As citizens continue to try and legalize marijuana, local college towns are feeling the effects.
In Pullman and Moscow, two towns predominately made up of college students between 18 and 24 years old, arrests for marijuana possession are concerning.
“Currently, we are in an up swing because people believe marijuana should be legalized,” said Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant. “This corresponds with the increase.”
Through the first quarter of 2011 Pullman has made 43 arrests for misdemeanor marijuana possession compared to 104 total arrests in 2010. In comparison, Spokane, with a population of more than 208,000 residents, has made 53 misdemeanor arrests during the first quarter.
“Arrests are higher (in Pullman and Moscow) because they’re college towns,” said patrol Sgt. Dan Bruce, with the Moscow Police Department. “College students are more likely to experiment with marijuana.”
Bruce said Pullman and Moscow have a larger population of young adults and that is the age group they have more contact with.
The topic of marijuana and police targeting student-athletes has been a popular discussion around the water cooler. Reggie Moore, Klay Thompson, and DeAngelo Casto, starters for the WSU men’s basketball team, had run-ins with the law. Each player received press time in a three month period related to their citations for marijuana possession.
Seattle Times reporter Bud Withers said that the problem is “overzealous police enforcement.” He’s covered Pac-10 basketball for decades and can’t remember seeing three players on a team getting in trouble for marijuana possession in a single season.
This has lead to local concern about Pullman police targeting student-athletes.
WSU student Kristina Blake, a sports management major, says it seems that way.
“That is what is being exploited to us,” said Blake. “(Athletes) are held in a different light than other students.”
Tennant says when it came to Thompson and Casto’s citations that the officer’s didn’t know they were athletes. He said Thompson’s was a traffic stop and Casto’s was community related.
“It’s reasonable the general public would get that opinion,” said Tennant. “From my perspective, as an officer of the law, we are not targeting anyone.”
Bruce agrees with Tennant.
“I’ve heard we’ve been accused of targeting certain people, but I’ve never seen that,” said Bruce. “We deal with who we run into.”
Blake says she doesn’t believe there is a marijuana problem in Pullman, but feels student-athletes should be held accountable for their actions.
WSU head men’s basketball coach, Ken Bone, says the team has had counseling sessions and team meetings to strongly address the issues. Bone added that things need to change and will change.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) said research shows a recent increase in positive marijuana tests in all Division I-III schools from 28 in 2008-09 to 71 in 2009-10. This problem is not only affecting WSU but all college towns.
Tennant said the Pullman Police Department chooses to focus on small things to keep things under control.
“We have found with young adults, if you allow a total party scene, you only deal with big things,” said Tennant. “We need to hold people accountable and make sure they just can’t cross the line.”
As the debate over whether or not to legalize marijuana continues, arrests for misdemeanor marijuana possession will likely to be affected.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Katrina photos
Choose two of the photographs. List three details you notice in the photographs, and write three sentences using those details.
The second picture in the top row shows absolute devistation with homes submerged under water, major road ways submerged under water and gives an idea of how much water hit this area with its results.
Homes in New Orleans are completely submerged under water.
Highways and road ways around New Orleans are taken over by high waters.
Hurricane Katrina has destroyed New Orleans beyond recognition.
Third row, last picture.
Residents residing on highways.
People with no where to go.
Evacuees doing all they can.
New Orleans residents are displaced from their homes and are residing on highways.
No cars are on the road ways as people take over the roads.
Evacuees are left on the roadways as they await help.
The second picture in the top row shows absolute devistation with homes submerged under water, major road ways submerged under water and gives an idea of how much water hit this area with its results.
Homes in New Orleans are completely submerged under water.
Highways and road ways around New Orleans are taken over by high waters.
Hurricane Katrina has destroyed New Orleans beyond recognition.
Third row, last picture.
Residents residing on highways.
People with no where to go.
Evacuees doing all they can.
New Orleans residents are displaced from their homes and are residing on highways.
No cars are on the road ways as people take over the roads.
Evacuees are left on the roadways as they await help.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Anecdotes and Evidence
Social Media Monitoring of Athletes on the Rise:
1. How does the writer use personal accounts and anecdotes to enrich the story? Starts by including a recent situation where a student-athlete, Isaiah Thomas, uses Twitter to interact with his followers.
2. What evidence does the writer provide to demonstrate the subject's story is part of a larger trend or problem? Saying that several universities have hired private companies to monitor the social media websites of their athletes.
1. How does the writer use personal accounts and anecdotes to enrich the story? Starts by including a recent situation where a student-athlete, Isaiah Thomas, uses Twitter to interact with his followers.
2. What evidence does the writer provide to demonstrate the subject's story is part of a larger trend or problem? Saying that several universities have hired private companies to monitor the social media websites of their athletes.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Trends in local government
Finding trends in local government
This exercise is designed to help you track local government data through online search engines. We can use that data to find trends, interesting facts and, of course, story ideas. As you work on this exercise, look for potential story ideas.
I. State and local
The Census is spewing out data this year. Let's look at the most recent reports. Under "Newsroom," click on "Releases."
1. Click on releases by year, and then go to 2010. Click the Oct. 22 tip sheet. Scroll down to the Recently Released data. Click on the American Community Survey.
2. Scroll down the page and click on the food stamp program. What's the percent increase in food stamp use from 2008 to 2009 in Washington state? Nationally?
WA = 27.7 percent Nationally=19.8 percent
Using the online resource www.census.gov, answer the following questions:
1. What’s the population of Washington state? 6.7 million
a. What's the percent change since 2000? 13 percent
b. Go back to the main page. Now look at 'Washington' under the 'Area Profile with QuickFacts.'
1. In terms of percent increase, which has grown faster in the past decade -- Washington or the U.S.? WA
2. What's the median household income in Washington as of 2008? $58,081
3. What's the national median income? $52,029
4. Let's look at ethnicity: Identify one way in which Washington's population differs from the U.S. population. Less people that identify as black.
2. Now look at Whitman County.
a. What's the population? 42,689
b. What was the percent increase from 2000 to 2009? 4.8 percent
c. In 2000, what percent of the population had a bachelor’s degree? What was the percent statewide? 44 percent; 27.7 percent
d. Median household income? $39,691
e. Persons below poverty in 2008? 23.7 percent
3. Let's go deeper. Near the top of the page, click on 'Browse data sets for Whitman County.' You'll find a slew of entry points into the U.S. Census Bureau database. This is a great area if you're interested in finding a particular fact (how much federal $ came into the county last year), as well as if you're just browsing, looking for a little light reading.
Click on the 'Building Permits 2009.'
a. Find the annual total construction costs for building permits for Pullman from 2004 to 2009. Report it for each individual year.
2004 $21,793,767 2007 $31,922,839
2005 $40,062,508 2008 $14,007,013
2006 $34,549,367 2009 $10,398,856
1. Go back to the main page for building permits. http://censtats.census.gov/bldg/bldgprmt.shtml
2. What was the total construction in January 2011? $308,081
3. Check the total for December 2010. What was the year-to-date total for 2010? $11,812,537
Other online data sources for trends
c. Let's explore other public data online. Type "google public data" into your search engine. Click on "explore the data," and then Unemployment in the U.S.
1. Click on "By State," and then "Unemployment Rate." What's the current U.S. unemployment rate? 9.5 percent
2. List the month and year for the highest national unemployment rate in the last 60 years. Feb. 1983
3. Now limit the data for Washington state. What's the current state unemployment rate? 9.1 percent
4. This beta-application is part of Google Labs. As such, it has some quirks. Click on the "+" sign next to Washington to open up more options, then click on Counties, and Whitman County. What's the most recent unemployment rate? What was the rate in June 2003? Dec. 2010 5.1 percent; 6.6 percent
Note: If the data doesn't appear, click "clear selections" at the bottom of the page.
a. What's the current unemployment rate in Pullman? 4.5 percent
5. Now find your home county, even if it's not in Washington state (provided it is in the U.S.!) What's the current unemployment rate in your home county? Vancouver, WA 7.8 percent
d. Washington Center for Real Estate Research (http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/). Click on the 2010 Q4 housing report.
1. Look at Whitman County. What's the percent change in the number of building permits issued during the past year? -12.5 percent
2. What was the median resale home price? How much did it change in the past year? How much did prices decline statewide? $183,700; 0.2 percent change; -2.0 percent statewide decline.
3. Which county suffered the biggest percent decline? Columbia at -34.4 percent.
II. Federal grants and insurance
Who needs government? Well, Whitman County certainly received some federal help last year. But we want to know how much.
But fumbling through this site can be cumbersome. Plus, the Census Bureau isn't the only government site with information on Whitman County. If only there were an easier way to search all these sites at once (ah, but there is!)
Go to Google/unclesam is a powerful tool that let’s us search all “.gov” Web sites. Go to the search bar and type whitman county federal funds.
a. Click on the first link. Is this website operated by the state or federal government? state government
1. Click or search for 'Consolidated Federal Funds Report.' At the top of the page, click on 'Online Query System.'
2. Under ‘Available Data,’ choose 2009 and Geography (Federal data almost always lags a year behind). Click ‘Submit.’
3. On the next page, choose ‘Washington’ and ‘Yes’ on County. We want ‘All Fund Types.’
4. On the next page, choose Whitman County.
a. What was the total of federal expenditures in Whitman County in 2009? $399,157,798
b. Tracking grants can also help us identify news stories. How much did Whitman County receive in grants (block, formula, project, etc.)? $161,748,312
c. Name three of the grants. WILDLIFE SERVICES, CROP DISASTER PROGRAM, and INTEGRATED PROGRAMS.
d. How much did Whitman County farmers receive in Crop Insurance? (Hint: Scroll to the bottom of the page? $219,886,778
b. Let's look at crime. Go to Google/unclesam and search for whitman county ofm. Click on the first result. (It will take us back to the same page.)
1. Click on "Criminal Justice." Click on the Databook for 1990 to 2009.
2. Click on the data for Whitman County.
3. How many murders are recorded in Whitman County since 1990? 6
4. How many rapes were recorded last year? 14
5. Look at the number of Adult Arrests -- how many arrest for rape last year? 4
6. Why is there a difference between the Crime Index and the Adult Arrests? Crime Index includes all people even those not legally adults.
7. What was the average jail sentences (in months) for Sex Crimes? 11
8. What was the average prison sentence in months for Sex Crimes? Why are these numbers different?64.4 prison sentence is for felony crimes
This exercise is designed to help you track local government data through online search engines. We can use that data to find trends, interesting facts and, of course, story ideas. As you work on this exercise, look for potential story ideas.
I. State and local
The Census is spewing out data this year. Let's look at the most recent reports. Under "Newsroom," click on "Releases."
1. Click on releases by year, and then go to 2010. Click the Oct. 22 tip sheet. Scroll down to the Recently Released data. Click on the American Community Survey.
2. Scroll down the page and click on the food stamp program. What's the percent increase in food stamp use from 2008 to 2009 in Washington state? Nationally?
WA = 27.7 percent Nationally=19.8 percent
Using the online resource www.census.gov, answer the following questions:
1. What’s the population of Washington state? 6.7 million
a. What's the percent change since 2000? 13 percent
b. Go back to the main page. Now look at 'Washington' under the 'Area Profile with QuickFacts.'
1. In terms of percent increase, which has grown faster in the past decade -- Washington or the U.S.? WA
2. What's the median household income in Washington as of 2008? $58,081
3. What's the national median income? $52,029
4. Let's look at ethnicity: Identify one way in which Washington's population differs from the U.S. population. Less people that identify as black.
2. Now look at Whitman County.
a. What's the population? 42,689
b. What was the percent increase from 2000 to 2009? 4.8 percent
c. In 2000, what percent of the population had a bachelor’s degree? What was the percent statewide? 44 percent; 27.7 percent
d. Median household income? $39,691
e. Persons below poverty in 2008? 23.7 percent
3. Let's go deeper. Near the top of the page, click on 'Browse data sets for Whitman County.' You'll find a slew of entry points into the U.S. Census Bureau database. This is a great area if you're interested in finding a particular fact (how much federal $ came into the county last year), as well as if you're just browsing, looking for a little light reading.
Click on the 'Building Permits 2009.'
a. Find the annual total construction costs for building permits for Pullman from 2004 to 2009. Report it for each individual year.
2004 $21,793,767 2007 $31,922,839
2005 $40,062,508 2008 $14,007,013
2006 $34,549,367 2009 $10,398,856
1. Go back to the main page for building permits. http://censtats.census.gov/bldg/bldgprmt.shtml
2. What was the total construction in January 2011? $308,081
3. Check the total for December 2010. What was the year-to-date total for 2010? $11,812,537
Other online data sources for trends
c. Let's explore other public data online. Type "google public data" into your search engine. Click on "explore the data," and then Unemployment in the U.S.
1. Click on "By State," and then "Unemployment Rate." What's the current U.S. unemployment rate? 9.5 percent
2. List the month and year for the highest national unemployment rate in the last 60 years. Feb. 1983
3. Now limit the data for Washington state. What's the current state unemployment rate? 9.1 percent
4. This beta-application is part of Google Labs. As such, it has some quirks. Click on the "+" sign next to Washington to open up more options, then click on Counties, and Whitman County. What's the most recent unemployment rate? What was the rate in June 2003? Dec. 2010 5.1 percent; 6.6 percent
Note: If the data doesn't appear, click "clear selections" at the bottom of the page.
a. What's the current unemployment rate in Pullman? 4.5 percent
5. Now find your home county, even if it's not in Washington state (provided it is in the U.S.!) What's the current unemployment rate in your home county? Vancouver, WA 7.8 percent
d. Washington Center for Real Estate Research (http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/). Click on the 2010 Q4 housing report.
1. Look at Whitman County. What's the percent change in the number of building permits issued during the past year? -12.5 percent
2. What was the median resale home price? How much did it change in the past year? How much did prices decline statewide? $183,700; 0.2 percent change; -2.0 percent statewide decline.
3. Which county suffered the biggest percent decline? Columbia at -34.4 percent.
II. Federal grants and insurance
Who needs government? Well, Whitman County certainly received some federal help last year. But we want to know how much.
But fumbling through this site can be cumbersome. Plus, the Census Bureau isn't the only government site with information on Whitman County. If only there were an easier way to search all these sites at once (ah, but there is!)
Go to Google/unclesam is a powerful tool that let’s us search all “.gov” Web sites. Go to the search bar and type whitman county federal funds.
a. Click on the first link. Is this website operated by the state or federal government? state government
1. Click or search for 'Consolidated Federal Funds Report.' At the top of the page, click on 'Online Query System.'
2. Under ‘Available Data,’ choose 2009 and Geography (Federal data almost always lags a year behind). Click ‘Submit.’
3. On the next page, choose ‘Washington’ and ‘Yes’ on County. We want ‘All Fund Types.’
4. On the next page, choose Whitman County.
a. What was the total of federal expenditures in Whitman County in 2009? $399,157,798
b. Tracking grants can also help us identify news stories. How much did Whitman County receive in grants (block, formula, project, etc.)? $161,748,312
c. Name three of the grants. WILDLIFE SERVICES, CROP DISASTER PROGRAM, and INTEGRATED PROGRAMS.
d. How much did Whitman County farmers receive in Crop Insurance? (Hint: Scroll to the bottom of the page? $219,886,778
b. Let's look at crime. Go to Google/unclesam and search for whitman county ofm. Click on the first result. (It will take us back to the same page.)
1. Click on "Criminal Justice." Click on the Databook for 1990 to 2009.
2. Click on the data for Whitman County.
3. How many murders are recorded in Whitman County since 1990? 6
4. How many rapes were recorded last year? 14
5. Look at the number of Adult Arrests -- how many arrest for rape last year? 4
6. Why is there a difference between the Crime Index and the Adult Arrests? Crime Index includes all people even those not legally adults.
7. What was the average jail sentences (in months) for Sex Crimes? 11
8. What was the average prison sentence in months for Sex Crimes? Why are these numbers different?64.4 prison sentence is for felony crimes
Homeless trends
Long-term investment created in 1987 increased funding in 2008 to $200 million. What are the increases they are seeing.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Legislative Story 3
As the economy continues to struggle the state of Washington is trying to reform higher education. House Bill 1795, the higher education opportunity act, is a reform bill that is currently being considered in Olympia.
This bill proposes that four-year institutions would have the power to set tuition rates for students with no caps. This would give the WSU Board of Regents control in raising tuition for the next four years here at WSU. The idea of no caps is concerning.
“There should be a cap to tuition rates,” said WSU senior hospitality and business major Meaghan Kessie. “Students are already being pushed away because of high tuition and if we continue to raise the price then we are going to push more and more qualified students away.”
WSU has increased in-state tuition 30 percent in the last 18 months. With steeper costs some wonder how this would affect future enrollment figures.
“It won’t hurt enrollment because people need to go to college anyways,” said WSU senior hospitality and business major Kevin Callahan. “As long as companies require degrees people will (pay).”
ASWSU is showing its support for the bill. Student leaders throughout the state worked with the bill’s sponsor Rep. Reuven Carlyle, (D) Legislative District 36, in creating the bill.
HB 1795 says half of tuition increases of more than 7 percent would go towards financial aid programs for middle class students. This includes students with incomes 125 percent or less of the median family income. The legislature would also guarantee funding for the State Need Grant.
If the bill passes tuition rates at four-year institutions throughout Washington could begin to see changes starting the 2011-12 academic year.
HB 1795 affects current college students throughout the state of Washington, parents that are paying for their students’ education, and those who have high school students that will be enrolling in four-year institutions in the next four years.
“I guess they do have to sustain the university to make up for cuts,” said Callahan. “But it sure does blow.”
With state support declining over the past 20 years an increase in tuition to higher education is to prevent taxpayers from having to pay more.
Rep. Christine Rolfes, (D) Legislative District 23, says the goal of the legislation is to help students in the future.
“(It’s) to make sure that we retain a solid higher education foundation in the face of declining state revenues so that future generations continue to have access to higher education opportunities,” Rolfes said.
With the state of Washington dealing with a $4.6 billion deficit changes and cuts are part of the reform process. Rolfes says the cuts have had a big impact on young children today.
“I have two younger children, who do not have the opportunities that kids in their schools had 10 years ago, due to extreme budget cuts this recession,” Rolfes said. “And for whom college will be only more expensive than it is today, due to less state subsidies.”
When it comes to whether students should support House Bill 1795, Rolfes encourages them to protect their own interests and consider those coming behind them. Parents also need to think the same way.
Sources:
Rep. Christine Rolfes christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7842
Outline:
I: HB 1795
a.Purpose of bill
b.Tuition cap
II. WSU tuition and enrollment
a.Callahan quote
b.ASWSU
III. 1795 expanded
a.Those affected
b.State support
IV. Rep. Rolfes
a.Future effects
b.State deficit
c.Kids in the future
This bill proposes that four-year institutions would have the power to set tuition rates for students with no caps. This would give the WSU Board of Regents control in raising tuition for the next four years here at WSU. The idea of no caps is concerning.
“There should be a cap to tuition rates,” said WSU senior hospitality and business major Meaghan Kessie. “Students are already being pushed away because of high tuition and if we continue to raise the price then we are going to push more and more qualified students away.”
WSU has increased in-state tuition 30 percent in the last 18 months. With steeper costs some wonder how this would affect future enrollment figures.
“It won’t hurt enrollment because people need to go to college anyways,” said WSU senior hospitality and business major Kevin Callahan. “As long as companies require degrees people will (pay).”
ASWSU is showing its support for the bill. Student leaders throughout the state worked with the bill’s sponsor Rep. Reuven Carlyle, (D) Legislative District 36, in creating the bill.
HB 1795 says half of tuition increases of more than 7 percent would go towards financial aid programs for middle class students. This includes students with incomes 125 percent or less of the median family income. The legislature would also guarantee funding for the State Need Grant.
If the bill passes tuition rates at four-year institutions throughout Washington could begin to see changes starting the 2011-12 academic year.
HB 1795 affects current college students throughout the state of Washington, parents that are paying for their students’ education, and those who have high school students that will be enrolling in four-year institutions in the next four years.
“I guess they do have to sustain the university to make up for cuts,” said Callahan. “But it sure does blow.”
With state support declining over the past 20 years an increase in tuition to higher education is to prevent taxpayers from having to pay more.
Rep. Christine Rolfes, (D) Legislative District 23, says the goal of the legislation is to help students in the future.
“(It’s) to make sure that we retain a solid higher education foundation in the face of declining state revenues so that future generations continue to have access to higher education opportunities,” Rolfes said.
With the state of Washington dealing with a $4.6 billion deficit changes and cuts are part of the reform process. Rolfes says the cuts have had a big impact on young children today.
“I have two younger children, who do not have the opportunities that kids in their schools had 10 years ago, due to extreme budget cuts this recession,” Rolfes said. “And for whom college will be only more expensive than it is today, due to less state subsidies.”
When it comes to whether students should support House Bill 1795, Rolfes encourages them to protect their own interests and consider those coming behind them. Parents also need to think the same way.
Sources:
Rep. Christine Rolfes christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7842
Outline:
I: HB 1795
a.Purpose of bill
b.Tuition cap
II. WSU tuition and enrollment
a.Callahan quote
b.ASWSU
III. 1795 expanded
a.Those affected
b.State support
IV. Rep. Rolfes
a.Future effects
b.State deficit
c.Kids in the future
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Math Quiz
When we look at politics, we need to have a baseline understanding of … math. Let’s do a quick quiz of the basics.
1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?
$7,885
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed?
82.9 percent
3. We have a company. We make crap. Some people get paid more than others.
* The CEO earns $150,000 a year. She has a nice office and thinks big ideas.
* Two top managers earn $100,000 a year for attending meetings, writing memos, etc.
* The company has three security guards. They bust heads and carry Tasers. They earn $40,000 a year.
* Finally, we have 2 designers/engineers. They do the actual work. We pay them $35,000 and put them in cubicles like zoo animals.
Mean (average) salary? $67,500
Median salary? $40,000
Which is more accurate? Median
4. Desperate for revenue, the government decides to increase the tax on beer. The tax on food is 5 percent. But if you buy beer, you pay an extra percent, or a total of 6 percent. Supporters of the tax say this is only a 1 percentage increase; critics say this is a 20 percent increase. Who is right? 20 percent increase.
1/5= 20 percent increase
5. a. The city’s budget was cut from $2 million to $1.5 million. What was the percent decrease? decreased by $500,000. 5 percent
b. The city’s budget increased from $1.5 million to $2 million. What was the percent increase? Increased by $500,000. 33 percent
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?
10.7 percent
7. We want to look at home sales in October.
* House 1 costs $225,000.
* House 2 costs $207,000.
* House 3 costs $129,000.
* House 4 costs $192,000.
* House 5 costs $3.2 million.
What’s the mean price? What’s the median?
Mean: $790,600
Median: $207,000
8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get?
3 slices each
9. Let’s say someone wants to establish a University District. To gain support, he/she needs to establish that safety is a problem in the area. Assume the following:
* Pullman had 183 assaults last year. Spokane had 502.
* Spokane has 200,000 people. Pullman has 25,000.
Is the average person more likely to be assaulted in Spokane or Pullman? What's the per capita assault rate in each city?
Pullman .00732
Spokane .00251
About 3 times more likely to be assaulted in Pullman than Spokane.
10. House prices increased 40 percent this year to a median price of $210,000. What was the median house price last year?
$150,000. 210,000/1.4
(Credit: Poynter Institute)
1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?
$7,885
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed?
82.9 percent
3. We have a company. We make crap. Some people get paid more than others.
* The CEO earns $150,000 a year. She has a nice office and thinks big ideas.
* Two top managers earn $100,000 a year for attending meetings, writing memos, etc.
* The company has three security guards. They bust heads and carry Tasers. They earn $40,000 a year.
* Finally, we have 2 designers/engineers. They do the actual work. We pay them $35,000 and put them in cubicles like zoo animals.
Mean (average) salary? $67,500
Median salary? $40,000
Which is more accurate? Median
4. Desperate for revenue, the government decides to increase the tax on beer. The tax on food is 5 percent. But if you buy beer, you pay an extra percent, or a total of 6 percent. Supporters of the tax say this is only a 1 percentage increase; critics say this is a 20 percent increase. Who is right? 20 percent increase.
1/5= 20 percent increase
5. a. The city’s budget was cut from $2 million to $1.5 million. What was the percent decrease? decreased by $500,000. 5 percent
b. The city’s budget increased from $1.5 million to $2 million. What was the percent increase? Increased by $500,000. 33 percent
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?
10.7 percent
7. We want to look at home sales in October.
* House 1 costs $225,000.
* House 2 costs $207,000.
* House 3 costs $129,000.
* House 4 costs $192,000.
* House 5 costs $3.2 million.
What’s the mean price? What’s the median?
Mean: $790,600
Median: $207,000
8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get?
3 slices each
9. Let’s say someone wants to establish a University District. To gain support, he/she needs to establish that safety is a problem in the area. Assume the following:
* Pullman had 183 assaults last year. Spokane had 502.
* Spokane has 200,000 people. Pullman has 25,000.
Is the average person more likely to be assaulted in Spokane or Pullman? What's the per capita assault rate in each city?
Pullman .00732
Spokane .00251
About 3 times more likely to be assaulted in Pullman than Spokane.
10. House prices increased 40 percent this year to a median price of $210,000. What was the median house price last year?
$150,000. 210,000/1.4
(Credit: Poynter Institute)
political stories
Three Questions:
1. If this bill passes, will it affect college tuition positively?
2. Would this bill make it more difficult for students to receive financial aid?
3. What was it like working with college students to put this bill together?
Sources:
1. Sponsor: Reuven Carlyle
2. ASWSU President Jake Bredstrand
One sentence describing story:
1. I will focus on how this bill was put together with the opinions of college students and how it will affect college tuition and financial aid.
1. If this bill passes, will it affect college tuition positively?
2. Would this bill make it more difficult for students to receive financial aid?
3. What was it like working with college students to put this bill together?
Sources:
1. Sponsor: Reuven Carlyle
2. ASWSU President Jake Bredstrand
One sentence describing story:
1. I will focus on how this bill was put together with the opinions of college students and how it will affect college tuition and financial aid.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Legislative story ideas
1163 Bullying prevention
HB1424 Student Financial Aid Program
SHB 1556 First-time DUI Offenders
HB1424 Student Financial Aid Program
SHB 1556 First-time DUI Offenders
peer edit
1. In the past the government controlled public messages to Arab countries. But now social media can’t be controlled.
2. On January 14 Tunisia became the first nation to revolt against its government.
3. Dr. Lawrence Pintak, founding dean of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, described the beating of a man who had taped an illegal police activity.
4. Conflict was ignited throughout Arab nations when cell phone pictures of a Tunisian fruit vendor who lit himself on fire in protest of police seizing his fruit cart were broadcast online.
5. Rev. Jesse Jackson says if people became more politically active they could change government policy.
6. Pintak said oppressed lower class Arabs have prepared for years for a revolution in Egypt.
7. In January the Arab Government pulled the plug on the Internet.
8. “I loved the '90s,” Smith said. She said the '90s resulted in more technological innovations than any decade in the 20th century.
2. On January 14 Tunisia became the first nation to revolt against its government.
3. Dr. Lawrence Pintak, founding dean of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, described the beating of a man who had taped an illegal police activity.
4. Conflict was ignited throughout Arab nations when cell phone pictures of a Tunisian fruit vendor who lit himself on fire in protest of police seizing his fruit cart were broadcast online.
5. Rev. Jesse Jackson says if people became more politically active they could change government policy.
6. Pintak said oppressed lower class Arabs have prepared for years for a revolution in Egypt.
7. In January the Arab Government pulled the plug on the Internet.
8. “I loved the '90s,” Smith said. She said the '90s resulted in more technological innovations than any decade in the 20th century.
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