AltWeeklies Wire
Babies Sleep Safest Where?new
A well-intentioned public health campaign in New York state may harm as many infants as it helps -- if not more -- by claiming that babies sleep safest alone.
Metroland |
By Miriam Axel-Lute |
11-06-2008 |
Children & Families
A Perfect Populist Storm Brews Around Oil Giant Chevronnew

The company faces not only angry voters, but a landmark human rights and corporate responsibility trial, in which Chevron stands accused of complicity with Nigeria's authoritarian government in the torture, murder, and abuse of those protesting Chevron's exploitation of the Niger Delta.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Steven T. Jones |
11-06-2008 |
Business & Labor
Hanging with Trust-Fund Satanists After the Stock Market Crashnew
It may seem strange to worry about unemployed weirdos who have a safety net. But the reality is they are responsible for untold artistic extravagances. Who will produce the cult films, pay for vinyl pressings, or publish slick artsy zines?
New York Press |
Matt Harvey |
11-06-2008 |
Economy
Golf Course Mowers to Challenge Noise Regulations in Idahonew
Noise complaints at an exclusive Boise golf course lead to a Constitutional challenge of the county noise ordinance.
Boise Weekly |
Nathaniel Hoffman |
11-05-2008 |
Policy Issues
Public Transit Agencies May Pay Billions for Risky Deals with Bankersnew
San Francisco is suddenly at risk of paying $140 million to bankers who six years ago convinced the city to use its Muni trains in a $1 billion sham tax shelter. Cities such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York are suddenly facing similar potential payouts.
Portland Shelter for Victims of Forced Prostitution Would be First in the Countrynew
By March, James Pond hopes to open a high-security safe house in Portland with 16 to 20 beds for girls recently freed from sex trafficking. It will be the first shelter of its kind in the country, and one that's badly needed in Portland, where the city’s police find three to five cases each week of girls under the age of 18 who are victims of forced prostitution.
Willamette Week |
Katie Gilbert |
11-05-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Falling Oil Prices Could Drill into Oregon's Clean Energy Progressnew
Some clean-energy companies, investors and economists worried that cheaper oil will slow the growth of the state's green industries and smother the political will to pass new incentives when the Legislature meets in 2009. That, in turn, will make it harder to meet the state's goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.
Willamette Week |
Libby Tucker |
11-05-2008 |
Environment
Asarco's Dirty Moneynew

For more than a century, American Smelting and Refining Co. raked in profits while poisoning poor communities in nearly two dozen states. In 2005, the company filed for bankruptcy, initiating a sprawling case that left many Texas residents wondering who will pay to clean up toxic waste at Asarco's dirtiest plant.
The Texas Observer |
Melissa del Bosque |
11-05-2008 |
Business & Labor
Wireless Access Tests Students' Focus in Classnew

As the speed and reliability of campus networks increases by leaps and bounds, wireless internet is changing how students get an education.
The Georgia Straight |
Karen Pinchin |
11-04-2008 |
Education
Young Canadians Taking on Record Levels of Debtnew
In an era of stagnant incomes, young Canadians depend on credit to pursue a bare-bones, middle-class life. So are Canada's young borrowers headed for a crisis?
The Georgia Straight |
Pieta Woolley |
11-04-2008 |
Economy
Convicted Rapist Bill Coleman is Starving Himself to Prove His Innocencenew
Coleman began refusing solid food on Sept. 16, 2007, to protest what he claims was his wrongful conviction in 2005 of raping his wife -- he was convicted solely on her testimony, without forensic evidence, and no witnesses were called on his behalf. This September, on the one-year anniversary of his hunger strike, he began refusing liquids as well.
New Haven Advocate |
Daniel D'Ambrosio |
11-04-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Green Vehicles' Triac Electric: Coming Soon to a Freeway Near Younew

The adorable factor, which the Triac has in spades, was naturally what first caught my eye. But I quickly saw that the Triac was more than just a cute car. It's got a lot going for it, and for a very reasonable price.
Pasadena Weekly |
Jennifer Hadley |
11-04-2008 |
Transportation
Voters Think the Media Favors Obama -- Do Endorsements Prove Them Right?new
Obama has rolled up the press like jitterbuggers rolling up a rec room rug. Not only have the dailies that always endorse the Democrat endorsed another, but reliably Republican papers have taken an existential leap into contrariness.
Chicago Reader |
Michael Miner |
11-03-2008 |
Media
Polygamy and Menew
Seven months have passed since the polygamist raid in Eldorado, but for one mainstream Mormon, the effects linger.
Dallas Observer |
Jesse Hyde |
11-03-2008 |
Religion
Waging a PR War at Guantanamonew

U.S. officials are working hard to convince journalists that the military commission trial of Canadian Omar Khadr is fair. This is quite a feat given that Khadr is heading into a courtroom without a full investigation of charges that he was interrogated without access to legal counsel and under torture.
NOW Magazine |
Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine |
11-03-2008 |
War