AltWeeklies Wire
Phoenix Police Raid a Local Pastor’s Home For Holding Church Servicesnew
Did the City of Phoenix overreach when it sent a swarm of police officers to local pastor Michael Salman's home to investigate an alleged zoning violation?
Phoenix New Times |
Sarah Fenske |
06-23-2009 |
Religion
South Florida's Housing Crisis Leaves Behind Ghost Towersnew

During the past decade, South Florida's landscape was transformed by a real estate frenzy, part of the biggest home-price boom in American history. But the only thing more stunning than the housing market's steep climb was its precipitous fall.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Lisa Rab |
06-23-2009 |
Housing & Development
Richard Scrushy Now Broke and Bustednew
At the end of one of the few remaining court battles in the HealthSouth saga, a Jefferson County circuit court judge saw what 12 jurors in criminal court did not - he found the former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy guilty and liable for the massive accounting fraud at the company.
Birmingham Weekly |
Kyle Whitmire |
06-23-2009 |
Business & Labor
Greeting Society's Collapse with a Smile and a Shovelnew

Transition was launched when one Rob Hopkins recognized that modern Western society cannot continue at its current pace of life as fast access to oil begins to dwindle. Global warming and economic meltdown are the two other principle drivers of the Transition movement, but in an ideal "Transition Town," society would be ready for such changes.
North Bay Bohemian |
Alastair Bland |
06-22-2009 |
Environment
How Jackson Hospital's Mental Health Unit Fails Miaminew

Many tragedies have plagued the deeply troubled unit of the nation's third-largest public hospital. After an exhaustive review, New Times has uncovered the following: rushed patient releases, inadequate supervision, undocumented use of restraints, and possible civil rights violations.
Miami New Times |
Natalie O'Neill |
06-22-2009 |
Science
Canada Ratifies Peru Free Trade Agreement, Stays Silent on Amazon Massacrenew
Unlike the Canada-Colombia free-trade deal, the Canada-Peru agreement almost slipped under the radar. But then the bloodshed in the Peruvian Amazon earlier this month put Canada's push for free trade with Peru under the microscope.
The Georgia Straight |
Dawn Paley |
06-22-2009 |
Business & Labor
Smile! You're on the Denver Police Department's Candid Cameranew
The wireless, mobile cameras have remained frozen in the same downtown locations where they were placed for the Democratic National Convention. After nine months of wrangling with the city's bureaucratic process, Lieutenant Ernie Martinez is finally ready to move HALO into Denver neighborhoods.
Westword |
Jared Jacang Maher |
06-22-2009 |
Civil Liberties
Not So Cool: Austin Struggles With Climate Protectionnew
The Austin Climate Protection Plan was among the most ambitious in the country when announced in 2007; two years later, making it real remains a challenge.
Austin Chronicle |
Katherine Gregor |
06-21-2009 |
Environment
A Dubious Development Project in Orlando Sits Idlenew
Almost three years after the city approved a sweetheart development deal for a political ally, the the 3.5-acre property sits idle, used only for overflow parking. There's no sign of construction, much less the slew of single-family homes and offices that were supposed to be finished by year's end.
Orlando Weekly |
Billy Manes |
06-19-2009 |
Housing & Development
A Grieving Son Finds No Justice on Rev. Maury Davis' Path to Redemptionnew
Ron Liles wants to tell Davis that he's a liar for bending the greatest truth in his life. To remind the mega-church pastor that the price of his spiritual rebirth, his professed salvation, was the blood of Liles' 54-year-old mother, Jo Ella.
Nashville Scene |
Brantley Hargrove |
06-19-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Can Vermont Towns Tell Registered Sex Offenders Where to Live?new
Convicted sex offender Chris Hagan is suing the town of Barre over its ordinance prohibiting sex offenders from living within 1000 feet of schools and recreation facilities such as parks and playgrounds.
Seven Days |
Sally West Johnson |
06-19-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Exposing The Biggest Scam In The Auto Industrynew

While insurance companies vehemently deny that "steering" is practiced throughout the industry, the evidence gathered by a Press investigation suggests that some of the largest and most popular auto insurance companies in the nation are involved.
Long Island Press |
Michael M. Martino, Jr. |
06-19-2009 |
Economy
Killing Fields: Field Burning's Deadly Legacynew

The fiery death in 1988 of novelist William Wharton's daughter, her husband and baby girls is probably the grimmest reminder of the dangers of field burning smoke. Today the fight to ban the burn continues in Oregon.
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
06-18-2009 |
Environment
Dale Bozzio Appeals Jail Sentence, Goes on Tournew
The bizarre animal-cruelty case of Missing Persons frontwoman Dale Bozzio is far from over.
Boston Phoenix |
Ashley Rigazio |
06-18-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Why is Andy Ives Biking Across America?new
The recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and member of Bike and Build is biking cross-country to raise awareness for the affordable housing crisis in America.
INDY Week |
Shanae Auguste |
06-18-2009 |
Housing & Development