Two Ledes

1. “Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.”
This phrase shadows many advertisements, political messages and just about anything nowadays.
2. Sexually Transmitted Infections(STI) are the most frequently diagnosed and reported conditions in Washington state according to a report by the Washington State Department of Health(WSDH).

Otto Zehm: Lead

After investigating the death of Otto Zehm, there is no evidence of criminal acitivty for the officers involved, according to the Spokane Police Department Report.

Who or Whom?

1. Whom did you go to the game with?

2. She's the student who writes the best articles.

3. Whom did you vote for?

4. Who failed the quiz?

5. We know who pulled that prank.

6. We want to know on whom the prank was pulled.

Liable or not?

1. “Megan Fox is a man!” Headline on Weekly World News Web site
     -Not libelous because she wouldn't be able to prove it damaged her reputation because no one is going to believe it's a true statement.
2. “Up until the day he died, he was a brilliant writer. But the drugs made him a thief, a pimp and a liar,” said friend Karen Smith, who was with Johnson at the time of his death.
     -Not libelous because Johnson is already dead. Truth is the ultimate defense.

3. “In my opinion, Kevin is a murdering rapist,” the prosecutor told the jury.
     -Not libelous because this is occuring in the court of law so you are protected by the Fair Report Privilage.

4. "In my opinion, he's a murdering rapist," the man said at the rally.
     -Libel because this statement is not protected by the Fair Report Privilage.

Trend Story

Last November, Teresa Ramirez found out it was her last day of work after meeting with her Regional Sales Director.

Employees of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals were aware that the company was down sizing and they all had speculations of who would be laid off.

Based on Ramirez’s nine years with the company and her excellent performance, she figured she was safe.

“When my manager told me that unfortunately I was going to get laid off, I was shocked,” Ramirez said in disbelief. “I heard the words but they didn’t sink in right away.”

After a month of job searching, Ramirez was able to find a pharmaceutical position with the same company, however the job required her to relocate her family to San Francisco.

Thousands of Washington citizens have faced many struggles due to company down sizing.

As of September 2010, Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains at 9 percent compared to last years unemployment rate of 9.2 percent, according to the Employment Security Department.

Whitman County’s unemployment rate is at 5.2 percent, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Washington has lost 3,200 seasonally adjusted jobs while private sectors have lost 4,200 jobs between August 2010 and September 2010, according to the Washington State Employment Situation Report for September 2010.

The sectors losing jobs over the month were construction; leisure and hospitality; warehousing, and utilities; retail trade; and mining and logging.

On the other hand, manufacturing led all sectors with 900 additional jobs over the month, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.

The five industries with positive job growth over the year are: professional and business services; education and health services; retail trade; information; and wholesale trade.

However, employees who are being laid off are not the only ones affected by this economic crisis.

Unemployed citizens who are searching for jobs and the family members whose parents have lost their jobs are being affected as well.

Due to the mass layoffs, the job market has become more competitive and specific.

“They no longer want a business major that is well rounded and can do accounting, payroll, human resources and benefits,” said Debbie Meehan, who is currently unemployed and searching for a job. “Now they want someone with a human resource degree that can’t do anything else.”

Companies are looking to hire someone younger for cheaper, rather than hiring someone with 20 years experience who would demand a higher salary, said Meehan.

Company down sizing is also affecting family members.

Ramirez’s daughter was greatly affected after her mother lost her job.

“It was hard for me because it all happened during the middle of my senior year in high school,” said Natalie Ramirez, freshman at WSU. “Luckily my mom allowed me to stay in Washington alone and finish school while my entire family moved to California.”