. I've found that the subjects of national news stories rarely understand the scope of just how national news comes to be national.
If you're a fly on the wall that the media decide deserves attention, they've got the equivalent of the Hubble space telescope ready to examine your life.
To that extent, I received the Tuesday morning voice message that is the signature of an unhappy reader. An early morning voicemail message usually indicates an irate reader. Most people get their newspaper somewhere shortly after 6 a.m., earlier for some, later for others.
Hence, if the message is already waiting when I get in about 8 a.m., you know someone was really excited about something in that day's newspaper, and got on the phone, likely as they were turning the page.
I like the 10 a.m. calls better. People have had a couple hours to think about their anger, talk it over with the coffee klatsch and settle down a bit.
Anyway, the early morning message took us to task, scolded even, that they did not like the use of "Chemo fugitive" in the headline. This family has been through a lot over the last week, and we should be able to "take it easy" on them with a more generic lead like "Hauser family."
I can respect that opinion. Catchy headlines do not always win over sensitivity to those who are under the microscope, especially those in trying circumstances.
A good headline should be accurate, catchy and sometimes sensitive. But sometimes you also have to choose between catchy and sensitive, and of course, the real challenge: what fits in the space. I don't think "Chemo fugitive" was particularly insensitive or inaccurate.
The judge made an order; it involved required treatment of chemotherapy. The mother and son fled BECAUSE of that order. They're technically and accurately fugitives....which Webster's defines as someone who has "fled, either danger or justice"
In this case, they fled what they thought was dangerous (chemo) and justice (judge's order)
But these things are always worth considering, discussing. That's what we do, day in and day out. People often give us the benefit of the doubt, if we've discussed, and talked it through.
That flight made this into a national news story, with all the bells and whistles: satellite trucks, rude reporters (from other newspapers, mostly national media of course) and intrusive photographers with telephoto lenses.
Unfortunately, there are few laws that prevent the media from following a story like this or any other story for that matter. I've found that the subjects of national news stories rarely understand the scope of just how national news comes to be national.
If you're a fly on the wall that the media decide deserves attention, they've got the equivalent of the Hubble space telescope ready to examine your life.
To that extent, I received the Tuesday morning voice message that is the signature of an unhappy reader. An early morning voicemail message usually indicates an irate reader. Most people get their newspaper somewhere shortly after 6 a.m., earlier for some, later for others.
Hence, if the message is already waiting when I get in about 8 a.m., you know someone was really excited about something in that day's newspaper, and got on the phone, likely as they were turning the page.
I like the 10 a.m. calls better. People have had a couple hours to think about their anger, talk it over with the coffee klatsch and settle down a bit.
Anyway, the early morning message took us to task, scolded even, that they did not like the use of "Chemo fugitive" in the headline. This family has been through a lot over the last week, and we should be able to "take it easy" on them with a more generic lead like "Hauser family."
I can respect that opinion. Catchy headlines do not always win over sensitivity to those who are under the microscope, especially those in trying circumstances.
A good headline should be accurate, catchy and sometimes sensitive. But sometimes you also have to choose between catchy and sensitive, and of course, the real challenge: what fits in the space. I don't think "Chemo fugitive" was particularly insensitive or inaccurate.
The judge made an order; it involved required treatment of chemotherapy. The mother and son fled BECAUSE of that order. They're technically and accurately fugitives....which Webster's defines as someone who has "fled, either danger or justice"
In this case, they fled what they thought was dangerous (chemo) and justice (judge's order)
But these things are always worth considering, discussing. That's what we do, day in and day out. People often give us the benefit of the doubt, if we've discussed, and talked it through.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
One-thousand editorials
Writing Free Press editorials since 1996, I have figured roughly that I have penned more than 1,000 such "voice of the newspaper" opinions. Is it any wonder, I sometimes ask myself: Haven't I written about this subject before? Haven't I written this opinion before?
That voice has evolved over the years, depending on the makeup of the editorial board. The opinions expressed under "Our View" label are theoretically a consensus opinion of the editorial board. That board is made up of myself, Publisher Jim Santori, night news editor Doug Wolter, day news editor Kathy Vos and longtime reporter and editor/columnist Tim Krohn. We've asked two community members, of opposite political stripes, to give us more frequent feedback on our editorials.
A decade ago, we had a different editor and a different publisher. Both had views that were somewhat different than those of the current board. I would say the general viewpoint has become more "conservative or progressive" over the last 10 years. Progressive meaning more in favor of pushing programs that aid economic growth. Conservative meaning more cautious about automatically accepting government as the answer to everything.
Our editorial credo has been centered around certain themes: Fiscal responsibility, freedom of expression, religion and freedom from intrusive government: government has a role to play in the health and safety of the population (our view on how much goes back and forth); investments in education are wise for the most part and promote economic growth; the best government is the one that is most open.
Our themes are sure to evolve over the next 10 years. The world is changing fast. We will be inviting more input from our readers and the community at large to help us form our editorial credos. Look for more in this space and in the print edition in future postings.
That voice has evolved over the years, depending on the makeup of the editorial board. The opinions expressed under "Our View" label are theoretically a consensus opinion of the editorial board. That board is made up of myself, Publisher Jim Santori, night news editor Doug Wolter, day news editor Kathy Vos and longtime reporter and editor/columnist Tim Krohn. We've asked two community members, of opposite political stripes, to give us more frequent feedback on our editorials.
A decade ago, we had a different editor and a different publisher. Both had views that were somewhat different than those of the current board. I would say the general viewpoint has become more "conservative or progressive" over the last 10 years. Progressive meaning more in favor of pushing programs that aid economic growth. Conservative meaning more cautious about automatically accepting government as the answer to everything.
Our editorial credo has been centered around certain themes: Fiscal responsibility, freedom of expression, religion and freedom from intrusive government: government has a role to play in the health and safety of the population (our view on how much goes back and forth); investments in education are wise for the most part and promote economic growth; the best government is the one that is most open.
Our themes are sure to evolve over the next 10 years. The world is changing fast. We will be inviting more input from our readers and the community at large to help us form our editorial credos. Look for more in this space and in the print edition in future postings.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Hauser drama grows to nationwide story
A Sleepy Eye farm family whose mother and 13-year old cancer ridden son have fled authorities has become a national story. CNN, Good Morning America. You name it, the national media is on it.
They're descending on 3,000 population Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, named after an Native American chief. The story has lots of what journalists call "narrative" elements moving through it. Small town America fighting big medicine. (The Hausers have fled because Daniel doesn't want to go through court ordered chemo to treat his cancer).
The story has religious freedom overtones as well. The family believes it is being denied a right to chose medical care more in tune with their spiritual beliefs, via the Nemenhah Band of Native Americans.
It's a life and death story. Daniel could die if he doesn't get treatment. The story certainly has human interest elements to it. Dad going through the daily routine on the dairy farm as his small children wonder where mom and brother have gone.
It's a sad story really, and could be a tragic story, and one that is not likely to die soon. Brown County authorities are working around the clock chasing down leads, responding to media requests, having daily press briefings in a jurisdiction that typically has one press briefing a year.
This story hits every Television/media viewer survey hot button, and the national media know this. It is likely to draw huge ratings and readership.
Already, the family seems to be worn down. A Star Tribune report quoted father Anthony Hauser as being more tired from media interviews and attention that he is from the daily chores of a dairy farm.
Stay tuned.
They're descending on 3,000 population Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, named after an Native American chief. The story has lots of what journalists call "narrative" elements moving through it. Small town America fighting big medicine. (The Hausers have fled because Daniel doesn't want to go through court ordered chemo to treat his cancer).
The story has religious freedom overtones as well. The family believes it is being denied a right to chose medical care more in tune with their spiritual beliefs, via the Nemenhah Band of Native Americans.
It's a life and death story. Daniel could die if he doesn't get treatment. The story certainly has human interest elements to it. Dad going through the daily routine on the dairy farm as his small children wonder where mom and brother have gone.
It's a sad story really, and could be a tragic story, and one that is not likely to die soon. Brown County authorities are working around the clock chasing down leads, responding to media requests, having daily press briefings in a jurisdiction that typically has one press briefing a year.
This story hits every Television/media viewer survey hot button, and the national media know this. It is likely to draw huge ratings and readership.
Already, the family seems to be worn down. A Star Tribune report quoted father Anthony Hauser as being more tired from media interviews and attention that he is from the daily chores of a dairy farm.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Work Skills Competition/Desire for jobs
This morning I listened to high school students with disabilities go through 10-minute mock job interviews. What I heard was a real desire from these kids to have a job, to participate in life like a lot of others.
I hadn't thought about jobs in this context for a while. News headlines are dominated by how many jobs are lost, and we invariably see the faces and hear the voices of embittered people who've lost their job, through no fault of their own, in many cases.
I was a volunteer interview "judge" for the Work Skills Competition, a program put together by various community organizations and businesses that offers kids with disabilities, many of them very minor, to learn how to interview for a job, how to get a job.
Many were very good, for example, about explaining they know they have ADHD but have fashioned strategies to overcome it in certain jobs situations. And they were very poised and convincing telling you this.
Many explained their lack of experience but said with complete conviction that they "will absolutely give 100 percent to learn the job;" that in their current job, the boss calls them first when someone calls in sick.
They were applying for jobs as retail store stockers, restaurant workers, auto mechanics and skiing instructors. Some want to be corrections officers and video game designers.
You could hear over and over again the passion these kids had for what we all want but sometimes take for granted: a job, a place to feel needed, a way to contribute.
I was humbled.
I hadn't thought about jobs in this context for a while. News headlines are dominated by how many jobs are lost, and we invariably see the faces and hear the voices of embittered people who've lost their job, through no fault of their own, in many cases.
I was a volunteer interview "judge" for the Work Skills Competition, a program put together by various community organizations and businesses that offers kids with disabilities, many of them very minor, to learn how to interview for a job, how to get a job.
Many were very good, for example, about explaining they know they have ADHD but have fashioned strategies to overcome it in certain jobs situations. And they were very poised and convincing telling you this.
Many explained their lack of experience but said with complete conviction that they "will absolutely give 100 percent to learn the job;" that in their current job, the boss calls them first when someone calls in sick.
They were applying for jobs as retail store stockers, restaurant workers, auto mechanics and skiing instructors. Some want to be corrections officers and video game designers.
You could hear over and over again the passion these kids had for what we all want but sometimes take for granted: a job, a place to feel needed, a way to contribute.
I was humbled.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Slipknot and police calls
Wednesday, May 13, Slipknot performed for 3,000 plus fans at Alltel Center.
Mankato Police calls for 24 hours from 7 a.m. May 13 to 7 a.m. May 14 were 143. Same day week earlier calls were 117. So less than a 30 percent jump.
There were 16 calls answered by Mankato Police at the event. Here's the list from police logs.
6:05 p.m.: Liquor Violation
7:31 p.m.: Liquor violation
7:36 p.m.: Assist needed
7:46 p.m.: Disorderly conduct
7:52 p.m.: Liquor violation
8:16 p.m.: Liquor violation
8:18 p.m.: Assist needed
8:31 p.m.: Liquor violation
8:33 p.m.: Warrant service, referred to other agency
8:53 p.m.: Liquor violation
9:07 p.m.: Assist needed
9:13 p.m.: Assist needed
9:40 p.m.: Assist needed
9:44 p.m.: Assist needed
9:50 p.m.: Intoxication, not driving
10:15 p.m.: Disorderly conduct
Our photographer Pat Christman who shot the show, details his experience with the headbangers in his blog. The title: "Earplugs required"
Mankato Police calls for 24 hours from 7 a.m. May 13 to 7 a.m. May 14 were 143. Same day week earlier calls were 117. So less than a 30 percent jump.
There were 16 calls answered by Mankato Police at the event. Here's the list from police logs.
6:05 p.m.: Liquor Violation
7:31 p.m.: Liquor violation
7:36 p.m.: Assist needed
7:46 p.m.: Disorderly conduct
7:52 p.m.: Liquor violation
8:16 p.m.: Liquor violation
8:18 p.m.: Assist needed
8:31 p.m.: Liquor violation
8:33 p.m.: Warrant service, referred to other agency
8:53 p.m.: Liquor violation
9:07 p.m.: Assist needed
9:13 p.m.: Assist needed
9:40 p.m.: Assist needed
9:44 p.m.: Assist needed
9:50 p.m.: Intoxication, not driving
10:15 p.m.: Disorderly conduct
Our photographer Pat Christman who shot the show, details his experience with the headbangers in his blog. The title: "Earplugs required"
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Slipknot and Facebook; headbanging heaven
The heavy metal band Slipknot slammed the Alltel Civic Center last night in Mankato with a roaring good crowd and some "aggressive" but "safe" mosh pit action.
And our City Hall reporter was there. Not because Slipknot has much to do with City Hall - though it does because the city owns the civic center - but because let's just say he finds the music, ah, and performance of Slipknot at least as interesting as a Mankato City Council Meeting.
We're glad he was there and apparently so were our readers and web users. The Slipknot story was heading for the top story of the week in terms of online page views as of this writing, and that wasn't even the most recent story.
Our Features Amanda Dyslin wrote an interview piece with lead Slipknot performer, (Would we call him head headbanger?) and that story got some 3000 page views alone, most of it from our Facebook page.
So, of course, I immediately posted today's story to Facebook. But it goes to show you how newspapers can expand their audience, with only a little headbanging here and there.
And our City Hall reporter was there. Not because Slipknot has much to do with City Hall - though it does because the city owns the civic center - but because let's just say he finds the music, ah, and performance of Slipknot at least as interesting as a Mankato City Council Meeting.
We're glad he was there and apparently so were our readers and web users. The Slipknot story was heading for the top story of the week in terms of online page views as of this writing, and that wasn't even the most recent story.
Our Features Amanda Dyslin wrote an interview piece with lead Slipknot performer, (Would we call him head headbanger?) and that story got some 3000 page views alone, most of it from our Facebook page.
So, of course, I immediately posted today's story to Facebook. But it goes to show you how newspapers can expand their audience, with only a little headbanging here and there.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Justice Center project biggest in years
The new Blue Earth County Justice Center will go down as one of the biggest in Blue Earth County history, and offers several features that give a hint of just how much of a new age courts, law enforcement have come into.
A terrific photo slideshow by John Cross gives one an idea of some of these features in an easy to digest way. Go to it at: http://is.gd/ztTi. In the planning stages for years, the project also is the focus of a 12-page special section in The Free Press print edition today.
The justice center will be high-tech and green. It will have state of the art holding cells, a whole section for women only prisoners. Monitoring of cell blocks will be by video monitor in a central location, while at the same time 1/2 hourly checks on prisoners.
There are work stations for officers filling out their reports, a gun cleaning area and lots of customer service areas for courts criminal and civil activities.
It does seem like it consolidates a lot of related government activities in one place. Though Mankato Police decided not to go into the project because of differences with site location (Mankato wanted downtown), other county-related activities involving courts, probation and sheriff's office will be located in a one-stop shop.
Sounds like a tour would be well worth the time. Tours are:
Friday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A terrific photo slideshow by John Cross gives one an idea of some of these features in an easy to digest way. Go to it at: http://is.gd/ztTi. In the planning stages for years, the project also is the focus of a 12-page special section in The Free Press print edition today.
The justice center will be high-tech and green. It will have state of the art holding cells, a whole section for women only prisoners. Monitoring of cell blocks will be by video monitor in a central location, while at the same time 1/2 hourly checks on prisoners.
There are work stations for officers filling out their reports, a gun cleaning area and lots of customer service areas for courts criminal and civil activities.
It does seem like it consolidates a lot of related government activities in one place. Though Mankato Police decided not to go into the project because of differences with site location (Mankato wanted downtown), other county-related activities involving courts, probation and sheriff's office will be located in a one-stop shop.
Sounds like a tour would be well worth the time. Tours are:
Friday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Chemo or child neglect
The child neglect case in Brown County has to be one of the most controversial cases in the history of child neglect cases for the region.
We have parents of a 13-year old boy, Daniel Hauser, arguing he can make his own decisions with regard to chemotherapy cancer treatment that offers a 90 percent chance of surviving his Hodgkins Lymphoma. Without the treatment doctors say, there is a 5 percent survival rate.
Yet, his family and he, are rejecting the chemo. They subscribe instead to mostly diet treatment of the cancer through Nemenhah spiritual type healing. They and their lawyers say it may work better than chemo.
Certainly a tough case for Judge John Rodenburg, a very good judge in my mind.
Representing the family is Mankato attorney Calvin Johnson. You may remember him as the fellow who defended a case of a man saying first milk from cows can cure cancer. That also was an interesting case from, it seems, more than a decade ago.
Odin Dairy farmer Herb Saunders was put on trial in 1995 for practicing medicine without a license, but through two trials, the jury could not come to a unanimous decision. The Watonwan County attorney finally dropped the case in 1996.
It was interesting because former Iowa Congressman Berkley Bedell swore he was cured of cancer from Saunder's milk treaments, and according to one report, paid some of Saunders' legal expenses.
The cases are much different because the issue of child neglect and endangerment didn't enter into the Saunders case, but the issue of alternative treatments is the similarity, and certainly that raises questions, at least in the minds of some, about traditional medicine.
What will be difficult for the judge is at what point do parents' decisions on medical care constitute child endangerment? What if Daniel's odds were only 50-50 with chemo?
We have parents of a 13-year old boy, Daniel Hauser, arguing he can make his own decisions with regard to chemotherapy cancer treatment that offers a 90 percent chance of surviving his Hodgkins Lymphoma. Without the treatment doctors say, there is a 5 percent survival rate.
Yet, his family and he, are rejecting the chemo. They subscribe instead to mostly diet treatment of the cancer through Nemenhah spiritual type healing. They and their lawyers say it may work better than chemo.
Certainly a tough case for Judge John Rodenburg, a very good judge in my mind.
Representing the family is Mankato attorney Calvin Johnson. You may remember him as the fellow who defended a case of a man saying first milk from cows can cure cancer. That also was an interesting case from, it seems, more than a decade ago.
Odin Dairy farmer Herb Saunders was put on trial in 1995 for practicing medicine without a license, but through two trials, the jury could not come to a unanimous decision. The Watonwan County attorney finally dropped the case in 1996.
It was interesting because former Iowa Congressman Berkley Bedell swore he was cured of cancer from Saunder's milk treaments, and according to one report, paid some of Saunders' legal expenses.
The cases are much different because the issue of child neglect and endangerment didn't enter into the Saunders case, but the issue of alternative treatments is the similarity, and certainly that raises questions, at least in the minds of some, about traditional medicine.
What will be difficult for the judge is at what point do parents' decisions on medical care constitute child endangerment? What if Daniel's odds were only 50-50 with chemo?
Friday, May 8, 2009
Full moon, fishing
The fishing opener this year will be accompanied by a full moon. I'm not sure that makes fishing any better but it can't hurt to mix a little full-moon lore in with fishing lore.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty will hit White Bear Lake at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, with his spokesman noting that he's going at this time because this is "the best time to catch fish." Well, not to disagree with the governor's fishing strategies, but the solunar tables in The Free Press suggest 12:06 a.m. will be the optimum time for fishing, and then another "minor" optimum time would be around 5:53 a.m.
But at least the governor will be in between the two optimum times. Who knows, the full moon could affect things. Wonder if he'll be done dealing with the Legislature at 3:30? Maybe they should go out together. Whoever gets first walleye has to concede to the other's major issue. Now that would be compromise forged in the Minnesota tradition!
Speaking of full moons. Watch police activity this weekend. Not only is Saturday MSU graduation, but the partiers will be lit up with the full moon as well. You'd be surprised how many people believe the full moon affects people. The crazy phone calls and letters to the editor ramp up during a full moon. I remember covering commodity traders who would pull their positions out of the market during a full moon phase. "It makes everybody jumpy" they would tell me. It's like sunlight at night.
Fish beware.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty will hit White Bear Lake at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, with his spokesman noting that he's going at this time because this is "the best time to catch fish." Well, not to disagree with the governor's fishing strategies, but the solunar tables in The Free Press suggest 12:06 a.m. will be the optimum time for fishing, and then another "minor" optimum time would be around 5:53 a.m.
But at least the governor will be in between the two optimum times. Who knows, the full moon could affect things. Wonder if he'll be done dealing with the Legislature at 3:30? Maybe they should go out together. Whoever gets first walleye has to concede to the other's major issue. Now that would be compromise forged in the Minnesota tradition!
Speaking of full moons. Watch police activity this weekend. Not only is Saturday MSU graduation, but the partiers will be lit up with the full moon as well. You'd be surprised how many people believe the full moon affects people. The crazy phone calls and letters to the editor ramp up during a full moon. I remember covering commodity traders who would pull their positions out of the market during a full moon phase. "It makes everybody jumpy" they would tell me. It's like sunlight at night.
Fish beware.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
All boats don't sink equally
An across the board state budget cut along the lines of 5 percent would impact some Minnesota counties more than others. That's because some have a larger percentage of their total wages that come from state government jobs.
Unfortunately, Blue Earth and Nicollet counties are both in the top 10 of counties affected most by such a cut.
The biggest loser as a percentage? Stevens County in western Minnesota. State workers made $23.2 million in wages in 2007, according to state and federal payroll records. That sum made up nearly 14.4 percent of all wages public and private paid that year. A 5 percent cut in state wages would take $1.16 million or so out of the Stevens County economy.
Nicollet County would rank second as the biggest loser in state employee wages. With 12.5 percent of total wages coming from the state, a 5 percent cut in state spending would take nearly $3 million a year out of the Nicollet County economy, and crossover into the Mankato/North Mankato economy.
Blue Earth County would rank 6th biggest loser with 8 percent of all wages coming from state jobs. But the region's large total payroll would make a 5 percent cut in state employment significant for the economy. State employees in Blue Earth County took home almost $96 million in wages in 2007. A five percent cut would drain $4.8 million from the economy.
Stay tuned for more on the boats sinking unequally. We'll next look at which legislators represent these districts.
Unfortunately, Blue Earth and Nicollet counties are both in the top 10 of counties affected most by such a cut.
The biggest loser as a percentage? Stevens County in western Minnesota. State workers made $23.2 million in wages in 2007, according to state and federal payroll records. That sum made up nearly 14.4 percent of all wages public and private paid that year. A 5 percent cut in state wages would take $1.16 million or so out of the Stevens County economy.
Nicollet County would rank second as the biggest loser in state employee wages. With 12.5 percent of total wages coming from the state, a 5 percent cut in state spending would take nearly $3 million a year out of the Nicollet County economy, and crossover into the Mankato/North Mankato economy.
Blue Earth County would rank 6th biggest loser with 8 percent of all wages coming from state jobs. But the region's large total payroll would make a 5 percent cut in state employment significant for the economy. State employees in Blue Earth County took home almost $96 million in wages in 2007. A five percent cut would drain $4.8 million from the economy.
Stay tuned for more on the boats sinking unequally. We'll next look at which legislators represent these districts.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Rock the vote, change the rules
My meeting with Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Blue Earth County elections official Patty O'Connor provided some insights in how things may be different next time you go to the ballot box.
Early voting is in the proposed election reform bill. This would allow anyone to vote 15 days early, not just absentee. Officials note some 300,000 people in Minnesota voted "absentee" in the last election, but many were really "early voters" just checking one of the absentee reasons to work around the law.
Online voter registration may be coming to a computer near you. This would automate the process and bit and check against your license. In fact, they're thinking about automatically registering you to vote when you have your license updated, unless you opt out or are some other way illegal.
Count the absentee ballots at the court house instead of driving them to each precinct. This is how ballots might get lost in the transport. Also, harried election judges at the precinct wouldn't have to worry about counting absentee. Also puts the election officials who work with the law regularly in charge of qualifying, disqualifying absentee ballots.
A lot of the reform seems to make sense to me, but Ritchie says it's always a challenge getting elected officials to vote to change something they have been very comfortable with for years.
Stay tuned.
Early voting is in the proposed election reform bill. This would allow anyone to vote 15 days early, not just absentee. Officials note some 300,000 people in Minnesota voted "absentee" in the last election, but many were really "early voters" just checking one of the absentee reasons to work around the law.
Online voter registration may be coming to a computer near you. This would automate the process and bit and check against your license. In fact, they're thinking about automatically registering you to vote when you have your license updated, unless you opt out or are some other way illegal.
Count the absentee ballots at the court house instead of driving them to each precinct. This is how ballots might get lost in the transport. Also, harried election judges at the precinct wouldn't have to worry about counting absentee. Also puts the election officials who work with the law regularly in charge of qualifying, disqualifying absentee ballots.
A lot of the reform seems to make sense to me, but Ritchie says it's always a challenge getting elected officials to vote to change something they have been very comfortable with for years.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Another day in paradise
Mankato's "Barmuda" triangle seems to be getting a reputation as a paradise for street fighters.
Weekend police reports tell of two gentleman who had to be tasered after a discussion gave way to a head-kicking. Apparently combatant number one was held down by associates of combatant number 2, who whacked away at combatant number one's cranium. If you've ever witnessed this kind of assault (I have), you know how shocking it can be to watch. Humanity gone inhumane. It usually builds into a frenzy, and few bystanders are willing to jump in to stop it. Had police not arrived at the time they did, we indeed might have a much more serious injury situation on our hands.
Charges will include underage drinking and assault.
We may think the fights are inevitable, but how long are we going to put up with this stuff?
Our crime map tells the story of just how prevalent these altercations are becoming. http://is.gd/wWCk
Some 11 incidents in the first three months of 2009 involved assaults mostly in the downtown bar district. Many involved reports of police officers being assaulted as well. Some of the incidents involved weapons.
And now there are two more bars open in the Barmuda triangle, even though there is a supposed "moratorium" on liquor only licenses in the downtown area. One got the liquor only license because it was a transfer from another location. Another bar has the restaurant/liquor license because it will serve the required amount of food. While business is business, this will likely increase the traffic in the bar district and the amount of alcohol consumed - never a good combination.
At some point, the danger to officers and community cannot be swept under the welcome mats. To their credit, police are doing as much as they can and keeping the real serious stuff from happening. It's hard to keep saying this is business as usual. We should look to prevent these things from happening. Sooner or later, a bad situation will turn ugly. Then it will be real tough to defend a reputation of a "civil, enjoyable entertainment district."
Weekend police reports tell of two gentleman who had to be tasered after a discussion gave way to a head-kicking. Apparently combatant number one was held down by associates of combatant number 2, who whacked away at combatant number one's cranium. If you've ever witnessed this kind of assault (I have), you know how shocking it can be to watch. Humanity gone inhumane. It usually builds into a frenzy, and few bystanders are willing to jump in to stop it. Had police not arrived at the time they did, we indeed might have a much more serious injury situation on our hands.
Charges will include underage drinking and assault.
We may think the fights are inevitable, but how long are we going to put up with this stuff?
Our crime map tells the story of just how prevalent these altercations are becoming. http://is.gd/wWCk
Some 11 incidents in the first three months of 2009 involved assaults mostly in the downtown bar district. Many involved reports of police officers being assaulted as well. Some of the incidents involved weapons.
And now there are two more bars open in the Barmuda triangle, even though there is a supposed "moratorium" on liquor only licenses in the downtown area. One got the liquor only license because it was a transfer from another location. Another bar has the restaurant/liquor license because it will serve the required amount of food. While business is business, this will likely increase the traffic in the bar district and the amount of alcohol consumed - never a good combination.
At some point, the danger to officers and community cannot be swept under the welcome mats. To their credit, police are doing as much as they can and keeping the real serious stuff from happening. It's hard to keep saying this is business as usual. We should look to prevent these things from happening. Sooner or later, a bad situation will turn ugly. Then it will be real tough to defend a reputation of a "civil, enjoyable entertainment district."
Monday, May 4, 2009
Malicious mowing and the law
Pranksters mowed a bicycle into the hillside of Highway 14 last fall and created a controversy this spring.
Anyone traveling on Highway 14 just east of the Riverfront Drive exit likely saw the larger than life bicycle image with surprisingly round wheels and precisely drawn frame. Apparently motorists were noticing it too much. The Minnesota Department of Transportation took to mowing it this spring - in essence, "erasing" the hillside graffitti.
Letter writers and others took exception, noting the art on an all natural canvass could not be as bad looking and distracting as billboards are on other highways. One caller suggested that MnDOT broke the ditch mowing law by mowing outside the July 31-Aug. 31 time period.
Well, that's not exactly true. MnDOT spokeswoman Rebecca Arndt says MnDOT has the right to mow for weed control and safety any time throughout the summer. MnDOT says it mowed the bicycle for safety reasons as it was distracting drivers. When MnDOT does mow for such purposes it is to mow to a height of no shorter than 12 in. Anyone have a ruler?
As for the bicycle artists, they were in violation of Minnesota Statute 160.2715 (a) 11, which says it is a misdemeanor to "deface, mar, damage, or tamper with any structure, work, material, equipment, tools, signs, markers, signals, paving, guardrails, drains or any other highway appurtenance on or along any highway."
Statute 160.232 restricts MnDOT from "clear cutting entire sections" of right of way, except from July 31 to Aug. 31. But it does not restrict MnDOT from "spot mowing" as needed for "control of our right of way," says Arndt.
The art itself was intriguing in one respect. It left many wondering how the artists created such precisely round wheels from what seems more or less to be a "free hand" drawing. Word on the street is they used a rope, giving rise to the theory that the perpetrator did not act alone on this "grassy knoll." The accomplice stood in the center of the circle holding a rope tied to the mower, and the lead artist then simply walked in a circle with the rope held tight as a guide.
Have to appreciate the ingenuity.
Anyone traveling on Highway 14 just east of the Riverfront Drive exit likely saw the larger than life bicycle image with surprisingly round wheels and precisely drawn frame. Apparently motorists were noticing it too much. The Minnesota Department of Transportation took to mowing it this spring - in essence, "erasing" the hillside graffitti.
Letter writers and others took exception, noting the art on an all natural canvass could not be as bad looking and distracting as billboards are on other highways. One caller suggested that MnDOT broke the ditch mowing law by mowing outside the July 31-Aug. 31 time period.
Well, that's not exactly true. MnDOT spokeswoman Rebecca Arndt says MnDOT has the right to mow for weed control and safety any time throughout the summer. MnDOT says it mowed the bicycle for safety reasons as it was distracting drivers. When MnDOT does mow for such purposes it is to mow to a height of no shorter than 12 in. Anyone have a ruler?
As for the bicycle artists, they were in violation of Minnesota Statute 160.2715 (a) 11, which says it is a misdemeanor to "deface, mar, damage, or tamper with any structure, work, material, equipment, tools, signs, markers, signals, paving, guardrails, drains or any other highway appurtenance on or along any highway."
Statute 160.232 restricts MnDOT from "clear cutting entire sections" of right of way, except from July 31 to Aug. 31. But it does not restrict MnDOT from "spot mowing" as needed for "control of our right of way," says Arndt.
The art itself was intriguing in one respect. It left many wondering how the artists created such precisely round wheels from what seems more or less to be a "free hand" drawing. Word on the street is they used a rope, giving rise to the theory that the perpetrator did not act alone on this "grassy knoll." The accomplice stood in the center of the circle holding a rope tied to the mower, and the lead artist then simply walked in a circle with the rope held tight as a guide.
Have to appreciate the ingenuity.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Crime and punishment
Mankato crime has come to the front burner on the stove that is known as my desk.
Myself, crime reporter and assignment editor met with Mankato's two top cops recently, Jerry Huettl and Matt Westermayer. We like to meet every once in a while to discuss issues or iron out conflicts that come up in the all-important relationship between law enforcement in the media.
Generally things are going well. A few squabbles here and there on both sides. Public safety in Mankato is busy. Commanders are often out on calls themselves, on the streets, where Huettl says they should be, helping officers on the beat.
As Friday's front page story suggests, the subject of gangs in Mankato is coming up more. Huettl says there is no concerted effort to form gangs in town, but certain members of certain gangs do make Mankato a stopping off place. To me, it almost sounds like we're a roadside rest stop for some of these folks. The city and area is seeing more drug busts, and bigger drug busts with feds involved from time to time.
City and state budget cuts will likely affect public safety in this town. Already, there is talk of losing the school liaison officers, an all important crime prevention tool. If that happens, teachers and principals can be expected to be the ones breaking up more fights.
Toward the end of the day, took a call from a person concerned their reputation would be damaged from a crime story that posted to the web earlier. This person was associated with the location of a crime scene but not involved in the crime itself. That's always a tough call. We can't control what people will think. The information we publish is from police reports. They give date, time, place of crime. Police are required by law to release certain information. They have no choice.
We're always willing to listen to the other side, I tell this individual. She is stressed but somewhat satisfied after we make a modification in the story on some details that were not clear. She counts as the second person in three days who vowed to "call their lawyer" if we don't do what they want, to write the story the way that doesn't make them look so bad.
Myself, crime reporter and assignment editor met with Mankato's two top cops recently, Jerry Huettl and Matt Westermayer. We like to meet every once in a while to discuss issues or iron out conflicts that come up in the all-important relationship between law enforcement in the media.
Generally things are going well. A few squabbles here and there on both sides. Public safety in Mankato is busy. Commanders are often out on calls themselves, on the streets, where Huettl says they should be, helping officers on the beat.
As Friday's front page story suggests, the subject of gangs in Mankato is coming up more. Huettl says there is no concerted effort to form gangs in town, but certain members of certain gangs do make Mankato a stopping off place. To me, it almost sounds like we're a roadside rest stop for some of these folks. The city and area is seeing more drug busts, and bigger drug busts with feds involved from time to time.
City and state budget cuts will likely affect public safety in this town. Already, there is talk of losing the school liaison officers, an all important crime prevention tool. If that happens, teachers and principals can be expected to be the ones breaking up more fights.
Toward the end of the day, took a call from a person concerned their reputation would be damaged from a crime story that posted to the web earlier. This person was associated with the location of a crime scene but not involved in the crime itself. That's always a tough call. We can't control what people will think. The information we publish is from police reports. They give date, time, place of crime. Police are required by law to release certain information. They have no choice.
We're always willing to listen to the other side, I tell this individual. She is stressed but somewhat satisfied after we make a modification in the story on some details that were not clear. She counts as the second person in three days who vowed to "call their lawyer" if we don't do what they want, to write the story the way that doesn't make them look so bad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)