Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection and penitance for Christians leading up to Easter. Ways to localize the holiday:
A new product that delivers as much caffeine as a large cup of coffee, simply be breathing into a tube, has some politicians and health care providers concerned. What is the reaction in your community?
According to the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism, media consumers want more news about the economy.
As retailers continue to close stores in response to declining in-store sales, planners try to figure out what to do with increasingly vacant malls. Whether you're in the suburbs or a small, rural town with no malls in sight, check out some interesting story opportunities.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is opposing a measure that would make Wizard of Oz pup Toto the state dog of Kansas, saying such a move would "worsen one of Kansas’ serious problems: its reputation as a hotbed for cruel, filthy puppy mills."
The pet rescue process can be mysterious and heartbreaking, especially for those rejected without detail. Some ways to look at the issue in your area:
Baylor Health Care System in Dallas on Jan. 1 joined the companies that are not hiring smokers. Some state laws prohibit businesses from not hiring someone on the grounds he or she smokes cigarettes. What's the law in your state? Find out how to localize the story.
President Obama during his State of the Union Address Tuesday called for not allowing students to drop out of high school until they are 18 years old. The proposal prompted a backlash from some Republicans, who promise a battle.
Today first lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are expected to announce new rules for healthier school lunches, including cutting the sodium, and adding fruits and veggies.
Apple is expected to announce today a plan to remake textbooks by offering software to create "interactive digital lessons." Are your local school leaders rethinking the future of textbooks, too?
As Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos prepare to take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots Saturday night, what do local sports fans think about religion and sports?
According to the CDC, adult binge drinking is on the rise in the U.S.: "New numbers from the CDC's January Vital Signs report reveal that 1 in 6 adults in the United States binge drink, usually 4 times per month, and consume an average of 8 drinks per occasion."
If last night's Iowa caucuses were any indication, it's going to be a tense year for the presidential candiates. Capture your readers' election-year interest by making sure they know what to expect locally this year.
Do you find yourself dipping in and out of consciousness by midmorning? Suddenly, your boss starts to sound like one of the adults from Charles Schulz's Peanuts and you can't seem to keep your eyes open. The funny thing is, you got plenty of sleep last night, so why are you so tired? Well, if you skipped breakfast, you might have set yourself up for a day of failure. With many people focused on losing weight in the new year, do they forget about breakfast?
The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is statistically a prime time for heart attacks. Some story ideas to help readers be aware of the risk:
The Orion Gazette and a few other weeklies in central Illinois had some fun with a Santa By the Numbers that ran this week. Find out how they got the scoop on the Jolly Old Elf.
Kirksville Daily Express in Missouri is drumming up reader excitement with its second holiday decorations contest. On Monday and Tuesday, the contest with photo gallery generated about 7,400 page views. Find out what they did.
Nothing beats waking up Christmas morning to find a fresh blanket of snow outside. But if you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, you'll likely be disappointed. Find a few ideas to localize the story.
Fewer teens are drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes, but a new survey reveals pot smoking among teens has risen across the nation, in part attributed to the availability of medical marijuana. Have health and law enforcement officials spotted any trends in your community?
Have you ever wondered about the Salvation Army red kettle donations? Are the bell ringers volunteers or do they get paid? How much do people drop in the kettle? The Holland Sentinel in Michigan does a nice by-the-numbers breakout to complement a centerpiece story.
