30 second story for broadcast (FINAL)

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THE L.A. TIMES REPORTED YESTERDAY THAT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION IS BEING ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THE POPULAR SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE --FACEBOOK-- ON SUSPICION THAT IS HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY TRACKING ITS USERS, EVEN AFTER THEY’RE LOGGED OFF THE SITE.

<***SOUND BITE: VIDEO OF JOE BARTON, LAWMAKER***>

When users log out on Facebook, they are under the expectation that Facebook is no longer monitoring their activities. We believe this impression should be the reality.

<***ANCHOR VOICE OVER B-ROLL- FACEBOOK USER SCREENSHOT***>

FACEBOOK SPOKESMEN COMMENTED THAT THERE IS NO SECURITY OR PRIVACY BREACH BEING MADE BY THE SITE... AND ANY POSSIBLE ISSUES WILL BE ADDRESSED AS THEY ARISE.

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WHETHER OR NOT THESE CLAIMS ARE TRUE IS UNCOMFIRED. NO FORMAL INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME.

KSU student leads softball team to world series (Final Draft)

As Allison Griggs sits down in front of me at our café table, I cannot help but notice what a sharp contrast her demeanor seems to make in the quaint, laid-back atmosphere of the small establishment. Quiet music plays, and a few other customers read newspapers or surf the internet, but Griggs is still bubbling with excitement and seems unable to control her  volume. I’m beginning to wonder if coffee is really a good choice…

                Griggs is a Kennesaw State University student , currently studying biochemistry full time, while balancing two jobs and devoting countless hours to her real passion: women’s softball. She is ecstatic because  she knows that after our conversation she gets to go home, pack a bag, and fly down to Orlando with her division B team for a chance to win the Women’s Slow-pitch World Series at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The tournament is a prestigious, invitation only sporting event for the best teams across the nation.

Me: So I must say, you don’t seem the slightest bit nervous…

AG: Right? I’m sure I will be soon enough, but right now I’m just excited about getting to take a vacation AND play ball for a few days.

Me: Sounds pretty tiring- and this is still a vacation for you?

AG: It’s literally held inside Disney World. Were usually pretty worn out by the second day, but you do get some pretty long breaks between games depending on the bracket, so most days you can manage to find some time to get at least some portion of the whole Orlando experience.

Me: Looking forward to anything in particular?

AG: Oh yea. Definitely going to visit Hogwarts. (A Harry Potter-themed portion of the park)

Me: All witchcraft and wizardry aside, you seem to have a pretty full schedule. How does a full-time student/employee like yourself find the time to maintain a nationally competitive skill level?

AG: Honestly, it’s the most important thing on my plate for me. If you really love something, you’ll find the time to pursue it. Things do get pretty down-to-the-wire when I’ve got exams coming up, though. Luckily for me, softball practice comes as a welcome break from school work. It’s great for relieving stress from school and work, even if it’s just something as simple as hitting the batting cage for a half-hour or so.

Me: So after all this hard work and practice… is there any compensation for winning the upcoming series?

AG: Oh yeah. The top teams get cash prizes, top of the line bats and other gear, trophies- and all sorts of things. Hell, the experience itself is plenty.

Me: So if you had to give advice to other students in your position, balancing that kind of schedule, what would it be?

AG: I would say you’ve got to prioritize doing what you love. I don’t plan on making a career out of playing ball or anything, but it’s what keeps me sane, gets me through all the stress and studying and long shifts. Nothing is more important than taking a break from everything else…. Even if that break involves more hard work.

News story, final edit.

Storm damages adding up In all the right places

Local residents are still tallying up the extensive damage done after the severe thunder storms and tornadoes of the holiday weekend. 

Authorities have been relaying all the usual storm related news on television, including an estimated 11,000 homes left without power, over half of those homes, (approximately 6,400) are in the northwest region of Georgia, but the most important news from the storm, physical damage inflicted on the citizens themselves, seems to be the most difficult to find.

According to the Marietta Daily Journal, the storm has, in it's entirety,  managed to injure only a single person. That's right- although there were numerous reports of trees falling into homes, only one such report has resulted in the injury of a citizen. Furthermore, Tropical Storm Lee's single victim was only hospitalized and his medical condition has been declared stable.

The only possible reported fatality is still unconfirmed, that of a metro Atlanta man who was reportedly swept away while attempting to cross a flooded creek. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has made a statement that the man was, in all probability, killed by the rushing waters, but his body has yet to be found. 

The real damage done seems to be to local businesses, including an estimated $300,000- $500,000 in property damages to Dixie Speedway reported by owner Mickey Swims. Swims claimed to have damages ranging from fallen bleachers and damaged vehicles, to a building on the compound missing it's roof. Eleven Alive News also reported barrier fences around the racetrack itself being uprooted. The total of the damage is unknown at this time.

The 25th annual "Art in the Park" festival in Marietta also suffered from the tornado watch this Labor Day, and although many residents and traveling artists alike still got to attend the event, local officials closed down the festivities four hours ahead of time according to the Marietta Daily Journal. 

It was also reported by WSBTV news that many school openings will be delayed on Tuesday. Ball Ground Elementary has lost power completely, and will remained closed until power is restored.

Tear gas set off inside local middle school

Authorities reported that a canister of tear gas was set off inside the Gregory Heights Middle School Tuesday morning resulting in the hospitalization of at least 48 students and faculty.

                Officials are still searching for the individuals responsible to the attack and claim to have the names of three possible suspects.

                Nguyen Do, an eighth grader at Gregory Heights said “I covered my mouth and ran out of the building. It’s Mace. I know that. It was a set-up to get out of class or something.”

                The Portland Fire Bureau reported that at least 48 children and two teachers were taken to a dozen Portland hospitals for treatment. Vomiting and a burning sensation in the lungs, nose, throat, and eyes were all reported reactions to the gas.

                “It was like walking into an irritating wall.” Said school Principal John Alkire.

                Richard Harder, one of the first paramedics on the scene, said there were several children on the ground on the front lawn of the school. Some were just coughing and/or vomiting, but others had more serious respiratory problems.

                Autumn Gierlich, a 13-year-old student suffering from asthma said “I got the stuff into my lungs, and I could barely breathe. I had to gasp for air. I was dizzy.”

               Students who were not affected by the fumes were sent home around 10:45 a.m. Classes are scheduled to resume at the normal time on Friday.

                “The kids are really upset. It’s just horrendous, whatever it was.” Carol Palumbo, an eighth-grade teacher said.

Storm damages adding up in all the right places

Local residents are still tallying up the extensive damages done after the severe storms and reported tornadoes of the holiday weekend. 

Authorities have been relaying all the usual storm related news on schedule, including an estimated 11,000 homes left without power, over half of which (approximately 6,400) are in the northwest region of the state, but the most important news from the storm, the damages done to the citizens themselves, seems to be the most difficult to find.

According to the Marietta Daily Journal, in it's entirety, the storm has reportedly managed to injure all of one single person. That's right- although there were numerous reports of trees falling into homes, only one such report has resulted in the injury of a citizen. Furthermore, Tropical Storm Lee's single victim's injuries have not been reported fatal. 

In fact the only possible reported fatality is still unconfirmed, that of a Metro Atlanta man who was reportedly swept away while attempting to cross a flooded creek. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has made a statement presuming the man to have died in the flooding, but the man's body has yet to be recovered. 

The real damage done seems to be to local businesses, including an estimated $300,000- $500,000 in property damages reported by Dixie Speedway owner Mickey Swims. Swims claimed to have damages ranging from fallen bleachers and damaged vehicles to a building on the compound missing it's roof. 11 Alive News also reported barrier fences around the racetrack itself being uprooted, the actual sum of the damage is unknown at this time.

The 25th annual "Art in the Park" festival in Marietta also suffered from the tornado watch this Labor Day, and although residents and traveling artists alike still got to attend the event, local officials closed down the festivities a full four hours ahead of time according to the Marietta Daily Journal. 

It was also reported by WSBTV news that although many school openings will be delayed on Tuesday, Ball Ground Elementary School has lost power completely, and will remained closed until the issue is solved.