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National Coverage

South America's Constitutional Battles
The Washington Post
Movements to rewrite national constitutions are dramatically changing the political paths of several South American countries, triggering bitter debates over whether new charters will benefit future generations or simply serve the political ambitions of current presidents. ..."Large-scale constitutional reforms are extremely popular with citizens," said Jonathan Hartlyn, a political scientist at the University of North Carolina who has studied constitutional politics throughout Latin America.

Let It Crumble: When No Infrastructure Is Best
Discovery News
In the rush to shore up or rebuild aging highway bridges, dams and other crumbling U.S. infrastructure, one question has been overlooked: Which infrastructures are we better off without? ..."Rehabilitation might not be rehabilitation, but removal," said Martin Doyle, an environmental geographer and river specialist at the University of North Carolina.

"Amazing" Dino Fossil Found With Skin, Tissue in China
National Geographic
The fossil of a dinosaur with a flesh wound has been discovered in northeastern China, offering the most complete view to date of dinosaur skin, a scientist says. ...Alan Feduccia, an evolutionary biologist the University of North Carolina, agreed. "It's very important in the sense that it's our first glimpse into the microstructure of dinosaur skin, and what he's shown is that it has multiple layers of collagen fibers," said Feduccia, who specializes in bird evolution.

Fleeing to Mexico Thwarts Death Penalty
The Associated Press
A methamphetamine dealer who gunned down a deputy during a traffic stop in Southern California. ...Ordinarily, these would be death penalty cases. But these men fled to Mexico, thereby escaping the possibility of execution. ..."If you can get to Mexico — if you have the means —it's a way of escaping the death penalty," said Issac Unah, a University of North Carolina political science professor.

Regional Coverage

Pa. to allow hormone labeling on milk
The Philadelphia Inquirer (Pennsylvania)
After an outcry from consumers and an unusual review by Gov. Rendell's office, Pennsylvania agriculture officials yesterday largely reversed a planned ban on milk labels that proclaim the cows were not injected with synthetic hormones. ...There is a slight hint that milk of any kind could be linked to an earlier start to menstruation, said Marcia Herman-Giddens of the University of North Carolina's School of Public Health.

Indio applies for grant to aid safety for schoolchildren
The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.)
Coachella Valley city officials are trying to find ways to make routes to school safer. One way is by applying for the Safe Routes to School state grant - money used to cover expenses that help keep streets and intersections safe for students as they travel to and from and school. ...Safe Routes for School is a national program, headquartered at the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, with the initiative to reduce the number of children who are killed while walking and bicycling to school.

State and Local Coverage

What's Right with our Schools: Destiny Labs
WGHP (Fox/Greensboro)
Biology students at a Piedmont High School are gaining experience in the field of forensic science, with the help of a mobile lab from the University of North Carolina.
UNC News Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/science-and-technology/gibsonville-
students-board-uncs-destiny-science-bus.html

Health insurer to help comparison shoppers
The Chapel Hill Herald
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina unveiled a new online program Thursday to make the costs of health care more transparent, but experts in the field remained skeptical, questioning whether the program would indeed benefit consumers. ..."Sick people aren't in a great position to shop around for care, and having prices more available won't change that," said Jonathan Oberlander, UNC Chapel Hill associate professor of health policy and administration.

Health alliance director: Switching locations may be too expensive
The Independent Tribune (Kannapolis)
Cabarrus Health Alliance is looking at options for moving out of its current location on Cannon Boulevard. ...The health alliance is also working with UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Public Health and Duke University, which already are partners with the research campus.

UNC kicks away its reputation (Editorial)
The Star-News (Wilmington)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which prides itself on its dedication to truth, enlightenment and the Final Four, has settled a lawsuit filed by a former student who accused a prominent university employee of sexual harassment.

Issues and Trends

Bowles makes a power play
The Triangle Business Journal
Erskine Bowles, who built his reputation in investment banking and as right-hand man to a United States president, is aggressively seeking to gain more control over personnel decisions within the University of North Carolina System he now heads. To do so, Bowles would have to gain approval through legislation to free his office and staff from provisions of the State Personnel Act and the policies set by the State Personnel Commission.

The bio lab's many benefits (Opinion-Editorial Column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
North Carolina is one of the country's top agricultural and biotechnology states, has one of the most highly educated work-forces in the United States and is recognized for its world-class universities. ...Those supporting North Carolina's proposal include our congressional representatives; government officials; the UNC and community college systems, along with Duke University, Wake Forest University and other academic institutions; agricultural stakeholders; the private technology sector and nonprofits.