Hi Bob.
Being in the right place at the right time is pure luck, some of it which you make yourself. Local knowledge is a must and being able to read when things may happen, such as a local football derby clash or knowing that the local river always bursts it's banks and floods nearby houses etc. Weather is always a good bet!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/gallery...ture=348166612
Pure luck is purely that... Right place, right time..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1885498.stm
Mostly the jobs are set up by our team of reporters (I'm photographing Heather Mills later today, but will be looking around for anything interesting beforehand), but there are plenty of quiet days where you have to chase softer news. I find the softer stuff always makes more creative pictures anyway...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/ga...ture=351339085
Keep your camera with you and you'll soon stumble on events and situations that are newsworthy and publishable.
Cheers
Ben