Current Stories | November 1, 2012
Spare the rod? | Olivia Faacks reporting
Many of us have heard the old saying “spare the rod, spoil the child.” But a new law could have some parents hanging up their rod for good. Parenting is one of those topics that just about everyone has an opinion on. People debate over diet, clothing, education-and some of these parenting choices differ between generations. But one thing is for sure, how we discipline our children will continue to be SORE subject. "Years ago, many years ago, parents didn't think twice about it. If a child did something wrong it was a little swat on the butt or they would, you know-be spanked," says Kari Chiasson, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education. Many parents who support spanking say it is a last-resort form of discipline. They say it's intended to get the child's attention and associate their bad behavior with a negative consequence. However critics argue that spanking teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to solve conflict. "The research shows that if a child is spanked, a child under 5 is spanked more than two times a week, that it actually can have some mental health issue damage in the long run. And that we also see more aggressive behavior," explains Chiasson. Recently Delaware passed a law banning parents from using corporal punishment, such as spanking, to discipline their kids. But studies show a ban on spanking could be a gateway to worse. The Akron Law Review found that children raised in a place where a legal ban on parental corporal punishment is in effect are much more likely to be involved in crime. But despite the conflicting views, one truth does stands out. "What is punishment and what is discipline, it’s a very gray area, and there's not like parenting 1-0-1," describes Chiasson. Whether it's with a firm hand or a gentle one- the decision of how to parent a child is one of the most crucial decisions one can make.
Negativity in Politics | Ali Strand reporting
As Election Day rapidly approaches, anticipation is in the air. Not only to find out whom the President will be, but also to put an end to all the political campaigns. Political campaign ads are flooding our televisions, radios, computers, and even our phones. An analysis by Kantar Media found that almost one billion dollars has been spent on TV advertisement since the beginning of the campaign. Roughly three quarters of those ads portrayed negative messages. “They work. They work because people pay attention to them in a way they don't with positive information and it's unfortunate but true," says Mark Jendrysik, Professor Department of Political Science and Public Administration. Even though these negative ads show to have an effect on the polls, many voters have their own opinions. "To be honest they could have used the money a lot of different ways a lot of different and better ways it's a shame that they feel they have to waste that much money on getting into an office and keeping it. I am going to be so glad when they are all over. I think the negativity has just really downgraded our voting system. I thought there was too many of them and it kind of detracted from what was really going on. I think they come on to early and they are on too much. Its gets so you don't even watch them," explains Jendrysik. He also says that negative campaigning can discourage people from voting all together. "Negative campaigning discourages people from voting and if you think you can win with a lower voter turnout you might want to discourage people from voting you might just want them to say they both stink, they're both terrible, why would I vote for either one," describes Jendrysik. With an average of 82 percent of negative ads from President Obama and Governor Romney, the polls show that most want the campaign season to come to an end.
Thin is no longer in | Taylor Braith reporting
When it comes to, college and pro football ranks, thin is no longer in. A look at the past and present of this sport shows an increase in player size. The men in the trenches also known as the lineman have been becoming larger for the past thirty years. They're now pushing the limits of size while still maintaining athleticism. Mike Mannausau played linebacker at the University of North Dakota and is in his ninth season coaching at his alma mater. He has been able to see these changes first hand. "The biggest surprise for me though in my playing career and coaching career, not only has the size gotten bigger but the athleticism has stayed the same or in some regards gotten better. It is very impressive now to watch some of these big offensive linemen, how athletic they are," says Mannausau. College and the pros have both seen this influx of girth to their games. The NFL Archives show the size of offensive tackles has increased from six foot four and two hundred and sixty four pounds in nineteen-eighty to six foot six and three hundred and fourteen pounds in today's game. These athletes have been pushing the limits and the scales while still maintaining supreme athleticism. Last year in a workout USC left tackle Matt Kalil, now a member of the Minnesota Vikings ran the forty-yard dash in 4.99 seconds at three hundred and six pounds. "Sure makes it exciting, makes it very very challenging as coaches on how and when you use these great athletes with great size," says Mannausau. As these men continue to increase in size some might wonder if it will hurt the sport that America loves."I don't think it's going to be that far away to see a seven foot offensive lineman and a four hundred pound guy that can run and be as athletic as everybody else," he describes. Coach Mannausau thinks the bigger the better.
Interior transformation | Stephanie Scheurer reporting
When our surroundings are happy, calm and comfortable, so are we. One woman brings new life into homes through her creative eye. Tamara Hennessy is an expert when it comes to thinking outside of that ordinary box most of us live in. I have to do a lot of listening first which, at times can be a little bit hard because I just want to sometimes just jump right in and grab something off the wall," says Hennessy, certified home stager in interior design. "When we got in our new house, I had a lot more to, you know, decorate and really didn't at times have a clue what to do," says Deb Dilley, homeowner. But Hennessy shares more than just her divine design skills with her clients. She owns a retail store that provides her clients an opportunity to sell their items. And more times than not, the sales of these items she consigns covers the cost of her staging services. From taking items out of the home, to bringing new items in, fresh ideas, painting, moving things around, and decorating, it all leads up to one big final transformation. "Deb talked about you know they've met a few different times and Deb said Tamara said you know a couple hours and she can do wonders in your house," says Joel Dilley, homeowner. Wonders that will remind this couple that Hennessy touch made their home tasteful and tranquil. "It just makes it so much more worth coming home to," explains Hennessy.
Edgy wedding dresses | Anne Hook reporting
Weddings are glamorized by TV shows such as "Say Yes to the Dress" and "Platinum Weddings. One woman is helping brides step into high fashion before they say "I do." When making that special trip down the aisle, every girl envisions that dream dress. "It's the biggest day of their life. They're looking for the dress that makes them feel like that bride," says Katie Norby. She is a fashion stylist and works front and center to help brides pick out that dream garment. "I like working with people and like working with them one on one to really make that vision of what they want come to life," explains Norby. When it comes to helping girls decide between a mermaid or trumpet style gown, Katie relies on a sixth sense. "A lot of its just intuition and instinct, like me picking out the dresses I pick in the store is just my fashion taste," describes Norby. It's her own expertise as a stylist that influences what kind of dresses are on the racks. "They're more high-fashion. They still have the traditional edges to them but its unique dresses. They're more like pieces of art to me than just your typical, you know, wedding dress," says Norby. According to the U.S. Census, nearly $50 billion are spent annually on weddings along, not chump change when it comes to bouquets and ball gowns. "There definitely is that consumer that wants the big day with everything from the full-out flowers to the huge, you know, couture dress," explains Norby. But beyond the commercialization, it's about helping every bride fulfill that childhood dream. "It's like playing dress-up, you know, at a much older age," describes Norby.
Weather folklore | Stephanie Waldref reporting
The weather changes daily and has different effects on everything and everyone. Different pressure systems seem to have one of the biggest impacts on daily weather. “Typically with low pressure you usually find stormy weather conditions so the winds are blowing rather strong. You also see clouds and precipitation. With a high pressure you’re talking about sunny skies, no clouds, generally good weather conditions,” says Fred Remer. Weather affects our plans, our moods, and some say, our pain. “In your joints those tissues, and also fluids, around your joints tend to expand and contract with pressure. As you have an increase in pressure you can see a contraction in some of those tissues and also in those fluids. And adversely if you have low pressure you should see an expansion of those tissues and also those fluids,” explains Fred Remer. With the weather changing daily, along with our body aches and pains, it brings up the question whether or not they have anything to do with each other. “They’ve taken people that have rheumatoid arthritis and they ask them when they feel pain, they didn’t tell them about the changes in pressure, and they’ve noted there’s really not that much correlation between changes in pressure and aches and pains,” says Fred Remer. I wouldn’t trust the forecast with anyone’s joints, but maybe there is some truth to this old wives’ tale.
