Showcase Northern California college journalism
Learning AP style is tough but necessary in college journalism. While on deadline, this student called my attention to the AP stylebook entry that discouraged use of the term, undocumented immigrants. I was unaware of this, but was certain that I had already read the phrase countless times in news stories. So I suggested to … Continue reading Why is Concord not a Sanctuary City?
A reporter interviewing other reporters is one of the most difficult genres to tackle. This student reporter dug deep when questioning her contemporaries as well as veteran journalists. By Maci Lee Martell On a seemingly normal Sunday night, Paul Gullixson was sound asleep in his Rincon Valley home, along with the majority of Sonoma County. … Continue reading Local Reporters Race Flames to Chase Story
Many months before coffee giant Starbucks became mired in a racial profiling controversy about who could use its restrooms, one student was already exploring the idea that large corporate chains aren’t necessarily as welcoming as small businesses are.By Ingrid MeraDowntown San Francisco offers tourists and locals an inspirational environment full of creativity. As people walk … Continue reading Exploring and Celebrating Diverse Tastes and Choices, San Francisco-Style
I always encouraged students to pursue bold ideas in their beat neighborhoods, especially if they were parlayed from local, regional or national news. What I found particularly impressive, however, were instances when a student beat the establishment news media to the proverbial punch. This student, for example, pitched me a story idea focused on the … Continue reading Shout-Out for the Yelp App before the Big-City Newspaper Examined Yelp Reviews
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Youth homelessness results from many causes, but it’s sobering to think that young people at times will choose to live without permanent shelter. Why? Ask this student, who explored the question last fall: By Nowell Francisco “During 1966, the hot center of revolutionary action on the Coast began moving across the bay to San Francisco’s … Continue reading Homeless…by choice?
The world-famous Haight-Ashbury district is known for many things, but homeless youth on the streets? Here’s what one of my students discovered: By Nicole Newman San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury is a tourist destination, iconic for its history of music legends such as the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin who lived and roamed the streets of colorful … Continue reading Helping Hands in the Haight-Ashbury
Among the recurring student feedback last fall were observations that at times, it was tough to find sources who would provide the desired viewpoints and quotes. Because the course was reporting, however, rather than opinion writing or social media messaging, my students realized that they had to follow where the story took them, and simply … Continue reading Monuments…or marginalization?
Five months ago, the North Bay wildfires erupted. As the fall semester drew to a close, one of my students living in Petaluma shared her emotions about preparing to evacuate. Our thanks to the Petaluma Argus-Courier for publishing Maci Lee Martell’s wonderful work in a recent print edition but also posting online March 5, 2018: … Continue reading Staying Safe From Wildfires
Humans weren't the only ones fighting for their lives during the October 2017 North Bay wildfires. One of my students examined how animal shelters responded. She also provided fire safety tips for pet and livestock owners: By Marissa Perry The devastation of the North Bay fires ravaged homes and destroyed businesses. Not only were the … Continue reading NorCal Animal Shelters Help Four-Legged, Wildfire Survivors
Reporting with Lydia Lum 