The advent of esports, saying so-long to Salo, and some seasonal photography
Front Page, Week of Oct. 30, 2021
Editor’s note: Coming in under the wire this week! Sorry if you were expecting this a couple of hours ago, I’ve been hard at it all day.
Video games in school
Esports have emerged as a new local trend, but it's not all fun and games
Many of the local schools have introduced competitive gaming teams in the last two years, but why? What is the value of these programs to students?
Tales from Lansing
McBroom votes down "carveout" for feminine hygiene products, Markkanen asks for the resignation of official on the job for less than 1 year, votes to shoot down local Airbnb zoning
Compiled from official legislative records, “Tales from Lansing” takes a look at the lesser-exposed actions of our local state legislators—Senator Ed McBroom, and Representative Greg Markkanen.
State bills may impact newspaper production, websites, professional association
The Inside Scoop (and a photo of my cat)
Paid subscribers get a short editorial about some legislation working its way through the state legislature and a couple of seasonal photos of my cats.
However, I have a couple of other seasonal photos to share with all of you.
Councilor Dan Salo surprises council by resigning, code enforcement proceeds, new grant opportunity nears
Houghton City Council, Oct. 27, 2021
City Clerk Ann Vollrath reads Councilor Dan Salo’s letter of resignation:
41 North Film Festival returns to the Rozsa Center
I’m looking forward to the film festival this year because there are two special films I’d like to promote to all of my readers. Unsurprisingly, they both take a look at journalism, but they focus on very different situations.
The first is “Storm Lake”. Here’s the trailer:
After the viewing on Friday, Art Cullen, the editor featured in the film, will be part of a Zoom-enabled Q & A, and I hope to have some Q’s ready.
The second is “Writing With Fire”, which shows on Saturday afternoon. Again, here’s the trailer:
I have a huge amount of respect for people practicing journalism in developing nations where they often don’t have strong constitutional protections if they have any protections at all. And that goes double if they’re also a minority where they work.
That’s part of why I’m energized by my work with the Center for Collaborative Journalism, where I get to interact with journalists all over the globe in a myriad of places.
Even if your interests lie elsewhere, I encourage you to browse the film festival’s schedule for something that fits your niche. The films I’ve seen have always been thoughtfully selected and emotionally resonant. No story I write is going to do them full justice.
Other News (aggregated, not sponsored)
//Click on the headlines to read the full story.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
The Associated Press
Misattributing work to Fauci, poor mathematical comparisons, faulty COVID-19 claims… will the falsehoods ever cease? Probably not. Arm yourselves with knowledge.
Dems, Republicans slam redistricting panel over closed session on Voting Rights Act
Allison Donahue, Michigan Advance
After using an oft-disproved excuse to retreat into a closed session for discussion, the redistricting panel is catching heat from both sides of the aisle.
Some Michigan residents now have to dial 10-digit numbers
The Associated Press
…And yes, you’re probably among them. The change is part of the rollout of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline rollout, so it’s worth the effort, really.