Greetings Columbus —
The governor is in town today, and we’ll be in a “scrum” with him about 2:30 p.m.
No, that’s not a word coming from journalists, aggressively trying to get to the truth.
It comes from the official news release the governor’s office sent:
The governor will participate in a roundtable and tour the facility, both of which are open to the media. There will be a media scrum with the governor at 2:30 p.m.
Journalists and sources can and should, at times, have a tense relationship. We’re asking questions they might rather avoid.
But a scrum?
Yes, a scrum. And rugby fans, blood won’t be shed, and it’s all perfectly fine.
In the media world, scrum refers to an informal get-together, usually after an event or meeting. A source makes themself available and reporters gather around and ask questions.
We will be doing that with Gov. Eric Holcomb at the Columbus Learning Center this afternoon.
In “scrum” interactions, reporters can ask questions about any topic and usually the source is not reading from a prepared script. It’s also a good place for followup questions and clarifications about comments made at the meeting or event.
Holcomb is making the rounds in Indiana to talk about workforce development, including how not enough Hoosiers have the education or skills to get jobs.
It’s a critical issue across the nation, that could prove to stall economic growth, pushing companies to consider taking their business elsewhere.
In Columbus and most places, the labor shortage is pronounced.
In fact, Holcomb, in a Jan. 25 interview, said Bartholomew County had more than 1,400 unfulfilled jobs.
“It’s not a bunch of job seekers looking for work. It’s a bunch of employers looking for job seekers,” said Kurt Kegerreis, director of the 10-county Indiana 9 Workforce Board Inc.
We’ll be at the scrum and bring you all the details in Saturday’s Republic.
Here’s what else you need to know —
Residents displaced after east side apartment fire.
Four second-floor tenants were safely rescued in an east side apartment that left an estimated $225,000 in damage, authorities said. Story here.
Muslim-Christian panel has staying power.
Three years after someone spray-painted graffiti messages from the Quran on three local Christian churches, the push for understanding and tolerance continues. Reporter Brian Blair explores how area Christians and Muslims are still working to knock down fear and form bonds. Saturday’s Republic.
Flu factor in death of 7-year-old Columbus girl.
The Bartholomew County coroner has released his report on what killed Savanna Jessie. Click here for the story.
The next big thing for downtown Columbus.
Redeveloped Commons. Check. The Cole apartments. Check. Hotel Indigo. Check. Fourth Street redesign. Check. With lots of projects accomplished, leaders are starting to strategize about a new list. Story in Sunday’s Republic.
School shooting: Lives lost too soon.
Remember the victims, including ninth grader Jaime Guttenberg who loved to dance and hoped to become an occupational therapist and mother, aunt Abbie Youkilis said. “She always looked out for the underdog and the bullied and she probably had been kind to the (former) student who shot her,” Youkilis said. Click here for the story.
Elwood Staffing: Success story continues.
It’s new headquarters at Columbus AirPark is taking shape, and new jobs are on the horizon. Story here.
Wrestlers statebound, and an Olympian tradition at the high school.
Sports reporter Frank Bonner writes: Columbus East got its first taste of an individual title in last year’s state finals. Now, the Olympians are looking for even more hardware with five of their eight qualifiers ranked in the top six of their respective weight classes. Story here.
And this looks like fun …
https://twitter.com/Col_East_Sports/status/964494549413519360
Have a good day. Send your story ideas to [email protected].
