Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis

We were driving to meet friends for dinner when the bridge fell, and I'll be forever grateful that we weren't on 35W. The news footage was surreal, and left us all quite shaken. I'm so very sad for everyone who was there.

My story about it is here. ( http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com/miss_ts_mystery_ho... )

First, I am glad that you and yours are safe, Elana. I pray that the toll does not worsen as the recovery operation gets underway.

In the coming days, we will hear talk about our nation's crumbling infrastructure, just as with the recent steam pipe explosion in New York City. There may even be a Congressional hearing or two. This morning on MSNBC, I heard that the cost or repairing the nation's bridges, roads, tunnels and pipes roughly equals what we are spending in Iraq.

The job ahead for bloggers and citizen journalists is to follow up on these issues, both locally and nationally. At our BlogHer seminar on political coverage, Amy Gahran ( http://www.poynter.org/profile/profile.asp?user=18... ) made the excellent point that this kind of follow-up is exactly the kind of thing that the daily press does not do well, for many reasons. But bloggers can, and by directing public attention to these issues on an ongoing basis, there is an opportunity, perhaps, to prevent future tragedies.

Here are some places to start:

1. Poynter Institute has a tip sheet ( http://poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=127742 ) with links to information about bridges in your area, expert sources, and more.
2. The Society of Investigative Reporters and Editors offers tip sheets and databases ( http://www.ire.org/inthenews_archive/bridgecollaps... ) on the nation's bridges, flooding, and a host of related issues. Some are free and others are for purchase.

I'll pass along other good information sources as I find them.

Kim Pearson

BlogHer Contributing Editor ( http://www.blogher.com/blog/kim-pearson )|Professor Kim ( http://professorkim.blogspot.com )|

I am glad you are ok. The whole thing is horrific & distressing. I appreciate you taking the time to write such a good account of what it feels like to be there. I've looked at lots of photos online, and yet, I, someone who has bridge phobia, still can't even begin to imagine how awful it must be for everyone.

Wisebread ( http://www.wisebread.com/jessica-okon )
Amuse Me ( http://easilyamused.tumblr.com )

I've been watching the coverage on CNN since last night. Wow. Just too unreal.

Five Dollar Camera ( http://www.fivedollarcamera.com/blog/ )
Hypnotizing Chickens ( http://kathy-p.blogspot.com/ )

(I would have made a better effort to meet you in Chicago.)

It's dizzying trying to keep up with what's going on. The pictures and stories are crazy and I'm just relieved that no one I know seems to have been harmed.

Glad to hear you're okay.

I didn't realize you were from MN. This is incredible. It feels, to me, that the entire metro area feels the immpact of this bridge collapse. Thank you for covering this.
Nickie's Nook ( http://www.nickiesnook )
and Nickie's Nook the Book ( http://www.nickiesjourney.info )

I'm glad to hear that you weren't involved in this incident and have prayed for the survival of those who were. Thank you for helping to make it a personal event rather than merely witnessing it as something that happened "over there" to "those people."

Peace,
Shonnie

Shonnie Lavender | Coach, Author, Speaker
MyBlogCoach.com ( http://shonnielavender.com/blogcoach ) | Lavender Log ( http://shonnielavender.com/blog ) | I Do! I Do! ( http://marriagevowworkbook.com/blog )

I didn't know you lived there! We quickly checked on someone we call "Food Julia" (due to her previous career) and she was ok. She tried to go down there to report on it, she's in "news" there, but they sent her away from the area. She's got some photos on Gather I believe.

I just kept watching the video and saying OMG, OMG, OMG - how does something like that happen?

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High ( http://fasttimes.clubmom.com ) & Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net</a )