Region

Back on track

By Ryan Corazza · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Um, if I could just write in this space, “IU will beat Minnesota,” that would be lovely. But see, I have more space to fill than that.

Author speaks about political power of hip-hop music

By Whitney Mitchell · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Hip-hop expert Bakari Kitwana challenged IU students to use the music that’s part of their everyday lives as a means to change the political atmosphere of the nation during his speech Tuesday at the IU Auditorium. “You can’t really have a political movement without a political infrastructure,” Kitwana said. “The hip-hop movement has created a national infrastructure – young activists that understand the power are tapping into it to make a political change.”

Illinois basketball player charged with felonies in recent crash

By David Mercer and Jake Stewart · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois basketball player Jamar Smith – charged Tuesday with drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident – apparently believed a teammate in the car had died, authorities said. Smith, 19, was driving a 1996 Lexus shortly after 11 p.m. on Feb. 12 when it struck a tree in heavy snow. He then drove the car a little over a mile to the apartment complex where he lived in the small town of Savoy.

Indiana House votes 55-41 in favor of law requiring seat belts for everyone

Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS – The House voted 55-41 Tuesday for legislation that would require almost everyone to wear seat belts in both the front and back seats of most vehicles, including pickup trucks.

Bill approved by state Senate committee would privatize lottery

By Brian Spegele · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Enticed by the notion of landing more cash to develop life sciences, IU officials supported Tuesday’s Senate committee approval of the controversial Hoosier lottery privatization bill. The bill, which squeaked through the Indiana Senate Tax and Fiscal committee with a 7-5 vote of approval, calls for a corporate takeover of the state-run lottery, which is another public sector

IDS Presents IU Foundation President Curt Simic

By Maria Srour · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

IU Foundation President Curt Simic earned his degree at IU and went on to hold positions at several universities, including University of California at Berkeley and Yale University. He has been president of the foundation for 19 years.

Dropped call collision

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

The term “teenage driver” is as oxymoronic as “military intelligence.” In fact, it’s probably more accurate to describe newly licensed teens in terms of the moving violations they commit. “Reckless endangerment” comes to mind; as does “criminal negligence,” as in “Criminally negligent Jane caused a 15 car pileup on the interstate because she was steering with her knees while sipping coffee, applying makeup, and calling her boyfriend.”

That's what she said

By Joanna Borns · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Could you pass me the butter? I’m going to ride the A bus. Is there parking in back? I really want some chimichangas. These are buy one, get one free.

Around the World

By Abdullah AlShihri · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Language skills and culture background are the aspects President Bush instructed the nation’s new spy chief to focus on when finding more recruits to collect information on al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.

Golden opportunity

By Matt Mattucci · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

The disappointment was obvious. After the Hoosiers’ loss to Michigan last Saturday, IU coach Kelvin Sampson and his squad made a long walk out of Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich. Nobody said much, but the silence spoke louder than any words could.

Fake out

By Brian J. McFillen and Brain J. McFillen · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Ever since bubble gum pop took over the mass media in the late ’90s (having since declined – thank God), I’ve had a theory about the genre’s secret origins. It’s an absurd, mad theory with absolutely no evidence – but I like it. It goes something like this: Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilera, the rest of NSync, the Backstreet Boys, Lindsay Lohan, perhaps Mandy Moore and Hilary Duff are all products of a secret cloning project run by the Walt Disney Company.

IU School of Medicine conducting study on response to alcohol

By Mandy Eid · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Researchers at the IU School of Medicine are conducting a study to see how human brains respond to the smell of alcohol and how these responses might give insight into alcoholism.

Center Allen looks to regain early-season playing time

By Eamonn Brennan · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

It hasn’t been an easy season for IU center Ben Allen. After starting four of IU’s first nine games, Allen has gone from starting center to bench standby, from physically improved to physically debilitated.

Hoosier party outlines platform

By Beka Mech · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

The IU Student Association executive elections have been canceled, but the Hoosier party is using the extra time to promote its congressional candidates in the Feb. 27 election and make progress on its platform, said W.T. Wright, IUSA presidential candidate-elect.

Course tackles gay issues in the workplace

By Tiffany Yoder · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

A gay airline pilot claimed in 2005 that his place of employment fostered an anti-gay environment. After reporting anti-gay comments and graffiti, Capt. John Benisch reported the company to the Atlanta’s Human Relations Commission.

Group wants ban lifted that prohibits drug felons from receiving public aid

By Nadia LaMantia · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Citizens for Effective Justice, an organization dedicated to helping convicts succeed after prison, held a press conference Tuesday calling for a federal ban they claim harms some inmates to be lifted.

Nation and World

Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Britain will withdraw around 1,600 troops from Iraq in the coming months and aims to further cut its 7,100-strong contingent by late summer if Iraqi forces can secure the country’s south, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday.

Pizza Express on 10th Street reopens 6 weeks after fire

By Shannon Dahmer · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

Through wind, rain, snow and even fire, the 10th Street location of Pizza Express still feeds pizza-craving IU students. The orders kept coming, and out of appreciation the store will be holding a “Fire Sale” from 4 p.m. Wednesday to the 3 a.m. closing time Thursday.

Sabbagh enters race for mayor

By Kyle Wood · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

City Councilman David Sabbagh announced Monday he wants to bring change to Bloomington by taking on a new role. Serving his third term as a Republican representing District 5 in the City Common Council, Sabbagh’s declared his new ambition to become the city’s next mayor.

School comes first

By Megan Robb · Wednesday, Feb. 21,2007 12 a.m.

College athletics are exciting to watch. Compared to highly-paid professional athletics, college athletes are true warriors – not only fighting the clock or an opposing team, but also working hard to balance athletic commitments with the normal college experience.