Longform

Calif. rail agency: Engineer’s error caused wreck, 25 deaths

A commuter train engineer who ran a stop signal was blamed Saturday for the nation’s deadliest rail disaster in 15 years, a wreck that killed 25 people and left such a mass of smoldering, twisted metal that it took nearly a day to recover all the bodies.

Extending a hand

IU is red-hot, and this month we’re so hot we’re turning purple, thanks to the heat produced by The Wall Street Journal last week. The Journal published an article about the recent phenomenon that has New Yorkers flooding to IU. In the days following the article, thousands of readers nationwide began e-mailing it to all their friends and college-bound children, making it the newspaper’s most e-mailed story of the week. The article’s popularity will inevitably result in even more East Coasters applying and being admitted this fall. Native Hoosiers might find themselves feeling less than hospitable to the wave of outsiders, making next year an inevitable culture clash.

Barrier island closed, nearly 2,000 rescued after Ike strikes

Nearly 2,000 people in Texas who refused orders to evacuate before Hurricane Ike have been rescued by land, air and water.

They killed Kenny!

The Russian government is undertaking a courageous crusade to protect the innocent eyes and ears of its citizenry from the abasement of “national dignity” and incitement of “religious and national hatred.” These horrific notions, along with the villainy of “offending the honor and dignity of Muslims and Christians alike,” are the result of cartoon characters singing Christmas songs.

The real sexist

In response to John McCain’s accusation of Barack Obama’s so-called sexist remark against VP nominee Sarah Palin, it’s important to note the inherent hypocrisies within this situation and talk about who the true sexist in this campaign is. As you may or may not know, Sen. McCain, the “moderate” Republican, is anything but moderate when it comes to women’s health, reproductive rights and abortion. Throughout his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Sen. McCain has consistently voted against abortion and has blatantly pledged to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Superstition checkup

If you’re crazy enough to switch majors at the outset of your junior year, or feeble minded enough to regurgitate others’ viewpoints while believing them to be your own, you’d not only fit the mold of a good many others on IU’s undergraduate scene. You wouldn’t just share something unexpectedly in common with me (at least occasionally). You might also be ripe for your latest superstition checkup.

Roadside bombs strike Iraq police convoy, kill 5 officers

Three roadside bombs planted in succession struck a police convoy Sunday in one of Iraq’s most dangerous provinces, killing five policemen. In Baghdad, the leader of a Sunni group allied with the U.S. died when his booby-trapped car exploded.

Duke Energy reports power outages in Monroe County

Duke Energy is currently reporting that 17,652 customers are without power in Monroe County. A total of 199,373 customers are out of power in Indiana.

Dalai Lama’s brother cremated Thursday

Thubten J. Norbu’s cremation Thursday morning was the first of its kind in the state of Indiana after getting approval from Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Students reflect, mourn together

Sophomore Ariel Altman and junior Marc Birbach waited on a bench next to the Showalter Fountain, surrounded by crowds of other students. The two friends, both from Queens, N.Y., recounted their experiences of Sept. 11, 2001, as they waited for a candlelight vigil in honor of the seven-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Students for McCain, Obama face off

The Democrats called John McCain “only 90 percent Bush.” The Republicans said “we can’t leave Iraq too soon.” The Democrats fear a McCain administration would be a “gradual chipping away at women’s rights.” The Republicans fear Barack Obama has “the most radical view on abortion.”

7 female IU students to appear in Playboy magazine Friday

Seven female IU students will grace the pages of Playboy’s “Big 10” issue, which hits newsstands Friday.

Myers appeals to Indiana Supreme Court for retrial in Behrman murder

Defense attorneys for the man convicted of murdering an IU student in 2000 submitted a petition Wednesday to appeal the decision to the Indiana Supreme Court, alleging juror misconduct and constitutional violations.

Hoosier homecoming this weekend in North Carolina

IU opens season in South with Georgia on its mind

Hoosiers look to build on success

Hoosiers co-host tournament with Kentucky

Campillo played a lot of golf over the summer. His accomplishments included a win in the Spanish Amateur Championship and placing well in golf tournaments all over the world.

No rest for weary Hoosiers

The mood this week at women’s soccer practice was shockingly upbeat. Last Sunday, the Hoosiers (2-3) were outplayed in the finale of the Hoosier Classic and were defeated 3-1 by underdog Cal Poly. The loss placed the Hoosiers in a disappointing third for the tournament.

Looking to rebound

Heading into his weekend matchups against No. 24 UCLA and San Diego, both in Los Angeles, sophomore midfielder Rich Balchan said he feels good about his team’s chances.“We are moving forward and are confident going into this weekend,” Balchan said. “I’m honestly not too worried about (UCLA). If we just play our game, we will be fine.” The No. 19 Hoosiers, 1-1-2, are hoping to rebound from a 4-0 loss this past weekend against Dartmouth in South Bend. The outcome was the largest margin of defeat in the program’s history.

Shakespeare in the Park to begin Friday evening

Monroe County Civics  Theater will present “Two Gentlemen of Verona” as part of Bloomington’s Shakespeare in the Park series. “We have the most talented and strongest casts in my memory of Shakespeare in the Park,” said Sheila Butler, co-director for the civic theater.