We are deciated

 

What does it take to get a newspaper out in the remnants of a hurricane?

Our staff hoped we wouldn’t have to answer that question, but when Hurricane Rita touched ground Saturday morning, we knew what we had to do.

Here’s how our paper normally works: After a Tuesday staff meeting with editors and reporters, the staff goes to work on assigned stories and photos. Everything is due Friday, and news editors spend their Friday evenings editing (what fun, right?).

Then, the beginning of layout production of The Tech Talk happens Sunday and Monday nights. Editors take the reporters’ stories and the photographers’ pictures and make the magic happen on the pages.

So, when reports of power outages and leaking roofs in Ruston happened Saturday morning, we figured we needed to get the ball rolling on production as quickly as possible.

After a safe drive through branch-covered streets and flooded side-roads, the editors gathered in our office in Keeny Hall Saturday afternoon.

Some told stories of cable and power outages. We made the office our home for the next few hours and worked hard to get started early on this issue.

A few technical problems happened with our computers (the computing center was also a victim of this storm with water entering their building), but we finally managed to finish Saturday evening. Too bad Sunday turned out to be fine after all.

Oh, and how ironic is this?

Our production manager’s name is Rita. She helps us put the finishing touches on the paper which we lay out.

This process happens from Monday through Wednesday.

So, the hurricane let us get The Tech Talk out on time after all.

This is the kind of dedication we at the newspaper have for you, the readers. Take this issue of The Tech Talk as proof that we really do care about you.

Reward us by reading our work and giving us feedback by e-mailing the editors and reporters (notice the new bylines have e-mail addresses attached to them).

Also, don’t forget about submitting letters to the editor. Let your voice be heard.

So, how did everyone else make it through this storm?

Hope you and your loved ones made it through OK. 

 

Julie Miller is a senior journalism major from Shreveport and serves as editor of The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to jem028@latech.edu.