Longform

ONLINE ONLY: Car-mic retribution

By Alyson Brodsy and Jessica Simendinger · Sunday, Dec. 3,2006 10:48 p.m.

I'm sorry. Fates -- consider this my formal apology. I did something really bad, and I know it has caught up with me. The karma police have come, and they've come for me.

Man gets permit to bring tigers back after state had seized them

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Dec. 3,2006 10:47 p.m.

FLAT ROCK, Ind. -- A Shelby County man has received permission to keep three tigers at his rural home where wildlife officers removed several wild animals more than a year ago. But one of Dennis Hill's neighbors continues to fight the return of the big cats.

High winds causes damage, power outages across Indiana

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Dec. 3,2006 10:46 p.m.

Winds gusting more than 50 mph blew over semitrailers and knocked down power lines across Indiana on Friday as the state avoided the worst of a storm that dumped more than a foot of snow elsewhere in the Midwest.

Medical examination

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Dec. 3,2006 10:37 p.m.

Last Wednesday, IU sent letters to all University employees warning that, because of a contract dispute between the University's insurance provider, Anthem/Wellpoint, and Bloomington Hospital, the hospital will "discontinue participating in associated 'preferred provider' networks effective December 31, 2006," unless a deal is reached. In other words, if the two cannot resolve their differences, IU employees could find themselves facing considerably higher fees for treatment at Bloomington's main medical care facility.

Bayh setting up exploratory committee for presidential run

By Alyson Brodsy and John Heilprin · Sunday, Dec. 3,2006 10:36 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Democratic jockeying for the White House in 2008 intensified Sunday with Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh taking the first official step toward a run and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton gauging support among fellow New York lawmakers.

IU defeats Charlotte 74-57

Saturday, Dec. 2,2006 11:05 p.m.

The IU men's basketball team defeated the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 74-51 Saturday night in Assembly Hall.

Between breaks

By Alyson Brodsy and Jacob Stewart · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:51 p.m.

Thanksgiving break is over. We've been back on campus for a week and, by now, even the least academically concerned students are no doubt attentive and absorbing new course material. At the end of finals week we can all sit back, relax and anticipate next semester's intellectual stimulation and academic processes over the holiday season. Right. Instead, it's time to wake up from that drunken stupor of an academic dream world. It's time to drag the mismatched shoes and smell of liquor to the next class on a list of courses that are not only uninspiring but do little to contribute to one's education. ("Electives," my ass).

Merry Festivus

By Alyson Brodsy and Stefania Marghitu · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:51 p.m.

The holiday season's in full force, and the general masses are growing all too eager for holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but what is yours truly most excited about, besides blasting Teenage Fanclub's "December"? The answer is Festivus. Festivus originated in 1966 from former Reader Digest writer Dan O'Keefe. Thirty-one years later, O'Keefe's son Daniel, a writer for Seinfeld, incorporated this holiday into "The Strike." In this episode, Frank Constanza (Jerry Stiller) recalls how he became overwhelmingly frustrated with the absurdity of Christmas consumerism, so he created an alternative holiday.

UPDATE:Myers sentenced to 65 years

Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:50 p.m.

John R. Myers II received a 65-year sentence, the maximum sentence allowed, Friday in the 2000 murder of IU student Jill Behrman.

Women's recruitment to feature looser rules

By Kasey Hawrysz · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:50 p.m.

Pedestrians beware: Third Street and the Jordan Extension might be a little crowded this weekend. When freshman Stefanie Bassler throws on her recruitment t-shirt Saturday morning, she will join more than 1,700 identically clad women searching for a second home on campus during the first round of women's recruitment. For Bassler and the rest of the potential members, finding the perfect house this winter might be a little easier than in years past.

Dumpster digging

By Alyson Brodsy and Natalie A. Avon · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:50 p.m.

I nearly lost my life. And when I say my life, I mean my key chain. I say this because it contained everything near and dear to me: room key, house key, University ID, credit card and flash drive. I threw these things away in a Wright Place Food Court garbage can without realizing I had done so until the situation was almost completely hopeless.

ONLINE ONLY: The joy of the (tree) hunt

By Alyson Brodsy and Sarah Shipe · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 4:45 p.m.

With the first weekend of December looming, bringing with it subfreezing temperatures and some white precipitation, my father and I are gearing up for our annual excursion through the frozen tundra among the perfectly prim and pruned evergreens. Yes, I am talking about the Christmas tree farm.

On Earl, Rod and A.J.

By Ryan Corazza and Janie McCauley · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 1:31 p.m.

Earl Calloway, Rod Wilmont and A.J. Ratliff sat on IU's bench for much of the second half during the Hoosiers' 54-51 loss to Duke University Tuesday night.

Hospital drops IU employees' insurance

Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:52 p.m.

IU sent letters to employees Wednesday, informing them their health insurance will no longer be accepted at Bloomington Hospital starting Jan. 1. The notification follows a seven-month-long dispute between the hospital and Anthem/Wellpoint, IU's health insurance provider for employees.

Following in the footsteps

By Paul Coover · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:11 p.m.

Two-time national champion Joe Dubuque left some enormous shoes for IU wrestlers to fill when he graduated last year, even though the 125-pounder has only size seven feet.

Microsoft releases Vista, Office 2007 to businesses

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 9:13 a.m.

NEW YORK -- Microsoft Corp. launched its first computer operating system in five years Thursday, contending that the software and other new products will help people deal with information overload and become more productive.

Remembering Jill

By Sarah Core · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 1:58 a.m.

The sentencing hearing in the case of the State of Indiana v. John Myers II is Friday. Myers, 31, of Ellettsville, was found guilty Oct. 30 for the 2000 murder of IU sophomore Jill Behrman. Myers faces 45 to 65 years in prison for the crime. The Indiana Daily Student sat down with Jill's parents, Eric and Marilyn Behrman, after the trial to discuss their reaction to the end of the long process. In one childhood photograph, Jill Kristen Behrman, wearing a pale blue dress with white flowers, black patent leather Mary Janes and knee-high white socks, grins avidly from her seat beside the Christmas tree, her arms barely wrapped around the family cat, Tigger. With his ears flattened and back claws out, Tigger looks none too pleased about the situation. For Jill's parents, Eric and Marilyn Behrman, this is the type of image of their daughter that will remain forever imprinted in their memories -- a young girl filled with excitement for life and the promise of a bright future. "She was starting to realize that happiness and fulfillment was more important (to her) than making lots of money," Marilyn said, her brown eyes soft and her voice strong as she explained what had motivated her daughter's life.

Goodbye baseball, hello bossaball

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:11 a.m.

Sayonara, Super Bowl. Farewell, Final Four. Au revoir, Opening Day. I'm off to see the world, and unfortunately you won't fit in my carry-on. In less than a month, I will be one of about 2,000 IU students who has decided to study abroad for the spring semester. My exotic destination of choice: Sao Paulo, Brazil. While the idea of living on the other side of the equator sends shivers of excitement down my spine, I can't help but think about everything I'm leaving in Bloomington -- especially when it comes to sports.

Soriano eager to get going with Cubs

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:09 a.m.

CHICAGO -- Alfonso Soriano grew up in the Dominican Republic hoping to be a professional baseball player, maybe even a major leaguer someday. At 31, with the fifth-largest contract in the history of the game, he's gone "a little bit farther" than he imagined.

IU hopes to remain undefeated

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Dec. 1,2006 12:06 a.m.

Seven swimmers from the IU women's swimming and diving team will head to West Lafayette this weekend to compete in the U.S. Open Invitational. The women's swimming and diving team is off to a hot start this season, boasting a 4-0 record in dual meet competition. The women are also coming off an impressive performance at the IU Open Invitational. IU finished first in five individual events, including a school record performance by sophomore Sarah Stockwell in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:03.02. Senior Leila Vaziri continued her strong swimming with a win in the 50-yard freestyle. Sophomore Allison Kay won the 400-yard individual medley with freshmen Presley Bard and Ashley Jones winning the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events, respectively.