I once read a suggestion on a SEO discussion board that one should “predict” certain events that re-occur. Such as Israel attacking Palestine, a roadside bomb in Iraq, or topics such as freedom of speech coming up in the headlines.

Pick one that relates to your site, and then pre-write the article. When the news alert comes in, you can make a few last second alterations to include the facts on this particular bit of news and then publish. While others are getting their articles typed up, and might publish sloppily and with errors, yours will be polished and most importantly first.

You see, as people start looking for news, they link to the first or second source they come to, which means you get the lion’s share of links, and of the traffic if you can beat out the market.

This tactic works especially well for sporting events where you can write one report for each team playing and then just give the report on the winner.

Watch the professional News Networks when real edge-of-your-seat news breaks, they’ll have unpolished stories that feel more hurried.
I’ll bet they have a stock of “Hurricane comming”, “Abortion in the headlines” etc. scripts that they can drop a few facts in and publish.

It only makes economic sense