AltWeeklies Wire
Swipe Happy: How Paying Tuition With Plastic Can Cost Younew
Since February 2008, University of Virginia students have been able to pay tuitions online through Quik Pay@UVA using an e-check, which drafts money from checking accounts or credit cards. But paying by credit card involves an additional 2.75 percent convenience fee.
C-Ville Weekly |
Caitlin Speaker |
07-15-2009 |
Education
Kansas City Notifies Wal-Mart That One of its Dead Stores is a Nuisancenew
Wal-Mart has abandoned hundreds of locations in the course of its aggressive expansion. Big-rig operators and others have stashed vehicles near a dead Sam's Club in Kansas City for more than a year, and city officials are finally taking notice.
The Pitch |
David Martin |
07-14-2009 |
Business & Labor
Despite Hopes, Incoming Soldiers Won't Bolster Colorado Springs' Housing Marketnew
Take close to 6,000 soldiers -- many with families -- and make them move to Colorado Springs. Add a federal program meant to help troops with reassigned units sell their homes, and sprinkle in some hope that the local housing market has bottomed out. You have the makings for a healthy local housing boom, save for one crucial thing: Many soldiers are in no position to buy.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Anthony Lane |
07-14-2009 |
Housing & Development
It's a Dirty Job Nabbing Horny Guys in the Park, But Somebody's Gotta Do Itnew
The Kansas City Police Department's vice squad spends a couple of days a month conducting covert stings to ferret out men seeking sex in public parks. When things go right, the job is predictable.
The Pitch |
Nadia Pflaum |
07-14-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Things Get Nasty in the Phoenix Police Department's Homicide Bureaunew
A recently unsealed 26-page affidavit makes it clear that the homicide bureau is rife with backstabbing and gossip. Are these homicide detectives, or high school girls?
Phoenix New Times |
Sarah Fenske |
07-14-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Will Backroom Deals Keep Detroit's Garbage Incinerator Burning?new
The July 1 deadline for deciding the long-term future for disposal of Detroit's garbage has come and gone, but we can't tell you with any certainty what that future will be.
Metro Times |
Staff |
07-14-2009 |
Environment
Joe Arpaio's Immigration Raids at Water Parks Are All Wetnew
Despite the hullabaloo and expectations after the controversial Legal Arizona Workers Act went into effect, Maricopa County still has not filed any sanctions in cases against employers, nor has any of Arizona's 14 other county attorneys.
Phoenix New Times |
Paul Rubin |
07-14-2009 |
Immigration
Numbers Suggest New Vets Court in Colorado Will Be Busynew
No one knows how many veterans will find space in the specialized court -- which will try to identify current and former soldiers whose criminal activity is tied to combat experiences -- when it starts up Aug. 1 in Colorado Springs. But advocates say the aim is to find an alternative to stuffing vets behind bars.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Anthony Lane |
07-14-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Kidnapped Man Gets an Up-Close Look Into Nigeria's Oily Heart of Darknessnew
Members of the Niger-Delta Freedom Fighters held oilman Larry Plake hostage at their camp for three weeks. They didn't necessarily want to make a political statement. They wanted money -- more than $1 million per hostage.
Dallas Observer |
Chris Vogel |
07-13-2009 |
International
Cash for Clunkers: Buckets of Bolts for the Low, Low Price of $1 Billionnew
Theoretically the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) -- aka "Cash For Clunkers" -- sounds like a swell idea. But it's also pretty pie-in-the-sky. I'm not the first to notice that this bill assumes that there are lots of people driving around a car that is worth less than $4,500 and can actually afford a new car.
Pasadena Weekly |
Jennifer Hadley |
07-13-2009 |
Economy
Miami Heat Superstar Dwyane Wade Sure Picked a Dubious Business Partnernew
In 2007, Richard von Houtman and Wade teamed up to create a chain of upscale sports bars and invest in a charter school company. Now von Houtman seems to have a single objective: to disparage one of the National Basketball Association's most popular players.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
07-13-2009 |
Crime & Justice
California's Ex-Attorney General Calls for an End to Capital Punishmentnew
With more than 700 Death Row prisoners awaiting execution for decades and no money in sight for improving the integrity and efficiency of the failing capital punishment system, John Van de Kamp is publicly calling for an end to the death penalty. But unlike most of capital punishment's ardent opponents, he has actually sent men to Death Row.
Pasadena Weekly |
Joe Piasecki |
07-13-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Developmentally Disabled, Unable to Speak ... Ready to Work?new
Washington state wants developmentally disabled people to learn real-world job skills. Some families think that's asking too much.
Seattle Weekly |
Nina Shapiro |
07-13-2009 |
Science
Recession and Climate Politics Combine to Shake Up the Pro-Nuclear Narrativenew
This is despite the high-profile support of old-school techno-fix enviros and shocking pro-nukers, and despite industry hopefuls who thought the atomic option was poised to become the winner of the low-carbon sweepstakes, an idea dissed by most climate campaigners.
NOW Magazine |
Alice Klein |
07-13-2009 |
Environment
Fifteen Years After the Murder of Trent DiGiuro, His Killer Is Freenew
After a years-long investigation and a convoluted legal battle, the conviction of accused killer Shane Ragland was overturned.
LEO Weekly |
Sarah Kelley |
07-10-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: Shane Ragland, Trent DiGiuro
