Region

Budget blues

By Aparna Venkatraman and Paul Rohwer · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 11:19 p.m.

Vi Simpson, our state senator, sent us a message: "The budget will determine what increases in tuition support schools will receive over the next two years and how those dollars will be distributed."

Jingle all the way

By Brian J. McFillen and Brain J. McFillen · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 11:17 p.m.

When I'm with my parents somewhere that has an oldies station playing on the radio, my dad will name the songs, who sang them, the month and year they came out and whether they played in southern Ohio, where my folks grew up.

The island

By Joanna Borns · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 11:15 p.m.

On any given day I require at least three pounds of Bon Bons, a steady flow of diamond jewelry and a minimum of 24 phone calls. If these needs aren't met I tend to commit random acts of arson. Because ever since the last time I checked, I am a woman. And "woman" is just a synonym for "high-maintenance." I usually only hear the term "high-maintenance" used in reference to women in heterosexual relationships.

Does the music need to be saved?

By Aparna Venkatraman · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 11:14 p.m.

Rumor has it that historic Deer Creek Music Center (aka Verizon Wireless Music Center) in Noblesville, Ind., will soon be up for sale again, causing many Indiana music fans to worry. They worry that the developers will come with no regard for the rich tradition the music center represents and we will be left with nowhere to hear large music acts.

65 minors busted for underage drinking Sunday at the Villas

By Brian Spegele · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 10:47 p.m.

Sixty-five minors were cited for underage drinking early Sunday morning at the Varsity Villas Apartments complex after a caller's complaint that the minors were throwing beer bottles at passers-by.

Congress to vote on student loans

By AP Reports and Alexandra R. Moses · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 10:46 p.m.

Following up on an election-year promise, House Democrats said Friday they plan quick action to lower interest rates for student loans.

Ex-U.N. oil-for-food chief charged with bribery and conspiracy in oil scandal

By Larry Neumeister · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 9:06 p.m.

NEW YORK -- The former United Nations oil-for-food chief was charged Tuesday with bribery and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in the scandal-tainted humanitarian program.

Obama takes first step in presidential bid

By Nedra Pickler · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 9:05 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama took the initial step in a bid that could make him the nation's first black president. Obama filed papers creating a presidential exploratory committee, a move he announced on his Web site, www.barackobama.com. He said he would announce more about his plans in his home state of Illinois on Feb. 10.

Source losers

By Abra Oliver · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 2:06 p.m.

Last Tuesday the Monroe County Council sent a letter to IU expressing its members' unanimous opposition to the University's plans to outsource services such as the IU Motor Pool and Bookstore to private contractors . The Council is concerned that, if employed by private companies rather than IU, workers will see lower wages and benefits -- in particular, the loss of the ability of them and their families to attend IU at reduced rates. And, the Council said, IU's decision could have wider implications -- producing a demonstration effect that will lead other local companies to turn to outsourcing, driving down county-income tax revenue.

Everyone's struggle

By Sandra Arao Ameny · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 12:39 p.m.

Indiana Daily Student reporter Sandra Arao Ameny traveled to Birmingham, Ala., as part of the fifth annual Civil Rights Immersion Trip. Read her first-person account of the weekend that took her to the 16th Street Baptist Church, the "Freedom Walk" in Kelly Ingram Park and the Civil Rights Institute.

King legacy celebrated at 'audacity to believe' event

By Jill Gingery Jackman · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 12:24 p.m.

Listening to Martin Luther King Jr. speak in Seymour, Ind., as a young boy, Rep. Baron Hill, D-9th, said he didn't understand the implications of racism. It wasn't until he attended Furman University in South Carolina that Hill saw racism first hand when his black roommate was denied the same opportunities as him because of the color of his skin.

Myers' mother works to clear son's name

By Brian Spegele · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 12:21 p.m.

On a quest to exonerate her imprisoned son, Jodie Myers says she has lost faith in the justice system she once thought was meant to protect her. Jodie, whose son John Myers II was convicted of the May 2000 killing IU sophomore Jill Behrman, has begun publicly criticizing the processes through which her son was condemned.

One gift, one voice, one dream

By Whitney Mitchell · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 11:40 a.m.

It took Naomi Tutu years to figure out that her gift was talking. She said it used to get her in trouble in church and in school, but now Tutu uses her voice to spread the message of the "power of one" to people around the globe. In light of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Tutu, a human-rights activist and educator, spoke on the importance of finding one's own gift to more than 200 people Sunday in the Indiana Memorial Union, part of IU's weeklong celebration of the civil-rights leader.

Hoeppner snags top in-state prospect

By John Wustrow · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 12:41 a.m.

From the time he was introduced as IU's football coach, Terry Hoeppner has talked about building the Hoosiers into a team that competes for Big Ten championships. Hoeppner helped his cause over the weekend by receiving verbal commitments from a duo of defensive players with championship experience.

Woman who pushed gender equality in sports honored today

By Brian Hettmansperger · Tuesday, Jan. 16,2007 12:41 a.m.

Anita Aldrich will be honored by the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and its department of Kinesiology at noon today for her pioneering efforts in creating opportunities for women to compete in collegiate athletics.

Students challenge racism in essay contest, win prizes for efforts

By Savannah McDermott · Monday, Jan. 15,2007 11:24 p.m.

In a January 2006 speech, IU Vice President for Institutional Development and Student Affairs Charlie Nelms raised the challenge of individuals to attempt to make a difference. That challenge has been transformed into an annual essay contest in Martin Luther King Jr.'s honor. The theme of this year's contest was "The Power of One: Making the Commitment and Meeting the Challenge."

2 former Saddam aides hanged in Iraq

Monday, Jan. 15,2007 11:22 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Two top aides to Saddam Hussein were hanged before dawn Monday, and the head of one of them -- the former Iraqi dictator's half brother Barzan Ibrahim -- was severed from his body during the execution, a government official said.

Around the World

Monday, Jan. 15,2007 11:20 p.m.

The death toll from a powerful winter storm rose to 36 across six Midwest states Monday as utility crews labored to restore service to hundreds of thousands of Missouri households and businesses enduring cold weather without electricity for heat and lights. The crews hoped to take advantage of moderate weather expected Monday -- with only a few lingering snow showers and flurries -- before temperatures plunged back to the single digits Monday night.

Hoosiers return from layoff with 2 victories

By Kevin Kane · Monday, Jan. 15,2007 11:17 p.m.

During the week leading up to IU's first dual match event Sunday, coach Lin Loring expressed concerns about his team's readiness to play after a two-month layoff. Ten hours and two victories later, his players proved they were up to the challenge.

Nation marks MLK Day after widow's death

By Errin Haines · Monday, Jan. 15,2007 11:16 p.m.

ATLANTA -- The first Martin Luther King Jr. Day since the death of King's widow and chief keeper of his civil-rights dream was marked Monday with speeches, visits to the couple's tomb and the opening of a collection of his papers, including a draft of his "I Have a Dream" speech.