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Carolina in the News

Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media:

National Coverage

U.S. Fertility Rate Hits 35-Year High, Stabilizing Population
The Washington Post
For the first time in 35 years, the U.S. fertility rate has climbed high enough to sustain a stable population, solidifying the nation's unique status among industrialized countries. ..."We also have a relatively high percentage of part-time jobs available," said Ronald Rindfuss, a sociology professor at the University of North Carolina.

NJ law would mandate organ donor decision
The Associated Press
Thousands mourned after Jason Ray, who dressed as the University of North Carolina mascot, died after being hit by an SUV during a March basketball team trip to New Jersey, but four lives were saved by the organs Ray donated.
Related Link:
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071221/
NEWS01/712210380/1006
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-9/
1198215378239380.xml&coll=1

Nebraska Book Co. Buys 9 Bookstores
The Associated Press
Nebraska Book Co. said Thursday that it has completed its purchase of nine private, off-campus college bookstores. ...Because of some common ownership, there were seven separate transactions, said Al Siemek, chief financial officer for Nebraska Book Co. The nine stores are: ...Ram Book and Supply, serving the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Hormone Could Ease Painful Lymphedema
HealthDay News
A hormone called adrenomedullin may prove an effective drug target for treating lymphedema, a painful swelling of the limbs that can follow breast cancer or other cancer treatment, U.S. researchers say. It may also help prevent the spread of cancer, according to a team from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/dec07/caron121707.html

Regional Coverage

Mental Health Needs Continue in Gulf Coast Due to Hurricanes
KPLC-NBC (Lake Charleston, La.)
Many residents of the Gulf Coast have rebuilt after the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. ...Doctors from the departments of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, Duke University Medical Center and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center portray a grim picture of the instability following the two storms...

State & Local Coverage

Moeser finds money to revive N.C. Literary Festival for '09
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
UNC-CH will host the next North Carolina literary festival after all, rescuing the popular but difficult-to-organize event from a decision to abandon it. After The News & Observer wrote about the festival's demise last month, Chancellor James Moeser found $200,000 to cover the bulk of the event in 2009.

Actress to speak at UNC for King Day
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Actress and activist Ruby Dee will deliver the keynote address at this year's 23rd annual University-Community Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at UNC. Her address will be in Memorial Hall on East Cameron Avenue at 7 p.m. Jan. 22.

Readers split on lavish college sports (Commentary)
The News-Record (Greensboro)
A few weeks ago I wrote a column criticizing big-time college sports programs for going over the top. Coaches' salaries have become excessive and sports arenas have grown humongous. ...Sports is a sacred subject in the Tar Heel state, and the column predictably provoked a gusher of e-mails, phone calls and verbal comments.

Regional Briefs
The Winston-Salem Journal
A special prosecutor from Forsyth County dropped a first-degree murder charge yesterday against a Wilson man who had been held in jail for three years. ...The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has held rallies for Johnson, and the case has been reviewed by NAACP attorneys and a law professor at UNC Chapel Hill.

Issues & Trends

One giant step ...
The Charlotte Observer
The new fuel economy standards and energy efficiency standards President Bush signed into law this week move the United States toward conservation and energy independence, a welcome change in direction for a federal government that for decades refused to adopt consistent, responsible energy policy. ...Consider this example: The University of North Carolina system, which includes 17 campuses and general administration facilities, is the single largest user of electricity and water in the state. Between 70 and 80 percent of state government energy use is by UNC institutions, according to the N.C. Department of Administration.

Women accused of sexual assaults on UNC athletes
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Chapel Hill police have charged two women with sexually assaulting three UNC-Chapel Hill football players, according to police and arrest warrants. A man also was charged with trying to rob the players during the weekend incident.
Related Link:
http://www.fayobserver.com/article_ap?id=115176

UNC Systems Awards Nearly $4M in R&D Grants
WRAL-TV/CBS (Raleigh)
The University of North Carolina systems is handing out nearly $4 million in research and development grants to faculty across the UNC system for projects that could lead to new jobs. The funding includes $3 million provided by the North Carolina General Assembly. The projects selected also have secured more than $4.4 million in private and federal funding.