Sunday, September 24, 2023 | 
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Laura Marostica

In this photo taken with a fisheye lens, people watch villain Bane on the screen during the midnight premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises" inside the Liberty Science Center IMAX theater Friday, July 20, 2012, in Jersey City, N.J. A gunman in a gas mask barg
U.S. & World
Shooting awakens debate on effects of violence in the media
In the hours since the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colo., details about the life of the suspected gunman, 24-year-old James Holmes, and his motives remain obscure.
By Laura Marostica
This film image released by Disney/Pixar shows the character Merida, voiced by Kelly Macdonald, in a scene from "Brave." (AP Photo/Disney/Pixar)
Media & Books
Main character in ‘Brave’ fits trend toward realistic female heroines
This weekend, a teenage girl joins the ranks of Pixar heroes — alongside an old man in a floating house, a superhero gone to seed, a robot, a car, a toy cowboy, a monster, an insect, a fish and a rat.
By Laura Marostica
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson star in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1."
Family
Fan fueled
The first seven spots of the top ten midnight records are held by movies based on young adult novels: Harry, followed by three episodes of the “Twilight” series, then two more Harry adventures, and finally “The Hunger Games,” just released in March.
By Laura Marostica
The cost of food and gas rose slightly.
Utah
As temperatures rise, so do grocery and gas prices
The cost of groceries crept up in the Salt Lake Valley this month. Despite significant price cuts on a number of supermarket staples, a cart full of popular items, a tank of gas and a weekend outing was just under $2 more expensive than in early May, according to the Deseret News’ monthly shopping spree.
By Laura Marostica
Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) and Gary (Ben Falcone) in "What to Expect When You're Expecting."
Media & Books
Romantic comedies can shape expectations of what love is really like
Researchers investigating the content of films, especially romantic comedies, are finding that love as depicted has very little to do with real life. Marriage is often portrayed as entirely distinct from romance.
By Laura Marostica
Deseret News editorial board member Catherine M. Stokes, Tuesday, March 13, 2012, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Utah
Fierce and faithful: the righteous life of Cathy Stokes
Stokes’ willingness to speak her mind has shaped her career, her relationships and her faith. In Chicago or Salt Lake City, as a public health professional or a volunteer, within her LDS congregation or right here, in this sunlit office, Cathy Stokes knows exactly who she is.
By Laura Marostica
A new sociological study suggests that many dating sites' claims — that their services will improve the likelihood of long-term relationship success — are insupportable.
U.S. & World
Clicking for love: The perks and perils of online dating
Online dating is a modern paradox. Once widely considered a tactic only for the socially inept, exploring romantic possibilities online has slowly but surely made its way into mainstream American culture. But while dating online definitely has its advantages, a new sociological study reveals that many dating sites’ claims — that their services will improve the likelihood of long-term relationship success — are insupportable.
By Laura Marostica
While social networking can significantly help employees in their jobs, it may also jeopardize their careers or their chances at being hired.
Business
More hiring managers use social media when considering job candidates
New research from the site CareerBuilder found that more than one third of companies surveyed use social networking sites to check out job candidates.
By Laura Marostica
Passengers participate in a memorial service, marking the 100th year anniversary of the Titanic disaster, aboard the MS Balmoral Titanic memorial cruise ship, at the wreck site in the North Atlantic Ocean, early Sunday, April 15, 2012. Cruise ship passe
Utah
Titanic: the unsinkable cultural phenomenon
With the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the event has re-emerged as a talking point in the media and an enduring public fascination.
By Laura Marostica
Missionaries enter the auditorium for a Tuesday evening devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo, Utah, March 8, 2011.
Utah
A day in life of Mormon missionary in Uganda observed by NY Times
In keeping with the Mormon moment, missionaries serving in Uganda were observed and asked about their day-to-day life and their goals, during their mission and after it.
By Laura Marostica
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Family
Fame and fortune: the new focus of TV for kids
By Laura Marostica
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Business
Salt Lake supermarket prices flat, gas goes up again
The cost of groceries stayed mercifully flat in the Salt Lake Valley this month, according to the Deseret News’ fantasy shopping spree.
By Laura Marostica
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Family
Parents more important to test scores than teachers, study says
A new study from the UK found that home environment was five times more powerful than school environment on the variation in teenagers’ test scores, adding more evidence to the debate over which childhood influences will alter educational outcomes.
By Laura Marostica
Social media is changing the game for consumers. The dance between company and customer could change with a click.
Business
Social media changing customer service, disaster relief
Heather Armstrong had not planned to have a fight with an appliance company. But her brand-new, not inexpensive Maytag washing machine had broken down, and the timing could not have been worse.
By Laura Marostica
"Hunger Games" looks like a blockbuster, with a waiting fan base, attractive stars and iPod-ready soundtrack. Filmmakers say it's true to the book trilogy.
Media & Books
Dark, thorny themes make ‘The Hunger Games’ a case study for children, violence
“Nervousness seeps into terror as I anticipate what is to come. I could be dead, flat-out dead, in an hour.”
By Laura Marostica
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U.S. & World
New survey of prison chaplains shines light on religious life in jail
Four out of 10 state prison chaplains say religious extremism is somewhat or very common in the correctional facilities where they work, according to a survey released today by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
By Laura Marostica
According to a new survey released on Wednesday, teachers have their lowest job satisfaction in more than 20 years.
U.S. & World
Teacher morale at lowest point in more than 20 years
According to a new survey released on Wednesday, teachers have their lowest job satisfaction in more than 20 years. At the same time, the number of teachers who were fairly or very likely to leave the profession entirely rose.
By Laura Marostica
Grocery prices snuck upwards for the second month in a row in the Salt Lake Valley.
Business
Grocery prices, gasoline higher two months running in the Valley
Grocery prices snuck upwards for the second month in a row here in the Salt Lake Valley. The average cost of a shopping cart of grocery staples, a weekend outing and a tank of gas to make the trips totaled nearly $5 more than an identical list did last month, according to the Deseret News’ fantasy shopping spree.
By Laura Marostica
Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks during a campaign stop at the Knights of Columbus, Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, in Lincoln Park, Michigan.
U.S. & World
Debate over higher ed heating up between Rick Santorum, President Obama
Numbers, Rick Santorum’s comments and the president’s reaction all play into the roiling debate over the role of higher education in the United States — a discussion which, in an election year, is ripe for politicization.
By Laura Marostica
Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum gives a thumbs up to a supporter at the Livonia Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, in Livonia, Mich.
U.S. & World
Debate over higher ed heating up between Rick Santorum, President Obama
On Friday, the U.S. Census Bureau released new data from 2011 showing that 30 percent — the highest rate in history — of Americans 25 and over hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
By Laura Marostica
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U.S. & World
New census data show more Americans earning college degrees than ever before
Census data released Thursday show 3 in 10 Americans 25 or over held at least a bachelor’s degree in 2011. The reports also showed various groups gaining ground as well as persistent education and income gaps between races and genders.
By Laura Marostica
Education
A new attempt at making online education cool
Educators have published a defense of online education that resembles an internet meme, one of the most popular methods of digital communication today, in hopes of attracting more people to their cause.
By Laura Marostica
Olivia Zamarripa, right, is comforted by another parent as she speaks in front of the Adelanto School Board about the bullying issues her son faces at Desert Trails Elementary School and hopes the Parent Trigger law can help reform the school during the b
U.S. & World
Parents’ attempt to take over school prompts debate and a movie
One California community’s fight over who has the power to take over a school exemplifies a national debate and has caught the interest of Hollywood.
By Laura Marostica
Melissa Joy Dietzel
Utah
New details emerge on BYU graduate’s death in Australia
The body of BYU graduate Melissa Joy Dietzel, 22, was identified this week in Australia. Officials and family members confirm she committed suicide and that mental illness runs in her family.
By Laura Marostica
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Utah
Grocery prices in Salt Lake Valley inching up in the new year
For the first time since October, the average cost of a trip to the grocery store in the Salt Lake Valley inched higher this month. According to the Deseret News’ fantasy shopping spree, the total price of a cart of popular items, along with a tank of gas and a weekend outing, was more than the total for the same things on January 5.
By Laura Marostica
Vivan Perez prepares bowls of fruit for lunch in the kitchen at Kepner Middle School in Denver on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.
U.S. & World
New school lunch rules both cheered and chided
When the new federal regulations for America’s school lunches were officially declared Jan. 25, they were mostly met with approval and applause. But less than a week after the announcement, critics are already emerging.
By Laura Marostica
Reading Specialist DeAnne Wilie works with second graders Alejandro Flores and Olivia Baarsma at Hillsdale Elementary School in West Valley City.
Utah
At 10-year mark, No Child Left Behind is far from reaching its goals
“When you get your book, put your finger on the title and stop.” Alejandro and Olivia, second-graders at Hillsdale Elementary School, dutifully follow Ms. Willie’s instructions. They are working with Willie, a reading specialist, while their classmates are at recess. They read the book’s title together, carefully enunciating each word: “A Nut in a Cup.”
By Laura Marostica
In this June 7, 2010 photo, graduates listen to the commencement address at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Education
Youth have higher educational expectations for the future, study says
When it comes to school, young people’s lives are not the same as they were 40, 30 or 20 years ago, according to a study released last month by the National Center for Education Statistics. Opportunities, expectations and enrollment rates — at least in the realm of education — are higher than ever.
By Laura Marostica
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Utah
New study confirms great teachers change lives
The New York Times, the study spent 20 years tracking 2.5 million students (grades 3 through 8) in a large urban school district. The authors concluded that, “Teachers’ impacts on students are substantial. Replacing a teacher whose true (value-added) is in the bottom 5 percent with a teacher of average quality would generate lifetime earnings gains worth more than $250,000 for the average classroom.”
By Laura Marostica
Utah
Cost of food expected to rise in 2012
In recent months, the Salt Lake Valley has benefited from holiday sales on popular grocery items, keeping prices relatively stable. This month, the cost of the Deseret News’ fantasy shopping spree dipped again, this time by 3 percent.
By Laura Marostica
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