Region

'Monty Python' producer, comedian writer dies at 73

By Alyson Brodsy and Associated Press · Sunday, March 31,2002 11:28 p.m.

Barry Took, one of Britain\'s most famous comedians and comic writers who helped produce such shows as "Monty Python's Flying Circus," died Sunday at the age of 73, his family announced. Took, once described as one of the funniest men in Britain, died at a north London nursing home after a battle with cancer, his family said. Took had an unusually long career as a standup comic, radio scriptwriter writer, television executive and film critic

Al Qaeda not POW status

By Dana Zito · Sunday, March 31,2002 10:48 p.m.

Although less discussion has been heard in recent weeks, a literal war of words is quietly being waged both here and abroad. What is the subject of this ongoing debate? The treatment and lack of classification of al Qaeda prisoners in Cuba. As the leading nation of the free world, our country prides itself on the superiority of our legal system and the right to a fair trial based on the premise that one is innocent until proven guilty. In this case, however, lives may very well be at stake if POW designation and the legal rights that correspond are granted to the prisoners.

Coverdale availability still in question

By Jason Recker · Friday, March 29,2002 4:59 p.m.

ATLANTA -- The question mark continues to loom over Tom Coverdale. Coverdale didn't practice during IU's 50-minute session in the Georgia Dome Friday, instead resting his twice-sprained left ankle by sitting on the bench and conversing with IU coach Mike Davis. He status is still listed as questionable for IU's Final Four battle with Oklahoma Saturday.

Playing the 'what-if' game

By Jason Recker · Friday, March 29,2002 4:19 p.m.

Kirk Haston is enjoying IU's ride to the Final Four. But the former Hoosier is on the outside looking in. Haston, who left IU after his junior season and opted for the NBA Draft, is with the Charlotte Hornets, not the Hoosiers. A season after his departure, Haston is watching IU's longest NCAA Tournament run in 10 seasons instead of playing in it.

Students abroad following team

By Sean Nightingale · Friday, March 29,2002 4:18 p.m.

It was 10 years ago this month that Kirkwood Avenue and Showalter Fountain last heard the hoots and hollers of the Final Four-bound IU faithful. A short walk through campus reveals a sense of pride that has been restored here in Bloomington. "This is a really exciting time for students to be at IU. I think it's just great," Telecommunications lecturer and Public Information Director of WTIU, Suzann Mitten Owen said.

Alumni prepare for Saturday's game

By Bennet Haeberle and Bennett Haeberle · Friday, March 29,2002 4:16 p.m.

We're ready. Ready to flood Kirkwood Avenue and jump in Showalter Fountain in the event of a Hoosier victory Saturday. But, for alumni who can't join in the jubilation here or in Atlanta, the party will have to occur elsewhere.

Sweet home Atlanta: 'P.O. Boys' back

By Jason Recker · Friday, March 29,2002 4:15 p.m.

Jeff Newton and A.J. Moye will enjoy their trip back to Atlanta, the city they both call home. It's a warm and fuzzy story, full of anecdotes and emotion. But make no mistake, IU's two top bench scorers aren't headed to the Final Four to visit family and friends or their old stomping grounds.

Keeping the Faith

By Dan Cortez · Friday, March 29,2002 4:14 p.m.

One hour before the Hoosiers started their NCAA Tournament run against Utah two weeks ago, IU coach Mike Davis wasn't drawing up plays or lecturing his team. No, he was watching the New York Knicks play the Sacramento Kings on a television inside of Arco Arena in Sacramento, offering his description of the play to arena workers

Freshman thrust into Final Four spotlight

By Dan Cortez · Friday, March 29,2002 4:13 p.m.

Freshman Donald Perry ended up at the free throw line 10 times in the last 2:14 of last Saturday night's South Regional final against Kent State. The free throws were insurance to the Hoosiers' lead, which was 72-58 when Perry was fouled at the 2:14 mark. Perry promptly missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Hoosiers hit with ankle madness

By Jason Recker · Friday, March 29,2002 4:12 p.m.

Ankle madness didn't stop after sophomore Jared Jeffries. It spread to junior Tom Coverdale. It's become a mini-epidemic that has followed the Hoosiers through the NCAA Tournament, continuing right up until the Final Four. It's infected IU's top two scorers and put the Hoosiers at risk in nearly half of their games this season.

Sinking the Sooners

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, March 29,2002 3:20 p.m.

Who's tougher?: IU says it has one of the best defenses in the country. So does Oklahoma. IU figured out how to stop Duke's dynamic offense, holding the Blue Devils to 33 percent from the field in the second half, but the Sooners are more physical, stronger and have more depth. IU forwards Jared Jeffries, Jarrad Odle and Jeff Newton will have to go muscle-to-muscle with OU's Aaron McGhee and Jabahri Brown. IU needs to push back at OU's physical style, establish its defense and an interior presence by blocking shots and hitting the glass. A season in the rugged Big Ten should help. "I think our defense is going to have to be as good as it has all year with Oklahoma being so athletic and talented," Odle said.

Team set for Saturday showdown

By Dan Cortez · Friday, March 29,2002 3:19 p.m.

ATLANTA -- The lights are getting brighter, but the distractions that have surrounded IU all week are starting to fade away. No more time for ticket requests or other matters not related to basketball. It's time for the Final Four.

Hoosier fans have already won

By Ryan Lengerich · Friday, March 29,2002 3:16 p.m.

Start the grill. Make your reservations at your favorite sports bar. Buy a new styrofoam cooler from Wal-Mart. Bring all your friends in from out of town. Call the people you know at Purdue and laugh in their faces.

Man who smokes pot for religion could be imprisoned

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, March 29,2002 12:39 a.m.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- A man who claims a religious right to smoke marijuana will be going to prison unless an appeals court decides his getting high is protected by the First Amendment. At issue is whether the Constitution's religious freedom clause trumps criminal laws that prohibit the use of marijuana, Thomas O'Malley, Rohi Israel's defense attorney told The Journal Gazette for a story Thursday.

Nonprofits reel under weight of recent budget cutbacks

By Krissy Wynkoop and Kristin Wynkoop · Friday, March 29,2002 12:39 a.m.

Whether or not Gov. Frank O'Bannon's budget cuts are necessary may not the biggest issue on everyone's mind around the community. But its effect on the nonprofit organizations throughout the state will be immense. The governor said last week that $247 million would be cut for funding from Build Indiana Fund programs. "I have no choice but to do whatever it takes to address the immediate needs of the budget," the governor said in a news conference last week.

O'Bannon slashes another $3.4 million from IU funding

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, March 29,2002 12:39 a.m.

The IU budget was cut by an additional $3.4 million Thursday as Gov. Frank O'Bannon slashed funding to scores of state initiatives in the face of a possible $1.3 million budget shortfall. Yesterday O'Bannon made $64 million in cuts that hit K-12 schools and universities hardest. A total of $12.7 was cut from University operating expenses, statewide.

Officer apologizes over KKK sketch

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, March 29,2002 12:22 a.m.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- A police officer who was suspended for sketching a picture of hooded Ku Klux Klan members staring down a well at a black person is now apologizing. \"I made a bad mistake," Brent Melton told the Evansville Courier & Press on Wednesday in his first public comments on the incident. "It was a tasteless joke, and I realize that."

Educators react to recent cutback

By Alyson Brodsy and Shannon Dininny · Thursday, March 28,2002 11:55 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- School officials had mixed reactions to Gov. Frank O'Bannon's latest round of spending cuts Thursday, unsure whether to breathe a sigh of relief or express frustration at again being a target. The cuts eliminated nearly $35.4 million in grants for K-12 schools -- money that funds programs such as full-day kindergarten, summer school and gifted programs.

Ameritech ordered to lower switching fee

By Alyson Brodsy and Mark Jewell · Thursday, March 28,2002 11:54 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- State regulators ordered Ameritech Indiana Thursday to slash the one-time switching fee it charges competitors to use its phone network from $102.50 to 37 cents. Rival companies have said the fee amount was an obstacle to opening up the state's local phone service market. They say the order should go a long way toward eroding Ameritech's dominance in local phone service.

Council approves annexation

By Jesse Laffen · Thursday, March 28,2002 11:54 p.m.

The Bloomington City Council passed two resolutions Wednesday that will continue cooperation between the planning and building departments of the city and county. Interlocal agreements are passed by governments to ensure efficiency and cooperation in areas where those governments share mutual interest. The renewed agreements will facilitate smooth transitions between the city and county in future expansions of city limits.