EDITORIAL RESPONSE TO FLORIDA SHOOTING
The Story
The editorial page in Friday's San Diego Union-Tribune is mostly blank. The topic is this week's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The headline reads: 'Another School Shooting? We Already Know What Congress Will Do. This:'
What follows is white space. Four columns, eight inches deep of nothing.
The Conversation
-Why did the paper choose to make this visual statement?
-What has been the response?
COUNTY ELECTIONS AND MARIJUANA MONEY
The Story
Voters spoke clearly last year: Legalize marijuana for recreational use. But conservatives on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors said not so fast. And that has local leaders in the marijuana business flexing political muscle for the first time to elect pot-friendly supervisors.
The Conversation
-How big an impact could the marijuana industry have on county elections?
-Why are supervisors against regulating marijuana?
-Will pot-friendly candidates have an advantage in the upcoming election?
DUNCAN HUNTER'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE TROUBLES
The Story
It has long been considered one of the safest Republican seats in the country. But scandal swirling around incumbent Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) may have put the East County congressional district in play this year.
The Conversation
-Is the scandal costing Hunter support in his district?
-What will happen to Hunter's seat if he is forced to resign?
-Hunter's colleagues dished to the press about questionable behavior. Are they trying to force him out?
COUNTY ATTORNEYS TARGET LOCAL JOURNALIST
The Story
San Diego journalist Kelly Davis has been covering the surprisingly high number of deaths in county jails for the past five years. Recently she was served with a subpoena from county attorneys, who wanted all the information she collected in the course of her work on the story.
The Conversation
-Why would county attorneys want Davis' notes, when they were most likely aware of the details of the story she was covering?
-Are there laws protecting journalists from being compelled to reveal this sort of information?
-Is President Trump's strong stance against "the media" trickling down and being felt by local reporters?
