Longform

Bigger and blonder equals dumber

By -Paul Straw · Wednesday, July 9,2003 7:29 p.m.

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde" is definitely blonder, but that doesn't necessarily make it better. The original was silly, lighthearted fun. The sequel is a rehash, and though the stakes are higher, the premise seems even more unlikely than in the first. Elle (Reese Witherspoon) is about to be married to Emmett (Luke Wilson, collecting a paycheck). Though, when she discovers that one of her firm's clients uses animal testing and wants to protest, she is fired.

'Terminator' flick anything but robotic

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, July 9,2003 7:28 p.m.

After the cinematic maelstrom that was "Jingle All the Way," "Batman and Robin," "End of Days," "The 6th Day" and "Collateral Damage," it's amazing that Arnold Schwarzenegger still has a career. His last certifiable hit was "Eraser," all the way back in 1996, and even that flick was proceeded by the half-assed turd of a movie, "Junior."

Bloomington: Not just for drunks anymore

By Robert Mixner · Wednesday, July 9,2003 7:28 p.m.

Bloomington is home to entertainment of all kinds. This town regularly features various kinds of movies and musical acts, both local bands and those known nationwide. If none of that is what you consider fun -- honestly, you're probably not one of our readers. But say you're tired of that sort of thing, and are looking for something else to do. Of course, Indiana University has been named the Princeton Review's No. 1 party school of 2002, so there's always getting drunk. Though, maybe that isn't what you want either.

Hackers knock out obscure Web sites

By Ted Bridis · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:54 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- A battle among hackers erupted Sunday on the Internet as some factions disrupted a loosely coordinated "contest" among other groups trying to vandalize thousands of Web sites around the world. Unknown attackers for hours knocked offline an independent security Web site, zone-h.org, that was verifying reports of online vandalism and being used by hackers to tally points for the competition. U.S. government and private technology experts warned last week that such vandalism was likely.

Professor tests effect of climate change on crops

By Alyson Brodsy and Jim Paul · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:35 p.m.

SAVOY, Ill. -- The gizmos and gadgets that rise above a soybean field south of Champaign are helping scientists predict what changes in the Earth's atmosphere are likely to do to crop yields.

Students on trial for assault

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:35 p.m.

SOUTH BEND -- The attorney for four former Notre Dame football players charged with sexual assault asked a judge to exclude from their trial statements the statements they made during an expulsion hearing.

Professors study ticks to help prevent Lyme disease

By Sarah Webb · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:33 p.m.

Most people avoid the tiny, vampire-like bugs or remove them as quickly as possible, but Keith Clay collects ticks in plastic vials off of his dog or even off his wife's pants. The tick vials end up at work where Clay and his colleagues are examining how harmless and disease-causing bacteria interact inside ticks. Their work could lead to methods of limiting the spread of diseases like Lyme disease to humans and other animals.

IUSA gets down to business

By Aaron Uslan · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:33 p.m.

While many students are spending this summer lying out on the beach taking a break from the grind, IU student government officials are looking to improve aspects of campus life. The current party in office is Crimson, which was elected last winter. Junior Casey Cox, president of the IU Student Association, along with Crimson executives seniors Grant McFann, Alan Grant and Anne Eichengreen, is spending the summer drafting proposals, negotiating contracts and passing budget plans.

Car chase leads to capture

By Brandon Morley · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:33 p.m.

A wanted felon who escaped prison after being arrested for bank robbery led the Bloomington Police Department on a chase Saturday evening, ending with a car crash and a foot pursuit. The felon and his companion were taken into custody near the intersection of Fess and Cottage Grove avenues.

'Celebrating the Fourth'

By Aaron Uslan · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:33 p.m.

Fire trucks, a marching band, a bagpipe band, military caravans, pro-life protesters and political campaign floats were just a handful of those present at this year's Monroe County Fourth of July Parade on Friday. Thousands of spectators, armed with cold drinks, blankets and lots of sunscreen, lined the streets of downtown Bloomington. Temperatures rose to the mid 90s as the sun beat down on those celebrating Independence Day.

Playing video games not taking away from studying

By Alyson Brodsy and Martha Irvine · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:23 p.m.

CHICAGO -- Roughly two-thirds of college students play video games, but the image of a nerdy guy who spends all day in a dimly lit room blowing up computer-generated bad guys is off base, according to a new study. College gamers are not necessarily male -- or anti-social hermits. And while about a third of those surveyed admitted playing computer games during class, the games generally don't conflict with their studies, says the researcher who conducted the survey for the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Assistant coach leaves

Sunday, July 6,2003 9:20 p.m.

IU men's basketball assistant coach Jim Thomas will not be returning to the IU staff for the 2003-2004 season, head coach Mike Davis announced Thursday. Thomas, who played his collegiate basketball career at IU, was instrumental in the championship run as the sixth man of the 1981 NCAA Championship team, and captured NCAA All-Tournament honors in 1981. During both of his junior and senior seasons in a Hoosier uniform, Thomas led in both steals and rebounds per game. Due to his impressive play at IU, Thomas was drafted in the second round by the Indiana Pacers and played for three seasons in the NBA. After spending seven years in the Toronto Raptors organization as an assistant coach and scout, Thomas returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach in August 2001.

The NHL steals the headlines

By Kevin A Switaj · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:05 p.m.

During the summer, the only ice people usually speak of are frozen margaritas and the diamonds in engagement rings. However, the NHL stole the headlines from the rest of the sporting community this past week with several important player moves. To begin, Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne signed with the Colorado Avalanche. As two of the best forwards in the NHL and former linemates in Anaheim, they went against the stereotypical modern athlete's behavior.

Federer takes Wimbledon title

By Steven Wine · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:03 p.m.

WIMBLEDON, England -- The final day at Wimbledon was dry, until Roger Federer won the men's title. Federer sobbed in his courtside chair, then cried again while holding the trophy, overwhelmed by his achievement. He become the first Swiss man to earn a Grand Slam title Sunday, out-serving Mark Philippoussis to win 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3).

State schools take funding hit

By Shannon Dininny · Sunday, July 6,2003 9:01 p.m.

DALEVILLE, Ind. -- After 35 years, the small school district of Daleville is losing federal dollars allocated to help poor students who have fallen behind in reading or math.

Monroe County turns 185 in celebration Friday

By Benjames Derrick · Sunday, July 6,2003 9 p.m.

Monroe County celebrated its 185th birthday Friday. The county in which Bloomington resides was founded on April 10,1818. In previous years, the birthday had been celebrated on the actual date of "birth," but Monroe County decided to change the celebration to Independence Day in an effort to attract more people to the celebration.

Heavy storms kill 3

Sunday, July 6,2003 8:59 p.m.

At least three people were killed following heavy thunderstorms that swept through the state Friday and early Saturday. The storms continued Saturday evening, hampering cleanup efforts.

Eritrean cuisine provides a unique flavor

By Adam B. Steer and Adam Steer · Sunday, July 6,2003 8:55 p.m.

I am always up for trying new things. When I heard there was an Eritrean restaurant in town, I figured I would try it.

Jazz in July series plays at IUAM

By Nicholas J. Schmidt · Sunday, July 6,2003 8:54 p.m.

Thirteen years and approximately 48 performances later, IU's own Jazz in July concert series is the strongest it has ever been. Every July, the IU Art Museum plays host to a weekly series of free jazz concerts that are open to the public, with this year being no exception.

HarpCon coming to Bloomington

By Nicholas J. Schmidt · Sunday, July 6,2003 8:51 p.m.

Come Wednesday, Bloomington will be invaded by up to 500 people, as it will play host to this year's international harp convention -- HarpCon. People from all over the world will gather in Bloomington for four days, listening to world-renowned performers, taking part in interactive workshops and basking in the surroundings that HarpCon brings every two years. "HarpCon is fortunate to be part of such a rich community of talented harpers," according to their Web site.