Region

Get it together

By Alyson Brodsy and Chelsea York · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:43 a.m.

This year I have watched more sports than in the last 19 years of my life combined. Hanging out with guys as much as I have, I learned to revolve my life around the sport of the season -- Monday Night Football, Baseball Tonight and the NBA playoffs have all taken up a considerable amount of my time.

Gary church plans to sell building

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:43 a.m.

GARY -- A congregation once drawing hundreds of worshippers from miles around is fighting a proposal by its governing body to sell its building for $5. First United Presbyterian Church's distinction as a mainly black congregation within the predominantly white denomination could be coming to an end.

The End is Nigh!

By Alyson Brodsy and Brian McFillen · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:41 a.m.

As you read this column, I am taking shelter in a hidden bunker deep beneath the surface of Bloomington. It took most of my last six paychecks and all the limits on my credit cards, but it's worth every penny -- steel-reinforced, hermetically sealed doors; six-foot thick concrete walls with a layer of X-ray proof lead, independent generator, water and air supply, remote satellite link-up, and enough ammo, toilet paper, Spam and "Girls Gone Wild" videos to last me for the next 30 years.

Israel celebrates birthday amid fears

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:40 a.m.

JERUSALEM -- Israel began celebrating its 56th birthday Monday evening, with large numbers of Israelis uneasy about the country's present and pessimistic about their children's place in its future.

Where were you?

By Alyson Brodsy and Judd Arnold · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:39 a.m.

Where were you? It has been four years in Bloomington, and we all have lots of memories to share. Some we share with everyone, some we share with our close friends, and some we just keep for ourselves.

Congolese-Rwandan clashes leave 61 dead, 14 wounded

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:38 a.m.

KIGALI, Rwanda -- Clashes between Congolese troops and Rwandan insurgents in eastern Congo killed at least 61 people over the weekend, officials said Monday. The Congolese army killed 39 Rwandan insurgents in a series of battles near the borders with Rwanda and Burundi in the volatile South Kivu province, said Didas Namujimbo, the provincial governor's spokesman.

Hong Kong denied direct elections

By Alyson Brodsy and Min Lee · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:38 a.m.

HONG KONG -- Mainland China dealt a crushing blow to Hong Kong's hopes for full democracy Monday when its most powerful legislative panel ruled the territory won't have direct elections for its next leader in 2007 or for all its lawmakers in 2008.

Dodging the draft

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:38 a.m.

For the past few weeks, the Bush administration has been fighting the label "new Vietnam" as it deals with criticism about its campaign in Iraq, which has seen an increasing number of casualties during the month of April.

N. Korea denies aid trucks

By Alyson Brodsy and Christopher Bodeen · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:35 a.m.

DANDONG, China -- North Korea balked Monday at opening its heavily armed border to relief trucks from rival South Korea, even as international aid groups sought more help for thousands injured or made homeless by a massive train explosion.

Two U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq warehouse blast

By Alyson Brodsy and Bassem Mroue · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:35 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A suspected chemical weapons warehouse exploded in flames Monday moments after U.S. troops broke in, killing two soldiers and wounding five. Jubilant Iraqis swarmed over the Americans' charred Humvees, waving looted machine guns, a bandolier and a helmet. In Fallujah, Iraq, U.S. troops battled insurgents in the latest violation of a tentative cease-fire for the besieged city. One Marine and eight insurgents were killed.

Museum exhibit highlights changes in housekeeping

By Jorie Slodki · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:35 a.m.

An antique electric washer comes with a hand-cranked wringer for squeezing the last drop of water out of wet clothes. The iron is gasoline powered. Clothes dry on lines outside and even freeze in the winter. Such sights were commonplace during the Great Depression and World War II, but today these items can only be found in dusty basement corners and on display in museums.

Cummins Inc. swings to $33 million profit

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:34 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Cummins Inc. said Thursday strong sales of its diesel engines helped it swing to a $33 million profit in the first quarter after posting a $31 million loss in the same period a year ago.

Guidant earnings rise 49 percent

By Alyson Brodsy and Mark Jewell · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:33 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Guidant Corp. reported a 49 percent jump in first-quarter earnings Thursday as strong sales of the medical device maker's heart defibrillators and pacemakers offset a drop in sales of stents.

Cosmetic pioneer Estee Lauder dies

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:33 a.m.

NEW YORK -- Cosmetics pioneer Estee Lauder, whose pots of potions and tubs of moisturizers have turned the clock back for millions of faces across the globe, has died at the age of 97. Lauder, who helped launch product lines including Estee Lauder, Clinique, Aramis, Prescriptives and Origins, died of cardiopulmonary arrest Saturday at her Manhattan home, said Sally Susman, a company spokeswoman.

Professor juggles teaching with entrepreneurship

By Stacie Vasko · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:32 a.m.

George Marakas is no ordinary IU professor. In fact, he's much more than just that. Since the fall of 2002, Marakas has juggled his associate professor position at the Kelley School of Business in Information Systems and his own business on his back. Almost two years ago, Marakas, CEO of Indiana Audio Mastering and Duplicating, opened a music plant that did just that -- mastered and duplicated CDs for bands and businesses.

New jobs bode well for state of Indiana

By Alyson Brodsy and Deanna Wrenn · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:28 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan pointed to new job growth figures as a sign Indiana's economy is on the mend. The state gained 6,700 jobs in March, according to figures released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since the end of the recession in November of 2001, Indiana gained 4,300 jobs, compared with a

IU Auditorium announces line-up

By Jenica Schultz · Tuesday, April 27,2004 12:20 a.m.

The IU Auditorium will host a variety of Broadway hits next year according to the schedule it released Friday for its 2004-2005 season. Students and IU Auditorium subscribers will not only have the opportunity to see modern sensations like "Contact," the musical version of "The Full Monty," "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Les Miserables," but can also watch musicals that have become Broadway classics -- "42nd Street," "Oklahoma!," "Smokey Joe's Café" and "Crazy for You."

Former Indiana first lady to address IU graduates

By John Rodgers · Monday, April 26,2004 10:05 p.m.

Judy O'Bannon, former Indiana first lady and wife of the late Frank O'Bannon, will address the 2004 IU graduating class at commencement ceremonies May 8 at Assembly Hall. O'Bannon, an IU graduate in social work, will also be granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the ceremonies.

Dick Cheney visits Indianapolis, endorses Daniels

By Lindsey Jancek and Lindsay Jancek · Monday, April 26,2004 10:03 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- With warm wishes from Mitch Daniels and other Republican hopefuls, Vice President Dick Cheney endorsed and supported gubernatorial candidate Daniels Friday night at a campaign fundraising dinner in downtown Indianapolis. The event was expected to raise $400,000 with the $1,000 per-person dinner. Some attendees paid up to $3,000 to get their picture taken with Cheney.

Made for a movie

By Katie Schoenbaechler and Katie Shoenbaechler · Monday, April 26,2004 4:38 p.m.

Complete Men's Results For a storybook ending it sure had a lot of bumps along the way. The 2004 men's Little 500 was the year of the Cutter, and it ended that way, with the team's seventh win -- but it wasn't easy for anyone involved. More than seven teams traded leading positions throughout the race, but as lap 199 set in, sprinting to the finish was the only option left. The last two teams standing, Alpha Tau Omega and the Cutters, took the track's fourth turn almost side by side. As both teams crossed the finish line, ATO fans began to celebrate -- but moments too soon.