The Free Press newsroom is recovering from a wild election night that taxed staffers for hours and at the end had reporters filing stories to editors every five minutes.
That led to more than 40 election stories being posted to our online website as the results began coming in at about 8:30 p.m. It also led to updating those stories several times during the night and producing several additional stories to publish in one print edition that rolled off the presses at about 1:45 a.m. and another so called "remake" with more final results rolling off the presses about 2:30 a.m.
In between we chased down politicians for quotes, pictures and their reaction to their winning or their losing.
In the days before newspapers had online sites, this kind of a night was a bit less hectic. But now we must produce our product on several "platforms" or places readers want to go to find news.
To that end, we were putting short headlines and updates on our Facebook site, that by the way, is automatically connected to our Twitter site.
The effort was one of high quality for a gargantuan task, and I'm proud to be associated with our team.
Readers, print and online, Twitterers and Facebookers were served.
The traffic to our website Tuesday and Wednesday totaled over 120,000 page views, usually the normal amount of traffic for four days.
But the presses ran, the microchips hummed and Democracy was served.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Countdown to election: mission impossible
With only three days before the election, it's amazing that the whirlwind of events doesn't just blow us over sometimes.
The newsroom becomes a busy place: candidates roll in every other day; letters flood the editor's desk, with the writers calling and anxious that their letter get in.
In my experience, this year ranks much higher for the amount of voter interest than other mid-term elections. Voters are stressed, angry, confused and in some cases voraciously defending their favorite pols in a year when all seem at risk for losing their jobs.
I was honored and fortunate to be in the middle of it at times while I hosted two debates through Debate Minnesota, an organization I have volunteered for now for three elections. Debate Minnesota is a nonpartisan group dedicated to rigorous but fair and civil discussion of the issues of the day.
They require orderly crowds as well and one of my jobs was to be the "no clapping" policeman.
I hosted with Pete Steiner of KTOE the 1st Congressional District Debate between Tim Walz, Randy Demmer and Steven Wilson. I also hosted the Minnesota gubernatorial debate at MSU with longtime St. Paul Pioneer Press political reporter Bill Salisbury.
I enjoyed doing both debates and take my hat off to all the candidates. It never ceases to amaze me the time and commitment these candidates put into their races. They take time away from their jobs, their families and their life in general to put themselves out there with their ideas, often unfairly attacked by their opponents.
It's a wonder we have anyone willing to run at all.
The newsroom becomes a busy place: candidates roll in every other day; letters flood the editor's desk, with the writers calling and anxious that their letter get in.
In my experience, this year ranks much higher for the amount of voter interest than other mid-term elections. Voters are stressed, angry, confused and in some cases voraciously defending their favorite pols in a year when all seem at risk for losing their jobs.
I was honored and fortunate to be in the middle of it at times while I hosted two debates through Debate Minnesota, an organization I have volunteered for now for three elections. Debate Minnesota is a nonpartisan group dedicated to rigorous but fair and civil discussion of the issues of the day.
They require orderly crowds as well and one of my jobs was to be the "no clapping" policeman.
I hosted with Pete Steiner of KTOE the 1st Congressional District Debate between Tim Walz, Randy Demmer and Steven Wilson. I also hosted the Minnesota gubernatorial debate at MSU with longtime St. Paul Pioneer Press political reporter Bill Salisbury.
I enjoyed doing both debates and take my hat off to all the candidates. It never ceases to amaze me the time and commitment these candidates put into their races. They take time away from their jobs, their families and their life in general to put themselves out there with their ideas, often unfairly attacked by their opponents.
It's a wonder we have anyone willing to run at all.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Editor talks sports, Vikes, Twins, therapy
Four words and a mathematical equation
Randy Moss = Vikings Superbowl
How's that for brevity? Exciting to see the length the Wilfs are willing to go to make the Vikings real contenders. Realistically, in the last 12 years, the Vikings should've won two Superbowls, one in 1998 and one last year. But who's holding on to old disappointments?
With Moss back, it may or may not happen. (How's that for a Vikings fan employing the tools of disappointment therapy?). But it sure could happen, and the season just got worth watching every game again. Typically, when the Vikings appear to be underachieving, I'll not watch the games they definitely should win.
It's my defense mechanism. But, now with Moss, I'll be suckered back into the purple haze, rain, -- to mix a Hendrix and Prince metaphor.
Twins and Yankees: I don't want to watch, but I will
I'm tempted not to watch the Twins and the Yankees. The Yankees and Jeter are the most ignorant people in the world. How are they ignorant? They're too ignorant to ever doubt their ability to win in any way, in any situation against any opponent. Of yeah, they're arrogant too.
The Twins have seemed lackluster at best in the last what is it? eight games? Talk about playing to their competition.
Gardenhire hasn't dealt with this kind of letdown before psychologically. So he's in new territory as a manager to figure out the psychology of the team and work with it. Without Morneau and Nathan, the odds are stacked even higher against us. Matt Capps is no Joe Nathan. I hope to be proven wrong.
But again, the Yankees are ignorant and arrogant.
Randy Moss = Vikings Superbowl
How's that for brevity? Exciting to see the length the Wilfs are willing to go to make the Vikings real contenders. Realistically, in the last 12 years, the Vikings should've won two Superbowls, one in 1998 and one last year. But who's holding on to old disappointments?
With Moss back, it may or may not happen. (How's that for a Vikings fan employing the tools of disappointment therapy?). But it sure could happen, and the season just got worth watching every game again. Typically, when the Vikings appear to be underachieving, I'll not watch the games they definitely should win.
It's my defense mechanism. But, now with Moss, I'll be suckered back into the purple haze, rain, -- to mix a Hendrix and Prince metaphor.
Twins and Yankees: I don't want to watch, but I will
I'm tempted not to watch the Twins and the Yankees. The Yankees and Jeter are the most ignorant people in the world. How are they ignorant? They're too ignorant to ever doubt their ability to win in any way, in any situation against any opponent. Of yeah, they're arrogant too.
The Twins have seemed lackluster at best in the last what is it? eight games? Talk about playing to their competition.
Gardenhire hasn't dealt with this kind of letdown before psychologically. So he's in new territory as a manager to figure out the psychology of the team and work with it. Without Morneau and Nathan, the odds are stacked even higher against us. Matt Capps is no Joe Nathan. I hope to be proven wrong.
But again, the Yankees are ignorant and arrogant.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Mankato economy: some surprises
Mankato's economic indicators for this month are offering some surprises to the positive side.
Twelve indicators are up and five are down, according to the data provided in Free Press Media's Minnesota Valley Business magazine, a business magazine that's a must for anyone who is in business. (You can get on the list for free if your are a business owner or you can subscribe for $19.95 per year. Call 625-4451 to subscribe or e-mail to readerservice@mankatofreepress.com).
But the most positive signs appear in the area of jobs. The Mankato/North Mankato metropolitan statistical area has about 1,000 more jobs than a year ago through August. The number of jobs is 54,350. But what's interesting looking at the historical data, we hit 55,343 jobs in April of this year, the highest level going all the way back to 2001.
Other indicators that are positive: initial claims for unemployment down 50 percent in nine county region from a year ago; The number of people looking for jobs is down by about 500 for the same place and time; unemployment rates for nine counties are all down; residential building permits in Mankato and North Mankato are up over last year comparing August, and prices for corn, soybeans, hogs and milk are up; vehicle sales and general sales are up in Mankato, compared to a year ago May.
Still, the economic impact of the state balancing a $6 billion deficit is likely to his the Mankato region more so than other places. In 2009, 10 percent of all wages paid in Blue Earth County came from state government. In Nicollet County, 17 percent of all wages came from state government jobs.
Twelve indicators are up and five are down, according to the data provided in Free Press Media's Minnesota Valley Business magazine, a business magazine that's a must for anyone who is in business. (You can get on the list for free if your are a business owner or you can subscribe for $19.95 per year. Call 625-4451 to subscribe or e-mail to readerservice@mankatofreepress.com).
But the most positive signs appear in the area of jobs. The Mankato/North Mankato metropolitan statistical area has about 1,000 more jobs than a year ago through August. The number of jobs is 54,350. But what's interesting looking at the historical data, we hit 55,343 jobs in April of this year, the highest level going all the way back to 2001.
Other indicators that are positive: initial claims for unemployment down 50 percent in nine county region from a year ago; The number of people looking for jobs is down by about 500 for the same place and time; unemployment rates for nine counties are all down; residential building permits in Mankato and North Mankato are up over last year comparing August, and prices for corn, soybeans, hogs and milk are up; vehicle sales and general sales are up in Mankato, compared to a year ago May.
Still, the economic impact of the state balancing a $6 billion deficit is likely to his the Mankato region more so than other places. In 2009, 10 percent of all wages paid in Blue Earth County came from state government. In Nicollet County, 17 percent of all wages came from state government jobs.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Editor's take on today's news
Surprising poll and the anger vote
Results in the latest Minnesota Public Radio/Humphrey Institute poll are somewhat surprising showing Mark Dayton opening up an 11 point lead over Republican Tom Emmer.
Apparently, Dayton's tax the rich message is not scaring too many average people. You have to wonder if one of the worst recessions in decades, angst and discord in Washington, tea parties across the country has created the perfect storm for the anger and frustration vote.
The idea that taxing the rich will hurt job creation also seems to be a message that not many people are buying. I'm not sure why they would. They haven't seen their "rich" employers add many jobs lately. So, they figure, what do we have to lose?
That's not necessarily the way I would think about it, but I've not seen anyone offer a study that shows when you raise taxes on wealthy individuals you curtail job creation, or conversely, if you lower taxes - like in 2001 - you spur job creation. That obviously didn't happen.
Anger, part two, the Chinese
With voters angry at their U.S. elected leaders in Congress, you've got to figure Congress gets angry and frustrated as well. So why not take it out on the Chinese.
A bipartisan group of 348 members of the House of Representatives voted to penalize China if we don't like how they value, or - in our view- manipulate, the value of their currency, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
Journal writer Michael R. Crittenden and Bob Davis describe it as a move that is "sending a powerful warning to Beijing but risking a response that could harm U.S. companies and consumers."
That's a great piece of good old fashioned journalist intelligence to work into that lead. The politicians were acting tough, but likely to the detriment of their constituents.
But who is against bashing the Chinese, the guys who are like the "rich" of the world because they own so much of our debt.
The bill would allow us to put tariffs on Chinese goods if we didn't like the fact that Chinese currency was making ours look bad. Congress is probably posturing more on this than actually thinking about doing it, but then again, actions of Congress are often based on what looks good and not what will work well.
The risk in this kind of retaliation legislation is what the World Trade Organization won't tolerate. The WTO has the authority to rule against any unfair tariffs and allow the aggrieved country justice. This legislation seems like it would certainly fall outside the WTO rules we all agreed to abide by years ago.
We'd just have them retaliate with tariffs on everything we have to sell to them. And being that China is one of the largest markets in the world for U. S. goods, (why would our governors and others be continually traveling there if they weren't?) cutting off trade or artificially raising the price of our goods in the Chinese market wouldn't make any economic sense.
Tip of the day for tea party folks
The tea party continues its angry protests against all manner of federal spending that doesn't ever seem to be specified except in broad ways like welfare and Obamacare.
I offer this specific for use in their next rally: The House of Representatives approved in May a Defense Department budget that will increase $46 billion in 2011, or 7 percent. The vote was 229-186.
But Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and his deputy recently told Congress their budget is bloated and wasteful and they don't need that much money, and are aiming to cut their own budget $100 billion over five years because of waste in private contracts that should be done by the Defense Department's own employees.
They also didn't want Congress to spend $485 million on backup jet engines they say they didn't need, as did Obama, as did Bush before him. The House voted down stripping that money from the Defense bill. The vote will surprise you. Democrats voted against the wasteful spending, while many Republicans voted in favor of the extra jet engines, though there was crossover both ways.
Tea parties and citizens getting involved in government is great. It helps if you have some facts.
Results in the latest Minnesota Public Radio/Humphrey Institute poll are somewhat surprising showing Mark Dayton opening up an 11 point lead over Republican Tom Emmer.
Apparently, Dayton's tax the rich message is not scaring too many average people. You have to wonder if one of the worst recessions in decades, angst and discord in Washington, tea parties across the country has created the perfect storm for the anger and frustration vote.
The idea that taxing the rich will hurt job creation also seems to be a message that not many people are buying. I'm not sure why they would. They haven't seen their "rich" employers add many jobs lately. So, they figure, what do we have to lose?
That's not necessarily the way I would think about it, but I've not seen anyone offer a study that shows when you raise taxes on wealthy individuals you curtail job creation, or conversely, if you lower taxes - like in 2001 - you spur job creation. That obviously didn't happen.
Anger, part two, the Chinese
With voters angry at their U.S. elected leaders in Congress, you've got to figure Congress gets angry and frustrated as well. So why not take it out on the Chinese.
A bipartisan group of 348 members of the House of Representatives voted to penalize China if we don't like how they value, or - in our view- manipulate, the value of their currency, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
Journal writer Michael R. Crittenden and Bob Davis describe it as a move that is "sending a powerful warning to Beijing but risking a response that could harm U.S. companies and consumers."
That's a great piece of good old fashioned journalist intelligence to work into that lead. The politicians were acting tough, but likely to the detriment of their constituents.
But who is against bashing the Chinese, the guys who are like the "rich" of the world because they own so much of our debt.
The bill would allow us to put tariffs on Chinese goods if we didn't like the fact that Chinese currency was making ours look bad. Congress is probably posturing more on this than actually thinking about doing it, but then again, actions of Congress are often based on what looks good and not what will work well.
The risk in this kind of retaliation legislation is what the World Trade Organization won't tolerate. The WTO has the authority to rule against any unfair tariffs and allow the aggrieved country justice. This legislation seems like it would certainly fall outside the WTO rules we all agreed to abide by years ago.
We'd just have them retaliate with tariffs on everything we have to sell to them. And being that China is one of the largest markets in the world for U. S. goods, (why would our governors and others be continually traveling there if they weren't?) cutting off trade or artificially raising the price of our goods in the Chinese market wouldn't make any economic sense.
Tip of the day for tea party folks
The tea party continues its angry protests against all manner of federal spending that doesn't ever seem to be specified except in broad ways like welfare and Obamacare.
I offer this specific for use in their next rally: The House of Representatives approved in May a Defense Department budget that will increase $46 billion in 2011, or 7 percent. The vote was 229-186.
But Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and his deputy recently told Congress their budget is bloated and wasteful and they don't need that much money, and are aiming to cut their own budget $100 billion over five years because of waste in private contracts that should be done by the Defense Department's own employees.
They also didn't want Congress to spend $485 million on backup jet engines they say they didn't need, as did Obama, as did Bush before him. The House voted down stripping that money from the Defense bill. The vote will surprise you. Democrats voted against the wasteful spending, while many Republicans voted in favor of the extra jet engines, though there was crossover both ways.
Tea parties and citizens getting involved in government is great. It helps if you have some facts.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Investors now hammer Target political contribution
The Target political contribution saga continues
Now, major investors in Target are asking independent board members to review political contribution policies.
One investment manager said they can't believe Target didn't see how political contributions toward controversial candidates affect the bottom line and its business.
Several groups are calling for a boycott.
Many corporations will be reviewing their policies and many are likely to be chilled.
What's interesting about this whole series of events is that the need to do good business trumps the need to be political or make a statement, especially with investors money!
Here's latest Strib story which also quotes L.A. Times.This story is getting a lot of traction and will likely not go away soon.
Now, major investors in Target are asking independent board members to review political contribution policies.
One investment manager said they can't believe Target didn't see how political contributions toward controversial candidates affect the bottom line and its business.
Several groups are calling for a boycott.
Many corporations will be reviewing their policies and many are likely to be chilled.
What's interesting about this whole series of events is that the need to do good business trumps the need to be political or make a statement, especially with investors money!
Here's latest Strib story which also quotes L.A. Times.This story is getting a lot of traction and will likely not go away soon.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Business and politics don't mix
I knew it would happen.
As soon as the Supreme Court gave corporations the go ahead to contribute to political campaigns, many would move that way headstrong without thinking of the ramifications.
Many, like Target Corp., are now thinking twice about corporate contributions to political candidates.
When Target contributed to Minnesota Forward, a political group backing GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, the corporation ran into a buzzsaw of sorts of public opinion from the gay community.
Lots of those folks work at Target, lots buy at Target and they weren't so keen on Target backing a guy who they believe does not have their best interests at heart.
Target apologized to its gay and lesbian workforce and later to the groups as a whole.
Now, Moveon.org is "targeting" Target for a boycott.
I must say I am amazed at corporations who hire squadrons of public relations people to gauge consumer reaction to the size and shape of Cheerios have no clue when it comes to offending consumers in the political arena.
The longstanding rule of polite conversation is to avoid topics like politics, religion and sex, seems to be lost on corporations who must adhere to the rules of polite conversation if they want to maximize the number of people who may be interested in their products.
For more on this topic, check out MPR's story.
Here's an interesting FactCheck story as well.
As soon as the Supreme Court gave corporations the go ahead to contribute to political campaigns, many would move that way headstrong without thinking of the ramifications.
Many, like Target Corp., are now thinking twice about corporate contributions to political candidates.
When Target contributed to Minnesota Forward, a political group backing GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, the corporation ran into a buzzsaw of sorts of public opinion from the gay community.
Lots of those folks work at Target, lots buy at Target and they weren't so keen on Target backing a guy who they believe does not have their best interests at heart.
Target apologized to its gay and lesbian workforce and later to the groups as a whole.
Now, Moveon.org is "targeting" Target for a boycott.
I must say I am amazed at corporations who hire squadrons of public relations people to gauge consumer reaction to the size and shape of Cheerios have no clue when it comes to offending consumers in the political arena.
The longstanding rule of polite conversation is to avoid topics like politics, religion and sex, seems to be lost on corporations who must adhere to the rules of polite conversation if they want to maximize the number of people who may be interested in their products.
For more on this topic, check out MPR's story.
Here's an interesting FactCheck story as well.
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