Region

Peacekeepers land in Liberia

By Glenn McKenzie · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:41 p.m.

MONROVIA, Liberia -- U.S. military helicopters landed a seven-member Marine team Wednesday in Liberia, marking the first U.S. troops on the ground to support a West African peace force.

Belt buckles, keys among items FBI says could conceal weapons

By Curt Anderson · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:41 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- The FBI is warning security personnel about dozens of everyday items -- from belt buckles to keys to a deadly deck of cards -- that can conceal knives or other weapons terrorists could use to hijack an airliner.

Authors hope to stop cancer trend

By Devon Thomas · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:41 p.m.

African Americans are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than any other racial or ethnic group, according to the American Cancer Society. Many times this is due to the lateness in discovering the cancer.

Asteroids memorialize lost Columbia astronauts

Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:41 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Seven asteroids circling the sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter are being named for the astronauts who died in the space shuttle Columbia accident, officials announced Wednesday.

State Fair kicks off in Indianapolis

By Adam Aasen · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:41 p.m.

The taste of an ice-cold lemon shake-up or a warm funnel cake. The sound of buzzers and bells from midway games filled with stuffed animals. The feeling in your stomach after being hurdled through the air in a ride called "The Zipper." The view from atop a Ferris wheel. And yes -- even the smell of the cows and pigs in the barn.

Afghan leader speaks to crowd at IU

By Joe Grace · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:41 p.m.

The young-looking man with growing streaks of gray in his slicked black hair confidently strolled down the stairs to a podium at the front of the classroom. The 75 people in attendance waited patiently for him to finish pouring a bottle of Dasani water in a glass before beginning his lecture on the state of Afghanistan.

A different kind of court

By Tim Dahlberg · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:37 p.m.

EAGLE, Colo. -- NBA superstar Kobe Bryant made his first appearance in court Wednesday on a charge of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old hotel worker. Flanked by his attorneys, the 24-year-old Bryant stood quietly as his attorneys waived his right to be formally advised of the felony assault charge. Judge Frederick Gannett set a preliminary hearing for Oct. 9. Bryant has said he had consensual sex with the woman but is innocent of assault.

The old college try

By Brian McFillen and Brain J. McFillen · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:27 p.m.

It's almost that time of year again. The bees are buzzing, the sun is shining between downpours, the last of this summer's prospective-student families are lumbering across campus, and I just paid half a month's salary to cover what IU vaguely describes as "fees." Soon, the rest of IU-Bloomington's nearly 39,000 students will return in a tsunami of people and cars and boxes and furniture, filling up every parking lot and sprawling on every flat or quasi-flat surface.

Goodbye to Archie Bunker

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:25 p.m.

This is the beginning of my second year as chair of the department of African American and African Diaspora Studies.

Prodding public opinion

By Alyson Brodsy and Jim Harper · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:23 p.m.

People like to say public opinion is fickle. Well, people are right. Less than two years after Sept. 11, Afghanistan and airport security have dropped from public discourse, replaced by Iraq and Kobe Bryant. Shifting opinions is as American as apple pie (wait, no it isn't).

Behind different bars

Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:21 p.m.

The Marion County jail has been facing an all too common problem in America: overcrowding as a result of nonviolent offenders. On occasion, the jail has housed more than 1,600 inmates when, in fact, there is room for only 1,310.

IUPD Blotter

Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:09 p.m.

The IU Police Department reported the following activity: July 25 • Bloomington Fire Department responded to a fire in the air conditioning unit at Mathers Museum. Damage was contained to the air conditioning unit. Estimated damage is $500.

Around The Region

Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:08 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A 1-year-old girl suffered a facial abrasion after a stray bullet broke glass in her bedroom during what police say was an apparent street shootout.

Professor charged with killing baby

By Renee Ruble · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:08 p.m.

St. Paul, Minn. -- A Villanova University history professor accused of fatally slitting her 6-month-old daughter's throat was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder. The girl, Raya Donagi, was found bleeding and unconscious Monday after her grandmother called 911 at about 9 a.m.

Dietitians suggest moderation of fair food

Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:06 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The food at the Indiana State Fair is enough to tempt even the most diligent of dieters, but experts say there are ways to cut calories and still enjoy some treats.

UMass president resigns over family troubles

By Ken Maguire · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:06 p.m.

Lowell, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts President William M. Bulger resigned Wednesday after months of mounting pressure over his role in the federal investigation of his fugitive mobster brother. The school's board of trustees immediately voted to accept the resignation, which is effective Sept. 1.

Speaker: Don't blame lawmakers

By Mike Smith · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:05 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A government research organization widely respected at the Statehouse will conduct an independent study to gauge the accuracy and impact of the unfolding, statewide property tax reassessment.

Graduates try to live up to award

By Jen Gossman · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:05 p.m.

Four months after being given the Stahr Award, effectively being named some of the most distinguished seniors at IU, Gail Goldberg and Erin Ransford are trying to find their way in the post-graduate world. The Stahr Award is given to three or five recipients each year -- students that have shown remarkable leadership skills. The award is named after former IU President Elvis J. Stahr Jr., who succeeded Herman B Wells and served from 1962 to 1968 as IU's 12th president.

Around The Arts

Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 9:02 p.m.

Roger Ebert to undergo radiation for cancer CHICAGO -- Film critic Roger Ebert will undergo radiation treatment for cancer next month. The treatment will be for a cancerous tumor in Ebert's salivary gland, the Chicago Sun-Times reported in its Wednesday editions. The 61-year-old critic underwent surgery twice in February 2002 for cancer in his thyroid and salivary gland.

British opera based on 'Jerry Springer'

By Fawn Vrazo · Wednesday, Aug. 6,2003 8:59 p.m.

LONDON -- The first hint that this is not your usual opera comes long before the diaper-clad fat guy sings, before the line of Ku Klux Klan members does a snappy dance in white robes and masks, before the chorus trills, "My mom used to be my dad!" The production's very name suggests that something extraordinary is about to unfold on one of London's premier stages: "Jerry Springer -- the Opera." If your reaction is "What!?" you aren't alone.