Problems with News Leads

1. Leads with no news:

University of Montana President Dennis Georgeson issued a statement today on the rising cost of tuition. (What he said about tuition may be newsworthy, not the fact that he issued a statement.)

The U.S. Senate debated the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Dennis Swibold, and senators from both parties gave their views. (A real lead would give us a sense of the debate. What did senators say about this Swibold guy?)

2. Burying the news:

After months of campaign rallies, TV ads and debates, Montana voters went to the polls yesterday to choose a new U.S. senator. (So who won?)

The School Board argued for hours last night before coming to a decision on prayer in the classroom. (What did they decide and why?)

After weeks of wrangling, the City Council voted narrowly last night to limit the number of college students who can share a home in Missoula's university district. (The story's last graf says the mayor promised to veto the decision.)

3. Burying the local angle:

Albertsons, the grocery store chain, announced yesterday that it will close seven stores in three Western states. (So are they closing any in Montana?)