2 dead, 1 injured in Hobart stabbing (Local)

HOBART, Wis.

Fox 11 News reports that two women are dead after reportedly being stabbed to death. One man was also taken to the hospital with multiple stab wounds. 

According to WBAY, 26-year-old Jacob Cayer is in police custody for allegedly breaking into the home of his former girlfriend, 25-year-old Sabrina Teague, and allegedly stabbing her and her mother, 63-year-old Heesun Teague, to death.

WBAY also reports that Joel Kennedy was discovered by police with stab wounds to the chest and arms, he is expected to make a full recovery.

According to Fox 11 News, police were called to the Hobart residence on Tuesday, June 7^th on a weapons complaint. Police found Sabrina stabbed to death outside the home. Inside, they discovered her mother, also dead, and Kennedy wounded.

Cayer was arrested by police when discovered hiding in the woods behind the house. According to WFRV he is now being accused of 1^st degree murder, and being held on $5 million bond. At the time of arrest, the suspect was on probation from a domestic abuse charge.

Reasoning:

I chose this story as the local top story for the week because it seemed incredibly newsworthy for the area. Even considering the last slew of crimes involving homicide, this one stands out because of the brutality of the crime, and the apparent relationship the alleged killer had with the victims. I think it is also very newsworthy because of the populated neighborhood it occurred in, as well as the fact that the initial call to police was allegedly a weapons complaint, and it appears they were not prepared for they found at the residence.

Muhammad Ali Dies at 74 (World)

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

            The three-time world heavyweight champion, and the 20^th century icon, Muhammad Ali, has died at the age of 74.

            “The Greatest” died on Friday, June 3^rd at a Phoenix-area hospital. The New York Times reports he died from complications of Parkinson’s disease and septic shock.

            CBS News reports Ali was world renowned for his athletic capabilities and unorthodox boxing style yet was a polarizing figure outside of the ring.

            According to The New York Times, throughout the 1960s and 70s, Ali gained widespread attention for his social, political, and religious beliefs. Conservative establishments saw him as a threat, whereas liberals saw noble cause in his statements.

Several notable accounts include his refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War, the changing of his “slave name”, Cassius Clay, and his conversion from Christianity to Islam. All of which were very controversial actions, according to The Times.

An Olympic gold medalist, Ali was banished from the boxing ring at the height of his career for his anti-war activism. The New York Times reports this cost him millions of dollars.

Ali became a popular figurehead for Parkinson’s disease, of which he lived with for over 30 years, according to CBS News.   

The New York Daily News reports his body will be laid to rest in his hometown Louisville, Kentucky.

Reasoning:

There was such worldwide coverage of Mr. Ali’s death this week. This is why I chose this story as the top world story of the week. It’s a newsworthy story on its head because a very famous person, with very a very ubiquitous name and phrase has died. For every national newscast I watched, it was the top story. It’s also newsworthy because his death rehashes a lot of what he historically stood for, much of which was controversial. A lot of us only know Ali as the “saint-like” trembling man who lit the Olympic torch in 1996. I think a lot of us are not fully aware of what a significant and controversial figure he was in the twentieth century, worldwide. So it was those factors that make this the top world story of this week.  

Gorilla Zoo Shooting Sparks National Conversation. (National)

CINCINNATI, Ohio.

            The May 28^th shooting of the Cincinnati Zoo’s 17-year-old silverback gorilla, Harambe, has sparked a national conversation about captivity and whether or not the Zoo’s actions were appropriate.

            According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, a three-year-old boy reportedly crawled through the barrier and fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo over the Memorial Day weekend.

Video footage of the incident obtained by CNN showed the boy being dragged by the silverback, as the crowd panicked. Fearing greater aggression from Harambe, zoo officials decided to shoot and kill the gorilla. Cincinnati Enquirer further reported that the boy was rushed to the hospital where he suffered a concussion and bruising.

CNN reports that controversy over the Zoo’s decision to kill Harambe has sparked a public outcry over the incident as well as conversations about the ethics of captivity. Including the trending topic of “#justiceforHarambe” on social media.

Cincinnati Zoo President, Thane Maynard supported the Dangerous Animal Response Team’s decision in a statement to the press, “It was a tough choice. They made the right choice, because they saved the boy’s life.” (CNN).

The Washington Post reports several prominent zookeepers and primatologists, such as Jack Hanna and Jane Goodall, have commented on the matter both in support and in objection.

According to CNN, local police reportedly launched an investigation into the family of the boy, though charges have not been filed.

Reasoning:

For me, this was the obvious choice for the top national story of the week. Even though the story broke over the Memorial Day weekend, I think it is undeniable how ubiquitous the story has since become over this past week. There’s a lot of elements to decipher based on the rarity of the situation alone, but also from how many legs the story seems to have. The story seems to have branched off into conversations about parenting, entitlement, captivity, conservation, and racism. This was definitely the top story of the week because everyone seems to have an opinion on it, which also shows just how ubiquitous, and newsworthy the story is.

State Seizes Assets of Meth Ring Kingpin (Local)

GREEN BAY, Wis.

            The Wisconsin Department of Justice has begun filing criminal cases against several suspects arrested in a raid on a meth ring back in March, 2016.

            Green Bay Press-Gazette originally reported 39 people were arrested in the drug bust, which took place over a seven-month investigation. It was the largest dismantling of a local drug operation, according to authorities.

            Most of the criminal cases for those arrested remain unsettled. Now the state has undergone proceedings to seize the assets of several suspects, including alleged kingpin, Bill Yang.

             WBAY: Action 2 News reports investigators allegedly identified Vang as the head of the multi-state drug operation.

            According to Green Bay Press-Gazette, court records show that 35-year-old Vang allegedly had guns, drugs, and $10,000 cash in his possession at the time of his arrest. At this time Vang is facing 51 counts for various crimes.

            Investigators have reportedly seized assets for Vang and at least eight other suspects in the case. The reasoning behind the seizure has not been made public. Green Bay Press-Gazette reports prosecutors have filed to keep court documents partially off limits to the public.

Reasoning:

I decided on this story for my top local news of the week because I felt that it is an incredibly complex and layered story that will continue to unfold. There are two main things that make it so newsworthy. The original story was so sensational considering how large the arrest number was, and how long the investigation went on. The other main thing I thought made it special and newsworthy was that a lot of the criminal and court documents have been partially sealed by the court, which is a very unusual thing. In order for a judge to rule in favor of a request to seal documents, there needs to be a very apparent reason for doing so. It’s also newsworthy because it shows just how many people in a community as small as Green Bay can have serious drug problems, so many people will be interested.

70 Years Later, President Obama visits Hiroshima (World) - UPDATED

JAPAN

            
           On Friday, May 28, President Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to visit the Japanese city of Hiroshima since the atomic bomb was dropped 70 years prior.

            Walter Mondale, Former Vice President and U.S. ambassador to Japan, called Obama's visit, "one of the biggest events in modern Japanese history" in an interview with NBC News.

            In Japan, the President spoke to reporters about the 1945 bombing calling it an "inflection point in modern history" and "something that all of us have had to deal with in some way or another."(NBC News). 

            The Daily Mail reports President Obama is officially in Japan for the 42nd G7 summit. However, his visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is what is making headlines. Those in favor call it an act of diplomacy and empathy, whereas critics refer to it as an "apology" tour.

            According to Two Way National Public Radio News, President Obama delivered a speech and signed the guestbook at the Memorial Park. He was photographed hugging a survivor of the nuclear blast.

            The worlds' first nuclear attack killed around 140,000 people in Hiroshima, helping to end World War II. The decision to drop the bomb remains a controversial topic to this day.

Reasoning:

            President Obama's visit to Hiroshima is my selection for this week's top world news story. The visit itself is a historic moment, thus making the visit all the more newsworthy. As well as the fact that it is still to this day a heated topic for many people, and the President's actions while in Japan will be heavily scrutinized even more considering the sordid history. Also so much of his presence was expressing complex emotions about the past and what occurred with dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The visit also became a political talking point about whether or not the President is practicing diplomacy or if he is apologizing and/or appeasing the Japanese people.

Deadly Flooding in Plains leaves 2 Dead, 3 Missing (National) - UPDATED

Texas. Kan.

            At least two people are dead due to the torrential rains in Texas and Kansas. State Officials say that flash flooding has also left at least three people missing.

           WBAY: Action 2 News reports one individual was found dead in a flooded mobile home on Saturday, and another body was found in a submerged vehicle.

            Rescue officials told CBS News that as many as 50 water related rescues have taken place since evacuations were called.

            11-year-old Devon Cooley from Wichita, Kansas is among those missing. ABC News reports the search is still on-going after he reportedly was swept away in a flooded creek that spills into the Arkansas River.  

          According to WBAY,  3 additional people have been reported missing since the storms began. Rescue officials worry that those missing won't be found until the flooding subsides.

Reasoning:

            This is my selection for the top national story for this week because it is something that has adverse effects on many people in many areas, as well as comes along side of the stories about tropical storm Bonnie. The torrential rains in Texas and Kansas have not only resulted in heavy property damage but also death. Also the storm has left several people unaccounted for. The missing persons angle is also what makes this a top news story because it is still developing at this time, and the horrors of the storm may have not yet been fully realized.

Arrest Made in Ledgeview Homicide (Local) - UPDATED

GREEN BAY, Wis.

            Douglas Detrie was arrested Monday night on suspicion of murdering his live-in girlfriend, 31-year-old Nicole Vanderheyden, reports Green Bay Press-Gazette. 

            Vanderheyden's body was found allegedly beaten and strangled in a field near the couple's home in Ledgeview on Saturday, May 22. Police told WBAY: Action 2 News, her injuries were substantial.

            Fox11 reports Detrie, 34, is now being held in custody on $1 million cash bond. He has not been formally charged with her murder at this time. Defense attorney Rick Meier argues that probable cause has not been established for 1st-degree murder, citing a lack of evidence.

            District Attorney David Lasee told Fox11 he is awaiting results of evidential tests before filing a formal complaint against the suspect.

            According to Green Bay Press-Gazette, investigators believe this was an isolated event following an alleged domestic dispute between the couple. 

            Vanderheyden had one child with Detrie, and two other children from a previous relationship.

Reasoning:

            I chose this as my local top story of the week for several reasons. The first being the proximity of the crime to Green Bay. Secondly, homicide is a rare crime in this area so when one is reported, it becomes big news. Especially when it involves alleged domestic disputes and a young mother of three. Also, I found it interesting how fast the story was developing in a very short period of time, thus causing continual coverage of the crime. Her body was found on Saturday, he was arrested on Monday, he appeared in court and was held on $1 million cash bond by Wednesday. The pace at which details emerged also makes it the top local story for the week, not to mention the tragedy of the crime.