Region

Health care needs attention

With mid-term elections fast approaching and health care becoming an increasingly important issue to most American voters, the Bush Administration should make health care reform a priority in the year ahead. The war on terrorism abroad and the current recession at home won't make doing so any easier. But the president's call to renew efforts to make health care more accessible during last Tuesday's State of the Union Address is a step in the right direction.

Actions legal but not right

The Courtyard by Marriott laid off 12 housekeeping employees in October and November 2001. There was no stated reason and no warning. One worker was sent packing just a week after she was named employee of the month. The workers say foreign employees replaced them, and the management of the Marriott declined to confirm or counter any of their complaints.

Kid from the north country

Local pianist releases new CD at benefit

Around The Game

Hockey team faces off against Ferris, Michigan State The hockey team (15-3-2, 3-1-2) hits the road this weekend for a pair of Great Midwestern Hockey League matchups that should provide a preview of the GMHL playoffs in two weeks. First up for the Hoosiers is Ferris State University, followed by a Saturday evening face-off at Michigan State. In early November, these same two teams visited Bloomington and both walked away with losses.

Team prepares for Big Ten championship

Heading into their fourth consecutive weekend of competition, the women's swimming and diving team travels to Lexington, Ky., Saturday for a double dual meet with Kentucky and Cincinnati at 11 a.m. The No. 19 Hoosiers (5-1-1, 4-1-1 Big Ten) suffered their first dual meet loss last weekend against Big Ten foe Penn State, but will look to regain their confidence against the Wildcats (2-5) and Bearcats (5-1). The double dual meet will be IU's final dual meet before the Big Ten Championships begin on Feb. 21.

Hoosiers to face Wildcats, Bearcats

The Hoosiers compete on the road for the second straight weekend tomorrow when they travel to Lexington, Ky., to take on the Wildcats and the Cincinnati Bearcats in a double dual meet. The competition comes on the heels of the Hoosiers' 1-1 record last weekend when they posted a win over Iowa, but a lost to the reigning Big Ten champions, Minnesota.

Hoosiers looking for a sweep, 5-1 record

The men's tennis team (3-1) returns to the court Saturday when they host Southwest Missouri State (0-1) at 9 a.m. and Murray State (1-1) at 5 p.m. at the Indiana Tennis Center. IU defeated Ball State 4-3 in their last match. Coach Ken Hydinger, who coached at Southwest Missouri State in 1978, is optimistic about the upcoming matches. "We are fighting an aggressive spirit. We can't look past these," Hydinger said.

Meet offers experience; Big Ten's approach

This Friday and Saturday in the Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse, the IU men's track and field team will host eleven other schools. The Indiana Relays feature opponents from several different conferences, such as Conference USA, MAC, Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, Southern, and Sun Belt Conference. Some of the notable teams attending are Ball State, Cincinnati and Indiana State.

Indiana Relays inspire NCAA tourney hopes

Undefeated in dual and triangular competition, the women's track team will have an opportunity to compete individually this weekend. IU is hosting the 28th annual Indiana Relays 4 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday. Seventeen teams from eight conferences will come to compete in the Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse, all hoping to improve personal records and to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

Team aims for sweep of MSU

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Happy birthday, Kathi Bennett. And let Tara Jones blow out the candles. Not since Nov. 9 against the Premier All-Stars has Jones appeared such an offensive weapon. The guard unleashed 27 points against that traveling, exhibition team. But last night, she provided sizzling shooting when it truly mattered -- against a Big Ten foe on the road the night of her coach's 39th birthday. The 5-foot-11 senior led IU with a season-high 21 points with blazing three-pointers and swift bursts to the basket, even while enduring some foul trouble in the Hoosiers' 85-72 triumph against Ohio State. Unlike past performances, Jones didn't allow hot offensive efforts to survive only as short-lived bursts.

Strong offense nets huge win

COLUMBUS, Ohio. -- A week ago Thursday, the IU women's team was forcing turnovers in their 70-63 upset of No. 15 Wisconsin. Last night, the Hoosiers were supplying them. Good thing for IU, Ohio State was too. While both sides were battling over who could turn the ball over the most, IU (10-11, 4-6 Big Ten) solidified its unsteady offense and was relentless in its unpenetrable defense to get the win over the Buckeyes, 85-72. The 85 points was the most in a Big Ten women's game this season.

Grapplers face tough opponents

IU head coach Duane Goldman knows that his team needs to turn things around after starting the Big Ten season 0-2. He has two chances at home this weekend but knows that they will be tough battles. "The team we wanted to put on the mat at the beginning of the season has not been able to come to pass," Goldman said. "I'd like to say that we are at our best, but the circumstances won't allow me to do that. Dual meet wise we can't do that."

Hoosiers eye Gophers

Four consecutive losses at Williams Arena won't go away. IU gets a chance to exorcise the Minnesota demons at 4:30 p.m. Saturday when it invades Minneapolis for the only meeting of the season between the Hoosiers and Golden Gophers. Last season, IU maintained a nine-point lead for much of the second half, then blew a double-digit advantage in the final three minutes.

Rejected bill to be revised

The faculty trustees bill 131 was rejected 5-4 yesterday by the Indiana Senate Education Committee. The bill would allow one faculty member to secure a non-voting position on the Indiana University Board of Trustees. This type of legislation has been passed in the Indiana House of Representatives several times, but failed to make it through the Indiana Senate, according to the American Association of University Professors Bloomington Web site.

IU goes inside for win over Purdue

All Mike Davis heard all week was three-point this and three-point that. IU's 17 three-pointers Saturday against Illinois justified the chatter. Thursday, IU provided zero evidence it could hit anywhere close to 17 three-point buckets.

Man of many talents

He has written screenplays, played in a rock band and acted in plays. From author to actor to musician, Paul McComas has experienced a little bit of everything during his 20s. But his strongest passion has always been writing. When he turned 30, McComas realized he was spreading himself too thin and decided to focus on one area, fiction writing.

'Little Women' makes local debut

This weekend will mark the collegiate debut of a new spin on a classic work of American literature. Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" will be performed on stage at the Musical Arts Center in an opera production composed by Mark Adamo.

Fraternity co-sponsors local shelter

For junior Johnny Ho, philanthropy chair of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, it seemed only natural to support the Middleway House, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Law symposium to strategize

During the past five years the powers of Congress have been severely limited by the Supreme Court. It has struck down laws that create criminal penalties for having guns near schools, civil remedies for victims of sexual assaults, and protections from age and disability discrimination. The Supreme Court struck down these laws in the name of federalism, constitutional limits on Congressional powers and judicial supremacy.