uncnews.unc.edu

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

International Coverage

Elizabeth Edwards, Political Wife Shaped by Life of Losses, Dies of Cancer
Bloomberg News
Elizabeth Edwards, a popular figure in the Democratic Party whose life was shaped by loss, first of a teenage son, then of her husband’s two presidential campaigns, then of a marriage torn by his infidelity, has died. ...At the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, she studied English and aspired “to teach young people to love literature as I did.”
Related Link:
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/12/07/Elizabeth-Edwards-dies-at-61/UPI-70401291765027/
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20101207/cancer-elizabeth-edwards-dies-101207/

National Coverage

Elizabeth Edwards' legacy: toughness amid tragedy
The Associated Press
...Americans knew Elizabeth Edwards in large part through her tragedies, but more importantly, they knew her for the vitality and determination she showed in dealing with them. ...Glenn Bergenfield, a classmate of both Elizabeth and John Edwards at the University of North Carolina Law School, told CBS Elizabeth Edwards' legacy would be one of grace and patience in the face of adversity.
Related Links:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20101208/pl_ac/7360322_elizabeth_edwards_career_
accomplishments_and_nonprofit_work
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703921204576005891780934026.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6095218/elizabeth_edwards_dies_after_battle.html

A Political Life Filled With Cruel Reversals
The New York Times
Elizabeth Edwards, who as the wife of former Senator John Edwards gave America an intimate look at a candidate’s marriage by sharing his quest for the 2008 presidential nomination as she struggled with incurable cancer and, secretly, with his infidelity, died Tuesday morning at her home in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Related Links:
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-elizabeth-edwards-20101207,0,2175436.story
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/obit/2010-12-07-elizabeth-edwards_N.htm?csp=34news
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120704966.html

Elizabeth Edwards Dies of Cancer
CBS News
Elizabeth Edwards, the estranged wife of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, died of complications from breast cancer Tuesday morning surrounded by family and friends in her North Carolina home.
Related Link:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/06/elizabeth.edwards.obit/

FDA Panel Backs Use Of Orexigen's Proposed Weight-Loss Drug Contrave
The Wall Street Journal
A federal advisory panel Tuesday backed the use of a proposed weight-loss drug from Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. (OREX), saying potential safety concerns could be addressed in a clinical study after approval. ...John Buse, a prominent diabetes researcher at the University of North Carolina who raised concerns about the safety of the diabetes drug Avandia several years ago, spoke on behalf of Orexigen, and said "a post approval study is appropriate and the only way to move forward."

Coaches' contracts carry bonuses, provisions for unusual tasks
USA Today
Coaches' contracts with Football Bowl Subdivision schools can be more than a matter of money. Some of the more unusual provisions of current deals: …. North Carolina: In January, the university will hold a "good-faith review" of Butch Davis' salary and additional compensation.

Not all public schools reveal football coaches contracts
USA Today
NCAA Article 11.2.2 requires that coaches provide their schools with a full accounting of their income and benefits from outside sources. ...The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provided documentation that shows coach Butch Davis gets money from Learfield Communications for coaches shows and from Nike but declined to say how much he earns on the deals.
Related Links:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2010-coaches-contracts-table.htm

Regional Coverage

Washington ranks 11 in nation in overall health
The Seattle Times
..."America's Health Rankings," a broad look at states' health, is now in its 21st year, produced by the American Public Health Association, the United Health Foundation and Partnership for Prevention. ...Using data from a large number of sources, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the survey uses a methodology developed by a committee of public-health scholars convened by the University of North Carolina School of Public Health.

State and Local Coverage

Elizabeth Edwards' death closes full, public life
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Elizabeth Anania Edwards, who became a national figure in her fight against cancer and as a partner in her husband's political career, died Tuesday. She was 61. ...After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, Elizabeth spent two years in graduate school with the goal of earning a Ph.D. in English literature and pursuing a teaching career. But job prospects for English graduates were poor and she entered law school, something her mother had always wanted her to do. It was at UNC's law school that Elizabeth Anania met Johnny Edwards, three years her junior.
Related Links:
http://wchl1360.com/detailswide.html?id=16793
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7827069
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5573188/
http://wunc.org/programs/news/archive/NDD120810.mp3/view

Perdue to outline her plan on budget
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue plans to introduce her plans for revamping state government this week, getting a jump on the Republican legislature that will take office in January. ...The delayed projects included a $1 million fire suppression sprinkler system and fire alarm upgrade at Polk Hall at N.C. State University, a $2.1 million exterior building restoration and roof replacement at Fetzer Gymnasium at UNC-Chapel Hill, a $455,000 roof replacement at Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte, and a $150,000 roof replacement and exterior building repair to the Criminal Justice Building at N.C. Central University.

UNC's Thorp and a blog about a tweet (Blog)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Yes, it's really him. The @chanthorp twitter address you may have seen over the last 24 hours does, in fact, belong to Holden Thorp, the chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Blood drive Dec. 14 (Letter to the Editor)
The Chapel Hill News
This year celebrate the holidays by giving the gift of life to someone in need in our area. University and community residents are all invited to the 12th annual Holiday Carolina Blood Drive, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14 in Woollen Gym off South Road. The drive goal is 400 units. (Patti Thorp, Chapel Hill)
UNC Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/4103/68/

Amazing tales
The Chapel Hill News
PlayMakers Repertory Company celebrates the holidays with "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment," by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Maguiles. ...The swashbuckling storyteller, accompanied by his faithful canine friend Bruno, will take PlayMakers audiences along on his exotic and extraordinary journeys. Tom Quaintance, who directed PlayMakers productions of "The Little Prince" and "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," will direct.
UNC Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/4090/66/

Wind for N.C. (Letter to the Editor)
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
I was very happy to find out about the Obama administration's Dec. 1 decision to once again protect our shores from the threat of offshore drilling. ...A study done by UNC Chapel Hill shows North Carolina has some of the best offshore wind potential along the entire Atlantic coast, which could lead to thousands of jobs. (Susan Tilley, Durham)

Bake your own better goodies (Column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
The holidays are upon us, and the fall baking season is in full swing. It's the time of year that many of us love to make cookies, muffins, breads and cakes from scratch in our own kitchens. That's a good thing, because foods you prepare yourself have a lot of potential for being better for you than those that come from a package. (Suzanne Havala Hobbs is a registered dietitian and a clinical assistant professor in the department of health policy and administration in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill.)

Roses & raspberries (Editorial)
The Chapel Hill News
Roses to the UNC football team, which, despite a season's worth of distractions and the loss of some key players, put together a 7-5 record and earned a bid to the Music City Bowl. Carolina will play Tennessee on Dec. 30 in Nashville, Tenn. The Music City Bowl, it's probably safe to say, is a step down from the goal the Tar Heels had their sights on when they began the season.

Issues and Trends

NC lawmakers get grim news on school cut options
The Associated Press
Potential spending cuts to close a $3 billion-plus budget gap next year could mean layoffs for thousands of public school teachers and university faculty, increase class sizes and reduce the courses offered, North Carolina education administrators told lawmakers Tuesday. ...In the UNC system, a 10 percent reduction, or $270 million, would eliminate funding for 2,000 positions, half of them faculty members, and eliminate 6,400 course sections on campus.

Bleak State Budgets in the Offing
Inside Higher Ed
A new study out today reinforces the impression left by other recent surveys of the country's economic landscape: tight state budgets are going to put a squeeze on public colleges and many other state-financed entities. ...The big-picture view of the legislators' report, consistent with the others, is that state revenues in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 fiscal years are expected to turn up somewhat over this year, but those increases will leave most states well short of where they were in 2008 -- with overall general fund spending $42 billion less than in that year.

Colleges and Students Would Benefit From White House Tax Compromise
The Chronicle of Higher Education
President Obama has reached a deal with Republicans that would extend for two years a series of expiring tax benefits, including a research-and-development tax credit and a trio of deductions and credits for college tuition. ...The tuition and research benefits are among several noncontroversial tax benefits that were folded into the deal after negotiators reached agreement on the more-contentious cuts. They include a tuition tax credit worth up to $2,500, a student-loan interest deduction worth up to $2,500, and a benefit that allows companies to provide up to $5,250 in tax-free tuition assistance to their employees.