Author Archives: Alexis

Is it News? (Sept. 30th, 2021)

In this story from New York Times, Daniel Craig is asked questions about his 15 years of playing James Bond and what he will be doing next. You find out that Craig is reserved and humble.

I love Daniel Craig. He is a talented actor and from a female’s side, he is ruggedly sexy. He has been on S.N.L, he plays James Bond, and stars in Cowboys vs. Aliens. Because I am a fan of his, I would consider this story news. I am of the target audience, because I have seen and enjoyed his movies.

The majority of the story is an interview between Daniel Craig and a NYT reporter. The reporter asked things like: What will you miss about playing James Bond? How does it feel to play such a strong character? Do you think your children will be impacted by your movies? Craig is clearly experienced with the media and knows how to give thoughtful answers without sharing anything too personal.

I thought the interview was great. He told the reporter he feels no connection to his characters, which I respect. I loved the quote about Denzel Washington. Craig said “God forbid I was ever in competition with Denzel Washington. Jesus. I don’t consider myself worthy.” I am also a huge fan of Denzel Washington, so hearing this from another great actor makes me smile out loud.

I force myself to look in a different perspective, because I am biased, and when I do, I don’t believe the story is news. It does not affect a large population of people. It is interesting to hear about his life, but it is not emotional enough to be news. Daniel Craig is also not a name this is known worldwide. many people won’t know who he is by only seeing his name.

Daniel Craig, if you are reading this, I love your movies and your acting is even better.

Covid at College

The first year since Covid was announced has come to an end. The year of 2020 was unlike any year college students have seen. A sophomore from Morningside University, Zach Norton, recalls his year dealing with Covid.

Covid affected Norton as soon as his first football game of the year.

“I missed my first two games as a Morningside football player, because I had to go home and quarantine,” said Norton.

Norton also mentioned the traveling team became a lot smaller due to social distancing. Less people were able to suit up for games making it more challenging for the players to have a spot on the team.

It was not all bad for Norton, however. He mentioned some perks of living in a pandemic.

“It gave us more meal swipes at the grill,” said Norton. “Might have been the only good thing about Covid.”

Students at Morningside were required to wear masks to class and encouraged to wear masks around campus. It was Norton’s first time having online classes. Switching from in-person class to online learning was a challenge for many, however Norton liked staying in his room for class.

Zach Norton is now in his second year of college and Covid regulations have since changed. Students no longer have to wear face masks in class and in-person classes have started up again. Now, Morningside University and the students can be prepared in case of another pandemic.

News Comment Sept. 23, 2021

Health officials stormed the FIFA game between Brazil and Argentina to suspend four Argentine players from the match. These players apparently did not follow quarantine protocol when entering Brazil. The game was suspended within minutes of the first half.

Brazil health officials have a rule that says if a person has been in Britain before entering Brazil, s/he has to quarantine for fourteen days. Players and coaches from Argentine assured the authorities they did not break any quarantine rules. Argentina had been in Brazil three days prior to the match. Why authorities waited until the game started instead of addressing the situation beforehand, I do not know.

The intended audience of the story is everyone. This article shows how quarantine and health regulations are taken very seriously. If you do not follow the rules, whether you are a professional athlete or me, there will be consequences.

However, the story is not news. I do not have to worry about quarantine regulations of Brazil unless I leave the country. It is also not news, because a cancelled soccer match does not impact a large portion of the population. The game will be rescheduled and all will be well. What the author wants the reader to remember at the end of the article is that it is crucial to follow health guidelines.

Scavenger Hunt

Sophomore, Nayely Godoy manages her time between UPA club, homework, and her four year old son.

With all these responsibilities, Nayely is happy to have successfully completed her first year at Morningside University. She is planning on participating in a local May Term this year and possibly an overseas May Term her Junior year.

The flower Cassie drew

“I have to manage my time wisely for my four year old son,” said Godoy. “I like to finish my homework at school, so I don’t have to do it on my commute home.”

I found Cassie in the Business department of Lewis Hall. I asked her if she liked to draw and her answer was ‘yes’. I then presented her with a notebook and pencil for her to draw a doodle. She drew a flower.

When I asked her why she drew the flower, she said, “It’s the first thing that came to mind.”

E-Cigarette Companies Eagerly Wait for A Decision

Alexis Spier Sept. 20, 2021

The F.D.A. issued their first denial order for 55,000 vape products. However, the F.D.A. put off making a decision whether big E-Cigarette companies can continue selling their products in the United States.

On Monday, Sept. 6, Juul paid a lawsuit of $40 million to North Carolina for targeting a young audience. Juuls and any other vaping device cannot be advertised in the United States.

The judge gave the F.D.A. a year to approve or reject the application presented by Juul, but when the year ended, they had not made a decision.

The F.D.A. considered approving 500 small e-cigarette companies if they can prove their products are not harmful. In an article published by NPR, the F.D.A. said, “We continue to work expeditiously on the remaining applications that were submitted by the court’s deadline, many in which are in the final stages of review.” There still is no definite answer.

Tobacco expert from Georgetown University Law Center, Eric Lindblom wants an answer. “They still haven’t made any tough decisions,” Lindblom said to The New York Times. “I expected a little bit more, and I’m not an optimist.”

Juul appreciates the time the F.D.A. takes to come to a decision. Juul said to The New York Times, it “respects the central role of the F.D.A.”

The president of Tobacoo-Free Kids, Matthew Myers, is eager for an answer as well. “The decisions the F.D.A. still has to make are more important than the ones they’ve made already,” Myers told The New York Times. “If they don’t commit to making them promptly, then we have no choice but to ask a court to intervene.”

Juul companies were no doubt advertising to a younger audience with its modern technology and plethora of exotic flavors to smoke. By 2019, 27% of teenagers admitted to smoking e-cigarettes. The F.D.A. has put a ban of selling any flavors but menthol and tobacco and they’ve also lowered the nicotine percentage to 5% and 3%. Juul disagrees with the notion that they were seeking a younger audience. They stopped marketing vape products in the United States entirely.

To take it another step further, Juul, gave the F.D.A. a 125,000 page application proving their products have helped people stop vaping. The judge gave the F.D.A. a year to approve or reject the application, but when the year ended, they had not made a decision. Although the company presented evidence proving people smoked cigarettes less when they use their products, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network told the F.D.A. to reject the application.

The F.D.A. continues to review the application.

Barney Joseph held at gunpoint 25 years after father was shot and killed in the same store.

Last night, owner of BJ’s Drug, Barney Joseph, was held at gunpoint by two men in ski masks. 25 years prior his father was shot and killed at the same store.

The unidentified robbers stole $382.65 from the register. Joseph did not feel like he needed to use the gun under the counter. The robbery lasted less than a minute.

When asked about his father, Joseph said “Yes, Dad resisted, I guess. Anyway, they found him shot to death, his own gun in his hand, and a bullet in the store’s ceiling. I’d rather part with my money than my life.”

Lead Assignment

Pastor, Wilbur Straking, leads a protest to stop Backwater University from teaching evolution.

Straking and 25 Christian’s main target is Laura Cliff who is a professor of biology. He plans to protest the state capital.

“We believe the teaching of evolution is against the principles of this Christian country,” said Straking.

Lead #2

A car crash killed 65 year old Moyer Quick yesterday in Woodbury County.

The rear end of Quick’s car hit Randy Radin’s truck while he was attempting to pass him. Both vehicles went into a ditch.

The passengers in Quick’s car, Dorothy Quick (wife) and Maxine Steuerwald, are in good condition. Radin is in critical condition with a fractured skull and internal injuries.

The accident is still under investigation.

Lead

The ban of hand-held radar guns was issued yesterday by the East Dakota Highway patrol in Sioux City, Iowa. 70 radar guns will be withdrawn from police service for concerns of exposure to long term radiation.

Three police officers in Central City claimed they had developed cancer from hand-held radar guns. The situation is under review as researches find if radar guns cause cancer.

News Comment #2

Is It News?

The former billionaire and chief executive of Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes, is now going to trial for fraud claims about her company’s blood testing. She is facing twelve counts of fraud over false claims. Her defense lawyers went through 100 jurors before they found seven men and five women who were suitable for the trial.

The intended audience of this article is friends and family of Elizabeth Holmes, as well as people who use Theranos for blood testing. The audience is now aware that blood-testing through this company is not safe. In addition, the family and friends of Elizabeth Holmes are relieved the defense team has put together an unbiased group of jurors.

The Elizabeth Holmes trial is news. The trial has just begun so the information is timely. The article also impacts many people: Theranos employees, the jurors, the family and friends of Holmes, and the people who went there for their blood testing. The article does not help me make a decision, it pretty much made the decision for me. I will not use Theranos for blood testing.

The readers can also keep in mind the time spent and amount of questions the defense team has to ask potential jurors. It can be extremely difficult for the defense attorneys to find a group of unbiased jurors especially now that everyone hears about everything through social media.