Local face ... updated

On deadline ...

I've reached more local students at Tech, although I'm stymied on several. That work and some Internet reporting continue to suggest that all of our kids are OK.

I had some misgivings about the status of several kids, and those are tough calls to make. Calling the house, introducing myself, and checking on the kids. That's when you've got to suck it up and tell yourself you're a real reporter, so you've got to do it.

Thankfully, everyone had talked to their kids. Nobody was offended by my asking, but I got a variety of response -- thanks and confusion, mostly (who are you, how did you know they go there, etc.).

It helps to be a concerned citizen in those situations, especially one looking to inform others. Having lived through 9/11 and talking to a hometown reporter that day helped too.

Some parents were protective of their kids, but gave me contact info in the end.

The majority of my contacts, though, originated with a call to one parent. She gave me her daughter's cell phone, which led to a chain of other cell phone numbers from her and other students.

---

Newseum and Collegiate Times (see links in previous post) did come through well. They're worth checking out. From the front pages I've seen, I think print media have done well. I see one headline close to the one I have in mind.