AltWeeklies Wire
Health Care or Hell? A Diary of H1N1new
I asked myself what other business in civilized society would allow a customer to sit in their lobby for an entire day. Waiting. Hour after hour. No apologies, no apparent attempt to speed things up or call in extra help. I actually thought it was normal...for the first six hours.
Weekly Alibi |
Michael P. D'Arco |
12-08-2009 |
Science
Colorado Bus Drivers Prepare to Lose Their Jobs and the Heart of the Union They Builtnew
As part of massive budget cuts, Colorado Springs is eliminating its transit contractor, First Transit, resulting in the loss of weekend and evening bus service — and the layoffs of 73 workers, including 47 bus drivers once paid with general-fund dollars. The savings will amount to about $5.7 million in 2010.
Colorado Springs Independent |
J. Adrian Stanley |
12-08-2009 |
Business & Labor
The saga of Jose Morales Continues in Texas, as he Awaits Sentencing on a Cocaine Charge.new
Jose Morales was arrested in August, 2008 at the Edinburg airport after trying to charter a jet back to Baltimore. Federal agents found six kilos of cocaine in a restroom trash can. Morales pled guilty to a single felony count last spring, and there began a battle over his sentencing.
Baltimore City Paper |
Edward Ericson Jr. |
12-08-2009 |
Drugs
Connecticut Still Lacks a Critical Facility for Delinquent Girls and There's No Good Explanationnew
Connecticut hasn't had a state-run secure facility for girls since 2003 when the Long Lane School, which housed both boys and girls, closed. In 1998, a girl named Tabatha committed suicide at Long Lane and in response the Connecticut Juvenile Training School was opened - for boys. The girls were left behind.
New Haven Advocate |
Daniel D'Ambrosio |
12-08-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Copenhagen: Nice Show, But We're Doomed No Matter What
It is almost certainly too late to save ourselves. Like recycling and not littering, reducing CO2 output amounts to mere politeness. It's a nice gesture. But it won't make any difference.
Maui Time |
Ted Rall |
12-07-2009 |
Environment
Can a Mild-mannered Bakery Clerk Solve Grocery Workers' Labor Strife?new
Kim Cordova's termination, and the filing of a slander lawsuit against her and two other union members, convinced her to make a play for the top job at one of the largest unions in Colorado. She'll be the first woman to head Local 7.
Westword |
Melanie Asmar |
12-07-2009 |
Business & Labor
It's Tough Being an Immigrant, Unless You're Richnew
The Dallas Morning News recently reported that City Hall is looking to create a regional center under a federal program that offers green cards and a shot at permanent residency to immigrants willing to invest $500,000 or $1 million in the city.
Dallas Observer |
Patrick Williams |
12-07-2009 |
Immigration
An Army Sergeant's Case May Help Explain the Surge in Non-combat Deathsnew
In Sgt. John M. Russell's chaotic Army world the morning of May 11, the enemy was closing in. The big Texan had talked of conspiracies, woken up from constant nightmares, and broken down in tears, wishing someone would put a bullet in his head.
Seattle Weekly |
Rick Anderson |
12-07-2009 |
War
Young Undocumented Immigrants Face Dead End After High Schoolnew
An estimated 65,000 undocumented immigrants graduate from high school each year, only to enter a purgatory in which they feel they can neither return to Mexico nor become productive, law-abiding citizens. Attorney Laurel Herndon calls them “blameless."
Boulder Weekly |
Jefferson Dodge |
12-07-2009 |
Immigration
Asian Students Under Assault in Philadelphia Schoolsnew
Community organizers say 30 or more Asian students were attacked Thursday, Dec. 3 at South Philadelphia High School. In September, Philadelphia Weekly's George Miller wrote this cover story about how Asian students are regularly targeted in Philadelphia schools.
Philadelphia Weekly |
G.W. Miller III |
12-07-2009 |
Children & Families
Vancouver Police Move Toward Installing Video Surveillance in Jailnew
After initially resisting the plan, the Vancouver Police Department is moving ahead with the installation of a video surveillance system in its jail.
The Georgia Straight |
Carlito Pablo |
12-07-2009 |
Crime & Justice
The Duffel-bag Classnew
Memphis city residency requirements sound good in theory, but for some, it can lead to an economic nightmare. Here's one man's story.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Davis |
12-07-2009 |
Housing & Development
Prostitution Report: Jail Doesn't Worknew
The key to cleaning up prostitution in Portland isn't making more arrests or slapping streetwalkers with steeper fines.
The Portland Mercury |
Sarah Mirk |
12-07-2009 |
Sex
One Man's Stroke at 33 Was Only the Beginning of a Nightmarish Slog Through the Health-Care Systemnew
For years building his career was Sabin Orr's first priority. He didn't think much about his health. Other than recreational drinking and a fondness for steaks and burgers, he was a healthy, normal 33-year-old. Until the day he wasn't.
Las Vegas Weekly |
T.R. Witcher |
12-04-2009 |
Science
Only a 'Human Movement' Can Save Civilization from the Climate Crisisnew
Copenhagen will fail because the great publics of the world have not been involved in the great human questions underlying the technical issues the scientists discuss. It is not only that the conference will fail to protect our young, but that the rest of us will barely notice.
Sacramento News & Review |
Fred Branfman |
12-04-2009 |
Environment
