Author Archives: Ben Bartenstein

Ben Bartenstein is a sophomore at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., studying International Studies and Political Science. At Macalester, he writes and edits breaking news and in-depth sports stories for The Mac Weekly. He is also a Hindsight Fellow with the progressive think tank, Minnesota 2020, researching and reporting on educational, economic, and environmental policy. As the Chairman of the Board for the non-profit African Food Initiative, Ben is working to provide collaborative solutions for ending chronic hunger in the sub-Saharan Africa. Ben is interested in leading collaborative projects to positively impact his community, state, country, and the world. In his free time, he enjoys writing, composing and playing music with The Cloud Nine (his alternative-funk-folk band) and competing in endurance sports competitions. An AAJA J Camp 2011 alum, Ben is grateful and excited to participate in the Voices program to further enhance and broaden his journalism skills and to develop meaningful relationships with other motivated and talented journalists and students.

AAJA returns to N.Y. for first time in more than a decade

August 23, 2013 Comments Off on AAJA returns to N.Y. for first time in more than a decade

Kansas City Star president and publisher Mi-Ai Parrish couldn’t be more excited about this year’s AAJA convention, the first one New York has hosted since 2000. As he explained, “What’s not to like about New York?” With a convenient location ...

Photographers optimistic in wake of Sun-Times layoffs

August 23, 2013 Comments Off on Photographers optimistic in wake of Sun-Times layoffs

Lia Chang, left, New York bureau chief of AsianConnections.com, snaps a photo on her iPhone, from left, Sachi Cunningham, Chang . Lee and Marilynn K. Yee. COURTLAND THOMAS | VOICES

With the advancement in photography equipment and ways to share images, some photojournalists argue this is a great time for photography. But don’t expect to hear that from the 28 Chicago Sun-Times photographers who were laid off on May 30, ...

Dropping the mic: Kiriyama retiring as karaoke emcee

August 22, 2013 Comments Off on Dropping the mic: Kiriyama retiring as karaoke emcee

Longtime karaoke emcee George Kiriyama says he is putting his microphone away after this year — and two fellow stars of AAJA’s convention gala have also made noises about following him off stage. All the retirement ruminations from Kiriyama, CNET’s ...

‘What’s not to like about New York?’

August 22, 2013 Comments Off on ‘What’s not to like about New York?’

Kansas City Star president and publisher Mi-Ai Parrish couldn’t be more excited about this year’s AAJA convention, the first one New York has hosted since 2000. As she explained, “What’s not to like about New York?” With a convenient location ...

For AAJA President Paul Cheung, a birthday party on social media

August 21, 2013 Comments Off on For AAJA President Paul Cheung, a birthday party on social media

With more than 2,000 Twitter and Facebook friends combined – not to mention activity on Flickr, Tumblr and other social media platforms – AAJA National President Paul Cheung is a social media guru. That’s why it was no surprise that ...