Region

City saddened by loss of leader

By Andrea Opperman · Sunday, June 6,2004 10:11 p.m.

Bloomington's shades of red, white and blue, along with every other Old Glory around the nation will fly at half-staff today to honor the memory of former President Ronald Reagan. Bloomington citizens react to the death of the man who some say changed the Republican Party.

Ronald Reagan dies at age 93

By Alyson Brodsy and Jeff Wilson · Sunday, June 6,2004 10:11 p.m.

LOS ANGELES -- Ronald Reagan's enemies and friends agreed he changed the world. The popular, infectiously optimistic president reshaped the Republican Party in his conservative image and devoted most of his energy to the destruction of Soviet communism abroad.

'Harry Potter' repeats box-office magic

By Alyson Brodsy and David Germain · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:56 p.m.

LOS ANGELES - The boy wizard has worked his biggest box-office spell to date. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" charmed audiences to the tune of $92.65 million in its debut weekend, the best results yet for the franchise, according to studio estimates released Sunday.

Around The Campus

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:53 p.m.

Rare astronomical event will be visible Tuesday The astronomy department will hold a viewing of the transit of Venus from 5 to 6 a.m., Tuesday atop the Atwater Parking Garage. The rare astronomical event involves the passing of Venus in front of the Sun. The last recorded transit took place in 1882.

Student loan rates will hit record low

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:41 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Despite the specter of rising interest rates, student-loan borrowers will soon enjoy the lowest rates in 39 years for the year beginning July 1. The variable rate on federal Stafford loans, the most common, drops to 2.77 percent from 2.82 percent for current students and new graduates, according to Sallie Mae, the student-loan lender. Graduates will pay 3.37 percent, down from 3.42 percent, and parents with PLUS loans will pay 4.17 percent, versus 4.22 percent

Smarty Jones goes home with loss

By Alyson Brodsy and Beth Harris · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:39 p.m.

NEW YORK -- Smarty Jones headed back to his home at Philadelphia Park Sunday, still a fan favorite, but no longer undefeated after his upset loss in the Belmont Stakes. After a lonesome walk in the cold rain at Belmont Park, Smarty boarded a van for the ride to Philly. This time, there was no police escort until he got near his home track, and only a few cheering fans outside when arrived.

Remembering 2 giants

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:38 p.m.

They were both grossly underestimated. For D-Day -- the June 6, 1944, invasion of Europe, which easily was one of the most important military operations of World War II -- the underestimation grew from the fact that much could go wrong, and much was at risk.

IU student will compete as Miss Indiana

By Sarah Kanter · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:35 p.m.

In less than one week, 22 women will compete for the title of Miss Indiana. The previously reigning Miss Indiana 2003, Bryn Lawton Chapman, is also a student at IU. Hoping to take her place is 22-year-old senior, Ashley Laine Buck. From Buckskin, Ind., Buck has competed in pageants all her life in hopes to one day be Miss America.

Ball State introduces taser guns as enforcement next year

By Lori Geller · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:34 p.m.

On the first day of classes at Ball State University in August, campus police officers will be carrying new weapons under their belt. In an effort to reduce crime on campus, BSU police have purchased 35 taser guns, four chemical propellant guns and three projectile launchers at a cost totaling $38,400.

Around The World

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:33 p.m.

Israeli Cabinet approves withdrawal from Gaza Strip JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government Sunday approved an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in principle, but a last-minute compromise with Cabinet hard-liners diluted the historic decision, leaving uncertain the future of 21 Israeli settlements.

Costumes bring back medieval era

By Thomas Bender · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:32 p.m.

Ann-Marie Paul's 22-year-old son, David, learned to walk by pulling himself up on her spinning wheel. Paul, a professional weaver from Millhousen, Ind., has been interested in spinning, sewing and knitting her whole life. "I don't remember when I could not knit," Paul said. Paul was one of many members of the Society for Creative Anachronism who came to the Quaker Meeting Hall Saturday to join the Society's second Regional Textile Gathering, held in Bloomington.

Cubs, Reds win; NL Central remains tight

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:25 p.m.

CHICAGO -- Greg Maddux gave the Chicago Cubs their third straight strong start, allowing four hits in seven innings Sunday in a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Aramis Ramirez hit a solo home run for the Cubs, who have won two in a row after losing eight of 10. The Pirates have lost seven of eight.

Cowboy up, America

By Brian Adkins · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:24 p.m.

As our nation mourns the death of one of the great leaders of our time, President Ronald Reagan, I believe it is important to point out the remarkable similarities between "The Great Communicator," as Reagan was called, and our current great leader, President George W. Bush.

Our perilous times

By Mark Cary · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:22 p.m.

It is a sad fact of our times -- we live under a shroud of fear. Every day, we are reminded how dangerous our world is -- often by the very things that are meant to protect us. Increased national security, color-coded states of alert and government warnings of impending terrorist attacks keep Americans in a state of terror our enemies must relish.

12th hole haunts Overton's finish

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:22 p.m.

Entering the final round of the NCAA Championships Friday, IU junior Jeff Overton was tied for eighth place, sitting at 2-under par. Overton was even-par through the first nine holes making birdies on the first and eighth holes and bogies on the sixth and seventh. The first two holes on the back nine went as planned, with Overton shooting par on both. Next came the par four, 12th. Overton's first shot hooked right into a group of trees.

A president remembered

By Jonathan Blanks · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:20 p.m.

On Saturday, the United States lost a great leader, politician and man in Ronald Wilson Reagan. To generations of conservatives, he was the embodiment of all that could be great about our politics. More importantly, to generations of Americans, he was the embodiment of all that could be great about America and its government.

Bagpipes and breweries

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:16 p.m.

And what is the purpose of your visit to Ireland?" Those were the first words I heard when deplaning in Dublin. As any former visitor can attest, customs control going into Ireland can border on the tedious side if you hold an American passport. Not willing to have any permanent vacationers, Ireland and Britain are careful to weed out people likely to stay behind.

Students work to create new organization

By Alison hamm · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:15 p.m.

Student organizations and faculty are working on a collaborative effort to aid several communities in Nicaragua. The initiative, Outreach Nicaragua, aims to bring together aspects of third-world development, including health care, education, human rights and economic growth, and focus them into one specific area.

BAAC needs gallery submissions for exhibits

By Sheeba Madan · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:14 p.m.

As one gallery season nears its end, the Bloomington Area Arts Council begins planning for future exhibits. The BAAC is calling for proposals of exhibition from area artists for its 2005 gallery season at the Rosemary P. Miller and Flashlight Galleries in the John Waldron Arts Center.

Entertaining 'Shrew' needs update

By Sheeba Madan · Sunday, June 6,2004 9:13 p.m.

The Monroe County Civic Theater's production of "The Taming of the Shrew" this weekend was an interesting melange of an early modern script with contemporary sets and costumes. Any modern-day production that clings to the original script of "The Taming of the Shrew," now informally classified as a "problem play," and frequently referred to as Shakespeare's comic paean to chauvinism, is going to be tricky.