Despite living and working in the middle of a technological revolution, sometimes I need a reminder that we’re not in Kansas anymore. Got one last Tuesday night, when I went to see my nephew play lacrosse (I assume that was my nephew behind that fierce-looking goalie gear, but I couldn’t swear to it).
It was about 7:30 when I prepared my leave-taking by announcing I needed to get home to see who was winning the Pennsylvania primary. Almost before the words settled on the evening air, two lacrosse parents sitting within earshot had whipped out their PDAs to check the latest election news on the ‘net as we sat on the bleachers. Nothing in yet, they chirped on the spot, which was pretty cool. (I went home anyway.)
OK, so maybe it’s time for the same reminder about how we’re not in Kansas anymore when it comes to The Courier-Journal’s Kentucky Derby and elections coverage.
The Derby, one of the biggest local stories of the year, is next Saturday, and the barnburner aspect of the Democratic presidential race has heightened political interest and made Indiana (May 6) and Kentucky (May 20) players in its extended run.
Technology may not have changed everything — longtime C-J readers know that this news organization has traditionally offered big coverage of all manner of horse races — but it most certainly has bolstered consumer-friendly elements of access, convenience and reader participation with the courier-journal.com arm of its reporting.
First, because it happens first, the Derby.
As always, print reports will appear in the days leading up to the big race, and the traditional day-of and day-after sections will offer their customary, detail-oriented coverage of everything from hats to hooves and silks to celebrities.
Online, multimedia manager John Mura said newer traditions will be added onto and begun.
Three-dozen staff and free-lance photographers and reporters will be shooting still and video pictures at Churchill Downs on Derby day, providing many of the “tens of thousands” of photos Mura says will appear on the courier-journal.com site throughout Derby week. He says “every moment will be brought home.”
Seven reporters are blogging on the site, including Jennie Rees, who covers thoroughbred racing for the C-J; she already has recorded a video handicapping of the Derby, and SCENE fashion/beauty director Christine Fellingham will continue her fashion blog this year.
Mura said there will be much more video coverage this year, and it will include the balloon glow and the Pegasus Parade. Also, Buzz columnist Angie Fenton will conduct celebrity interviews throughout Derby day from the Churchill Downs red carpet and from parties throughout Derby night.
A new feature: Runners in the marathon and mini-marathon can check out their finish line pictures on the site. A camera will capture images every five seconds for those who finish in the marathon’s first three hours.
Readers are invited to post their own photos, and to create personal pages and write their own blogs, too.
The link to Derby coverage is courier-journal.com/derbyfun
Election coverage
Though elections fall after the Derby, I’ve already received calls from absentee-ballot voters who want to know when news stories about candidates and specific contests and editorial board endorsements will appear in the print version of the C-J.
Some news stories already have shown up in the paper, and will continue to appear up to the May 6 and May 20 election days for Indiana and Kentucky. Indiana voters will receive a comprehensive recap of election issues in the May 5 Indiana edition of the paper; Kentucky voters will receive a voter guide in the May 18 paper.
On courier-journal.com, voters already can study up on candidates, ballots, voting places and campaign finance.
Metro editor Mike Trautmann said every contested candidate was invited to post biographical information and their stands on important issues. What appears on the site is what the candidates submitted in the candidates’ own words. (Some contests won’t be decided until the fall, so keep that in mind when looking at candidate info.)
Candidates also were invited to have the C-J staff shoot 30-second videos of themselves, talking about why they’re running; they had the option of submitting their own. This year, you’ll find the videos of those who chose this option with their bios on the election Web site, as well as in the video area on the courier-journal.com home page.
On the editorial side, the endorsement for the Democratic nominee for Indiana governor appears today on page H2. The C-J’s editorial choice for Democratic nominee for president of the United States is scheduled to appear in next Sunday’s newspaper. Editorial director David Hawpe said other endorsements in judicial races will appear over the next several weeks.
Election coverage links are courier-journal.com/election2008in for Indiana readers and voters and courier-journal.com/election2008ky for Kentucky readers and voters.
One more thing, speaking of the Kentucky Derby . . .
When our nine-person party was coming back from Florida vacation a couple of weeks ago, I insisted we stop for lunch at a Holiday Inn located off I-75 near Perry, Ga. That’s because a year or so ago I stopped at its restaurant on the way down for a similar vacay. Then, I had noted the name of the restaurant — The Green Derby — on billboards and, unable to face another fast-food stop, we pulled in for the Green Derby’s promised noon buffet. I felt almost at home because there were several, framed Courier-Journal front pages that had Derby coverage on them hanging on the restaurant walls. Was told by a member of the wait staff that the owner is a big horse and Derby fan. Bonus: Food was good and inexpensive, too.
