The Capstone: Gonzo-19 Public Affairs Reporting.

JULY 30, 2022, GONZO-19 REPORT—Fear and loathing sets in as convergent media requires journalists cover all bases of reporting. Journalists stuck at home during the pandemic work remotely. The days of beat reporting and covering a small area of town now require writers and broadcasters unite. In Las Vegas, Nevada, a new reporting entity emerges through the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as an interactive fully mobile press room at the Jaded Patriot Press. CEO Bradley J. Burt returns August 18 meeting up for interview with two people. One is Robert Harley, owner of Harley Fire Productions, and the other wishes she remains anonymous. Her fictitious name is Strawberry Divine. She rocks…

The fear and loathing valedictory speech for capstone 486 concluded the final Gonzo-19 report. However, the journey is not over. The next phase seeks a tour at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. The Gonzo-19 report from Las Vegas profiles the new era of journalism, which interacts with viewership and live streams. Fear and loathing are the subjects. What has happened to your life since the last hour before March 30, 2020, when we began our virtual journey into the void of the pandemic? Gonzo-19 is officially a brand affiliated with Madison College student veteran transfers. We continue dealing with the university Student Veterans of America and the interference by…

The next leg of the Gonzo-19 journey consists of a walk on the strip and a photo safari of the Mirage Hotel and Casino. Fear of economic insecurity plagues the college reporter. Loathing happens when the porn star interview turns into an email with the celebrity threatening to sue you for using their name or likeness. In retrospect, the one-year ongoing visits to Las Vegas witnessed the horror of losing a driver’s license on the flight all the way to leaving with quarters from the Circus Circus slot machines and receiving interrogation by TSA. From introspect, the challenge of becoming acquainted with the adult entertainment industry understands the thuggish lifestyle…

On August 18, the fear and loathing post-pandemic follow up story takes the independent news reporting source to Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Strip for vox pop interviews. The investigation will begin at a club called De Ja Vu, where showgirls entertain and provide steamy live streams for voyeurs on their website, which boasts “1000s of Beautiful Girls & 3 Ugly Ones!®.” We will be meeting up with a porn star expert documentarian named Robert Harley, who spends his time on social media reporting about great venues in Vegas he loves. According to Harley, the porn industry has taken a huge hit, noting the industry is flooded with amateur performers who…

The following valedictory retrospection documents my fear and loathing journey as a university press multimedia journalist, which takes place over several semesters. This essay is dedicated to my number one driver Tom Clementi, my history media teacher at Appleton High School West. Clementi threw me against a wall locker during class and told me I was a waste of his time because I would never get into the university. From March 13, 2020, to March 13, 2022, I took several trips to Las Vegas as a freelance multimedia journalist. I am a member of the National Press Photographers Association working as a consortium student entrepreneur surveying the Las Vegas sex…

As of Monday, April 4, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater witnessed an interim chancellor quit, who weeks earlier was noted by outgoing University of Wisconsin President Tommy Thompson as an asset to education. Thompson visited UW Whitewater on March 7 for his farewell address in the University Center Hamilton Room with Interim Chancellor Jim Henderson. “I had the opportunity to appoint Jim Henderson and name him chancellor,” Thompson said during his farewell speech. “He turned me down the first time I asked him to do something, and I was a little peeved.” Thompson, despite being peeved, thanked Henderson for his work during the pandemic and his role, while chuckling about his…

Jefferson County Board discussed positive financial outlook including expanding broadband services to rural communities Mar. 8. Parks Committee reported updates with Interurban Trail contractor selection and bidding process. County Administrator Ben Wehmeier shared Jefferson County’s financial forecast during his “2022 Budget Amendment/ Carry Over Update” presentation. Line Items 10 and 11 on the agenda provided insight regarding the selection of both a broadband tower installation contractor and a newspaper publisher. The Jefferson County Board provided development overview with Interurban Trail competitive bids for next phases. “We want to present the story of the 2022 results. We have roughly 13,000-line items on our accounts that the finance department manages. I do…

Whitewater Common Council members face strict scrutiny over red text agenda items and discuss Youth Build concerns at Feb. 15 meeting. City Manager Cameron Clapper and Council President Lynn Binnie went back-and-forth with Council Member At Large James Allen, who brought concerns forward over shared governance transparency for public discussion. Allen discussed violations to the transparency ordinance, which overworked staff on a Friday night, who became confrontational with city executives over the agenda’s red texted items. One of the agenda items receiving public comment sought approval with the implementation of the “Youth Build” program at the high school. “He is talking about the items on the agenda with red text,”…

On February 11, fear and loathing at the La Bahn Arena set in with subzero chills. The 50th year anniversary Title IX celebrates the victories like tennis champion Billie Jean King and her efforts moving parity forward. Badger fans love the Edwards family, and the Quinniplac Bobcats understand the Badgers’ women’s hockey team is a force to be reckoned with. The following chronical spans further than 50 years unearthing one of the earliest victories for King and the Women’s Sports Foundation. As on collective bargain, Title IX brings families together and fans to their feet gleaming over the sweet pep band sounds of “Varsity” while t-shirts launched across the Kohl…

The University of Wisconsin Badgers’ women’s basketball team faces Illinois Sunday Feb. 6 including a Title IX meet and greet with players. The Kohl Center hosts the Badgers v. Illinois starting at 1 p.m. Players meet with fans prior to the game inviting all for family interactive games. Title IX evolved women’s sports at universities by requiring nondiscrimination based on sex and gender identity. What’s the big deal with Title IX anyway? Funny you should ask. The quest for women and their Title IX advocacy began in 1972. The Women’s Sports Foundation website’s “History of Title IX” offers insight regarding the journey from 1972. WSF was founded in 1974 by…