First Time at a Crime Scene

Another week, another step closer towards finishing my internship. I will admit; the past few weeks have been a little slower, giving me less excitement and energy, but this week, I was able to turn this feeling into more fuel for what assignments I was given.

I started my week working a later shift, as I had to cover a local school board special meeting in the evening, where they were voting on the budget for the next year. Before this, I had gotten a message from a local Senator's Chief Staff, helping me facilitate the conversation to get more information on the proposed legislation that the Senator is co-sponsoring. I also worked on some obituaries with a reporter and did some on my own. It was interesting because I had always thought that people came to the newspaper and a reporter interviewed them, but most obituaries come from local funeral home notices. It was a relatively easy process and quick to pick up the format.

On Tuesday, I listened back through the school board meeting recording and wrote an article on the tax increase as a result of the meeting. I also got assigned to attend two preliminary hearings on Thursday on a bomb threat case at a local Walmart a few weeks ago. Then, I ended my day with searching local court cases through basic summaries we received from local courts and typed up the charges and standing of rulings.

Wednesday was a slower day, as I did some background research for the preliminary hearings that I will be attending and covering tomorrow. With this information, I started drafting an article for the story. I also met with my editor to talk about rounding out a few of my unpublished stories. I reached out to local superintendent's to get their thoughts on the smallest school in the area's superintendent being paid the second highest. Additionally, I contacted some local school guidance counselors to learn more about district's actions on addressing student mental health, if the proposed legislation from a local senator on improving the internship program for students interested in school counseling, psychology, and nursing could be implemented and be helpful, and if any graduated or current students are interested in this area. We also held a staff meeting to update each other on current projects. Then, about an hour before the end of my shift, we got a call that a car went through the front of a local hospital. The photographer and I went to the scene. I asked several officials outside, but could not get a comment on the situation. It was interesting to be at the scene of a crime for the first time. The damage was minimal, but still exciting to see.

On Thursday, I went to the local court for the two preliminary hearings I was supposed to attend, but they were rescheduled for later dates. I will be attending one next Tuesday, but cannot attend the other one, as it is after I finish my internship. I also got an email about a story idea, which I wanted to start working on, but my boss wanted to handle it. The story was about a state senate committee passing a bill about DUIs while participants have their medical marijuana in their system. It was the first time I was not allowed to do a certain assignment, which made me a little upset, especially because I had been working on another state senate story, but it helped me see that I will not always be able to cover what I want to. I then did some background research about a senior theater group that the digital team and I will be visiting one of their rehearsals in a few weeks. I was also able to contact the main director, interviewed her and wrote up the base of my future article. I also continued to work on some local court ruling news.