President Biden Rises in April Polls, but Disapproval Remains High - Broadcast News Story Assignment

President Biden Rises in April Polls, but Disapproval Rates Remain High

Nathan Pipkin

Revised May 3, 2024

    Hello, and thank you for tuning in to Nightly News at Night. I’m Nathan Pipkin, and this evening we’ll be looking at recent polling results in the leadup to the presidential election in November.

    Polls taken in mid-April have revealed that President Joe Biden is narrowing the gap between himself and former President Donald Trump for the upcoming presidential election. President Biden was trailing Trump by four points in February, but, thanks to a surge in Biden’s 2020 voters returning, things are now neck and neck with both candidates polling at 46 to 47% among likely voters across the country.

    The growth in Biden’s support stems in part from solidifying his democratic base. 90% of his 2020 voters are now backing his campaign, which is an increase of 5% since that group was measured in February.

    Trump, on the other hand, has seen a slight decline in support from his 2020 voters, dropping from 97 to 94%.   

    Dissatisfaction with Biden’s presidency does remain high, with 47% of voters expressing strong disapproval. Both candidates continue to struggle with low popularity, with Biden’s net favorability rating inching up to 42% and Trump’s holding steady at 44%.

    If the situation in November reflects these latest poll results, it will be not only a very close race, but a referendum on which candidate seems to be the lesser of two evils. Good night.

 References

E. (2024, April 21). Trump v Biden: Who's ahead in the polls? The Economist. Retrieved April

21, 2024, from https://www.economist.com/interactive/us-2024-election/trump-biden

polls

        Ewing, G. B. (2024, April 13). Biden narrows Trump's voter advantage, per NYT poll. Politico.

Retrieved April 21, 2024, from https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/13/biden-trump

voters-poll-nyt-00152109

        Tran, K. (2024, April 13). Joe Biden catching up to Donald Trump in 2024, poll finds. USA

Today. Retrieved April 21, 2024, from

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/04/13/joe-biden-catching

up-donald-trump-2024-poll/73311777007/

NEW PLANT TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN REPTON, ALABAMA, IN MARCH - News Release Assignment

For more information contact

Nathan W. Pipkin, Minister for Public Relations

Holesome Donut Company

(789) 123-4321

nathandoesdonuts@yahoo.com

 

For release after 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, April 28

 

NEW PLANT TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN REPTON, ALABAMA, IN MARCH

    A new plant employing up to 700 people and manufacturing baked goods will be constructed in Repton beginning on March 31, the Holesome Donut Company announced today.

    Repton, currently grappling with a 14 percent unemployment rate, will benefit economically from the arrival of the donut factory. The new facility, with a planned investment of $3 million, is scheduled to begin construction at the end of March, with November 15 as the target date for completion.

    The 700-position boost to the local job market is expected to offer a ray of hope to families affected by the impending reduction in the local shoe factory’s workforce. The decision to construct the plant in Repton comes after wo years of discussion with Repton city officials, who eagerly anticipate the plant’s arrival. While several other towns vied for the opportunity, Repton stood out due to its strategic location, favorable financing options, and the proactive support of infrastructure officials.

    Holesome Donut Company president Lonny Joe Underwood, a native of Alabama, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “We believe that the future of America, like its past, lies in small towns like this. We want to be an integral part of this community and make it just as prosperous as it should be.”

    The plant, once constructed and staffed, will produce and package donuts for distribution across the state of Alabama. More information about the Holesome Donut Company and its plans for Repton can be found at holesomedonut.com.

Leesburg, Virginia, is Calling! - Travel Story Assignment

Leesburg, Virginia, is Calling!

Nathan Pipkin

Revised May 3, 2024

 

    If you have an upcoming weekend free, and live within driving distance of Leesburg, Virginia, your next choice for a weekend trip should be a no-brainer! Situated between the bustle and glamour of the nation’s capital and the pastoral beauty of Virginia’s farmland, Leesburg is sure to have the right sights, events, and cuisine for all manner of travelers. After spending several years as a local, here’s what I’d recommend to someone making his first visit!

    When it comes to lodging, the area has a number of quaint bed-and-breakfast options. My personal favorite is “Stone Gables,” which beautifully maintains five unique rooms in a stone-gable barn. Stone Gables’ website explains the structure was constructed in 1823!

    That being said, historical lodgings might not be your style. And that’s okay! Part of Leesburg’s charm is its diversity, and that extends to accommodations. Other bed-and-breakfasts abound, and weary travelers can also find refuge in one of eight different chain hotels.

    Once you’re settled in and the time has come to find food, you’ll be met with no shortage of options. Everything from Mexican and Italian to Vietnamese and Peruvian is represented, but my personal recommendation is also a local favorite. “Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers” won our “Battle of the Burgers” back in 2020, as well as the title for “best burger in the region” in 2015, 2016, and 2018, according to Northern Virginia Magazine. After your first visit, I’m sure you’ll understand why!

    Melt’s menu offers over a dozen unique burgers, incorporating ingredients like salmon, fire-roasted southwestern green chiles, and a variety of imported cheeses. My favorite is the “Diner ‘Blue Plate’ Special,” but you could also stop by to try their “Special Burger of the Month,” which changes as frequently as the name implies and never fails to be creative.

    But travelers cannot live by burgers alone—a visit to Leesburg can also be a great opportunity to brush up on American history. Consider heading into historic Leesburg and taking a tour of Dodona Manor, the home of General George C. Marshall. Marshall is now known as “the organizer of the Allied victory in World War II” and the man behind the “Marshall Plan” that hastened Europe’s recovery and earned its namesake a Nobel Peace Prize. This info can be found on the Loudon Now website, but a visit to Marshall’s estate gives travelers a chance to experience some of this history, as well as a peaceful glimpse into domestic life in the early 20^th century.

    Wherever you stay, whatever you eat, and however you decide to spend your time, I hope your visit to Leesburg is one for the scrapbook! Leesburg has lots to offer for those ready to slow down, take a deep breath, and experience life in between the nation’s capital and the farmland of the Old Dominion state.

See below for some related photography!
(Note: I was unable to find a Photo Gallery option in the "Create" view of my YouTube channel.)

Career Catchup - Live Event Coverage Assignment

Career Catchup:

Literature Grads Host a Career Panel at Patrick Henry College

Nathan Pipkin

Revised May 3, 2024

    On the evening of Friday, March 22, students, alumni, and faculty of Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia, gathered for an evening of discussion surrounding the school’s literature major. The event was organized by Rachel Hankinson, who graduated from PHC in 2021. Hankinson promoted the event to current literature students as an opportunity to ask alumni and faculty questions about securing employment after college.

    Hankinson ended her senior year with a revitalization of Westmarch, the school’s then-defunct literary journal. The journal has now been running continuously for three years, and her classmates noted their appreciation that Hankinson continues to contribute to the life of the major by arranging events like this.

    The roster of panelists also included Cory Grewell, who holds a doctorate in literature, as well as alumni Lillie Schmidt, Lauren Crane, Grace Bennett, and Leah Bolzman. Schmidt and Bolzman graduated from PHC over a decade ago, while Crane and Bennett finished their senior years in 2023 and 2021 respectively.

    Bennett said her unconventional internships have included a stint as a dramaturge for Jupiter Theater Company, a local troupe that brings renaissance theater productions to 21st century Northern Virginia. She also said a podcast from that morning was encouraging: “God can’t steer a parked car,” she said. “If you start moving, the Lord will direct you.”

    Attendees of the panel event ranged from freshmen to seniors, who encouraged the current students with stories of internships and job acquisitions. Bolzman said her summer with the Library of Congress sent her toward the path she’s on now: head of circulation at a major branch of Virginia’s Loudoun County Public Library.

    Grewell facilitated the discussion, during which the graduates also discussed the role that the literature major’s assignments and emphases played in their preparation. “All PHC graduates write well,” Grewell said. “Literature grads writing beautifully is the hope.”

Watch a brief excerpt of the event below:

The Missing Piece is You - Advertising Assignment