Tragic struck at Northern Illinois University yesterday when a male took his own life as well as the lives of five others. In addition, approximately 17 students were injured and taken to hospitals seeking medical attention. The incident occurred in a lecture hall around 3 p.m. Thursday. The gunman appeared on stage carrying a shotgun and two handguns, and according to witnesses, immediately opened fire. Police have said that the killer had no apparent motive for these killings; however, when a student was interviewed by reporters, it was suggested that the killer appeared to have specific targets and that he only shot at one section of the lecture hall. As a result, the campus of 25,000 students was closed immediately following the incident.
Within the past week alone, there were four shootings at U.S. schools, making both timeliness and prominence the key elements of this story. The impact of this story however, is also important. Not only were the lives of five people taken, but many were also injured. The families and friends of these victims, as well as the entire student body and teaching staff are also affected by this terrible tragedy. Human interest is another element that can be associated with this story because people can relate to it if they have ever lost someone, or attend college themselves. (Newsday, 2/15/08, p. A5)
The most interesting story to me this week was the one involving two New York Yankee players. The article discussed how Andy Pettitte revealed that back in 1999 or 2000 former teammate Roger Clemens had told him that he used a human growth hormone. He also claimed that Brian McNamee, former Yankee trainer had told him that he injected Clemens with steroids back in 2003 or 2004. Finally, Pettitte stated that he has injected himself with a human growth hormone as well. Just two days before the hearing, Pettitte was excused from testifying in court; however, the evidence was still talked about. When asked to respond to these accusations, Clemens merely said that Pettitte must have been thinking about a television show they once had a conversation about. I found this article amusing, because although I am a Yankee fan, it seems that Roger Clemens came up with a highly fabricated story. It is also very rare to find former teammates going against what the other is saying. (Newsday, 2/14/08, p. A5)
Fidel Castro ends his reign as the world’s most tenured government leader, leaving his younger brother Raul the power to rule. (Newsday, 2/20/08, p. A7)... Hillary Rodham Clinton must win the primaries in both Texas and Ohio in order to keep up with her competitor Barack Obama in the delegate race… (Newsday, 2/20/08, p. A2)... Attorney Lawrence Reich’s case moves into the focus of a federal grand jury, regarding his job status with five school districts on Long Island. (Newsday 2/16/08, p. A3)… David Tarloff, 39, of Queens was arrested in connection with the murder of therapist Kathryn Faughey. He has been charged with both second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. (Newsday, 2/17/08, p. A5)… Long Island emergency rooms are faced with a significant amount flu cases, estimated to have gone up an overwhelming 20 percent from last year. (Newsday, 2/16/08, p. A13)
