AltWeeklies Wire
The Music Industry Isn't Done Harassing College Students Over File Sharing. Should It Be?new
Last December, the Recording Industry Association of America announced it would no longer continue its massive legal campaign against downloaders. But that doesn't mean you should grab that album off BitTorrent quite yet.
Tags: RIAA, illegal downloading
N.C. Lawmakers Debate Using Industry-Backed Info on Broadband Accessnew
The people who live in rural Halifax and Nash counties northeast of Raleigh are among the poorest in the state. State Rep. Angela Bryant says that, with all the challenges her constituents face, among their top concerns is a lack of affordable access to the internet.
INDY Week |
Fiona Morgan |
02-05-2009 |
Policy Issues
Maybe Voting at the Mall isn't Such a Great Ideanew
Confusion surrounding mall voting rules has allegedly prompted at least one election worker to enforce policies that contradict election law. Outcry over the policy prompted picketing and a boycott effort by critics who say it violates the First Amendment.
After Fighting in Iraq, a North Carolina Vet Fights for Obamanew
Capt. Jon Kuniholm says the war was poorly planned and badly executed since the beginning, and the nation's military resources should have been focused on Afghanistan. Most of all, he has passionately refuted John McCain's argument that such dissent dishonors the sacrifices veterans have made.
Professor Donald Saari Talks About Election Mathnew

According to Saari, the most nefarious form of voter disenfranchisement is the very system we use to make our choices: plurality voting. He recently discussed the ideas in his book, Chaotic Elections! A Mathematician Looks at Voting, and proposed what he says is a better system.
More Bad News at The News & Observernew
More layoffs loom at the North Carolina daily, and the spinoff entertainment publication could be history.
Paxton Media Group is Running Durham's Daily Paper into the Groundnew
Layoffs and other staff changes that began last Tuesday may be responses to tough economic times, while newsroom reassignments will slightly increase the number of reporters. But none of those changes addresses the drastic decline in circulation and reporting resources -- not to mention quality -- that has marked Paxton's ownership of the paper.
History Will Not Absolve Jesse Helmsnew
Those who fought for progressive causes during the 40 years or so of Helms' public life have their own recollections of him. While some nod their heads in respect for his passing, they also mourn the impact of his political influence on the state, the nation and the world. We offer their voices, here, as a counterpoint and a remembrance.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders: Legalize Medical Marijuananew

Now almost 75, this sharecroppers' daughter from Arkansas continues to lecture across the country on sex education, universal health care and public health approaches to dealing with illegal drugs.
A Small North Carolina City Leads the Way to Faster, Cheaper Internet Accessnew
The municipal broadband movement fills the big gap between the internet speeds Americans need and those they're getting from a profit-driven telecommunications industry. The city of Wilson is on the cutting edge of that movement. It is among the newest of 44 publicly owned fiber networks serving more than 60 communities across the country.
"Inside the Herald-Sun," "Technobarons of the 21st Century," "Tangle of Telco Law"new
AltWeeklies Award - Media Reporting
Tags: media
"Paxton May Have Overpaid," "Rock Talk Is History at WRDU," and "Big Cable"new
AltWeeklies Award - Media Reporting
Tags: media
Possible Layoffs Loom at 'The News & Observer'new
At a meeting last week, the daily's executive editor John Drescher warned newsroom staffers there could be some tough cuts. "We continue to have trouble financially and all options are on the table," he says.
Bill Clinton Stumps for Hillary in North Carolinanew
He promised his wife would visit the state at least once a week between now and the May 6 primary.