Journalism
Below are samples of reporting I have done for The Summit, Stonehill College's student-run newspaper. I also had an article published in Commonwealth Beacon about legislation regarding funding for cable access stations. Click on the text boxes to access the full article.
Budget deficit looms large over Easton
By Caleb Tobin EASTON, MA – The town is facing a preliminary FY26 budget deficit of over $6 million, prompting the town to consider cutting services. In a presentation to the Easton Select Board on Jan. 27, Town Administrator Connor Read outlined the town’s efforts to balance the budget and explain what is driving the large deficit. “The coming fiscal year is going to be extremely difficult for this community,” said Read. “High inflation, ballooning insurance costs, minimal state aid, and expiwww.summitnews.org/post/budget-deficit-looms-over-easton
World-renowned photographer visits Stonehill
By Caleb TobinA world-renowned photojournalist visited Stonehill to share stories of sorrow, hope, and how journalists can impact the world. Peter Pereira, an award-winning photojournalist from New Bedford, Massachusetts, presented a variety of photos during his presentation at the Martin Institute on Nov. 12. Pereira is currently a staff photographer at The Standard-Times in New Bedford. He showed photos from his visits to India, Haiti, Guatemala, and from around Massachusetts. “The world isstonehillsummit.wixsite.com/summit/post/world-renowned-photographer-visits-stonehill
Rep. Lynch holds town hall on Trump administration's actions
By Caleb Tobin Representative Stephen Lynch fielded questions from constituents about Elon Musk, Medicaid cuts, and the war in Ukraine at a virtual town hall Monday night. Lynch, who represents Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District, which includes Easton, opened the town hall by speaking against President Trump’s recent actions, which he says have undermined America’s standing in the world. “President Trump’s actions, from beginning to end, represent a clear and present danger to our demwww.summitnews.org/post/rep-lynch-holds-town-hall-on-trump-administration-s-actions
Students voice dining concerns at forum with College leadership
Stonehill and Bon Appétit leaders heard dining complaints from students ranging from insufficient labeling of ingredients to dining hall workers making comments on students’ portion sizes. The near-capacity crowd in Meehan 103 was full of Student Government Association members, class representatives, and students eager to ask questions and have their concerns addressed. One student at the forum said a worker at The Commons, the main dining hall on campus, made inappropriate comments about her stonehillsummit.wixsite.com/summit/post/students-voice-dining-concerns-at-forum-with-college-leadership
Hurricane Helene claims life of Stonehill alum
The life of a Stonehill alum was taken by floods from Hurricane Helene. Jim Sieminski ‘74, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, passed away on Oct. 3 in the floods. Sieminski was a wine consultant at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Classmates say they have fond memories of Sieminski, who went by the nickname “Flash” on campus. “Always nice, always kind. Always one who'd say hi when we crossed paths in class or on campus,” said Susan Pawlak-Seaman, a classmate who knew Sieminski. She said he wastonehillsummit.wixsite.com/summit/post/hurricane-helene-claims-life-of-stonehill-alum
With Election Day approaching, polls show race is close
A new NYT/Siena College national poll shows that the race for the White House remains virtually tied. The poll, conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, shows Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump tied, with both candidates polling at 48%. The last NYT/Siena poll, conducted in early October, had Harris at 49% and Trump at 46%. Other polls have found similar results, with polls from the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and others showing Harris and Trump astonehillsummit.wixsite.com/summit/post/with-election-day-approaching-polls-show-the-race-is-close
University status, dining hall upgrades presented at State of the Hill
By Caleb Tobin Stonehill College will soon begin the process of being reclassified as a regional university, according to a presentation at the State of the Hill event. "Stonehill will become a regional university, and in many ways we already are," said Peter Ubertaccio, vice president for academic affairs.“After you graduate 50 graduate students, there is an official process that the Carnegie Foundation uses to reclassify institutions as a college or university, and we will hit 50 graduate stustonehillsummit.wixsite.com/summit/post/university-status-dining-hall-upgrades-presented-at-state-of-the-hill-event
Streaming fee needed to save cable access channels - Commonwealth Beacon opinion piece
Harris, Trump clash over immigration and abortion at debate
Guest speaker talks voter frustration, Jan. 6 at Martin Institute
Voters across the country are feeling frustrated about the current political landscape, with many feeling that Washington is disconnected from the people it serves. “People talk about politics, but there is a bitter tone to the whole ordeal,” said Scott Ferson, who has been traveling the country listening to voters. The feeling of bitterness about politics was just one topic brought up during his presentation at the Martin Institute on Oct. 29. Ferson has spent the past seven years traveling to stonehillsummit.wixsite.com/summit/post/guest-speaker-talks-voter-frustration-jan-6-at-martin-institute