Region

Senators talk tough before Alito hearings

By Jesse J. Holland · Monday, Jan. 9,2006 12:06 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Samuel A. Alito Jr. has a lot of explaining to do before senators are ready to put him on the Supreme Court. And Democrats say if they don't like what the federal judge says -- or doesn't say -- at this week's confirmation hearing, the president's nominee could run into trouble. "This is basically up to Judge Alito. Does he answer the questions, or doesn't he?" said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. "I would hope he answers the questions. If he doesn't answer the questions, then we have a very real issue here." Democrats say they will not decide whether to filibuster or try to delay a committee vote until after the committee's weeklong hearings that begin Monday.

12 killed as Black Hawk helicopter crashes in Iraq

By Alyson Brodsy and Sameer N. Yacoub · Monday, Jan. 9,2006 12:05 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A U.S. Black Hawk helicopter crashed in northern Iraq, killing all 12 Americans believed to be aboard, while five U.S. Marines were slain in separate weekend attacks, the military said Sunday. The deaths came as Iraqi police said a kidnapped French engineer was released by his captors.

Heart Project coming to Bloomington

By Laura Jane Hyde · Monday, Jan. 9,2006 12:05 a.m.

Brea Weil-Hearon, the director of fund development for The Women's Heart Foundation, started The Heart Project in 2004 and has made it her life's ambition to help prevent women from suffering a premature death from heart disease.

Indiana trucker faces charges for espionage

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Jan. 9,2006 12:04 a.m.

Allegations of international espionage will duel with claims of a mysterious twin when court proceedings begin for a man accused of offering to sell the names of U.S. intelligence agents to Saddam Hussein's regime. Shaaban Hafiz Ahmad Ali Shaaban, 53, will represent himself when jury selection begins Monday in U.S. District Court.

Around the town

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Jan. 9,2006 12 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A federal judge sentenced a former state technology engineer to five months in prison on bank fraud and money laundering convictions for overcharging IU and the state for computer equipment. Shawn D. Solomon, a former employee of the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System, pleaded guilty in September to taking at least $44,000 in taxpayer money. The system operates the computer network for public agencies, schools and libraries, and runs the state's Access Indiana Web site.

Housing restrictions limit Katrina pet adoption

By Andrea Alumbaugh · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:59 p.m.

Animals have always been a part of Jessie Beutel's life. When she was little, she had seven cats, two goldfish, two gerbils, two dogs, one hamster and one rabbit. As a freshman, she lived in a dorm and had to leave behind two dogs at her Fort Wayne home, but she quickly adopted a pet fish. "I love animals, and there's something different about a house with pets," she said. "It's more complete."

Classic All-American muscle cars make thundering comeback at Detroit auto

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:57 p.m.

DETROIT -- Automakers will be flexing some muscle at this year's North American International Auto Show, with a slew of performance cars that harken back to the V-8-charged glory days of the 1960s and early '70s.

Sorority recruitment reaches end with Bid Day

By Hannah Lodge · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:57 p.m.

After a week of laughter, tears and all-nighters, sorority recruitment came to a close Sunday as potential members received and accepted bids from chapters across campus. "It was fantastic," said Katie Fagan, president of Kappa Kappa Gamma. "We had one of our best recruitments ever. We had great morale." The system changed in a few ways this year, including new names for some of the week's events. The first two events of the week, previously referred to as "12 Party" and "Six Party," were changed to "First Invite" and "Second Invite," because most women received fewer than 12 and six invites for each event.

COAS leader to leave Indiana for Kansas

By Peter Stevenson · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:57 p.m.

Joseph Steinmetz, executive associate dean of the IU College of Arts and Sciences and psychology professor, was named dean of Kansas University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on Dec. 24, 2005. "I'm delighted that Joseph Steinmetz has agreed to lead KU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and I'm very confident he will be an outstanding leader for the university," KU Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor David Shulenburger said in a press release. "Dr. Steinmetz generated a remarkable degree of enthusiasm among the KU faculty within the college." Mabel Rice, KU professor and chairwoman of the CLAS dean search committee, said Steinmetz has an impressive leadership record.

UK chooses Subbaswamy as provost

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:57 p.m.

Months after being passed over as IU-Bloomington chancellor, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kumble Subbaswamy was named provost of the University of Kentucky Friday. Subbaswamy will leave IU after five years as COAS Dean. "I am very excited that an academic leader the caliber of Dr. Subbaswamy has accepted this offer," said Kentucky President Lee Todd in a UK press release. "The provost position is one of the most important on our campus, leading the academic efforts of the entire institution."

Ohio State-ment

By Brian Janosch · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:57 p.m.

Eight of the 15 teams ranked ahead of No. 16 IU lost this weekend, but the Hoosiers narrowly avoided the same fate, clutching victory away from No. 18 Ohio State in the final seconds, 81-79. Saturday's game marked Ohio State's first loss of the season and kept IU at a perfect 2-0 in the Big Ten. Only IU, Northwestern and Wisconsin remain unbeaten after just two conference games.

Utah theater balks at 'Brokeback Mountain'

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:56 p.m.

SALT LAKE CITY -- A movie theater owned by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller abruptly changed its screening plans and decided not to show the film "Brokeback Mountain." The film, an R-rated Western gay romance story, was supposed to open Friday at the Megaplex at Jordan Commons in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Instead it was pulled from the schedule.

Auditions this week for student performers

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:56 p.m.

Student singers, dancers and instrumentalists can audition for performing groups on campus this week.

Judge postpones sentencing for hit-and-run defendant

By Elisha Sauers · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:54 p.m.

After minutes of deafening silence, Monroe County Circuit Judge Marc Kellams announced to the attorneys, defendant and parents of former student Ashley Crouse in court that he needed more time to mull over the sentencing for Meliton Praxedis. Praxedis, 21, pleaded guilty to class C felony charges Dec. 14 for fleeing the scene of an accident resulting in the death of Crouse. He could face a maximum of eight years in prison. "It would be easy to assign the maximum sentence because of the loss of life," Kellams said. "But even that can do nothing to bring back this person's life to her family."

Non-graded art classes offered

By Danielle Teagarden · Sunday, Jan. 8,2006 11:53 p.m.

For the student interested in exploring his or her artistic side, taking a beginning art class through IU for a grade can seem a little daunting. Fortunately, less than 10 minutes from the Sample Gates, the emerging or even the experienced artist may be able to find a friendly and casual venue for creative catharsis in Bloomington's John Waldron Arts Center. Classes in acting and dance begin in early January and are open to the public.

West Virginia 'miracle' a mirage

By Michael Sanserino · Friday, Jan. 6,2006 12:21 a.m.

A West Virginian explosion that took the lives of 12 coal miners created confusion for Hoosier media audiences and editors. Initial reports from the Associated Press that surfaced late Tuesday night said 12 of 13 miners had been found alive and many newspapers, including The Bloomington Herald-Times and The Indianapolis Star, published reports in their Wednesday editions that said the miners had been found alive.

IU withstands state budget cuts

By Adam Aasen · Friday, Jan. 6,2006 12:21 a.m.

IU's fiscal year 2004-2005 showed steady growth, despite challenges created by a lack of state appropriations, according to a recently released financial report. For the fiscal year, IU increased its net assets by $119 million, compared to $114 million for the previous year, a 6.7 percent increase. Assets increased by $60 million for the year before that. The University ended the year with $1.9 billion in total net assets. President Adam Herbert and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Judith Palmer both expressed optimism toward IU's financial position in the report.

Hoeppner has tumor removed

By Michael Sanserino · Friday, Jan. 6,2006 12:21 a.m.

IU football coach Terry Hoeppner's physicians expect him to make a full recovery after a Dec. 27, 2005, surgery that removed a tumor from the right side of his brain. Hoeppner experienced headaches Dec. 24, 2005, while in Cleveland watching quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who Hoepnner coached at Miami of Ohio, lead the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Browns. Hoeppner returned to Bloomington Dec. 26, 2005, and underwent neurological tests that revealed the tumor.

COAS dean candidate for UW provost

By Peter Stevenson · Friday, Jan. 6,2006 12:21 a.m.

College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kumble Subbaswamy was named as a final candidate for provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Dec. 21, 2005, just three weeks after being named a finalist for provost at the University of Kentucky. The new UW provost will replace Peter Spear, who retired in November. Subbaswamy is one of three final candidates announced after a seven-month search.

Poll finds Hoosiers want more K-12 funding

By Michael Zennie · Friday, Jan. 6,2006 12:16 a.m.

Hoosiers think Indiana schools are underfunded and they're willing to pay more taxes to foot the bill. A survey of 1,001 Indiana residents about K-12 education released Wednesday by IU's Center for Evaluation and Education Policy found that 62 percent think schools don't get enough money and nearly as many said they were willing to pay more taxes to better fund the schools.