It’s heartening to see young grads burst onto the scene with seemingly boundless hope. A deep well of naivete could be a key factor in the success of any social-change movement. But that same naivete, if clutched too tightly, can also lead to personal tragedy. Indeed, getting your heart utterly smashed could be considered an… [Read more…]
February 20, 2012
Tom Hyde’s comments in the previous post led me to an epiphany. The Cooper Point Journal has been so consistently mediocre — if not downright awful — because it is under the thumb of the maid. Unlike many student newspapers, the CPJ is not operated by an academic department — it is a Student Activities organization. A glorified… [Read more…]
February 19, 2012
Can we say in polite company that the Cooper Point Journal usually sucks? And that suckedness undercuts Evergreen’s reputation as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation? Hopefully the school’s new publications advisor, Reaz Mahmood, can bring some badly needed journalism trade skills to the CPJ. The weekly paper’s one bright spot has… [Read more…]
February 19, 2012
The Olympian has thrown some red meat to the 101 Fighting Keyboard Brigade. Jordan Schrader reports on a State Auditor’s whistleblower finding against the director of the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises. The whistleblower complaint asserted that the director, Cathy Canorro, used her position to secure special privileges for a friend. The Auditor’s investigation… [Read more…]
February 18, 2012
If you’re not happy about a proposed 7-Eleven on Olympia’s Westside (see here, here and here), know that lots of other folks around the world may be in a similar boat. According to CNN Money, last year 7-Eleven surpassed 40,000 locations, which is more retail outlets than McDonald’s. Yet 7-Eleven is still adding a new store every three-and-a-half hours. This… [Read more…]
February 18, 2012
In a recent post, Laurian commented that “there is nothing on the (Washington State) Wire that TVW does not cover better and in more depth.” That’s a reasonable point of view, so let’s take a look at TVW as part of our ongoing discussion about potential models for independent local journalism. I must admit that… [Read more…]
February 18, 2012
Seattle’s Beacon Hill is developing the nation’s largest “edible forest.” Crosscut writer Robert Mellinger explains how community members are turning seven acres of long-unused public utility district land into the “Beacon Food Forest.” The public park, located at the corner of 15th Ave S. and S. Dakota Street, will include a variety of crops, a community gathering… [Read more…]
February 15, 2012
The previous post has generated a debate: How do you know good journalism when you see it? In this postmodern age has that become an entirely subjective judgment? For example, Laurian calls the Washington State Wire a “right wing opinion blog.” Really? Let’s take a look at a few examples of its original reporting. “Governor… [Read more…]
February 12, 2012
The number of daily newspaper reporters covering state government has dramatically fallen around the country. This has created a void that is beginning to be filled by startups. The Washington State Wire is the latest in a succession of news outlets that have attempted to serve this niche. The Wire appears to have been in… [Read more…]
February 11, 2012
The interchange between US Highway 101 and Interstate 5 running north is an asphalt monument to automotive freedom that descends from the elite cliffs of Olympia’s Westside and arcs across the Deschutes River. This interchange is a lengthy two-lane affair up until shortly after it merges into I-5, whereupon the right lane disappears. Meanwhile, a… [Read more…]
February 21, 2012
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