July 2, 2026

Here are some detailed stories of my early days in journalism

Summer 1973: Oregon Journal Intern

Tales of the Cop Shop
I worked the morning police beat that summer. We filed by teletypewriter from the Police Station press room, a few blocks from the Oregon Journal newsroom. This is a sampling of my stories on my first two days

Oregon Journal Stories
First story, first byline, worst story (40% of Portland Police May Cheat On Wives)

Summer 1974 Associated Press
Early Days at the Associated Press Boston
My first 10 days at the AP, August 5-15, 1974. Not much news, other than Nixon resigning.

Wire Service Days

February 1975: UPI
My UPI Application Essay

October 1975 UPI Boston
Oops! Personal Message Filed On Client Wire
October 1975; Jack Griffin hits “file” instead of “delete,” and a flippant message I wrote about an injured woman moves on the AAA wire.

Spring 1976 UPI Hartford

Adjourning the Connecticut House so I could See My Girlfriend

June 1976 UPI Hartford
Failed Restaurant Review
I took my client editor/girlfriend to the Palace Restaurant in New York and tried to file a review. Bernie Caughey kicked my ass for trying.

October 1976 UPI Hartford
My UPI Resignation Letter
I followed my heart to SF to be with my girlfriend. My excuse was my contract to write Aspirin Therapy. Healion marked my personnel file, “Recommend Not To Rehire”