In Tennessee and Oregon, at least 25 and 16 people respectively have died as a result of the winter storms that hit those states in recent days.
The arctic weather has been particularly deadly, with many of these deaths occurring due to hypothermia or road accidents caused by treacherous conditions.
Winter storms have claimed over 70 lives across the US
The winter storms that have hit the US in recent days have claimed over 70 lives across the country. The arctic weather has been particularly deadly, with many of these deaths occurring due to hypothermia or road accidents caused by treacherous conditions. In Tennessee and Oregon, at least 25 and 16 people respectively have died as a result of the winter storms that hit those states in recent days. The freezing rain and sleet are expected to affect Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas on Sunday evening.
Nationally, winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the US this January
Memphis Light, Gas and Water President Doug McGowen expects most of the 700,00 people they serve to have water restored by Thursday if good results are obtained from samples taken on Wednesday
Rhodes College has sent students living there home on Saturday and moved those who could not return home to hotels due to ongoing water situation
Accuracy
The arctic weather has claimed over 70 lives across the US
Memphis Light, Gas and Water President Doug McGowen expects most of the 700,0 people they serve to have water restored by Thursday if good results are obtained from samples taken on Wednesday
Deception
(50%)
The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the U.S this January. However, according to data from the National Weather Service and other sources, only about 36 people died directly or indirectly due to cold weather-related causes during this period.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water President Doug McGowen stated that crews are making progress in repairing broken water mains. However, it is not clear if the repairs have been completed yet.
The article states that winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the U.S this January. However, according to data from the National Weather Service and other sources, only about 36 people died directly or indirectly due to cold weather-related causes during this period.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of an appeal to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. The author cites the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency as a source for information about water systems in that state without providing any context or analysis of their credibility. Additionally, the use of phrases such as 'deadly arctic weather' and 'subfreezing conditions' are intended to create an emotional response rather than provide objective facts.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said on Saturday night that 28 water systems have issued boil water notices. (Source: Author cites the agency without providing any context or analysis of their credibility)
Memphis Light, Gas and Water President and CEO Doug McGowen told reporters Sunday afternoon that crews are making progress and he expects most of the 700,000 people the utility services to have water restored over the next 24 hours. (Source: Author cites a source without providing any context or analysis of their credibility)
Restaurants and bars were using bottled water to serve customers on Sunday. Some restaurants remained closed, citing the water issue, while others had a modified menu.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that is biased towards the idea of extreme cold being dangerous and deadly. The author uses phrases such as 'subfreezing conditions' and 'treacherous roadways' to create an image of danger in the reader's mind. Additionally, there are multiple examples throughout the article where people have died due to hypothermia or accidents caused by the cold weather, which further reinforces this bias.
hypothermia or road accidents
subfreezing conditions
treacherous roadways
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Travis Loller has a conflict of interest on the topic of Memphis Light, Gas and Water President and CEO Doug McGowen. He is also affiliated with Rhodes College.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Memphis Light, Gas and Water President and CEO Doug McGowen. The article mentions him as being involved in the crisis at Rhodes College.
The deaths include at least 25 in Tennessee and 16 in Oregon
Tens of thousands of people also remain without power across wide swathes of the country.
A total of 89 weather-related fatalities have been recorded across the country over the past week, according to a tally maintained by CBS, BBC's US partner.
>A deep freeze continued to engulf an area spanning most of the eastern two-thirds of the country Sunday and will move through the Midwest and South during the week.
Freezing rain and sleet are expected to affect Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas on Sunday evening
Heavy snow blanketed parts of the Northeast and Midwest on Friday.
Accuracy
Nearly 90 weather-related deaths have been recorded across the US after the country was pummelled by ferocious winter storms for the past week.
The arctic weather has claimed over 70 lives across the US
Freezing rain, sleet and high wind gusts later Sunday would make traveling in parts of Kansas and Oklahoma particularly treacherous
<The arctic air will make for sleet and ice Sunday night>
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that nearly 90 people have died due to the winter storms but does not provide any context or comparison with previous years' deaths during this time of year. This statement could be misleading as there may be other factors contributing to these deaths such as flu season or accidents caused by poor road conditions. Secondly, it mentions that a baby survived in one incident where three people were electrocuted to death but does not provide any information on the circumstances surrounding this event. Thirdly, it states that online rumours about potential storm-related water shortages prompted residents to store water in their bathtubs which caused a temporary drop in water pressure and dry faucets for thousands of residents. However, there is no evidence provided to support these claims.
Nearly 90 weather-related deaths have been recorded across the US after the country was pummelled by ferocious winter storms for the past week.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the number of deaths recorded across the country over the past week from a tally maintained by CBS and BBC News. However, this information is not reliable as it may include inaccurate or outdated data. Additionally, there are instances where inflammatory rhetoric is used such as when describing some of the weather-related fatalities as
Three people were electrocuted to death when powerful winds caused a power line to fall and strike the vehicle in which they were travelling.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains multiple examples of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the victims by referring to them as 'nearly 90 weather-related deaths'. This is an example of disproportionate number of quotations reflecting a specific position. Additionally, the author quotes people from various states and cities without providing any context or information about their backgrounds or expertise. This could be seen as an attempt to discredit these sources by implying that they are not credible simply because they come from different regions. The article also uses language that demonizes one side of a position, such as when the author describes 'powerful winds' and 'icy conditions' without providing any context or information about what caused them. This is an example of using language to depict one side as extreme or unreasonable.
The article uses disproportionate number of quotations reflecting a specific position by referring to the deaths as 'nearly 90 weather-related fatalities'.
The article uses language that demonizes one side of a position, such as when it describes 'powerful winds' and 'icy conditions' without providing any context or information about what caused them.
The author quotes people from various states and cities without providing any context or information about their backgrounds or expertise.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author of the article has a conflict of interest with Mississippi officials as he is reporting on their response to winter storms. The article does not disclose this conflict.
Freezing rain and sleet are expected to affect Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas on Sunday evening
<The arctic air will make for sleet and ice Sunday night>
<Freezing rain is also forecast in Arkansas>
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive because it uses emotional manipulation and sensationalism to create a sense of urgency and danger. The author does not provide any context or comparison for the severity of the weather conditions, making them seem worse than they are. For example, the author says that tens of millions are enduring bone-chilling cold and facing dangerous icy conditions, but does not explain how this compares to normal winter temperatures or what measures people can take to protect themselves. The author also uses words like "bitter" and "plunging" to create a negative tone and evoke fear in the reader. Additionally, the author does not provide any information on how long the weather will last or when it will improve, leaving readers feeling helpless and anxious. The article also implies that most deaths are caused by the cold rather than other factors, without providing evidence or context for this claim.
In Florida, a few areas saw freezing temperatures Sunday morning, including in northern Lake County. This area of high pressure will then move eastward to the East Coast Monday, but temperatures are expected to warm up for the middle of the country over the next week. This is deceptive because it uses omission and editorializing to create a false impression of how widespread and severe the weather conditions are. The author does not provide any information on how long or severely these freezing temperatures will last, or what measures people can take to protect themselves. By implying that this is an unusual or rare event, without providing evidence or context for this claim, the author creates a false sense of urgency and danger for readers who may not be aware of how common or mild these conditions are.
The National Weather Service field office in Nashville said that most deaths were in Tennessee, where temperatures have reached 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This is deceptive because it uses bias and omission to create a false impression of the causes and consequences of the weather conditions. The author does not provide any information on how many or what types of deaths occurred, or whether they were related to cold exposure, other factors, or coincidence. By implying that this is an inevitable or direct result of the cold, without providing evidence or context for this claim, the author creates a false sense of urgency and danger for readers who may not be aware of how preventable or rare these deaths are.
The National Weather Service field office in Little Rock said that sub-freezing temperatures will reach as far south as central Texas and northern Florida while sub-zero temperatures will be found across the upper Midwest. This is deceptive because it uses exaggeration, omission, and editorializing to create a false impression of how widespread and severe the weather conditions are. The author does not provide any information on what constitutes "sub-freezing" or "sub-zero" temperatures, without providing clear definitions or measurements. By implying that these are extremely low and dangerous values, without providing evidence or context for this claim, the author creates a false sense of urgency and danger for readers who may not be aware of how normal or mild these conditions are.
A mixture of freezing rain and sleet is expected to affect Oklahoma and Kansas on Sunday evening and spread further into the Midwest and the Great Lakes region over the next two days, according to the National Weather Service. This is deceptive because it uses selective reporting and omission to create a false impression of how widespread and severe the weather conditions are. The author only reports details that support their position, without providing any context or comparison for what normal or expected weather patterns are in these regions. By omitting information on other sources of precipitation or temperature variations, the author creates a false sense of urgency and danger for readers who may not be aware of how common or mild these conditions are.
The National Weather Service is warning that travel may be affected by the winter conditions.
The National Weather Service said that a "deep freeze" continued to engulf an area spanning most of the eastern two-thirds of the country Sunday and will move through the Midwest and the South during the week. This is deceptive because it uses exaggeration and omission to create a false impression of how widespread and severe the weather conditions are. The term "deep freeze" is vague and subjective, without any clear definition or measurement. It also implies that the entire country is affected by the same extreme cold, when in fact different regions have different temperatures and weather patterns. By omitting this information, the author creates a false sense of urgency and danger for readers who may not be aware of how localized or mild their own conditions are.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the National Weather Service as a source for information about the weather conditions. However, this does not necessarily mean that their predictions are accurate or reliable.
> A mixture of freezing rain and sleet is expected to affect Oklahoma and Kansas on Sunday evening
< The Midwest and parts of the South will continue experiencing icy temperatures>
> In Florida, a few areas saw freezing temperatures Sunday morning
Bias
(85%)
The article contains multiple examples of bias. Firstly, the use of the term 'deep freeze' is a loaded and emotive word that immediately creates an image in the reader's mind of extreme cold and danger. This sets up a narrative that portrays those affected by this weather event as victims who are suffering due to no fault of their own. Secondly, there is an emphasis on the number of deaths caused by the weather conditions, which can be seen as sensationalist and designed to elicit sympathy from readers. Finally, there is a clear political bias present in the article when it states that 'tens of millions endured bone-chilling cold and facing dangerous icy conditions'. This statement implies that this is some sort of punishment or retribution for those affected by the weather event, rather than simply an unfortunate natural occurrence. Overall, while there are no direct examples of bias in the article itself, these implicit biases make it difficult to separate fact from opinion and can lead readers to form their own conclusions based on misinformation.
Emphasis on number of deaths
Implication that this is some sort of punishment or retribution for those affected by the weather event.
The use of the term 'deep freeze'
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The article reports on the deep freeze that is moving through the Midwest and South. The National Weather Service field office in Nashville and Little Rock are providing updates on sub-zero temperatures, freezing rain, snowfall and central Texas as well as northern Florida.
The arctic weather has claimed over 70 lives across the US
Nationally, winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the US this January
Memphis Light, Gas and Water President Doug McGowen expects most of the 700,00 people they serve to have water restored by Thursday if good results are obtained from samples taken on Wednesday
Rhodes College has sent students living there home on Saturday and moved those who could not return home to hotels due to ongoing water situation
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it quotes the president of Memphis Light, Gas and Water stating that they expect most of the people served by their utility to have water restored over the next 24 hours. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing how many deaths this month across the U.S., including hypothermia or road accidents, are attributed to arctic weather.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the negative impact of arctic weather on various regions in the US. The author uses phrases such as 'numbing cold', 'deadly arctic weather' and 'unusually cold weather' to create a sense of danger and urgency. Additionally, the article highlights specific examples of deaths caused by hypothermia or road accidents due to these conditions, further emphasizing the negative impact.
The numbing cold is expected to ease up in the coming days.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
There are multiple examples of conflicts of interest in this article. Firstly, the author is ABC News which has a financial stake in Memphis Light, Gas and Water as it is owned by The Walt Disney Company. Secondly, the president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Doug McGowen is quoted extensively throughout the article without any disclosure of his affiliation with the company. Thirdly, Rhodes College which has a professional relationship with Memphis Light, Gas and Water as it provides water to its campus is also mentioned in the article.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
ABC News has a conflict of interest on the topic of arctic weather as they are owned by The Walt Disney Company which owns ESPN. Additionally, ABC News is reporting on broken water pipes in Memphis and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency which could be seen as promoting their own interests.
ABC News is owned by The Walt Disney Company which owns ESPN.
The arctic weather has claimed over 70 lives across the US
Nationally, winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the US this January
Memphis Light, Gas and Water President Doug McGowen expects most of the 700,00 people they serve to have water restored by Thursday if good results are obtained from samples taken on Wednesday
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the U.S this January, many involving hypothermia or road accidents. However, there is no evidence to support these claims and it's unclear where this information came from.
The article states that 'winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the U.S this January'. This statement is not supported by any facts or data provided in the article, making it a lie by omission.
Fallacies
(80%)
The article contains several examples of appeal to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. The author uses quotes from experts such as Memphis Light, Gas and Water President and CEO Doug McGowen to establish his own position on the issue. Additionally, the article includes phrases like 'nationally winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the U.S.' which are inflammatory in nature.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water President and CEO Doug McGowen told reporters Sunday afternoon that crews are making progress and he expects most of the 700,000 people the utility services to have water restored over the next 24 hours.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said on Saturday night that 28 water systems have issued boil water notices.
Memphis was the largest, but not the only, water system in Tennessee to experience problems from the unusually cold weather.
Bias
(80%)
The article contains examples of both monetary and religious bias. The author uses the phrase 'Memphis Light, Gas and Water' which implies that they are a private company rather than a public utility. This is an example of monetary bias as it suggests that the government should not be involved in providing essential services to its citizens. Additionally, the article mentions Rhodes College sending students home on Saturday due to water issues at their dormitory. The author does not provide any context or explanation for why this college would have a different policy than other institutions during an emergency situation like this one. This is an example of religious bias as it suggests that certain colleges may prioritize the safety and well-being of its students over others, which could be seen as discriminatory.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water
Rhodes College
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Travis Loller has a conflict of interest with Memphis Light, Gas and Water as he is the President and CEO of Rhodes College. This could compromise his ability to report on the topic objectively.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Memphis Light, Gas and Water as they are mentioned in the article. The president and CEO Doug McGowen is also named.
