April 30th, 2008

Gates Foundation to Africa?

Early this morning I witnessed Bill and Melinda Gates, along with Ted Turner, getting off a private jet in Africa to meet with local African officials. The contents of the meeting are not being released at this time, although I was able to get some information out of Bill Gates. "Ted is working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation along with Warren Buffet. We are going to work with the World Health Organization to educate African people in health care," said Bill.

Bill Gates and Ted Turner used to spend their time out biding each other in donations, but with this new idea in Africa, they could put that money towards a great cause in Africa. Malik Ok, an African Mayor, is very excited about the prospect of having Bill and Melinda and Ted and Warren's help in health care in Africa. Ok said this about the idea, "Met with the three of them today. There are lots of diseases in Africa including measles, small box, HIV aids, that we would like to get rid of. We like their philosophy of educating our people in these diseases."

Warren Buffet has given the Gates Foundation a portion of his money to be used as they wish, whereas Ted Turner is more involved, he wants to know what exactly is going on with his money, and what it is being used for. When asked about the reason why he was in Africa, he had no comment.

More details on this proposed plan will be released soon in a press release. But as for now, The Gates Foundation is getting prepared to help the citizens of Africa fight their diseases.

Practice News Story 11: Accident

TREMONTON-Utah, April 17th, 2008, 11 p.m.

Devastating Crash Outside of Tremonton

Earlier today at around 4 p.m. a van carrying 10 Utah State students, and one instructor swerved off of Interstate 84, killing 7 people. Highway Patrol Officer Jason Jensen said, "We got there shortly after 4, and saw the van sitting on its wheels with bodies lying on the ground that had been flung out of the van while it was rolling." Jensen also said that he thinks the van was probably traveling somewhere between 95-100 MPH.

Kyle Holden, a witness that was traveling with the van on this field trip explained the scene like this, "The driver side real tire had exploded, Evan lost control and swerved off the freeway, and then the van rolled several times." Evan said that van was traveling no faster that 80 MPH.

The Dean of the College of Agriculture, Noel Crockett described thses students as one of the best group of students to come through here in a long time. "These students had lots of potential and it is a sad sad day here on campus."

Practice News Story 10: Investigative

April 10th, 2008

LOGAN Utah-

Important Meeting in Africa

On Wednesday I witnessed Bill and Melinda Gates and also Ted Turner getting off a private jet in Africa to meet with local officials. The contents of the meeting are uncertain, but according to Bill Gates, "Myself and my wife along with Ted Turner and Warren Buffet are planning on working with the World Health Organization to educate African people in Health care." Warren Buffet has given the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation control of some of his money to be used how they want to help the Africans get educated, whereas Ted Turner is more involved as he wants to know how his money is being spent and what it is being used for.

This is something that the African countries have been needing and wanting for some time now. Malik Ok, an African Mayor had this to say about the idea of working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, "Weve been given stuff before, clothes, medicines and other things, but the great thing about Bill and Melinda and Ted's proposition is that not only will they provide us with supplies, but that they will attemp to educate us about how to use these supplies as well. I really like this philosophy."

Bill Gates mentioned said, "There will be a press conference in a few weeks to talk about the details of this idea, but for now I can say the trip to Africa was very successful."

Practice News Story 9: Sports

SALT LAKE CITY Utah-

Jazz 16 3-pointers hold off the Spurs

The Utah Jazz held off the San Antonio Spurs 106-99 tonight at the Energy Solutions Arena. The Utah Jazz hit a team record 16 3-point field goals, none bigger than the one that Ronnie Brewer hit late in the game to break a 97-97 tie. Mehmet Okur blocked a shot by Tim Duncan which lead to Derron Williams finding Brewer for a big 3-pointer. Brewed described it like this, "Tied at 97, Derron found me, and I hit a big shot for me, and a big shot for the team. I'm just glad it went through."

C.J. Miles had a career high in points tonight as he dropped 30 for the Jazz. Derron Williams had his usual double-double with 15 points and 14 assists. Carlos Boozer also had a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Mehmet Okur had 15 points and a huge blocked shot late in the game against Duncan. Korver was 3/3 from 3-point land, and finished with 13 points.

Jerry Sloan had this to say about the big win for the Jazz, "We had some very good defensive stops, especially toward the end. I was very pleased with our teams defensive effort tonight."

With this win tonight at the Energy Solutions Arena, the Jazz have now won 25 of the last 26 games at home, proving that the Utah Jazz are one of the best home teams in all of the NBA.

Extra Practice News Story 8: Business

SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA

Google Time Warner?

Google Inc has made a hostile takeover bid for 50 million dollars to try and take over Time Warner Inc. A hostile takeover is when Google goes straight to the stockholders of Time Warner to make the offer to buy them out. Google decided not to do a regular takeover bid because of the fear that the Board of Directors of Time Warner might say no. The offer has not yet been accepted.

Dr. Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google had this to say about the offer, "Google strikes while the iron is hot, and the iron is hot right now in the media industry. This is the correct move at the correct time for Google."

This offer also affects other companies such as Yahoo and Microsoft. Microsoft was also looking to buyout Time Warner but had not yet made an offer. On the other hand Yahoo, who's value is rapidly decreasing, was eagerly waiting and hoping for Time Warner to buy them out. This offer buy Google could change both of those options.

Of the 50 million dollars that Google is offering, 35 million of it is in cash, 10 million is in stock options, and another 5 million will be used for any assumed debt. This decision will come soon from the shareholders of Time Warner.

Practice News Story 8: Business

SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA-

Google Time Warner?

Google Inc has proposed a hostile takeover bid to purchase Time Warner Inc for 50 billion dollars. A hostile takeover bid, meaning that Google will go straight to the shareholders of Time Warner in attempt to buyout that company. Google has decided to give the shareholders 35 billion in cash, 10 billion in stock options, and also 5 billion in assumed debt. Google is going straight to the shareholders because of the fear that the board of directors will not agree to sell Time Warner. The CEO of Google, Dr. Eric Schmidt had this to say about the chance to buyout a media company like Time Warner, “Google strikes while the iron is hot, and the iron is hot right now in the media industry. This is the correct move at the correct time for Google.” Nothing is finalized yet as the shareholders for Time Warner will soon be receiving an offer in the mail from Google.

Practice News Story 7: Speech

November 19th, 1863
GETTYSBURG, PA

Lincoln Speaks to a Big Crowd


Four months ago the North and the South fought one of the biggest, bloodiest battles of the Civil War, killing 7500 American soldiers. On a hot and muggy day in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, President Abraham Lincoln gave the speech that is being tagged the Gettysburg Address. In front of 1500 people in attendance President Lincoln said, “We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who gave their lives that that nation might live” Lincoln was very brief in his speech. The Civil War is still being fought today, and the North seems to have a firm hold on the South. But on this day in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the crowd was a somber and sad as all of these men have died fighting for their country. The battlefield will be a cemetery for those who died in this battle, and also it will be a landmark for the Civil War and what it meant. The North one this battle by a narrow margin, but everybody who fought and died for their country will be remembered here in Gettysburg.