Possible deep cuts for bailout companies

The government bailouts of 2008 sparked controversy about executive salaries within the salvaged companies.  Now, the Obama administration will force the seven companies that received the most aid to slash compensation, an anonymous official said Wednesday.

The 25 highest paid executives will have their paychecks cut by about 90 percent, according to the official who spoke under anonymity because the decision has not yet been announced.

All other executives will receive a pay drop of about 50 percent, the source said Wednesday.

The companies are Citigroup, Bank of America, the American International Group, General Motors, GMAC, Chrysler and Chrysler Financial, according to the Associated Press.

The Treasury Department will announce the cuts within the next few days, the anonymous official said. 

My Take: This is my top story because of the national impact that the bailouts had. I thought that the story was especially unique because the source refused to provide his or her name, yet national news sources are still covering it and attributing to the unnamed official. Also, I think this story is especially newsworthy because the executive salaries have been controversial and there have been uproars throughout the nation about corrupt executives making millions while their companies fell apart. I am curious to see when and how—and if—the Treasury Department makes this announcement.

Flu diagnoses for hundreds of Onondaga County students

Syracuse.com is reporting that the number of flu cases rose significantly in Onondaga County this week.

Nine of 18 Onondaga County school districts reported an increase in sick students, according to Dr. Cynthia Morrow, county health commissioner.

Health officials will no longer perform tests to differentiate between the swine flu and the regular seasonal flu. Health workers will assume that a person with flu symptoms has the H1N1 strain, Morrow said Wednesday.

Absentee rates were nearly 9 percent in the North Syracuse School District and 10 percent in the Auburn Enlarged School District on Wednesday, which are about double the normal number of absences. Syracuse City School District did not have a higher absentee rate, according to Mike Henesey, a guidance counselor speaking for the district.

Onondaga County still plans to hold clinics to give students the H1N1 flu vaccinations in November, Morrow said.

My Take: H1N1 is just starting to hit Onondaga County after months of preparation and speculation. I find it very interesting that health officials will not be testing to see if their patients have the swine flu. From what research I’ve done, it seems that the testing is expensive and doesn’t alter the recovery methods. I think this is a story of interest for the college community and the local community because swine flu has been a highly discussed topic, and people want to know that flu cases are increasing drastically in the area. Personally, this story is of interest because my sister was diagnosed with the swine flu yesterday, although they did not give her the testing to confirm it. 

Cops called about journalist’s conduct

Syracuse.com is reporting that police questioned a journalist after receiving a call that he harassed a Central New York Congressional Candidate. No charges were made against the reporter.

The caller said that Dede Scozzafava, one of three 23^rd district congressional candidates, “felt concerned for her safety” after John McCormack questioned her about tax and health issues, according to police. McCormack reports for The Weekly Standard.

The police were called Monday night in Lowville, a village about 60 miles northeast of Syracuse.

Scozzafava’s campaign released a statement on the blog Politico Tuesday saying that McCormack “repeatedly screamed questions,” although the statement was later deleted.

“I never screamed, I never yelled, I never shouted,” McCormack said.

My Take: I found this story interesting because I’m a journalism student and because I recently recorded a wrap about Dede Scozzafava’s campaign. The New York 23^rd Congressional race has already received national coverage because the seat was vacated by Obama’s current secretary of the army John McHugh. Also, Obama is attending a fundraiser next month for Scozzafava’s opponent Bill Owens. I believe this story creates a new layer of controversy to the campaign.