Gradually introduce more complicated graphic thinking and planning. Give students stories that require graphics that explain how things happened or how things work. For example, give them a story of asbestos removal. Have them determine what kind of graphics would best help the reader understand what asbestos is and how it is removed. Have student do the research for graphic.
Pollution is a good one.
Help students do visual research. Help them gather visual reference. If the story is about a crash that happened in your town, have them get maps and sketches of how the accident happened. Help them think of visual reference and research as an equally important partner with written research. Recruit art students into the class in journalism schools.