1. Local story – Life on the Streets

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/09/06/nyregion/07homeless-in-new-york-city.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0

This story describes just how bad homelessness is in New York City. A reporter was able to capture the stories of people in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. A photograph before each story shows the faces behind each struggle. Each of these stories is important because they describe different reasons why people are homeless. It also gives a sense of why so many people are homeless. One story describes C.J. and Tiffany Dillinger, a couple who have been married for 17 years. Their house was foreclosed, they fell behind on mortgage, and they were both laid off. This explains how easy it is to become homeless even when life is just right. This story was covered effectively because it got a perspective on a variety of different problems people face that lead to homelessness.

2. International Story – Iraqis join an intensifying flow of refugees to Europe from Turkey

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iraqis-join-an-intensifying-flow-of-refugees-to-europe-from-turkey/2015/09/06/aee71eaa-54a6-11e5-9f54-1ea23f6e02f3_story.html

Refugees from Iraq and Syria have been traveling to Europe however they could to seek protection. Their reasoning is that the violence will make it too dangerous to live in their home country. This story is important because it explains just how eager people are to leave. Mohammed Hamed, an Iraqi policeman, left his family to go to Germany before he provides access for the rest of his family. This story was covered effectively because it gives the facts about why Iraqis and Syrians are leaving their countries. It also provides a first person perspective on the difficult journey that lies ahead.

3. National Story – Ousted as Gay, Aging Veterans Are Battling Again for Honorable Discharges

This story explains how over 100,000 service members were discharged between World War II and 2011 for being homosexual. It prevented them from receiving certain benefits, finding employment, and they felt shamed for decades. It is important that people continue to learn to accept themselves for who they are. Nowadays, there is a rise of service members in the gay community who want their honorable discharge to show they helped this country. One veteran named Donald Hallman says he does not care anymore about what people think of him. He has come out about why he was discharged, but has hid this fact for most of his life. This story was covered effectively because it brings light to the rising issue of gay marriage without the reporter taking a biased position.