They arrive at Gray's Lake Park in the morning, basking on borrowed time of a mild mid-November, realizing the winter can arrive any day like layoffs without warning.
They are the unemployed, strolling with friends, partners or retirees, or sometimes alone. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone knows someone else out of work in what some call "The Second Depression."
They are neighbors, acquaintances, family members, colleagues, friends. ...
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Excellent mix of information makes this story meaningful to anyone. Great material details, anecdotes. Data for context. Emotional quotes. Very well worded, too.
a poignant report which focuses on personal stories told to the reporter in a particular place in iowa, about how the economic downturn effects the storytellers. the writer includes some local statistics to confirm those stories. the method makes very personal the effects, including emotional stress and depression leading to suicide, needing cheaper food or that supplied by food banks and the difficulty of finding and/or keeping jobs, in a way that the typical statistical story does not. the story ends positively with a freelance businesswoman finding a way to make it.
Informative and moving report about the human impact of the recession in Iowa. The reporters provide good factual evidence and interview a number of Iowans who are now out of work to paint a troubling picture of how unemployment is changing their lives -- leading some to visit pawn shops for the first time. Well written article with a local perspective on an important issue that is affecting all Americans.
Disclosure: Michael Bugeja is an advisor and editor at NewsTrust. He's also an experienced journalist, as this article makes abundantly clear.
What evidence is provided that the increase in suicides is related to the downturn in the economy? Cause and effect seems to be the goal, but I'm not certain the article nails this down. Anecdotal evidence throughout the piece is supported by statistical fact to support that economic impact goes well beyond the few stories shared. Quotes from local business owners and managers that have been impacted (beyond airport stats and McDonald's prices) might have created a more well rounded article. Why did the hospital lay off the nurse? Having had to let people go in the past, I know this can cause substantial psychological trauma for business owners and managers as well - not that this lightens the load for those unemployed.
Businesses sometimes use economic downturns as reasons to trim "fat" even if there is no more fat left to trim. Remaining employees are often willing to pick up the slack by working longer hours for reduced pay. This often to line the pockets of businesses with dubious ethics closer home, but no less repugnant than the Ponzi and subprime schemes hatched afar. The large headline stories of Madoff's of the world hide the possibly more widespread story of businesses squeezing the ... More »
Emotional trauma especially affects girls. The State Department of Public Health reports that in 2008, 13 percent of 11th grade females tried to kill themselves. In fact, ... More »
Paints a picture of what the economic recession looks like in Iowa. Good use of anecdotes with economic stats that contextualize the stories. recommended read.
An outstanding piece of journalism on unemployment in Iowa. It backs up its anecdotes with hard data to a degree that is unusual. At least in the online version of this story, the photography should have received better play.
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