• Insight Home
    • Insight Newscast
  • Resources
    • Story Ideas
    • Opportunities
    • #UMTV Storify Fall 2012
    • Commercial Appeal Account
  • The Broadcast Blog
    • Shooting Techniques
    • Appearance Tips
    • Performance Tips
    • Writing Tips
    • Social Media Tips
    • Editing Tips
  • Working in the Field
    • Archived Work >
      • Nicole Blum
      • Darnesha Cotton
      • Ally Fannin
      • Chris Freitas >
        • Leslie Jennings
        • Brittney Jones
      • Katherine Hannings
      • Brett Martin
      • Tiffany Neely
      • Raven Phillips
      • Ben Rainwater
      • Ralph Small
      • Latresia Sutton
      • Ashley Todd
      • Reneka Toler
      • Jasmine Vann
      • Danielle Wilburn
  • Assignments
    • Sample Turn in page
    • Student Journalist F12 >
      • Joshua Bolden
      • BreAnna Boyd
      • Katherine Bower
      • Jessica Chavers
      • Sheila Guerrero
      • Christian Hudson
      • Raven McClain
      • Grant Milner
      • Caray Oldham
      • Catherine Patton
      • Dana Porter
      • Kristin Rodgers
      • Carrie Sanders
      • Kelsey Semien
      • Greg Williams
  • J4629 Syllabus
    • Pitch Sheet
    • Broadcast Ezine
    • Lab Hours
    • Sample NewsKing Scripts
    • Contact Info
  • J4639 Syllabus
    • Insight Job Explanations
    • Newscast Schedule
    • Lab Hours
    • Sample NewsKing Scripts
    • Contact Info
  • Issue Story
  • Feature Story
  • Meeting/Event Story
  • FCP Editing Set Up Instructions
  Insight News: University of Memphis Department of Journalism

Tigers Look to Build on Past Success

By Grant Milner/Insight Reporter

Picture
The University of Memphis basketball team is primed for another great season. The Tigers return a host of upperclassmen led by Joe Jackson and Tarik Black, who hope to take the Tigers beyond the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008. 
    The Tigers made an early exit last season, falling to Saint Louis in their opening game of the tournament. Losses like that are what keep guys motivated throughout the offseason to keep getting better.


"It's going to be a great season. We juniors, we've got a lot of upperclassmen and we've been working real hard," said Joe Jackson. The Tigers also return sophomore small forward Adonis Thomas, who will likely be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Thomas had a fantastic freshman year, that end prematurely with an ankle injury. Coach Pastner will rely heavily on Thomas this season to be the elite scorer that he was in highschool. Memphis has a fantastic schedule this season, facing opponents such as Louisville, Tennessee, and a possible matchup with Duke in the "Battle for Atlantis" tournament. But for some of the guys, like Tarik Black, having fun on the court will lead to success. "Its all about having fun. The last couple of years, we have burdened ourselves with expectations," said Tarik Black, forward for the University of Memphis. The city of Memphis has been waiting a long time for a run deep into the NCAA Tournament. Josh Pastner believes that improved team chemistry, along with a core of experienced players, will take them to the next level.

Can Natural Hair Fit a Corporate Setting?
By Catherine Patton/Insight Reporter  

Picture
   As we all know, looking your best when preparing for an interview or another day in the office is very important. Obviously, a nice suit and good hygiene are essential, but where does natural hair fit in? 
   Catherine Patton visited different natural hair beauty salons and a career adviser to get answers.


Memphis State Eight Day
By Caray Oldham/Insight Reporter

Picture
In 1959, eight African-American students integrated the University of Memphis Campus. Since then, many things have changed. Those eight students, known as the Memphis State Eight, are more than proud to see how far this campus has come. Over fifty years later, the city of Memphis has honored them with a historical marker on the East side of the Administration building on campus.

Tuesday September 18, 2012 students and administration hosted a brunch honoring the Memphis State Eight- Rose Blakney, Sammie Burnett, Eleanor Gandy, Marvis LaVerne Kneeland, Luther McClellan, Ralph Prater, Bertha Rogers and John Simpson. 

Seven of the eight are still living.

Immediately following the brunch, an outdoor ceremony was held. City Mayor AC Wharton, along with other elected officials, spoke as well as proclaimed September 18, Memphis State Eight Day. The historical marker was unveiled during the ceremony by University of Memphis President, Shirley Raines, and student leaders.



New Tobacco-Free Policy at University of Memphis 

By Kelsey Semien/Insight Reporter

Picture
Starting October 1, The University of Memphis will be adapting a new tobacco policy. It states that University of Memphis students, staff, and faculty cannot use tobacco products on any U of M owned or leased property. 

This means a quick smoke break on the way to class, in between classes, or in your car is no longer okay. 

"This could probably cause a problem for students because so many U of M students smoke," says one student.

There are, however two designated areas on campus where tobacco use is permitted. One is located in between the CFA building and Engineering building near Central Avenue. The other is across campus in between Patterson Hall and Ellington. The policy was issued September 13, 2012 by the Vice President for Business and Finance and the Human Resources office at U of M. 






The policies objective is to get students, staff, and faculty on the right track for a healthier lifestyle. The supporters and creators of this policy hope to reduce the number of smokers on campus by implementing these new guidelines. 

Insight News Fall 2011

One of the first shows of new semester.  
Watch Insight's YouTube Channel here...

Interning at a TV station

Picture
What's it like to intern at a TV station in Memphis? Read U of M Journalism Intern Nicole Blum's Storify...


Artist Lights Up Abandoned Building

By Tiffany Neely/Insight reporter
October 12, 2011

Company Says It Can Stop Flooding
By Nicole Blum/Insight reporter
Sept. 29, 2011



U of M Videographer Documents Efforts to Curb Infant Mortality

By Katie Hannings/Insight News

Picture
October 6, 2011

Infant mortality is a worse issue in Memphis, than in some other larger U.S. cities. 

That’s why a number of organizations throughout the city are working together to improve those numbers. 
Groups such as the Office of Early Childhood and Youth (OECY), All Babies Count (ABC), the Urban Child Institute, and the Blues Project are attempting to improve pre-natal and infant care throughout Memphis.

The OECY partnered with the University of Memphis' Center for Multimedia Arts to create a documentary called "Birth Days: Uniting to Fight Infant Mortality." The documentary chose to focus on the organizations that are working to fix the problem in the greater Memphis area. 

"Beyond Babyland," a documentary that premiered on WKNO in January of 2010, was based on Memphis statistics. However, it focused more on the worsening numbers of infant deaths and compared them to larger U.S. cities. 

According to Eric Wilson, cinematographer of "Birth Days," the OECY wanted to "get the story out about all the good work that was being done, to try to improve the infant mortality problem."

"Birth Days: Uniting to Fight Infant Mortality" premiered in the Shelby County Commissioners Chambers in late September and had its first public showing in early October at Studio on the Square.

For More Information:

Shelby County Press Release for Premiere
Preview "Birth Days: Uniting to Fight Infant Mortality"
Preview "Beyond Babyland"

New Club, Same Problems

Picture
Outside of the new club "Crave".

By Brittany Jones/Insight News
October 1, 2011
A Beale Street club is making news again... for violence. The site of the new Crave club at 380 Beale Street has a history of being closed down several times since


 the early 80s due to crime on or around the property. 

The former Plush Club was closed down after several shootings and brawls. Even though Club Crave opened with new management, the locations violent history is repeating itself. 

Early morning of September 25, a female opened fire as the club let out in a parking lot. Kristina Mullins, 23, injured 5 other people and was shot by police officers after refusing to drop her weapon. 


Mullins was critically injured and now faces a second-degree murder charge. The Memphis Police Department would not release information on the victims, but stated that they would continue the investigation along with the Shelby County District Attorney. 

An anonymous eyewitness said, “People were running and it was crazy. Police came down and they shut the whole block down.”

Located just off the end of the Beale street strip, the club sits in front of First Baptist Beale Street Church. The club sits on the far East side of Beale, a street which attracts thousands of people on a busy night. Also, the FedEx Forum is less than a block away from the club.

Executive director of the Beale Street Development Corporation, Randle Catron says, “I wouldn’t like to see it stay open because the problems that we are having. When it was the Plush Club it was a problem. Now that it is ‘Crave’… still a problem”. 

Catron says that the club is also behind on taxes. Failure to pay the club’s taxes caused the BSDC to get sued for $10,000, which Catron says brings the total of what the club owes in back taxes to $40,000.
The BSDC also claims the club is not operating on a legal liquor license.  Catron says the club is using a catering license, which is not the proper license to sell alcohol in a club.

The part owner of the club, known as “Twin”, did not return any phone calls to Insight News.



Schnucks Closes in Mid-South

By Chris Freitas/Insight News

Picture
September 19, 2011

Schnucks stores in 
Memphis are going out-of business and are changing 
to Kroger stores. On September 2nd, Kroger bought nine stores while 
the remaining six will be closing. As a result, many employees will be 
out-of-work.


Customers will also see the effects of the Schnucks store closures. 
There are clearance sale signs placed outside, which confirmed the company will be shutting down. No new products were delivered after 
the sale and all currently stocked goods were discounted up to 50 percent. Fuel centers and gas cards were discontinued. In fact, the reward system ended in August prior to the store chain’s announcement. Shoppers have been concerned about the changes. 

However, some customers feel positive about Kroger replacing Schnucks. Nick Chaisson said that he has to get groceries somewhere and the new stores will be “more reliable.”  Paul McDonald says that he is glad that the grocery chain made a “good purchase.” 

“You don’t have walk hundreds of yards to find an item and everything is close by,” said McDonald.

Related Stories:
Kroger To Buy Memphis Schnucks Stores
Schnucks Memphis employees interview for Kroger jobs, but openings 
too scarce to go around

Related Links

Nicole Blum on the Tiger Statues
Alumni Association WebSite
Centennial Events Calendar

Tigers Start Season with High Hopes

By Ben Rainwater/Insight reporter
October 1, 2011


Accusation of Animal Abuse at Delta Fair Challenged

By Tiffany Neely/Insight News 
September 8, 2011

Picture
During the recent Delta Fair, 
a citizen contacted The Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County to report that during a livestock show one of the pigs had give birth to a few piglets. 

After the birth, the piglets would not nurse from the mother. The woman then said that the owner of the pigs then picked up the piglets and threw them into a trashcan. 

The caller claimed this happened in front of a crowd that included young children. 

The livestock coordinator of the fair, Faith Hooker, told Insight that she led an investigation into the matter and spoke to the owner of the petting zoo, Steve Bouger.

We spoke to Bouger who said, “The mother had babies, they were still born and we removed them because sometimes when they’re still born the mother will actually eat their own young.”

Hooker said, “The delta fair doesn’t tolerate any mistreatment of animals.” It is not know what, if any, action will be taken against Bouger.

Related Articles:
Pet Scoop: Delta Fair will halt sale of animals, their use as prizes
Prices up for animals at fair livestock sale
Delta Fair and Music Festival


Tigers Centennial: A University of Memphis Celebration

Picture
By Katie Hannings/Insight News
Sept. 11, 2011

The University of Memphis Alumni Association has been preparing for the upcoming centennial year for many months. 

Some of the preparations include the opening of the Penny Hardaway/ University of Memphis Hall of Fame Building on August 30, 2011 and the official unveiling of 100 life-size tiger statues on campus. 

Penny Hardaway was in attendance for the grand opening of the Hall of Fame, and many fans, supporters, alumni and current students showed up for the opening night. 

 The "Let the Cat Out of the Bag" event drew a very large crowd with Mayor A.C. Wharton, University President Shirley Raines, and many more participating in the festivities. The crowd turn out at these events was phenomenal, says Alumni Coordinator, Alexa Begonia.
 
 "It just really shows the excitement for the centennial year and the excitement out in the community."

 Students, alumni, faculty members and tiger statue artists came out for the event on Saturday. Artists of the 1967 statue, Darren Arnoult even points to his children as contributors to the centennial festivities.  

" My youngest, who is ten, was invited to be in the centennial booklet," he says. 

 Upcoming events include a Kick off Concert on September 30, 2011 at the Cannon Center and also many other events during the 2012 spring and fall semesters, during the official centennial year.


Involvement Helps Students Adjust

By Ben Rainwater/Insight News
September 10, 2011

The adjustment from high school to college is difficult for many, but Stuart Settles is not your ordinary freshman. Although his college career is just beginning,  Stuart Settles is making an instant impact at the University of Memphis.

At his new student orientation, Settles became interested in the campus radio station, 91.7 FM WUMR. He began working with the station in July of 2011 as a jazz disk jockey, but his goal was to join the "U92 Sports Team."

A little over a month later, Settles made his debut on the "Sports Desk", WUMR's daily sports program. Those around him at WUMR can see promise in Settles as a broadcaster. 

 "Even as a new guy, you can tell that Stuart really cares and wants to make a difference. He prepares more, he practices more, and he wants to be good more so than the others (new Sports Desk members)," said Brett Martin.
Settles believes that his role with the radio station has made the adjustment to college easier. 
 "It really relieves some of my stress from school, and it makes it worthwhile coming here (to school)."  Follow Settles and his radio career with WUMR, tune in to 91.7 FM on weekday mornings from 8:35 AM to 9 AM, or listen via the Internet on WUMR's live stream.



East Coast Earthquake Raises Questions in Memphis

By Danielle Wilburn
September 10, 2011
In August  of 2011, a 5.8 earthquake shook the East coast. The tremble that started on Virginia was felt as far south as Georgia and as up North as 
Maine.  According to the New York Times the east coast wasn’t prepared for an earthquake. 

Cellphone service was strangled as the quake led to disruptions in air traffic, halted trains, jammed roadways and gave some on the West Coast an opportunity to poke fun at Easterners who seemed panicked and uncertain of how to respond. 

In earthquake-prone areas, people usually are instructed to stay inside to avoid falling debris, but in places where earthquakes are unfamiliar — and in a post-September 11th environment — few argued with evacuation commands.

Is Memphis prepared?

Currently there is construction on the Hernando De Soto bridge and the Pyramid (soon to be Bass Pro Shop) to insure that these two buildings will continue to stand in case there is a earthquake here. Since the Mid-South sits on the New Madrid fault line what will happen to the buildings of the historic downtown Memphis? Only time will tell.

Picture
Joe Hayden
Picture
Lurene Kelley

Former TV news producer Dr. Joe Hayden and Dr. Lurene Kelley, a former television news reporter, teach the upper-division journalism classes - Jour 4629 Television  Reporting and Jour 4639 Television News Producing.  

I believe that good journalism, good television, can make our world a better place  -Christiane Amanpour

 
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.