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MAROON Vol. 60, No. 21 Loyola University, New Orleans March 19,1982 Edwards: New Federalism may bring 'chaos' By Cynlhia Hite Maroon Copy Editor President Reagan's New Federalism will not become a reality during the lifetime of Edwin Edwards, predicted the former Louisiana governor Tuesday while speaking on "The New Federalism Proposals" at Loyola. "1 do not think it [New Federalism] is going to happen," he said, citing resistance from the states and Congress as the reasons behind his conclusion. As Edwards sees it, both rich and poor states will resist New Federalism. Poor states "don't think they can assume the burdens," and rich states "think it's going to create a bigger influx of the poor" into their state. There will also be "great opposition from members of Congress who feel this is a national problem and are concerned that the states will not handle the problem correctly," Edwards said. Reagan described New Federalism in his State of the Union address as a 10- year plan to transfer $47 billion worth of federal programs to state control with enough tax resources to keep them afloat. By 1984 the federal government plans to assume the full cost of Medicaid, while the states will foot the entire bill for welfare and food stamps with the help of grants from a federally funded "grass-roots trust fund," according to Reagan. Edwards said New Federalism would adversely affect students who rely on federal grants. "In increased numbers, young people who depend on that kind of stipend to get through college are going to have to drop out. It has in my judgment one of the most serious long-range consequences." Edwards finds that Reagan's proposals have "some serious deficiencies as far as the state of Louisiana is concerned." He assessed this state as relatively wealthy when compared to Arkansas and Mississippi and having a more liberal attitude to the poor than Texas, which Edwards said "has a more conservative approach to that phase of government." Edwards anticipates a surge of people coming into the state from three sides "seeking the better benefits that undeniably will be available in Louisiana." He noted that Louisiana is now suffering from the highest unemployment this state has known since World War II with 200,000 out of work. "Fourteen thousand people lost their jobs in the last 30 days," he said. "I'm for the idea of federalism," Edwards affirmed. "1 continually believe that states generally can handle their problems better than the national government can at more reasonable cost." But Edwards said serious studies must be made before shifting programs from the federal government to the states or the result will be "utter chaos." Edwards also talked about the 1983 gubernatorial election. "My interest in life is to serve as governor, and I would like to be the first person ever elected to governor three times in a state. It's kind of a goal for me." Edwards said jokingly his previous goal was to be the first Cajun Catholic elected governor. Edwards' speech was a part of the Brendon F. Brown Memorial Lecture Series and was sponsored by the Student Bar Association. Edwin Edwards —Photo by Cynthia Hite Priest says inmates are 'fine guys and gals9 Last in a three-part series By Karen Schroeter Maroon Assistant News Editor When most people , think of prisoners, their minds fill with images of Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, and James Cagney playing tough, cold, cruel people. Many also believe that all prisoners are like that. "They are human beings in a very painful situation," the Rev. John Payne, S.J., said about the prisoners of St. Bernard Parish Prison. "The inmates in prison are really fine guys and gals," the Rev. Hilton Rivett, S.J., director of Archdiocesan Prison Apost'olate, said. He added, "but they have not had the breaks." Masses in the prisons are not the structured affairs performed in Holy Name Church on Sundays. The Rev. Thomas Clancy, S.J., chaplain at the Community Correctional Center, celebrates a "special prison liturgy . . . It's a longer service, with more singing," Clancy said. "They like to hear the popular kind of religion. They need self-esteem, to hear that God loves them." The music is one of the most important parts of the services in the prisons. "They love to sing, have a good time in church," Clancy said. "It's a very joyful congregation." The Rev. Kenneth Buddendorf, S.J., and the Rev. Thomas Mulcrone, S.J., also celebrate the Mass in New Orleans prisons. While some would be afraid to go to the prisons, the Jesuits are not. The prisoners can sense if a person is there to help them or if the person is simply going to be "smug, self righteous," Payne said. "Let them see a link — that they are not freaks, which is an image they can have of themselves locked up." The problems with the prisons then are not the people inside the buildings but the buildings an'd their running. The Rev. Anthony Fromhart, S.J., now with Campus Ministry, is the former main chaplain for Jefferson Correctional Center. During the three years he worked at the correctional center, Fromhart learned about the many problems and shortages of the prison. There was only one psychiatrist who "worked two-and-a-half days per week, no counselors, and one really fine lady who was a social worker there for a year, until her grant ran out," Fromhart said. "Security is the main emphasis. "There must be something wrong but it continues," Fromhart said. "There's something in man that wants it to continue." He noted that 75 percent of those who go to prison will return. "It seems to me that all of the problems of society funnel into prison. What is there, is poverty, mental problems, instability, retardation," Fromhart said. "The injustice of the system is the poorer the person, usually the longer the stay. If you know someone, you may not even have to go; money still talks very loudly." The big problem for the prisoners is LU plans new loan program for fall By Karen Schroeter Maroon Assistant News Editor Loyola University has developed a unique loan program for students cut off by the Reagan student loan cuts. The loan, which will be available for the 1982 fall semester, will offer a 14 percent interest rate with no collateral, no pre-payment penalty, no origination fee, and no need for an established credit rating, according to University Relations. It will be available to all students, regardless of income. "People who qualify for workstudy and grants will still get them," said Dr. E. P. Seybold, director of Scholarships and Financial Aid. "It's not intended to take the place of someone's grant. If you lose $300 from your grant, you won't be able to come and borrow that amount from the program." The program was designed for the students who have "intellectual need" but who have been cut from the student loan program. The students who will benefit from the new loan plan are those being dropped from the Guaranteed Student Loan program by the Reagan budget cuts. Loyola is also increasing its budgeted scholarship aid from $1.45 million to more than $2 million to meet the demands of students on grants and workstudy affected by the federal cuts, according to University Relations. Loyola started working on the program during the summer with the Bank of New Orleans Student Loans office. Loyola will pay the portion of interest not charged to the borrower. A student who wishes to apply for this loan can borrow as much as $16,000 for the four years he spends in college. During the foui years that student would start to pay back the loan with low monthly payments of between $50 and $200. The loans are renewable at the same interest rate. Each year the interest rate will be adjusted for the new applicants depending upon the current prime interest rate but will not be the same amount as the prime rate. See Inmates/page 2
Object Description
Title | Maroon |
Masthead | The Maroon Vol. 60 No. 21 |
Publisher | Loyola University (New Orleans, La.) |
Coverage | United States; Louisiana; New Orleans; |
Date | 1982-03-19 |
Type | Text |
Source | Loyola University New Orleans Special Collections & Archives (http://library.loyno.edu/research/speccoll/) New Orleans, LA |
Format | TIFF |
Subject | Loyola University (New Orleans, La.) |
Rights | Digital rights are held by Loyola University New Orleans. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright law. |
Creator | Loyola University (New Orleans, La.) |
Relation-Is Part Of | http://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/cdm/search/collection/LOYOLA_UMN |
Language | en |
Digitized By | BSLW |
Digitized Date | 2012-2013 |
Contact Information | For information or permission to use/publish, contact: mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com |
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text: Entry Title: " FREERUNNERS" Name: PALMER + PAWEL, United Kingdom Category: Professional, Sports Entry Description: Freerunning series. We wanted to capture this new and emerging sport which is heavily based on self-expression where athletes push themselves to new and untested limits. As image makers we are interested in capturing energy and motion.

subset: commoncrawl


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News from the KRCC Newsroom.
Voters ousted two Democratic state lawmakers yesterday in the first ever recall elections of state legislators. The recalls come in the wake of new gun legislation passed earlier this year.
Senate President John Morse of Colorado Springs conceded around 9:30, calling the defeat symbolic. Morse was unapologetic over his stance on the new gun control measures, and says it was worth the political risk.
It's election day for parts of El Paso and Pueblo Counties. State senators John Morse and Angela Giron are facing possible recalls. KRCC's Liz Ruskin caught up with the El Paso County Clerk at Centennial Hall, where at mid-day, voter traffic was moving swiftly.
This is one of seven voting centers open today in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. Clerk Wayne Williams says turnout today has been lighter at times than last week, but he says there could be an after-work rush.
Two state lawmakers face a recall election today for supporting stricter gun laws. As Bente Birkeland reports, it's the first time state lawmakers have ever been recalled in Colorado.
For polling locations in El Paso County, click here.For polling locations in Pueblo, click here.
World-renowned artist Christo still hopes to do an ambitious art installation in Central Colorado. Well known for The Gates, a New York City Central Park installation in 2005, he's currently pursuing a project called Over the River. In it, fabric panels would be suspended over sections of the Arkansas River. Christo's work is often controversial, so it's no surprise the proposal has met stiff opposition here. Christo recently spoke in Snowmass Village. Aspen Public Radio's Elise Thatcher was there, and has this report.
Once again this summer, the Western United States saw plenty of forest fires. Some continue to burn. When the flames are extinguished, the dollar signs emerge, and states handle fire suppression costs differently. In Colorado, it depends on what kind of land is burning and how big the blaze is.
All around Colorado, new collaborations are emerging around water storage and water use. Partnerships with reservoirs are turning out to be key in terms of environmental stewardship, river protection, and healthy communities that rely on water. As part of our year long series Connecting the Drops, KGNU's Maeve Conran looks at some of these collaborations that have produced tangible results.
Portions of Pikes Peak will be closed this week to shoot the next installment in the Fast and Furious franchise. Another closure is expected this fall, as Hyundai is scheduled to shoot a car commercial there. Donald Zuckerman is the Colorado Film commissioner. He says that before the film incentive program, Colorado wasn't even being considered by the movie industry.
Both sides of the gun debate in Colorado are pouring a lot of resources into the historic recall elections of two Democratic lawmakers. And as Bente Birkeland reports, next week's September 10th elections in Pueblo and Colorado Springs are drawing national attention to the fight over gun control.
The Colorado State Fair is well underway in Pueblo. KRCC's Andrea Chalfin went down to catch some of the judging, from produce to rabbits and Pet Rock Olympics. But of course, the State Fair also has rides and games. Here's an audio postcard of some of the sights and sounds of the Colorado State Fair.
The Colorado State Fair runs through September 2nd, in Pueblo.
The USA Pro Challenge moved through Colorado last week, flashing across TV, computer, and mobile screens, thanks to a film crew on motorcycles. But there are also team cars on the road, and Aspen Public Radio's Elise Thatcher hitched a ride with one of them. She has this story of what it's like to be literally, in the middle of the peloton.
The USA Pro Challenge wrapped up in Denver yesterday, with Tejay van Garderen of the BMC Racing Team taking the overall win.
A new poll shows mediocre approval ratings for Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper as he begins his bid for reelection. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.
Efforts continue all across the Waldo Canyon burn scar to help reduce the effects of flooding. Colorado Springs Utilities expects to wrap up initial work in the Northfield Watershed on Rampart Range within the next month or so. But Project Manager Kim Gortz with Utilities says it's really an ongoing effort.
"Hayman's still seeing issues 10 years post-fire, so I think we're starting in our planning phase as far as what do we do for long-term restoration, what do we do for monitoring each time we have a monsoon season."
Colorado's first biomass power plant is nearly complete. Senator Mark Udall and State Senator Gail Schwartz toured the facility in Gypsum recently, where wood cuttings from beetle kill trees will be turned into electricity. Aspen Public Radio's Marci Krivonen explains.
The number of suicides in Colorado is at an all time high. 1,053 people took their own lives in 2012 – giving Colorado one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. Jarrod Hindman is the Director of Suicide Prevention at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. He says the state's geography limits access to mental health services, and the social stigma of getting help continues to contribute to the numbers.
The USA Pro Challenge kicked off in Aspen and Snowmass Village today. More than a hundred and twenty top cyclists are competing in the third edition of the race. As Aspen Public Radio's Elise Thatcher reports, many explored the Roaring Fork Valley on two wheels this past weekend... and all of them were within arm's reach during Saturday's opening ceremonies.
Sagan won today's first leg of the USA Pro Challenge, finishing the 66-mile stage in 2 hours, 26 minutes.
Veterans and other military leaders gathered at the state capitol yesterday to talk about ways to improve treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Colorado Senator Mark Udall and Congressman Mike Coffman put a task force together to recommend better federal policies. Bente Birkeland has more from the capitol.
The recall elections of state senators John Morse of Colorado Springs and Angela Giron of Pueblo are still on for Sept. 10, but voters shouldn't expect their normal mail-in ballot. A judge's ruling this week has the clerks of both El Paso and Pueblo counties scrambling to figure out how to conduct an election that complies with as many state laws as possible. KRCC's Liz Ruskin reports.
While Manitou Springs authorities celebrated finding one survivor, another Manitou flood victim, 49-year-old Laura Hunter, told reporters Monday at Penrose Hospital she's thrilled to be alive. KRCC's Liz Ruskin reports.
Hunter was in her small cottage in the 500 block of Canon Ave. when water started quickly pouring into her living room.
In subjects such as reading and math, Colorado students aren't doing as well as state officials had hoped. The Education Department released statewide-standardized test scores Wednesday. The report indicates that while small gains have been made, many students aren't solid in core subjects. Bente Birkeland has more.
While Manitou Springs continues its cleanup process after recent flooding, the Western Slope is dealing with issues of its own. Strong winds yesterday whipped up flames on a wildfire burning south of Glenwood Springs. The Red Canyon Fire grew to 350 acres and mandatory evacuations forced 15 families from their homes. The fire is burning in rugged terrain, in a Pinyon/Juniper forest. Aspen Public Radio's Marci Krivonen was with firefighters when the blaze blew up and started creeping toward them. She filed this report.
Some residents in eastern Colorado have tough questions for Governor John Hickenlooper. The Governor is touring the area and southern Colorado this week to get feedback from local communities. As Bente Birkeland reports, he won't always be in friendly territory...
The Governor also plans to visit Trinidad, Alamosa, and Salida among other locations tomorrow.
The Colorado Springs Police Department is confirming the body of Rose Hammes was found just after midnight last night under a bridge in a canal on Platte Avenue, near Wooten Road.
Flash flood watches and warnings peppered the weekend in the Pikes Peak region, with skies darkening ominously as thunder and rain rolled in each afternoon. Last night's warning was canceled early, and Highway 24 and Manitou Springs were spared a repeat of Friday's devastating flooding.
Update: Sun 1:40 PMPer the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the mother of missing person Juston Travis has reported she's spoken to him and he is safe. One person still unaccounted for. As described yesterday, she is a petite blonde female, wearing black shirt over tan pants. MSPD Chief Joe Ribeiro: "Seen near the creek at one moment hanging in a tree, and then not seen the next."
Update: 11:20PM: The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is reporting the body of an adult man has been found along Highway 24 near mile marker 297. They report the body was buried under a significant amount of debris along the westbound lanes of the highway. No identification is available at this time. 10:25 PM: Highway 24 is now reopened, with one lane in each direction.
With interest in urban homesteading on the rise, some traditional farm animals are showing up in city back yards. It started with chickens. Miniature goats might be next. While some worry about potential health effects, KRCC's Liz Ruskin went to one backyard east of downtown Colorado Springs to meet a woman who isn't concerned.
Monycka Snowbird lives in a densely packed neighborhood of 1960s-era ranch and split-level homes, some with tidy yards, some overrun by weeds.


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Each of us has a rich inner mental life, one that seems inaccessible to everyone else. To others, we believe, we represent a kind of human terra incognita. After all, how can anybody really know what is on our mind?
As it turns out, however, our feelings and thoughts are only too visible to those who know how to look. You will learn why in our special report, "The Body Speaks."
This article was originally published with the title Point of View.


text:
Tag Archives: Rod Humble
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 | 21:52 BST
Second Life developer Linden Lab has purchased digital distribution service Desura
Second Life developer Linden Lab has purchased digital distribution service Desura. Linden Lab CEO Rod Humble said the acquisition, the terms of which were not disclosed, is a "great fit" for the company and will provide it with a "global platform for serving creative developers of all kinds." The firm plans to invest in and support the Desura team and users of storefront will see no interruption of service. Thanks, GI International.
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 | 16:33 GMT
Second Life and Linden Lab may be getting its second wind
Think Second Life is dead? Think Linden Lab can't score another hit? Not if their new CEO has anything to say about it. More »
Fri, Mar 27, 2009 | 10:52 GMT
EA: No-DRM policy just for Sims 3 for now
Having confirmed that The Sims 3 will have no online protection yesterday, the company's now said the policy will only extend to that single game for now.
"We are just looking at this solution for The Sims 3 at the moment," a rep told Eurogamer.
Maxis boss Rod Humble said on his blog this week that online DRM would skip Sims 3.
Tue, Oct 07, 2008 | 21:14 BST
Humble bumped up to head of Sims label at EA
Rod Humble's been promoted. The Sims boss now really is the Sims boss, sporting a new job title of "Executive Vice President and Head of The Sims Label of EA". Try saying that after a sherry.
The exec's role means he's "responsible for The Sims Label, which develops and markets life-simulation games and online communities with an emphasis on creativity, community and humor."
He's pleased, obviously.
"The Sims Label creates original entertainment experiences which are unique in the way they bring culture, interactivity and creativity together," said Rod.
"It is a privilege to lead The Sims Label team as we look forward to new ways of surprising and delighting customers in this rapid growth time for interactive entertainment of all kinds."
Press release after the break.
Mon, Mar 31, 2008 | 13:15 BST
More "gamer-ness" in Sims 3, says Humble
Speaking here, Sims Studio creative director Rod Humble reckons there'll be enough in the Sims 3 to keep the "gamer" crowd happy.
"I think there is a lot more 'gamer-ness' in The Sims 3," he said. "The team has added a lot more challenge and depth for gamers.
"I have become obsessed with book collecting with my sims, and you can do things like fishing and gardening: there's a lot more of that goal-orientated gameplay. I also think that the flexibility of the new Sims character system is a massive deal."
The game's shipping next year. More through the link.
Tue, Feb 19, 2008 | 08:10 GMT
The Sims aims "to convert players into game designers", launches TheSimsCarnival.com
EA just sent word that a closed beta for TheSimsCarnival.com is now open, allowing those selected to be involved to create and share games in a custom-built community.
The initiative has been launched on the back of confirmation that Rod Humble, head of The Sims Studio, will speak at GDC later this week, on Thursday from 12pm-1pm PST in the Moscone Center's South Hall Esplanade Ballroom.
"In his session titled 'The Emergent Gamer,' Mr Humble will discuss the rise of a new kind of game creator, and what this trend means to games as an art form," EA said this morning. "For the first time, he will share details on a new gaming experience from The Sims Label that makes game creation and sharing more accessible and fun than ever before. The introduction of this new creative endeavor from The Sims is designed to convert players into game designers."
Sign up for the closed beta, if you're feeling creative.


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SPRINGFIELD -- An Adams man facing federal child pornography charges was ordered held without bail on Wednesday following a hearing in federal district court.
U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Ponsor based his decision to hold 53-year-old William Guinan without the right to bail on the belief there was a serious risk the defendant would not appear for further proceedings. Guinan did not contest the move.
Guinan had his home raided by members of the federal Department of Homeland Security on Nov. 29 as part of an ongoing investigation into the exchange, distribution and possession of child pornography through an online peer-to-peer file-sharing program.
Law enforcement officials confiscated a computer at the home and allegedly discovered a cache of child pornography on the machine.
Guinan admitted to downloading the porn, according to the criminal complaint.
He is facing a single count of receiving material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. He has not yet been indicted on the charge. If found guilty he faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison and up to lifetime supervised release. He can also be fined up to $250,000.
His attorney, Elaine Pourinski, wouldn't comment on the case.
The defendant is in jail under the custody of the U.S. Marshal's Service.
Guinan was the second county resident to be arrested on these types of charges recently.
Dalton resident Jared Sprague, 25, who was arrested by federal agents on Nov. 26 after the home where he lives was also raided, is out on a $35,000 unsecured bond with a long list of conditions.
Assistant United States Attorney Steven H. Breslow is prosecuting both cases.


text:
Legal Defense Fund
LDF in action
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Oct. 25, 2011
SPJ joined an amicus brief supporting Project Vote/Voting for America, Inc. advocating openness of voter registration applications. At issue is whether the state of Virginia can withhold voter registration information from the public simply because the state included a promise of privacy on the applications.
As the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found, the information on voter registration applications is public information, excluding social security numbers, and cannot be withheld from the public. However, the court also ruled that the state must only release future voter registration information, keeping all prior applications private. The amicus brief argues against this part of the decision.
The National Voter Registration Act requires states to make available to the public all records concerning the implementation of programs and activities conducted for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and currency of official lists of eligible voters. Journalists have long depended on access to voter registration records as a way to monitor the accuracy and honesty of the information state officials use to determine who will be allowed to vote.
U.S. courts have set a precedent in favor of releasing voter registration information on the grounds that public disclosure ... promotes transparency and accountability in the electoral process to an extent other measures cannot, as cited in Doe v. Reed, 2010. Furthermore, the state of Virginias claim that voter information is private has also been refuted by a number of U.S. courts.
July 22, 2011
SPJ joined an amicus brief challenging a complaint filed by the owner of the Washington Redskins, alleging that he was defamed in a Washington City Paper cover story titled The Cranky Redskin Fans Guide to Dan Snyder. Owner Dan Snyder filed the case, Snyder v. Creative Loafing Inc., against the Washington, D.C. weekly Washington City Paper and reporter Dave McKenna for publishing an article revealing information about, among other topics, Snyders past legal and public relations problems.
The amicus brief argues that Snyders case is a SLAPP suit, or strategic litigation against public participation. In a SLAPP suit, the plaintiff does not seek to win in the lawsuit, but rather aims to put relentless legal and financial pressure on the defendant in order to prevent future negative news coverage.
If the defendants show that the suit is a SLAPP suit, the plaintiff must prove a likelihood of prevailing on the merits of the case. The City Paper and McKenna have argued that the claim will not succeed because the allegedly defamatory statements are substantially true or protected opinion. The case is pending in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
July 1, 2011
SPJ joined an amicus brief challenging a subpoena against Wall Street Journal reporter Jesse Eisinger involving the New York shield law for journalists. Eisinger authored and co-authored a series of Wall Street Journal articles about Belgian speech technology company Lernout & Hauspie, most notably one that included the results of the news outlets investigation revealing that L&H either lied or misrepresented its Asian customer revenues. After publication, L&H's stock dropped 19 percent, the SEC launched an investigation, and L&H ultimately declared bankruptcy.
The plaintiffs in the case are a Massachusetts couple who have sued Goldman Sachs for a breach of fiduciary duty arising from Goldman's role as "exclusive financial advisor" to the couple's company, Dragon Systems, and its merger with L&H.
The plaintiffs said in their suit that they need the testimony of Eisinger to confirm the details published in the WSJ articles about what the reporter "did to uncover the problems with L&H's reported Asian revenues" to prove that Goldman could have done the same.
Authored by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the amicus brief argues that forcing Eisinger to testify would substantially weaken the protections available for journalists under the New York shield law. The law protects reporters from revealing privileged information and sources, even when compelled by subpoena.
April 25, 2011
SPJ joined an amicus brief supporting the ACLU of Illinois, challenging the constitutionality of a federal court ruling that claims the First Amendment does not guarantee the right to publicly record police officers engaged in their duties. Under the Illinois Eavesdropping Act, a citizen or journalist using a cell phone or video camera to record police conduct, even if on a public street, could be subject to criminal prosecution.
The brief argues that the Illinois statute is unconstitutional because there is a well-established First Amendment right to gather information in the public domain. The brief cites numerous examples within the past few years where the law would cause potentially harmful implications on newsgathering.
March 25, 2011
SPJ joined an amicus brief in support of a case challenging the constitutionality of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Mark McBurney and Roger Hurlbert, both non-residents of Virginia, made records requests under VFOIA. The current statute denies open records access to anyone who is not a resident of Virginia.
McBurney, who relocated from Virginia to Rhode Island, twice sought VFOIA documents after the states Department of Child Support Enforcement admitted mishandling his child support case. The department denied both requests, citing that he was no longer a Virginia resident. Hurlbert, a California resident, made a VFOIA request to the Henrico County Assessors Office for real estate tax assessment records for his clients. The request was denied because of his non-residency status.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia denied the case motion for summary judgment filed by McBurney and Hurlbert, which argued that the VFOIA provision requiring in-state residence was unconstitutional. The case is now pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Jan. 20, 2011
SPJ joined an amicus brief supporting a TV station in Hattiesburg, Miss., fighting to lift a court order preventing it from airing a videotape of alleged abuse at a youth detention facility. WDAM, an NBC affiliate, petitioned the Mississippi Supreme Court to allow it to broadcast video it acquired of alleged abuse at the states Forrest County Juvenile Detention Center. The video depicts approximately six juveniles in a physical exchange with detention center staff. Prior to airing the footage, WDAM acknowledged to Forrest County Youth Court prosecutors that the station obtained the video.
The prosecution was quickly granted a court injunction on Dec. 30 by the court to prohibit WDAM, or any other individual or news outlet from disclosing, publishing or broadcasting the tape, even though WDAM agreed to blur the juveniles faces. The court ruled that WDAM failed to provide evidence of a need in showing the video. The court also concluded that the tapes were obtained unlawfully and that the prior restraint was needed to protect the inmates privacy.
An amicus brief, authored by law firm Covington & Burling LLP on behalf of a coalition of media companies and non-profits, asserts that the order is an unconstitutional prior restraint on the stations ability to publish truthful information of public significance. Also, it reflects WDAMs argument that the court failed to present evidence that this action will protect confidentiality and serve rehabilitative purposes.
Update Jan. 28, 2011: The Mississippi Supreme Court dismissed an injunction on WDAM, allowing the station to air the footage. &151; Mediabistro
Jan. 14, 2011
SPJ joined an amicus brief seeking to uphold strict Maryland requirements for defamation claims in a case that, if reversed, could increase the number of defamation claims against journalists.
Stephen Norman was the owner, operator and an attorney for Sussex LLC, a title insurance company and defendant in a June 2007 class action lawsuit that was later re-filed in a federal trial court. The lawsuit alleged that the Metropolitan Money Store and several other companies and real estate professionals engaged in mortgage fraud.
An attorney in the lawsuit, Scott Borison, created a website that listed the parties in the case and provided links to their law firms and pleadings in the case. Although Normans name was only mentioned in one of those pleadings as a victim rather than perpetrator, he filed a defamation claim in Maryland state court, claiming that Borison and the other class action lawyers defamed him by talking to the press about the suit and posting court documents online.
The state appellate court affirmed a lower trial courts ruling, holding that allegedly defamatory statements about a company are not of and concerning the owners or shareholders of that company. The court also affirmed that the statements were protected by a privilege that extends to papers filed and comments made during litigation and are public record.
The amicus brief, authored by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, argues that the lower court was correct in dismissing the claims and that the underlying policy rationale requires a finding that attorneys are privileged to provide journalists with copies of legal filings as well as accurate summaries and comments on the documents.
Update April 27, 2011: The Supreme Court of Maryland affirmed the appellate courts judgment that Borisons website did not constitute defamation. Justia
Dec. 20, 2010
SPJ joined an amicus brief seeking to uphold a Pennsylvania libel statute and protect journalists from defamation claims years after online publication. In 2009, Arthur Wolk, a prominent aviation lawyer and pilot, Googled his name and stumbled on a 2007 blog posting on Overlawyered.com that criticized his handling of a case in Georgia. Wolk filed a complaint for defamation against the sites publisher, Walter Olson.
Wolk argued to apply Pennsylvanias discovery rule, which in some cases allows a plaintiff to bring a lawsuit within one year of when a defamatory statement is discovered rather than when it is published. A federal trial court, applying the long-standing libel claim statute, granted a motion by Olson to dismiss the libel suit. The court held that it would not apply the discovery rule over the statute of limitations in a mass-media defamation case involving a blog, which is included as a form of mass media.
The amicus brief, authored by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, argues that blogs deserve the same protection given to other mass media that are not subject to the discovery rule. The brief also argues that the public policy behind the First Amendment calls for very limited statutes of limitation and suggests against the use of the discovery rule to defamation actions arising from mass media publications.
Update July 28, 2011: Wolk filed a new lawsuit against 42 parties, including the defendants in Wolk v. Olson. &151; Courthouse News Service
Dec. 13, 2010
SPJ joined an amicus brief urging the New Jersey Supreme Court not to improperly narrow the definition of a journalist under the shield law. The case concerns Shellee Hale, a blogger who was sued by management software company Too Much Media after she posted defamatory comments about suspected security breaches at the company.
A trial court ruled that Hale could not invoke the states shield law to protect the identity of her sources because Hale had no affiliation with a legitimate news publication and her message board postings bore no similarity to traditional forms of journalism. An appellate court upheld the ruling.
The appellate court decision established restrictive criteria that limit who qualifies as a journalist. In addition, the appellate court implied that a trial court must conduct a hearing to determine whether a person invoking the shield law is more than a self-proclaimed journalist. The amicus brief argues that the state must interpret the shield law broadly enough to include online content providers who have the intent when gathering information to disseminate it and contribute to the free exchange of ideas.
The brief also argues that the appellate court made a mistake in deciding that a person who invokes the reporters privilege is then subject to a full preliminary hearing to determine eligibility for the protection.
Update June 7, 2011: The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that Hales activities did not constitute journalism, and thus did not satisfy the statute. &151; Citizen Media Law Project
Nov. 19, 2010
SPJ joined an amicus brief supporting the Federal Communications Commissions fight for full disclosure of AT&T documents. At issue in the case FCC v. AT&T is whether a corporation can assert a personal privacy right under Exemption 7(c) of the Freedom of Information Act as grounds for withholding documents from the public. The provision exempts document disclosures in law enforcement records that would constitute an invasion of personal privacy.
CompTel, a trade association for communications service providers, filed a public records request with the FCC in 2005, seeking documents related to an FCC probe into whether AT&T had overcharged the agency for work on a technology education project. AT&T fought the request, arguing that releasing the documents violated Exemption 7(c) of the Act.
The FCC rejected AT&Ts argument and agreed to release the documents, finding that a corporation has no personal privacy as a matter of law. In September 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the FCC disclosure order and ruled that AT&T, a corporation, has a personal privacy right under the exemption.
The brief, authored by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, argues that the exemption has never been interpreted as extending rights to corporations and should be applied solely to individuals to protect personal details unrelated to business conduct. The brief also argues that giving corporations new rights under the exemption would impede journalists ability to act as watchdogs.
Update March 1, 2010: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the protection in FOIA against disclosure of law enforcement information on the ground that it would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy does not extend to corporations. &151; SCOTUS blog
Sept. 17, 2010
SPJ joined an amicus brief in support of the Entertainment Merchants Association, a non-profit international trade group seeking to strike down a California law that could place an additional restriction on free speech. The case, Entertainment Merchants Association v. Schwarzenegger, regards a 2005 California law enforcing restrictions and labeling requirements on the sale or rental of "violent video games" to minors under 18.
Drafted by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the amicus brief urges the Court to embrace a broad interpretation of First Amendment protections trumpeted in U.S. v. Stevens. It further argues that the Court should not eliminate First Amendment protection for violent speech just because new media has brought it to the forefront of the publics mind. Finally, the brief explains the negative implications of a violent speech exception for journalists.
SPJs support of EMAs effort demonstrates journalists concern over the impact a more limited First Amendment will have on their ability to report on the news.
Update June 27, 2011: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the 2005 law banning video games with violent images and themes, saying that the states attempt to create a new category of First Amendment regulation for minors was unprecedented and mistaken. &151; Media Coalition
April 30, 2010
SPJs Legal Defense Fund granted journalist Christopher Elliott $2,500 to assist him in a libel suit. A travel agency, Palm Coast Travel, took issue with a post related to the states investigation, which Elliott wrote in March 2009 on his website, elliott.org.
Elliotts post originally stated that the State of Florida had filed a Notice of Intent to Issue a Cease and Desist Order against three travel agencies, including Palm Coast Travel, for selling unauthorized insurance policies. Elliott quoted a spokeswoman for Floridas Department of Financial Services about the case. However, the official misinformed Elliott, which was evident by the press release the state disseminated shortly thereafter. The release clarified that the travel agencies would be ordered to stop selling insurance as opposed to stop transacting business, as Elliott was originally told. He modified his original post the following day with a clarification and the statement, Ive updated the post to reflect that new information, and I apologize for any resulting confusion.
Despite the clarification, Palm Coast Travel sued Elliott. The SPJ Legal Defense Fund Committee and the SPJ Board of Directors voted to support Elliott, who is National Geographic Travelers ombudsman, is a syndicated columnist through Tribune Media Services, and is a columnist for MSNBC.com and The Washington Post.
Update June 26, 2010: The case was settled when Elliott apologized on his blog, and Palm Coast Travels president accepted. &151; Citizen Media Law Project
April 22, 2010
SPJ joined an amicus brief written by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press that supports the Shepherdstown (W. Va.) Observer in its battle to attain records of petition signatures that should be public. County Clerk Jennifer Maghan decided not to release names of the petitioners who were calling for a referendum of a new zoning ordinance for the county, based her decision on the privacy concerns of the signatories to the petition.
The Jefferson County Circuit Court upheld her determination, and the Observer turned to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia to challenge the decision, arguing that the petitioners signatures should be public under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
SPJ joined the Reporters Committee in filing the brief that supports the Observer, which contests that the states preparation and retention of the records makes them subject to the West Virginia FOIA.
Update Sept. 28, 2010: The West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the signatures must be released because a referendum petition is a public record when filed with a public body. &151; First Amendment Center
March 10, 2010
SPJ joined an amicus brief written by the Yale Supreme Court Clinic supporting the Prison Legal News appeal of a court order that denied the group access to trial information. The brief supports Prison Legal News, an independent magazine, which is arguing to a federal appellate court that it should receive access to trial exhibits that were once part of the public court record.
The brief argues that withholding trial documents because they had been returned to the prosecutor rather than remained in the courts public file is inconsistent with the presumptive right of access to judicial documents. Also, it argues that restricting information because a prosecutor requested the documents back from the clerk constitutes de facto sealing of court records and could open the doors to similar requests in an effort to bar the media from public information.
Update Aug. 10, 2011: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled in favor of the government, finding that the use of the videos was limited disclosure, which does not automatically trigger general release under FOIA. The case has been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. &151; Prison Legal News
Jan. 11, 2010
SPJ joined an amicus brief with the Student Press Law Center, the College Media Advisers, Inc. and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, urging an Illinois trial court to reject a state prosecutors subpoena of former Northwestern University journalism students under the states shield law.
The former students researched and reported the conviction of Anthony McKinney, who has been in prison for more than 30 years for murder, for the Innocence Project at Northwestern University. When the evidence provided by the students work convinced a Chicago judge to give McKinney another hearing, the Cook County states attorney subpoenaed information that included the students grades and e-mail communications.
The amicus brief asserts that when the student journalists were conducting their newsgathering for the project, they were reporters as defined by the Illinois Reporters Privilege Act. As such, the students are entitled to the Acts protections.
Update Sept. 12, 2011: A Chicago judge ordered the professor and his students to hand over more than 500 emails, ruling that the students were acting as investigators for the case, not as journalists. NPR
May 1, 2009
SPJ joined an amicus brief supporting the Associated Press in an effort to obtain records that could shed light on a conflict of interest for a former state Supreme Court chief justice. The requested records are emails between former Justice Elliott Maynard and Donald Blankenship, the CEO of a major coal company. The company, Massey Energy, was the subject of a suit pending before the state Supreme Court at the same time as the justice and Blankenship were exchanging e-mails and vacationed together in Monaco.
Justice Maynard ruled in favor of Massey Energy, but recused himself in a later appeal. He subsequently lost re-election. After learning of the contact between Justice Maynard and Blankenship, the AP requested e-mails through the states Freedom of Information Act. Although it received about half the requested documents, access to other e-mails was denied after the court ruled the remaining e-mails were not subject to state open records laws.
Update Nov. 13, 2009: The Virginia State Supreme Court ruled that public officials and public employees do not need to reveal personal email messages. Blankenship and Maynard were not required to hand over their email messages. &151; The New York Times
March 11, 2009
SPJ joined an amicus brief in a case surrounding the claim of former Staples, Inc. employee Alan Noonan, who was fired for allegedly falsifying expense reports. After Noonans dismissal, an executive sent an e-mail to approximately 1,500 employees explaining the circumstances of the termination and reminding employees of company policy for reporting expenses.
Noonan filed suit in a Massachusetts district court, claiming the e-mail was libelous and undertaken with intent to tarnish his reputation. Although the district court ruled in favor of Staples, reasoning that the charges set forth in the e-mail were indeed true and therefore not libelous, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit overturned the district court ruling on rehearing in February 2009. The appeals court, guided by a century-old Massachusetts statute, found that state law allows Noonan to recover, even though the contents of the e-mail were true, if a jury finds that Staples acted with ill will or malice by informing employees of Noonans misfeasance.
The amicus brief supports Staples right to report the truth.
Update Oct. 12, 2009: The 1st Circuit remanded the case to the lower court, where Staples was found to have no malice. The verdict was returned to the companys favor. &151; MediaLaw
Aug. 3, 2009
The Legal Defense Fund Committee voted to give $1,000 to the Collegiate Times, the student newspaper at Virginia Tech, to support its cost of an open records lawsuit the newspaper filed in West Virginia. The award was granted Aug. 3, 2009.
SPJ President Dave Aeikens, SPJ President-Elect Kevin Smith, Freedom on Information Committee Chairman Dave Cuillier and Acting LDF Chairwoman Holly Fisher voted in favor of granting the request. Chairwoman Julie Kay was traveling out of the country and unavailable.
Kelly Furnas, the editorial adviser of The Collegiate Times, made the request for $1,000. The paper sued the West Virginia State Police for records related to the 10-year-old disappearance of a Virginia Tech student. Their request was denied under an exemption in West Virginia's open records law that allows police to deny release of records that are considered part of an ongoing investigation if they believe disclosure could harm the investigation. The newspaper does not believe the investigation would be harmed, and in fact, could help the investigation by making more information available to the public and possibly prompt new witnesses or details to emerge.
Jan. 8, 2009
SPJ voted unanimously to sign on to an amicus brief written by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The case, State of Nebraska v. Kinyoun, which is pending in the Nebraska Supreme Court, involves the intersection of the state open records law and HIPAA.
The amicus brief supports a county historical society in Nebraska that is seeking the names, dates of death, and patient numbers of more than 900 people buried on the grounds of a state mental hospital. All were patients at the hospital. The burials occurred between 1909 and 1959, and were in graves marked only with a patient number (there are no names on the graves.)
The historical society's request for the names and other key information was denied on the grounds that revealing the names of the deceased would reveal medical information about them (i.e., that they were in a mental hospital), thus invading their privacy. The trial court held that the names could not be released because of HIPAA and issued an opinion misapplying HIPAA.
This case has taken on greater importance than usual because only six reported decisions interpreting Nebraska's open records law and even fewer interpreting HIPAA and any state open records law. Every other state and federal court that has addressed this issue has said that where a state open records law allows the release of medical/death information, HIPAA will not prevent that release. This decision puts Nebraska out of sync with the rest of the country and HHS guidance on HIPAA.
The brief addresses the misapplication of HIPAA, the idea that death records are public in Nebraska, and the strong public interest in access to these names.
Nov. 24, 2008
The Legal Defense Fund joined an open-records case being fought by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Lakeland Times, at the request of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The case began after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel requested from the state the names of union-represented state employees who lost the privilege of driving state-owned vehicles because of traffic violations. The lower court denied the newspaper access based on a collective bargaining agreement between the Wisconsin State Employees Unions and the state. The agreement states that the Employer [here the state] will not release information relating to the names
of employees covered by this Agreement to labor unions, labor organizations, local unions or the press
. The Lakeland Times also requested and was denied information from the state that included the names of Department of Natural Resources employees covered by the same agreement. Prior to the agreement, the information was available under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. The case is now on appeal.
The amicus brief argues that denying access to the information not only is an impermissible attempt to amend the open records law by contract, it violates the U.S. Constitution because the press is singled out in the agreement and treated differently that the public, which is prohibited under the First Amendment, and because the term press is impermissibly vague. Moreover, it argues that release of the names is in the public interest.
Oct. 23, 2008
The Legal Defense Fund jumped to the defense of Chicago freelance photographer Michael Anzaldi with a $1,000 grant, matched by the Chicago Deadline Club. In a case SPJ found particularly eggregious, Anzaldi was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer. Anzaldi was covering an incident in which an off-duty Chicago police officer shot and killed a man who allegedly tried to rob the officer on the South Side of Chicago.
Anzaldi says he was the first photographer on the scene and was shooting both video and still photographs from a yard across the street (with the property owner's permission). A CPD spokeswoman arrived and recognized Anzaldi. She requested that he stop filming and he complied. However, as the minutes wore on, the victim's family members or friends showed up on the scene and Anzaldi continued to take photographs. It was then, Anzaldi said, that the spokeswoman approached him and asked for his credentials. He told her that he did not have the credentials or other ID on him, but that both were in his car with his wallet and cell phone. Officers arrested him and confiscated his equipment.
Anzaldi was held for nine hours and charged before being released. His video camera and tape have not been returned. His still camera was returned when he was released, but the memory card was erased.
The official story from the CPD is that Anzaldi was arrested because he crossed police tape (which, incidentally, is permitted by the Chicago Municipal Code if a person has CPD credentials). Regardless, Anzaldi says he never crossed the tape and a Chicago judge dismissed the charges in January 2009.
Oct. 9, 2008
SPJ joined an amicus brief in the case Doe v. CARS, a case that no one even knew existed even though it had been going on for seven years. Doe v. CARS was an employment discrimination case. "Jane Doe" claims she was fired because she aborted a fetus with severe genetic problems.
The case has been going on for seven years, but it was kept completely secret until May 2008, when the Third Circuit issued an order saying the case could go forward. In two sentences at the end of the published, precedential opinion, the Third Circuit also affirmed a blanket sealing order so that the appellate opinion and two later orders remain the only public acknowledgment of the cases existence. When The Legal Intelligencer moved to intervene and challenge the closure, the Circuit refused to allow them to intervene.
The Legal Intelligencer recently filed a petition for certiorari asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press drafted an amicus brief to their petition arguing that the Supreme Court should extend its previous holding on access to court hearings and records, which found a presumptive right of access to criminal cases, to civil cases like this one. The brief also asks the Court to clarify that a newspaper must at least be allowed to intervene in order to challenge closure. The journalism groups are arguing that the Third Circuits decision to completely seal the case with no discussion or factual findings highlights the need for the Court to recognize, once and for all, the constitutional right of access to civil proceedings and records.
Sept. 25, 2008
SPJ joined an amicus brief to help the Orange County Register, which is owned by Freedom Communications, fight off a prior restraint that was entered against it. SPJ was asked to do so by the The California Newspaper Publishers Association and the California First Amendment Coalition.
Freedom Communications was a defendant in a multi-million dollar class action lawsuit brought by its newspaper carriers. The trial judge entered an order forbidding The Register from reporting on what any witness says at the trial.
The order begins as a standard witness sequestration order. For example, it forbids the presence of non-expert witnesses in the courtroom during the testimony of other witnesses and prohibits witnesses and the parties from discussing one witnesss testimony with another. However, the judge then added a gag provision forbidding the parties (and thus The Register) from reporting any non-expert witnesss testimony during the trial, reasoning that such reporting might taint the other witnesses testimony. He did not explain how this case is different from any other in that regard, or how his order could possibly effectuate its stated purpose given that other media are not similarly gagged.
Sept. 8, 2008
The Legal Defense Fund approved a $1,000 grant to Brian Barnes, a storm chaser who was arrested after he pulled to the side of the road while chasing twisters in Texas. He is a regular, established freelancer who, while not on specific assignment, is a reliable contributor to news organizations.
Feb. 20, 2008
During the past few months the LDF Committee has granted two LDF requests for a total of $3,000. SPJ also, through the LDF Committee or with the LDF Committees assistance, has signed on to three amicus briefs, lent its names to comments/letters on three occasions and advised SPJs leadership. One LDF grant request was rejected. Read the full report here.
July 25, 2008
SPJ awarded a $200 grant to Justin McLaughlin of West Virginia University. McLaughlin is pursuing the applications from the West Virginia University Innocence Project, arguing that they are public under state law.
Feb. 7, 2007
The LDF committee voted to provide amicus support for Griffis vs Pinal County. It involves the suspension of Stanley Griffis from his job as county manager after he used public dollars to buy $21,000 worth of sniper rifles, ammunition and other related gear without approval. Phoenix Newspapers, which owns The Arizona Republic, is seeking 90 e-mail records from the time when state officials were investigating Griffis for this conduct.
Nov. 2, 2006
The LDF committee voted to provide amicus support and $1,000 for two San Francisco Chronicle reporters who were subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury. The two reporters have been pressed to reveal the identities of sources who leaked grand jury testimony concerning a highly publicized case concerning the use of steroids by professional athletes.
Sept. 27, 2006
The LDF committee approved a $500 grant to help pay for an amicus brief supporting The Boston Herald, which was sued by a judge after the newspaper reported the judge's controversial comments as recounted by other court officials who heard them.
Aug. 23, 2006
SPJ's national board of directors awarded the largest LDF grant ever given. The money went to Josh Wolf, a California blogger and freelance journalist who was imprisoned because he refused to provide the federal government with his unused video of a 2005 San Francisco riot. The $30,000 grant is to be used to pay Wolf's legal fees. SPJ President David Carlson negotiated with the law firm representing Wolf and helped broker a great deal for Wolf: SPJ would provide $31,000 of Wolf's legal expenses if the firm capped its fees at $60,000.
June 28, 2006
LDF provided a California TV freelance photographer $1,000 toward his fight to keep his tapes from the government. More
June 28, 2006
LDF gave $1,000 to the State News, the student paper at Michigan State University to support the paper's efforts to get the university to release an incident report on a campus assault.
June 6, 2006
LDF awarded $1,000 to the Salt Lake City Deseret Morning News to defray legal costs associated with filing a brief in the Utah Supreme Court. The case, Desert Morning News v. Salt Lake County, involves the papers right to obtain government records, which county government had sealed.
Marcia Rice, a former county clerks office employee, filed a complaint and lawsuit in 2003 alleging that a chief deputy clerk sexually harassed her in the workplace while the county clerk knew of the situation, but did nothing.
At issue is whether independent investigative reports into allegations of misconduct by high ranking government officials are public records under the Government Records Access Management Act.
After more than 100 hours of investigation, and at the expense of more than $11,000 in tax payer funds, two private attorneys released their report to the district attorney. The district attorney provided a summary to the victim, but refused to release the full report.
A district judge has ruled that the records are private, protected and public disclosure would have a chilling effect upon witnesses and victims participation in future investigations.
May 11, 2006
LDF committee votes to sign onto a letter from news organizations asking the governor of Arkansas to stop selectively excluding certain media from his press conferences.
April 28, 2006
SPJ agrees to support the Shield Law legislation authored by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. The bill provides a qualified privilege for confidential sources and information in both criminal and civil contexts.
April 19, 2006
LDF committee votes to join an effort to oppose a gag effort in the case of Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the former chief of staff to vice president Dick Cheney.
Jan. 27, 2006
LDF approved $250 for an amicus brief supporting the New York Times in its lawsuit brought by Stephen Hatfill, a man under suspicion of mailing anthrax.
Oct. 24, 2005
LDF committee agrees to lend moral support to the National Press Photographers Association of New Jersey in its efforts to retain the rights to shoot photos in the subway system.
For more information about the Legal Defense Fund, please visit this link.
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text:
Clockwise, from left: Adrian Gaut (2); Rochelle Higgins
The golden state's middle ground is ripe with new wineries, gastro-inns and farm-fresh shopping.
From herbs to ice cream, the area's agricultural output is best sampled at the source.
Eats For sage-blossom honey, limited-edition wines and apricot preserves, stop by the sleek and sun-filled Bell Street Farm. Take away grilled-cheese sandwiches or eat them on the back patio, where rosemary and thyme from the garden perfume the air. 406 Bell Street, Los Alamos; (805) 344-4609; bellstreetfarm.com. Read more…


text:
Lockdown ended at Komensky School after nearby break-in
BERWYN – Komensky School went on lockdown following a report of a man trying to break into a home in the 2500 block of Highland Avenue about noon Monday.
Police said the area was cordoned off while officers conducted a search for the suspect.
As of 12:55 p.m., the suspect was not found and police called off the search. As a result, the school ended the lockdown, police said.
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text:
Black Halo
Jackie O Dress
Black Halo's classic designs with flattering lines accentuate all the best features of the classiest lady.
- Self: 62% polyamide 32% viscose 6% spandex
Lining: 95% poly 5% spandex - Shoulder seam to hem measures approx 42" in length
- Fully lined
- Dry clean only
- Belted waist
- Back slit opening
- Center back zipper closure
- Styled with Kelsi Dagger Candise Pump in Black.
- Styled with House of Harlow Faceted Metal Cross Ring in Gold.
- Styled with House of Harlow Double Arrowhead Cuff in Gold.
- Styled with House of Harlow Black Triangle Cuff in Gold Plated Black Resin.
- Modeled in size 0. See fit guide for model's dimensions.
- Revolve Style No. BHAL-WD585
- Manufacturer Style No. 203056
- Can't find your size? Place a special order inquiry for this item.


text:
Users of the credit card and cash replacement system are advised to spend any remaining gift card balances before August 21.
On that date, Google will be disabling the NFC functionality for any gift or loyalty cards that users store in their Google Wallet. However, for those that have physical gift cards, there's no need to panic as the change will not affect them.
Google Wallet's ultimate aim is to consign debit cards, credit cards, cash and even physical coupons, loyalty cards and gift vouchers to the history books in favor of a unified virtual system that lives inside users' NFC-enabled smartphones.
The idea is that instead of fishing around in a pocket for coins, cards and tokens, simply tap a phone on the contactless payment sensor and everything is done automatically. Rewards points are redeemed or added, payments are taken from a designated account and everybody's happy.
However, since the service was launched in 2011, it has failed to capture the public's imagination, despite the fact that Google has continued to add new features and uses to it.
One of the problems that not just Google, but all other companies in the virtual wallet market face is that very few shops and stores are prepared to invest in the point of sales devices that enable consumers to pay for goods via a phone. Likewise, consumers are not prepared to sign up for the services until more shops are set up to accept payments from a phone. And of course a smartphone needs to support NFC (Near Field Communication) in order to use the app, a feature that not all companies build into their handsets.
Google hasn't clarified why it is disabling the NFC gift and loyalty card feature but has revealed that it is working on a solution and will release more details "soon".


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The call came in to the Columbia, Tennessee 911 call center at 5:20 on the morning of February 9. A fire was raging at the Islamic Center. When local police arrived a few minutes later, they found the broken glass of a door and heavy dark smoke billowing out of a broken window. At the scene, the officers also discovered a black swastika painted on the front of the building, along with two black swastikas and "We run the wold" (sic) and "White Power" painted on the side.
Later the same day, law enforcement officers arrested three local residents: Eric Ian Baker, 32, Michael Corey Golden, 23, and Jonathan Edward Stone, 19. The three men are accused of using empty beer bottles filled with gasoline and rags to set fire to the storefront mosque. They face federal charges of unlawful possession of a destructive device and state charges of arson.
According to the criminal complaint filed in federal court, at least two of the perpetrators of the arson and vandalism of the mosque were Christian Identity Movement adherents. (See the affidavit here.)
Once again, a Beltway anti-immigrant group has chosen to make a brief appearance in Iowa to inject their brand of nativism into the American body politic.
Four years ago, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) was responsible for ads which WHO-TV called "unnecessarily inflaming and borderline racist." FAIR was met by widespread community condemnation. And yet, they're back. This time, FAIR is importing radio talk hosts to poison the airwaves.
It's time to tell the truth about FAIR.
Earlier this month, after compiling overwhelming evidence about FAIR's disturbing connections, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) officially labeled them a hate group . SPLC joined the ranks of civil rights organizations raising concerns about FAIRs ties.
Organizations deserving mainstream respectability usually fire disreputable staff and return cash from nefarious donors. FAIR has done the opposite. Instead, they've attacked the venerable civil rights institution and sided with a white supremacist foundation.
The collapse of this summer's bi-partisan immigration reform legislation served as a national coming out party for the House Immigration Reform Caucus. During the last two legislative sessions, it has been the reef upon which realistic and fair-minded attempts at immigration policy reform have foundered. It promotes policies that can be fairly described as both nativist and inhumane. And the Caucus' links to controversial nativist organizations auger for even greater conflict and danger ahead.
Despite the fringe nature of their politics, the HIRC claims 110 members, a full 25% of the House of Representatives. The Caucus is one of the largest, most coherent forces in an increasingly splintered House of Representatives. Until now, they have gone virtually unnoticed and unexamined.
This report by the Building Democracy Initiative of the Center for New Community in Chicago, Nativism in the House, is the first of its kind. It narrates the growth of the House Immigration Reform Caucus (HIRC), assesses the legislation it has initiated, and compiles data on the voting records of its members. The report also analyzes the campaign contributions HIRC members have received, and looks at the demographic character of the congressional districts they represent.
Members of Congress Urged to Disavow Virulent Rhetoric from Extremist Groups As Reform Effort Nears Homestretch
Chicago - Today, the Center for New Community, a faith-based human rights group that tracks anti-immigrant activity, released "Indecent Proposals: Top 10 Most Offensive Quotes from Anti-Immigrant Leaders." The list captures some of the most offensive rhetoric being propagated and endorsed by anti-immigrant groups and their supporters on talk radio.
Read all the dirty details about the oldest and most influential nativist organization in the country, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, in our special report.
Click here to read (pdf).


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PROCESS cookies in food processor until fine crumbs form. Mix with butter. Press onto bottom of 13x9-inch dish. Refrigerate until ready to use.
BEAT cream cheese, sugar and 2 Tbsp. milk in medium bowl with whisk until well blended. Stir in 1-1/4 cups Cool Whip; spread onto crust.
BEAT pudding mixes and 3-1/4 cups milk with whisk 2 min.; spoon over cream cheese layer. Let stand 5 min. or until thickened; cover with remaining Cool Whip. Refrigerate 4 hours.
serving size = 1 piece (84 g)


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Research supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science focuses on the effects of energy production and use on the global climate system. The research seeks to understand regional and global climate response to changes in greenhouse gas and aerosol concentrations. Research covers five focus areas: 1) Climate Change Process Research, 2) Climate Change Modeling, 3) Climate Change Ecological Effects, 4) Carbon Sequestration Research, and 5) Climate Change Education and Infrastructure.
DOE supports climate change research at its National Laboratories and other public and private research institutions, including universities. In support of the USGCRP, the DOE Office of Science's Climate Change Research Program will continue to support climate change research that is generating the scientific knowledge base needed to (1) inform the public discussion about climate change; (2) support scientific considerations of energy policy options related to climate change; and (3) provide the scientific foundations and tools that can be used by the Nation to plan for, adapt to, and mitigate climate change.
Click to visit the Department of Energy's climate research website.