Region

For whom the bong tolls

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, April 21,2006 12:05 a.m.

There is a renewed push afoot to insure that students who have been caught in drug-related crimes are denied financial aid to universities and colleges. The idea originally came from Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., in 1998, when he slipped a stringent no-aid-for-stoners policy into the Higher Education Act. In applications for federal financial aid, students are prompted to check the box that asks if they've ever been caught using or selling illegal drugs. If so, no aid for you.

Moussaoui's lawyers rest their defense as no evidence to 'shoe bomber' found

By Alyson Brodsy and Matthew Barakat · Friday, April 21,2006 12:02 a.m.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Defense lawyers closed their case for sparing Zacarias Moussaoui's life Thursday after the government admitted it had no evidence that he and would-be shoe bomber Richard Reid were to have joined in a hijacking as part of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, as Moussaoui claims. Prosecutors then opened their rebuttal case with testimony from psychiatrist Raymond Patterson, who has examined Moussaoui and disputes claims of doctors summoned by the defense that the terrorist conspirator is schizophrenic.

White House hosts Chinese president's 1st visit

By Alyson Brodsy and Martin Crutsinger · Friday, April 21,2006 12:01 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed to cooperate more closely on trade and nuclear tensions over Iran and North Korea but failed to break new ground Thursday toward resolving a host of differences. Their meeting was marred by a protest. No breakthroughs had been expected during Hu's first visit to the White House as the president of China. Both he and Bush acknowledged at a picture-taking session that much work remained to be done and that the two sides would strive for progress in these areas.

Kappa Sigma house razed

By Chip Cutter · Friday, April 21,2006 12 a.m.

Hopes of a future for the abandoned Kappa Sigma fraternity house at 1503 E. Third St. were crushed Thursday as construction crews began demolishing the historic structure.

African concert to benefit Sudanese

By Jamie Ward · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:56 p.m.

African tunes will benefit the Darfur region of Sudan and begin Bloomington's process of humanizing Sudan's civil unrest at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church.

City to recognize gender identity in Bloomington's anti-discrimination code

By Roy Maurer · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:55 p.m.

Applause erupted at Wednesday's Common Council meeting as Bloomington joined 78 other cities and counties nationwide in recognizing "gender identity" as a protected class.

BPD starts motorcycle patrol

By Elizabeth Dilts and Liz Dilts · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:55 p.m.

It's not every day that the Harley-rider, revving his engine and wearing dark-tinted, aviator sunglasses, is a police officer. But this is exactly the type of motorcycle rider the Bloomington Police Department envisions. Mayor Mark Kruzan formally introduced BPD's new Motorcycle Patrol Program at a press conference Thursday in front of city hall.

Group calls for end of rape

By Chris Freiberg and Warren Christopher Freiberg · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:52 p.m.

More than 100 students gathered Thursday to demand an end to the "culture of rape" at IU and called on the University to implement a mandatory rape prevention workshop for all incoming students. The demonstration behind Woodburn Hall was the second annual "Stand Up and Be Counted" protest.

Police see increase in thefts from vehicles

By Audrie Garrison · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:51 p.m.

The IU Police Department has experienced a larger number of thefts from vehicles within the last couple of weeks, and IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said the warm weather is partially to blame. "Since the weather started getting nice last week, we've started experiencing more thefts from vehicles," Minger said. "So we've been putting extra people out on the lots and having extra patrols."

Campus members awarded for service

By Chris Freiberg and Warren Christopher Freiberg · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:50 p.m.

Sophomore Evan Holloway was shocked by the damage done to New Orleans last summer by Hurricane Katrina. But the damage he saw inspired him to help the region up close and personal. Holloway helped organize more than 200 students into Youth Advocating Leadership and Learning, known as Y'ALL, a group that has spent parts of the semester and spring break rebuilding areas the hurricane affected.

Concert to layer sounds

By Teri Rosenbaum · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:47 p.m.

This Saturday at 2 p.m., the Jacobs School of Music will host its biannual computer music concert. The event will take place at Sweeney Hall in the Simon Music Building.

IU singers take on Beethoven piece

By Lindsey Landis · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:45 p.m.

"On the word, 'umschlungen,' I want you to embrace your neighbor with the warm sound," conductor and professor of music David Effron said to the Oratorio Choir at its rehearsal Wednesday evening. Appreciative sniggers from the students broke the otherwise intense, rich sound. Several singers took Effron's orders literally and hugged those standing next to them.

Women's race filled for 1st time, team sent home

By Michael Sanserino · Thursday, April 20,2006 10:34 p.m.

For the first time in Little 500 history, one women's team did not qualify for April's race. After having faulted in their previous three attempts, Pi Beta Phi and Gamma Phi Beta took the track for a fourth time at the end of qualifications Saturday. Pi Beta Phi edged Gamma Phi Beta for the last spot in the women's field, posting a time of 3 minutes and 11.383 seconds, compared to Gamma's 3 minutes and 12.989 seconds.

ONLINE ONLY: Jewelry sale to raise money for heart disease

By Laura Jane Hyde · Thursday, April 20,2006 8:39 p.m.

The Heart Project, a women's heart disease awareness organization, will hold "Untax My Heart," a jewelry sale and fundraiser Saturday. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Women's Heart Foundation. The Heart Project collects unwanted costume jewelry all year long and will sell it at the event, located at the 10th and College Building courtyard. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ONLINE ONLY: Organization focuses on ways to help Third World

By Erica Ballard · Thursday, April 20,2006 8:37 p.m.

On the second floor of the First Presbyterian Church, Bread for the World held its annual Offering of Letters workshop Tuesday. The workshop's purpose was to educate members of the Bloomington community on the Millennium Development Goals. These goals, which were established at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000, are to eradicate hunger and poverty, combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases and provide universal primary education.

ONLINE ONLY: Title IX assaults sciences

By Adam Sedia · Thursday, April 20,2006 7 p.m.

Everyone knows the stereotype that sciences are male-dominated and liberal arts female-dominated. Having a major in each, I can personally attest that the stereotype couldn't hold truer.

Enter the world of fast talking lobbyists

By Alyson Brodsy and Matt McMullan · Thursday, April 20,2006 5:24 p.m.

Ah, big tobacco. Every year its products contribute to a death toll that would make a regional conflict proud. Kills more than alcohol and guns combined. Loved the world over by its many consumers. All the while, it remains a truly vilified corner of the market. It's an easy target. I mean, come on, man. It's big tobacco! You can't smoke in bars in New York anymore (let alone Bloomington). There's massive counter-advertising campaigns aimed at it. The government demands a Surgeon General's warning to be placed on every box.

Freedom and death

By Alyson Brodsy and David A. Nosko · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:49 a.m.

Is a ton of Iraqi flesh and marrow worth more than 100 pounds of American skin and bones?

Real 'Hotel Rwanda' manager speaks

By David A. Nosko · Thursday, April 20,2006 11:48 a.m.

With around 30 guns pointed as his head, half-Hutu/half-Tutsi former Mille Collines Hotel General Manager Paul Rusesabagina refused to accept a weapon to murder his wife, four children and 26 of his Rwandan neighbors at the start of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He responded instead, "Listen, sir. Myself, I don't know how to use guns, and I don't see any reason why to kill that many people."

Officers prepare for race weekend

By Audrie Garrison · Thursday, April 20,2006 12:15 a.m.

Every IU Police Department officer will work extra hours during Little 500 weekend, but IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said their perspective on law enforcement won't be any different from any other weekend. "Our primary function, purpose and perspective is always to minimize any kind of unsafe issues and deal with any kind of illegal or unsafe activity," Minger said. "That's our primary goal. As far as our particular activities and perspective, the way we do business doesn't really change."