This author has written at least one poem inspired by a Reuters article that told of a poet working with the local police force and even walking a beat. This poet was then going to write poems about his experiences and work with the police to improve their own poetry. Another example is Michael Smith's "A Panther in Michigan" based on a news article of a panther spotted along the Raisin River near the Indiana border several years back. So, see an unusual or compelling story in the paper, or even on-line? Write a poem about it.