ReporterPitch March 4, 2003 http://reporterpitch.tripod.com reporterpitch@yahoo.com It has never been easier to submit your stories for RP. Just cut and paste into our story submission form on the web. http://reporterpitch.tripod.com. The strength of this service relies on your ideas. This exchange between working journalists is all about helping each other. In this newsletter: *The leading cause of death for pregnant women... *Snow days for some are rough days for others, turn the story around... *School message boards a source for stories... *Webcams as hall monitors... *White collar workers who have been laid off experience "wait and see" attitude for new jobs... *Alleged priest sex abuse victims negligent? ---------- Sloane Starke of WSBT sent in this idea as a possible Laci Petersen tie-in? "Salon.com reports that murder is the leading cause of death for pregnant women -- even more likely for certain age/race groups. It has to do with the psychology of abuse. But doctors and social service agencies may not be doing enough to prevent it." http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2003/02/27/pregnancy_death/index.html ---------- Liz Foreman of WCPO.com sent RP this twist on snow days she received from online user feedback. The email reads "Today the roads were completely covered with snow and again the children in this school district were carted off to school without even as much as an hour delay. Many of the local pre schools who usually operate under the same weather schedule at Wilmington City Schools have had to start calling off school on their own due to serious safety concerns. Many parents have started keeping their kids home and having them counted as absent rather than take the risks. Last Wednesday there were several students at the high school that had small accidents on their way to school..." The big story this winter has been making up snow days. But what about schools that chose to take a risk. There are message boards for the schools mentioned in the feedback letter. Find them here-- http://www.wilmington.k12.oh.us/ http://www.wilmington-hosting.com/cgi-bin/webbbs_files/ This is really two stories in one. First, the snow story, but also, school message boards. Check the districts in your area. They may be a great way to put your finger on the pulse of parental concerns and get a jump on the competition when school controversy is coming. ---------- The New York Times is reporting that web technology is helping schools keep an eye on students. Think of it as webcams as hall monitors. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/27/technology/circuits/27scho.html?8ict ---------- One editor of RP, Paul Adler got strong reaction with this story. "A FRIEND IN THE HEADHUNTER BUSINESS IN WASHINGTON D.C. RECENTLY TOLD ME ABOUT THIS STORY. WHITE COLLAR WORKERS ARE RUNNING INTO A "WAIT AND SEE" ATTITUDE BY EMPLOYERS. EMPLOYERS ARE WAITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE SHOWDOWN WITH SADDAM BEFORE HIRING ANYONE. PLACEMENT AGENCIES TOLD US THIS APPLIES NOT JUST TO NEW JOBS.. BUT, TO JOBS THAT ARE VACATED AND WOULD NORMALLY BE FILLED. WE FOUND A FORMER I-T MANAGER WHO LOST HIS JOB DUE TO THE ECONOMY AND NOW IS FACING THIS WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE. HE'S BEEN LOOKING FOR 9 MONTHS (NOT UNUSUAL FOR I-T PEOPLE THESE DAYS. THE PLACEMENT AGENCY TOLD US THE ONLY FIELDS THAT ARE HOT RIGHT NOW ARE HEALTH CARE AND BANKING. EVERYTHING ELSE IS VERY COLD." ---------- The Catholic Diocese of Covington, Kentucky is denying it may argue that people accusing priests of sexual abuse acted negligently. WKRC-TV reports "The Diocese of Covington Thursday night says it does not stand behind a defense its lawyers are offering in a sex abuse lawsuit. Mark Fischer says while he was a student at Newport Catholic in the 1970's, he was abused by former Father Louis Holtz. In its legal response, the Diocese denies the allegations, and says Fischer may have taken on an obvious risk, and may he may have been negligent. The Diocese also offers other legal defenses in the motion it filed in Boone County Court." See the full article here- http://www.wkrc.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=A554410D-90CA-4CE7-91FC-380BEFEF32AA Find more one WCPO.com-- http://wcpo.com/news/2003/local/02/27/diocese.html ---------- If you received this message in error, or to be removed from ReporterPitch, simply reply to this message with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line. ReporterPitch respects your privacy, we will not sell, redistribute, or release your email address or any personal information. Always fact check story story ideas from ReporterPitch. ----------