Longform

Inmate executed for killing teenager in 1987

By Alyson Brodsy and Tom Coyne · Friday, April 22,2005 1:59 a.m.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- The second execution in less than six weeks at the Indiana State Prison ended more than 16 years on death row for an inmate convicted of raping and killing a Terre Haute teenager. Prison officials reported that Bill Benefiel Jr., 48, died by injection at 12:35 a.m. Thursday. He was convicted of holding 18-year-old Delores Wells captive for 12 days before killing her on Feb. 17, 1987.

IU vying for 3 seed in Big Tens

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, April 22,2005 1:32 a.m.

The IU men's tennis team will look to seal the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament this weekend when it travels north to face Michigan and Michigan State for a pair of important contests.

Pacers have 1 last shot to give Reggie Miller a championship

By Alyson Brodsy and Steve Herman · Friday, April 22,2005 1:28 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Reggie Miller still has some unfinished business before he leaves basketball for good. The Indiana Pacers threw a raucous, emotional retirement party for their all-everything player after his final regular-season game. But he still has the playoffs, starting Saturday at Boston, and one last chance to win a championship ring that has eluded him for 18 years.

No. 8 Hoosiers ready for division tournament

By Steve Brennan · Friday, April 22,2005 1:28 a.m.

Despite three weeks off from competition, the No. 8 IU water polo team has been anything but idle, according to coach Barry King. It has had three full weeks of practice and played intra-squad scrimmages as real games.

Northern state schools come to IU

By Tim O Brien and Tim O'Brien · Friday, April 22,2005 1:26 a.m.

After traveling to Missouri on Wednesday only to be rained out, the IU softball team returns home this weekend for four Big Ten games that could have an impact on postseason play. Wednesday, the Hoosiers traveled all the way to Missouri only to have the game called because of weather. "Being on a bus for six hours, we definitely wanted to play," said freshman Rachel Carlson.

Hoosiers set to play 1st place Illinois

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, April 22,2005 1:25 a.m.

Coming off its most lopsided loss of the season, the IU baseball team will look to rebound this weekend against the Fighting Illini of Illinois. The Hoosiers have not played a home game since April 6 when they defeated Indiana State 6-4. With their most recent loss, IU dropped its overall record to 19-16 on the year and its Big Ten record remains 3-9.

2nd place at stake against Michigan

By Andy Romey · Friday, April 22,2005 1:24 a.m.

The Hoosiers are three teams, two victories, one weekend and a little bit of help away from a second-place finish in the conference. This weekend will be pivotal for No. 40 IU as the Hoosiers meet at the IU Varsity Tennis Courts to take on No. 41 Michigan at 4 p.m. Friday and Michigan State at 10 a.m. Sunday.

IU travels to Big Tens to seek 8th tourney title

By Jake Brown and Jacob Brown · Friday, April 22,2005 1:23 a.m.

The IU women's golf team will head to Ann Arbor, Mich., this weekend, on three days rest from the Lady Buckeye Invitational, to compete in the Big Ten Championships on the University of Michigan Golf Course in hopes of capturing the program's eighth Big Ten title.

on the SIDELINES

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, April 22,2005 1:21 a.m.

Carmel's McRoberts won't play for Indiana All-Stars CARMEL, Ind. -- Josh McRoberts, the most valuable player in last month's McDonald's All-American game, will miss this summer's Indiana-Kentucky All-Star basketball series to make sure he's in top physical condition when he enrolls at Duke.

Competitive drive

By Chris Engel · Friday, April 22,2005 1:19 a.m.

Standing over the final putt of his first college tournament, Jeff Overton needed to make a 10-foot putt just to break 80. It was not quite the start he had imagined, but Overton stepped up and hit the putt to score 79 for the round. It wasn't a great round, but at that moment, IU coach Mike Mayer knew he had landed a special recruit.

Professors explore 007's cultural impact

By Colleen Corley · Friday, April 22,2005 1:01 a.m.

Espionage. Sex. Violence. Martinis. Two IU professors dive into the world of Britain's most famous spy in a new book released by IU Press this month. Fifteen essays about James Bond's cultural influence fill the pages of Professors Ed Comentale and Stephen Watt's new book, "Ian Fleming and James Bond: the Cultural Politics of 007."

Gospel singer performs pre-Passover concert

By Alyson Brodsy and Verena Dobnik · Friday, April 22,2005 12:31 a.m.

NEW YORK -- When Joshua Nelson sings the gospel music of his black ancestors, he commands attention. It's not just because of his fire-and-brimstone voice, the comparisons with the late Mahalia Jackson or even his discovery by Oprah Winfrey, whom he counts as a friend. It's the places he sometimes performs (synagogues), the word he avoids (Jesus) and his own faith (Jewish).

Digital IDEAS showcased

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, April 22,2005 12:30 a.m.

Digital art has continued to invade human life since its inception. Saturday, this creativity will convene on Bloomington. The Indiana IDEAS Festival offers students the opportunity to showcase their Interactive Digital Environments Arts and Storytelling or IDEAS and win money for it. They will also get to exhibit their work from noon to 4 p.m. in the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center and the Wells-Metz Theatre during the event. Gordon Walton, executive producer at Sony Entertainment, will speak at 5 p.m.

Bugs moves from TV to gallery

By Alyson Brodsy and Joann Loviglio · Friday, April 22,2005 12:29 a.m.

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- What's art, doc? At the James A. Michener Art Museum, that question is answered with a new exhibit featuring more than 160 drawings, cels, paintings and related items from the golden era of Warner Bros. animation that made Bugs Bunny now officially a senior citizen and his fellow Looney Tuners into pop culture icons for generations of Americans.

Student takes celebrated music video to Cannes

By Lauren Cooper · Friday, April 22,2005 12:28 a.m.

One man stands alone against a black backdrop that sets the stage for a message. Dressed in a sharp black suit, he offers up silent prayers as graphic images of war, Sept. 11 and political leaders collide in the background. A female's voice is heard singing, "This world's a shame, it's time for a change. As time goes on, the hate still remains, so who do we blame? People are dying, the blind lead the blind. And all we say is, 'It's a sign of the times.'"

Public gives search committee input on incoming chancellor

By Tony Sams · Friday, April 22,2005 12:28 a.m.

The committee charged to find a new chancellor for the IU-Bloomington campus wrapped up its public forum series Thursday with a number of students and faculty citing the University's reputation, academic concerns and advocacy as key issues the next chancellor will have to handle.

Googling your demise

By George Lyle IV · Friday, April 22,2005 12:26 a.m.

Once upon a time, an IU graduate student protested the war in Iraq. He stood with his compatriots, proudly holding his sign displaying his opposition to the conflict that raged a world away.

Students take extreme 'Outdoor Adventures'

By Ben Woodson · Friday, April 22,2005 12:25 a.m.

With IU Outdoor Adventures, you can climb high above the earth on a sheer rock face or jump out of an airplane and fall swiftly back toward it. The group takes students on a variety of adventure trips, teaches outdoor adventure skills courses and rents outdoor equipment.

Sergeant convicted of murder in Kuwait

By Alyson Brodsy and Estes Thompson · Friday, April 22,2005 12:19 a.m.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- An Army sergeant was convicted Thursday by a military jury of premeditated murder and attempted murder in a grenade and rifle attack that killed two of his comrades and wounded 14 others in Kuwait during the opening days of the Iraq war. Hasan Akbar, 34, now faces a possible death penalty, which the 15-member jury will consider at a hearing that begins Monday.

Axe and you shan't receive

By Aubrey Donaldson · Friday, April 22,2005 12:19 a.m.

Did something die in here, or did I just miss my cue to throw myself at a pheromone-drenched young stud? The May 2005 issue of Blender, a music magazine fully aware that it appeals mainly to young males, is chock-full of ads aimed at its demographic audience.