AltWeeklies Wire
Kids & Drugs & Rock & Rollnew
Frank Szachta says he helps troubled kids adopt "enthusiastic sobriety." Critics say his highly social Crossroads Program is at best a scam that pulls children into a life of chain-smoking vulgarity.
Riverfront Times |
Malcolm Gay |
05-17-2005 |
Science
Used Clothing Collectors Deny They're in a Cultnew
Since Planet Aid started in the U.S. in 1997, news reports have questioned its connection to Tvind, a Denmark-based organization that government officials in France and Belgium have declared a cult.
Disappearance of Market Researcher Stirs Suspicionsnew
In the months since Brandy Shipp's mother disappeared, an army of volunteers has been investigating one man.
The Pitch |
Kendrick Blackwood |
05-17-2005 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: murder, Summer Shipp
A Close Encounter With an Old Scamnew
On the light rail platform in downtown Houston, a writer runs into a South African "king" curious about how an ATM card works.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
05-16-2005 |
Crime & Justice
Why Smoking May Be Good for Houstonnew
People on antismoking crusades miss the point of how good smoking can be; it helps people burn calories and hook up, and it generates a lot of tax revenue.
Houston Press |
Keith Plocek |
05-16-2005 |
Policy Issues
In Notorious Murder Case, Outcome Is Left Hangingnew
A juror explains why the jury couldn't reach a verdict against three defendants in the Gwen Araujo trial, also known as the "transgender murder case."
East Bay Express |
Brian Kluepfel, juror |
05-16-2005 |
Crime & Justice
Bye-bye Outer Banksnew
A movement to address climate change is building across North Carolina, but it faces opposition from powerful corporate interests. Meanwhile, our coast is disappearing.
INDY Week |
Sue Sturgis |
05-16-2005 |
Environment
High Decibel: Polls, Pets and Men Without Shirtsnew
The Gallup Poll turns 70 this year, and Frank Newport, the poll's editor-in-chief, says it's as relevant as ever. Just be wary of questions concerning your household pet.
Boulder Weekly |
Vince Darcangelo |
05-16-2005 |
Media
Tags: media
By the Booknew
After 35 years and eight editions, Our Bodies, Ourselves is still giving women the tools to take health care into their own hands.
Boston Phoenix |
Deirdre Fulton |
05-16-2005 |
The War on Women
Tags: women's issues
Justice Junkies
Lou Rubin started watching trials in Chicago's Dirksen Building in the early 1980s, joining a group of about 30 retirees, almost all of them male, who visited the courthouse daily. Court employees gave him a surprise party when he turned 90.
Chicago Reader |
Steve Bogira |
05-13-2005 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
The Grand Inquisitor
Lawyers who present oral arguments before a higher court are often interrupted. But those interruptions usually mean the judges have read the briefs and are paying attention.
Chicago Reader |
Steve Bogira |
05-13-2005 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
What They See and What They Don't
Arrests and even criminal convictions are usually inadmissible. But this defendant's chances may have got a boost when he was allowed to tell the jury about his educational background.
Chicago Reader |
Steve Bogira |
05-13-2005 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Living with Falloutnew
Although a new study found that 15 Montana counties received some of the nation’s highest doses of fallout following Nevada’ nuclear tests in the 1950s, Montanans aren’t included in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
Missoula Independent |
Jessie McQuillan |
05-13-2005 |
Environment
Tags: environment
The Three-Chord Sound of Homenew
Soldiers in Iraq find solace in punk music, but a band that played for them was met with angry anti-war protest.
Sacramento News & Review |
Jimmy Calanchini |
05-13-2005 |
War
Tags: war & peace
Console Cowboynew
When clorox the g00n took down Indymedia websites all over the world, he thought was was a badass hacker. Turns out he wasn't badass enough.
Boulder Weekly |
Joel Warner |
05-13-2005 |
Science
Tags: Health & Science
