Longform

Indiana high schools not acting on potentially offensive mascots

By Ashley Lough · Monday, Sept. 5,2005 12:34 a.m.

Playing "cowboys and Indians" as children with plastic toy guns and feather headdresses might not have raised any concerns with the neighborhood watch for being politically incorrect. But at the collegiate level, students dressing as American Indians with war paint and leather chaps are catching heat from the NCAA for offending certain cultures at championship events.

Fire department, greeks play waterball for charity

By Michelle Manchir · Monday, Sept. 5,2005 12:26 a.m.

More than 100 greek IU students fought both the heat and one another Saturday afternoon at the fifth annual Acacia Waterball Challenge. This year, Zeta Tau Alpha sorority also sponsored the event. The yearly philanthropic project raised more than $2,500 to benefit the Bloomington Fire Department's Shop With a Firefighter program.

Officials say rape stats misleading

Monday, Sept. 5,2005 12:24 a.m.

With school entering its second week, at least one rape has been reported to the IU Police Department. The accuser said she knew the alleged offender. Both individuals had been drinking earlier in the evening at different parties. The next day, he said it was consensual, and she said it wasn't.

Nonprofit bookstore showcases local art

By Lisa Braverman · Monday, Sept. 5,2005 12:15 a.m.

Boxcar Books' art is as innovative as the store itself. The store enhanced its community-centered focus by featuring local artists on its walls. Local artists unveiled their work Friday night at the shop's art show opening -- an event from which everyone involved appeared to profit. Co-general coordinator Abbey Friedman said Boxcar shows "basically all local art" and does not charge for its space. Since artists do not have to pay to show their art there, Boxcar allows many artists an opportunity to put their work on display.

Artists gather at Fourth Street Festival

By Adam Sedia · Monday, Sept. 5,2005 12:14 a.m.

Far from the drab walls of museums, the Fourth Street Festival featured "living art" -- art made and sold by the actual artists. The tents, live music and smells of local food vendors added to the "alive and present" atmosphere of the festival. This year, the Fourth Street Festival is in its 29th year. It was started in 1976 by local potters to showcase southern Indiana's artistic talent. The potters chose Fourth Street because they admired its architecture and saw it as a growing and revitalizing area of downtown, said Dawn Adams, president of the Festival Committee and Bloomington resident.

IU 20, Cent. Michigan 13

By Alyson Brodsy · Saturday, Sept. 3,2005 9:48 a.m.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The new-look IU Hoosiers liked the look of the final score Friday night, if not every play along the way. Blake Powers threw for three touchdowns in his first start to help IU beat Central Michigan 20-13 in Terry Hoeppner's debut as Hoosiers coach.

University lends helping hand to Katrina victims

By Gavin Lesnick · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 1:07 p.m.

A new IU Web site and hotline will bring together efforts to provide for students affected by Hurricane Katrina. The features, which debuted Thursday, are part of a campaign to reach out to students who are from the devastated regions as well as National Guard reservists who will be called up to aid in the relief effort there.

U.S. makes excellent showing at Venice

By Alyson Brodsy and Frances D'Emilio · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 1:05 p.m.

VENICE, Italy -- A stellar American profile and heavy security distinguish this year's Venice Film Festival, which began Wednesday night with a martial arts extravaganza, Tsui Hark's "Seven Swords."

County spends $1M on security

By Pat Giese · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 2:37 a.m.

Officials disagree about the effectiveness of homeland security funds allocated for Monroe County. According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's Web site, Monroe County was eligible for a final allocation of $916,294.79. Monroe County officials have been working throughout the county since May 2004 to find ways to improve security in the event of a terrorist attack.

Restaurants vie for local business

By Nate Gowdy · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 2:37 a.m.

Sophomore Joe Michelini said he decided to eat at Kirkwood Avenue's La Bamba Mexican restaurant because he wanted to know if they really had "burritos as big as (his) head." "It wasn't quite that big, but it was pretty big -- bigger than my belly," said his friend, sophomore Chelsey Wininger. "I'm stuffed."

State relief on gasoline prices unlikely for now

By Alyson Brodsy and Mike Smith · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 2:31 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS - Motorists in Indiana could save at least 13 cents per gallon of gasoline if the state suspends sales tax on the fuel. At least one state lawmaker is advocating the suspension, but Gov. Mitch Daniels has been cool to the idea.

The wait is over

By Eamonn Brennan · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 2:30 a.m.

The long wait is over. For new head coach Terry Hoeppner and the IU football team, months of preparation, practice and press conferences culminate today in the team's first game at Central Michigan University. For returning players, the game serves as the beginning of a new chapter in their IU football stories. For Hoeppner, the game marks the beginning of a whole new one. "I can't wait," the first-year coach said. "When we get under the goalposts and run out onto the field, I'll be getting goosebumps."

Budget cuts lead to faculty vacancies

By Trevor brown · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 2:24 a.m.

With more than $11 million being cut from IU's budget this year, the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education have been forced to cut faculty positions and decrease the number of course selections, making class sizes larger and providing fewer course sections for students.

Louisiana students seek enrollment at IU after colleges close

By Gavin Lesnick · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 2:24 a.m.

John Spotts strolled down Bourbon Street last Friday night, about to begin his freshman year at the University of New Orleans. The next morning, Spotts awakened to a city evacuating ahead of Hurricane Katrina and a college education put on hold.

California Senate approves bill allowing gay marriage

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 2:24 a.m.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The state Senate approved legislation Thursday that would legalize same-sex marriage in California, a vote that makes the chamber the first legislative body in the country to approve a gay marriage bill.

Week in review

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 1:36 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- A federal commission hunting for ways to slow increases in Medicaid's price tag on Thursday recommended letting states increase co-payments on some expensive drugs as well as several accounting changes in the program.

The real Big Ten Rankings

By Alyson Brodsy and Andrew Shaffer · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 1:34 a.m.

In 2005, the Big Ten is a big deal. Sports Illustrated has ranked eight of the 11 conference teams in the Top 50. The Coaches Poll (minus the AP, which I found stands for "Artificially Professional") has three teams: Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa in its Top 10 with cross-state rival Purdue at No. 16.

Bulls, Chandler agree to contract extension

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 1:34 a.m.

CHICAGO - Tyson Chandler and the Bulls agreed Thursday to a multiyear contract, keeping the restricted free agent and former No. 2 overall draft pick in Chicago.

Water polo player injured in accident

By Gavin Lesnick · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 1:32 a.m.

A junior defender on the IU water polo team suffered a fractured spine after a car hit her while riding her bike Wednesday, according to Bloomington Police Department reports. Emily Schmitt, 21, was riding westbound on 10th Street Wednesday evening when she was hit by a 1994 Chevrolet Tiara van coming up behind her about 500 feet east of Grandview Drive.

IU heads to Alabama Invitational tourney

By Jackie Faine and Jacqueline Faine · Friday, Sept. 2,2005 1:31 a.m.

After splitting matches against Indiana State and Western Kentucky this past weekend, the IU women's volleyball team looks for its first away victory at the Alabama Invitational. First up on Friday will be Oklahoma at 10 a.m. followed by Alabama at 7 p.m. The tournament will continue the following day as the Hoosiers aim to defeat Loyola University-Chicago.