To the editor:

I am concerned about the news media's overall coverage of the Powerball lottery last week. Several reports were from places where tickets were being purchased. I even heard about news-media people buying tickets or discussing buying them. How can anyone be objective if he is part of the story. Isn't the job of a reporter supposed to be reporting the news, not being part of the news? No wonder the jackpot kept rising. If reporters are part of the news, this means the gaming industry is receiving thousands of dollars in free publicity from the news media. What other industry can boast of this?

RANDY MILLER

Fredericktown, Mo.