Region

'Elektra' disappoints on all levels

By Tristan Mathews · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:58 a.m.

"Elektra" was so unbearably awful that it's stupefying such a film was ever made. Without a doubt the worst comic book adaption to come out of the recent explosion in the genre, "Elektra" is a disappointment to any film fan and to anyone who is familiar with the characters' source material, which was obviously ignored.

Grace, Quaid are great 'Company'

By Alyson Brodsy and Tony Sams · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:54 a.m.

"My wife left me, and today is the anniversary of our first date, and I found the idea of going home to be so depressing that I kind of leeched onto your dad and invited myself over for dinner," 26-year-old corporate hot shot Carter Duryea tells Alex, the daughter of 51-year-old family man Dan Foreman, as he joins the Foreman family for dinner one night in Paul Weitz's charming film "In Good Company."

Rice begins confirmation for secretary of state

By Alyson Brodsy and Anne Gearan · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:49 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State nominee Condoleezza Rice told senators Tuesday that a U.S. exit strategy from Iraq depends on that country's ability to defend itself against terrorists after this month's elections. She vowed to work to ease ties with allies frayed by U.S. policy there.

1st meeting held for annual fund-raiser

By Ryne Shadday · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:42 a.m.

For senior Teasa Thompson, "Relay for Life, IU" is not simply another walk. Thompson, a cancer survivor, who had acute lymphocytic leukemia in August 1999, stresses how important the event is not only for those struggling with cancer, but those who have overcome its obstacles.

Hitching A Ride

By Mike McElroy · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:38 a.m.

"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose ... and if you ever saw it you would even say it glows." This is where I come in. "Like a light bulb?" "Yaaaaay! All of the other reindeer . . ."

Graduation exam may become tougher

By Alyson Brodsy and Charles Wilson · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:24 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- An advisory panel voted Tuesday to recommend that the state raise the score required to pass Indiana's mandatory graduation exam. About one-third of high school sophomores likely would fail to make the higher score on their first try at the Graduation Qualifying Exam, according to figures provided by the Indiana Education Roundtable.

Analyst: Russian media must become private

By Jane Charney · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:15 a.m.

Svetlana Kolesnik has some questions for the Russian government. Those questions concern the organization of the media and the controls the Russian government exerts over the press.

Iraqi-American pleads guilty in U.N.'s oil-for-food investigation

By Alyson Brodsy and Curt Anderson · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:15 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- An Iraqi-American businessman pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that he received payments from Iraq to act illegally as its agent in the United States, including obtaining millions of dollars worth of oil from the United Nations' oil-for-food program.

Students use bursar bills as credit cards

By Ryne Shadday · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:13 a.m.

Imagine going to the bookstore or anywhere on campus and purchasing something with a card or an ID number. You draw on money that you will have to pay back one day, but it's there like a campus credit card.

Former circus performer gets back in the ring

By Mitch Stacy · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:09 a.m.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Mario Wallenda says he doesn't remember anything about that day in January 1962 when he tumbled from a tightrope in Detroit, an accident that left him a paraplegic.

All-mom bands rock the house and the cradle

By Liz Austin · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:06 a.m.

DALLAS -- They're housewives, workaholics, PTA members and ... rock stars?Women fighting to shatter the stay-at-home-mom stereotype and rediscover their youthful voice are forming bands, such as Housewives on Prozac in suburban New York, Frump in Dallas and Placenta in Oakland, Calif.

The business of culture

By Kathleen Quilligan and Kathleen Quilligen · Wednesday, Jan. 19,2005 12:02 a.m.

As their neighbors crunched salted peanuts and buttered popcorn, Rick Schrimper and Zach Posner looked out from their seats along the first baseline of Yankee Stadium and created a business.

Hoosiers start new year with trip to Florida

By Bill Meehan · Tuesday, Jan. 18,2005 11:56 p.m.

IU rowing head coach Steve Peterson likes to find new ways of doing things in his tradition-laden sport. But sometimes serendipity brings him back to the tried and true. Peterson realized the importance of a winter training trip this time last year by not taking one. It was the first winter in Peterson's 15-year rowing career that he did not take a crew to Florida for a week of warm-weather training. He thought the trip might be overrated and decided not to take the Hoosiers south.

Big Ten says officials got it wrong with foul shots

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Jan. 18,2005 11:54 p.m.

After all of the debate, the Big Ten is coming clean regarding its officials ruling at the conclusion of the first overtime in IU's 75-73 win against Purdue Saturday. Purdue's Carl Landry's game-tying field goal with no time remaining should not have counted. Instead, Landry, who was fouled in the act of shooting, should've been awarded two free throws with no time on the clock.

Colts watching next round from home

By Gavin Lesnick · Tuesday, Jan. 18,2005 11:53 p.m.

FOXBORO, Mass. -- After losing to New England 20-3, the Colts will watch the next round of the playoffs from home. Despite the disappointment of defeat, Indianapolis players and coaches agreed next weekend's matchup -- between New England and Pittsburgh -- should be a great game. "I'm running out of compliments to pay them," said quarterback Peyton Manning of the Patriots.

Super Bowl not Peyton's Place

By Ryan Phillips · Tuesday, Jan. 18,2005 11:51 p.m.

I hate to say I told you so. Wait a minute -- no I don't. Back in a November article, I warned, "If Peyton Manning's defensive counterparts don't figure something out, Colts fans will once again be disappointed come playoff time." I can't help it if I'm a genius. That's just who I am. Sunday, as I watched the Patriots dismantle the Colts 20-3, I couldn't help but laugh at what I had seen during the past week.

Around The State

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Jan. 18,2005 11:47 p.m.

Levee breaks along Wabash River The Wabash River broke through levees in at least two places south of Terre Haute, swamping a rural area on Tuesday as the crest of flood waters continued surging south.

Puppeteers of America president pulls strings in major Broadway productions

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Jan. 18,2005 11:42 p.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Paul Mesner romps around his studio in shorts and tennis shoes, pointing out the special mouth hinges and weighted eye balls that go into making the perfect puppet.

Last stand for the Democrats

By Alyson Brodsy and Edward Delp · Tuesday, Jan. 18,2005 11:42 p.m.

It seems like every time I turn around, the Democrats are engaged in one struggle after another. First, it was the Democratic presidential primary debates, which were just a step below watching monkeys fight at the zoo. Then, it was watching them get crushed in November. But perhaps the most critical battle for the party will be the upcoming debates about who will replace Terry McAuliffe as Democratic National Convention chairman.

Hemingway house sparks feud

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Jan. 18,2005 11:41 p.m.

KETCHUM, Idaho -- Ernest Hemingway's house near Sun Valley isn't exactly as he left it on the morning 44 years ago when he put a shotgun to his head and killed himself. But many artifacts remain from when the Pulitzer Prize-winning author called Idaho home.