Stories Written on a Snowy Night Part 3: Naval Base

The New London Day scrapped their online version of this story...but that doesn't mean we can't look and see what our radio writers came up with.

Navy Version 1:

Everyone wins if the Navy accepts Connecticut's offer of $7.65 million for construction projects in Groton. If they say yes, the Navy can fufil their hopes of improving their shore infrastructure while Connecticut helps to keep them afloat.

According to a Navy spokeswoman, Connecticut is the first state to provide the Navy with money for construction purposes. And if the Navy accepts, $4.65 million would be used to upgrade the base's facility for its divers. The remainder would go toward replacing the aging boilers at the base power plant.

In 2005, the Pentagon tried closing the base, but an independent comission overruled this possibility. But now, Gov. Jodi Rell is doing all she can to help the submarine base stay afloat stating that it has an annual economic impact that can be measured in billions of dollars.
Now it is up to the Navy to decide whether to accept the money for the state or not. But Justin Bernier, an executive director of the state's Office of Miliary Affairs, assures us that its just a matter of moving some paperwork back and forth. "These things just take time," he said. Hopefully we will see some improvements in the near future.

Navy Version 2:

The state of Connecticut today offered the Naval Submarine Base $7.65 million for construction projects. [Quote:] "This is really unique," Lt. Laura Stegherr said Monday. "We need to reinvest and recapitalize our shore infrastructure, and a grant such as this could provide a mutual benefit to the state and the installation."Of that $7.65 million, $4.65 million would be used to upgrade the base's facility for its divers and the remainder would go toward replacing the aging boilers at the base power plant.

The $7.65 million is “still under consideration by the Navy,” Stegherr said, because the state has not yet approached Navy officials with the offer. The Navy decides on a case-by-case basis whether to accept money from a state. [Quote:] "The submarine base has an annual economic impact that can be measured in billions of dollars, and we want to do all we can to keep it off of future closure lists," Governor Rell said in a statement.

Navy Version 3:

The Naval Submarine Base in Groton may get a face lift. The state of Connecticut has approved $7.65 million in grants for construction at the base. The grants are part of $40 million the state legislature approved for base improvements in 2007. Governor M. Jodi Rell decided to expend part of those funds for diving facility upgrades and to replace boilers at the base power plant.

In 2005 the Pentagon considered closing the base but was overruled by an independent commission. Rell hopes investing the base will help keep it open saying it has an annual impact on the state upwards of a billion dollars. The Navy decides on a case-by-case basis whether to accept money from a state.

Currently Connecticut’s offer is still being considered by the Navy. Justin Bernier of the State Office of Military Affairs said the state is finalizing a deal with the Navy that stipulates how the money can be spent. Bernier said that now it is “just a matter of paperwork” that he expects will be complete in a few weeks.

Stories Written on a Snowy Night Part 2: UConn

Here's the orignial UConn story. This one had fewer "quotes" to paraphrase - it was more a matter of re-organizing content.

UConn Version 1:


A proposed partnership between the University of Connecticut Health Center and Hartford Hospital could end the Health Center's practice of seeking state money to cover deficits. The Center would, however, still require ongoing state funding for bonding and labor costs.



This proposed partnership would include a new "University Hospital" with two campuses, a new 250 bed hospital to replace John Dempsey Hospital, and a plan to maintain Health Center employee's status as state employees. However, now the state would pay the difference between the employee's fringe benefits costs and those of other hospital employees.



Challenges facing this partnership include reuniting the unionized Health Center and nonunion Hartford Hospital, and dealing with the dire financial situation of the state, with the projected budget deficit in the billions. When asked about these issues, Representative Roberta Willis of the Higher Education Committee, took a deep breath and said, [Quote:] "Did you hear my deep breath?"



UConn Version 2:

UConn Health Center Hartford Hospital Merger May Require State FundingThe University of Connecticut Health Center could end to seek state money for covering its deficits by merging with Hartford Hospital. According to a report by the independent Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering issued this morning, the details of the proposed partnership includes:

• Creating a "University Hospital" with two campuses, UConn's John Dempsey Hospital and Hartford Hospital.

• Building a new, 250-bed hospital to replace John Dempsey Hospital. The state would pay the bonding costs for the project and the cost of any new equipment. In the past, the cost has been estimated at $475 million.

• Maintaining Health Center employees' status as state employees. However, the state will pay the difference between their fringe benefits costs and those of other hospital employees which amounts to millions of dollars a year.

• Collaborating with other area hospitals to increase their involvement with UConn's medical and dental schools, with access to students, interns and residents and research.

With the proposed partnership, the UConn Health Center would have financially stabilize, not have to rely on cash infusions from the state legislature to stay afloat in recent years. It could significantly change the healthcare landscape in the region and be transformed into part of a major academic medical center.

It would also replace the existing Dempsey Hospital without significantly adding to the number of hospital beds, and create a two-campus University Hospital. At present, the UConn Health Center is one of the nation's smallest academic hospitals, including the state's medical and dental schools, research laboratories and the 224-bed John Dempsey Hospital. Its hospital is very small and outdated, but has many commercial advantages due to located in the prosperous Farmington valley. Representative of both UConn and Hartford Hospital's parent company would lead this corporation. This is a result of many discussions of the state lawmakers about challenges of the potential partnership for last 2 years.

UConn Version 3:

A new report says a partnership with Hartford Hospital could keep the UConn Health Center from seeking state funds for it's deficits. But, the report by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering says the hospital would still require ongoing state funding for bonding and labor costs. The plan will be unveiled to state lawmakers today.

It includes the creation of a "University Hospital" with two campuses at UConn's John Dempsey Hospital and Hartford Hospital. It also proposes the construction of a new 250-bed hospital to replace Dempsey, paid for by state bonding. Under the plan, Health Center workers would remain state employees, but the state would pick of the differences in fringe benefits costs between them and Hartford Hospital employees.

The partnership is intended to stabilize the UConn Health Center, which has relied on cash infusions from the state legislature to stay afloat in recent years.

Stories Written on a Snowy Night Part 1: Daschle

Here's the original NY Times Story, followed by three re-writes for radio.

1. What works about these stories...and what doesn't?

2. What are the key things we need to change about the print story to make it right "for the ear?"

3. How do we choose to include or exclude information?

Daschle Withdraws Version 1:

Tom Daschle followed Nancy Killefer’s lead today. Daschle withdrew his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Although the media and certain members of congress have scrutinized Daschle’s income tax issues, as recently as yesterday, it looked as though his nomination was going to pass.

Yesterday Mr. Daschle discussed his remorse over failure to pay approximately $140,000 in taxes on time, but he assured the public he would continue to move forward with his nomination.

Mr. Daschle and President Obama jointly announced Daschle’s withdraw today. The move came just a day following a push for Daschle’s appointment from Massachusetts senator, Edward M. Kennedy, and Montana senator, Max Baucus, who happens to run the Senate Finance Committee. President Obama also voiced support for Mr. Daschle yesterday and today said he accepted the withdrawal “with sadness and regret.”

President Obama says it is now time to move forward. He appeared on ABC’s Nightly News to say he “screwed up.” Daschle’s withdrawal came only hours after chief White House performance officer nominee, Nancy Killefer, removed her name from the running. Like Daschel, Killefer had tax issues of her own surface after failure to pay unemployment taxes.White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said today, the White House did not influence either of their decisions to withdraw.

Version 2:

President Barack Obama has lost another cabinet nominee to unpaid taxes. Tom Daschle withdrew his name from nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services Tuesday after news of $140,000 in unpaid income taxes surfaced.

Obama initially said he would stand behind Daschle, but admitted he made a mistake in an interview with NBC’s “Nightly News.” He said it is not his mistakes that matter it is admitting them and not repeating them that counts.

Hours before Daschle gave up his nomination Nancy Killefer who was up for chief White House performance officer pulled out on the grounds of unpaid taxes as well. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner was also found to have $34,000 in unpaid taxes. All of the nominees have since paid off their tax debt. Geithner has already been confirmed, but a White House spokesperson said the administration has begun the process of replacing Daschle and Killefer.

Version 3:

Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to be secretary of health and human services. The former Senator has undergone scrutiny for failure to pay taxes. The move is a blow to the Obama administration, which has set a goal of higher "ethical standards" in government, only to encounter several scandals involving appointees.

President Obama gave several national TV interviews Tuesday, saying that he "screwed up" by pushing the appointment. Daschle is one of Obama's closest confidants, and worked to get him elected. He decided to withdraw, saying that he had become a "distraction" and that he could not lead White House efforts to reform the health care system.

Among those mentioned as possible candidates for the job of health secretary are Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, a former state insurance commissioner; former Governor and physician John Kitzhaber of Oregon, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan.

Only two hours before Daschle withdrew, Nancy Killifer, Obama's choice to be "Chief White House Performance Officer" pulled out of consideration for the job because of unpaid taxes on a household employee.

Republicans have criticized the nominees for not adhering to tax law, while the administration negotiates new economic policies.

Perennial problems: "I" and "Hello..."

I wanted to post now about two exciting ideas we'll be working on later this semester. The first, a manifesto by radio reporter Sean Cole tackles the always dicey subject of "first person" reporting. It's something I grew up in this business trying to avoid (for no good reason, mind you) only to find that it can be one of the best tools in the arsenal of any reporter.

Sean is unquestionably one of the most talented radio reporters in America, and has really great reasons for placing himself in stories. Once we hit the serious "feature" reporting part of our class, we'll be revisiting his ideas.

Another problem reporters often face is addressed in this perfectly titled piece by Jen Nathan: "Sticking Your Microphone Where it Doesn't Belong." Once we start getting out into the world with our digital recorders, you'll see what we're talking about. It can be difficult knowing how, and when to prompt people for information...and then when to prompt them for even more. Remember - you're a reporter...you're used to asking questions. Most of your interview subjects are rarely, if ever interviewed.

We'll be chatting about this in a few weeks as well.