Ray Ring is an extraordinary reporter. He works for High Country News and has a knack for getting to the heart of complex issues in compelling ways. Here is a story he wrote a few years ago, I was reading it to prepare for the panel discussion this weekend because both Ray and Gayla Benefield will be on the panel.
Whether or not you attend Saturday's talks or not, read this story that asks why Montana's environmental community was not more involved in exposing asbestos poisoning in Libby. This is not breaking news, yet it reads with a sense of urgency and timeliness.
Look at how it is constructed and think about how many people he talked to -- those who appear in the story and those who merely informed it. What makes it so readable? What words and anecdotes does he use to create an image of this community? What makes this a news story rather than an academic consideration of the question of the effectiveness of environmentalists? Enjoy.
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