here are a few more ideas...
University vs. Trade School-
As classes prepare to resume, are local universities seeing a big increase in the number of older students who are returning to school after being laid off? Are those students enrolling more in 4 year programs, or trade programs such as welding? Which options offers more assistance?
*** side story- What ARE the most popular degrees being sought? Are they in a field that will actually be able to support the surge of graduates in 4 years? For instance... are there a lot of people seeking a degree in say, journalism? I think we all know that industry and others are suffering big cutbacks... so even if someone graduates with a degree, there may not be a job for them. Are counselors working with students to help them SEE this? I mean, the only thing worse than a bunch of uneducated people being out of a job is a bunch of over educated people being out of a job.
Bang for your Buck- Home Improvements
As more and more people are choosing to stay in their homes rather than buying a new one... they're also investing in home improvements. What are the top projects that will get you a good return and improve your home's value? What are the big money pits that will leave you at a loss? Are local home improvement stores seeing an increase in people showing up for their "Do it yourself" courses? Could go to one of those courses to find families to tell this story. Couple that with an appraiser's expert advice.
The current state of health care-
As many people have lost their jobs and insurance, are they putting their health in God's hands and hoping for the best? What are local health groups doing to prevent that? For instance... Has the Cancer support house seen an increase in women showing up for free mammograms? Or is it the opposite... sort of a "I don't want to know because I can't afford it" situation? Are there programs to help these people? Could talk with Cancer Support House to find out what they're doing to PUSH early detection and have them talk about whether they're afraid people are putting it all out of sight and out of mind until they get health insurance again.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Some Economy Stories
With pretty much EVERYONE looking for ways to make a little extra money, they're throwing ONE opportunity out with the trash.
Sure , it's great to recycle for the environment... and it's as easy as throwing it into those wonderful little tubs the city provides... BUT... Why should the city profit from your efforts?
Get with local recycling centers... find out what viewers can get PAID to recycle... Maybe talk to the cities and find out how much they could lose if everyone stopped putting their recyclables out by the curb?
***
Recession/Layoff Survival Kit - So many people across the country are a paycheck away from disaster! In this new "layoff" economy... especially with unemployment lasting only so long and jobs being so scarce... could be interesting to get with a financial planner and have them tell us what the MINIMUM we should all hope to have as an "emergency nest egg". Could be interesting to look at OTHER things we should stock up on, just in case. ( Canned Food, Medicines, Pet Foods... ALL the things that keep our daily routine going... but we don't think about until we run out). I mean, is it essentially a disaster kit with a bit more money in the bank? How many people are actually PREPARED ?
****
This year is going to be another really tough Christmas... and chances are, people are worried more about that next house payment than what's going under the tree. NOW would be a good time to profile the special "Christmas savings clubs" at local banks... Would also be a good time to get with a home economist... Get tips on how to check off that Christmas list without layaway or credit cards!
*****
You know, it might be cool to do a "what do you want for Christmas piece" Interview kids from a typically "Rich" school and compare their answers to kids from a poorer school... Just a thought.
Sure , it's great to recycle for the environment... and it's as easy as throwing it into those wonderful little tubs the city provides... BUT... Why should the city profit from your efforts?
Get with local recycling centers... find out what viewers can get PAID to recycle... Maybe talk to the cities and find out how much they could lose if everyone stopped putting their recyclables out by the curb?
***
Recession/Layoff Survival Kit - So many people across the country are a paycheck away from disaster! In this new "layoff" economy... especially with unemployment lasting only so long and jobs being so scarce... could be interesting to get with a financial planner and have them tell us what the MINIMUM we should all hope to have as an "emergency nest egg". Could be interesting to look at OTHER things we should stock up on, just in case. ( Canned Food, Medicines, Pet Foods... ALL the things that keep our daily routine going... but we don't think about until we run out). I mean, is it essentially a disaster kit with a bit more money in the bank? How many people are actually PREPARED ?
****
This year is going to be another really tough Christmas... and chances are, people are worried more about that next house payment than what's going under the tree. NOW would be a good time to profile the special "Christmas savings clubs" at local banks... Would also be a good time to get with a home economist... Get tips on how to check off that Christmas list without layaway or credit cards!
*****
You know, it might be cool to do a "what do you want for Christmas piece" Interview kids from a typically "Rich" school and compare their answers to kids from a poorer school... Just a thought.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Well... Here we go!
Ok, so I spent a lot of my life on the Assignment Desk at local television stations.
Now that I'm out of the business... the "NEWS" part, just won;t let me go...
So I'm embarking on a NEW blog to throw news story ideas up whenever possible! (I hope to do this at least once a week... but I'll do it as time permits...)
Here are a few I just posted on my Facebook Status... but I thought I'd add a few more.
Some of these are "Fort Smith/Fayetteville Arkansas Specific" but others could be done anywhere!
1-How will the cash for clunkers program affect the steel/Metal industry? With all that recycled steel and metal entering a system that is already seeing a glut... will companies like MacSteel be hurt?
2-The cost of going green- As more companies strive to go green, what's that doing to local printing/paper companies? We've already seen how ...the paperless world is affecting the postal service. Will more local companies start feeling more of a pinch?
3- I think it would be interesting to look at development trends in Fort Smith (or really, even Fayetteville). In Fort Smith, it's clear to see each section and how it was affected... Towson was big in the 70's at the expense of Midland which was big in the 50's/60's... and Rogers was big in the 80's/90's.... now Phoenix is growing. What is the city doing to try to keep Rogers Avenue from becoming the next Midland? And what can be done to connect Phoenix to future growth out on Chaffee land? I mean... should the city really only focus on what's new? Or should SOMEONE be saying... we need to work on improving the city as a whole?
4- another story that would take some work.. but would be cool. "A World Without Wal Mart"... I mean... I am the first person to tell you that I don't like Wal Mart... but what if you did an in depth story showing what the world might be like without the retail giant? How it might affect inflation without a giant corporation around to ... Read Morekeep prices low... maybe look at the unemployment aspect... how the company keeps thousands upon thousands of people employed. and a whole second part could be the "NWA without Wal Mart... Just imagine what Arkansas might be like if Wal Mart never existed!" Could also point out the local charities and groups that wouldn't be able to survive without grants from the Wal MArt Foundation.
5-"The Sanctity of Marriage"- As the debate rages over who should and shouldn't be allowed to marry... take a look at the state of marriages today... compare divorce rates to past rates... maybe even get with a divorce court to find the top 5 "grounds" for divorce in our area... Could take a look at whether the Covenant Marriage ... Read Morething that Huckabee championed has done any good... Would be great to tell the story around a couple that's been married for 50 plus years... what's THEIR secret?
6-Adoption Update- How have the new restrictions on adoption in Arkansas affected the number of children waiting for a home? Are we seeing an increase? Would be great to find one of the loudest voices that was fighting FOR the ban... and find out whether THEY would be willing to give one of those waiting children a home? If not, than who will or even CAN?
7- H1N1 Fears- Should take a look at how easily H1N1 is spread... then take a look at places people are most likely to come in contact with a lot of germs. Schools, Retail Stores, hell... even the Casinos! Are these places taking any precautions to prevent an outbreak or do they just have a plan once someone gets sick? Maybe a doctor could help create an "H1N1 prevention kit" and tell us everything that we should have on hand to reduce our risk. I mean, is it really a bad idea to keep a small bag with you even if it's just for your own peace of mind? Things like purell, antibacterial soap, sterile rubber gloves and even a mask are things that we all may be wishing we had once fall arrives..
8- Do you know your neighbor? I was thinking about this one after the whole "Gates" thing happened... I mean, his NEIGHBOR called the cops on him! Got me thinking... how many people really KNOW their neighbors? Police say knowing your neighbors can help cut down on crimes... because if you KNOW someone, you're more likely to know when you see a stranger is breaking into their home! Could pair this with the "Night Out" program... or maybe even a Neighborhood watch program.
Now that I'm out of the business... the "NEWS" part, just won;t let me go...
So I'm embarking on a NEW blog to throw news story ideas up whenever possible! (I hope to do this at least once a week... but I'll do it as time permits...)
Here are a few I just posted on my Facebook Status... but I thought I'd add a few more.
Some of these are "Fort Smith/Fayetteville Arkansas Specific" but others could be done anywhere!
1-How will the cash for clunkers program affect the steel/Metal industry? With all that recycled steel and metal entering a system that is already seeing a glut... will companies like MacSteel be hurt?
2-The cost of going green- As more companies strive to go green, what's that doing to local printing/paper companies? We've already seen how ...the paperless world is affecting the postal service. Will more local companies start feeling more of a pinch?
3- I think it would be interesting to look at development trends in Fort Smith (or really, even Fayetteville). In Fort Smith, it's clear to see each section and how it was affected... Towson was big in the 70's at the expense of Midland which was big in the 50's/60's... and Rogers was big in the 80's/90's.... now Phoenix is growing. What is the city doing to try to keep Rogers Avenue from becoming the next Midland? And what can be done to connect Phoenix to future growth out on Chaffee land? I mean... should the city really only focus on what's new? Or should SOMEONE be saying... we need to work on improving the city as a whole?
4- another story that would take some work.. but would be cool. "A World Without Wal Mart"... I mean... I am the first person to tell you that I don't like Wal Mart... but what if you did an in depth story showing what the world might be like without the retail giant? How it might affect inflation without a giant corporation around to ... Read Morekeep prices low... maybe look at the unemployment aspect... how the company keeps thousands upon thousands of people employed. and a whole second part could be the "NWA without Wal Mart... Just imagine what Arkansas might be like if Wal Mart never existed!" Could also point out the local charities and groups that wouldn't be able to survive without grants from the Wal MArt Foundation.
5-"The Sanctity of Marriage"- As the debate rages over who should and shouldn't be allowed to marry... take a look at the state of marriages today... compare divorce rates to past rates... maybe even get with a divorce court to find the top 5 "grounds" for divorce in our area... Could take a look at whether the Covenant Marriage ... Read Morething that Huckabee championed has done any good... Would be great to tell the story around a couple that's been married for 50 plus years... what's THEIR secret?
6-Adoption Update- How have the new restrictions on adoption in Arkansas affected the number of children waiting for a home? Are we seeing an increase? Would be great to find one of the loudest voices that was fighting FOR the ban... and find out whether THEY would be willing to give one of those waiting children a home? If not, than who will or even CAN?
7- H1N1 Fears- Should take a look at how easily H1N1 is spread... then take a look at places people are most likely to come in contact with a lot of germs. Schools, Retail Stores, hell... even the Casinos! Are these places taking any precautions to prevent an outbreak or do they just have a plan once someone gets sick? Maybe a doctor could help create an "H1N1 prevention kit" and tell us everything that we should have on hand to reduce our risk. I mean, is it really a bad idea to keep a small bag with you even if it's just for your own peace of mind? Things like purell, antibacterial soap, sterile rubber gloves and even a mask are things that we all may be wishing we had once fall arrives..
8- Do you know your neighbor? I was thinking about this one after the whole "Gates" thing happened... I mean, his NEIGHBOR called the cops on him! Got me thinking... how many people really KNOW their neighbors? Police say knowing your neighbors can help cut down on crimes... because if you KNOW someone, you're more likely to know when you see a stranger is breaking into their home! Could pair this with the "Night Out" program... or maybe even a Neighborhood watch program.
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