A convicted felon was allowed into a Greenup County classroom. WSAZ reporter Randy Yohe investigated the case to find out how Dakoda Bowling, the felon, got past appropriate screenings.
This story is an investigation because the reporter didn’t just say a felon was in a classroom, he found out what the breakdown was in the system that allowed him to get there. He wasn’t just reporting the up front facts, he dug deeper.
The reporter did attempt to talk to the target of the investigation – attempts to track him down were unsuccessful and his grandmother told the reporter he wouldn’t have spoken anyway.
The key document in this story was a report on the felon from the Kentucky State Police. A school superintendent said that report came back clean.
A broadcast story accompanies the print story. Within the broadcast package, there are interviews and images of documents. I think allowing the viewer to see things other than words gives the story a greater since of credibility.
Parents will be the most affected by this story. Anyone who knows a school aged child may pass this story along.
The follow up story here should be what has the school or school board done about their screening process. The print version was not over written; the broadcast version may have some shrill tones. This story was from a tip.
The Huntington Weed and Seed Program has been named number three among similar programs in the country. My proposed investigation is to find out if the program is really doing any good the crime in Huntington. Research would include data from criminal activity in Huntington before the program was started, and now after it has received such high acclaims.
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