Election of Obama Top Story of 2008

A new year is upon us. It's time for The Associated Press to announce the top stories of 2008. Editors and news directors in the U.S. chose the election of Barack Obama, the first African-American president, as the year's No. 1 story. The election was followed closely in the poll by the global economic crisis. Rounding out the 10 were:
3. The see-saw price of oil
4. Iraq war and the reduction of violence and timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops
5. Beijing Olympics highlighted by the record-breaking performance of swimmer Michael Phelps
6. Chinese earthquake that killed 70,000 and left millions homeless
7. Sarah Palin, who was chosen as John McCain's running mate
8. Mumbai terrorism that killed 164
9. Hilary Clinton, who made a historic run for the White House and subsequently was chosen as Obama's secretary of state
10. Russia-Georgia five-day war

Tribune Breaks News on Blagojevich Pick

The Chicago Tribune's Web site breaks the news that embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich plans to pick the state's former attorney general for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. Beyond the news report, the site has a gallery of 15 photos of Roland Burris, 71. A poll and reader comments accompany the news. Expect updates by the Tribune shortly, as Blagojevich has a press conference scheduled for this afternoon. Blagojevich has been accused of corruption and trying to sell the Senate post. The Chicago Sun-Times chronicles the accusations on its "Blagobusted" page.

What Went Wrong?

In a three-part series about the "origins of the economic crisis," The Washington Post publishes a narrative about AIG. Today's first part, called The Beautiful Machine, covers events and characters from 1987-1998. The series is written by Robert O'Harrow Jr. and Brady Dennis. Today's installment was among the most viewed stories on the Post Web site.

Missile Strikes into Gaza

Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel

Around the world, grim images from the Gaza Strip made top news after Israel struck Hamas locations in retaliation for rocket attacks. The Gulf News of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, called it the "New Year Massacre" and printed a large photo of the dead and injured. Large photos filled the front pages of newspapers in Turkey. U.S. news organizations were more restrained in their choice of images.

In Israel, Yedioth Ahronoth, the largest newspaper, inset an image into a large photo and a printed a map. The Jerusalem Post, the country's oldest English-language newspaper, printed six related stories and used a main, two-line banner headline, "225 killed as Israel rains fire on Hamas in bid to end Kassams." Among its stories was an analysis: "Fighting Hamas in the shadow of 2006's mistakes/Have the lessons of the war against Hizbullah been learned?"

Elsewhere, the Province of Vancouver, British Columbia, called the attacks the "Deadliest Day in 60-Year Conflict." The Daily Telegraph of London said, "Biggest Israeli Air Strikes Yet Signal New Phase in Conflict."


An-Nahar, Beirut, Lebanon

Season's Greetings

If ever there were days to do something special with the front page, today -- Christmas -- is one of them. The holiday spirit was overflowing in Kansas, where The Topeka Capital-Journal, The Wichita Eagle and The Hutchinson News used full page photos or art to capture the spirit of the day. Said a note on the News: "Dear Friends, May this season's joy enrich you year-round."

Obama Report Top News in Illinois

Across Illinois, the investigation into the actions of Gov. Rod Blagojevich made top headlines again today. What prompted the headlines? An internal report by the Obama team that concluded White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel did not have improper discussions with the governor about filling Obama's U.S. Senate seat. In a staff-written report, the Chicago Tribune said in its lead story: "Internal review clears staffers/Emanuel role called innocent, appropriate." Some newspaper used an AP report and highlighted the news that President-elect Barack Obama met with investigators probing the corruption allegations against the governor. "Obama talked with investigators," the Springfield Journal-Register said. The state capital newspaper pictured Emanuel and added, "Transition team's internal probe finds no improper contacts with Blagojevich." Said the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake, "Obama, aides met with Feds/Blagojevich investigators eyed transition team's role." The Daily Herald of suburban Chicago used two words: "No impropriety."

First Day of Winter

From sea to shining sea, the U.S. is caught under the influence of Old Man Winter. In the Northwest, "Region hunkers down for week of snow, cold," The Seattle Times said, noting "cold and snow ... have disrupted almost every aspect of life throughout the region for more than a week." The newspaper pictured travelers stranded at Sea-Tac Airport and residents dealing with gusty winds and blowing snow. The Web site of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer asked: "Will it ever stop?" while offering links to updates on the commute, closings, photos and vignettes. In a "My Seattle Pix" album, more than 200 snow photos were shared with the PI. "Hello, winter," said the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine. "White Christmas comes wrapped in Northeaster," the paper added. The Bangor Daily News' main headline said, "Strong nor'easter socks state with heavy snow, high winds." In a promotion to an inside story incorporated into its nameplate, the Daily News called snow "white gold" for state ski areas. What's your weather forecast, and how will it be included in your holiday coverage?

Detroit Reacts to News from Washington

Breaking news from Washington was welcomed in Detroit, as President Bush announced $17.4 billion in bridge loans for GM and Chrysler. The Free Press linked to 11 related stories and two opinion pieces from its home page. "Thank you, Mr. President," said the Tom Walsh business column. "Sigh of relief as Bush gets it, finally," said the headline on Stephen Henderson's blog. The Detroit News linked to an editorial, video, details of the plan and a cyber survey (Will the bailout plan work?). In other home page stories, the News printed a letter to Chrysler employees from CEO Bob Nardelli and reaction to the loans from GM's CEO Rick Wagner. Meanwhile, Detroit is being hit with a major snow storm that also is getting major play.

List in the News

On this the 10th anniversary of the impeachment of President Bill Clinton by the U.S. House of Representatives, the former president is again in the news. Clinton released a list of donations by foreign governments and other contributors to the William J. Clinton Foundation. Clinton agreed to make the list public after it became a potential stumbling block to his wife's appointment as Secretary of State. The Washington Post, New York Times and Los Angeles Times reported details of the list on Page One. "In Clinton List, A Veil is Lifted on Foundation," The New York Times said. Said the Los Angeles Times, "The Clinton Foundation's contributions include millions from Saudis and Indians." The Washington Post bulleted contributions on its front. What did your news organization do with the list?

Let It Snow, Let It Snow

The odds were good that the Las Vegas Review-Journal would do something creative with its front page after the area got up to 10 inches of snow, including a white coating along the Strip. The paper greeted the rare winter storm with a "Welcome to Las Vegas" photo. AME Greg Haas points out that "reporters rewrote the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and it ran on the front page, with refers to the story inside." The rewrite began:

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all up the Strip
Not a sunbeam was shining, not even a bit.
The towers were shrouded in a gray, foggy cloud
As slushy snowflakes gently fell all about.
The tourists were bundled, their cheeks rosy red
While visions of jackpots danced in their heads.
Those hoping for sunshine could do nothing but mourn
As Las Vegas was hit with a rare winter storm.

But all good things seem to come to an end. On its Web site this afternoon, the Review-Journal predicts much of the snow will be gone by the end of the day.

Ripples Beyond Detroit

Chrysler announced that it is idling all 30 of its factories in the United States for a month, and the news carried well beyond Detroit. The decision impacts four plants in Indiana -- woes that "hit Indiana hard," said the Indianapolis Star. Its front page reported that more than 6,000 people are affected. Online, the Star offered an interactive graphic of the plants in Kokomo, Ind. In Ohio, the Toledo Blade included important numbers in its headlines -- "2 local plants" and "3,700 workers furloughed." The Blade bulleted information about the work stoppage. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch focused its story on talk of a merger between Chrysler and GM while noting that a pickup assembly plant in Missouri will be shut down from Friday into January.

Not a Question but a Statement

As President Bush was about to take questions at a press conference in Baghdad, a broadcast journalist threw shoes in protest of U.S. policy in the region. The Washington Post printed a series of four photos that showed shoes flying past the U.S. president and noted that "Throwing a shoe at someone is considered the worst possible insult in Iraq." Similar photos appeared on front pages in other places, including the Middle East. The BBC posted video and reported that the journalist, Muntadar al-Zaidi, works for Cairo-based al-Baghdadiya TV. Modesto (Calif.) Bee reporter Adam Ashton was in the room, and he shared a first-person account on his "Iraq Connection" blog. The Bee noted that it was Bush's last visit to Iraq as president. Said its headline: "War-zone farewell." The Post reported that al-Zaidi is being called a hero by some Arabs. Al-Zaidi's employer called for his release from Iraqi custody on the grounds that he has the right to free expression.

Exclamation!

It's not every day that it snows in Mississippi and Louisiana. In fact, it rarely snows there. So when southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi got up to eight inches of snow, The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette, La., and the American Press of Lake Charles, La., simply said, "Snow!"

Added The Daily Advertiser, "For many South Louisiana residents, day was magical."

Indeed, the front page of The Times-Picayune of New Orleans captured the magic that fell in gentle white flakes (and closed schools and governments and caused power outages). Everyone took pictures, and The Times-Picayune is collecting pictures and video.

No Deal

It was the top headline on today's Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and New York Times. But no one said it better than the Detroit Free Press: "No Deal."

The U.S. Senate failed to reach a deal to bail out the Big Three automakers. "Without a Deal, Carmakers Face Bankruptcy Treat," The Washington Post said. A Free Press editorial called it a "Dreadful outcome for Detroit."

The Washington Post pictured players in the Senate, including two Republicans who played an active role in the revolt against the bailout plan approved by the U.S. House and supported by the Bush administration. In a front-page column, Daniel Howes of the Detroit Free Press wrote that the United Auto Workers have ignored Southern Republicans and "foreign-owned auto plants proliferating down South:" "Senators to UAW: It's payback time." The Los Angeles Times tallied up political donations by the Big Three and said, "Since 1990, the auto industry has cut $100 million in checks to the GOP, compared with $34 million to Democrats. But the Big Three is snubbed on bailout."

Bailout Proponents and Opponents

The U.S. House passed a $14 billion bailout for the Big 3 automakers, and today's front pages report conflicting points of view on the bailout.

From Detroit: The Free Press, which has strongly editorialized in favor of help to the automakers, printed "House OKs Aid" at the top of its page. It again used red ink to illustrate looming problems: "But why are these senators unhappy?" An answer, "GOP opponents want more UAW sacrifices."

From Alabama: Most representatives from the state voted against the bailout. The Montgomery Advertiser pictured U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby of Tuscaloosa, the leading critic of bailing out Ford, GM and Chrysler. The Press-Register of Mobile said, "Shelby waiting to block bailout" as it heads to the U.S. Senate. Huntsville is home to a Toyota assembly plant, and The Huntsville Times quoted a Detroit automotive expert as saying Shelby doesn't understand the consequences for Alabama if a bailout fails: "Bankruptcy would hit state suppliers hard."

State of Shame

"Shame" appeared in banner headlines across Illinois this morning as newspapers provided extensive coverage of the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The Chicago Tribune said, "Governor faces shocking array of charges -- topped by accusations he tried to auction a U.S. Senate seat." That seat had been held by Barack Obama, who gave an exclusive interview to the Tribune. The Journal Star of Peoria reported that state lawmakers would return to the capital to consider a "plan to take away the governor's power to appoint a new U.S. senator."

The Daily Herald of suburban Chicago used photos to illustrate the accusations against the governor. The Rockford Register Star said, "Blago Arrested," which seemed like old news this morning. But it used as its main art an illustration that incorporated the governor's photo and a note to editorial-page editor Wally Haas written on the newspaper's endorsement of Blagojevich. "Dear Wally, I won't let you down. Rod Blagojevich," the note read.

Illinois Governor Arrested

AP is reporting that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on corruption charges. It quotes a federal law-enforcement official as saying the charges result from Blagojevich's handling of the selection of a successor to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Beyond the breaking news, the Chicago Tribune's Web site includes a backgrounder, criminal complaint, video of Blagojevich's reaction and photos of his time in office. We didn't have to wait long for the Chicago Sun-Times headline. "Busted," said the banner headline on an eight-page special edition.
The Sun-Times also is reporting: "The charges also include alleged attempts by the governor to influence the Tribune editorial board, threatening, that if the Tribune didn’t support him, he wouldn’t approve the sale of Wrigley Field." The Tribune posted a statement from Editor Gerould Kern that included: "On occasion, prosecutors asked us to delay publication of stories, asserting that disclosure would jeopardize the criminal investigation. In isolated instances, we granted the requests, but other requests were refused." From Illinois' state capital, the Springfield Journal-Register reports that the first demand for the governor's resignation has been made.

Breaking News in San Diego

The afternoon crash of a military jet in a San Diego neighborhood killed three people. The San Diego Union-Tribune responded with stories, a photo gallery and video of an eyewitness on its Web site. Its information included an at-a-glance description of the F/A-18 Hornet, which was trying to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, an aerial view of the crash site and links to related sites.

Tribune Under Debt

This morning's Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times refer to inside stories about parent Tribune Co., which has hired bankruptcy advisers. The Times said, "A bankruptcy action is possible but not certain." Tribune, which is $13 billion in debt, owns eight newspapers and 23 television stations along with other assets. The news was reported by The Wall Street Journal's Web site on Sunday and appears on today's Washington Post front page.

Update: Tribune has filed for bankruptcy protection, The New York Times reports.

Leadership in the Community

The Detroit Free Press devoted its front page today to a "Message to Washington" editorial that calls on members of Congress to help the ailing Big 3 automakers.

Editor Paul Anger noted that a copy of the newspaper was being sent to every member of Congress. "We ... know that while a newspaper needs to inform, there are times when a newspaper needs to speak up for what's right."

Big 3 Drives Front-Page Coverage

The Big 3 automakers return to top headlines in Detroit as they head to Capitol Hill this week to plead for a $25-billion rescue.

"Bold pitch takes shape," said the Free Press banner headline. It used red ink to highlight words in subheads: "UAW to mull concessions/GM to cut executive pay/Ford to show future cars."

Yesterday, The News reported on automakers' strategy. Today, it leads with "UAW mulls reopening contracts to aid Big 3."

Both newspapers printed columns -- the Free Press' on the front page ("Only a vision of overhauling the industry will do" by Tom Walsh) and The News' Daniel Howes' "Shared denial takes Big 3 to the brink" inside.

The News also offers a map illustrating other countries that are considering bailouts for their automakers, and the Free Press' coverage include a sports perspective: "NASCAR's (team boss) Rick Hendrick: Don't punish Big 3, assist them."

Both newspapers also balanced this morning's front pages with news of the guilty plea to perjury by a former aide to the the ex-mayor.

Man Who Owns the News

Michael Wolff's biography of Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corp., will be released tomorrow. Politico has a few advanced details on The Man Who Owns the News, including that Murdoch does not "want News Corp. to be defined by Fox News."

The New York Times has reported that Murdoch, whom Fortune has called one of the "25 most powerful people in business," took issue with the book and its description of his relationship with Fox News.

Murdoch's most recent acquisition was The Wall Street Journal. In its book review, the Times says: "This book is tethered, like an extended magazine piece, to a single dramatic business transaction: News Corporation’s acquisition of The Journal and Dow Jones." News Corp. also owns the New York Post.

Terror in Mumbai

More than 125 people were killed in Mumbai when gunmen stormed luxury hotels and other key landmarks in the financial and tourism center of the Indian city. The Times, a leading English-language newspaper in India, used a breaking-news banner at the top of its Web site and posted video of the terrorists. At least seven terrorists and 14 police officers were among those killed. The newspaper -- the 24th largest in the world with more than 1-1/2 million readers -- also linked to the news on Twitter.

World-Class Treatment

In a multi-year project, The Des Moines Register is exploring how an Iowa education could be world class.

Today's front-page letter from Editor Carolyn Washburn explains the project and refers to inside content about schools in Finland (an academic all-star).

Online, the newspaper outlined what it found in examining schools in Iowa, Chicago and Finland. On Dec. 7, Canada will be added. An interactive map compares how U.S. students and students around the world performed on tests, and a quiz tests readers' knowledge of student performance. Q&As, guest columns, a transcript of educators' roundtable discussions and education links are offered. A deputy editorial-page editor, who researched the project and visited schools, has been blogging world-class schools, and a live chat is planned for later this week.