With GateHouse News Service's oil spill website launching today, it seems appropriate to talk about localization opportunities for Gulf stories that are available through the special site.
How readers can help: Here's a resource guide of ways readers can give. But check in with local ecological organizations or other similar groups in your community to see if they're planning local drives or plan to be in the Gulf to help out.
Travel to Florida: One of the stories on our site focuses on fears around Florida tourism and what the spill could mean for thousands of travelers each month. Are local travel agents concerned, too? Find out if bookings for trips to Florida, specifically the Pensacola area, are low.
Groomers concerned: Dog groomers were sending boxes of pet fur clips to help with the pools of toxic oil. But BP said last week that they're no longer using the hair. What do local dog groomers think? Did they send hair? Have they stopped? Are they frustrated?
BP and politics: Friday's news service oil spill briefing includes a report that politicians are pressuring BP not to pay a second-quarter dividend to shareholders. Is BP likely to listen? In 2009, BP spent $16 million to influence legislation in Washington, D.C., according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Here's a list of contributions to federal office holders during the 2008 election cycle. A dropdown menu offers a look at the smaller 2010 list. Is your U.S. senator or House member among the recipients? What do they have to say about the campaign donation? Among the recipients was Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, who says she has no plans to return the nearly $17,000 she received last election cycle from BP. Does your senator or representative? A good poll question: Ask readers if their senator should return the donation, or turn it over to a wildlife protection group.
With GateHouse News Service's oil spill website launching today, it seems appropriate to talk about localization opportunities for Gulf stories that are available through the special site.
How readers can help: Here's a resource guide of ways readers can give. But check in with local ecological organizations or other similar groups in your community to see if they're planning local drives or plan to be in the Gulf to help out.
Travel to Florida: One of the stories on our site focuses on fears around Florida tourism and what the spill could mean for thousands of travelers each month. Are local travel agents concerned, too? Find out if bookings for trips to Florida, specifically the Pensacola area, are low.
Groomers concerned: Dog groomers were sending boxes of pet fur clips to help with the pools of toxic oil. But BP said last week that they're no longer using the hair. What do local dog groomers think? Did they send hair? Have they stopped? Are they frustrated?
BP and politics: Friday's news service oil spill briefing includes a report that politicians are pressuring BP not to pay a second-quarter dividend to shareholders. Is BP likely to listen? In 2009, BP spent $16 million to influence legislation in Washington, D.C., according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Here's a list of contributions to federal office holders during the 2008 election cycle. A dropdown menu offers a look at the smaller 2010 list. Is your U.S. senator or House member among the recipients? What do they have to say about the campaign donation? Among the recipients was Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, who says she has no plans to return the nearly $17,000 she received last election cycle from BP. Does your senator or representative? A good poll question: Ask readers if their senator should return the donation, or turn it over to a wildlife protection group.
