AltWeeklies Wire
What Happens When the Person Who Gives Voice to Victims Becomes a Victim?new
As Connecticut's victim advocate, Michelle Cruz routinely handles cases involving threats of domestic violence. But the issue became intensely personal last September when she began getting vulgar, threatening, anonymous text messages on her cell phone.
New Haven Advocate |
Gregory B. Hladky |
02-09-2010 |
Crime & Justice
Allegations of Racism Spark a Power Struggle at the Mutual Musicians Foundationnew
In December, the Mutual Musicians Foundation's 100-odd members installed a new board of directors. Many were new to the cause. In the weeks leading up to the election, a local singer suggested that the old board had allowed the foundation's legacy to be "pimped."
The Pitch |
David Martin |
02-09-2010 |
Race & Class
Valley Smokers Buy, Steal, and Inhale JWH-018 to Get Highnew
The herb on the counter resembles sage mixed with crumbled marijuana, but it's fuzzier and fluffier, filled with tiny brown hairs and minuscule crystals. It smells like dry leaves and black licorice and it's being sold in head shops as an "herbal incense blend."
Phoenix New Times |
Niki D'Andrea |
02-09-2010 |
Drugs
Where Running a Light and Killing Someone Does Not Automatically Mean You're in Troublenew
Steve Morrison probably never knew what hit him that April afternoon in 2008. After the swimming-pool company owner eased off the brakes of his green Saturn and headed south down Hillcroft across Westpark, a Nissan Frontier driven by a 28-year-old Salvadoran immigrant slammed into him.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
02-09-2010 |
Crime & Justice
Lobster Loot: Chinese New Year and Weather Contribute to Record Pricesnew
Even as the specter of new and improved Marine Protected Areas threatens to impact their way of life, Santa Barbara-based lobstermen are enjoying one of their most economically successful seasons in memory.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Ethan Stewart |
02-08-2010 |
Business & Labor
What Sort of Woman Reads 'Playboy'? Meet Peggy Wilkinsnew
Teen detective Nancy Drew, of all people, led Peggy Wilkins to Playboy. It was July 1978 in Michigan, and 13-year-old Peggy was a huge fan of the TV series. That summer the actress who played Nancy, Pamela Sue Martin, appeared on the cover of Playboy.
Chicago Reader |
Katie Buitrago |
02-08-2010 |
The War on Women
Can a Court Help Former GIs Find Justice at Home?new
From the man's physique and hair, Edward Lynch figured he might be military. Maybe from Fort Carson, the Army base down the road that lately seemed to be churning out a lot of veterans with screws loose. The papers were full of stories about Carson vets killing fellow soldiers.
Haitian Chaos: Of Course Aid is Difficultnew
Recently, an Italian official labeled the American response in Haiti "pathetic." And an NPR report described the food distribution of international agencies generally as "irregular, inadequate, and often violent and disorderly."
Seattle Weekly |
Nina Shapiro |
02-08-2010 |
Disasters
Child Support Collection Business Incurs Wrath of OAGnew
After more than six years of squabbling and litigation, the Office of the Attorney General in Texas ran Robert O'Donnell's child support collection company out of business, and if that wasn't enough, today, its attorneys are trying to toss him in jail.
Dallas Observer |
Sam Merten |
02-08-2010 |
Children & Families
Beyond Guantanamo: The Story of Julia Hall and Oybek Jamoldinivich Jabbarovnew
The SOS from Oybek Jamoldinivich Jabbarov came to Julia Hall in 2007 via his attorney, Michael Mone. The plea for help, originating behind the concrete walls of Guantánamo Bay, carried the message of a man locked in a nightmare.
Artvoice |
Charlotte Hsu |
02-05-2010 |
Immigration
When Life Takes You Out of Your House and Into Your Carnew
Maybe one has even parked on your street: a conversion van, curtains drawn, or a camper with signs of everyday life. They are so ubiquitous in Venice, Calif. that some have been trying to turn the onetime hippie enclave into a parking-permit-only town as a way to ward off "undesirables."
L.A. Weekly |
Linda Immediato |
02-05-2010 |
Economy
Xcel Doesn't Always Tell Customers When They're Being Cut Loosenew
On the evening of Jan. 12, the heat in Taylor Lindstrom’s home went out without warning. She called Xcel Energy, and was told that Xcel had turned off the electricity because the bill had not been paid. Lindstrom asked why she had not been notified.
Boulder Weekly |
Jefferson Dodge |
02-04-2010 |
Housing & Development
A Portland Street Changes its Name to César E. Chávez Blvd., After a Fightnew
The city's effort to rename a major street after the activist and farm worker crumbled in 2007 after a push to rename Interstate Avenue spurred allegations of racism against opponents. The rename process kicked off for a second time last winter, this time with a professional consultant and a new street.
The Portland Mercury |
Sarah Mirk |
02-04-2010 |
Transportation
Tags: César E. Chávez, Portland
Gassed Up: Large Institutions Get a Price Break For Virtually Nothingnew
Seventeen institutions, including The Broadmoor and Colorado College, get a generous price break by signing up for interruptible utilities rates. Yet, they're rarely interrupted, so guess who pays for their price break? Everybody else offsets what could amount to millions of dollars annually.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Pam Zubeck |
02-04-2010 |
Housing & Development
Just When You Thought it was OK to be African American, it Looks Like Negro is Backnew
The word negro — which ungraciously left the American linguistic stage sometime in the 1970s — has recently rejoined the mainstream discourse. And it looks like it’s not poised for an exit anytime soon.
New York Press |
Jamaal Young |
02-04-2010 |
Race & Class
