[news articles for my Broadcast News Writing class]
May 14, 2008
RAPE VICTIM FIGHTS FOR DNA DATABASE EXPANSION
Angelica Bonus
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - After 20 years, the man who attacked and raped Laura Neumann is behind bars. Neumann was attacked at the age of 18 in the Baltimore, Maryland area. The rapist, Alphonso Hill, is now serving 15 years.
“He could have been caught sooner if DNA had been taken and he had been matched to the cases that were unsolved,” Neumann said.
With the DNA information taken in prison, Alphonso Hill was formally charged in six other rape cases. He is also being accused of at least 20 other rape cases.
“For many of these women, their cases would have been solved sooner,” Neumann continued.
Neumann began lobbying in Maryland for a bill that would require DNA testing for every murder, rape, or assault arrest.
"Our privacy is a critical factor and we can't assume that everybody is guilty until they are proven themselves innocent,” said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the office of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Associate Attorney General Kevin O’Connor agrees, announcing that “Congress has passed a provision that says anybody who abuses this information ... will be prosecuted.”
Twenty-one other states will be looking to pass similar laws regarding DNA database expansion.
April 29, 2008
TORNADOES HIT VIRGINIA
Angelica Bonus
New Brunswick, NJ - Three tornadoes touched down in Virginia, leaving people injured and homes torn apart on Tuesday.
“At least 200 were injured Monday in Suffolk, where a twister destroyed several homes and businesses,” said Bob Spieldenner of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Sentara Obici Hospital was affected, but is still operational and accepting patients.
CNN's Rob Marciano reported from Suffolk that “about 140 homes were destroyed, damaged or deemed uninhabitable.” A second tornado was reported near Richmond, leaving 18 injured.
“A third twister damaged several homes near Lawrenceville, about 70 miles south of Richmond,” said Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia declared a state of emergency.
Brenda Williams, who was pulled from wreckage, said “I'm not lucky; I'm blessed. I'm fine. I'm here. I'm in the land of the living."
With downed power lines and trees, cleanup is underway.
Luckily, no fatalities were reported.
April 9th. 2008
FCC TEXT MESSAGES
Angelica Bonus
New Brunswick, NJ - The Federal Communications Commission is proposing a text message alert system which will reach all American mobile devices in case of an emergency. The decision to officially create such a system will be announced on Wednesday or Thursday.
According to an FCC representative, cell phone companies that voluntarily opt to utilize the system would send text-based alert messages to subscribers in response to three types of events. These events include a national disaster, an imminent weather alert, or even cases of child abuse.
AT&T, one of the companies that may employ this alert system, says that "while we [AT&T] obviously need to review the details of the FCC's decision, we look forward to offering mobile emergency alerts to our customers.”
Other companies that say they will comply the text alerts are T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint Nextel and AT&T.
A Sprint representative also says that would participate if the FCC adopts the plan exactly as it was recommended by an advisory group.
A group will be created in lieu of this new system. This federal agency will be assisted by organizations such as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security [see Emergency Services sector daily report].
The text message alerts were devised in response to Congress passing an act about emergency communications in 2006.