IUSA

Ku Klux Klan might hold rally in Bloomington

By IDS staff · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 9:51 p.m.

A Ku Klux Klan rally might be held in Bloomington this spring. The director of Bloomington's Safe and Civil City program, Beverly Calender-Anderson, received an e-mail Wednesday from Phil Lawson, the Imperial Wizard of the United Northern and Southern Knights of the KKK.

Citizens argue for public health care

By Michael Reschke · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 9:47 p.m.

The Bloomington Common Council heard emotionally charged testimony from citizens for and against a resolution supporting a plan for government-paid health insurance Wednesday night.

A courteous explanation

By Jacob Stewart and Jake Stewart · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 7:43 p.m.

I fear that we, as the Opinion section, have reached a misunderstanding with our readers. And this week I hope to reconcile some differences that have come to light during the fall 2006 semester.

Drafting democracy

By Rachel Fullmer · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 7:42 p.m.

I was standing in my kitchen, frosting an American flag onto a cake, when I saw the headline proclaiming that Rep. Charles B. Rangel's intent to introduce a bill calling for the draft to be reinstated.

Selling Xmas

By Nick Weprich · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 7:39 p.m.

It's that magical time of the year. Since Thanksgiving, advertisements trying to bolster our consumerism have taken over the three-minute breaks in my favorite TV shows. It's a predictable nuisance, but this year I saw something a little bit different -- the politically correct "Happy Holidays" is apparently not PC enough. I've noticed an increasing reference to the "holiday season" in lieu of actually wishing viewers "happy holidays."

The ghost of elections past

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 7:32 p.m.

Upon reading the Nov. 29 IDS story "County Republicans file for vote recount in three races," a reasonable person might have laughed it off as a joke. But sure enough, just before the recount deadline, the Monroe County Republican Party paid the $11,000 needed to demand a recount of three races. The races, which were chosen to be a "random sampling" of government levels, are county recorder, District 2 county council and the ever-controversial race of Van Buren township assessor. All were chosen randomly to show the "voter fraud" that Republicans mean to seek out could have happened at any level.

IU professors form Black Faculty and Staff Caucus

By Ab D. Phillip · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 2:10 p.m.

IU professors formally announced on Wednesday the formation of the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus at the IUPUI Conference Center as part of IU's ongoing effort to diversify its student body and faculty. The caucus, proposed at an October summit of black faculty and staff members, aims to be "an umbrella organization to assist the University in carrying out its commitments to diversity and equity and to advocate for improving conditions for Blacks on all campuses," according to an IU news release. The University has been under pressure to form such a group since an IU board of trustees retreat Sept. 20, when the board adopted a resolution supporting the University's goal to double minority enrollment by the 2013-2014 school year. A "commitment to diversity and equity" is one of IU's four core mission activities, according to the IU news release.

Hot Rod

By Matt Mattucci · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:47 a.m.

On Tuesday afternoon, his back pressed against an Assembly Hall corridor wall, Rod Wilmont was asked if he was in a slump. The senior guard began laughing. He knew better. Wilmont -- who scored just four points total in IU's previous two games -- tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Hoosiers' 92-40 victory against Western Illinois University on Wednesday night in Bloomington. The double-double marked the first of Wilmont's career and helped the Hoosiers improve to 5-2 overall on the season. Wilmont said after the game that he and IU coach Kelvin Sampson took a unique approach to getting the senior guard's offense back on track. "Coach emphasized in practice for me to start getting back in the gym, like I was doing at the beginning of the season, and I went two nights in a row," Wilmont said. "Then me and Coach, before the game today, played Horse."

Freshman remains in critical care after 3-story leap

By Sarah Core · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:43 a.m.

An IU wrestler remained in the critical-care unit at Bloomington Hospital on Wednesday night after surviving a leap from the third floor of the Walnut Center parking garage early Sunday morning, hospital officials said.

Student arrested for peeping in Wright showers

By Kristi Oloffson · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:43 a.m.

Police said they arrested an 18-year-old IU student Tuesday afternoon on charges of voyeurism, a class D felony.

Herbert to remain on payroll for 10 years

By Brian Spegele · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:43 a.m.

Even after the successor of IU President Adam Herbert takes office, the University will require the outgoing president to stay involved with IU, according to Herbert's contract.

Hoosiers 'sing' in the holidays with concert

By Jessica Andrews · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:40 a.m.

The conductor gave the signal, the band stood up and the music of the annual "Chimes of Christmas" filled the halls of the IU Auditorium.

Congress takes up final issues

By Abdullah AlShihri and Jim Abrams · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:35 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- In the final hours of Republican rule, the Senate on Wednesday put forward an all-purpose bill covering everything from normalized trade with Vietnam and tax breaks for millions of taxpayers to an expansion of offshore oil drilling.

Grade the last dance

By Jessica Anderson · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:33 a.m.

Audiences resisted the urge to get up and dance at the A-221 and African American Dance Company final exam. The soulful and rhythmic vibe filled the Willkie Auditorium on Tuesday night. The program opened with A-221 students performing "Lamba," which "illustrates the journey of Mansa Musa across the desert on a pilgrimage to Mecca," according to the program. The second dance was choreographed by Iris Rosa, associate professor and the dance company's director. She said the song by Spanky Wilson had a 1970s feel and inspired the choreography she created for the dance company's performance in "Potpourri of Arts." "It made me want to dance," said Colleen Welch, a modern dance major in the audience. She said was interested in taking one of the courses in the future. Brynne Mitchell, also a modern dance major, agreed that it was hard to resist the urge to get up and dance. She said that she recognized a lot of modern dance in the performance. "I had the jiggle leg," she said. "It's hard to be a dancer and come and not dance."

Holiday Hoopla event by Girls Inc. to feature Santa, breakfast

By Chris Freiberg and Warren Christopher Freiberg · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:13 a.m.

Girls Inc. of Monroe County will hold its annual Holiday Hoopla event this Saturday at the Fountain Square Mall. For $5, guests will be able to check out the kids-only boutique, a hot pancake breakfast and a 1 p.m. showing of the animated movie "The Polar Express" at The Cinemat, among other activities at the all-day event, said Amanda Smith, development intern for Girls Inc.

Teen birth rate in Indiana rises slightly after 9 - year decline

By Alexandra R. Moses · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:10 a.m.

FORT WAYNE -- The overall rate of Indiana teenagers having babies has risen slightly after an eight-year decline, a report released Tuesday shows.

Autistic teen will go to prison for knife attack at Muncie high school

By Alexandra R. Moses · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:08 a.m.

MUNCIE, Ind. -- An autistic teenager who pleaded guilty in a knife attack on a high-school classmate was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.

3 finalists selected for Heisman Trophy

By Alyson Brodsy and Ralph D. Russo · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:07 a.m.

NEW YORK -- Ohio State's Troy Smith and Notre Dame's Brady Quinn were selected Wednesday as finalists for the Heisman Trophy, along with University of Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. Smith is the heavy favorite to win the award when it is presented Saturday night in New York. The senior quarterback entered the season with plenty of Heisman hype and then backed it up with brilliant play for the unbeaten Buckeyes. Smith is fourth in the nation in passer rating (167.9) and has thrown for 2,507 yards and 30 touchdowns with only five interceptions, leading Ohio State to the national title game against Florida on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz. Against IU, Smith completed 15 of 23 passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns. The Buckeyes beat the Hoosiers 44-3 on Oct. 21. Quinn, the senior quarterback, was fourth in Heisman voting last season and has thrown 35 touchdown passes in 2006. McFadden, a sophomore, scored 16 touchdowns and led Arkansas to the Southeastern Conference title game. Smith grabbed the lead in the Heisman race early this season. In Ohio State's first No. 1 vs. No. 2 game of the season, he threw for 269 yards and two scores against Texas in September. He was even better in the Buckeyes' second 1-2 game, throwing for 316 yards and four touchdowns in the regular-season finale against Michigan.

Judge sets Feb. 12 trial date for Pacers' Jackson

By Alyson Brodsy and Deanna Martin · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:06 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A new trial date has been set for Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, who faces charges for allegedly shooting a gun in the air several times during a fight outside an Indianapolis strip club. Jackson was in Marion Superior Court Wednesday as a judge scheduled a Feb. 12 trial. The judge also set the same trial date for Deon Willford, who was also charged in the Oct. 6 fight outside Club Rio on the city's west side. Only one trial will take place that day, and the state wants to try Willford first, said David Wyser, chief trial deputy for the Marion County prosecutor's office. Both Jackson and Willford have so far rejected deals that would have required them to plead guilty to the most serious charges, Wyser said. Jackson, who is averaging 11.4 points per game this season, has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of criminal recklessness and misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct. Jackson was booked into jail Oct. 12 and has been free since then on a $10,000 bond. The criminal recklessness charge carries a prison term of six months to three years. Authorities say Jackson, already on probation for his role in the brawl with Detroit Pistons fans two years ago, got the gun from his car and fired it in the air before Willford hit him with a different car. Teammates Jamaal Tinsley and Marquis Daniels and a former Pacer were with Jackson at the club but not charged. Jackson's attorney, James Voyles, has characterized the incident as a fight. Jackson had stitches in his lip and other scrapes and bruises after the incident.

Hoosiers struggle shooting in road loss

By Lee Hurwitz · Thursday, Dec. 7,2006 12:05 a.m.

It was over as soon as it began. Throughout the first half, Bowling Green State University drained a barrage of 3-pointers on the IU women's basketball team en route to the Falcons' 82-47 shellacking of the Hoosiers Wednesday night. The Bowling Green loss moves IU's season record to 7-2. The Falcons made nine 3-pointers in the first half and took advantage of the Hoosiers' miscues all night. "We came out ready to play, though we didn't take a lot of shots," said IU sophomore forward Whitney Thomas. "They went up quick and with the position we were in, we couldn't come back." Prior to the game, IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack changed her starting lineup and inserted freshman guard Vanita Smart in place of sophomore Kim Roberson due to an injury Roberson suffered during warmups. As Roberson went up for a layup before the game, she hit her head and sustained an injury that required five stitches. Other details of Roberson's injury were unavailable at press time. Roberson chose Smart as her replacement in the starting lineup.