Writing
Lead Writing + Nut Graph
DOJ GUN CONTROL
Summary Lead: The DOJ surveyed long-term prisoners in 11 state prisons, finding that gun control laws fail to prevent criminals from obtaining handguns legally, often through theft, black market purchases, or gifts.
Nut Graph: The survey that was conducted among 1,874 felons across 11 state prisons, revealed that 75 percent of the respondents believed they could easily acquire a handgun after their release. Despite gun control laws that intend to curb the sails of legitimate retail gun sales, the report suggests that the laws may still serve other purposes. Data showed that only 21 percent of the criminals had purchased guns through legal channels, with most weapons obtained through theft, illegal markets, or from gifts.
Shoplifting Homicide
Summary Lead: A 19-year-old shoplifting suspect, Timothy Milan, died last Saturday after being restrained by bystanders during a chase outside Panzer’s Department Store, with police ruling the death as "excusable homicide."
Nut Graph: Milan, a cook living on Huron Avenue, was caught shoplifting two sweaters. After fleeing the store, three bystanders joined a security guard in apprehending him. Milan collapsed after being placed in a headlock and handcuffed by police. An autopsy revealed he died from lack of oxygen to the brain. Despite the incident, police stated no charges would be filed, as the bystanders were acting in self-defense while restraining a violent suspect.
Huckleberry Finn and Racism
Summary Lead:After complaints about racism in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the city’s superintendent announced the book will be allowed in high school English classes but banned from junior high curriculum.
Nut Graph:
Superintendent Gary Hubbard said high school teachers can continue assigning the Mark Twain novel but must help students understand its historical context, including the racial prejudices of the time. The book, which has drawn criticism for its portrayal of race, will no longer be part of junior high school classes, though it will remain available in school libraries for voluntary reading. The decision follows community discussions about whether the controversial book should be removed from all schools.
MULTIMEDIA STORY
Why are Generation Z Students buying vinyl in an endless era of digital streaming?
In an time that is crowded with digital streaming and an endless supply of new music, students turn to records for a richer listening experience and a physical connection to their favorite music.
For many, vinyl is more than a trend, it is a movement to bring back physical connections to their music. Many students grew up in an era where there wasn’t any physical music. Whether their parents had an iPod, and they were buying music on iTunes, or they grew up with Spotify where they had unlimited access to 60 million songs. Students are beginning to realize the hidden truth, less is more when it comes to consuming good music.
Hannah, a 21-year-old advertising student at Brigham Young University, says that the sound of vinyl is what attracts her. “Vinyl just sounds better,” she said. “When you compare it to Apple Music, you notice a depth in the music, and it feels richer.” This is attributed to the stamping process on the vinyl, where it is often a more accurate sound.
The market speaks for itself. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Vinyl sales have been growing for the past 17 years and surpassing the sales of CDs in 2020. In 2023 Vinyl accounted for 71% of physical format sales, creating a $1.4 billion industry. These statistics showcase how, even in a time of unlimited streaming, people prefer to pay for subscriptions and listen on the preferring physical medium, vinyl.
Hannahs Music Collection
Statistics of Recording Industry Association of America
Less is More
While digital streaming gives users unlimited access to music at their fingertips, Gen Z collectors are realizing the overabundance of music is overwhelming. While streaming in theory allows for users to listen to music from any timeframe or era, many people stick to 5 of their favorite artists in a playlist.
“Vinyl forces me to slow down” said Aubrey, a BYU student who began building her vinyl collection during COVID. “With streaming, I just end up making these playlists that have a weird blend of genres,” said Aubrey. “Vinyl forces me to listen to full albums the way the artist intended”
For Aubrey it is about the listening experience. When she is listening on vinyl, she is actively paying attention, whereas with streaming it gets clouded in the background noise. This uninterrupted experience allows her to learn new things from the artists, pay attention to the album art, and gain a greater appreciation for the music and artists involved.
Aubreys eccentric playlists
Aesthetics
Beyond the sound quality vinyl also appeals to gen z based upon the aesthetics. Record covers, posters, and album art become a décor, and conversation starter.
Having records on display adds a vintage touch to my apartment,” Hannah added. “I even buy albums just because I love the cover art, and it makes me appreciate the artist’s work even more.”
Social media has also done an excellent job at promoting and romanticizing vinyl collection. Many creators promote unboxing videos and showcase different ways to showcase them in their homes. Seeing these shortform videos inspires students to start their own collections. Hannah explains, “Seeing videos of other people getting into vinyl made me want to explore it. And once I got my first record, I was hooked.”
Shopping for vinyl in Provo UT
Record collection
Ownership
Vinyl’s most important pull is the sense of ownership that it gives people. In an era of streaming, companies are charging users to rent their catalogue of music for life, however vinyl and other physical mediums allows consumers to own their music, support the bands they love, and help artists.
Conclusion
Vinyl is more than the plastic it’s made from, it represents a shift in how gen z views the world. From growing up with the constant barrage of modern technology, students have found a way to cut out of the noise and focus on albums, the art of it, and the importance in owning the music that you love.