After Waukon won lsat night’s 3A Semi-final against Algona, I sat down and talk to Iowa’s most winning coach about his second trip to the state championship game…ever:

Good Luck Waukon! They take on Souix City Heelan Saturday.

Lauren ~

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For any of you who follow Ron Steele on Twitter, you may have seen this picture tonight:

You see Ron is modeling our new Multimedia Journalist Kits. If you followed me while I was in Washington D.C. you’ll notice I did a lot of this when I was there. We have enacted new ways to bring you information on multiple platforms. This new kit is complete with a laptop, flip camera, blackberry and dozens or cables and cords that will help us connect to the internet from anywhere.

This week, I’m in Des Moines covering the girls state tournament. I’ll be doing the usual, shoot, edit and write it all myself, but I’m also going to try to bring you some extras. Pending technology and time, I will try to take you behind the scenes of the tournament and hear from fans. It should be fun!!

If you plan to make the trip, let me know you’re there!!

Lauren~

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I’d like to invite you to see KWWL’s Jamie Grey in Guys and Dolls at The Grand Opera House in Dubuque.  The story goes like this: Guys and Dolls- Sergeant Sarah Brown, of the Save a Soul Mission, is vainly trying to spread the Word, and make a difference to the sin and depravity of the streets of Broadway. Adelaide, the showgirl, is desperate to leave behind her seemingly glamorous lifestyle for a white picket fence and a ring on her finger. Nathan Detroit, is trying to find yet another new location for his floating dice game, keeping just one short step ahead of the law. The gamblers themselves, eager for just one more roll, for that winning streak. And the coolest, highest roller of them all, Sky Masterson, who would bet on anything that would turn him a profit. One of America’s best loved musicals featuring the hit songs “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” and “If I Were a Bell.”

That of course all taken from The Grand Opera House website.  Now Jamie plays a Hot Box Girl…funny thing is I played a Hot Box Girl when I was in Guys and Dolls at Franklin Middle School in Cedar Rapids.  Go BOLTS!

Here’s a preview of Luck Be A Lady:

You can check out the show February 26, 27, 28 and March 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. All evening shows
7:30 pm and Sundays 2:00 pm Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for children (12 & under).

ENJOY! And of course if you see Jamie there…be sure to tell you good job and you read about this on my blog!!

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Okay so since I did the story on 3 year old Wesley Muresan…it’s absolutely blown up across the country.  His story has aired on NBC station in D.C., Minneapolis, St. Louis, Georgia and Colorado.  It’s also appeared on MSNBC, Fox News and the Bill O’Reilly Factor.  Wesley was featured on the Pinheads and Patriots segment…as a Patriot for his skills at age 3. Click on Pinheads and Patriots then “2/23″ You’ll see him featured there.

His parents recently posted another video of him doing some pretty sweet tricks. Check it out:

I am amazed at this kid! Tomorrow the Today Show will be shooting a story about him at Sundown. He’ll be feature later this week. I tell you what…he probably had no idea it’d be come such a big deal!

Here’s another look at my story:

http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=12010110

ENJOY!

Lauren~

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Okay…so yesterday I shot an amazing story with Wesley of Dubuque.  You see Wesley is 3 years old, he’s been snowboarding for two months and he’s rocking the slops!  He does rails, tricks, jumps, half pipe and so much more.  He’s amazing.  It’d keep talking but the video his mom put together explains it best:

AMAZING isn’t it!!! haha.  It was fun to meet the family out at Sundown.  I look forward to seeing Wesley in the Olympics someday…I’ll say “I covered him once when he was 3 years old!!” haha.

Happy Olympics!

Lauren~

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This was the video I’ve been waiting to post all week…I forgot to upload it.  BUT this is the last song of the night. Right before we announced that we raised $2,000!!!

SWEET TIMES!!

Thanks again to all who donated! You are all amazing!

Lauren~

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WOW! For the last two days I have been on a high. Saturday night, hundreds of people packed The Bank in Dubuque for ONE LOVE. As you know, I’ve been talking about it for weeks. Our goal: raise $1,000 for The Haitian Project . Well…based on the title you already know…WE RAISED $2,000 from the event!!!!!!!!

I am amazed by the generosity of everyone who attended. Not only were people willing to donate at the door, but they bought raffle tickets for several prizes and supported the cause by purchasing t-shirts and bracelets too. Of course in the midst of all of the night’s action I forgot to take many pictures, but I did steal a few from my friends. I have videos to come!

I would like to give a special thanks to The Bank for letting us use their facility. Also thanks to The Melismatics for playing AWESOME music and supporting the cause. And the thanks continues: Diamond Jo Casino (Carrie Tedore) for donating raffle items (including Bret Micheals tickets, Alley Cats Rentals and tickets to Laughing Moon Comedy Club), the students at Loras College who donated their time to watching the door, selling raffle tickets and promoting the event, and of course anyone else who attended that night. I was and still am amazed by everything. $2,000 is twice our goal and will go directly to Haiti. I am sending the check this week. They appreciate our efforts and to be honest…its the least we could do for a country that’s lost so much. I promise you this…WHEN I go back down to Haiti I will make sure and document it all. I will share it with you and I will keep you posted.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Here the Melismatics are rocking out on stage!

These two were out greeters all night. They raised a lot of money just by asking for donations at the door.

Here is one of the students who helped with the cause.

Again…THANK YOU…and there will be more pictures to come!
LaureN~

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One month ago today, the country of Haiti was devasted by an earthquake. Since then we’ve seen an outpour of support from all around the United States and all around Eastern Iowa. I have been inspired by the number of busineses, schools and organizations that are working hard to raise money for the cause.

As I have mentioned in the past, I have been to Haiti. Two years ago I went down with The Haitian Project. A group of us from Loras College spent a week on the Louventure Cleary School campus. We hosted soccer clinics, did maintainance and found time to simply talk with students about their country and their lifestyle. I visited an orphanage, which I will never forget how much I learned from that experience. The things I saw and experienced have made a lasting impression in my heart. That is why I felt the need to do somethign about it. AND TOMORROW YOU CAN TOO!

It’s call ONE LOVE: A fundraiser for Haiti.
Who: The Melismatics, MaryJo Dunne, Lauren Squires, Michelle Bechen and The Haitian Project
What: ONE LOVE. On the eve of Valentine’s Day (Single’s Awareness Day) we invite you to celebrate with all your friends,and loved ones. Drink for a good cause. A night of support for Haiti. Featuring LIVE music from The Melismatics, $1 roses for that special someone. NO COVER, but at voluntary $5 donation to The Haitian Project. $10 t-shirts for the cause, prizes and drawings (including tickets and meet and greet for Bret Michaels). ALL proceeds go towards The Haitian Project. A group already in Haiti, working to rebuild and continue inspiring.
When: Saturday February 13th, 2010
Where: The Bank (Formally known as Silver Dollar Cantina, Dubuque, IA - Main St.
Why: To raise money for The Haitian Project. Supporting their efforts to continue to help and rebuild Haiti.

ABOUT: The Haitian Project is a Catholic Mission which supports and operates Louverture Cleary School (LCS), a tuition-free, Catholic, co-educational secondary boarding school for economically under-privileged Haitian children. Visit their website: http://www.haitianproject.org/index.htm for more information. Students from Loras College travel down to LCS each year. This year their trip was cancelled due to unsafe conditions and lack of proper training…we still want to help!!!

Come for a drink or stay all night. We want to see you and all your friends. Make it a night to remember and show you love for a country that has taught so many of us…so much about what’s really important in life!

Hope. Love. Support.

“The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Lauren~

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I had the pleasure of speaking to two 5th grade classrooms at Prescott Elementary in Dubuque yesterday.  I told them the in’s and out’s of reporting and all the different stories I cover on a daily basis.  Of course I gave them all a shot at being reporters too.  I wrote something up on the board for them to read (like a teleprompter), gave them my microphone and let them thank you for watching KWWL.  Below are the videos:

Enjoy! And hopefully there are some future broadcasters in the bunch! They were a great group of students!

Lauren~

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Coming from someone who usually starts her workday at 2:00 pm and ends her shift at about 11:00 pm…getting up at 5:00 am is not something I ever do. I usually come into work when it’s light out and leave work when it’s dark. Today was the opposite! I traveled down to Cedar Rapids to talk with Andy Peterson on WMT’s AM 600. We talked about our mothers. Both who suffered from breast cancer. Unfortunately his mother has passed away from the disease (in August) and this Sunday we are airing a story about his mom as a part of our monthly Buddy Check 7 series. You might recall I did a story about my mom in May of last year.

Anyway, it was a great coversation. I recorded it on my FLIPcam. You can’t see my but you can hear me. Listen carefully and you’ll hear both my story and Andy’s story.

Don’t forget to tune in on Sunday at 5:00 pm on KWWL. We’ll feature the story of Andy’s mom and show you why she’s an angel watching over them.

Have a great Friday!

Lauren~

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