AltWeeklies Wire
After Mentally Ill Prisoner Dies in Illinois 'Supermax' Prison, Reforms Are Promisednew
As human rights organizations stepped forward to speak for Robert Foor, a 33-year-old who died in June after nearly 11 years in isolation at the Tamms Closed Maximum Security Unit, the Illinois Department of Corrections announced its plans to reform the southern Illinois “supermax” prison.
Illinois Times |
Amanda Robert |
09-24-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Why Are Insurers Blocking H1N1 Treatment Prescriptions?
I got swine flu. Five days later, I was at death's door -- because my evil insurance company wouldn't honor my doctor's prescription. Memo to future revolutionaries: if you require a firing squad for the executives of the Health Insurance Plan (HIP) of New York, I'm handy with a rifle.
Can California's Community Colleges Weather the Economic Storm?new
While those in the system figure out how to weather this year's cuts, they anticipate fearsome funding cuts in next year's budget and beyond. But money for community colleges should be structured in much the same way that unemployment insurance is supposed to work, so that it is there when it is needed most -- like it is today.
East Bay Express |
Jay Youngdahl |
09-23-2009 |
Education
Mighty Mighty Bosstones Bassist Tackles New Gig: Teaching College Studentsnew
Joe Gittleman was hired earlier this year to teach in the college's Music Business and Industry degree program, which focuses on what goes on behind the scenes rather than on the stage, covering both technical fields such as lighting design and sound engineering, and more service-oriented disciplines such as band management and venue operations.
Seven Days |
Dan Bolles |
09-23-2009 |
Education
In Atlanta, Neighbors Try to Dethrone a Club King's Empirenew
Michael Gidewon is very concerned about the 1,400 Atlanta residents who've signed an online petition aimed at keeping him from opening the clubs' doors and the hundreds who've shown up to neighborhood meetings calling for his defeat.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Scott Henry |
09-22-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Meet Creative Loafing's New Bossesnew
On Aug. 27, the staff of Creative Loafing Atlanta was delivered what could be described as refreshing news from a trio of strangers: After nearly a year of staff cuts, job insecurity and legal wrangling, the paper’s parent company Creative Loafing Inc. had successfully emerged from bankruptcy.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Thomas Wheatley |
09-22-2009 |
Media
Following Raid on Gay Bar, the Atlanta PD Reels from Harrassment Complaintsnew
Why did police feel they needed to take down the club with the kind of force usually reserved for busting meth labs? Why did officers seem to act so unprofessionally toward the Eagle's customers, none of whom was arrested? And was the whole thing really just about sex?
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Scott Henry |
09-22-2009 |
Civil Liberties
Tides and Waves Could Be a Key Source of Power for British Columbianew
As the climate-change crisis continues to grow, the search for alternative sources of energy is intensifying. If proponents of ocean energy have their way, B.C.'s coastal waters will become a key power source for the province.
The Georgia Straight |
Dawn Paley |
09-22-2009 |
Environment
Was Roland Carnaby a Con Man or a Super Spook?new
Either way, he wasn't supposed to meet his death on a Houston highway in a high-speed chase with the cops.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
09-22-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Mental Disability Evidence Turns 2003 ELF Fire-Bombing Case on its Headnew
A court will finally hear arguments on whether a former graduate student's developmental disorder to blame for his involvement in a radical environmentalist plot to strike back against American wastefulness by firebombing gas-guzzling Hummers.
Pasadena Weekly |
Jake Armstrong |
09-21-2009 |
Environment
What Made the World Trade Center Fall?new
One of the crucial technical disputes in American history is underway. It pits government technicians who say the WTC buildings were brought down by airplane impact against architects and building engineers who insist that the Twin Towers could never have collapsed solely due to the planes and are calling for a new independent investigation.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Jay Levin and Tom McKenzie |
09-21-2009 |
Science
Could Less Star Power and More Depth Save the Chicago Sun-Times?new
Journalists who don't get their pictures in the paper alongside their stories tend to both envy and suspect the ones who do, believing those pictures fatten their paychecks, win them better tables in restaurants, and turn them into commodities.
Chicago Reader |
Michael Miner |
09-21-2009 |
Media
Elementary School Dropout: Why I Am Giving Up Teachingnew
Many teachers overcome the numerous challenges and serve the children of Philadelphia for decades. But I won't be.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Brenden Beck |
09-21-2009 |
Education
European Report Shatters the Myth of the Olympics' Economic Benefitsnew
While boosters predict that hosting the 2016 Olympics would bring Illinois $22.5 billion, a crucial report from the European Tour Operators Association came to the conclusion that "there appears to be little evidence of any benefit to tourism of hosting an Olympic Games, and considerable evidence of damage."
Chicago Reader |
Deanna Isaacs |
09-21-2009 |
Economy
Go Directly to Jail: The Latest Victim of the Economy Appears to be Bailnew
In Las Vegas, where bond is 15 percent of bail (most states are 10 percent), more are having to make tough choices when faced with having a loved one spend the night in jail. As a result, jails are staying occupied a little longer than they used to.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Ken Miller |
09-18-2009 |
Crime & Justice
