Journalism Students Discuss the Ins and Outs of good Journalism
Students of Jesse Miller’s CMM 211 Journalism class construct thoughts and ideas about the nuances of journalism that can elevate their writing.
February 4, 2025
Casey Jordan
UNE Student
During class on Friday January 31’st students broke the ice on areas to focus on in their future writings, flipping what some previously knew about journalism on its head.
Students met in room 217 in Marcil hall to attend Professor Millers class on journalism. Miller, a former leader of UNE’s school newspaper “The Bolt” was adamant about the importance of the nut graph in journalism. Stating to his students during class, “If you are reading to learn the brain asks questions, the nut graph is there to answer those questions”. Further going into the substance of the nut graph. That being the who, what, when, where and the “deeper why” of the story. Being three to five paragraphs in and full of the answers the readers are looking for, the nut graph is hugely important to the reader.
Another powerful element of journalism that reaches a deeper level then the nut graph is the watchdog element.
Students shared their thoughts on this during another discussion lead by Professor Miller. The discussion covered the basis that journalism is the ability to critique power. Student Anthony Lacaprucia stated, “The watchdog element in journalism keeps an accurate record of those in power”. If we we are not able to report on powerful people, we would face tyranny. Thankfully, there is plenty of critique in journalism today as journalists job is to report on what they find, like it or not. Without the watchdog element in journalism, we would find ourselves in a less free society.
This class period brought lots of information to the table on how students can be better journalists. The discussion lead by Professor Miller engaged students to share their ideas and findings with one another. The melting pot of journalistic knowledge had something that every student could benefit from learning.
BLOG PROJ 2
https://www.statepress.com/article/2024/11/teddy-bear-hospital-at-asu
Teddy Bear Hospital USA at ASU is making healthcare enjoyable for kids
Arizona States student organization starts up a “Teddy Bear Hospital” with the goal of helping kids be less scared of going to the doctors. They let kids come in and pretend to be a doctor or nurse then do medical procedures on Teddy bears. They are also taught about anatomy by the Teddy bear Hospital staff. The fun and innocent spin on going to the doctors was brought in by ASU senior Reagan Campbell. Campbell is a senior nursing student who recognized the potential impact this program has; “Our ultimate goal, obviously, is to go into schools and put on our little Teddy Bear Hospital”. This creative approach to health education is a promising step in making the doctors less scary to children. With the student organization staff like Campbell providing hands on education about anatomy and medical procedures. Kids at the Teddy Bear Hospital are in good hands.
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/01/photo-insight-peach-bowl-677863ca707bb
Insight Gallery: How ASU football made history this season
The Sundevils football team went on a historic run in the 2024 football season. Fans have watched in disappointment for many years as the program has struggled as a whole; “Over the years, I’ve witnessed changes to the campus, university and stadium — but not much success on the field”. However this season was a complete energy shift at Arizona State. In their first year in the BIG-12 conference they came out on top. Winning the conference championship, along with a berth into the College Football Playoffs. Lead by future 2025 NFL draft pick running back Cam Skattebo, ASU football put themselves on the map this year; “This season has been full of unforgettable moments”. Although the playoffs did not end in a victory, the Sundevils have a lot to be proud of. With even more to be excited for in the future
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https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/02/ai-in-film
Tool or takeover: Film students discuss AI’s impact on the industry and their education
As Ai continues to become more prevalent in the world, it has snuck its way into Oscar nominated films. “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Pérez” are among two of the films under scrutiny. The creators used AI cloning technology to make their actors singing voices sound better and improve how their accents sounded. ASU film students reflect on this issue and how they need to adapt to the new era of film with AI. They believe that while they are in school their main focus should be to learn as much as they can about the changing industry. As it seems like Ai could become a new norm in the film industry. One students compared the issue to how directors did not want to use digital cameras, and now its all that is used. The students also believe that they cant let AI take away from the creativity and integrity of their work. Stating it should only be used as a tool not the main form of creation. “It shouldn’t be used as something to carry the burden of being creative. That’s something that should be placed on the shoulders of humans exclusively.”
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/02/video-womens-flag-football
Women’s flag football home opener ends up being bigger than the game itself
On Friday January 1st 2025, The ASU womens flag football team played their ever womens flag football game. Although they came up short from the win, it was about more then football. The womens team was estatic to get the chance to play, and they see a bright future for themselves; “we know what we need to work on…we are going to practice really hard”. The team keeps a very positive mindset throughout negativity and encourages each other to “keep our heads up”. The team even drew a large crowd of students body to attend the game making it into a schoolwide event. Even with all the pressure, they put on a great show for the fans. Player Sierra Smith talked about the emotions and difficulty of training every day, but she stuck with it in order to be a trailblazer for younger women looking up to her. “Were going to make a difference, this is making a difference”.
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REAKING: BJ Freeman dismissed from men’s basketball team amid conduct issues
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/02/bj-freeman-breaking
BJ Freeman has offered a bright spot to a Sun Devils basketball team whose season feels “lost”. That spark however, wont return to the court for the remainder of the 2025 basketball season due to multiple conduct issues. Freeman who has lead the team in points all season after transferring from Milwaukee was usually a positive player on the court. After his first altercation with Arizona guard Caleb Love on February 1st, they have not stopped happening for Freeman. He displayed actions that where deemed “detrimental to the team” by an ASU spokesperson on multiple occasions. These actions for the talented transfer ultimately got him dismissed from the team.
USG-T takes action to support funding for Pitchfork Pantry
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/02/community-usg-meeting-67a42d034db43
The pitchfork pantry is a student lead pantry on campus that provides access to free food, clothing, and hygiene products. After outrage from lack of funding from student body who helps run the pantry, senate members of the school met on February 4th to discuss ideas. Hailey Boiarsky, a senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the USG-T government operations chair recommended a small merge with another student lead organization called the Dean of Students; “While the pantry has limited funds … our Dean of Students, their funding is much, much, much more expansive and much more vast,” Boiarsky said. “They have the ability to help students, almost with no cap.” While the Pitchfork Pantry is being reworked, students can still get the care they need. By filling out a “care form” students can be matched with any resources, food, clothing, or hygiene products needed.
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https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/03/skattebo-sued-case
Cam Skattebo named as defendant in 2023 lawsuit by former teammate
A new story emerges surrounding ASU football star and 2025 NFL draft prospect, Cam Skattebo. A teamate of Skattebo who was on the teams roster in 2022 named Mattheos Kategaris alleges that the two of them where riding a golf cart together after practice when everything went wrong. He states that Skattebo was jumping up and down on the rear of the golf cart, causing the bench of the cart to break and Kategaris to fall off. This gave Kategaris a “serious bodily injury” and resulted in months of medical care. Skattebo is now being sued for 300,000 dollars in damages as Kategaris claims he was the “actual and proximate cause” of the injurys he sustained. The story continues to develop as a solution has not been reached.
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/02/tiktok-health-misinformation
Dieting trends are taking over TikTok, raising misinformation and mental health concerns
As more and more people continue to be consumed by the information on their devices daily, the same goes for health advice. However, their is a huge issue surrounding the wrong advice being presented in large quantities online. This issue has started to poke its head on Tik Tok since the start of the Covid Pandemic and only gotten worse. Karson Taylor, a freshman studying nursing has noticed that diet trends on Tik Tok such as extreme veganism and the carnivore diet, are causing people to give up key nutrients like carbs. She goes on to explain the toxicity of the “one size fits all” mindset in Tik Tok nutrition videos. Taylor Zwall, the President of the Cultivate Downtown Gardening Club at ASU weighs in; “It’s all about figuring out what works for you and what you like doing, because if you like doing it, then you know you’re more likely to be consistent and achieve whatever results you’re trying to achieve,”. Claiming that a lot of what we see online is misinformation, and you should listen to your own body instead of someone on your phone.
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https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/03/crow-meeting-spring-2025
Michael Crow speaks on CRU at ASU, science funding, inclusivity, men’s basketball
Arizona State University President Michael Crow, met with The State Press on March 4th, marking the first meeting since President Trump took office. Crow coved many bases in the meeting amid concerns for changes due to the new U.S Presidential Administration. He started by doubling down on his commitment to the ASU science community. However, he stated that it is too early to tell what repercussions the new administration will have “Our overall approach right now is to make our case for why our projects are important and to do the best that we can to weather this moment of uncertainty,” Crow said. The most notable quote from Crow came when asked about the College Republicans United group at ASU asking students to report illegal immigrants. Crow commented on the matter, “Our students that are here are legally here with a wide range of immigration variables,” Crow said. “Our judgment was that communication that they were projecting was borderline, but right at that edge”.
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/03/tariff-effects-on-bars
Alcohol prices are soon to rise with recent tariffs and may impact Sun Devil nightlife
Students at ASU have become concerned with the recent tariff imposed by President Trump. Moreover, their concern is how it will affect their nightlife, with specific tariffs on alcohol. The 25% tariffs on all goods from Mexico and Canada and 10% tariffs on goods from China are the reasons for price increases. Trump backed his decision for imposing these tariffs with the countries safety in mind; “the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl.” These tariffs wont affect the price of drinks made in America such as beer directly. However, as the demand for beer increases due to it being a much cheaper option, the prices will rise. Cara McDaniel, a professor at The Department of Economics states; “Now, it might take a long time for us to really see the effects of those prices because they’re not immediate, like cans (and) canned beverages — those prices probably will respond quite quickly”. With new tariffs being imposed under Trumps Administration, prices of imported goods are slated to rise. Unfortunatley for college students, alcohol is no exception.
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‘Not just a cultural event’: Celebrating and planning Holi 2025
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/03/community-holi-tempe-asu
The vibrant Holi celebration at ASU is a hindu celebration organized by the Indian Students Association. The event takes months of careful planning, and is a loved tradition from ASU students as its attended by thousands of students. According to Asmi Kachare, a junior computer science major and the Indian Students Association director of administration, the significance of the event goes beyond culture. Explaining that it embraces “Diversity, inclusivity, and joy”. For Kachare, who has celebrated the event for three years now, the event holds special meaning with its combination of music, colors, and food. The event takes place on the fields near the Sun Devil Fitness Complex, where participants are encouraged to wear all white to get covered in colored powders, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere. The annual tradition has become a staple at ASU, bringing students from many different backgrounds together.
Misinformation behind the medicine: Opposing views on health care and policy
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/03/misinformation-health-policy
While America is becoming increasingly divided by political views year after year, one thing both sides worry about is misinformation. Specificaly, misinformation from our Government about healthcare. With the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Junior and the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, some worry that healthcare funding is at risk. Melinda Johnson, a Nutrition Professor at ASU believes misinformation comes from non professionals as well; “The general population is becoming more unsure of who to trust when it comes to health information, and this makes it easier for non health professionals to spread misinformation”. This health misinformation scare has been rooted back to COVID 19, and the public being unsure of its vaccine. Johnson is also displaying concern that Kennedys beliefs on vaccines will cause more disease outbreaks; “The concern from public health officials is that his statements will discourage parents from getting their children vaccinated, which will then lead to a rise in cases of things like measles,” Although COVID 19 has become largely out of Americans minds, the distrust in Government and healthcare still lingers.
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‘You can’t innovate on an empty stomach’
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/03/magazine-cant-innovate-empty-stomach
Food insecurity is an uncomfortable reality to live in, and unfortunatley its the reality for over a quarter of ASU students (26%). This is especially challenging for college students as they attempt to navigate their course loads as well as possible athletic obligations. Luckily, the student run organization “Pitchfork Pantry” aims to fight food insecurity of ASU students. Abby Noel is the co- director of the Pitchfork Pantry, and she provides insight on just how damaging food insecurity is “Food insecurity is directly linked to your mental health, your capacity for stability, not only on a personal, individual level, but also on an academic level”. The pantry faces challanges of its own however, as it struggles to gain support from the University itself. “A lot of our conversations have identified that ASU does not like the idea of using a food pantry to counter food insecurity,” Noel said. “They would prefer to go through quote unquote ‘more innovative’ means.” This is discouraing for all involved, and in need of the pantry. However they wont stop their fight to end food insecurity at ASU. Noel states; “Food is used as a measure of protest, food is used as a measure of war — from food shortages to food aid — and a smaller organization like ours, we use food as a measure of community engagement and community support. It’s a way for us to support the people around us, and not only better an individual’s life, but to improve the overall health of our community.”
Boom! Crash! ASU club strikes down concerns about the future of comic books
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/03/comic-book-club-profile
Despite the increasingly consumable digital world of stories and writing, groups of comic book buffs refuse to let the very popular form of stories die. The Comic Book Club at ASU is certainly one of these groups. The Club meets every Tuesday at 4:30 Pm to discuss characters, the universes they inhabit, and new stories. Passion for these books runs deep for President of the Club Jaden Boughton; “For me personally, comics have always been kind of an escape, I just wanted to see people have fun, make friends, to kind of take a break from school because sometimes things can get very demanding.” The Club also dives into other art forms within comic books, one of which being Manga. Co- President Kevin Cruz finds Manga to be his forte “I feel like I’m contributing to someone’s artwork, to someone’s livelihood”, “That’s what makes it special”. One of the broad topics the Club discusses is comic books place in modern media. As they reflect on the changing industry and audience of comic books. Boughton reflects on these changes “The way that comics are written now is different than the way they used to be written,” Boughton said. “They used to be more compressed and now more people appreciate cinematic touches to (the books)”.
BLOG PROJ WEEK 9
President Crow’s AI advisor ideas generate buzz among students
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/03/crow-ai-advising
President of Arizona State University Michael Crow proposes a new head turning idea to ASU. In a meeting with the State Press on October 25th, Crow put his idea of AI academic advisors on the table. He believes this idea can provide a more personalized experience for students as advisors would not have to keep track of multiple students at a time. However, Crows ambitions with AI go even further; “Our hope is that we will end up with an… agent-based AI assistant for everyone at some point, that’s what we’re working for”. In January of 2024, ASU partnered with the creators of the very popular site ChatGPT, marking the start of their AI journey, as well as other AI partners; “We’re working with this particular company, which is called FYI.ai and it was invented and discovered and developed by Will.i.am, the creative genius that he is” stated Crow. Students are not completely sold on this idea however, Freshman Jacob Weinstock offered his thoughts; “When you look at a person, there’s just something there that AI just can’t do. It’s all computer learning,” Weinstock said. “It’s learning what to say based on what you said. It doesn’t actually take what you’re saying and put it through its own mind, because it doesn’t have one”.
‘Survival’ from classes: Minecraft server acts as online escape for ASU students
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/04/the-echo-minecraft-server-builds-community
In November of 2024, a group at ASU called The School of Earth and Space Exploration created a new way for students to de-stress. They created a public server for ASU students to join and collabrote in the worlds most popular video game, Minecraft. The server went underway when the group sent out an inquiry on Discord to ASU students asking if a Minecraft server would be a good idea for students, they where met with a resounding yes. Chloe Haramis, a student studying astrophyiscs and event coordinator for TSES offers insight; “The whole idea of doing the Minecraft server was to bring together both online and in-person students where we can interact with each other and play a game”. The Minecraft server has been running for several months at this point and not slowed down. A regular on the server and Mechanical Engineering Major Hayden Ferrell explained the power of the server; “It kept me in contact with a lot of the people … because it was just a way to hang out over break and during finals week with those in SESE”.
BLOG PROJ 10
ASU student entrepreneurs face a mock ‘Shark Tank’
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/04/shark-tank-coverage
On April 11, several engineering societies at ASU banded together to create a “Shark Tank” like environment to pitch ideas. Student Entrepreneurs would pitch their pre-submitted projects or business proposals to ultimitly gain feedback and insight. Students like Chandra Prakash see this make shift Shark Tank as a great way to get used to talking and presenting in front of others; “I’m participating in this to polish my presentation skills”. There were three parts to the event. The first part was the presentation. Competitors pitched their product and explained the cost to the judges. They had to convince the judges their product was better than that of competitors. The next step, the judges would apply the pressure to the presenters, asking them hard questions about their margins. And finally, the judges would decide if they are in on the idea or out. The event was great practice for the students according to judge Karla Estrada; “(The event) also helps those that do participate and are going to present give them a boost of confidence”.
Revoked student visas at ASU reaches a count of at least 50, students demonstrate
https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/04/politics-visa-protest-revoked-67f7272444fac
Students Protested on April 9th for the second time in less then a week since the student visas revoked reached 50. Green Evans-Shroeder is a law firm where students can receive legal consultation, told Michael Kintscher, a member of ASU’s United Campus Workers Arizona union and a doctoral student studying computer science that the 50 visas have been under fire. Green Evans-Schroeder declined to comment but said in a written statement that “The situation for students across the country is rapidly evolving.” It is currently unclear if more students are in danger and the identities of those who have lost their visas is unkown. “It was eight last week, 50 now,” said Hayden Nguyen, the co-chair of SJP at ASU and a sophomore studying business policy and management. “We don’t know where it’s going to be next week, and we need to build a really strong movement.”
