IUSA

Scorsese, DiCaprio fly high in 'Aviator'

By Doug Evans · Wednesday, Jan. 12,2005 1:17 a.m.

Martin Scorsese is long overdue for an Academy Award. His classic films "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," and "Goodfellas" failed to earn him Academy gold and though "The Aviator" may not be as good as these previous masterpieces (it would be like comparing Picasso to Van Gogh), it is certainly good enough to merit at least one coveted Oscar.

Judge nominated to head Homeland Security

By Alyson Brodsy and John Solomon · Wednesday, Jan. 12,2005 1:13 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Tuesday chose federal appeals court judge Michael Chertoff to be his new Homeland Security chief, turning to a former federal prosecutor who helped craft the early war on terror strategy.

Emo director tackles Melville-esque yarn

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, Jan. 12,2005 1:11 a.m.

Wes Anderson is arguably the best and most eccentric filmmaker of his generation. His movies reflect the man himself in that they're weird as all get out. Such is the case with his latest, "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" -- his strangest, saddest and arguably most precious effort to date.

New IFC leaders push change

By Haley Beck · Wednesday, Jan. 12,2005 1:03 a.m.

Twenty-one years old and it's time to party. A six pack of beer and a couple of wine coolers, is that a reasonable amount for one person? How about one fraternity member? Despite what popular films might suggest, the new officers of the Interfraternity Council think so.

Marino among 15 finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Jan. 12,2005 12:40 a.m.

CANTON, Ohio -- Quarterbacks Dan Marino and Steve Young and wide receiver Michael Irvin were among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday. The finalists also include former Miami guard Bob Kuechenberg, who played at Notre Dame, and defensive end Richard Dent, who played for the Indianapolis Colts in 1996 late in his career.

Unmasking SPIDERMAN

By Lori Snow · Wednesday, Jan. 12,2005 12:39 a.m.

It's 40 degrees outside on a quiet, clear night as sophomore Kirk Nathanson stands outside the Student Building. There's a hint of frost on the grass nearby, and he can almost see his breath as he exhales. He's only wearing cargo shorts and a long-sleeved fleece sweatshirt -- his lucky sweatshirt -- but he doesn't seem to notice the cold. He looks at the 30-foot stone wall. He's going to climb it.

Several missing after California mudslide

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Jan. 12,2005 12:34 a.m.

LOS ANGELES -- Scattered rain showers lashed waterlogged Southern California again Tuesday, hampering efforts to find survivors buried by a mudslide in a coastal community and prompting hundreds to flee a mountain town below a rain-swollen reservoir and along rising streams.

A tattoo on one shoulder, his pride on the other

By Brian Janosch · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:42 p.m.

Off the Bench will be a weekly column devoted to local sports issues beyond just basketball and football. Columns, ideas and questions for Off the Bench can be submitted to sports@idsnews.com.

Colts hoping 'rules emphasis' holds up against New England

By Alyson Brodsy and Michael Marot · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:33 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Tony Dungy wants to play by the book. If defenders are holding, grabbing or pushing receivers, the Colts coach expects it to be called. If there is incidental contact, he expects officials to give players some leeway.

Free-speech roadblock

By Elisha Sauers · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:30 p.m.

Some might say the Ku Klux Klan is really "cleaning up" its act. Sure, the Knights of the KKK still gallivant as a white supremacist group, but they're doing so much for the environment these days.

It's all a conspiracy

By Warren Christopher Freiberg · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:28 p.m.

I always dread a phone call from my Uncle Bill. It's not the fact that every other word out of his mouth is either a curse or an ethnic slur, and it's definitely not the fact that he smells like old pasta sauce, since that's hardly a factor over the phone.

A turkey to welcome me home

By Colin Dugdale · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:26 p.m.

I flicked off the light. Anxious to begin my winter break back in Indianapolis, I shut my door swiftly and gallivanted over to the elevator. Or rather, I gallivanted as much as was possible while carrying two suitcases.

The door's unlocked

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:25 p.m.

Congratulations, Palestine! Good work, Afghanistan! Way to pull through, Ukraine! By the looks of it, democracy is taking over the world.

Video game trend becomes family-oriented

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:18 p.m.

As president of Activision Publishing, Kathy Vrabeck helps promote and develop games like "Doom 3," "Tony Hawk's Underground 2" and "Call of Duty."

Art organizations apply for funding

By -Jenny Kobiela · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:17 p.m.

Artists in need of resources need to look no further than the Bloomington Area Arts Council. This week the BAAC will hold a workshop focused on applying for Indiana Arts Commission grants.

Alaska builds new museum

By Alyson Brodsy and Dan Joling · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:16 p.m.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The walls of the Museum of the North stand out against the interior Alaska sky like bold, white brush strokes on blue canvas.

Talks continue as casino strike deadline nears

By Alyson Brodsy and Tom Coyne · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:14 p.m.

Talks between a union representing about 850 workers at four northwestern Indiana casinos and the companies continued Tuesday as a union spokeswoman said she was hopeful agreements could be reached before a Friday strike deadline.

Around The State

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:13 p.m.

NASHVILLE, Ind. -- Police arrested two freshmen at Brown County High School on intimidation charges Tuesday, the day after the discovery of a suspected hit list with the names of 20 other students and six teachers.

Daniels rescinds collective bargaining for state employees

By Alyson Brodsy and Mike Smith · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 11:09 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels rescinded collective bargaining powers for state employees Tuesday and canceled settlement agreements for about 25,000 state workers, saying the arrangements hindered his ability to quickly reshape state government. Daniels also created a separate, cabinet-level agency to oversee the state's child protection services.

Sharon calls Abbas after election win

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Jan. 11,2005 10:50 p.m.

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday to congratulate him for winning the Palestinian presidential elections, the latest sign the two sides are eager to restart peace efforts after years of stalemate.