AltWeeklies Wire
Running the Numbers on D.C.'s Controversial Lottery Contractnew

The last time that Robert B. Washington Jr. got himself involved in a D.C. lottery procurement, it was 1983. Twenty-six years later, the young upstart is now the entrenched political insider. And Bob Washington has gotten another chance at the lottery contract.
Washington City Paper |
Mike DeBonis |
05-21-2009 |
Policy Issues
A Moth that Devastates Prickly Pear Cactus May Be Headed to Tucsonnew

If Cactoblastis cactorum -- a wee but voracious South American moth whose larvae devastate the prickly pear cactus -- reaches Arizona, the consequences for the ecosystem would be dire.
Tucson Weekly |
Tim Vanderpool |
05-20-2009 |
Animal Issues
Attorney Finds It Difficult to Investigate Treatment of Mentally Ill Detaineesnew

All that disability-rights attorney Ann Menasche needs to investigate allegations of neglect and abuse is probable cause. Except, it seems, when the allegations involve patients held by the federal government for allegedly violating immigration laws.
San Diego CityBeat |
Kelly Davis |
05-20-2009 |
Crime & Justice
The Chickens of Law-and-Order Hysteria Have Come Home to Roost in San Diegonew
California's prison system has been a colossal waste of taxpayer money, and few lawmakers (other than Gov. Schwarzenegger) have been brave enough to talk about it. During the past 20 or so years, the easiest thing for politicians to do has been to promise to lock up as many criminals as possible for as long as possible.
San Diego CityBeat |
San Diego CityBeat |
05-20-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: California, prison reform
A Pastor's Crusade to Stop the Violence in New Orleansnew
Pastor John Raphael helped start Yes We Care in response to New Orleans' out-of-control murder rate. He vows the group will respond to every murder in the city.
Gambit |
David Winkler-Schmit |
05-20-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Notes from San Antonio's Underground Economynew

San Antonio is engaged in a vast and diverse "shadow economy," a bajillion financial transactions by countless folks whose necessities are paid for through means not accounted for by the GNP, not measured in the Dow Jones, and usually not registered with the IRS.
San Antonio Current |
Sarah Fisch |
05-20-2009 |
Economy
Why Are Bike Riders Still Treated as Second-Class Citizens?new
The bicycle has become a metaphor for progress that is long overdue. But measures to improve bicycle access in San Francisco often face an uphill climb.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Steven T. Jones |
05-20-2009 |
Transportation
Tags: San Francisco, bicycling
Foreclosure Wave Speeds San Francisco's Black Exodusnew
San Francisco political leaders have focused on a plan to subsidize construction of thousands of new condos in the southeast section of the city — the heart of the San Francisco's remaining African American community.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Sarah Phelan |
05-20-2009 |
Housing & Development
Missouri's Death Penalty May Not Outlive Dennis Skillicorn Very Longnew

Two bills in Missouri's Legislature have proposed a moratorium on the death penalty and a review board to examine issues such as cost, fairness and the risk of wrongful execution.
The Pitch |
Nadia Pflaum |
05-19-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Florida Native American Tribe Keeps Quiet About a Series of Traffic Deathsnew
The family of a woman who perished in an auto collision with an Indian leader's kin is crying cover-up.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
05-19-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Did You Know? May Is National Masturbation Monthnew

If you didn't know May was National Masturbation Month, you're not alone. The annual observance doesn't have a hugely high profile. It started in 1995 in -- where else? -- San Francisco, as a response to the forced resignation of U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
05-18-2009 |
Sex
Chicago May Have Leased out Its Parking Meters for a Fraction of Their Worthnew
The Daley administration hid its process for privatizing Chicago's parking meters from the public and the City Council. Now, three months into the deal, new evidence suggests the taxpayers were hosed out of billions of dollars.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke |
05-18-2009 |
Policy Issues
House Republican Inquiry into Secrets Surrounding Cap-and-Trade Fraud Convictionnew
A former Pasadena businesswoman convicted of engineering a fraudulent cap-and-trade pollution credit deal is at the heart of a congressional inquiry into the government's latest response to global warming.
Pasadena Weekly |
Kevin Uhrich |
05-18-2009 |
Crime & Justice
AIDS Professionals Urge Expansion of HIV Care to Vulnerable Communitiesnew

The goal of a new HIV prevention program in British Columbia is to drastically increase access to effective treatments among vulnerable communities.
The Georgia Straight |
Jessica Werb |
05-18-2009 |
Science
Public Input Study Proposes Skate Park, Carousel, and Aquarium for River Parknew
Nearly half the respondents of a new public survey about Memphis' Mud Island think there aren't enough events or interesting things to do at the Mud Island River Park. But the idea for Mud Island that drew the most support — from the public, at least — is a skate park.
The Memphis Flyer |
Mary Cashiola |
05-15-2009 |
Housing & Development