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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...)

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.