Index | LDC
DEVTEST
(Number of topics is 29.)
38. LaSalle Boat FOUND!
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Divers find the wreckage of LaSalle's ship the "Aimable"
-
WHERE: Texas
-
WHEN: 3/3/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
At a minimum, any stories about the search for the ship, treasures
found on the ship or false starts in the search should be included in this
topic. The rule allows for the inclusion of stories related to the technology
used in the search and the names of researchers or scientists involved
in this particular search. Some background information: The ship sank three
centuries ago, and was part of LaSalle's fleet. It ran aground during his
search for the mouth of the Mississippi River. Authorities expect it to
contain more artifacts than LaSalle's personal ship did.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #7
Seed Article: CNN19980303.1130.1489
39. India Parliamentary Elections
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: India's Parliamentary Elections
-
WHERE: India
-
WHEN: First Week in March 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
According to this rule, at least stories about voter issues around
this particular election, campaigns or candidates (parties) competing,
and election results (speculated or actual) are all on topic. If any issues
arise directly from the elections (e.g. a protest against winning candidates)
those would also be related to the topic. India held Parliamentary elections
in early March, but early indications were that there would continue to
be a Hung Parliament governing the country. Once they actually counted
all the votes, they discovered a winning party (BJP), who took power in
mid-March. Please note that in mid-April and early May when sanctions are
set against India as a result of experimental nuclear bombings, these stories
are NOT topic relevant to the election process.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 1
Seed Article: PRI19980303.2000.0432
40. Tello (Maryland) Murder
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Alfred Tello, Jr. is murdered in Montgomery County, MD.; the suspect,
Samuel Sheinbein, flees to Israel; negotiations for his trial are occurring
between the US and Israel
-
WHERE: Montgomery County, MD
-
WHEN: September 1997 (murder)
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The killing, the search for Sheinbein, his arrest warrant & flight
to Israel, all negotiations between lawyers and the U.S. and Israeli courts,
and his trial and sentencing (should it happen) would be(minimally) topic
relevant. Also on topic are articles about his status as a minor (he's
17), stories about the other suspect, Aaron B. Needle (also 17), who was
arrested. Sheinbein fled to Israel and fought extradition. Info on the
seed article: On March 2, he agreed to return to the U.S. for a trial under
the condition that he be allowed to serve his sentence in an Israeli prison.
This decision was supported by Israel's Justice Ministry.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 3
Seed Article: N/A
41.Grossberg baby murder
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Amy Grossberg gives birth to child who is then murdered; Grossberg
and boyfriend Brian Peterson are arrested for the murder
-
WHERE: Wyckoff, N.J. (murder) and Newark, Delaware (trial)
-
WHEN: Fall, 1997 (baby murdered) through Spring 1998 (trial and sentencing)
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The baby was found dead in a hotel dumpster, and the autopsy revealed
that he had been born alive. Based on the rule of interpretation, the baby's
murder, the decision to arrest the parents (Amy Grossberg and Brian Peterson),
their interactions with police and lawyers, the criminal investigation,
pleas in exchange for testimony (eventually both parents will cop a plea
in exchange for testimony and information), and the sentencing are all
topic relevant. The Seed Article:is about how on March 9, Brian Peterson
(baby's father) agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter (and face possibly
10 years in prison) and to testify in court against Grossberg.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 3
Seed Article: ABC19980309.1830.0519
42. Asteroid Coming??
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Scientists announce that a mile-wide asteroid is heading toward Earth
(the announcement is rescinded the next day based on new information)
-
WHERE: Outer Space!
-
WHEN: March, 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The stories about the discovery AND the follow up ("never mind stories")
are all topic related. Any stories about the technology used to track the
asteroid, or the scientists who did the tracking would be on topic. Scientists
released the news that we were in the asteroids direct path, and then,
a few days later, broke the story that, in fact, the asteroid would pass
us by. It is expected in about 30 years, but it is not expected to hit
us.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 7
Seed Article: CNN19980312.2130.0299
43. Dr. Spock Dies
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Dr. Benjamin Spock, baby expert, dies of natural causes at the age
of 94
-
WHERE: La Jolla, CA
-
WHEN: 3/15/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The topic would include any stories about his illness, his legacy,
and any obituary-type stories. Since the topic is his death, stories
about his life, or his lifestyle are not topic related unless they explicitly
mention his illness and death. The publication of the seventh edition of
his book "Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care" is scheduled for this summer,
and the publishing companies are discussing commemorative celebrations
to coincide with the publications. Such stories would also be on topic.
The Seed Article:discusses the seminal event.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 11
Seed Article: NYT19980316.0359
44. National Tobacco Settlement
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Devising a National Tobacco Company Settlement
-
WHERE: Washington, D.C.
-
WHEN: Early Spring 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
NOTE!! Getting to a seminal event for this topic was difficult. We
debated about the settlement itself, the preceding court cases, the activity
around reaching a settlement. Identifying the activity of devising a national
settlement seemed comfortable for everyone. Stories relevant to these hearings
include the states' attorneys general recommendations, documentation presented
to Congress (submitted as evidence in these proceedings) indicating that
tobacco companies were aware of the dangers of smoking, the various iterations
of the settlement before it went before the court, stories about the companies
involved in the settlement and any ramifications of the final court decision.
This is broader than most topics will be, and the general rule for this
activity is toward inclusion, so stories about the cigarette tax hike and
the budgetary impact of the settlement or the pay out on the companies
are also on topic. (Added note: Articles about tobacco legislation
at the STATE level are not on topic unless they make specific reference
to the national settlement.) The Seed Article:discusses R.J. Reynolds'
denial that they would pull out of the settlement proceedings. The denial
was published 4/2/98
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 2
Seed Article: PRI19980402.2000.0144
45. Mt. Cook Climbing Accident
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Czech climber falls to his death from Mt. Cook
-
WHERE: Mount Cook, Upper Linda Glacier, New Zealand
-
WHEN: 3/11/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
As an accident, stories about the victim and his companion are relevant,
stories about any risk or negligence (either on the part of New Zealand
officials or the climber) and stories about the conditions for climbing
that day (contributing to his fall...) would all be on topic. The seed
article identifies the seminal event: A Czech mountain climber fell to
his death (fell 700 meters). They air-lifted the body to Mount Cook Village,
17 hours after the fall. His climbing companion went into shock after watching
his friend fall and then climbing down to his body. The name of the victim
was not released until his family was notified; therefore, at the time
of this story, his identity was still not public information.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 5
Seed Article: N/A
46. Great Lake Champlain??
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Senator Patrick Leahy introduces legislation to make Lake Champlain
a Great Lake
-
WHERE: Lake Champlain, Vermont/ Washington, D.C.
-
WHEN: March, 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The passing of legislation works similarly to elections. All of Senator
Leahy's campaigning or lobbying would be topic relevant, as would the vote
to pass the legislation and the implementation (or not) of the new legislation
would be on topic. In this case, all stories about how Leahy got this legislation
passed, the decision to revoke the status, and anything in between is relevant.
Leahy's motivation was to make Vermont eligible for state-funded research
money. Shortly after the legislation passed, it was revoked, and Champlain
went back to being a regular lake, but Vermont will still get some research
money.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 9
Seed Article: NYT19980329.0162
47. Viagra Approval
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: New impotency drug Viagra is approved for use
-
WHERE: At FDA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
-
WHEN: April, 1998 (approval & release to the public)
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The discovery of a drug to "cure" impotency. The research on and discovery
of the drug expands to topic by including all articles about the drug development,
the doctors working on the drug, the FDA's approval process FOR THIS PARTICULAR
DRUG, and the impact this drug has on every day life for its users. Many
stories in April will talk about Viagra as the Pill of the 90's.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 7
Seed Article: ABC19980319.1830.0444
48. Jonesboro shooting
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Two students, aged 11 & 13, kill 5 and wound a dozen at their
middle school in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
-
WHERE: Jonesboro, AR
-
WHEN: 3/24/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The shooting at the school, the arrest of the boys (13-year-old Mitchell
Johnson and 11-year-old Andrew Golden), the investigation, and the trial
and sentencing will all be topic relevant. So will discussions about trying
these boys as minors or not, the decision about whether or not to try for
the death penalty and the struggle around the fact that the alleged murderers
are so young. Information from the seed story includes: The two boys pulled
a fire alarm and as students were leaving the school they fired guns into
the crowd. The boys were heavily armed with guns they had stolen from the
older one's grandfather. They were arrested. Four female students and a
teacher were killed.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 3
Seed Article: ABC19980324.1830.0103
49. Boehner/Gingrich chat taped
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: An intercepted phone conversation between Boehner and Gingrich is
disclosed
-
WHERE: Washington, D.C.
-
WHEN: December 1996 (call taped); March 1998 (Boehner sues McDermott)
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Rep. John Boehner accuses Senator McDermott of publicly disclosing
an intercepted conference call between Boehner and Speaker Newt Gingrich
and other Republican party leaders. The conversation was accidentally intercepted
and subsequently recorded by a Florida couple. At least stories about the
taped conversation, the suit, lawyers, the Florida couple who made the
tape, and trial outcomes are topic relevant.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 3
Seed Article: N/A
50. JJ the Whale
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: JJ, a baby grey whale, is abandoned by her mother and rescued by
scientists
-
WHERE: San Diego, California Coast
-
WHEN: January, 1997 (JJ found); March 31, 1998 (JJ released into the wild)
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Researchers are tracking JJ's path as she is released and reintegrated
into the Pacific Ocean. As science news the topic includes at least
stories about JJ's abandonment by her mother on a beach on coastal CA.,
her rescue, her recovery in captivity (she was captive for 14 months),
the plans for her release, and the tracking of her progress once she was
released. Also, any stories about the technology used to treat her, track
her, etc., or the marine biologists involved in her case are on topic.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 7
Seed Article: CNN19980403.0130.0753
51. Thai Police Lt. Arrested
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: A fight breaks out at a Bangkok disco, and several people are badly
beaten.
-
WHERE: Bangkok, Thailand
-
WHEN: 3/27/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Witnesses identified Wanchalerm Yubamrung as the instigator of the
brawl. He surrendered to police on 4/7/98. At a minimum, articles about
the victims, the fight, the investigation, Wanchalerm's arrest, trial and
punishment are all topic relevant. There are articles linking Wanchalerm
to his father, a police captain and leader of the Muanchon Party. These
are also topic relevant if his arrest has an impact on his father's political
status (consequences of the crime...)
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 3
Seed Article: N/A
52. Strike in Germany
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Tens of thousands of public workers go on strike, demanding higher
wages and job security
-
WHERE: All over Germany
-
WHEN: Strikes begin 3/2/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
This disruption to Germany's infrastructure is comparable to a situation
of ongoing violence. Germany's public employees are striking as a warning
designed to put pressure on the government for higher wages and job security.
The
strike coincides with public employee contract negotiations. The topic
would expand to include at least stories about the reasons for the strike,
the strikers, negotiations to get them back to work, the impact on German
citizens, any retaliatory actions.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 6
Seed Article: APW19980303.0665
53. Capps Replacement Elections
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Voters are choosing a replacement for Congressman Walter Capps who
died while in office.
-
WHERE: Central Coastal California (22nd Congressional District)
-
WHEN: 3/10/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The wife of Congressman Capps, Lois Capps (D) is running against Tom
Bordanareau (R). The race is being watched for two reasons. First, it is
an indication of how mid-term elections might go. Second, this election
has attracted a lot of money for independent campaigns and special interest
groups. The topic includes stories about the campaigns, the candidates,
the special interest groups funding independent candidates, the voter turnout,
and the election results.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 1
Seed Article: PRI19980310.2000.0144
54. Albright to Canada
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Madeleine Albright makes an official visit to Canada.
-
WHERE: Ottawa, Canada
-
WHEN: 3/10/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
As political activity the topic would include stories about Albright's
meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretienne or Foreign Minister
Lloyd Axworthy, her negotiations with them, her plans for the trip, and
her feedback after. This was the first official visit to Canada by
an American Secretary of State in 10 years.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION # 11
Seed Article: N/A
55. Boeing Discrimination Suit
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Dozens of current and former employees file a racial discrimination
suit against Boeing.
-
WHERE: Seattle, WA
-
WHEN: 3/17/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The employees filed a suit alleging that Boeing practiced discriminatory
hiring. The topic expands to include stories about the instances of harassment
that motivated the suit, the employees filing, Boeing's response, the settlement
or trial and results and any immediate ramifications (if Boeing goes under
because of the financial stress those stories would also be on topic).
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #3
Seed Article: PRI19980317.2000.0140
56. James Earl Ray's Retrial?
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: The new trial/mistrial debate re: MLK's assassin
-
WHERE: Nashville, TN
-
WHEN: The question got kicked up again in Winter 1997-1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
NOTE: Identifying this seminal event was VERY difficult. With input
from Jaime, Charles and others, I think the best solution is this one.
On March 18, 1998 Ray's lawyer announced that he will not pursue a new
trial in the case. Ray is suffering from liver disease and could not take
part in a new trial. He is in critical condition in a Nashville prison.
Stories about MLK's family requesting a new trial, stories about Ray's
input from prison, stories about Ray's death (which happens in April) are
NOT on topic, UNLESS they also discuss the claims of innocence.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #3
Seed Article: VOA19980318.2300.1376
57. World Figure Skating Champs
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: The World Figure Skating Championships
-
WHERE: Minneapolis, Minnesota
-
WHEN: April, 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
This topic would include all stories about the championship, stories
about competitors, about the event itself, medal winners, and any consequences
of the contest (injuries DURING the event, offers to winners for endorsements
etc.) The Seed Article:discusses Nicole Bobek's hip injury and decision
not to compete. Tara Lipinski also pulled out of competition due to a viral
infection, leaving Michelle Kwan as the only U.S. female contender.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #10
Seed Article: VOA19980325.2300.2972
58. Guinness Gag
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Gag press release from Guinness beer
-
WHERE: London
-
WHEN: 3/31/98, 4/1/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Guinness ran a spoof press release announcing that the Greenwich group
has named them the official beer of the Millennium, and that they would
adopt the name Guinness for the duration of this Millennium (up to and
including the celebrations). The Financial Times ran the story as if it
were true. It's really a story about finances, since Guinness DID agree
to sponsor Greenwich Mean Time. Topic includes stories about the sponsorship
deal (the REAL one) and ramifications for the Times for running a spoof.
Also, Stock Market consequences because of the joke would be topic relevant.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #8
Seed Article: PRI19980331.2000.1109
59. UCONN Spring Weekend
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Parties get out of control at UCONN Spring Weekend
-
WHERE: UCONN, Storrs, CT
-
WHEN: April 24-26, 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Spring Weekend parties at UCONN, for the 2nd year in a row, resulted
in near riots and out of control behavior. 88 people were arrested (about
35 were UCONN students) after a couch and car were set on fire. Police
face allegations that they overreacted to the situation, using batons,
pepper spray and dogs to quiet things down. Stories about steps the University
took to prevent this year's events from escalating would be on topic. Under
the rule for Criminal Cases, topic related stories also include those detailing
allegations against the students and the police reactions, court cases,
punishment (if any) against the students or other defendants and also any
repercussions at the University level (suspension or expulsion).
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #3
Seed Article: NYT19980427.0502
60. POW Memorial Museum
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: The dedication of a Prisoner of War Memorial Museum
-
WHERE: Andersonville, GA
-
WHEN: April 9, 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
A National Prisoner of War Museum was dedicated in Andersonville, Georgia
on 4/9/98. Construction for this museum started in 1996, but Congress had
added the site of the Civil War prison (the same grounds as the museum)
to the National Park System in 1970. Stories about the construction, the
opening exhibits, the dedication ceremonies would all be on topic. Also
topic relevant are stories about how the museum was funded with money from
private veterans groups and the federal government.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #11
Seed Article: NYT19980409.0344
61. Kenya boosts Tourism
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: The Kenya Tourist Board launches a campaign to boost tourism
-
WHERE: Kenya
-
WHEN: campaign opens 4/17/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Tourism for the 1997-1998 year was the worst on record due to reports
in the media of violence on the Indian Ocean coast. In response, Kenya
Tourist Board is targeting markets in Germany, Britain, Switzerland and
Italy with the first major marketing campaign in its history. Stories on
topic include those discussing the types of marketing being done, the response
to the campaign (increases in tourism?) and any changes in the campaign
or its target populations.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #11
Seed Article: APW19980417.0520
62. Mandela visits Angola
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Nelson Mandela makes state visit to Angola
-
WHERE: Luanda, Angola
-
WHEN: April 29-30, 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Nelson Mandela visited Angola to deepen political ties and increase
trading. He met with President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, and reported that
the meetings were successful. This was Mandela's first state visit to Angola.
Topic relevant stories include reports about the success of the meetings,
plans for the trip, stories about specific meetings during the trip, Mandela's
interest in supporting/investing in the rebuilding of Angola's infrastructure,
and South Africa investing in Angola's oil sector (these were specific
topics of discussion between Mandela and Dos Santos).
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #11
Seed Article: APW19980430.0870
63. Bird Watchers Hostage
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Leftist Rebels in Colombia take 3 bird-watchers hostage
-
WHERE: Los Alpes, Colombia
-
WHEN: March - April, 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Leftist rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC)
kidnapped 27 people at a roadblock in the jungle south of the capital
Bogota. The kidnapped include four Americans on a bird watching tour. Some
people were quickly released but three Americans continued to be held hostage
(a fourth American escaped). The related article is about how one
of the hostages, Louise Augustine, was released to a government and Red
Cross commission on April 24. She is 63 years old and from Chillicothe,
IL. Topic related stories include any about the other two hostages, the
rebels' motivation for taking this particular group, negotiations with
the U.S. or the Red Cross (and any other bureaucracy involved in aiding
the hostages), and any stories about efforts to get the hostages released
and home. Also on topic are stories about the health and well-being of
these survivors after release.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #6
Seed Article: APW19980424.1201
64. Race Relations Meetings
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Clinton's Town Hall meetings on race relations in the U.S.
-
WHERE: Various towns in U.S.
-
WHEN: The second meeting takes place on 4/14/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Clinton uses the town hall format to initiate discussion about race
relations in America. The related article is about the second of these
panels, which included sports stars and covered race and professional sports.
Topic related stories would include coverage of the other panels or meetings.
Responses to these meetings (if they generated any), the topics covered
by them, plans made for other meetings in this series would also be topic
related.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #11
Seed Article: PRI19980414.2000.0056
65. Rats in Space!
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Space Shuttle mission covering neurological research
-
WHERE: Outer Space!
-
WHEN: April 17, 1998 - May 3, 1998
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
The Space Shuttle Columbia's mission was to conduct neurological research
experiments on board. They conducted experiments on themselves and on 2,000
rats and other small mammals to examine the effects of weightlessness on
hand-eye coordination. The related article is about the repairs being done
on the life support system and the hold put on doing research until the
repairs were completed. Stories about the plans for this mission, any research
findings from the mission, problems with the repairs (or the initial problem
with the life support system), and the success or failure of the mission
are all topic related. As an aside, many rats died of maternal neglect,
they speculated that the stress of air travel rendered the mothers incapable
of taking care of young. Stories about animal rights activists in response
to this are also on topic.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #7
Seed Article: CNN19980425.1600.0054
66. Marcus Allen Retires
Seminal Event:
-
WHAT: Marcus Allen retires from professional football
-
WHERE: Kansas City, KS
-
WHEN: 4/9/98
-
TOPIC EXPLICATION:
Marcus Allen, Kansas City Chiefs' running back, announced his retirement
from the NFL. He plans to become a TV sports analyst. Related stories include
any about his plans for retiring, his new job (if/when he gets one), coverage
of his last game(s) and his teammates and coaches responses. Also on topic
are the reactions from his colleagues and any events held in his honor.
RELATED RULE OF INTERPRETATION #10
Seed Article: CNN19980409.1600.1278
[Back to Top]