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Laura Kunzelman
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Today the journalism students went to the Law Courts to find a hot scoop. We met up with Mike McIntyre for a little lesson of what to expect, what to do, and some leads on story ideas. I really enjoyed being there and stayed until 3:00 when I needed to get back to school and type up my article. I am excited to go back and think I will get to for more Law Courts assignments. Hopefully one day I will be a reporter and will have to go there to pursue stories.
What crossed my mind:
1. This is not a hot scoop. This is a lukewarm scoop at best.
2. Being at the Law Courts is exciting. I know what I'm doing on my days off.
3. Really, you waved around a machete and you aren't getting a criminal record?
4. Thanks guy sitting behind me for causing a scene because you had your feet up on the seat. You make Erica and myself laugh. Really breaks up the day.
5. I am hungry. I am going to get a foot-long sub at Subway.
6. I am never going to finish this foot-long sub.
7. I really wish I could stay longer and figure out what this one case was. Sat in there till they went on break and never find out what he did. Looked super interesting though.
I think I said 'scoop' a lot today, but here is the scoop I got.
“I’m Going To Cut Your Head Off”
Winnipeg man threatens bar staff with machete
Twenty-four-year-old Drilan Alimehaj was sentenced to an eighteen-month conditional discharge with supervised probation after he waved a machete around outside a Winnipeg bar uttering death threats.
Alimehaj was at the Thirsty Lion Tavern, located at 525 Dale Boulevard on Nov. 14, 2010 celebrating his cousin’s 18th birthday when he got into an altercation with Scott Douglas, an off-duty staff member, resulting in him being kicked out.
Alimehaj left the bar yelling, “You’re making a mistake, you don’t know who I know.”
After being ejected from the Charleswood bar by Douglas at 1:30 a.m., Alimehaj left and came back in a white pickup truck five minutes later with a machete and a dagger.
Court heard Alimehaj screamed at Douglas, “I’m going to cut your head off,” while waving the two-foot blade.
Alimehaj then left and police were contacted shortly after, who say that Alimehaj appeared to be intoxicated and noted he was unsteady on his feet, and had bloodshot eyes.
Alimehaj pleaded guilty Monday in provincial court to uttering threats and the possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose but justified his possession of the machete by saying he worked as a landscaper.
“The nature of the weapon used was quite serious. A conviction should be a result,” said Crown attorney Marciniak.
Defence attorney Virk said that Alimehaj has a unique circumstance since he has no prior criminal record and has only one kidney so he can’t drink a lot of alcohol. Virk added that Alimehaj wants to finish his Grade 12 education to pursue a career as a firefighter and can’t do that with a criminal record.
Judge Lemaistre stressed that rehabilitation is important and in Alimehaj’s circumstance, decided that imposing a discharge was not contrary to public interest.
“Even though there was no intention to follow through with the threat, you were waving a machete and uttering threats. The potential for harm was there, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt,” said Judge Lemaistre.
The conditions of the sentence are Alimehaj can have no contact with the complainant, is prohibited on the premises of 525 Dale Boulevard, must abstain from the consumption of alcohol, report for counseling, and is prohibited to be in possession of weapons. The forfeiture of the machete and dagger was ordered, and Alimehaj was fined $104.00.
If Alimehaj complies to these conditions, he will not receive a criminal record and can become a firefighter.
Asked if he had anything to add, Alimehaj told Judge Lemaistre, “It’ll never happen again.”
Posted by
Laura Kunzelman
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Good news for journalists in Winnipeg.
In the past week it has been announced that Nelly Gonzalez from Global Winnipeg is moving to CBC and Nancy Carlson from CTV Winnipeg is moving on to Global.
Except, these journalists won't be staying in Winnipeg.
Nelly took a job with CBC as a reporter in Brandon, and Nancy took a job in Alberta as late night anchor with Global Edmonton.
Nancy's last day is Wednesday, October 19 and begins her new job on October 31.
Nelly's last day will be Friday, October 28.
Both reporters have said they are excited about their move.
I got the chance to shadow both of these talented women at election time through opportunities created by CreComm. They were both very professional, kind, and funny and I wish them the very best. I hope to be like them one day and report on TV so I am very glad to have met them. And who knows, maybe one day we will work together.
I got the chance to shadow both of these talented women at election time through opportunities created by CreComm. They were both very professional, kind, and funny and I wish them the very best. I hope to be like them one day and report on TV so I am very glad to have met them. And who knows, maybe one day we will work together.
What crossed my mind:
1.) I hope a bunch of reporters leave when I am done school so I can get a job.
What? That's all.
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Laura Kunzelman
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On October 4th, I was assigned to Global Television to help out with election coverage. I was put with Nelly Gonzalez, a Global reporter, and we went to Canad Inns Polo Park, which was the PC Party’s election headquarters. I kind of knew what to expect since I have been out with a reporter before on a live hit as part of election coverage, so I knew the big interviews would come after the winner was announced.
I have been telling friends and family that I was at PC headquarters, and one thing is always brought up.
That Selinger snubbed McFadyen during his speech.
If you don’t follow the news or politics, this is what happened. When PC Party leader, Hugh McFadyen came down from his hotel room to give his concession speech, Premier Greg Selinger began his victory speech, resulting in Hugh’s to be cut off.
While I was at the PC HQ, I got to see all the support for Hugh McFadyen, but all that support wasn’t good enough as it became official that Hugh would not be the next Premier of Manitoba.
The media waited over an hour for McFadyen to come down and address us. We waited, then we waited, and then we waited some more.
FINALLY, Hugh McFadyen came down and announced that he was stepping down at PC Party leader. The announcement seemed to shock the people in the room and unless you were there or watched the footage elsewhere, you wouldn’t have seen the announcement. If you were watching the coverage on TV, you would have seen the beginning of Hugh’s speech, then seen it be cut off for Selinger’s speech.
I was not at the NDP headquarters, but I don't think Greg did this to Hugh to be malicious. But I was at the PC one, and I just wanna say that every TV and radio station there, was given the “five-minute warning” numerous times. McFadyen continued to be a no show time after time, and I really do not blame Selinger for deciding to come on camera when he did. I realize that McFadyen probably took a long time to make his decision to step down, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Despite all the waiting around a reporter and their crew has to do, and despite the stress of coming up with what to say and who to interview for each live hit, I think it would be an exciting career that I would like to try. And I would get to see things that so many other people wouldn't. Like Hugh's speech. Or when after Hugh gave his speech, the whole room sang happy birthday to his son. Now, if only I could speak in front of a camera.
Posted by
Laura Kunzelman
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Last week my first article for The Metro was published. I haven’t really been writing any articles since I was the intern news editor for the Projector and writing for The Metro made me realize how much I missed writing and creating pieces for my portfolio. When you get busy with school work, real work, and spending time with friends, and family, some things kind of just get pushed aside.
I tried something new this week that can be added to my portfolio when I recorded a script and clip for 92.9 KICK FM. I reported about Tammy Homniuk, a homeless woman with two children seeking help from the government so she doesn't have to remain homeless any longer. I then asked James Beddome what he plans to do about the issue of poverty and had a great interview.
I have never been particularly interested in radio, but this school year I am really getting into it. I still get to interview and write stories, except I get to vocally tell the story. Which is good practice for me since I am not that great of a public speaker.
So when I find the time, I am going to start expanding my portfolio more. I used to write for the community newspaper, the Spectator a few summers back. The Metro will be great experience but I only get to write five article. So I am going to write for the Uniter, and look into other opportunities where I can write so I can expand my portfolio.
Check out my article, Affordable housing top election item for seniors.
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Laura Kunzelman
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I went to see Page One: Inside the New York Times and I immediately wanted to see it again. It was interesting, enlightening, and funny. I loved firecracker reporter David Carr especially and Brian Stelter.
I went home and started following Brian on Twitter because I admired him and I liked how he said that every reporter should be on Twitter. I agree with him. He made me realize how important Twitter really is and the importance of it in my future as a journalist.
Page One tells us the main reasons why the newspaper industry isn’t doing very well. One being that people don’t actually buy the newspaper any more and two, because there isn’t a lot of advertising revenue.
A large part of people not buying newspapers is because of technology. Papers are too slow. Social media like Twitter is the first place to go. I follow many news organizations and people involved in the media, so when I hear about a big story, I usually heard about it first with Twitter.
The movie mentioned Watergate and the role newspapers played back then in the scandal. But today, if someone wants the world to know something, they can just post it on YouTube; Julian Assange was given as an example. Assange didn't need the New York Times to get what he needed to say out.
Print journalism may be looking a little grim right now but t is not dead altogether. I liked in the Page One, how they were saying how every other news outlet is getting their information form the Times, so there will always be a place for the New York Times. We live in a world where more and more people are getting their news from free online news sources like Twitter, Facebook, and blogs, but they don’t realize where it originating from.
For some reason, and for as long as I can remember, I wanted to work in print journalism. There is something about it that I have always found appealing - seeing my name in print, talking to someone new all the time, going to different places, and I guess just the hustle and bustle of it all.
Watching Page One kind of deters me from wanting to work in print journalism though. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try. My Journalism instructor, Duncan McMonagle tells me that there are always jobs in journalism. And I hope that he is right. It's just that newspapers are cutting back on employees and that when it comes time for me to get a job, the spots will all be taken.
But there will always be news to tell and I plan on telling it. People care about the news and always will. It was said in the movie that it is a very interesting time to be a current day journalist. But it is also a curse.
Posted by
Laura Kunzelman
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I follow Winnipeg Free Press urban affairs reporter, Bartley Kives on Twitter and I love it. What I appreciate the most is that he often tweets in a very tongue in cheek manner on topics such as food, politics, Winnipeg specific issues, and sports.
I value Kives as a journalist, and because I like him, I always read his articles online or in the paper from beginning to end - which isn’t always a given. I have become interested in politics and like to follow what is going on in my own city and province. That is why I can count on facts and updates on Twitter when there is something happening at City Hall, or a debate somewhere in the city. I know I can count on Bartley to say what is really going on.
What I also appreciate about Bartley is that he is a journalist that knows how to use Twitter and use it effectively. He tweets from morning till night, he mentions people properly, and he tweets links to various websites, including the Winnipeg Free Press website, where his articles are published. He uses hashtags all the time, he responds to other people's tweets, posts pictures, and he retweets. A great follow.
If you don’t follow him on Twitter, you might wanna check him out. @bkives
And if for some reason you live under a rock and are asking the question: "Who the heck is Bartley Kives?" Read the Winnipeg Free Press bio on him here.
Posted by
Laura Kunzelman
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Shooting at my place. Click to read the (very vague) article.
The other morning I was woken up by the sound of very loud bangs. It was 5:30am and I remember sitting in by bed trying to figure out whether or not they were actually gunshots as it is not unusual to head loud bangs around my building.
The other morning I was woken up by the sound of very loud bangs. It was 5:30am and I remember sitting in by bed trying to figure out whether or not they were actually gunshots as it is not unusual to head loud bangs around my building.
There has been a lot of crime in Winnipeg over the past few weeks, months, and years. But I have always felt safe in Winnipeg and I haven’t had any real troubles to scare me.
But when I went to school Tuesday morning and found out that those loud bangs were in fact gunshots, I began to feel a little scared in my own home. I do feel a little comforted knowing that the shooting was targeted. But not comforted by the fact that a shooting happened in my building.
I read about stories like this all the time, but I Just shrug it off. I know that there is a lot of violence in Winnipeg, but there is everywhere. Then when it happened, I just shrugged it off, and get another hour of sleep before I had to get to my Journalism class.
So, maybe I am desensitized to crime.
Someone commented on the news story on the Free Press site that the incident is, “So common it is almost expected.”
No one was shot in this incident, which is surprising to me considering how many shots there were fired. But there could have easily been. And whoever that man was could have been the 30th homicide victim in Winnipeg in 2011; this is compared to last years’ total of 22.
No wonder why people refer to the city as Killerpeg.
If criminals keep this up, we will beat our deadliest year (2004) in which 34 people were killed.
I don’t know what a solution to this would be. Maybe stricter sentences for violent crimes? I know there are threats no matter what city you live in, but I just want to be able to sleep through the night so I can get up for Journalism class and not be a zombie.
What crossed my mind:
1) Harvey Sanderson Jr., the young man who was in a wheelchair that was murdered last month in his own apartment. I mentioned that when the shooting happened in my building, I was comforted by the fact I knew it was targeted. But the rising violence in Winnipeg is not just between gangs. Innocent people are being killed because of the out-of-control violence problem.
2) I have been getting people asking me if I am going to move. No, I will not move. This area is very pretty, and I still feel safe here.
3) How did he not get shot?
4) Is this guy still living here? Residents were provided no details on the incident. I think my landlord should have let us know what happened, which floor it was on, if this guy has been charged with anything, and if he is being allowed to stay in the building.
5) My landlady is such a space cadet; she probably doesn’t even know anything even happened.
